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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 16 April 2025
Songkran Success: Tourist Surge Boosts Thai Economy People splash water during the Songkran water festival to celebrate the Thai New Year in Prachinburi Province, Thailand, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn) Thailand is basking in the glow of a tourist boom as the Songkran festival draws an impressive 666,000 international visitors, reports revealed on Tuesday. The nation welcomed roughly 10.7 million tourists in 2025, raking in a whopping 510 billion baht from tourism-related income this year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1357840-songkran-success-tourist-surge-boosts-thai-economy/ -
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Songkran Success: Tourist Surge Boosts Thai Economy
People splash water during the Songkran water festival to celebrate the Thai New Year in Prachinburi Province, Thailand, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn) Thailand is basking in the glow of a tourist boom as the Songkran festival draws an impressive 666,000 international visitors, reports revealed on Tuesday. The nation welcomed roughly 10.7 million tourists in 2025, raking in a whopping 510 billion baht from tourism-related income this year. The Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 has been dubbed a roaring success, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Celebrated over three days, Thai New Year festivities splashed across popular spots like Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Hat Yai, attracting crowds from across the globe. Bangkok remained the epicentre of the celebrations, with Silom Road and Khao San Road teeming with 651,295 revellers. A significant influx of short-haul tourists, particularly from China and India, led to a 17.61% increase from the previous week's numbers. More long-haul visitors from Europe, taking advantage of spring school holidays, added further to the festival's success. During the Songkran week alone, 666,180 international arrivals were recorded, showing a 10.73% rise with around 95,169 arrivals per day. Topping visitor numbers were Malaysians, Chinese, Indians, Russians, and British nationals. Chinese and Indian numbers soared by 28.20% and 23.56%, respectively, though the Brits seemed less interested, with a slight dip of 8.49%. The Thai government is keen to maintain the touristic momentum post-Songkran, eyeing European travellers during their school spring break. The Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sport Year 2025 campaign has been a hit, with streamlined travel processes and increased flight support. From January 1 to April 13, 10.73 million tourists packed their bags for Thailand, contributing to windfall tourism revenues of 516.58 billion baht. Songkran's three-day bash saw 651,295 revellers flock to hotspot Bangkok, generating 1.7 billion baht at the Sanam Luang site alone. As attention turned to local festivities, the song and dance in Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen Avenue captivated 523,456 Thais and 34,559 foreigners. The Tourism Authority of Thailand estimated the Songkran festivities would generate about 26.5 billion baht, an 8% increase compared to last year, with foreign visitor numbers also promising a healthy rise. Based on a story by Bangkok Post -- 2025-04-16 -
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Foreign Tourist Assaults Bar Staff & Women in Pattaya Soi 6, Knocked Down in Viral Brawl
Picture courtesy of Khoasod. A drunken incident by a foreign tourist ended in swift retribution after he assaulted a female bar worker and mocked Muay Thai, only to be knocked down by a bouncer and then roughed up by a furious crowd. The incident, which occurred late on 15 April, has since gone viral on social media and sparked widespread debate about tourist behaviour in Thailand. According to police reports and multiple eyewitness accounts, the tourist, accompanied by another intoxicated foreigner, entered a Pattaya bar, in Soi 6 and began behaving aggressively. The man was seen groping a female staff member and lifting her off the ground, causing her head to strike an air-conditioning unit. Another employee, a newly hired female server, was also reportedly harassed and has since refused to return to work. The bar’s two security guards, identified as “Non”, 36, and “Nick”, 37, attempted to defuse the situation and escort the men out of the venue. The manager, a woman named “Phrae”, 37, also stepped in to calm things down. Despite these efforts, the tourists continued to harass customers and staff, ultimately pouring beer over a guard’s head in a provocative act. Matters escalated when the disruptive foreigner began challenging people to a Muay Thai fight, further taunting the guards and patrons. It was at this point that one of the bouncers lost patience and delivered a single punch to the man’s face, knocking him off his feet. Bystanders, both Thai nationals and other foreigners, then joined in, delivering additional blows as the man lay stunned on the ground. Police were called, and the incident is now under investigation by officers at Pattaya City Police Station. Deputy Inspector Pol. Lt. Arut Saphanon confirmed that CCTV footage has been reviewed and statements have been taken from the bar’s staff. The foreign nationals involved have yet to file a formal complaint or report to authorities. The bar has voluntarily closed its doors temporarily as a gesture of accountability and to allow for a thorough investigation. Local officials, including Bang Lamung district officers, have visited the premises and praised the venue’s cooperation. In a statement, the security guards expressed regret that the situation escalated to violence but asked for public understanding, citing the extreme provocation they faced. “We tried everything to avoid a confrontation,” one said. “But after the assault and continued harassment, we had to protect ourselves and others.” -- 2025-04-16 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 16 April 2025
Myanmar Worker Fatally Stabbed Amid Street Water Festival Brawl in Samut Sakhon Picture courtesy of Khoasod. A Myanmar national was fatally stabbed during a violent brawl that erupted amid Songkran water festival celebrations in Samut Sakhon province. Police are now hunting the suspects, believed to be fellow migrant workers who fled the scene during the chaos. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357838-myanmar-worker-fatally-stabbed-amid-street-water-festival-brawl-in-samut-sakhon/ -
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Myanmar Worker Fatally Stabbed Amid Street Water Festival Brawl in Samut Sakhon
Picture courtesy of Khoasod. A Myanmar national was fatally stabbed during a violent brawl that erupted amid Songkran water festival celebrations in Samut Sakhon province. Police are now hunting the suspects, believed to be fellow migrant workers who fled the scene during the chaos. The incident occurred near Mahachai Villa Soi 17 in Tha Sai subdistrict, Muang District. Police from Samut Sakhon City Police Station, led by Pol. Col. Pichetpong Jangkaikom, arrived at the scene along with forensic officers, medics from Samut Sakhon Hospital, and local rescue workers. At the scene, officers discovered the lifeless body of Mr. Zay Ya Kyaw, a 25-year-old Myanmar national, lying in a pool of blood with a deep stab wound to the centre of his chest. The victim had been working as a labourer in the Ban Phaeo district of the province. According to a relative of the deceased, Mr. Zay Ya Kyaw had come to join Songkran festivities in Mahachai Villa Soi 15 with family and friends. During the celebration, an altercation broke out between his group and another, reportedly also composed of Myanmar nationals. The confrontation quickly escalated, and the victim attempted to flee. Witnesses say around 10 individuals from the opposing group chased him down. One assailant caught up with Mr. Zay Ya Kyaw and stabbed him with a long knife, killing him instantly. Taking advantage of the festival’s disorder and the surrounding crowds, the attackers fled the scene. A coordinated operation by officers from Mueang Samut Sakhon Police Station, Bang Thorat Police Station, and the Samut Sakhon Provincial Investigation Unit led to the arrest of four suspects at a roadside location in Soi Wat Bang Nam Won, Bang Thorat sub-district. The arrested individuals were identified as: • Mr Aung Naing Htwe, 22 • Mr Naing Naing Aung, 30 • Mr Kaung Khant Kyaw, 25 • Mr Nadi Win, 22 All are Myanmar nationals. Police also seized a short-bladed knife believed to be the murder weapon, and a Honda Click 160 motorbike, which was allegedly used to flee the scene. Charges have been filed as follows: • Mr Aung Naing Htwe and Mr Naing Naing Aung are charged with joint assault and murder. • Mr Kaung Khant Kyaw is charged with illegal entry into the country and assault. • Mr Nadi Win is charged under Section 189 of the Thai Criminal Code for aiding a criminal in avoiding arrest. The suspects, along with the seized items, have been handed over to the investigation officers at Mueang Samut Sakhon Police Station for legal proceedings. Meanwhile, Mr Kokkonai, 44, the victim’s stepfather, arrived at the police station with family members to obtain the necessary documents for the release of Mr Zayyakyaw’s body from Samut Sakhon Hospital. -- 2025-04-16
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