Thailand News Today | Thai man gets married for 14th time, KFC’s romantic(?) fried chicken ring
Bangkok battles severe air quality dip prompting remote work
Bangkok experienced severe air quality issues on February 14, with high levels of PM2.5 particulate matter recorded in most districts. This led the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to urge state agencies and private entities to facilitate remote working for their personnel for two days. Despite this, schools remained open, as safe zones were established to protect students and staff. AirBKK reported PM2.5 levels exceeding safe thresholds in 20 districts, prompting warnings for residents to stay updated via AirBKK’s Line Alert. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) projected the situation to worsen until Saturday, with air stagnation contributing to the pollution. The PCD also detected a high number of fire hot spots in Thailand and Cambodia. Teams identified 39 Thai provinces as PM2.5 pollution red zones, with 40 districts in Bangkok recording extremely high levels, posing serious health risks.
Unexpected fire at East Thailand hospital disrupts communication and power
A fire broke out on an electricity pole near the Somdet Borommaratchadewi Sri Racha Hospital in Sri Racha on February 14, damaging communication cables and causing service disruptions. Firefighters arrived at 2:30 am to find the cables engulfed in flames, leading to a quick response to extinguish the fire and disconnect electricity in the affected area. Despite swift action, the heat melted the cables, resulting in power outages and communication system failures around the hospital. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. In a separate incident, a fire destroyed a small residence in Wichit, Phuket, on February 11, but firefighters prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings, demonstrating their preparedness to handle emergencies.
Love triumphs on Valentine’s Day as LGBTQ+ couples flock to register unions
On Valentine’s Day, the Jewellery Trade Centre (JTC) on Silom Road in Bangkok became a hub of love as hundreds of LGBTQ+ couples gathered to register their unions. Approximately 800 couples chose to formalize their relationships in the Bang Rak district, known as the land of love, with the registration venue relocated to the JTC for convenience and space. Although registering signifies a deep desire for legal recognition, the marriage equality bill in Thailand has yet to pass. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration mandated all 49 district offices to extend similar services, ensuring every couple’s love is celebrated. In Krabi, a 69-year-old man signed his marriage certificate for the 14th time, hoping his current wife would be his last after 13 previous marriages. The Mueang Krabi District Office held a special Valentine’s Day event at Klonh Root, allowing couples to exchange vows against a backdrop of stunning nature. Additionally, a recent survey by YouGov for Visa reveals that almost four out of five people in Thailand plan to buy Valentine’s Day gifts online, highlighting shifting consumer habits during the romantic holiday.
Valentine’s veteran: Krabi man seals 14th marriage, aiming for happy ever after
On Valentine’s Day, a 69-year-old Thai man in Krabi signed his marriage certificate for the 14th time, hoping his current wife would be his last after 13 previous marriages. The Mueang Krabi District Office held a special event at Klonh Root, a popular tourist attraction, allowing couples to exchange vows against a backdrop of stunning nature. The event, attended by 11 couples, included a Thai traditional marriage ceremony with a parade leading grooms to brides before signing marriage certificates on kayak boats in the canal. Sanan Kongsoon and his 56-year-old fiancée, Somnuek Saengkaew, drew media attention. Sanan had previously been married 13 times and lived with Somnuek for over a decade before deciding to publicly affirm their love. Dressed in golden Thai traditional attire, they chose Valentine’s Day, which also aligned with Sanan’s birthday, to formalize their commitment. Well-wishes from Thai netizens flooded in, with some lightheartedly requesting dating tips from Sanan based on his extensive experience.
Finger-lickin’ love: KFC unveils fried chicken rings for Valentine’s Day
KFC Thailand is celebrating 40 years of love stories and shared moments with a special offering: the world’s first fried chicken ring. This unique creation, made in collaboration with GEMORIES Lab, blends real KFC fried chicken with a stylish design, creating a precious gem collection of only 11 rings. These rings are crafted with love and infused with the essence of KFC’s legendary fried chicken, symbolizing the love and memories shared over KFC meals. Couples can share their KFC love stories on KFC Thailand’s Facebook page, and 11 lucky couples will receive the fried chicken rings along with a set menu of delicious fried chicken meals at the KFC ATT U Ladprao branch. This Valentine’s Day, KFC invites everyone to celebrate love with a touch of luxury and a truly finger-lickin’ good experience.
