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Sponsored Leap into English mastery with Green Valley's LEAP Programme
For many years, St. Andrews International School, Green Valley’s students who did not speak English as their first language have typically participated in English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes to build proficiency. However, the school has recently introduced a...
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Thailand aims to transform local festivals into renowned attractions
The National Soft Power Strategy Committee of Thailand is setting its sights on transforming traditional events into world-renowned festivals throughout the country’s 77 provinces. This objective will be achieved through comprehensive research and festival organisation training. The committee’s vice president, Dr Surapong Suebwonglee, highlighted the need to better manage the country’s numerous attractions. He opined that the country’s festivals, if…
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Severe weather alert for 36 Thai provinces amid heatwave
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued a severe weather warning for 36 provinces, forecasting thunderstorms, strong winds, and potential hailstorms across the regions. This alert comes amid a period of intense heat enveloping the country, with scorching temperatures and sporadic thunderstorms expected throughout the day. As of 6am, today, April 15, the low-pressure system caused by the prevailing heat…
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Voluntary enlistment in Thai army sees notable increase
An increase in voluntary enlistment for the Royal Thai Army (RTA) was announced yesterday by an assistant army spokesperson. Compared to last year’s enlistment season, there is a notable rise in the number of males opting to join the ranks voluntarily. Assistant Army spokesperson, Captain Juthapat Prembanyat noted that from April 1 to 12 this year, 38,160 males across Thailand…
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Local leader’s gunfire hits elderly man during Songkran celebration
A celebration took a perilous turn when a local leader of the Volunteer Defense Corps fired shots into the air, with one stray bullet striking a disabled 67 year old man, Somchai, as he rested at home. The gunman, identified as 48 year old Phiphat admitted to losing control due to intoxication during the Songkran festivities. This reckless act not…
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April alcohol sales set to double, spiking road accidents feared
The CEO of Carabao Group, Sathien Sathientham, predicts that April’s alcohol sales are set to double, except for December. This increase is anticipated due to the prolonged Songkran festival and the extension of bar and pub opening hours in several areas, including Bangkok and Phuket. Nuttapong Boontob, a board member and assistant secretary of the ThaiRoads Foundation, expressed concerns about…
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UNESCO-recognised Songkran festival goes global
Thailand’s Songkran Thai New Year celebrations have gathered international attention, with 35 foreign embassies collaborating with the Thai government to promote the festival worldwide. This initiative comes after UNESCO recognised the festival as an intangible cultural heritage in December of last year. Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich revealed that the embassies have produced a series of short videos wishing Thais a…
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Young man found dead in Khon Kaen pond sparks police probe
Tragedy struck when the body of a young man was discovered, his head brutally stuffed in a bag and submerged in a pond, triggering an urgent police investigation. The unsettling find was made at 10am today, April 14, in a water body within the Ban Ped area of Khon Kaen province, Thailand. Law enforcement, accompanied by the Sawang Khon Kaen…
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Student’s fatal fall from condo stirs Pathum Thani community
A 27 year old female student tragically fell to her death from the fifth floor of a condominium early today. The incident occurred in the Mueang Ake community in Pathum Thani, where police and rescue services were swiftly summoned to the scene. In the quiet pre-dawn hours of today, the serene atmosphere of a Pathum Thani condominium was shattered when…
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Three Thai provinces suffer PM2.5 levels, most enjoy good air
As of this morning, only three provinces in northern and northeastern Thailand experienced seriously harmful levels of PM2.5 pollution, while the majority of the country enjoyed good air quality. Data from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) disclosed that Mae Hong Son, a province in the north, recorded a red level of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less…
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Krabi’s Phi Phi islands tackle severe freshwater shortage
The Phi Phi Islands, a prominent tourist attraction in Krabi, are grappling with a severe shortage of freshwater. The local authorities are exploring potential solutions, with two options under consideration – a pipeline bringing water from the mainland or the production of freshwater from the sea, according to the Ao Nang Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor). Phankham Kittitorakul, President of Ao…
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Storm disrupts Nonthaburi temple fair, injuring three
A sudden storm wreaked havoc at a well-known temple fair in Nonthaburi, Thailand, toppling the stage backdrop during a music performance and injuring three musicians. The incident occurred at Wat Paramaiyikawat Worawihan on Ko Kret island yesterday at 7pm during the annual Mon Songkran festival, which started on April 12 and is set to continue until April 17. Attendees were…
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Songkran expected to boost Thailand’s economy with billions
The Songkran festival in Thailand this year is anticipated to bring between 140 and 200 billion baht into the country’s economy. The festival, which has been recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage event by Unesco, is predicted to attract 10 million international visitors who will contribute 11.8 billion baht to the total spending. In light of the festival’s recognition, the…
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Thai government prepares for potential Iran attack on Israel
The Thai government assured yesterday that contingency plans are in place to safeguard Thai nationals in Israel, should Iran follow through on its threat to attack. This follows the evacuation of approximately 8,000 Thai workers from Israel after the attack initiated by Hamas on October 7 last year. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed that most workers have returned to Israel…
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KNU commits to Thai-Myanmar border security amid conflict
The Karen National Union (KNU) made a statement on April 12, asserting its commitment to provide cross-border security along the Thai-Myanmar border. The organisation expressed its dedication to cooperating with Thai authorities and international bodies to maintain peace and safety. The KNU reported that anti-junta forces seized control of several bases, including the 275th Infantry Battalion in Myawaddy on April…
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Concerns raised over legality of govt’s digital wallet borrowing plan
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives’ (BAAC) labour union raised concerns about the government’s plans to borrow 172.3 billion baht (US$4.7 billion) from the bank to fund a digital wallet handout scheme. The union is questioning the legality of this plan and has sought guidance from the State Enterprise Policy Office, the Bank of Thailand, and the Council of…
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Myanmar’s military regime loses grip: Thailand on high alert
The military coup in Myanmar in 2021 has ignited ongoing resistance from armed rebel groups, causing the military regime to lose control over multiple strongholds. The recent aggressive rebel offensive in Myawaddy, a significant border town opposite Tak’s Mae Sot district in Thailand, led to the displacement of thousands of individuals and raised fears of a security and humanitarian crisis.…
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Songkran festival sees 1% rise in public transport usage in Thailand
Public transport usage during this year’s Songkran festival experienced a 1% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year, with around 5.6 million travellers across Thailand, as reported by the Transport Ministry. The minister, Suriya Juengrungreangkit, reassured that the public transport networks were effectively managing the increased number of passengers and vehicles on the country’s main transportation routes.…
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Chon Buri locals detain armed man during Songkran celebration
Residents in a Chon Buri community acted swiftly to detain a heavily intoxicated man who, after becoming agitated during a Songkran celebration, returned home to fetch a gun and threaten his companions. The incident, which took place yesterday at around 5.30pm, saw local law enforcement led by Police Colonel Navin Sinthurat, the superintendent of Bang Lamung Police Station, along with…
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BREAKING NEWS! Iran potentially triggers World War 3
Iran has deployed drones heading for Israel, according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in what could be claimed as an act of retaliation, but risks triggering WW3. The move by Iran follows its pledge to retaliate for an assault on its consulate in Syria on the 1st of April, an attack it attributes to Israel, which…
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Two pickup trucks collide in fatal crash in Buriram
Tragedy struck on the festive return home during Songkran as two pickup trucks collided head-on, resulting in both vehicles being crumpled and three people killed instantly. The accident occurred at 11pm yesterday in Buriram province where a six year old girl was among four others injured. Responding swiftly to the crash site in the Donmont Subdistrict, Buriram province, police and…
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Bangla Road comes alive as Songkran festival kicks off in Phuket
Songkran celebrations kicked off with a bang on Bangla Road, Phuket yesterday and are expected to reach their peak today. Throngs of people, both locals and international tourists, assembled on Thaweewong Road and Soi Bangla, drawn in by the popular water-splashing events. Soi Bangla, famous for its energetic nightlife, became a bustling centre of daytime merriment as individuals from diverse…
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Songkran festival anticipates 100,000 Malaysian tourists in Hat Yai
Hat Yai district of Songkhla anticipates the arrival of approximately 100,000 Malaysian tourists this weekend during the Songkran Festival. The influx of Malaysian visitors has seen an increase this year due to the festivities aligning with the end of Ramadan, according to Sitthipong Sittipatprapha, the president of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotel Association. A special train service named My Sawasdee arrived…
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Police checkpoint blitz targets helmetless riders in Pattaya
To curb the mayhem on Thailand’s roads during the Songkran Festival, Bang Lamung police have unleashed a blitz on helmetless riders. Setting up shop along Sukhumvit Road in Nong Prue Subdistrict on Thursday, officers aimed to tackle the notorious issue of motorcyclists without helmets, a leading cause of accidents, especially during festive times. Police Lieutenant Colonel Jakrit Chantakham, Traffic Inspector…
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The dark secrets of Thailand’s elephant tourism industry
In a recent interview, concerns about the welfare of domesticated elephants have surged. These gentle giants, pivotal to Thailand’s economy since ancient times, now face a crisis that threatens their very existence. During the Rattanakosin era, domesticated elephants bolstered Thailand’s economy by logging. However, a tragic turn in 1988, when floods and landslides claimed lives, forced a shift. Former Agriculture…
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Pattaya beachfront gets a makeover to enhance city image
A major makeover is unfolding along the 2.7-kilometre coastline of Pattaya Beach. Spearheaded by Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai the project is set to redefine the city’s landscape and will be completed ahead of the original deadline. Funded by a 166 million baht budget, this facelift aims to boost the city’s image and enhance amenities for residents and tourists alike. The…
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Pattaya commercial building fire leaves two injured
A commercial building in Pattaya was engulfed in flames on Thursday night, resulting in two individuals injured. The fire broke out at 7.06pm at a structure within the Ta Kian Tia sub-district of the Bang Lamung District in Chon Buri Province. The building was known to accommodate a shop selling kratom juice. Upon receiving the distress call, teams from the…
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Bangkok’s Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 kicks off
Bangkok witnessed the grand opening of the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 on Thursday. The event, which is a highlight of Thai cultural celebrations, was inaugurated by the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, alongside other notable agencies. The festival, lasting until Monday, April 15, showcased 20 vibrant parades that marched through Ratchadamnoen Klang Road and Sanam Luang,…
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Chanthaburi ignites night-time Songkran with spirited water fights
Chanthaburi’s Khao Thip Road was awash with festivities as the first night-time Songkran celebration in Thailand commenced at 8pm yesterday. Tens of thousands of tourists flocked to engage in the water-splashing merriments, marking the start of the country’s traditional New Year. The event, taking place along the Tha Chalaeb Road and encircling the public park lake of Somdet Phra Chao…
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Army private drowns in reservoir during Songkran festivities
Tragedy struck a family during the joyous period of Songkran, as a 22 year old army private who was returning home for the festivities drowned in a reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima. The incident occurred yesterday at approximately 3.50pm, when Anuchit, visiting his girlfriend’s family, decided to cool off from the heat by swimming across the Huay Yang reservoir in Pak…
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Phi Phi Islands tackle critical water shortage
Krabi’s renowned Phi Phi Islands are currently wrestling with a critical freshwater shortage. The local governing body, Ao Nang’s Tambon Administration Organisation (TAO), is considering two primary solutions: establishing a pipeline for water provision from the mainland or resorting to seawater desalination. Over the last few years, the absence of tap water during the tourist high season, coinciding with the…
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