THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

The recent launch of cross-border passenger services on the Laos-China high-speed railway just in time for Songkran, the Thai New Year, marks a turning point for the region, particularly for Nong Khai and neighboring northeastern provinces. With the first train originating from Kunming in China’s Yunnan province and arriving in Vientiane, the Lao capital, on April 13, there is great anticipation for an influx of tourists and investment to the area. Nong Khai Tourism Association consultant Jiranan Sakuntangkoon highlights how many tourists opt to enjoy an overnight stay in Nong Khai before continuing their journey to Vientiane, situated only 20 kilometers away. The strategic location of Nong Khai makes it an ideal pitstop for travelers, and the added charm of its local attractions further entices visitors to spend more time exploring this vibrant area. As the president of the Nong Khai Chamber of Commerce, Monnipa Kowitthasiri-kul expresses her hopes of…

Recent internal data from Airbnb reveals a noticeable upward trend in the travel industry across Southeast Asia. In 2022, there was a more than twofold increase in the number of nights booked on Airbnb’s platform compared to 2020. Though not quite back to pre-pandemic levels, these figures indicate a positive sign for the region’s ongoing recovery. Airbnb’s data also shows that small group travel among family members and cousins is on the rise, as travelers increasingly view trips as opportunities to reconnect with loved ones. Group travel in the region more than tripled year on year in 2022, while family travel via Airbnb surged by 60% compared to pre-pandemic times. This is likely due to families seeking more value and space in their accommodations. Furthermore, solo travel is gaining popularity, with a 2.6 times increase in lone travelers throughout Southeast Asia in the past year. Additionally, many visitors are choosing…

During the Songkran Festival in Kanchanaburi, a popular celebration marked by joy and excitement, the revelry was overshadowed by a series of road accidents. From April 11-17, the seven-day period known for a campaign promoting safe driving, there were 2,203 road accidents reported, resulting in 264 deaths and 2,208 injuries. On Monday, the last day of the safety campaign, Interior Deputy Permanent Secretary Chotenarin Kerdson stated that there were 183 accidents, 16 deaths, and 202 injuries. Among these incidents, speeding contributed to 45% of the accidents, while another 17% were caused by sudden lane switching. Motorcycles were involved in a staggering 80% of these accidents, with about 46% taking place on highways and 30% on local tambon and village roads. A majority (83.6%) of accidents occurred on straight roads, with the most accident-prone period being from 3pm to 4pm, accounting for 9.3% of all incidents. Kanchanaburi had the highest number…

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…

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…