Greeted by the vigilant immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi airport, you start your journey into an exciting exploration of Thailand. The government, in its recent announcements, has hinted at potential relaxed visa requirements for certain European nationalities. As you traverse the city streets, the infectious energy from the numerous cultural and sporting events will likely draw you in, extending your stay and enriching your experiences, said Prommin Lertsuridej, the right-hand man of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Srettha Thavisin, who assumed office in August, has flagged tourism as a major opportunity to bolster Thailand’s economic growth swiftly. To facilitate this, measures have been initiated to ease visas for tourists from Russia, China, Kazakhstan, India and Taiwan. This comes alongside efforts to optimize airport operations for reduced waiting time and introduce new air routes. Notably, the government is also taking active steps to liven up the night scenes in multiple regions like Bangkok,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Last November, a captivating sight took place at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, where people gathered at the lake, and under the enchanting moonlit sky, they released their Krathong crafts onto the water. It’s a beautiful and deeply spiritual scene, surprising many with its harmonious blend of tradition and tranquility. (Photo courtesy of Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) The Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Somsak Thepsuthin, voiced his expectations of the forthcoming Loy Krathong festival, an acclaimed soiree that fills the historical landscapes of the northern province, Sukhothai, with color, culture, and camaraderie. Taking place between November 18th and 27th, the DPM anticipates the celebratory event will attract as many as 750,000 local and international sightseers. The resulting economic aftermath is predicted to generate an impressive revenue of up to 800 million baht. As the sun set on Saturday, the festival took an enticing start, presided over by Mr. Somsak himself. With an enthusiastic…
In an impressive sweep operation, Thai health authorities have successfully apprehended a colossal stash of counterfeit health products, amounting to an astonishing 43,411 units across 23 product types. The total value of this haul spirals over 40 million baht. The veritable cornucopia of deceptive health aids promises marvels, each more delightful than the previous. Prompted by this audacious proliferation of fraudulent health items, the Department of Health has deemed it imperative to warn consumers. Don’t fall for the siren call of extravagant health benefits or be ensnared in the trap of cheap prices, they urge, laying the bait of false promise bare. Here’s a quick run-through of big ‘no-nos’ in this league of dubious products: Ovisure Gold is embellished with tantalizing claims of alleviating pain in your joints, averting osteoarthritis, and wrestling down a range of bone-related diseases, all within just seven magical days. Digo Sure, isn’t short of lofty…
In the far-reaching northern landscape of the Shan state, near the Chinese frontier, rests the town of Kokong. A turmoil-filled zone where the eternity of the past month has witnessed relentless combat between the Myanmar military and the ferocious ethnic armed groups recognized as the Brotherhood Alliance. With apparent concern etched on his face, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, the Foreign Minister, revealed that Thai administrators have been tirelessly communicating with their Myanmar equivalents. Their collective aim being the swift and safe arrival of the Thai labor force that is currently entombed in the clutches of Laukkaing town. Earlier news hoisted the alarming situation to public’s attention when it was unveiled that a staggering number of more than 200 Thai citizens, have unknowingly found themselves stranded in a conflict-ridden zone. A duplicitous Chinese call-centre criminal outfit in Laukkaing lured them into this precarious predicament. Committed to homecoming their stranded populace, the repatriation endeavour…
The buzz in San Francisco, California, was palpable as the city played host to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week event, an illustrious congregation of business gurus and political rainmakers from the respective Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members. Among the game changers gracing the event was Thailand’s very own, Srettha. The business rollercoaster ride of the event was punctuated with various sessions. A session winning considerable attention was orchestrated on a beautiful Friday and saw involvement from an impressive cross-section of the business world. This included representatives from the US National Centre for APEC, the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-ASEAN Business Council. During that significant session, the Thai Prime Minister concisely encapsulated the government’s eagerness to foster trading and investment relationships. The highlight of his address was the emphasis on the “quick win” policy. This potent strategy is the heart of the nation’s plan to turbocharge economic growth; it…
The digital realm was ablaze when Narong Junior, a renowned Facebook user, shared an intriguing video clip last Friday. It was none other than Surachate, the esteemed Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, going through a spiritual event of bare cranium at a revered monastery. This sacred ritual constitutes a crucial step as he prepares once again to enter the monastic life. Fasten your seatbelts for the upcoming ordination event scheduled for Saturday, November 25. It’s worth noting that this isn’t Surachate’s first rodeo in donning the symbolic saffron robes. In a move that speaks volumes of his committed spirit, he embraced monkhood for a fleeting moment at the venerable Wat Thai Bodhgaya. This pivotal moment parachuted into his life in the early days of 2020, trailing his appointment to the influential position of Special Adviser to the Prime Minister. However, this distinguished individual’s journey has not been without…
In a gripping match on the global football stage, Thailand’s valiant squad faced a narrow 1-2 defeat against China in the Asian zone qualifiers of the 2023 FIFA World Cup. This thrilling encounter was held under the lights of the prestigious Rajamangala Stadium, located within the heart of the bustling city of Bangkok, on a fateful Thursday. Deeply immersed in the high stakes of the competition, attendees bore witness to a sport presented in its purest form, filled with raw emotion, impressive skills, and a ruthless ambition that spared no margin for error. Despite the loss, Thailand’s football team walked away with their heads held high, carrying with them the promise of stronger performances in the future. On this memorable evening, a special message of congratulations was extended towards President Xi, applauding China’s football team’s well-earned triumph over Thailand in the challenging World Cup qualifying round. This continued display of…
Accompanied by a host of illustrious governmental personnel, including the Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office Puangpet Chunlaiad, and Deputy Finance Minister Julapan Amornvivat, Paetongtarn engaged wholeheartedly in the festivity renown as the Indian New Year. Her Day began with a visit to the Ganesha Shrine in the area known affectionately as “Little India”, immersing herself in the rituals and traditions. Her involvement wasn’t limited merely to the religious practices; she enjoyed every inch of the vibrant culture, paying rapt attention to traditional dance performances and diving headfirst into the bustling Khlong Ong Ang Market, sampling Indian tea and refreshments. The event, masterfully orchestrated in a partnership between the government and the private sector, has the overarching aim of invigorating tourism under the creative theme “One Day Trip, Three Religions, the Virtue of Merit”. An ingenious blend of cultural exploration and spiritual discovery, all in a…
As the mercury dips in the East and Central regions, including the bustling metropolitan area of Bangkok, expect a noticeable drop in temperature between 1-3°C, as reported by the department. This is a reminder for the people of upper Thailand to not only take good care of their health during this temperature drop, but also to stay vigilant for potential fires. The combination of potent winds and parched air present ideal conditions for fires to easily ignite and spread, warns the department. Furthermore, be prepared for the formidable Northeast monsoon reigning over the Gulf, the South, and the Andaman Sea to bring with it isolated bouts of heavy and sometimes, very heavy rainfall to the Southern areas. This, the department cautions, is a time for heightened awareness for those in these regions. Keep an eye out for signs of rain accumulation which could swiftly lead to flash floods and overflows.…
The groundbreaking health initiative famously known as the “treatment anywhere for just 30 baht” remains one of the triumphant electoral pledges by the reigning Pheu Thai Party. Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, when unveiling these critical policies explained that their sole purpose was to manifest tangible results within the first 100 days. He further elaborated that several actions under these policies were already underway and are anticipated to yield fruitful outcomes just in time for the New Year, offering a welcomed gift to the populace. The “anywhere treatment” plan acts as an extension of Thaksin Shinawatra’s government’s revolutionary 30-baht universal healthcare scheme which was launched in 2002 during his tenure as the Prime Minister. In this renewed version of the ground-breaking scheme, the beneficiaries, for a mere 30 baht, would garner coverage for primary health concerns at all participating hospitals. Dr. Cholnan unveiled that the scheme was now…