Traffic police officer still on life support after being hit by car during Songkran

A traffic police officer, who suffered serious injuries when he was struck by a car while directing traffic during the Songkran break, has undergone a second operation on his skull…

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Some 6.5 million people travelled by train during Songkran holidays

About 6.55 million people used trains to travel around Bangkok, to other destinations and back to the capital during the six-day Songkran period, an increase of 21.22% percent over the…

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TAT claims “Maha Songkran World Water Festival” is a great success

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) claims that the “Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024”, held at Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen Avenue between April 11th and 15th, was a great…

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PM tours Hua Hin morning market

Accompanied by his wife and a few ministers, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin toured the Hua Hin market this morning, greeting vendors and morning shoppers. The prime minister and his group,…

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48 killed and 411 injured in road accidents on Songkran Day

Forty-eight people were killed and 411 others were injured in road accidents on Saturday, bringing the total dead and injured for three days of Songkran to 116 and 968 respectively…

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Thailand sees 146% rise in foreign arrivals over same period last year

About 10 million foreign tourists, including 1.9 million Chinese, visited Thailand between the beginning of this year and April 9th, a 146% increase from the same period last year, Government…

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PM Srettha joins the water splashing fun in Hua Hin

Sporting a colourful shirt and shorts and carrying a water gun, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin joined locals and tourists in the resort town of Hua Hin in celebrating Songkran in…

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What is Songkran festival? (in Chinese)

你好朋友们! Thai PBS World 为你收集了泰国人传统方式过宋干节,祝大家新年万事吉祥!Hello friends! Here’s how Thai people traditionally celebrate the Songkran festival, best wishes for this new year from Thai PBS World. “

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This Week – TPSO predicts Bt47bn spending during Songkran

This year, the Trade Policy and Strategy Office predicted that tourism spending would reach Bt47 billion during the “World Songkran festival”. That includes travel expenses, accommodation and food. A portion…

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25 killed, 248 injured in road accidents on first day of Songkran travel

Twenty-five people were killed and 248 others injured in 234 road accidents across the country on Thursday, Chaiwat Chuntirapong, director-general of the Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, told…

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21 days of Songkran: festivity highlights

Songkran in Thailand will last 21 days this year. The Ministry of Tourism and Sport has announced extended festivities to celebrate UNESCO’s inscription of the holiday on the prestigious Intangible…

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Visitors to Wat Pho will be treated to a truly spectacular and immersive experience with captivating traditional art performances.//Photo/Wat Pho

Culture, traditions and lots and lots of water

From water fights to cultural delights, Bangkok’s Songkran celebration has it all. In the heart of the Thai capital, as the scorching sun transitions into the Aries constellation, Songkran—the Thai…

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Paetongtarn spending Songkran in Hong Kong raises eyebrows

Many Thai netizens are criticising Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the chairwoman of the national panel in charge of promoting the Songkran festival, for her plans to celebrate the festival with her children…

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Songkran revellers begin their journeys home from Bangkok

Increased road traffic is reported on the main arterial routes to northern and north-eastern provinces today, as people begin their journeys home a day ahead of the long official Songkran…

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Songkran will be more lively but with cautious spending – survey

More people are expected to travel during the long Songkran holidays this year than last, but they will be more cautious in their spending, due to the higher cost of…

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No re-entry fees for migrant workers who go home to celebrate Songkran

Migrant workers from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, who want to return to their home countries to celebrate Songkran between April 1st and May 15th, will be exempted from paying re-entry…

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Songkran in Chiang Mai will culminate with a spectacular and ceremonial procession, set against the backdrop of the ancient cityscape.//Photo: TAT’s Chiang Mai Office

Chiang Mai: A dive into tradition and water splashing

As April dawns upon Chiang Mai with its scorching sun and searing heat, the former Lanna capital bursts into energy, heralding the arrival of Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year…

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Additional flights by six airlines available during Songkran festival

Thailand’s six domestic airlines have sought permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to add 104 flights to their schedules during the “Grand Songkran Festival”, to cope with…

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Three weeks of Songkran celebrations begin April 1

Thailand will celebrate this year’s Songkran festival for three weeks nationwide, starting on April 1st, in the hope that the planned fun-filled activities will develop the traditional water-splashing event into…

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UNESCO certifies Songkran as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage

UNESCO has issued an official certificate inscribing Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year festival, as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage, following the intergovernmental convention for the safeguarding of intangible…

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COVID-19 infections and deaths rise steadily since Songkran

COVID-19  infections in Thailand have been rising steadily since Songkran in mid-April, to an average of 336 cases a day, an increase of 39% over last week, according to Dr….

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COVID-19 infections in Bangkok double after Songkran

COVID-19 infections in Bangkok have doubled to about 700 cases a day since the Songkran festival, with the number of actual infections possibly surpassing 1,000 cases day, including those not…

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Thailand sounds alarm as Arcturus strain arrives just in time for Songkran

Thailand is once again on the defensive against COVID-19 after laboratory tests showed that the new, more contagious subvariant XBB.1.16 has landed on these shores. Dr Supakit Sirilak, director-general of…

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96.69 percent of cases taken to court during Songkran involved drunk driving

8,575 drunk driving cases represented 96.69 percent of all motoring-related cases taken to court by the police during the seven days of Songkran celebrations, seeking to have the drivers be…

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Ministry of Public Health bracing for anticipated rise in COVID-19 cases

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has taken steps to cope with an anticipated upsurge in COVID-19 infections after the Songkran celebrations, as eight Omicron XBB.1.16 cases are found in the…

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236 people dead, 2,005 injured in six days of Songkran celebrations

A total of 236 people have died and 2,005 others have been injured in 2,008 road accidents during the six days of Songkran celebrations since April 11th. According to the…

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TAT estimates 18.5 billion baht spent during Songkran festival

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has estimated that Songkran celebrations have seen about 18.5 billion baht in spending by revellers across the country. For this year, the TAT estimates…

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Bang Saen residents to celebrate “Wan Lai Bang Saen” festival

As Songkran celebrations in most of Thailand drew to a close on Saturday, the residents of Bang Saen in Chon Buri province will hold their own celebration, called the “Wan…

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COVID-19 cases will probably rise after Songkran festival

COVID-19 infections are expected to increase two weeks after the Songkran festival, but the situation will remain under control, because hospitals have the capacity to take the extra patients, according…

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158 deaths and 1,431 injuries in four days of Songkran celebrations

158 people have died and 1,431 others have been injured in 1,422 road accidents across Thailand during four days of Songkran celebrations from April 11th, according to the Road Accidents…

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It’s called “Water Festival” just because April is hot

Songkran is an elephant and everyone can be one of the blind men fumbling around for its shape. Road accidents make it a nightmare festival for related authorities or rescue…

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Chiang Mai residents and tourists brave choking air pollution to celebrate Songkran

Apparently undeterred by the excessive PM2.5 air pollution, many residents and tourists, both Thai and foreign, spilled onto the Chiang Mai’s main roads this morning (Thursday) to celebrate the Songkran…

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Thai authorities offer ฿3k cash reward for information on illegal road racing

Individuals who provide information to the police about illegal road racing, which leads to the arrest of the offenders, can claim a cash reward of 3,000 baht. Deputy government spokesperson…

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Summer storms forecast for most of Thailand this weekend

Most of Thailand, except for the south, is expected to see summer storms this weekend, which will bring rain, strong winds and hail to some areas, according to the Meteorological…

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Bus services increased to accommodate 100,000 passengers in next 48 hours

The state-run Transport Company has increased bus and passenger van trips to about 4,500 by making available an additional 700 vehicles to accommodate up to 100,000 passengers expected to use…

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Foreign tourists and locals take part in water fights to celebrate Thai New Year, locally known as Songkran, at Khao San Road in Bangkok on April 13, 2022. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Wild, wet and wonderful!

Water, colours, mud and more are coming to the Thai capital this week. After being kept under wraps during the pandemic, the Songkran festival is making a daring comeback in…

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Songkran to be celebrated at 198 locations in Bangkok

Bangkok residents and tourists will be able to enjoy Songkran celebrations at 198 locations around the capital, with the main attractions being Khao San Road, Silom Road, Lan Khon Muang…

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Thai Labour Ministry offers free car inspections until Wednesday

Ahead of the usual Songkran traffic mayhem, the Department of Skill Development of the Thai Labour Ministry is offering car inspection services, free-of-charge, at its skill development offices throughout the…

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Recommended routes out of Bangkok during Songkran

The Highways Department is recommending alternative routes for motorists who want to leave Bangkok to celebrate the Songkran festival next week. The department’s director-general, Sarawut Songsivilai, said that department is…

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Public advised to be alert to online scams during Songkran

Members of the public are advised to be on their guard against online scammers, attempting to take advantage of the Songkran festival next week to prey on potential victims using…

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Bustling Songkran festival predicted this year

This year’s Songkran is set to be the most lively since Thailand began living with the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago, with total spending among Thai and foreign revellers estimated…

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Myanmar’s netizens argue whether Songkran should be part of World Heritage

As soon as the Myanmar service of the BBC reported that Thailand’s traditional Songkran New Year festival has already been submitted to UNESCO for inclusion on the World Heritage List,…

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Fewer COVID-19 tests may result in fewer infections reported during Songkran – DDC

The steady fall in daily COVID-19 infections during the Songkran holidays can be deceptive and may not reflect the real situation, as fewer RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests were conducted…

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Next fortnight will determine adjustments of COVID-19 measures in Thailand

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today (Monday) that the ministry will closely monitor and assess the COVID-19 situation over the two weeks following the Songkran holiday, to determine whether…

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Songkran holiday crowds start to head back to Bangkok on Friday

Songkran holiday makers began heading back to Bangkok today (Friday), as the long holidays near their end. Increased traffic is reported on arterial roads from the north and northeast, including…

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The ‘Evolving Civilisation: From Lopburi to Ayutthaya Periods’ exhibition at Bangkok National Museum features a sculpture of planetary divinities. (Photo by Phoowadon Duangmee)

Songkran at the museum

At Bangkok National Museum, which is within easy walking distance from Khaosan Road and the Grand Palace, you can celebrate the Thai New Year in a traditional and subtle way….

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Dicing with death: Thai motorists continue to play with their lives on the roads

During the Songkran festival, perhaps even more so than during other long holidays, the issue of road safety is taken seriously. The fact that we still call the Thai New…

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Foreign tourists and locals take part in water fights to celebrate Thai New Year, locally known as Songkran, at Khao San Road in Bangkok on April 13, 2022. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Songkran: Profound Bangkok-countryside link that withstands test of time

Thailand’s most-celebrated and globally-renowned festival has had its fair share of politicization, with people being urged a few years ago to throw water using bowls of a specific color a…

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Songkran brings a splash of memories

For anyone who has lived in Thailand for more than a year, Songkran time is unforgettable. The bright yellow flowers, called Golden Shower or ratchaphruek, burst into bloom weeks ahead,…

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Pro-democracy protesters take part in water fights during an anti-government demonstration on the first day of Thai New Year, locally known as Songkran, at Democracy Monument in Bangkok on April 13, 2022. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Thailand’s anti-establishment groups celebrate Songkran at Democracy Monument

Anti-establishment demonstrators celebrated Songkran on Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Avenue this afternoon (Wednesday) with a political message. They poured water on the Democracy Monument, drenched each other with buckets of water and…

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Carriages, trains added to handle passenger load over Songkran

The State Railway of Thailand has added carriages to 184 trains today (Tuesday) in anticipation of an increase in passengers travelling out of Bangkok to celebrate the Songkran festival. The…

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Thailand’s daily COVID-19 death toll reached record high in the last 24 hours

The daily COVID-19 death toll reached a year high today (Sunday) with 108, breaking the 100 mark for the first time this year, with 25,139 new confirmed infections recorded in…

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Annual Songkran mass exodus from Bangkok begins

The exodus of people living or working in Bangkok, returning to their home provinces in Thailand’s north and north-east to celebrate the Songkran festival, began this evening (Friday). Long, slow…

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A health worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer vaccine for the Covid-19 coronavirus for high school students at Prachaniwet Secondary School in Bangkok on October 4, 2021. Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

Fatalities, low vaccination of elderly matters of concern ahead of Songkran

Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is concerned about the COVID-19 fatality rate in the Northeast, which is higher than in other regions, and the low vaccination rate among…

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Medical personnel take a break in between Covid-19 coronavirus testing in a drive-thru centre at a private hospital in Bangkok on January 8, 2021 after the Thai government imposed further restrictions due to the recent outbreak. Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

CCSA advisor claims Thailand’s daily infections could be as high as 100,000

Advisor to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) Dr. Udom Kachinthorn, claimed today (Friday) that actual daily infections at present may be around 100,000 and this may increase during…

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Spending during Songkran this year projected to be lowest in ten years

Spending by the public during the long Songkran holiday next week is projected to be the lowest in a decade, because consumers are tending to be more careful due to…

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Maximum of 50,000 COVID-19 daily infections predicted after Songkran

The Thai Ministry of Public Health has predicted that there will be a maximum average of 50,000 COVID-19 cases a day after the Songkran holidays next week, about 3,000 new…

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Measures for long Songkran holidays next week to be decided on Friday

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will chair a meeting of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) tomorrow (Friday) to assess the COVID-19 situation and to put final touches to preparations…

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Thai medical professionals say “Get a vaccine booster jab before Songkran”

As the long Songkran break approaches, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and five of the country’s medical associations are urging people who have had two or three doses of COVID-19…

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Revellers use water guns to spray at one another as they celebrate the Buddhist New Year, locally known as Songkran, in Bangkok on April 14, 2019. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)

Any possible Songkran COVID-19 surge will be manageable – MoPH

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today (Monday) that he is confident that COVID-19 infections, which are anticipated to surge during and after the long Songkran break, will be kept…

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Thailand prepares armory of anti-COVID weapons for Songkran battle 

With the number of COVID-19 patients surging to more than 20,000 daily, Thai authorities are busy taking steps to ensure an adequate supply of medicines. Even though most COVID-19 patients…

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Image Credit: Government Pharmaceutical Organisation

Health Ministry seeks additional 75 million anti-viral pills ahead of Songkran

The Ministry of Public Health has asked the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) for an additional 75 million Favipiravir and Molnupiravir anti-viral medicines, as it anticipates a surge in COVID-19 infections…

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Additional bus services to be operated in Thailand over Songkran holiday

The state-run Transport Company is to increase bus and van services during the long Songkran holidays to about 3,700 daily trips out of Bangkok on April 11th and 12th and…

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Health Minister says no water splashing on Khaosan Road during Songkran

The Ministry of Public Health has rejected a request, from businesses on Bangkok’s famed backpacker haven Khaosan Road, to allow water splashing, although other ways to celebrate Thailand’s traditional New…

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File photo

Bangkok opens six walk-in vaccination facilities ahead of Songkran holiday

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is urging everyone to get inoculated against COVID-19 before the Songkran festival in mid-April and has opened six vaccination facilities offering walk-in inoculation. According to…

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Songkran a test if COVID-19 can become endemic in Thailand, says hospital dean

The Songkran festival in mid-April will determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic, which has wrought havoc for more than two years, will gradually transform into an endemic disease in Thailand after…

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Thailand drops pre-departure RT-PCR tests for overseas arrivals, allows Songkran celebrations

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has agreed to cancel the requirement for pre-departure RT-PCR tests for international arrivals, effective from April 1st, and is to allow some celebrations…

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REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

High-risk people in Thailand urged to get vaccinated before Songkran

Thailand’s Disease Control Department’s Dr. Sumanee Wacharasint stressed today (Thursday) the need for people who are at high risk of serious complications to get vaccinated urgently, as the death toll…

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Thailand exceeds 3 million COVID-19 infections since January 2020

Thailand’s COVID-19 infections, since the arrival of the virus in the country on January 13th, 2020, reached 3,004,814 today (Saturday), as a senior doctor predicted that daily infections may exceed…

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No travel restrictions in Thailand during Songkran this year

No travel restrictions will be imposed when the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meets next week to discuss measures to be introduced during the annual Songkran festival in mid-April,…

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A child wearing a protective facemask runs on a sidewalk marked for social distancing in front of a Buddhist shrine in central Bangkok. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

Maybe it’s better if we do nothing at all

It goes without saying that “Doing nothing” does not include wearing face masks, hand washing, and some exercise. The time has come once again for Thais to “de-group”, “de-party”, “de-politicize”,…

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Higher, faster, deadlier: Third wave of COVID triggers growing fear in Thailand    

A grim warning has been issued by a leading medical expert as Thailand grapples with its third and worst wave of COVID-19: expect a double-digit death toll to become regular…

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The huge challenges facing Thailand’s ageing society

National Elderly Day on April 13 serves as a reminder that Thai society is ageing fast. The country is facing a multitude of challenges as its elderly population expands rapidly…

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An elderly woman sits along an alley in a low-income neighborhood in Bangkok on May 4, 2020. (Photo by Romeo GACAD / AFP)

Songkran Holiday Blues for the Elderly

Songkran is the Thai New Year holiday that many Thais look forward to spending a week-long off from work and being with their loved ones, especially Thai elders that wait…

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People walk past closed shops on Khao San Road, a once popular tourist strip in Bangkok. (Photo by Jack TAYLOR / AFP)

Third wave of COVID infections spins new economic risks

Thailand’s new wave of COVID-19 infections has raised the economic risk level, but a clear picture of the impact will only emerge after the Songkran break. The Thai economy contracted…

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Travellers went through COVID-19 screening process before entering to the Mo Chit Bus Terminal on 9 April 2021.

Expert warns of high chance of wider COVID-19 outbreak during Songkran

Thailand’s new COVID-19 infections are expected to increase rapidly during the two weeks following the Songkran holidays, especially now that the UK strain of the virus is spreading, according to…

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CCSA to consider closure of all entertainment venues in 41 provinces

On Friday, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health will propose that the CCSA orders the closure of all entertainment venues, such as pubs, bars and massage parlours, in 41 provinces for…

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Photo from www.chulalongkornhospital.go.th

Thais advised to stay home for Songkran to limit spread of COVID-19 UK strain

Thailand’s top virologist, Dr. Yong Poovorawan, has expressed his concern that the UK strain of COVID-19, which is now linked to the Thonglor cluster and is spreading through Bangkok and…

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(Photo by Romeo GACAD / AFP)

Culture Ministry proposes holidays from July 4th to 9th for Songkran celebrations

Thailand’s Ministry of Culture will propose, to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), the declaration of special public holidays, from July 4th to 9th, for belated Songkran celebrations, which…

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Members of the Thai police forces distribute free facemasks and food to poor people amid restrictions set up to halt the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Bangkok on April 9, 2020. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

Daily new infections in Thailand slow to 50, PM to issue statement

The daily rate of new COVID-19 infections in Thailand continue to slow, to 50 from yesterday’s 54, as the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is considering extending financial help…

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Private sector asked to cancel Songkran events if virus status no better by end of March

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports will seek cooperation from the private sector to cancel their Songkran celebrations if the rate of COVID-19 infections does not subside by the end…

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297 people die in five days of Songkran festival

The five days of Songkran up to yesterday have claimed 297 lives with another 2,807 people injured in 2,702 road accidents across the country, according to the Centre for the…

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Songkran is set to boost economic sentiment

After Thai consumer confidence in March recorded the first drop in three months, businesses pin their hope that Songkran will boost the spirit of spending. Usually, there is an uptick…

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