Thailand-
The following is our weekly feature in which we take a look at the top developing stories and things to follow over the past week. We are focusing on what is happening for the second week of April, ending April 10th, 2021.
As we publish dozens of stories a week, this allows our readers to get a quick glimpse of the most important stories taking place and to monitor and follow for the week ahead, as chosen by our editorial team.
They are in no particular order of importance.
1. Major storms predicted for next several days in Thailand
From this weekend to April 6th, major storms are predicted for Thailand, including the Chonburi (Pattaya) area. These could potentially be heavy thunderstorms with high winds and bring regional flooding. Residents of Thailand are being advised to be cautious during this period and prepare for the summer storms. This should also give a good test to recent drain system improvements in the Jomtien area that we reported on below.
Water drainage system construction in Jomtien finished on schedule say Pattaya city officials
2. Songkran holiday starts officially next Saturday, officials continue to give warnings
The Thai New Year, Songkran, officially starts next weekend, Saturday, April 10th, and this year will look very different than a normal Songkran, although will be much better than last year in which the festival was completely canceled. This year the festival is to be “traditional only” and will feature activities like giving merit to monks, wearing traditional Thai outfits, giving respect to elders, and cleaning the family home. Activities like water fights, parties, concerts, massive festivals, non-religious parades and shows, foam parties, roaming around in pickup trucks throwing water, and other “fun” activities are all banned this year. Officials continue to warn nearly daily to people to celebrate the holiday traditionally, although economic experts warn the bans on party-style events will severely hurt the economy. The official festival and holiday dates in Thailand are from April 10th to April 15th. It is predicted many will stay on holiday for the 16th, however, and over the following weekend.
3. More protests planned, pro-democracy protesters continue hunger strikes
Several prominent detained pro-democracy protesters are currently undergoing hunger strikes with “Penguin” already several weeks in. They are demanding bail while they are detained for less majeste and sedition charges, which the Thai courts continue to deny, stating they have reason to believe the protest leaders will resume protesting and committing the alleged offenses if released on bail. Several protests are also scheduled this weekend, with police already warning any sort of mass assembly or gathering in Bangkok is illegal, stating Covid-19 precautions.
That is all for this week, have a safe week ahead, and thank you for your support of The Pattaya News.
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