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BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Culture is working to nominate Thailand’s Songkran Festival as an intangible cultural heritage, in an attempt to make Songkran a world-class festival. The Department of Cultural Promotion (DCP) under the Ministry of Culture said it is working to secure the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) status for Thailand’s Songkran festival from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. DCP Director General Kowit Pakamart said the motion to consider such a nomination was already approved at an ordinary session of the General Assembly in 2022, with the final decision to be made this year by a selection committee of 12 member states. If approved, the ICH status will need to be endorsed by 24 countries in an ordinary session of the General Assembly in late 2024, following a full review by the committee. The DCP chief said Thailand is confident its Songkran Festival will be able to gain the ICH status, given that it is an ancient festival that has not been overly commercialized, has a minimal environmental impact, reflects the country’s unique cultural identity, and strengthens the value of family. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230103111658603 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-03 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Three ministries to meet Thursday to prepare for return of Chinese tourists Travelers walk through the arrivals terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on July 1, 2022. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) Senior officials of Thailand’s Public Health, Tourism and Sports and Transport ministries are scheduled to meet this Thursday to prepare for the arrival of Chinese tourists, expected to begin in the middle of this month. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282362-three-ministries-to-meet-thursday-to-prepare-for-return-of-chinese-tourists/

Travelers walk through the arrivals terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on July 1, 2022. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) Senior officials of Thailand’s Public Health, Tourism and Sports and Transport ministries are scheduled to meet this Thursday to prepare for the arrival of Chinese tourists, expected to begin in the middle of this month. The Chinese government has eased travel restrictions, effective January 8th, allowing Chinese citizens to travel out of the country again and allowing tourists to visit China. Thai tourism-related officials said that, during the initial stage, not many Chinese tourists will visit Thailand, due to the limited number of flights between China and Thailand, and many Chinese citizens may have to renew passports which expired during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions were strictly enforced under China’s Zero Infection Policy. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/three-ministries-to-meet-thursday-to-prepare-for-return-of-chinese-tourists/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-03 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Bangkok remains as one of top destinations in Asia BANGKOK (NNT) - The tourism sector in Thailand this year is expected to see a lively recovery, with the government now expecting no fewer than 20 million international visitors. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282356-bangkok-remains-as-one-of-top-destinations-in-asia/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The tourism sector in Thailand this year is expected to see a lively recovery, with the government now expecting no fewer than 20 million international visitors. Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok has seen surges in holiday-related activities. And according to the Canada-based travel website and application Hopper, international flight searches among people in North America have jumped from 19% to 27%, with Bangkok ranking as the third most searched destination in Asia, only after Tokyo of Japan and Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has thanked all related sectors for executing the government’s policy on tourism growth, which is essential to the country’s economic recovery. The government has set a target for this year to achieve 80% of tourism revenue and 50% of international tourist number recorded before the pandemic. These targets equate to no less than 2.38 trillion baht in revenue and no fewer than 20 million visitors, excluding 180 million from mainland China and domestic travelers. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230103095122574 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-03 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Phi Phi islands welcome over 5,000 visitors a day during New Year holiday PHOTO: Koh Phi Phi Don The Phi Phi islands in the southern province of Krabi have seen a massive surge in tourist visitors on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, according to a Phuket Express report. An official from Hat Nappharat Thara-Mu Ko National Park says that in total, the islands welcomed over 5,000 visitors a day on both days. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282355-phi-phi-islands-welcome-over-5000-visitors-a-day-during-new-year-holiday/

PHOTO: Koh Phi Phi Don The Phi Phi islands in the southern province of Krabi have seen a massive surge in tourist visitors on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, according to a Phuket Express report. An official from Hat Nappharat Thara-Mu Ko National Park says that in total, the islands welcomed over 5,000 visitors a day on both days. Monday was an official public holiday in Thailand. The islands came under scrutiny in 2018 as officials were concerned about the huge number of visitors at the time. Now, after over 3 years of closure and ‘recovery’, along with some new infrastructure for visitors at Maya Bay, the number of visitors is back to the 2018 levels, despite the promise of caps on daily visitors. One tour operator declared that the situation at Maya Bay was “madness” but noted that the peak of New Year is now over. Extra staff have been on hand to deal with the influx, with officials overseeing mooring and opening more ticket booths to relieve congestion. In addition to the visitors at Phi Phi’s Pi Leh Lagoon and Maya Bay, huge tourist numbers were also in evidence at other popular Krabi locations including Railay Beach, Koh Poda and Thale Waek. Arrivals at Phuket international airport have started to level off as the heat of the Christmas and New Year period dissipates. Phuket now has to wait and see if the huge surge of Russian visitors in the last 2 months of 2022 continue to arrive, and the potential of the Chinese market returning as 2023 progresses. The Krabi office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand says that between December 30 and January 2, the province welcomed a total of 62,927 tourists. Of those, 39,331 were foreign nationals and 23,596 were Thai. “Estimated revenue from those numbers is expected to be over 908 million baht.” During the first 11 months of last year, over 1.52 million visitors travelled to Krabi, generating tourism revenue of 14.3 billion baht. However, during that period, most of the tourists were Thais. With global travel continuing to pick up, the TAT expects Krabi to continue doing well, with tourism revenue for 2023 expected to exceed the province’s target of 1.5 billion baht. In 2022, Thailand welcomed around 11 million international tourists. For this year, the TAT has increased its forecast, based on China’s decision to re-open its borders from Sunday. Tourism officials in Thailand now expect the kingdom to welcome 25 million tourists this year. Meanwhile, officials have confirmed that Phi Phi’s Maya Bay, the location for the 2000 Leonardo di Caprio film The Beach, will close for 2 days on January 15 and 16. Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/islands/phi-phi-islands-welcome-over-5000-visitors-a-day-during-new-year-holiday/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-03 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Two die, one seriously injured in gold shop fire in Kalasin Monday night Two people were killed and one seriously injured in a fire at a gold shop in Mueang district of the north-eastern province of Kalasin last night (Monday). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282354-two-die-one-seriously-injured-in-gold-shop-fire-in-kalasin-monday-night/

Two people were killed and one seriously injured in a fire at a gold shop in Mueang district of the north-eastern province of Kalasin last night (Monday). The fire, which police think was caused by a short circuit inan electrical plug, occurred at about 8pm in the Lim Kian Huad 3 gold shop on Thedsabal 23 Road in Mueang district. Three people were trapped in the shop at the time of the fire, but it took firemen about three hours to bring the blaze under control. During the fire, however, firemen managed to extract one man, later identified as 75-year-old Vichit Saengsophaphan, the shop’s owner, but he was suffering from serious burns. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/two-die-one-seriously-injured-in-gold-shop-fire-in-kalasin-monday-night/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-03 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Public urged to self-monitor Covid symptoms after holidays BANGKOK (NNT) - The number of reported COVID-19 cases in Thailand went down in the final week of 2022, but health professionals have asked people traveling during New Year holidays to monitor symptoms and self-isolate if infected. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282350-public-urged-to-self-monitor-covid-symptoms-after-holidays/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The number of reported COVID-19 cases in Thailand went down in the final week of 2022, but health professionals have asked people traveling during New Year holidays to monitor symptoms and self-isolate if infected. Health authorities in Thailand reported 2,111 hospitalized COVID-19 cases during the week of 25-31 December 2022. Fatality numbers also went down, from 89 cases to 75 cases in the same week. In a Facebook post, Dr. Thira Woratanarat from the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, asked people traveling or attending gathering events during the New Year holidays to closely monitor possible symptoms. According to the doctor, anyone exhibiting symptoms should immediately self-test for COVID-19 using an antigen test kit, and self-isolate for 7-10 days following a positive result. People experiencing symptoms should get follow-up tests for 3 consecutive days to rule out false negatives. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230103090129548 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-03 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Failures and successes for Bangkok Governor Chadchart with huge challenges ahead in 2023 Image Credit: Chadchart Sittipunt’s Facebook Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has been handed a “passing grade” by keen observers. However, the man who won the 2022 gubernatorial election by a record-breaking majority is expected to achieve much more. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282349-failures-and-successes-for-bangkok-governor-chadchart-with-huge-challenges-ahead-in-2023/

Image Credit: Chadchart Sittipunt’s Facebook Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has been handed a “passing grade” by keen observers. However, the man who won the 2022 gubernatorial election by a record-breaking majority is expected to achieve much more. “His management style is good and modern,” Dr Stithorn Thananithichot, director for Innovation for Democracy at the King Prajadhipok’s Institute, said of the city governor. Stithorn reckons Chadchart certainly deserves praise, since he and his team’s enthusiasm and energy have successfully nudged the notoriously sluggish Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) into action, pushing officials to respond faster to emerging problems. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/failures-and-successes-for-bangkok-governor-chadchart-with-huge-challenges-ahead-in-2023/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-03 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Motorcyclist Dies After Trying to Beat Train in Pattaya A 25-year-old man met his demise after getting hit by a train at a railway crossing in Pattaya on Sunday, January 1st. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282339-motorcyclist-dies-after-trying-to-beat-train-in-pattaya/

A 25-year-old man met his demise after getting hit by a train at a railway crossing in Pattaya on Sunday, January 1st. Pattaya police and Sawang Boriboon emergency responders were notified of a fatal crash that took place at a railway crossing near the Thamma Samakkhi temple in the Nongprue subdistrict of Banglamung district, Chonburi, at 8:30 PM. Local residents and motorists were forming around the accident scene when the authorities arrived. In the grass beside the train track, police found the deceased victim, 25-year-old Mr. Settawut Uttha, with severe injuries around his body. His yellow Vespa motorcycle was crushed by train No. 5101 heading to the Sattahip district. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/01/02/motorcyclist-dies-after-trying-to-beat-train-in-pattaya/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-01-03 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Rare hornbills spotted in Thailand’s Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park Officials of the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park have recently reported the sighted of five plain-pouched hornbills (Aceros subruficollis) flying near the mountain viewpoint on Wua Talap Island. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282338-rare-hornbills-spotted-in-thailand’s-mu-ko-ang-thong-national-park/

Officials of the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park have recently reported the sighted of five plain-pouched hornbills (Aceros subruficollis) flying near the mountain viewpoint on Wua Talap Island. Park officials said that the birds are quite rare in the park, because it is far from the mainland of Surat Thani Province and only a few forests are left on the islands in the park, where other species of hornbill are frequently seen. The sighting of the plain-pouched hornbills is a valuable New Year gift for the marine park, because it suggests a healthy level of diversity in the ecological system of the park in the Gulf of Thailand, off Surat Thani province. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/rare-hornbills-spotted-in-thailands-mu-ko-ang-thong-national-park/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-03 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Officials of the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park have recently reported the sighted of five plain-pouched hornbills (Aceros subruficollis) flying near the mountain viewpoint on Wua Talap Island. Park officials said that the birds are quite rare in the park, because it is far from the mainland of Surat Thani Province and only a few forests are left on the islands in the park, where other species of hornbill are frequently seen. The sighting of the plain-pouched hornbills is a valuable New Year gift for the marine park, because it suggests a healthy level of diversity in the ecological system of the park in the Gulf of Thailand, off Surat Thani province. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/rare-hornbills-spotted-in-thailands-mu-ko-ang-thong-national-park/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-03 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Two men, suspected of involvement in the car bombing of a police apartment building in Thailand’s restive southern province of Narathiwat in November, have been arrested, national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat announced today (Monday). He said that nine men, including the two in custody, are suspected of involvement in the attack on November 22nd last year. One police officer was killed, 25 other officers and 18 police family members were injured. About 70 apartments were damaged. The two suspects arrested have been identified as Abdul Mubin Lateh and Uzman Sanee. Both allegedly admitted that nine people were involved in the attack. Five of the six cars believed to be used in the bombing plot have been seized. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/two-suspects-in-car-bomb-attack-at-narathiwat-police-apartment-arrested/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-03 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Two suspects in car bomb attack at Narathiwat police apartment arrested Two men, suspected of involvement in the car bombing of a police apartment building in Thailand’s restive southern province of Narathiwat in November, have been arrested, national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat announced today (Monday). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282335-two-suspects-in-car-bomb-attack-at-narathiwat-police-apartment-arrested/

Trash was pilled up along the sidewalks around HCMC's Nguyen Hue walking street and surrounding areas, after the New Year’s countdown and fireworks ended. On Ngo Duc Ke Street young people chug down beverages, seemingly oblivious to the litter all around them. Trash cans on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street and neighboring streets are overflowing with trash. Various types of refuse were dumped on the streets and under trees, and blocking the manhole cover over the sewage system. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/photo/news/saigons-downtown-flooded-with-trash-after-new-years-eve-fireworks-4555170.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-02

Dozens of people raced against time on New Year's Eve to save a 10-year-old boy who fell into a 35-meter-deep hollow concrete pillar in southern Dong Thap Province. At noon of December 31, 2022, Thai Ly Hao Nam and three of his neighbors went to a bridge construction site on Provincial Road 857 in Phu Loi Commune to get some pieces of iron. The 10-year-old boy was walking when he fell into a hollow concrete pillar that was 25 centimeters in diameter and about 35 meters deep, where he was trapped. The group of rescuers drilled to cut into the concrete to widen the pit by about 10 meters so that cranes could lift the concrete pillar. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/photo/news/rescuers-seek-way-to-save-boy-who-fell-into-35-meter-deep-hollow-concrete-pillar-4555157.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-02

The house where a fire broke out killing a woman and her three children in Tuyen Quang Province on January 1, 2023. Photo by police Police the northern Tuyen Quang Province are investigating if an unidentified man set fire to his house, killing his wife and children, before committing suicide. A fire engulfed a house in Trung Hoa Commune in Chiem Hoa District at around 3:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day. After firefighters and locals extinguished the blaze, police identified the body of the man, 56, lying in the front, and believe he had jumped from the second floor. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/man-believed-to-have-killed-his-family-of-4-4555337.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-02

A car (red rectangle) leaves Hanoi's Noi Bai airport after the driver charged a group of five Japanese VND1 million for one kilometer, December 30, 2022. Photo courtesy of Noi Bai security camera footage A car driver has been fined for charging a group of five Japanese tourists VND1 million (US$42) for a one-km trip in Hanoi. Police at the airport tracked down the driver on Sunday after the airport security center received an email the previous day from a family of Japanese who said they were charged VND1 million for a one km ride from the international terminal to the domestic terminal of Noi Bai airport. The driver was fined by the police, but it was not revealed how much he will have to pay. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/driver-fined-for-ripping-off-japanese-tourists-in-hanoi-4555396.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-02

Passengers look at a screen showing flight information at terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay, Metro Manila on January 1, 2023. Thousands of travellers were stranded at Philippine airports on January 1 after a "loss of communication" at the country's busiest hub in Manila forced hundreds of flights to be cancelled, delayed or diverted. AFP / Kevin Tristan Espiritu MANILA, Philippines — Officials announced Sunday afternoon that the air traffic system that was supposedly hit by a power outage has been “partially restored,” but several flights were still canceled the day after. This, as operations at airports across the country were still being normalized. As of 9:30 a.m., these flights have been called off, according to advisories from the Department of Transportation and airlines: Domestic 5J 885 Manila-Cotabato 5J 504 Manila-Tuguegarao 5J 891 Manila-Caticlan 5J 625 Manila-Puerto Princesa Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/02/2234825/list-canceled-flights-january-2-due-naia-air-traffic-outage -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-02