Ekkamai - Local

15/01/2025

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄𝗶 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗥𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗱

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has announced plans to begin dismantling the Ratchathewi overpass on January 17, 2025, as part of the Orange Line MRT extension project between Bang Khunnon and the Thailand Cultural Centre. The construction, set to take place 24/7 until April 30, 2028, aims to facilitate the new Ratchathewi underground station (OR08) at the intersection of Phetchaburi and Phaya Thai Roads.

Bangkok's Ratchathewi overpass will be dismantled from January 2025 to April 2028 for the MRT Orange Line extension, with traffic management plans in place.

15/01/2025

𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗣𝗠𝟮.𝟱 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀

Schools in Thailand may shift to online classes as PM2.5 fine dust pollution worsens across the country, including in Bangkok, according to the Education Ministry. Teachers have been instructed to monitor students' health closely as air quality deteriorates.

Thailand’s Education Ministry urges online classes and limits outdoor school activities as PM2.5 air pollution worsens in Bangkok and other provinces.

15/01/2025

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗼𝗸 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀

A new cable-stayed bridge spanning the Chao Phraya River, named Thotsamarachan (Rama 10), has temporarily opened to pedestrians, providing an elevated vantage point of Bangkok’s skyline. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views and urban landscape until next Sunday.

14/01/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀

Thailand is taking steps to prepare for the adoption of nuclear power technology as part of its Power Development Plan (PDP) for 2024–2037. The plan, which includes the introduction of small modular reactors (SMRs), is currently delayed due to disagreements among energy experts and concerns raised during a public hearing.

Thailand's energy plan includes nuclear power with SMRs and clean energy goals, but delays arise amid debates over feasibility and carbon reduction targets.

14/01/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅

The Thai cabinet has granted initial approval for a draft bill to establish an "integrated entertainment complex," as proposed by the Finance Ministry. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the decision, stating the project aims to attract investment, address illegal gambling, and promote sustainable tourism with a focus on societal benefits.

13/01/2025

𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶: 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀

Severe weather conditions have struck coastal areas in Surat Thani province, with powerful waves causing damage and disruption. In response to the ongoing threats, the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM) and local authorities have put evacuation plans in place for residents in high-risk zones if the conditions worsen.

https://ekkamai.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/13/severe-weather-hits-surat-thani-coastal-areas-affected-by-strong-winds-and-waves/(opens in a new tab)

Severe weather conditions are affecting Surat Thani's coastal areas with strong winds and high waves. Authorities have implemented evacuation plans and suspended ferry services as a precaution.

13/01/2025

𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗼𝗸 𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗶 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝗴𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

On January 11, a heated argument between a taxi driver and a passenger turned violent in Bangkok’s Silom district, leaving the passenger with a severe facial injury. The altercation escalated when the driver reportedly used a knife to slash the passenger’s face, resulting in a wound over 10 centimeters long, requiring 32 stitches.

https://ekkamai.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/13/bangkok-taxi-driver-allegedly-attacks-passenger-with-knife-during-argument/(opens in a new tab)

A Bangkok taxi driver allegedly attacked a passenger with a knife during an argument, leaving the passenger with a severe injury requiring 32 stitches. Netizens call for stricter safety measures.

08/01/2025

𝗣𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗶 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀

CHIANG RAI – A devastating fire engulfed a pet store and warehouse in Mae Sai district on Monday night, killing numerous caged animals and causing significant property damage. The blaze broke out at Ploy Pla Tu and Pet Mart, a major supplier of pets and animal essentials in the area, located in Ban Pa Yang in tambon Mae Sai.

08/01/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲

Thailand and Pakistan have agreed to resume discussions under their Joint Trade Committee (JTC) at the ministerial level, marking the end of a ten-year hiatus. The decision follows talks between Thailand’s Minister of Commerce, Pichai Naripthaphan, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand, Rukhsana Afzaal, aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Scheduled for late 2025, the 4th JTC meeting will focus on advancing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and bolstering partnerships in sectors such as food, textiles, jewelry, fisheries, and tourism.

07/01/2025

𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

A 22-year-old Spanish tourist, Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, lost her life in a tragic elephant attack while visiting Yao Yai Island in southwestern Thailand, according to local reports.

https://ekkamai.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/07/spanish-tourist-killed-by-elephant-in-thailand/(opens in a new tab)

07/01/2025

𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝗪𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲

A nationwide daily minimum wage hike, effective January 1, is driving hotels in Chiang Mai to increase staff responsibilities rather than expand permanent workforces, while small hotels in Chon Buri may face financial strain due to rising costs, according to industry associations.

https://ekkamai.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/07/minimum-wage-hike-challenges-thai-hotels-amid-labour-shortage/(opens in a new tab)

07/01/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝟯𝟱.𝟱 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

Thailand experienced a 26% rise in foreign tourist arrivals last year, driven by eased entry restrictions and a visa waiver for Chinese nationals, the country’s largest tourist demographic.

https://ekkamai.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/07/thailand-tourism-surges-with-35-5-million-visitors-in-2024/(opens in a new tab)

Thailand saw 35.5 million tourists in 2024, with eased entry rules and Chinese visa waivers boosting numbers. Tourism revenue climbed 34%, nearing pre-pandemic levels.

06/01/2025

𝗞𝗼𝗵 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝟲 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗮

On January 5, 2025, at approximately 12:30 p.m., officers from the Marine Security Center of the Royal Thai Navy responded to two kayak capsizing incidents involving tourists near Koh Chang. The emergencies unfolded in the waters surrounding Koh Yao and Koh Suwan, highlighting the dangers posed by adverse weather conditions.

https://ekkamai.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/06/koh-chang-police-save-6-tourists-from-death-after-kayaking-out-to-sea/

06/01/2025

𝗦𝗥𝗧 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT), a 127-year-old state-owned enterprise and major landholder, has officially transferred the management of its commercial land leases to its subsidiary, SRT Asset Co., Ltd. (SRTA). The handover, completed on November 5, 2024, involves 12,233 lease agreements spanning over 38,469 rai of land nationwide, including 28 high-potential plots valued at approximately 96 billion THB based on appraisal rates.

https://ekkamai.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/06/srt-transfers-commercial-land-management-to-subsidiary/(opens in a new tab)

The State Railway of Thailand transfers management of 38,469 rai of commercial land to its subsidiary SRTA, enabling strategic development of high-value plots.

06/01/2025

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗵𝘂𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗲

A viral video circulating on December 3 captured two foreign men physically attacking a Thai taxi driver outside a supermarket in Phuket’s Thalang district. The altercation reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over the fare.

https://ekkamai.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/06/foreign-tourists-attack-phuket-driver-over-fare/(opens in a new tab)

A viral video shows foreign tourists assaulting a Phuket taxi driver over a fare dispute. Opinions online remain divided over the incident's circumstances.

06/01/2025

𝟯𝟲𝟯 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

A total of 363 people have lost their lives, and 2,090 others sustained injuries in 2,149 road accidents nationwide over the past eight days, according to the Directorate to Prevent and Reduce Road Accidents During the New Year Festival.

https://ekkamai.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/06/363-dead-in-new-year-road-accidents/(opens in a new tab)

03/01/2025

𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗶

CHIANG MAI — A 58-year-old woman tragically lost her life after being struck by a dirt bike ridden by an American tourist in Mae On district, Chiang Mai, on January 2, 2025. The incident occurred on Road 1317 in front of Mae On Flower Garden, where police and emergency responders rushed to the scene.

03/01/2025

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬𝟬-𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲

Chonburi, Thailand — On January 2, 2025, Thai Highway Police engaged in a dramatic 100-kilometer car chase, ending in the arrest of a suspect accused of stealing a pickup truck. The pursuit started on Motorway Route 7 near kilometer marker 24+900 and concluded when the stolen vehicle overturned along Route 36 in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.