Saturday’s News-April 15 -

Delay to 2024 confirmed for Hua Hin railway and new station construction/
Thailand to suffer scorching heat, summer storms this weekend/
Aging Thailand will see ‘social-welfare costs rise to 1 trillion baht in 2033’/
Sandstorms cover China, South Korea and Thailand in a yellow blanket of dust/
Thai villagers drilling well hit mineral water motherload/
Six Simultaneous Attacks In Far South/
Songkran ’23: How (and why) Thais anoint seniors at Songkran/Chiang Mai swings back to life after three-year break from Songkran celebrations/Over 100 lives lost, 1,000 injured in road accidents/Pathum Thani Songkran festival: Nearly 20 knives and weapons seized by officials/Police Arrest Hot-Headed Vocational Groups Fighting on Khao San Road/Sisaket Police Seize Over 200 Cars, Arrest 346 Drunk Drivers During Songkran/
Tourism: Tourists up nearly 12% at Thai airports in Q1/Phuket’s Carnival Magic earns spot in TIME’s Greatest Places of 2023/What is the Dark Side of Thailand as a Tourist?/
Thailand Experience: Khao chae: A tasty, refreshing reminder of Thailand’s rich past/The Ultimate Guide To Thai Chili Peppers/The Best Hotels in Thailand, From Wellness Resorts to City Gems/
International: China vows not to sell arms to any party in Ukraine war
Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Delay to 2024 confirmed for Hua Hin railway and new station construction

The double track rail line between Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan is set to be open by next year, a spokesperson for the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has said.

In an update on the project provided to the Thai government’s public relations department, Ekarat Sri-arayanpong, SRT’s public relations director, said that the majority of the civil engineering work for the project has already been finished. Continued …

Thailand to suffer scorching heat, summer storms this weekend

Most of upper Thailand will be hit with summer storms this weekend, while the rest of the country will experience hot to very hot temperatures, the Thai Meteorological Department warned.

In an announcement this morning, the department said a moderate high-pressure system moving from upper Vietnam to the northeast and the South China Sea will bring storms, gusty winds, hail and thunder to several provinces on Saturday and Sunday. Continued …

Aging Thailand will see ‘social-welfare costs rise to 1 trillion baht in 2033’

The Fiscal Policy Office projects that social-welfare expenditures will reach 1 trillion baht in 2033, due mainly to the rising cost of caring for the elderly as Thailand’s population continues to age.

The rising number of elderly people requires an increase in government spending to care for them, while the tax revenue from the working-age population faces downward pressure. Continued …

Sandstorms cover China, South Korea and Thailand in a yellow blanket of dust

Sandstorms whipped up from the Gobi desert have spread from northern China to Thailand and South Korea and as far east as Japan, causing a reduction in visibility and an increase in respiratory illness. There have been four sandstorms in the space of a month in China this year. Photos …

Thai villagers drilling well hit mineral water motherload

Villagers drilling an artesian well to irrigate their fields in Sukhothai province were delighted to discover top-quality mineral water spouting from the ground.

Residents of Moo 7 in Na Choeng Khiri, Khiri Mas district, believe their discovery may match the quality of mineral water found in Kanchanaburi’s Huay Krajao district two years ago. Continued …

Six Simultaneous Attacks In Far South

An unknown group of insurgents mounted six attacks simultaneously in the three far south provinces last night but there were no injuries nor serious damage.

The attacks were launched just as Thailand marked Songkran festival and during the last 10 days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Continued …

How (and why) Thais anoint seniors at Songkran

Songkran provides an annual opportunity for Thais to show respect and gratitude to their parents, often through a ceremony called “Rod Nam Dam Hua”.

This water-pouring ceremony originated in the North where the Lanna phrases “Rod Nam” and “Dam Hua” refer to bathing and washing one’s hair, respectively. Continued …

Chiang Mai swings back to life after three-year break from Songkran celebrations

As many as 90,000 travelers are set to visit Chiang Mai this week to join the Songkran festival celebration, with hotel bookings expected to reach 65%, the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Chiang Mai office, Suladda Sarutilavan, said.

She said that travelers are coming in big numbers to join the Songkran celebrations in the province, from Thursday to Sunday. Continued …

Over 100 lives lost, 1,000 injured in road accidents

According to the director general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Boontham Lertsukheekasem, 114 fatalities and 1,064 injuries were recorded due to road accidents nationwide during the Songkran holiday. Between Tuesday and Thursday, there were 1,055 traffic incidents leading to these casualties a report today revealed.

Chiang Mai, a province in the north, experienced the most accidents with 38 reported incidents. Bangkok saw the highest fatality rate with nine deaths. Chiang Mai, along with the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, had the highest count of injured individuals, with 40 each, according to Boontham. Continued …

Pathum Thani Songkran festival: Nearly 20 knives and weapons seized by officials

Pathum Thani’s Klong Luang district held a two-day Songkran festival, but it wasn’t all fun and games. In an effort to promote safety and prevent violence, officials set up checkpoints around Khlong Sam Road to check for weapons and drunk drivers.

The joint effort included representatives from Khlong Luang District Administration, Klong Luang District Police, Klong Sam Municipality, and Khlong Luang District Public Health Excise officials. Continued …

Police Arrest Hot-Headed Vocational Groups Fighting on Khao San Road

Two hot-headed vocational groups were arrested by the police on Khao San Road during the Songkran Festival in Bangkok.

One young man was caught carrying knuckles, while two pocket knives were seized from the groups. The incident happened on April 14 at around 8:55 pm in front of Soi Khao San Road. Continued …

Sisaket Police Seize Over 200 Cars, Arrest 346 Drunk Drivers During Songkran

According to statistics released by the Sisaket Provincial Police, during the Songkran Festival a total of 1,470 people were arrested, 346 of whom were arrested for drunk driving.

The police seized 213 cars, 192 motorcycles, and 21 other vehicles in the course of 10 major arrests. These numbers underscore the importance of road safety measures and the need for continued vigilance in order to prevent accidents and keep the public safe. – Naew Na

Tourists up nearly 12% at Thai airports in Q1

Air passenger numbers rose 11.68% in the first quarter this year from the same period last year, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

The first three months of 2023 saw a total of 30.63 million trips, up 3.57 million from last year. Continued …

Phuket’s Carnival Magic earns spot in TIME’s Greatest Places of 2023

The Carnival Magic in Phuket has been making waves around the globe, earning its spot as one of the “World’s Greatest Places 2023”, according to TIME Magazine, as well as being named the “Best Theme Park in Thailand” by LUXlife magazine. With nine Guinness World Record titles to its name, Carnival Magic is a one-of-a-kind destination that should be at the top of your travel bucket list.

Once inside, you’ll find an impressive range of attractions that are sure to delight visitors of all ages. But the real magic happens during the park’s parade show in the paradium and the Kingdom of Lights illumination park, two experiences that are unlike anything you’ve seen before. Continued …

What is the Dark Side of Thailand as a Tourist?

Thailand, known for its beautiful beaches, delicious food, and friendly locals, has been a popular tourist destination for decades. However, there is a darker side to Thailand that many tourists may not be aware of.

From scams to sex tourism to animal cruelty, this article will explore the dark side of Thailand that tourists should be aware of before visiting. Continued …

Khao chae: A tasty, refreshing reminder of Thailand’s rich past

Khao chae or rice soaked in cool, fragrant water is a dish that dates back several centuries but is still popular in hot summer months.

Legend has it that the recipe first arrived in the royal court during the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868). It was reportedly introduced to the palace kitchen by the king’s wife Mom Chao Manda Songklin. Continued …

The Ultimate Guide To Thai Chili Peppers

Chili peppers’ epic journey has transformed global cuisine. Hailing from South America, they quickly spread to the Caribbean, Venezuela, and the Andes, igniting a worldwide love affair. Chilies arrived in Thailand with Portuguese traders around the 15th century.

While the Portuguese may have failed in their Christian mission, they succeeded in changing the course of Thai cuisine forever. Today, Thai cuisine is widely adored, thanks in no small part to the chili pepper’s transformative power. Continued …

The Best Hotels in Thailand, From Wellness Resorts to City Gems

Home to some of the best hotels in Asia, Thailand punches well above its weight when it comes to places to stay. In Bangkok, glossy city hotels rival those found in New York and London, but the country’s landmark addresses are saved for the beaches and island — Chiva Som is regularly voted as the best destination spa in the world, while Aman, Banyan Tree, and Six Senses are dotted throughout the best islands in Thailand.

There are plenty of boutique and under-the-radar boltholes to be found, too, where friendly service and traditional cooking leave you feeling like you’ve gained a glimpse of life as a local. For a shortlist of our favorites, here we round up the best hotels in Thailand. Continued …

China vows not to sell arms to any party in Ukraine war

China won’t sell weapons to either side in the war in Ukraine, the country’s foreign minister said Friday, responding to Western concerns that Beijing could provide military assistance to Russia. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 2:30pm, 4pm, 6pm

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets