THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

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…

Throngs of Tourists Flock to Songkran Celebrations in Chiang Mai The captivating Songkran festival in Chiang Mai is witnessing a significant influx of tourists, gathered to participate in the province-wide celebrations from Thursday to Sunday. Songkran: A Celebration Full of Joy and Reverence Festive activities that tourists can look forward to include a traditional merit-making ritual, an elegant Songkran beauty pageant, and the quintessential water showering ceremony for revered Buddha statues, deeply rooted in the province’s customs. Cooling Off with Tunnel Sprinklers As Chiang Mai’s soaring temperatures encourage visitors to seek respite, the installation of 50-meter-long tunnel sprinklers has proved quite popular. Devised to cool down festival-goers, they serve to enhance the overall experience and enjoyment. Efforts to Maintain Clean Waterways in Urban Areas Provincial authorities recently revealed plans to release a staggering 1 million cubic meters of water daily from the Mae Ngat Somboon Chon dam. The primary purpose…

Boosting Thailand’s Tourism with NFTs The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently introduced a non-fungible token (NFT) project in collaboration with Crypto City Connext and over 30 other partners. This innovative project aims to strengthen the tourism industry in the country through the use of digital coupons featuring TAT’s beloved mascot, Nong Sukjai. Collaboration with Local Artists and IT Companies The project has engaged over 20 local artists to design various styles of Nong Sukjai for the digital coupons. These digital artworks are integrated with Thailand’s tourist attractions, including Ratchaprasong Road in Bangkok, Nimmanhaemin Road in Chiang Mai, Dibuk Road in Phuket, Khao Niaw Road in Khon Kaen, and Yomjinda Road in Rayong. Various Types of NFTs during the Trial Phase During the trial phase of this project, a total of 5,550 digital coupons have been released on April 13. These coupons are categorized into “normal,” “rare,” and “super…

Family Care Expected by Majority of Thai Elderly A recent survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) revealed that most elderly individuals in Thailand expect to receive care from their families, particularly their daughters. The nationwide survey, carried out from March 14-17 among 1,310 respondents aged 60 and above, aimed to determine who should be responsible for elderly care in the country. Findings from the Survey According to the results, 53.1% of the participants anticipate family members providing care, while 41.9% prefer assistance from government organizations such as state-run facilities. Care from temples, foundations, associations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is expected by 3.6% of respondents, and 1.5% from private organizations. Within the group preferring family care, 36% want support from their eldest or second eldest daughters, 23.9% from their eldest or second eldest sons, and 19.1% from all their children. In contrast, 84.8% of those seeking help…

Increasing Eastern Sarus Crane Population in Vietnam With a mission to save the Eastern Sarus Crane, the Zoological Park Organization (ZPO) is joining hands with the Vietnam Zoos Association, People’s Committee of Dong Thap Province in Vietnam, and the International Crane Foundation to bolster their population. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), these organizations have agreed on collaborative measures to support these majestic birds in their natural habitat. Reviving Sarus Cranes in Vietnam and Thailand Since 2009, the ZPO has been working on reintroducing the Eastern Sarus Crane to Thailand. The birds are bred and released into the wild wetlands of Buri Ram province. Director-General of the ZPO, Attapon Srihayun, highlighted the importance of this initiative, saying, “We are striving to bring them back from the brink of extinction into their natural habitat so they continue to fly in the skies.” Mr. Attapon expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in…