Songkran Celebrations Resume, Bringing Back Water Fights and Revelry After three years of subdued festivities due to Covid-19, Thailand’s traditional New Year celebrations, Songkran, returned in full force on Thursday. The event, marked by water fights and enthusiastic splashing, has been a cause for concern among conservative Thais and authorities, as it often features partygoers scantily clad and engaging in wild water battles. Authorities Enforce Four Strict Rules for Songkran Festivities With worries that this year’s Songkran celebrations could be particularly rowdy, authorities have implemented four rules to maintain order during the event. The regulations, which apply to both Thais and foreigners, include: No nudity No going half-naked No face-daubing powder No high-pressure water guns Mass Influx of Foreign Tourists Expected for New Year Celebrations Over 300,000 foreign tourists are predicted to join the throngs of Songkran revelers in Bangkok and other popular tourism destinations. Bangkok has set up 198…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
Paving the Way for Tourism with NFTs and Digital Coupons In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at bolstering the tourism industry, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has partnered with more than 30 collaborators, including prominent IT company Crypto City Connext, to launch a non-fungible token (NFT) project. This innovative venture offers digital coupons featuring “Nong Sukjai,” the TAT’s adorable mascot, illustrated in various styles by over 20 collaborating artists. Trial Phase and Exclusive Collection Points Currently in its trial phase, these exclusive NFTs can be collected only at specific attractions: Ratchaprasong Road in Bangkok, Nimmanhaemin Road in Chiang Mai, Dibuk Road in Phuket, Khao Niaw Road in Khon Kaen, and Yomjinda Road in Rayong. On April 13, TAT released 5,550 digital coupons across these five locations, with differing levels of rarity—5,000 are “normal” NFTs, 500 are “rare”, and the remaining 50 are “super rare.” The rarer the coupon, the more…
Collaboration to Boost Eastern Sarus Crane Population in Vietnam The Zoological Park Organization (ZPO) has joined forces with the Vietnam Zoos Association to increase the population of the Eastern Sarus Crane in Vietnam. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the collaboration also includes the People’s Committee of Dong Thap Province in Vietnam and the International Crane Foundation. Reintroducing Cranes to Thailand and Expanding Efforts Since 2009, the ZPO has been working on reintroducing Eastern Sarus Cranes to Thailand, with breeding and release taking place in the natural wetlands of Buri Ram province. “We aim to bring them back from the brink of extinction into their natural habitat so they can continue to grace our skies,” stated Attapon Srihayun, director-general of the ZPO. Attapon expressed gratitude toward those involved in the project, including scientists and staff from the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant, Mahidol University, as well as those…
Super Poll Survey Predicts Close Race in May 14 Election The latest Super Poll survey indicates that no party will secure a landslide victory in the upcoming May 14 election. Conducted from April 5-13 among 6,073 respondents, the nationwide survey predicts that Pheu Thai will emerge as the winner with 160 House seats in both the constituency and party-list systems. Projected Results for Pheu Thai Party According to the survey, Pheu Thai will secure 133 of the 400 constituency seats and an additional 27 of the 100 party list seats. The party had originally aimed to win 310 seats; however, the Super Poll suggests that their best outcome will be 185 seats or 135 seats in the worst-case scenario. Bhumjaithai Party Expected to Take Second Place Bhumjaithai is predicted to finish second with a total of 121 seats—101 constituency seats and 20 more from the party list. In an ideal…
The first Phuket Cannabis Cup is set to be a groundbreaking event in the world of cannabis, bringing together the cannabis community in Thailand to promote quality and safety standards for consumers. GET TICKETS HERE The event, organized by the Phuket Cannabis Association, will take place on March 25, 2023, at the Pamookkoo Resort Hotel, located in the picturesque Kata Beach, Phuket. This full-day event promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience for cannabis enthusiasts, featuring a variety of activities and showcasing some of the finest cannabis strains from around Thailand. One of the highlights of the event is the cannabis bud showcase, which will feature a range of strains from different regions of Thailand. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample and learn about the various strains, and interact with knowledgeable growers and experts. The event will also feature a joint rolling competition, where contestants will race to roll the…
It was midnight in gorgeous Ko Samui, off the coast of Surat Thani province in Thailand, when a speedboat caught fire and burned on the surface of the water. The vessel, being operated by the tour boat company Siam Experience, was moored around 50 metres away from the shoreline while flames engulfed it. The Thailand Maritime Enforcement Command Centre (Thai-MECC) arrived at the scene near the Bang Rak boat pier in Tambon Bo Phut to put out the fire almost immediately. Thankfully, nobody was injured during the incident, however, the speedboat had obviously been seriously damaged by the flame, and it sunk shortly after being extinguished. Assessing the Damage and Investigating the Cause of Fire The fire did not spread to any of the other vessels moored nearby, and the assessment of the damage began soon. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and some locals say that…
Air Quality in Bangkok to Improve Thanks to Strong Southerly Winds As reported by the Pollution Control Department of Thailand, air quality in Greater Bangkok is set to improve from Monday to Saturday due to the strong southerly wind. Despite this positive outlook, air quality in the 17 provinces of the upper and lower North Region will still need to be monitored closely as the PM2.5 levels are expected to surpass the 50 µg/m3 threshold. The Moderate High Pressure Over Thailand and South China Sea The Thai Meteorological Department reported that the moderate high pressure over the northern region and South China Sea will cause the southeasterly winds to bring moisture from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand over the lower North, lower Northeast and Central regions. This includes Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. Rain and Morning Fog in Northern Thailand The easterly and southeasterly winds prevailing…
Explore Phuket: An Unforgettable Experience Heading to Phuket for some sun, sand and sea is a no-brainer for travelers from all over the world. There’s a reason why this stunning Thai island is one of the most popular destinations for tourists – the gorgeous beaches, the vibrant culture, the delicious cuisine and the endless array of activities for everyone. In addition to all of this, Phuket also boasts an incredible airport – the Phuket International Airport. Phuket International Airport: A Flawless Gateway to Paradise Phuket International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia. It boasts two terminals – one domestic and one international – and offers direct flights to over 60 cities worldwide, making it incredibly easy to get to and from Phuket. The airport is well-equipped with modern facilities and is staffed with attentive personnel who will ensure your journey is a pleasant one. A Scare…
Thursday night in the coastal district of Bang Klam, Songkhla was a busy one for the local police. Two pickup trucks were stopped in the area near Chalung industrial estate, and when the tarpaulin was removed from the back of one of the vehicles, they were shocked to find 30 illegal job seekers from Myanmar crammed inside. The Mystery of the Drivers The drivers of the two trucks were identified as Thai nationals Thawatchai, 23 and Somjit, 29. Both of them had been employed as job brokers, with Thawatchai having been paid 9,000 baht and Somjit 3,000 baht for their services. A third man, a job broker from Myanmar, was also arrested at the entrance of Chalung industrial estate. He revealed that he had been hired by the smugglers to take the migrants to hide in the area while awaiting another group of brokers to take them to a border…
The outcry of Pheu Thai Party MP, Jirayu Huangsap, has influenced Governor Chadchart Sittipunt of Bangkok to take action against the extortionate student lunch prices in city schools. After the director of the Bang Chan School was arrested by the police Anti-Corruption Division, Mr Jirayu called out the Bangkok governor to investigate the issue thoroughly and take serious action. What Led to the Arrest? The cost borne by the contractor in providing student lunches was reflected in high meal prices, which not only caused outrage among students and parents, but prompted Mr Jirayu to file a complaint in November against Governor Chadchart. This prompted the police to intervene and take legal action against the school director, which ultimately led to his arrest. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt’s Response Following the incident, Mr Chadchart promptly responded by suspending the school director and taking legal action against him. He also ordered the permanent secretary…