As the sun sets on April 15th, the vibrant and joyous festivities of the Songkran Festival, also known as the Thai Traditional New Year, come to a nostalgic close. This is a time when the air is thick with the spirit of merriment and the lands of Thailand become a thriving mosaic of people embarking on heartfelt journeys back to their roots for cherished family reunions. On a particularly bustling Monday, the rhythm of travel beats louder with 6,689 outbound voyages recorded by public conveyances, commandeering the attention of 43,189 passengers sprinting upcountry. A staggering number, nearly touching the 100,000 mark, were serenaded by the wheels of interprovincial buses and vans, each carrying stories home. The mantle of orchestrating this massive movement rested on the shoulders of Transport Co’s acting president, Atthawit Rakjamroon, who was a man on a mission. Preparing additional buses and vans was not merely an administrative…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Welcome to the latest buzz sweeping through the Land of Smiles, where a vibrant scheme is poised to sprinkle a dash of digital magic into the wallets of millions, and quite possibly, put a spring in the step of the local economy. We’re diving deep into the heart of a financial fiesta that’s got everyone from tuk-tuk drivers in bustling Bangkok to the rice farmers in the serene Thai countryside talking. Imagine waking up to find that your digital wallet feels a tad heavier, thanks to a generous sum of 10,000 baht, just waiting to be spent at your favorite local haunts. This isn’t a dream, but a reality for those Thais 16 and older, earning less than 70,000 baht monthly and whose bank balances shy away from crossing the 500,000 baht mark. This grand gesture, with a price tag waving around the 500 billion baht mark, isn’t just an…
Imagine the vibrant streets of Samut Prakan transformed into a canvas of colours and laughter, where the Songkran festival brings people together in a joyful celebration of water fights and good spirits. It’s a scene straight out of a postcard, enticing both locals and travelers to dive into the festivities that mark the Thai New Year. However, amid the revelry, a distressing incident unfolded on Monday night, casting a shadow over the otherwise jubilant occasion. As captured by the lens of the Survive Facebook page, a troubling scene came to light: a woman was molested during the blissful chaos on Praekasa Road, between the hours of 8 and 9 pm. The victim, alongside the vibrant bursts of water and the playful smearing of talcum, experienced an unwelcome and unsolicited encounter. A man, seizing the opportunity amidst the throng of celebrators, applied talcum to her face before crossing the line into…
Imagine the vibrant streets during the Songkran holiday, with the air buzzing with excitement and the spirit of renewal. It’s a time when families reunite, and the essence of tradition fills the air. Amidst this festive backdrop, a scene unfolds that is quite untraditional, yet equally compelling. Nutchapakorn Nammueng, a fervent advocate from the Internet Law Reform Dialogue, known as iLaw, transforms a pedestrian bridge in the bustling Rangsit area of Pathum Thani into a makeshift stage for democracy. This is not your typical holiday scene. Nutchapakorn, armed with nothing but pamphlets and a determination as resilient as the Thai spirit, has embarked on a mission to ignite a flame of political awareness during a time when hearts are open and minds are ripe for inspiration. As the Songkran holiday beckons the returnees, political activists see a golden opportunity—not for revelry, but to mobilize these wanderers into catalysts for change…
The atmosphere was palpably tense, akin to the mounting anticipation before a tropical storm makes landfall, as Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew took the stage at the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department this past Tuesday. With an air of gravitas, he revealed startling figures that would serve as a clarion call for road safety advocates across the nation. In a bold move to combat the surge of road accidents during one of Thailand’s most beloved and bustling holidays, the department launched a vigilant monitoring center. From April 11, as waves of people rolled out of Bangkok like a departing tide, seeking the embrace of their hometowns for the Songkran festivities, to their eventual return to the capital’s concrete jungle, the center kept a keen eye on the nation’s roadways. Cholnan, orchestrating the press conference with the precision of a maestro, divulged that on the Monday in question, a disheartening tally…
Imagine the vibrant streets of Phitsanulok, a district usually buzzing with life and soaked in the rich traditions of Thailand, waking up to a rather unusual sight. The aftermath of the exuberant Songkran celebrations had left its mark, with roads not just drenched in water, but also adorned with a sprinkle of talcum and an unintended garnish of garbage. This picturesque chaos, captured on a serene Tuesday morning, paints a vivid image of festivity and its hefty footprints. But amidst the revelry and joy that Songkran brings, there lies a grim narrative that unfolds on the roads of Thailand during this time of year. The first five days of the Songkran road safety campaign week unveiled a bittersweet story – a tally that counted 206 souls lost and 1,593 others bearing the brunt of injuries. With 1,564 traffic mishaps recorded from April 11-15, there was a slight dip of 10.4%…
Imagine strolling through the bustling streets of Madrid, the air filled with the aroma of tapas and a hint of intrigue about the city’s latest environmental maneuver. This time, it’s about something as seemingly mundane yet crucial as plastic bottle caps. Phumtham, Thailand’s deputy prime minister, recently shared an interesting nugget of information that’s set to revolutionize our approach to plastic bottles, courtesy of an update from Patcharamon Trakultivakorn, the minister counsellor at the Thai embassy in the heart of Spain’s vibrant capital. Here’s the scoop: Gone are the days when plastic bottle caps would embark on their own journey the moment you unscrewed them, only to end up as reluctant residents of landfills or, worse, the ocean. Under a groundbreaking new rule, the caps of 3-litre plastic bottles are now designed to remain loyally attached to their bottles, even after being opened. This little yet mighty change is part…
In a heartwarming display bridging tradition and respect, Srettha recently illuminated the social media universe by sharing captivating snapshots from his visit to the illustrious Chan Song Lar abode of none other than Thaksin, a figure ensconced in the annals of Thai political lore. The images, echoing with the spirit of Songkran, depicted Srettha engaging in the time-honored gestures of garlanding Thaksin with fragrant jasmine and tenderly pouring water over his hands, an act brimming with symbolic respect traditionally reserved for the elders and esteemed members of the family. The visit, as narrated through the lens of X (formerly known as Twitter), was not just a casual meet-and-greet but a profound venture to draw New Year blessings from the former Premier Thaksin, “a senior person I respect,” as Srettha eloquently put it in his post. Thaksin, upon who the mantle of Pheu Thai Party’s patriarch rests, commands a reverence that…
In the vibrant heart of Siam Square, amidst the joyous uproar of Songkran, the Thai New Year, a scene unfolds that captures the essence of youth and celebration. A teenage girl, her eyes sparkling with mischief and excitement, is busy at work with her camera, immortalizing moments of unbridled joy as her friend dances amidst a sea of foam. These are the moments that make Songkran in Pathumwan district unforgettable, forever etched in the digital memories captured by Nutthawat Wichieanbut. Yet, as the country bathes in the water-soaked festivities, a somber backdrop shadows the nationwide celebration. Between April 11th and 14th, as the jubilant holidaymakers begin their journey back from their festive retreats, a chilling toll makes headlines. One hundred and sixty-two souls will not return to their loved ones, having succumbed to the perils of traffic accidents, while an additional 1,279 individuals carry the scars of survival, injured during…
Imagine this: It’s the break of dawn, and the streets of Thailand start buzzing with an energy that’s as palpable as the thick, tropical air. Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, and the western New Year holidays beckon Thais far and wide to embark on a journey back to their roots, upcountry. This exodus, a spectacle of unity and joy, also marks a time when the roads of Thailand become a blurry frenzy of travelers. Yet, amid the excitement, a shadow looms — a spike in road accidents fueled by heavy traffic, a festivity-induced urgency to speed, and the unfortunate choice by some to drive under the intoxication of spirits rather than the spirit of the holiday. But there’s a glimmer of hope shining through this ominous cloud. Ruangsak Suwaree, the unwavering Department director-general, recently unveiled a silver lining. According to him, the relentless efforts to curb drunk driving are…