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 a press conference today.

 

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

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324825-25-killed-248-injured-in-road-accidents-on-first-day-of-songkran-travel/

 

UPDATE:

 

 

Fat farang strips naked and poops in Bangkok shrine - video

 

Picture courtesy of ASEAN Now

 

Thailand’s tourism drive suffered another setback this week when Bangkok bore witness to yet another repulsive, badly-behaved fat farang who saw it fit to strip naked, bathe and poop in a Buddhist shrine.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324792-foreigners-shocking-behavior-on-soi-4-sparks-outrage-in-bangkok-videos/?do=findComment&comment=18838329

 

 

 

Pattaya Police Inspect Pubs to Deter Crime During Songkran
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Pattaya — Pattaya police and various law enforcement agencies conducted a joint inspection of entertainment venues on Thursday, April 11th, in an effort to deter illegal activities and ensure the safety of tourists during the Songkran festival.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324835-pattaya-police-inspect-pubs-to-deter-crime-during-songkran/

 

Car Crashes into Light Pole and Catches Fire on Sri Racha Road, Driver Escapes
By Aim Tanakorn

 

PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya

Sri Racha, Chonburi — A sedan crashed into a light pole in Sri Racha, Chonburi, before busting into flames. The driver disappeared from the incident scene, but the authorities found a Chinese ID inside the vehicle.

 

Full story:  https://aseannow.com/topic/1324836-car-crashes-into-light-pole-and-catches-fire-on-sri-racha-road-driver-escapes/

Bangkok harnesses AI to tackle illegal sidewalk use
by Nattapong Westwood Nattapong

 

PHOTO VIA :Steve Johnson FROM:Unsplash.com

 

Bangkok authorities are ramping up the enforcement of sidewalk regulations, deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and fine lawbreakers.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324837-bangkok-harnesses-ai-to-tackle-illegal-sidewalk-use/

 

Man found dead in Khon Kaen, police chase killer
by Nattapong Westwood

 

PHOTO VIA:Jr korpa FROM:Unsplash.com

 

Police are urgently pursuing a suspect in the brutal slaying of a 41 year old man, who was found with his throat slit while returning to his shack in the middle of a field. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324838-man-found-dead-in-khon-kaen-police-chase-killer/

 

Chinese teenager escapes suspected smuggling operation in Thailand
by Mitch Connor 

 

PHOTO: via Today Online

 

A 16 year old Chinese teenager made a daring escape from a moving vehicle in Prakhon Chai district, Buriram, Thailand, in the early hours of this morning.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324839-chinese-teenager-escapes-suspected-smuggling-operation-in-thailand/

 

Bangkok police shut down secret e-cigarette Line group
by Nattapong Westwood

 

PHOTO VIA:CDC FROM:Unsplash.com

 

A female administrator was arrested for operating a secret Line group used for selling e-cigarettes for over two years. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324840-bangkok-police-shut-down-secret-e-cigarette-line-group/

 

Pakistani Man Arrested in Patong for 337 Days of Overstay
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Patong – A Pakistani man was arrested in Patong after he was found to have overstayed his legal visa by 337 days.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324841-pakistani-man-arrested-in-patong-for-337-days-of-overstay/

 

Phuket Reports Zero Deaths on First Day of ‘Songkran Seven Days Road Safety Campaign’
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – Phuket has announced a total of four road accidents and four injuries on the first day of the seven days (April 11th, 2024 to April 17th, 2024) of the ‘Songkran Road Safety Campaign 2024′.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324843-phuket-reports-zero-deaths-on-first-day-of-‘songkran-seven-days-road-safety-campaign’/

Govt Urged To Reveal Details Of BAAC Borrowing For Digital Wallet Scheme
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Top: Move Forward MP Sirikanya Tansakul and a banner promoting the 10,000 baht digital wallet project. Photos: Matichon

 

THE GOVERNMENT WAS TODAY (Apr. 12) pressed to tell how long a sum of 172.3 billion baht in planned borrowing from the Bank for Agriculture & Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to finance in part their 10,000-baht digital wallet project could be completely repaid.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324844-govt-urged-to-reveal-details-of-baac-borrowing-for-digital-wallet-scheme/

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visits Hua Hin Railway Station during Songkran
By Online Reporter

 

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, accompanied by key government officials, visited the new Hua Hin Railway Station on April 12, during the start of the Songkran festival holidays.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324845-prime-minister-srettha-thavisin-visits-hua-hin-railway-station-during-songkran/

 

Chinese Tourists Flocking To Pattaya’s New Songkran Attraction
by TNR Staff

 

Chinese tourists having fun at Pattaya Water Space park. Photos: Naewna

 

CHINESE tourists are flocking to Pattaya with some coming by chartered flights to enjoy Songkran festival at the newly-opened Pattaya Water Space park, Naewna newspaper said this morning (Apr. 12).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324846-chinese-tourists-flocking-to-pattaya’s-new-songkran-attraction/

 

Substance in Bags Found Near Pattaya Turns Out to be Harmless Scrap Metal
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Pattaya — Authorities confirmed that the black substance found in bags abandoned at an excavation pit near Pattaya on Wednesday turned out to be just harmless scrap metal, not the carcinogenic cadmium waste that locals feared.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324847-substance-in-bags-found-near-pattaya-turns-out-to-be-harmless-scrap-metal/

 

Gas Leak Causes Fire at Building Near Pattaya, Two People Injured
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Pattaya — A fire broke out at a commercial building near Pattaya on Thursday night, April 11th, 2024, leaving two people injured.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324849-gas-leak-causes-fire-at-building-near-pattaya-two-people-injured/

 

Pattaya Deputy Mayor Confident Beachfront Transformation Project Will Be Completed Before Deadline
By Aim Tanakorn

 

PHOTO: Siamrath

 

Pattaya — Pattaya Deputy Mayor Mr. Manoch Nongyai has provided an update on the beachfront landscape transformation project at Pattaya Beach, emphasizing that the project will be completed before the promised deadline.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324850-pattaya-deputy-mayor-confident-beachfront-project-will-be-completed-before-deadline/

 

Thai Transport Company Logs Over 147,000 Passengers on Round Trips for Songkran
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

On April 12th, 2024, Mr. Atthawit Rakchamroon, the acting director and president of the Transport Company Ltd., publicly revealed passenger log information on April 11th with more than 147,871 individuals traveling round trip via public buses and vans of more than 7,622 trips.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324852-thai-transport-company-logs-over-147000-passengers-on-round-trips-for-songkran/

 

Anutin tells Swiss man Urs Fehr he should go home as he urges Phuket’s governor to monitor the court case
by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (centre) again entered the controversy over Swiss national Urs Fehr (left). He even sent a social media message on the LINE app to Phuket’s governor Sophon Suwannarat. The Interior Minister warned of financial inducements being offered to have the case against Mr Fehr settled outside court. Mr Fehr faces a charge under Section 391 for assaulting Dr Thandao Chandam on February 24th 2024. At the same time, Mr Anutin is on record as assuring the Swiss man that his appeal against the cancellation of his visa will not succeed. Mr Anutin is the ultimate adjudicator under the 1979 Immigration Act.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324853-anutin-tells-swiss-man-urs-fehr-he-should-go-home/

 

Man dies in sand slide at Nakhon Sawan meditation park
by Nattapong Westwood

 

PHOTO VIA :Marian Florinel Condruz FROM:Pexels.com

 

A tragic accident occurred yesterday at 3.30pm when a sand slide at a well-known meditation park in Nakhon Sawan province claimed the life of a 53 year old.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324854-man-dies-in-sand-slide-at-nakhon-sawan-meditation-park/

 

Interior Ministry official disrupts police at Songkran checkpoint
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

PHOTO VIA: cottonbro studio FROM:Pexels.com

 

A high-ranking government official from the Ministry of Interior caused a stir when he confronted and attempted to obstruct police officers at a traffic checkpoint during the Songkran Festival celebrations.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324855-interior-ministry-official-disrupts-police-at-songkran-checkpoint/

Phuket’s ‘Russian invasion’ – they’re here to stay

By Peter Roche

 

The conflict in Ukraine has reached far beyond its borders, affecting not only the lives of those inside Ukraine but also on global markets and economies.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324856-phuket’s-‘russian-invasion’-–-they’re-here-to-stay/

 

Time banks: Are they the solution to Thailand’s aging crisis?
By Thai PBS World’s General Desk

 

 

The millions of Thais heading back to their home provinces to visit elderly parents over Songkran underlines the harsh reality that many of these seniors spend most of the year all alone.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324858-time-banks-are-they-the-solution-to-thailand’s-aging-crisis/

 

Myanmar residents flee fearing air strikes after rebels seize town
by Mitch Connor

 

PHOTO VIA: Amar Preciado FROM:Unsplash.com

 

An influx of people, notably anxious about potential air strikes, queued at a border crossing to escape Myanmar early this morning. This follows the seizure of the strategic town of Myawaddy near Thailand by the anti-junta resistance, which continues to gather momentum.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324859-myanmar-residents-flee-fearing-air-strikes-after-rebels-seize-town/

 

Thai party quashes Cabinet reshuffle rumours
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A wave of rumours surrounding a potential Cabinet reshuffle in Thailand was quashed yesterday by the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324860-thai-party-quashes-cabinet-reshuffle-rumours/

 

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”.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324861-this-week-–-tpso-predicts-bt47bn-spending-during-songkran/

 

Phi Phi Islands tackle critical water shortage
Photo of Puntid Tantivangphaisal
 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

Krabi’s renowned Phi Phi Islands are currently wrestling with a critical freshwater shortage. The local governing body, Ao Nang’s tambon administration organisation (TAO), is considering two primary solutions: establishing a pipeline for water provision from the mainland or resorting to seawater desalination.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324864-phi-phi-islands-tackle-critical-water-shortage/

 

Army private drowns in reservoir during Songkran festivities
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Tragedy has struck a family during the joyous period of Songkran, as a 22 year old army private who was returning home for the festivities drowned in a reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324867-army-private-drowns-in-reservoir-during-songkran-festivities/

 

Chanthaburi ignites night-time Songkran with spirited water fights
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Chanthaburi’s Khao Thip Road was awash with festivities as the first night-time Songkran celebration in Thailand commenced at 8pm yesterday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324869-chanthaburi-ignites-night-time-songkran-with-spirited-water-fights/

Bangkok’s Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 kicks off
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Pattaya News

 

Bangkok witnessed the grand opening of the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 on Thursday. The event, which is a highlight of Thai cultural celebrations, was inaugurated by the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, alongside other notable agencies.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324870-bangkok’s-maha-songkran-world-water-festival-2024-kicks-off/

 

🇹🇭 Happy Songkran 2024

Be safe out there!