Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from the last week, Monday, February 5th, to Sunday, February 11th, 2024.
They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.
Let’s get started and see what the top stories were!
Bangkok’s Chinatown is currently bustling with the grand celebrations of the Chinese New Year 2024, marking the 49th anniversary of Thailand-China diplomatic relations.
The Lunar New Year, marking the Year of the Dragon, begins today (Feb 10), carrying profound significance for Thais with Chinese heritage.
Thailand will see an increase of 44.3% in total trip expenditure for inbound bookings when comparing this year’s Chinese New Year (CNY) festive period with 2023’s CNY period, with expenditure for outbound travellers increasing by 70.8%.
Happy Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dragon, to everyone!
2. Mr. Chai Watcharong, the Thai Government spokesman, publicly revealed an announcement made by the Thai Ministry of Culture on the World Songkran Festival in 76 provinces across Thailand starting from April 1st to the 21st of 2024.
Mark your calendars and prepare to be dazzled! The highly anticipated Siam Songkran Music Festival 2024 is set to explode onto the scene, taking place from April 12th to 15th at RCA CENTRAL PARK, Bangkok, Thailand.
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), gave a statement on a preparatory meeting for the World Songkran Festival in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Interior, the private sector, and relevant agencies. The meeting is scheduled to take place next week.
The reactions on social media to a longer Songkran were mixed, with tourists coming for the festival generally positive but many expats negative.
3. Mr. Prayut Phetkhun, the spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General, publicly revealed details regarding a legal case involving Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, on Section 112 of the Criminal Code for alleged offenses against the monarchy, dated back to May 21st, 2015, in Seoul, South Korea.
Thaksin may be released on parole as early as February 18th but this could in theory see him immediately arrested again.
4. Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, issued an order to the Thai Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) to investigate a case in which Thai elephant pants were illegally imported from China and neighboring countries, being sold at popular tourist attractions at lower prices.
The commotion over elephant pants was all over social media last week, with many readers simply not seeing what the big deal with them was.
That’s all for this week, be safe!
The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The TPN National News, owned by our parent company TPN media.
