Posts published by “Editorial Team”

TikTok Star Enters Election Race in Songkhla Popular TikTok influencer Jury Numkaew has joined the political landscape in southern Thailand. He is running as an MP candidate for Songkhla under the Chartpattanakla Party. Since the 2019 victories by the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and Bhumjaithai Party, many parties have been vying for House seats in Songkhla’s constituencies this year. Upcoming Election and Constituencies The election is set for May 14 with Songkhla divided into nine constituencies. Constituency 2, where Mr. Jury is a candidate, has grabbed attention because of his entry into the race. Known for TikTok videos featuring a unique southern Thai dialect, Mr. Jury has a platform centered on improving local economies, reducing nepotism, and eradicating vote-buying in the region. From TikTok Star to Political Candidate With over a million followers, Jury Numkaew gained fame on TikTok as Auntie Jury. He aims to raise living standards in Hat…

An Unsettling Series of Shootings and Bombings in Southern Thailand The tranquil final day of Ramadan was disrupted by a series of bomb and shooting attacks across three southern border provinces of Thailand. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The coordinated attacks targeted six different locations in Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces, carried out by an unknown number of armed assailants. Investigations into these incidents are still ongoing. Overview of the Simultaneous Attacks The series of attacks transpired as follows: A bomb exploded on a bridge over a railway track in tambon Sateng Nok, Muang district of Yala. An outpost of a special operations unit in Rueso district, Narathiwat, was attacked, leading to a firefight between security forces and the gunmen. Two men on a motorcycle fired upon a special operations unit’s outpost at Wat Chang railway station, located in tambon Thung Phla, Khok Pho district of Pattani. Assailants targeted police…

Consequences of Songkran Celebrations: A Grim Road Safety Update The Songkran festival, marking the Thai New Year, has taken a tragic turn as the death toll reaches 158 within the first four days of the holiday. The latest road safety data shows a decrease of 14 deaths compared to the same period in the previous year. The total number of reported road accidents across Thailand is 1,422, resulting in 1,433 injuries from April 11-14. Songkran’s “Seven Dangerous Days” Despite the decrease in fatalities, the situation is still alarming with 44 people killed and 368 injured in accidents on Friday alone, the fourth day of the holiday’s “seven dangerous days.” In comparison, there were only 1,207 accidents and 1,188 injuries during the same time frame last year due to certain Covid-19 restrictions still in place, leading to fewer trips. Causes and Statistics Speeding remains the leading cause of these road accidents,…

Songkran Festival Thrives with 40,000 Participants at Bangkok’s Backpacker Hub The Songkran festival, celebrated in Bangkok’s popular Khao San Road, saw an estimated 40,000 Thai and foreign attendees engage in water fights on the first day. As the evening crowds grew, authorities closed off the street to additional visitors in order to manage congestion and ensure that celebrations remained safe. Celebrating Songkran Post-COVID Authorities anticipated the large turnout at Khao San as it marked the first Songkran festival since COVID-19 restrictions were eased. Local businesses predict that around 30,000 to 40,000 people, including both Thais and foreigners, will visit the area each day during the festivities. Khao San Road spans just 400 meters in length, featuring a primary entry point and exit point, as well as several smaller alleyways branching off the main street. There have been heightened concerns around overcrowding at large public events following a tragic stampede in…

A Fresh Start for Thailand: Political Parties Celebrate Songkran Day 2023 As Thailand gears up for the highly anticipated 2023 elections, political parties join in the spirit of Songkran Day festivities. Khunying Sudarat Keyurapan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai party, shared her new year wishes in a Facebook video that promised a brighter future for the nation. Thai Sang Thai’s Pledge for a Prosperous New Year Sudarat, the sole prime ministerial candidate for Thai Sang Thai, reaffirmed her party’s commitment to bringing prosperity, happiness, and increased job opportunities to the country. Acknowledging the political turmoil of the past 17 years, she positions her party as a welcome alternative to the two opposing factions that have divided Thailand for too long. With Songkran festivities finally resuming after a hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, Sudarat wished all Thais a joyous celebration and health in the coming year. Pheu Thai Party Shares…

Embracing Thai Culture at the Iconic Temple Countless tourists flocked to the magnificent temple, donning traditional Thai outfits for memorable photo opportunities. The temple’s central tower, known as “Phra Prang,” served as an exquisite backdrop for their pictures. The temple is situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, providing an idyllic setting for visitors to immerse themselves in Thai culture. Renting Traditional Attire for an Authentic Experience The streets surrounding the temple are filled with shops that rent out traditional clothing to tourists, offering a unique and immersive experience. Rental prices range from 150 to 400 baht (US$4.50 to $12) per person for a two-hour period, with the cost dependent on the choice of accessories. This opportunity to wear Thai traditional attire has become increasingly popular among tourists from all around the world. Capturing the Essence of Ancient Thai Architecture Visitors to the temple are not only…

Reviving Tradition: Songkran Water Festival Celebrations Return Amid Eased Covid-19 Restrictions After three years of subdued celebrations due to Covid-19 restrictions, the traditional New Year water fights and splashing events have made a spirited comeback. The revelry has resumed, though it’s not without concerns from authorities and traditionalists in Thailand. Conservative Concerns Surrounding Songkran Each year, the sight of scantily clad participants engaging in exuberant water battles incites a wave of apprehension among conservative Thais, as well as local authorities. As this year marks the first time in four years that Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted for Songkran celebrations, the potential for rowdy behavior is at an all-time high. Four Rules to Maintain Order During Celebrations Authorities have established four strict guidelines for both Thais and foreigners participating in Songkran festivities in an effort to maintain order during the water festival: No nudity No going half-naked No face-daubing powder No…

Celebrate Family Day with Free Entry to Thailand’s National Parks on April 14 On Thailand’s Family Day, April 14, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is dropping entry fees for Thai nationals and their vehicles in national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and non-hunting areas across the country. According to spokesperson Anucha, the government encourages Thai citizens to visit national parks during Family Day and the Songkran festival as a way to strengthen family bonds, promote tourism, and encourage the exploration of Thailand’s natural resources. Preparing for Songkran: Ensuring Safety and Assistance for Visitors Every Songkran, Thailand’s national parks witness an increase in visitors, and this trend is expected to continue this year. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, the department will be deploying more officials to assist tourists during the New Year festival. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has also urged tourism-related agencies to prioritize tourist safety during…

Thailand’s Growing Elderly Population Strains Social-Welfare Budget The Fiscal Policy Office anticipates that, by 2033, Thailand’s social-welfare expenditures will surpass 1 trillion baht, primarily due to the increasing expenses associated with caring for the nation’s aging population. A Dwindling Workforce and Higher Expenditures As the number of elderly individuals grows, the government is compelled to allocate more funds towards their care, while tax revenue from the shrinking working-age population is declining. According to Finance Ministry deputy spokesperson Pornchai Thiraveja, the birth rate in Thailand has been decreasing since 2013. This trend not only slows economic growth but also diminishes the state’s taxable revenue, explained Pornchai, who also serves as an advisor to the ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office. Over the last five years, the state’s cost of caring for the elderly (inclusive of pensions, senior healthcare, and other welfare benefits) has increased by 5.15%, stated Pornchai. He emphasized the need for…