DEPUTY Interior Minister Naris Khamnurak said this morning (Apr. 18) that the death toll from road accidents during Songkran Festival’s “seven dangerous days”, April 11-17, 2023, dropped by 5% year-on-year, Thai Post newspaper said. However, while the number of accidents had increased the situation had returned to normal today, he added. Latest statistics show
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Myanmar man found dead, likely infected with new Omicron strain
A MYANMAR man was found dead in his room in the Sathorn area after celebrating Songkran with his friends and it is suspected that he was infected with the new Omicron subvariant XBB. 1.16, Thai Rath newspaper said this afternoon (Apr. 17). At 1 p.m. Pol. Lt. Col. Saranyapong Thongpan, an investigator at Wat
Read more8 injured in shooting at RCA clubbing zone
AS SONGKRAN FESTIVAL draws to an end a shooting erupted at Royal City Avenue, a government-designated entertainment zone off Rama 9 road, at 1 a.m this morning (Apr. 17) with eight young revellers getting injured and the gunman immediately arrested, Sanook.com said. Makkasan police rushed to the clubbing zone upon getting a report of
Read moreChadchart joins revellers in having a splashing good time
BANGKOK Governor Chadchart Sittipunt got thoroughly wet in launching the Maha Songkran Festival on Khao San road at 1.30 p.m. today (Apr. 13) and after wishing everyone a Happy Thai New Year urged that they not aggressively splash water, Matichon newspaper said. In his speech he called on everyone to get fully wet so
Read moreSilom road not being closed for Songkran festival this year
WITH Songkran festival kicking off next Thursday (Apr. 13) revellers might be disappointed to hear that Silom road will not be close this year for them to gather there for a splashing good time but they can still enjoy themselves on the sidewalks and the alleys leading off this key artery of the metropolis,
Read moreElectoral candidates allowed to attend Songkran events, give speeches
By Thai Newsroom Reporters PARTIES AND CANDIDATES contesting the May 14 general election may attend an upcoming Songkran festival anywhere but are not legally allowed to organise an event, confirmed Election Commission secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee today (Apr.8). Those currently running either in constituency-based mode or party-listed mode in the nationwide election may attend celebrations
Read moreChadchart imposes quadruple ban this Songkarn
BANGKOK Governor Chadchart Sittipunt today (Mar. 27) said preparations are underway to celebrate Songkran next month but a quadruple ban is being imposed with this being no sale and consumption of alcohol, using high-pressure water guns, smearing powder and wearing revealing clothes, Naewna newspaper said. Speaking after chairing the executive board meeting on the
Read moreTraffic builds up on Asian Highway as Songkran revellers return to Bangkok
AS Songkran holidays draw to a close, holidaymakers started returning to Bangkok with all lanes of Asian Highway from Ang Thong province to Maha Rat district of Ayutthaya province filled with vehicles from afternoon onwards, Amarin TV said this evening (Apr. 15). An inspection found that as more vehicles poured into this key highway
Read moreCovid panel tells BMA to sort out water splashing on Khao San road
AFTER images of revellers merrily splashing water on Khao San road were published by the Thai press Gen. Suphot Malaniyom, secretary-general of the National Security Council and director of operations at the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) told the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Interior Ministry officials to resolve the problem, TV Channel
Read moreActivist groups hold Songkran event at Democracy Monument
SOME activist groups marched from Phan Fa bridge to Democracy Monument today (Apr. 13), Songkran Day, where they held a water pouring ceremony to draw attention to their demands, Matichon newspaper said. Members of We Volunteer (Vivo), Thalu Fah, People’s Group and Fem Liberated kicked off their event at 4.45 p.m. after reaching the monument
Read morePM orders Phuket governor to stop water splashing in Soi Bangla
PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Apr. 13) ordered Phuket Governor Narong Woosiew to go to Soi Bangla at Patong beach and stop tourists from splashing water and engaging in water gun battles, TV Channel 8 said. Mr. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, a spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, said Gen. Prayut told the Phuket governor to
Read moreGigantic Prawit billboards merely designed as publicity campaign: Chaiwut
By Thai Newsroom Reporters GIGANTIC ROADSIDE BILLBOARDS portraying Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan were merely designed as a publicity campaign for the largest coalition partner and the deputy prime minister, said a deputy party leader today (Apr 10). Digital Economy & Society Minister/deputy Palang Pracharath leader Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn said the huge billboards erected
Read moreHospitals told to brace for jump in Covid patients after Songkran
PUBLIC Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered all hospitals across the country to be fully prepared for an expected increase in the number of Covid patients after the Songkran festival, Sanook.com said today (Apr. 9). Hospitals have also been instructed to brace for injuries from accidents and treat other illnesses. Anutin mentioned that the government
Read moreSongkran rules set while pre-arrival PCR test dropped
THE Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) executive committee today (Mar. 18) set the rules for celebrating Songkran festival while dropping the mandatory PCR test 72 hours before travelling to Thailand, Matichon and Naewna newspapers said. Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, CCSA’s spokesman, said the executive committee meeting presided over by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha acknowledged
Read moreMinistry: Lax control will lead to Covid count soaring to 100,000 a day after Songkran
AMID a Covid tally of 23,834 cases and 54 deaths today (Mar. 4) the Public Health Ministry warned that the daily count could soar to 100,000 after Songkran festival if preventive measures are not strictly maintained, Thai Rath newspaper. Aside from the 23,834 confirmed Covid cases there were an additional 31,571 who tested positive via
Read moreProtesters mark Songkran, pressure Prayut to quit
THE UNME Anarchy group, the leader of the Through the Sky network, staged a Songkran parade as they piled on pressure for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to step down and called for the release of their leaders detained under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, in front of the
Read moreControversy swirls around Gen Prawit’s water bowl gift
AFTER Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan came under attack for distributing thousands of plastic water bowls to people with his name as Palang Pracharath Party leader and Songkran greeting printed on it, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul quickly jumped to his defence, Sanook.com said today (August 6). Anutin, who is
Read moreBMA will hold shopping fair to promote local products during Songkran
THE Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will hold a shopping fair to promote local products from 50 districts of Bangkok at Ong Ang Canal in Phra Nakhon district during Songkran from April 9-14, 4-11 p.m., NNT said today (April 3). BMA’s deputy permanent secretary Wanlaya Wattanarat said more than 50 product booths will be set up
Read moreEmergency extended 2 months, Songkran water splashing banned
THE Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced today (March 19) that the emergency decree is being extended for two more months from April 1, 2021 to May 31, 2021 while water splashing is banned this Songkran, Sanook.com said. Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, CCSA’s spokesman, said although water splashing is not allowed this time people may
Read moreCCSC says substitute Songkran holidays in July possible if all goes well
THE spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) today (June 1) said that it is possible for substitute Songkran holidays to be scheduled in July with this depending on how phase 3 and 4 easing of the Covid-19 lockdown pans out, PostToday reported. Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin was replying to questions from the Press
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