THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Imagine a festival so vibrant and utterly delightful that even the mere mention of it has the power to teleport you into a world where waves of laughter, the exhilaration of friendly water fights, and the bright colors of tradition paint every street corner. This is the essence of Songkran, Thailand’s most enchanting festival, where the old is washed away, and the new is welcomed with open arms and splashing water. It’s no wonder that this dazzling spectacle, now recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, has seen a remarkable surge in global popularity. The Thai government, armed with a clever blend of soft power and cutting-edge tourism promotion strategies, has adeptly placed Songkran on the international stage. Their efforts have not been in vain, for the festival has witnessed an unprecedented influx of foreign visitors, arriving by the thousands to partake in this unique…

Imagine a world where international meetings aren’t just about dry policy discussions and endless debates. Picture a gathering so pivotal, it could potentially redefine an entire country’s future. This is the setting where Deputy PM and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara took center stage, igniting the room with a speech that could very well be a turning point for Thailand. Invited by Mathias Cormann, the Secretary-General of the OECD, Parnpree didn’t just arrive to deliver a speech; he came to make a statement. With the poise of a seasoned diplomat and the determination of a nation’s proud representative, he laid out Thailand’s grand vision. Thailand isn’t just knocking on the OECD’s door; it’s ready to stride in, armed with shared values of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and an economic model that champions openness, sustainability, and inclusivity. But let’s pause for a moment. This isn’t just any journey.…

As the sun rose on Bangkok’s bustling streets, the aftermath of this year’s Songkran festival—a spectacle of joy, water, and revelry—was quantifiable in more than just memories and moments. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) rolled out the stats with a bittersweet note: the festivities from April 12 to 15 saw waste generation soar to figures eclipsing last year’s by a hefty 1,000 tonnes. A testament to the celebration’s grandeur but a reminder of its environmental footprint. The vibrant spine of the festivities, Khao San Road, a name synonymous with pulsing energy and the heart of the city’s Songkran revelries, was ground zero for 58 tonnes of waste over the four-day extravaganza. But the aftermath wasn’t confined to Khao San alone; the surrounding arteries felt the weight too, with an additional 104 tonnes of waste painting a stark picture of the celebrations’ aftereffects. In a city that never sleeps, even in…

Imagine a world where your smartphone becomes even smarter, transforming into a financial wizard right in your pocket. This isn’t a scene from a sci-fi movie but the reality Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat and his team are crafting with the introduction of a groundbreaking digital wallet scheme. Picture this: a so-called super app, a digital Aladdin’s lamp, if you will, ready to grant the wishes of 10,000-baht worth of treasure, making waves across Thailand since its announcement last October. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, in a spectacle reminiscent of unveiling a magician’s trick, shared how this app isn’t just another addition to the plethora of apps cluttering our digital space. Instead, it’s a marvel developed in a joint effort with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA), designed to weave seamlessly with existing mobile banking applications. The goal? To sprinkle a…

In the bustling heart of Bangkok, where the air is filled with the tantalizing aromas of street food and the vibrant hustle of daily life, an eco-friendly revolution is taking root. Nearly 200 of Bangkok’s traditional fresh markets have embarked on a green journey, aligning with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in a heroic campaign to tackle food waste head-on. The initiative promises to carve a significant chunk out of the city’s carbon footprint, specifically aiming to slash a remarkable 142.5 tonnes of carbon emissions each day. According to the eloquent BMA spokesman, Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, 184 markets scattered across 50 districts have risen to the occasion, embracing this initiative with open arms. These markets have collectively committed to a more thoughtful disposal of at least 75 tonnes of food scraps per day. In a city where the culinary landscape is as diverse as its population, this is no small feat.…

Imagine a world where the pulsing beats of your favorite tunes were woven into the fabric of an extravagant concert. Now, picture this: behind the scenes, these melodies serve a purpose beyond just evoking feelings of joy and nostalgia. The Stop-Drink Network Thailand has peeled back the curtain on an intriguing marketing tactic that’s been hitting the high notes in the world of liquor promotion. Spearheaded by the insightful Teera Watcharapranee, the Network embarked on a mission to uncover how liquor companies have been orchestrating a symphony of flavors, not through taste alone, but with the help of the universal language of music. During the vibrant Songkran festival, celebrated with splashes of water and the warmth of smiles from April 13-14, the Stop-Drink Network’s band of volunteers set out on a quest. Their mission? To shine a spotlight on the marketing performances of three major liquor brands. The venues? From…

Imagine stepping into a magical realm where the ocean meets the mountains – an enchanting experience recently enhanced at the Chiang Mai Zoo, as it proudly reopened the doors to its thoroughly revamped aquarium. With a hefty investment of 29 million baht, this unique aquatic world nestled atop a mountain is set to mesmerize visitors anew with its breathtaking marine life displays. The buzz of excitement was palpable as the zoo director, Wuthichai Muangman, shared the delightful news of the aquarium’s grand reopening, made possible by the generous budget allocation from the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand (ZPO) under the watch of the esteemed director-general, Attapon Srihayrun. On the auspicious date of April 1, the aquatic doors swung open, revealing a world of underwater wonders elegantly wrapped in the message of environmental conservation and the imperative to protect our precious Earth. In a world where learning and fun intertwine, the…

In the quaint province of Samut Sakhon, a discovery reminiscent of a mystery novel unfolded early this month. Big, bulky bags filled with cadmium tailings were unearthed, setting the stage for an environmental cleanup operation that reads like an action-packed movie script. The protagonist of our story, Bound & Beyond Plc, has embarked on an ambitious quest to transport these hazardous leftovers back to their villainous lair in Tak. Set against the clock, this mission is expected to kick off on May 7, with the company aiming to wrap up within a whirlwind 36 days, a plan revealed by none other than the Industry Minister, Pimphattra Wichaikul. Sharpening the plot, the daring venture by Bound & Beyond Plc is not without its twists. Initially eyeing a fleet of 10 trucks for this perilous journey, the company was advised to triple this number, turning this operation into an impressive display of…

Welcome to the aftermath of Songkran, the world-renowned water festival, where the streets of Bangkok transform into rivulets of joy, laughter, and… copious amounts of waste. Imagine Silom and Khao San Road, the epicenters of celebration, now lying under a layer of post-festivity debris. The festival’s spirit, encapsulated in water fights and street dances, momentarily pauses for a reality check. Enter stage left: a staggering 150 tonnes of waste collected from the heartbeats of the celebration, proving that every party must end, and every mess must be cleaned. In the wake of Songkran’s exuberant chaos, Bangkok’s very own superhero, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, embarked on a mission. Picture him, not caped, but determined, stepping onto the confetti-strewn battlefield of Khao San Road on a bright Tuesday morning. His mission? To reconnoiter the territory and boost the morale of the unsung heroes of Songkran – the city’s cleaning personnel. Amidst a landscape…

Welcome to the Land of Smiles, where the sun shines brighter on the grandeur of the Grand Palace, shimmering under the February sky—a snapshot shared by countless travelers embarking on their journey to Thailand. If the sheer beauty of this place doesn’t captivate you, perhaps the latest buzz from the Tourism and Sports Ministry will: a staggering 10 million globetrotters have graced Thailand with their presence, injecting over 500 billion baht into the vibrant economy. As of a sunny Sunday not too long ago, the visitor’s tally hit 10,723,953, a mosaic of cultures, languages, and smiles, contributing a whopping 518 billion baht. Topping the charts, Chinese adventurers led the pack, with over 2 million explorers, followed closely by 1.39 million enthusiasts from Malaysia. Not far behind, 695,624 Russian wanderers, 619,186 vivacious souls from South Korea, and 546,935 spirited explorers from India joined in the revelry, painting a colorful canvas of…