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Sponsored Is tap water in Thailand safe to consume?
Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it...
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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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Chiang Mai lottery fever spikes as Songkran hopefuls chase lucky numbers
The buzz of the Thai New Year, known as Songkran, is palpable in Chiang Mai, where locals eagerly anticipate the lottery draw on April 16. Amidst the festive fervour, the city’s lottery vendors witness a surge in sales, with certain lucky numbers becoming the talk of the town. Today, at 8.30am, the atmosphere in Chiang Mai was electric with anticipation,…
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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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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 celebration turns tragic as stray bullet hits elderly man
A celebration of Songkran took an alarming turn in Chachoengsao province when a stray bullet pierced through the ceiling and struck a 70 year old diabetic man, Somyot, who had previously lost a leg to his illness. The incident, which occurred at 9pm yesterday, April 13, is currently under police investigation as they search for the shooter. Somyot was lying…
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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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Portugal’s golden visa: A perfect choice for global investors
Global mobility is a necessity in current times, and countries around the world are capitalising on this and making changes to their citizenship programs with the intention of attracting global investors. Emerging as one of the most popular residency-by-investment visas, Portugal has made amendments to its visa program this year. Making changes to the eligibility criteria and investment requirements, the…
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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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Man found dead in Chachoengsao after breakup
A tragic love story unfolded during the Songkran festival as a man, after being told by his girlfriend that their relationship was over, was found dead with a gunshot wound. The incident, which occurred in the early hours today, has shocked the local community in Chachoengsao province, and police are investigating to uncover the exact circumstances surrounding his death. The…
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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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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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Thailand suspends TM 6 immigration forms to boost tourism
The Government of Thailand has put a halt to the obligatory TM 6 immigration forms for foreigners arriving in the country via land or sea, effective from April 15 to October 15. This resolution, approved by the Cabinet on April 9, is a response to a suggestion by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, according to ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul. This pause…
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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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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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Pattaya mystery substance confirmed as harmless scrap metal
In Pattaya, local authorities recently allayed fears by announcing that the mysterious black substance discovered in bags near an excavation pit was harmless scrap metal, not the feared carcinogenic cadmium waste. Previously reported concerns revolved around multiple white bags found discarded near a pit in Moo 7, Pattaya. Locals grew anxious, suspecting that the bags could be harbouring the lost…
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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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Thai party quashes Cabinet reshuffle rumours
A wave of rumours surrounding a potential Cabinet reshuffle in Thailand was quashed yesterday by the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party. The party’s Deputy Leader and list MP, Wittaya Kaewparadai, stated that despite talks circulating for over a month, no indications of an imminent reshuffle have been communicated by the prime minister. Wittaya, referring to UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, pointed…
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Interactive map guides revelers through Songkran festivities
The joyous Songkran festival is in full swing across Thailand, with both locals and visitors eagerly participating in the celebrations. As the traditional Thai New Year, Songkran is synonymous with vibrant water fights, and this year’s festivities began on April 11, with the merriment set to continue in many areas. Bangkok, the nation’s capital, is no exception to the excitement.…
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Bangkok harnesses AI to tackle illegal sidewalk use
Bangkok authorities are ramping up the enforcement of sidewalk regulations, deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and fine lawbreakers. The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Suphakrit Bunkhan, announced progress in the sidewalk management campaign, emphasizing the use of technology to improve the efficiency of law enforcement. From June 12, 2022, to April 1, 2024, a pilot programme…
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Man found dead in Khon Kaen, police chase killer
Police are urgently pursuing a suspect in the brutal slaying of a 41 year old man, who was found with his throat slit while returning to his shack in the middle of a field. The murder incident occurred today, April 12, when police from the Ubonrat Police Station in Khon Kaen Province were dispatched to investigate the crime scene in…
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Myanmar residents flee fearing air strikes after rebels seize town
An influx of people, notably anxious about potential air strikes, queued at a border crossing to escape Myanmar early this morning. This follows the seizure of the strategic town of Myawaddy near Thailand by the anti-junta resistance, which continues to gather momentum. Analysts suggest that the loss of Myawaddy, a vital source of revenue from border trade, adds further pressure…
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Fat farang strips naked and poops in Bangkok shrine (video)
Thailand’s tourism drive suffered another setback this week when Bangkok bore witness to yet another repulsive, badly-behaved fat farang who saw it fit to strip naked, bathe and poop in a Buddhist shrine. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has been playing catch up for the past four years, after the Covid-19 epidemic, to attract more tourists to the Land of…
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Chinese teenager escapes suspected smuggling operation in Thailand
A 16 year old Chinese teenager made a daring escape from a moving vehicle in Prakhon Chai district, Buriram, Thailand, in the early hours of this morning. The teenager, known as Sukai, ran towards the local police station seeking help, alleging that he and his friends had been tricked into smuggling by another Chinese national under the pretext of working in…
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Bangkok police shut down secret e-cigarette Line group
A female administrator was arrested for operating a secret Line group used for selling e-cigarettes for over two years. The police charged her with various offences, including facilitating the concealment and distribution of goods known to have entered the kingdom without proper customs clearance. The arrest took place today, April 12, following a raid authorised by a search warrant from…
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Thai netizens in uproar over celebrity social media feud
The Thai entertainment industry was recently shaken by a heated online dispute. The controversy escalated when a fiery video message was posted in response to a clip featuring a young individual, who made strong references to the respected television host, Noom Kanchai. The exchange has sparked a frenzy of comments and reactions across social media platforms. Prairie Phairwan’s video did…
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Gold prices hit new record in Thailand amid market volatility
Gold prices in Thailand skyrocketed, setting a new all-time high record, reflecting a sharp increase of 750 baht from the previous day’s closing rate. The surge occurred amidst volatile market conditions, with the Gold Traders Association (GTA) announcing five price changes within the first 35 minutes of the trading day, starting with an initial hike of 700 baht at 9am.…
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