As Thailand’s tourism industry continues its path to recovery, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is optimistic about reaching their target of welcoming at least 25 million visitors in 2023. An astounding 8 million international visitors are projected to explore the country in just the first four months of this year. In a show of resiliency, popular Thai tourist destinations saw an influx of foreign visitors during the Songkran Festival. In response to the quicker-than-anticipated rebound in tourism, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn urged businesses to avoid price wars and instead capitalize on the considerable spending power of travelers eager to explore after the Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions. Wallapa Traisorat, CEO and President of Asset World Corp Plc (AWC), expressed similar optimism for the upmarket hotel segment in major tourist destinations like Bangkok and Phuket. The average room occupancy rate is an impressive 80%, even as room rates doubled when compared…
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In the thick of the Huay Kum forest within the Kaeng Krachan district of Phetchaburi province, an intense encounter unfolded between two hunters and a team of forest rangers. The incident resulted in the wounding and subsequent arrest of the hunters as six grey langurs were found lifeless in their possession. Kaeng Krachan National Park chief, Somjate Janthana, recounted the gripping events on Tuesday. The forest rangers embarked on their patrol in the Huay Kum forest, near Phu Sai, situated in the Moo 3 village of tambon Huay Mae Phriang. As the evening approached, the night was interrupted by the startling sound of gunshots around 7:30 pm. The rangers, fueled by adrenaline, quickly moved towards the source of the noise. Upon reaching the scene, the rangers found themselves face-to-face with two armed men. Demanding that they surrender for an on-the-spot search, the rangers were met with a hail of bullets…
Authorities have been inspecting homes in That Phanom district of Nakhon Phanom, following the damaging effects of storms and gusting winds that impacted five districts of the upper northeastern province over the weekend. Over 700 houses were affected by the extreme weather conditions. Scattered summer storms, gusty winds, and even hail have been predicted for Bangkok and provinces in the North, Northeast, East, and Central Plains for the upcoming days. A moderate high-pressure system is expected to blanket northeastern Thailand and the South China Sea during these days, according to the weather office. Hot to extremely hot weather will affect the upper regions, and strong southerly and southeasterly winds will carry humidity from the Gulf and the South China Sea, the Meteorological Department has reported. Under these conditions, various provinces in the North, Northeast, East, and Central Plains are likely to experience scattered summer storms, strong winds, isolated hail, and…
The Prime Minister has given the green light for the use of RTA aircraft to carry out evacuations, and we are simply awaiting confirmation on the dates and designated airports for the planes to touch down. Once all issues have been ironed out, the evacuation process will commence, stated Kanchana Patarachoke on Monday. Kanchana holds the positions of Director-General of the Department of Information and spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry. Since April 15, heavy gunfire and explosions have echoed through the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and its surrounding areas as the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces engage in a brutal struggle for control of Africa’s third-largest nation. Monday’s news agencies reported that the clashes have resulted in the deaths of at least 400 civilians and injuries to over 3,500 people. According to Kanchana, the government’s top priority is the evacuation of Thai citizens. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha…
Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, a prominent figure in the Seree Ruam Thai (Thai Liberal) Party and currently serving as the chairman of strategy and policy, has voiced his opinion on the possible extension of the Prayut government’s tenure after the May 14 election. He believes that there is absolutely no justification for the outgoing Prayut administration to maintain its position in power beyond a two-month period once the election is over. Concerns have been raised by critics who fear that the government might look for ways to extend its caretaker role, which could involve posing a challenge that hampers the Election Commission (EC) from endorsing the results within the stipulated deadline. As per the existing laws, the EC is mandated to endorse at least 95% of election contests, which equates to 475 MPs, within a two-month timeframe. Only then can the House convene its inaugural meeting after the election to choose the…
Ratchada Thanadirek of the Democrat Party has argued that decriminalizing sex toys in Thailand would yield more benefits than drawbacks for the nation. Previously, sex toys were available for purchase on certain major online trading platforms, but they were removed following criticism that they were illegal and violated Thai good morality. Despite a lack of success in their advocacy efforts, some feminist activists have continued to push for the liberalization of sex toy sales. In a recent statement, Ratchada acknowledged the current status of sex toys as prohibited goods in Thailand, which classifies them as pornographic items that can harm society and public morality. Under Article 287 of the Criminal Code, sex toys are considered illegal objects, and their import is forbidden as per Customs Act BE2560. She argued, however, that the illicit sales of sex toys have led to a rise in smuggled goods, resulting in a significant loss…
The previous politician and renowned massage-parlor entrepreneur asserts that political parties are allocating between 1,000 and 3,000 baht per person, with the specific amount varying based on the province. For example, the highest expenditure is expected to occur in the southern regions of the country. In Phuket, it is anticipated that a staggering 3,000 baht will be disbursed per person in exchange for their votes. “This election is set to mark a new record in the total amount of money used for vote-buying in Thailand’s political landscape,” he proclaimed. Additionally, village volunteers are expected to play a pivotal role in this process, serving as intermediaries between local residents and chief election campaign organizers, ultimately becoming the ones to distribute the funds. Chuwit estimates that the entire process of vote-buying will unfold in four distinct phases, which are as follows: 1. An initial payment of 300-500 baht will be made to…
Forest fires are a significant contributor to PM2.5, the fine dust particles present in the air that easily enter human lungs and cause severe complications for those with chronic heart and lung issues. This growing environmental and health concern has been a topic of discussion among various stakeholders, including government officials, local farmers, and environmentalists. On a recent Sunday, Minister Varawut Silpa-archa held a meeting with Chiang Rai Governor Puttipong Sirimat, provincial forest office representatives, disaster prevention and mitigation department chiefs, and local farming community members to address the pressing issue of forest fires and the resulting air pollution. After an insightful discussion, the minister and his team embarked on a helicopter tour to inspect the current conditions of forests that had been ablaze over the past week in Mae Sai, Mae Chan, Muang, and Mae Sa-ruai districts. Minister Varawut noted that forest fires in Chiang Rai had been successfully…
A motorcycle courier discovered a bag of ketamine hidden inside an allegedly “empty phone box” he was supposed to deliver from Samut Prakan to the Ramkhamhaeng area. The incident, which took place early on Monday, was quickly reported to local police. (Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan) In Samut Prakan, a motorcycle delivery driver contacted the police after discovering that a package he was transporting contained an illegal sachet of ketamine. The incident occurred at approximately 2 a.m. on Monday, when the driver received a delivery request through his employer’s service system. The client asked him to pick up a package from Soi Si Dan 5 in tambon Samrong Nua, Muang district. For confidentiality reasons, authorities did not disclose the name of the delivery driver. The customer provided him with the package, stating it contained an empty mobile phone box, and asked for it to be delivered to a condominium in the Ramkhamhaeng…
Eligible Thai citizens residing overseas are able to cast their votes from April 25 to May 5, prior to the May 14 election. The exact date for voting will be determined by the Thai embassy and consulate in each respective country, according to Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee. Mr. Sawaeng mentioned that the EC has received word from the Foreign Ministry that there might be complications with the overseas voting in Sudan, a northeastern African country currently experiencing a civil war. With collaboration between the EC, Thailand Post, the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Consular Affairs, Airports of Thailand, and Thai Airways International, the overseas ballot papers will be securely delivered in diplomatic pouches or directly handed over by embassy officials to the EC by May 9. The ballot papers will subsequently be sent separately to each of the 400 constituencies according to the registered location of each voter. They…