Thailand

  • Northern Thailand NewsForecast drought will weaken the Thai economy

    Forecast drought will weaken the Thai economy

    Thailand suffers calamities at both ends of the annual weather spectrum – both drought and flood. But as the demands on agriculture grow, with a growing population and the rise of tourists and development, the effects of these two extremes are becoming more apparent. Which leads us to this year’s outlook of lower rains which is exposing the poor management…

  • Thailand Election NewsNew Economics Party clarifies their support for pro-democracy coalition

    New Economics Party clarifies their support for pro-democracy coalition

    PHOTO: Mingkwan Sangsuwan, New Economics Party leader – The Nation Leader of the New Economics Party Mingkwan Sangsuwan hasy reiterated his party’s intention to join with the pro-democracy coalition (Pheu Thai, Future Forward) and against the pro-junta party, Phalang Pracharat. Amid uncertainty over which camp New Economics would work with after the election, Mingkwan has clarified he would not join…

  • Northern Thailand NewsCentral and upper Thailand residents warned to stay indoors

    Central and upper Thailand residents warned to stay indoors

    Thailand’s Meteorological Department is warning people to avoid out-door activities due to the current high temperatures which are forecast to exceed 43C today in several northern provinces. They are also advised to stay clear of big trees, poorly-erected structures or large billboards because of freak summer storms and strong winds caused by a low pressure cell over the northern…

  • Songkran NewsTwitter shares the Songkran experience – 2.8 million tweets

    Twitter shares the Songkran experience – 2.8 million tweets

    Thais flocked to Twitter during this year’s Songkran to share their experiences. This year’s #Songkran’s festivities generated 2.8 million Tweets from April 12-16 and the conversation peaked on April 13, around 6pm, with 71,000 Tweets per minute. The celebration of the Thai Buddhist New Year, Songkran, is a time for family. It’s the time for reflection on the past year, for…

  • Thailand NewsStateless Thais can now apply for birth certificates and Thai ID

    Stateless Thais can now apply for birth certificates and Thai ID

    PHOTOS: The Nation “Rootless” people, born in Thailand but abandoned at birth – so without any Thai identification number or household documents – are now permitted to file for a birth certificates and apply for Thai nationality. The new laws have been published in the Royal Gazette, effective this week. The new edition of Civil Registration Act also allows these…

  • Bangkok NewsPrincess Chulabhorn recovers after cataract surgery and back pain treatment

    Princess Chulabhorn recovers after cataract surgery and back pain treatment

    The Palace is reporting that HRH Princess Chulabhorn is recovering satisfactorily at Ramathibodi Hospital after cataract surgery and treatment for back pain. The medical team at the hospital report that the Princess’s back pain had eased satisfactorily so that medication will now be taken orally, instead of intravenously, until April 30. The Princess underwent cataract surgery on March 22 and…

  • Environment NewsNew fires in the North likely to be arson – Army

    New fires in the North likely to be arson – Army

    by Nathawat Laping Some 1,000 combined professional and volunteer firefighters are battling a major forest fire in the mountainous area overlapping Chiang Mai’s Muang and Mae Chan districts.The fire started on Sunday night in the Doi Jorakhe area of Tambon Tha Sud in Muang before spreading to Tambon Pa Teung in Mae Chan, a densely populated area and home to…

  • HealthThailand still in the world’s Top 14 for TB cases

    Thailand still in the world’s Top 14 for TB cases

    Thailand is struggling with tuberculosis, and remains in the list of the world’s 14 worst hit countries. Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they can also damage other parts of the body. TB spreads through the air when a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs,…

  • Bangkok NewsThe coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun

    The coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun

    PHOTO: A younger King Maha Vachiralongkorn with his father, the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej May 5, 1950. King Bhumibol Adulyadej was coronated in a grand ceremony at the Grand Palace and around the streets of Bangkok. That’s nearly seven decades ago when the last coronation took place in Thailand. The 1950 coronation ceremony began the reign of King Rama IX,…

  • Songkran NewsDay Two: Songkran Seven Days of Danger

    Day Two: Songkran Seven Days of Danger

    PHOTO: Thai PBS The Songkran road toll has now jumped to 105, with more than 1,000 injured on Thailand’s roads. The latest stats reported by the Centre for the Prevention and Reduction of Road Accidents. This includes incidents from days one and two in the seven day annual accident reporting campaign. Thai PBS reports that the centre reports 57 people were killed…

  • Thailand Election NewsUS Embassy responds to Don’s rebuke over Thanathorn case

    US Embassy responds to Don’s rebuke over Thanathorn case

    PHOTO: The Nation The Thai Foreign Minister yesterday formerly summoned foreign diplomats yesterday afternoon, one by one, in a diplomatic dressing down about their appearance at a police station last Saturday morning. The official ministry memo objected to the presence of envoys at the Pathumwan Police Station on Saturday when the Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit reported in to…

  • Northern Thailand NewsNorthern smoke haze easing slowly

    Northern smoke haze easing slowly

    Either by hard work, serendipity or pure luck, the smog and haze in the North has eased considerably within the seven-day timeframe set last Tuesday by the Thai PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha. The PM flew into the smoke-stricken Chiang Mai last Tuesday to meet with northern provincial governors to work out active solutions. During the visit, the premier made clear that…

  • Travel“Thailand Travel Shield” insurance scheme to continue – TAT

    “Thailand Travel Shield” insurance scheme to continue – TAT

    The TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) says that the Thailand Travel Shield insurance project will continue. The service provides online travel insurance for foreign tourists. Reported in Phuketify, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn, says that the TAT had initiated the creation of the Thailand Travel Shield project as a local insurance scheme alternative back in July 2014. “This year marks the fifth…

  • Northern Thailand NewsCounting down PM’s 7 day deadline in Chiang Mai – so far no change

    Counting down PM’s 7 day deadline in Chiang Mai – so far no change

    by Piyaporn Wongruang, Tim Newton Last week PM Prayut Chan-o-cha issued an order to end the haze crisis in the North within seven days and declared the situation part of the national agenda. Two days to go and there is still no respite of the hazardous levels of smoke and smog besetting the northern capital and adjacent provinces. The PM met…

  • Bangkok NewsSacred waters begin their journey to Bangkok for Royal Coronation

    Sacred waters begin their journey to Bangkok for Royal Coronation

    PHOTOS: Phuket – Kritsada Meuanawong Thailand’s 76 provinces have taken part in a nationwide ceremony to draw sacred water from 108 water sources to be used during the Coronation of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn on May 4. The ceremony began in all provinces at the same time of 11.52am. The only exception was Bangkok where the same ritual will be held on April 12 at the Haw Sastrakhom, inside…

  • Thailand Election NewsArmy chief steps into the political fray again

    Army chief steps into the political fray again

    PHOTO: Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong against a snappy hot pink backdrop by Supalak Ganjanakhundee Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong’s provocative comments against foreign-educated politicians with ‘leftist leanings’ and activists is a threat to democracy, and could lead to social unrest, violence and even collapse of the regime… warnings from prominent Thai scholars and rights defenders yesterday. The comments follow…

  • Thailand Election NewsElection Commission admits they haven’t decided on the formula to determine lower house

    Election Commission admits they haven’t decided on the formula to determine lower house

    by Kas Chanwanpen In a stunning admission yesterday, the Election Commission admitted they didn’t know the exact formula to work out the final make up of the lower house seats. The Election Commission secretary-general Jarungvith Phumma says that he expected the agency to make a decision this week on their interpretation of the new Charter that sets out, broadly, how…

  • Hot NewsFarmers Council helps growers, patients register for medical marijuana

    Farmers Council helps growers, patients register for medical marijuana

    The National Farmers Council is assisting farmers and patients register for medical marijuana, which was legalised late last year, so they have a better understanding of their legal rights and opportunities the new legislation offers. Since the legislation is already in place, the NFC is conducting a road show to educate the public about the issue. The deadline for registration is…

  • Northern Thailand NewsChiang Mai, Chiang Rai suffer haze and smoke until at least May

    Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai suffer haze and smoke until at least May

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is flying to Chiang Mai tomorrow (Tuesday) to meet with with the northern provincial governors. Most of the northern provinces, including Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, are likely to face health-threatening haze problems from PM2.5 dust particles until at least early May according to meteorologists. The poor air quality has been a constant part of daily life…

  • Thai LifeChild drowning cases – dramatic drop over two decades

    Child drowning cases – dramatic drop over two decades

    The leading cause of death in Thai children, below the age of 15, is drowning. “Even though the cases have recently fallen to an all time low, it’s still not low enough.” “In nearly two decades there have been 22,700 drowning cases, that’s between the years 2000 and 2018. That averages nearly 1,300 child drownings every year.” These numbers from…

  • Environment NewsSea turtle dies after getting tangled in a fishing net – Prachuap Khiri Khan

    Sea turtle dies after getting tangled in a fishing net – Prachuap Khiri Khan

    PHOTOS: The Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand A series of photos that convey everything we should be concerned about in Thailand’s marine ecology. A Green Sea Turtle, tangled in a fishing net, has been washed up on a beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources reports that they were notified that a dead sea…

  • Thailand Election NewsPheu Thai wins the Lower House – Unofficial from the EC

    Pheu Thai wins the Lower House – Unofficial from the EC

    The Election Commission has just announced the official tally for constituency MPs, showing that Pheu Thai Party has won 138 of the 350 seats on offer. Phalang Pracharat, meanwhile, came in second with 96 seats, trailed by Bhumjaithai with 39. The Democrats only won 33 seats, while Future Forward snared 30. The rest of the seats were shared between Chartthaipattana…

  • Thailand Election NewsUPDATE: Latest poll results, Monday 11am

    UPDATE: Latest poll results, Monday 11am

    RESULTS: Election Commission Updated poll results as of 11am this morning. The latest votes reveal some changes in the total seats each party has now won. There are also some changes to the wins of the small parties. Pheu Thai continues to pull ahead, Future Forward continues its very impressive showing as a brand new party and the Democrats, with their…

  • Thailand Election NewsReports of vote tampering will be investigated by police

    Reports of vote tampering will be investigated by police

    A leading international polling monitoring organisation claims it’s not confident there wasn’t any tampering in yesterday’s election at polling booths. The vice president of People’s Election Network listed a number of election irregularities reported by some of their volunteer observer network raising doubts about the Election Commission’s efficiency. They say they had 600 observers out amongst polling booths throughout the…

  • Northern Thailand NewsSummer storms on the way for north, north-east

    Summer storms on the way for north, north-east

    FILE PHOTO People living in the north of Thailand are being warned to brace themselves for some summer thunderstorms until Wednesday. The Meteorological Department issued an alert today saying the storms will be caused by a high-pressure system from China that will interact with the hot weather over upper Thailand. Outbreaks of summer thunderstorms will be likely from today to…

  • OpinionNo sign of concrete policies for conflict in the far South

    No sign of concrete policies for conflict in the far South

    by Don Pathan Parties offer few if any answers for a 15 year old deadly insurgency that successive governments have failed to quell. Peace and conflict have never been significant parts of any political party platform in Thailand. This is because a sustainable solution calls for long-term commitment to a policy that could prove to be politically costly. Lasting peace requires…

  • Thailand Election NewsBan on alcohol for 24 hours, starts today at 6pm

    Ban on alcohol for 24 hours, starts today at 6pm

    Thais go to the polls tomorrow (Sunday) for the first time since 2011, which also means there will be a 24 hour alcohol ban this weekend, starting this evening. Alcohol sales and distribution will be forbidden from 6pm on Saturday to 6pm on Sunday. Officials say weddings, parties and other celebrations can still be organised for these dates but there…

  • Thailand Election NewsEverything you need to know about tomorrow’s vote

    Everything you need to know about tomorrow’s vote

    by Kanjana Lao, Nation Graphics Seven million new eligible voters will impact the outcome of tomorrow’s election, the first since 2011. The many new young voters, and the new election system, means that an outcome is very difficult to predict. But here’s Thai Election 2019 1.01 for newbies, thanks to The Nation.

  • Northern Thailand NewsTAT expects 2.3 million tourists for this year’s Songkran

    TAT expects 2.3 million tourists for this year’s Songkran

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand is expecting more than 2.3 million local and foreign tourists will join the various Songkran celebrations this year. They say that should generate 20 billion baht+ in revenue for tourism and tourism-related services. TAT’s Governor Yuthasak Supasorn says 300,000 international arrivals are expected to celebrate the five day festival starting April 12, along with two…

  • Thailand NewsOne dead, kids injured in school bus accident in Prachinburi

    One dead, kids injured in school bus accident in Prachinburi

    Photo: Prachinburi PR Office A bus has crashed just north-east of Bangkok, killing one and injuring another 10. Wangkhon Police in Prachinburi were notified of the accident at 4:40am early today. The bus was travelling from Nong Bua Lamphu, north east of Thailand, to Prachinburi. The bus was carrying 20 high school students and 19 teachers. When the bus arrived…