Posts published in “Thailand”

Throughout the first five days of the Songkran festival period, a total of 197 people lost their lives in traffic accidents, while 1,738 others sustained injuries, according to the Interior Ministry. Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Chotenarin Kerdsom, announced that these accidents took place across the nation from April 11 to 15, accounting for 1,744 incidents. In the northern province of Nan, the highest number of accidents was recorded, with 59 occurrences. Meanwhile, Bangkok experienced the highest death toll at 15. The province of Nan also reported the highest number of individuals injured in traffic accidents, totaling 59 people, said Chotenarin. On April 15 alone, there were 311 traffic accidents, leading to 31 fatalities and 304 injured people. Speeding was found to be the primary cause of these incidents, accounting for 35.37% of the accidents. Drink driving came in second, contributing to 25.72% of accidents. Motorcycles were involved…

As the Songkran Festival comes to an end, thousands of people convened at Naris bridge in Surat Thani Municipality to celebrate, despite concerns from the Department of Disease Control (DDC) that Covid-19 cases may rise as a result. DDC director-general Thares Krasanairawiwong expressed that the number of cases after Songkran could surpass those seen after the New Year due to relaxed Covid-19 measures, with fewer people wearing masks outdoors and not needing tests to participate in activities. From April 9-15, 435 new infections were admitted to hospitals for treatment, averaging 62 cases per day or a 2.5 times increase from the previous week. Among these, 30 individuals suffered from lung inflammation and 19 required ventilation, marking a 58% and 36% increase, respectively. During this period, there were also two fatalities from those who had received their last booster shots more than three months ago. Dr.Krasanairawiwong urged those in high-risk groups,…

The Meteorological Department has revealed that this weekend, a moderate high-pressure system originating from upper Vietnam and extending to the Northeast and South China Sea will result in storms, gusty winds, hail, and thunder sweeping over numerous provinces. On the other hand, the rest of the country will experience a significant temperature increase, owing to dominant southerly and southeasterly winds. Regions in the North, Northeast, and Central areas are forecasted to face scorching temperatures ranging from 38-42 degrees Celsius. In contrast, the East and South are expected to see milder yet high heat, with recordings between 34-37 degrees Celsius. People residing in locations prone to storms are urged to stay indoors, avoid the vicinity of large trees and unstable billboards, and refrain from wearing metallic items or using mobile phones during thunderstorms. Furthermore, farmers should take precautions to protect their crops and livestock from potential damage. On Saturday, the following…

In an effort to promote artificial intelligence (AI) development in Thailand, Nectec executive director Chai Wutitiwatchai has revealed plans to provide affordable space and essential tools for local engineers and developers. Speaking to The Nation, Chai emphasized the significance of AI in transforming Thailand into a digital society and making existing technologies more intelligent in their interactions with humans. Chai acknowledged that while Thailand’s infrastructure, such as electricity systems, internet access, 5G networks, cloud services, and data centers are prepared for the country’s shift towards a digital economy, there are still some shortcomings. These areas of improvement include skilled AI engineers, integrated data sharing, and locally developed technologies. “We are now overly reliant on international technologies. This is extremely dangerous in terms of both economic stability and national security,” Chai warned. To address this situation, Nectec is collaborating with educational institutions and has established a platform called AI Thailand. This…

In response to criticisms claiming that six election commissioners had left the country while urgent matters needed addressing regarding the May 14 election, a rebuttal statement was issued to clarify the situation. Posts on social media had labeled these trips as “unnecessary,” “inappropriate,” and a “waste of money.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kanchana Patarachoke explained that the officials who traveled to Australia and New Zealand were on a mission to inspect the system for transporting ballots back to Thailand. Their goal was to ensure timely ballot delivery, avoiding delays like those experienced in the 2019 election. Officials visiting South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco had a similar mission, as Africa is a vast continent where comprehensive transport is not available in all areas. In addition, these officials were examining solutions to the lack of direct flights from South Africa to Thailand, as mentioned by Kanchana. Regarding Europe and the United States, officials…

During the Songkran holidays, a significant number of Thai people traditionally travel back to their hometowns to visit relatives, which often results in heavily congested traffic and an increased number of road accidents. This year, the Songkran celebrations, also known as the Thai New Year, are scheduled from April 13th to 17th. In light of the holiday season, Transport Co has announced a special promotion for passengers traveling during the period of April 18th to 24th. Those who book their tickets using the e-ticketing application or through the company’s website, https://tcl99web.transport.co.th, will be eligible to receive a 10% discount on their fares. Sanyalux Panwattanalikit, the President of Transport Co, highlighted this promotional offer on Friday. Furthermore, Transport Co membership cardholders will receive twice the reward points for every booking made during this time frame. This promotion is aimed at encouraging more people to utilize public transportation during the busy holiday…

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) police recently issued a statement highlighting the issue of overcrowding, especially in popular spots where people frequently gather, such as Bangkok’s iconic Khao San Road. They emphasized the importance of recognizing when an area is too congested and stressed the need to maintain personal safety by moving to less crowded places. According to CIB police, an area can be considered overcrowded if it’s challenging to raise your hands up to your face due to the sheer number of people. This issue gained traction when Khao San Road was filled with over 40,000 revelers last Thursday, and the authorities had to step in to restrict entry. Additionally, they deployed 100 more officers and volunteers to ensure security and promote safe enjoyment. To help prevent potential emergencies, CIB offers several recommendations for partygoers. One crucial piece of advice is to always be aware of where emergency exits…

As the Songkran holiday comes to a close, many motorists have begun their journey back to the bustling city of Bangkok in hopes of avoiding the anticipated congestion on Monday, the last day of the festivities. This time-honored tradition, which began on Thursday, has witnessed an influx of provincial residents returning to their families, while those native to Bangkok utilize the break to embark on much-needed vacations. A distinct increase in traffic was observed on the Asia Highway, situated in Ayutthaya province, just north of Bangkok, as the sun rose on Saturday. Much to the relief of travelers, there was no significant congestion and vehicles were seen cruising at speeds between 100 and 120 kilometers per hour across the majority of the highway, as reported by motorists who shared their experiences on the road. Meanwhile, on Phaholyothin Highway en route to Bangkok, traffic steadily picked up in Wang Noi district…

Pheu Thai’s plan to transfer payments legally into every Thai citizen’s digital wallet has faced criticism from rival political parties. However, the party has explained its strategy to the Election Commission, affirming that it’s not just a political tactic. The plan aims at stimulating the local economy and uses block-chain technology to ensure that the money must be spent within six months and within 4 kilometers of each recipient’s registered address. The controversial plan has drawn criticisms from economists, legal experts, and politicians, with many warning that its estimated cost of over 500 billion baht could lead to a financial burden for the country. Some even argue that the proposed digital wallet scheme may violate the Currency Act. Former Bank of Thailand governor Tarisa Watanagase has labeled the plan “irresponsible,” suggesting that the government would have to take out massive loans to finance it. In response, Pheu Thai remains confident…

In recent weeks, political parties have been campaigning on a variety of topics, yet one crucial aspect has been noticeably absent: innovation. Pun-Arj, an expert in the field, expressed his disappointment at the lack of emphasis placed on innovation by Thai political parties, despite the significant advantages it brings. He explained, “In today’s leading countries, politicians understand the importance of innovation policies for encouraging growth, fostering entrepreneurial competitiveness, increasing gross domestic income, creating new high-paying jobs, and enhancing their global positioning.” Innovation, he described, is “a novel idea, approach, or device meticulously crafted to offer fresh solutions to existing challenges.” It plays a crucial role in maintaining Thailand’s economic growth, improving the quality of life, and addressing social disparities. Pun-Arj cited several examples from other countries that are leveraging innovation to spur development and resolve social issues: – China: An innovation-driven development strategy is central to the nation’s aspirations for…