After years of anticipation, the Songkran Festival made a triumphant return this year, drawing people from all corners of the globe to participate in this Thai tradition during the Thai New Year. Among the top places to partake in the festivities, Bangkok stands as a crowd favorite, offering a unique and vibrant experience for all. ICONSIAM hosted an unparalleled celebration this year with “THE ICONIC SONGKRAN FESTIVAL 2023”, which took place from April 11 to April 17, 2023. Utilizing its River Park area, ICONSIAM provided a full day of activities, including the traditional practice of pouring water on a Buddha statue to receive blessings, as well as captivating performances from well-known artists. With activities showcasing Thailand’s diverse cultural heritage, ICONSIAM attracted countless individuals eager to participate in the Songkran celebrations. From April 12 to April 15, 2023, Khao San Road drew in throngs of both Thai and international tourists, reaching…
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Tourists continue to flock to the historic Old Town area of Phuket, enjoying the vibrant walking streets and rich cultural experiences. Hoteliers and industry experts anticipate a hotel occupancy rate of around 60% post-Songkran, the Thai New Year, thanks to increased arrivals from China, even as the low tourism season approaches. In Q1 2022, Phuket’s hotels experienced an impressive 86% occupancy rate. During the Songkran festivities, bookings remained strong at around 80%, according to Sueksit Suvunditkul, president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association. “After Songkran, hotel bookings are expected to be 60% because Phuket is entering the low tourism season, starting from June,” he said recently. As the rainy season sets in, Suvunditkul expects more international travelers from countries such as Australia and the Middle East to visit the island. Although European tourism is expected to drop, Chinese tourists are predicted to steadily increase their presence in…
Chiang Mai, a city in northern Thailand, once again experienced the world’s worst air pollution on Tuesday morning, with an air quality index (AQI) of 180, according to IQAir, an air-pollution monitoring website. Ongoing forest fires and agricultural burning were identified as the primary causes of the dangerously unhealthy air, officials reported. Fire hotspots were predominantly found in hard-to-reach forests on steep slopes in Fang, Phrao, and Chiang Dao districts. Officials have been dispatched to these areas to address the situation, said Chatchawan Panya, deputy governor of the northern province. Mr. Panya provided this update after presiding over a meeting on combating wildfire smoke and PM2.5 pollution with representatives from district offices. The deputy governor urged all agencies to increase their efforts to prevent illegal burning in forests and to remain vigilant. He also expressed gratitude to every agency and volunteer for their work in fighting wildfires this month. The…
During the Songkran Festival in Thailand, which took place from April 11 to 17, a total of 2,203 road accidents resulted in 264 deaths and 2,208 injuries, according to the official statistics released on Tuesday. The last day of the seven-day safe driving campaign witnessed 183 accidents, resulting in 16 deaths and 202 injuries. Among these accidents, speeding contributed to 45%, followed by sudden lane switching, which accounted for about 17%. Approximately 80% of the accidents during the festival involved motorcycles, and about 46% of these incidents occurred on highways, while around 30% took place on local tambon and village roads. The vast majority of accidents, approximately 83.6%, happened on straight roads. The period with the highest frequency of accidents was between 3 and 4 pm, which saw 9.3% of all accidents. Kanchanaburi had the highest number of accidents and injuries, with 11 accidents and 13 injuries. Chanthaburi, Nakhon Pathom,…
A tourist holds a bottle of water in his hand to cool himself down while visiting Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, in Bangkok on Monday. The Meteorological Department forecasts that the temperature will reach 37 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya) The El Nino weather pattern is set to bring hotter and drier conditions across Thailand in the coming months, according to climate experts who warn of increasing health threats and water shortages due to climate change. Extreme heatwaves this summer have already surpassed expectations, with a new high-temperature record of 45.4 degrees Celsius measured in Tak on Saturday, breaking the previous record of 44.6 degrees Celsius in Mae Hong Son from April 28, 2016. Experts are urging Thai authorities to take quick action to address the issue, as over 80% of the population has already been affected by unbearably hot weather and dwindling water supplies. Asst…
The recent arrest of Navaporn Phakiatsakul, a 53-year-old Chinese woman with Thai citizenship, uncovered a criminal syndicate that has raised serious concern for Thai law enforcement. Police suspected Navaporn of being the leader of a gang engaged in a fraudulent scheme, surrogacy, and human trafficking. National deputy police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn emphasized the urgency to deal with the increasing threat posed by Chinese organized crime in Thailand. Police were initially tipped off about the criminal ring by Chinese authorities but made little headway until a ransom case involving Chinese nationals occurred in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district. Ma Mingshan, a Chinese businessman, filed a report with the local police stating that his wife and brother were kidnapped shortly after leaving their three-year-old son at school. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 1 million yuan (about 4.7 million baht) via WeChat, an encrypted messaging app. With cooperation from Thai…
Wildfires persist in various regions of the North and in the southern district of Yala province, adversely impacting both areas with the haze produced by the fires. In Betong, the southernmost district of Yala, thick haze enveloped several parts of the town, leading to eye irritation and respiratory issues among local residents. Local officials issued a warning, advising the public to wear face masks for protection. Visibility was significantly reduced, and motorists were urged to exercise extra caution on the roads. Since Sunday, PM2.5 (fine dust) pollution levels have exceeded the “safety” threshold of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) in Krabi, Satun, and Yala, according to data published on www.airthai.in.th. Prince of Songkla University’s air pollution and health impact research station reported that average PM2.5 levels in the South have ranged from 50 to 55µg/m3 since Saturday. The primary contributors to the deteriorating air quality include northeast winds carrying…
Helen Clark commends Thailand’s progress on cannabis decriminalization Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who is currently chairing the Global Commission on Drug Policy and is a member of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty, has lauded Thailand’s efforts in decriminalizing cannabis. She believes that the country’s decision to remove cannabis from the Category 5 narcotics list is a significant step towards ending the criminalization of people who use drugs. Clark highlighted her concerns at the Harm Reduction International Conference 2023 (HR23), noting that decriminalizing drug use could save money, relieve the pressure on law enforcement and the judicial system, and promote good health for those using drugs. The Thai government’s actions and potential future changes in their laws are being watched closely by other countries in Southeast Asia, which is known for having a heavy-handed approach to drugs. Despite the progress made in decriminalizing cannabis, Thailand continues…
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has vowed to amplify the promotion of soft power as a critical driver of the Thai economy should they emerge victorious in the upcoming general elections. Charnkrit Dejwithak, a representative for the party’s election strategy committee, emphasized the significance of a soft power development policy, as exemplified by the internationally popular Songkran festival. However, Charnkrit expressed concern about the lack of support for the country’s soft power initiatives. To remedy this, the PPRP promises to implement measures aimed at advancing these initiatives through the Pracharath fund if elected into government. Some highlights of these efforts include promoting Thai kickboxing, traditional fabrics, performing arts, films, and festivals. By spotlighting these cultural products, the PPRP seeks to improve Thailand’s competitiveness and revenue generation. With the election just around the corner, the party is preparing to launch new strategies aimed at engaging with voters across the country. In…
Severe winds converged to form a whirlwind at Pak Nakhon Bay, leading to the capsizing of no less than 12 boats in the Gulf of Thailand. The incident took place on a fateful Sunday evening when the whirlwind swept through Pak Nakhon Bay before taking to the shore and causing destruction across three districts – Pak Phanang, Muang, and Tha Sala. The aftermath resulted in the unfortunate loss of Anusorn Maneewong, a 30-year-old local fisherman, whose body was discovered floating in the water after his long-tail boat had sunk within the bay. The Nakhon Si Thammarat Rescue Foundation was able to rescue five more individuals from the water; however, another 60-year-old fisherman still remains missing. According to Pak Phanang police, the storm caused the sinking of at least 12 boats by Sunday evening. They raised concerns about the possibility of encountering more casualties, injuries, and wrecked boats. In a dramatic…