Anything & Everything about Thailand (Part 2)

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 3 April 2007 :-

Historian wants country called 'Siam'

A historian of Southeast Asian studies has launched a "Siam not Thailand" campaigning, urging constitution drafters to revert to the name used in the Kingdom's first constitution.

"People who have been part of our country have different ethnic, linguistic and cultural identities. Therefore, to reflect historical fact and the present reality, the name of the country should be Siam, not Thailand," historian Charnvit Kasetsiri wrote in an open letter issued yesterday.

The country's first constitution, promulgated in 1932, used Siam as the country's name, but in 1939 Prime Minister Field Marshal Phibul changed this to Thailand "for racist reasons", Charnvit said.

"The government deems it is appropriate following the new fashion to change the name of our country to fit the race and the liking of the people," said the government statement in 1939.

The name "Thailand" does not fit with historical or present facts as there are more than 40 ethnic groups in the country, including Chinese, Tai, Hmong, Akha, Karen, Laotians, Khmer and Mon, said Charnvit, a senior advisor and lecturer at Thammasat University's Southeast Asian Studies Programme.

Constitution drafters discussed the issue of renaming the Kingdom in 1949 and 1968.

"To reflect the reality about races, languages and cultural identities, the 2007 constitution should make Siam the official name of the country in order to promote reconciliation and acceptance of ethnic and cultural diversities, as well as for the benefit of the country and its people," Charnvit said.

The historian asked people who agreed with his proposal to write to the constitution drafters and concerned parties.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 5 April 2007 :-

Airport taxis to change lanes : Taxi stands to move to arrivals on 2nd floor

Suvarnabhumi airport is preparing to relocate public taxi stands to the second floor of the main airport building, on the same floor as the arrivals terminal, pushing out influential private limousine operators. Suvarnabhumi airport director Serirat Prasutanond said yesterday that taxi stands would move up from the frontal road on the first floor of the passenger terminal to the second floor after the Songkran festival ends on April 17.

Passengers arriving at the airport exit from immigration and customs checks on the second floor of the airport building.

Mr Serirat said the new system was in line with the original plans set out for transport services at the airport.

''I am not concerned about what was arranged before I took office, but the current objective is to solve problems systematically by focusing on providing the most convenience for passengers by returning to the original plan,'' said Mr Serirat who, took up his position in February.

''This may affect some groups but it must be understood for the sake of problem solving.''

Buses will also be allowed to pick up passengers from the frontal road on the second floor instead of waiting at the remote bus terminal located away from the main terminal building.

Limousine services and vehicles of hotel associations and group tour operators will be relocated from the second floor down to the first floor.

Mr Serirat said the change was aimed at providing the most convenience to the majority of passengers. Limousine services are only used by a limited group of passengers, he said.

He also said the illegal but influential groups of limousine service providers were cashing in at Suvarnabhumi and that airport authorities had been catching up to 250 illegal limousine operators every day.

Passengers have complained about the difficulties of finding the public taxi stands at the new airport, prompting officials to put more signs to direct passengers from the arrivals hall.

But the measures had not been enough to quell the complaints.

Aphaluck Bhatiasevi, a civil servant who often uses the airport, said that the lack of signs had meant that in the past, she had been duped into using expensive taxi services on the second floor.

She said putting the taxis on the first floor was inconvenient for arriving passengers carrying luggage, and complained of a lack of elevators which meant long queues often formed within the terminal building for people wanting to get to the waiting taxis on the first floor.

Another frequent user of the airport, actor Karunpon Tieansuwan, said that all he ever saw after coming through immigration were signs for limousine services and the loud and brash attempts of their staff trying to coax him into using their services.

''I don't understand why illegal taxi and limousine services are allowed to solicit passengers wanting to go to the city even though there are police and security guards standing right in front of them,'' he said.

According to a source at Airports of Thailand (AoT), former AoT chairman Srisook Chandrangsu had changed the public transport floor plan a few weeks before Suvarnabhumi airport opened on Sept 28 last year.

The changed was criticised for favouring limousine operators who charge 700-1,500 baht for destinations within Bangkok and at least 2,500 baht for other destinations
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 5 April 2007 :-

Asian tourists vote with their feet

Official statistics show that tourists from the region have begun turning away, prompting concern the neighbours are avoiding Thailand because of continuing insecurity and political woes.

The number of tourists arriving from East Asia dropped by 7.3 per cent in the first two months of the year, compared to the same period in 2006, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said.

"Sensitive Asian tourists, from Japan for example, have been scared away from Bangkok due to security concerns," said Pornthip Samerton, managing director of travel agent Destination Asia.

The TAT numbers showed a general drop-off in February among tourists from around the world, as overall arrivals fell six per cent from January. Arrivals were still slightly up from the year before.

Pornthip said that many tourists may have reconsidered their travel plans following the deadly New Year's Eve bomb blasts in Bangkok that killed three and injured dozens.

Since then, several foreign embassies have upgraded their travel warnings for Bangkok, citing the threat of more blasts.

Meanwhile, a separatist insurgency in southern Thailand has sharply escalated, and the military that took power in a coup last September has threatened to invoke a state of emergency in Bangkok over political protests.

"After the bombs, the political situation and the insurgency in the south have added to tourists' concerns. Meanwhile, changing regulations regarding foreign investments have had an impact on business arrivals," said TAT spokesman Chattan Kunjara na Ayudhya.

Foreign investment has dropped off since the Bangkok of Thailand imposed tough currency controls in December, and the government in January proposed tightening foreign business rules.

"Those factors led to a decline of arrivals, and those from Asia fell short of our targets," he told the AFP news agency.

Tourism is a key money spinner for Thailand, generating about six per cent of gross domestic product.

Las Vegas-based tourism consultant Globalyis said that Thailand could still expect to see an 8.0 per cent increase in overall arrivals this year to 14.9 million -- assuming there is no more political turmoil.

"Any further incident in the country's capital or another popular tourist destination could trigger panic and drive away many tourists who may be concerned for their safety," the consultancy said in a recent paper.

"Traditionally in the region, tourism revenues are directly correlated with political stability," Globalyis warned.

"Reduced foreign investment could see Thailand lose out on tourism development in the coming years in favor of its competitive neighbours in the region," it added.

Southeast Asia has seen increasing competition for tourist dollars, especially among Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Tourism groups have also warned that Thailand could see its annual expected tourism earnings of 800 billion baht ($22.85 billion) slashed by 10 per cent because of a proposal to tighten rules on alcohol sales.

The new bill, which is awaiting approval from the military-installed parliament, bans alcohol sales within 500 metres of schools, temples and government offices.

That would prevent many bars and restaurants from selling alcohol, which means tourists might spend less money or just pack up for a neighbouring country, the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations said.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Monday 9 April 2007 :-

Police to step up security for Songkran revelries

There will be a heavy security presence and extra traffic-control measures in Bangkok over the Songkran festival.

An additional 600 police and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officers will patrol popular Khao San Road.

The heavy security presence will be obvious from Thursday, a day ahead of the official April 13-17 festival.

"Early birds" are often "enthusiastic" in their activities and police said area businesses were intending to observe the festival from April 12.

Organisers are asking revellers to wear traditional Thai dress and women not to wear revealing attire.

Police and city officials will search bags, patrol for pickpockets and thieves, check motorists for drunk driving and stop motorcyclists without safety helmets.

The city has banned the use of talcum powder and high-powered water guns. Those caught flouting the bans face fines of up to Bt2,000.

Meanwhile, police vowed that homeowners away on holiday could rest easy because of residential patrols.

Royal Police Cadet Academy commissioner Lt-General Pongsapat Pongcharoen said the academy would deploy 255 senior students to home patrols.

He expects more homeowners to seek the special service while out of Bangkok.

Last year almost 2,100 capital homeowners requested the service, mostly in the Lat Phrao, Khan Na Yow, Phaholyothin, Bang Khen and Don Muang areas.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 10 April 2007 :-

Nationwide security alert for Songkran

Authorities have issued a full security alert in the wake of an explosion in front of a Bangkok mall. Australia warned that more bombings were feared at Songkran this weekend.

Bangkok areas of particular concern were the Khao San Road, a celebrated meeting point for foreign tourists and backpackers, and Sanuam Luang, a large park in the centre of the old part of the city which attracts thousands of Songkran revellers.

The government has ordered extra police in Bangkok for Thai New Year celebrations this weekend to try to prevent a repeat of the New Year's Eve serial blasts that killed three people.

Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn Nonsee said more than 3,000 police officers would patrol the capital, up from the current 1,500, during the five-day Songkran festival which kicks off on Thursday afternoon.

Piyabutr Jiwaramonaikun, chairman of the Association of Khao San Traders, said more than 100 soldiers, policemen and civil volunteers would be on duty in the backpackers' festival area while bomb detectors would also be used as part of the security measures.

Mr Piyabutr expected that more than 10 million baht would be circulated during the four-day event on Khao San Road which should see a daily turnout of 40,000-50,000 Thai and foreign celebrants.

He said revellers would be banned from applying talcum powder on others and each day's festival would end at 7 pm. Water gun is one of the favourite equipments to splash water on others during the festival.

Nobody was hurt in Monday night's explosion in front of Major Cineplex Ratchayothin, but three phone booths were damaged. Police detained, but later released a taxi driver suspected of planting the home-made device.

The Australian embassy in Bangkok issued an advisory to its citizens in late February, saying it had received reports of possible bombs in crowded places such as department stores or public transport in the capital.

The advice, renewed today in an announcement, urged "a high degree of caution because of the high threat of terrorist attack".

"Thai authorities have previously warned of the possibility of further co-ordinated bombings in Thailand to coincide with symbolic dates, including in Bangkok and the southern provinces," the travel advice said.

"They have mentioned the Buddhist festive season of Songkran (around the period April 11-17, 2007) as a particular time of concern. We assess these warnings are credible," it said.

"Further terrorist attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Thailand," it added.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 11 April 2007 :-

Police patrols in Bangkok doubled after blast

Police have doubled their patrols in Bangkok in the lead-up to the Songkran festival this weekend, and are looking for the motive behind a low-power bomb blast on Phahon Yothin road late on Monday night. Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn Nonsee, chief of the Metropolitan Police, said he had increased the number of police on field duty from 1,500 to 3,000 and also put another 1,000 on standby in case of emergency. Detectives from all Bangkok police divisions were ordered to intensify their intelligence gathering, he added.

The order followed an explosion in one of three public telephone booths located in front of the Major Cineplex Ratchayothin, near the Ratchayothin intersection, about 11.15pm on Monday. There were no casualties.

Police believed the bomb was made with gunpowder stuffed in a 1.25-litre plastic bottle. Planted in the middle phone booth, the bomb was triggered by an alarm clock powered by three AA batteries. No shrapnel were found.

The bomb was similar to the ones which went off in front of the residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda and the office of the Manager media group in Bangkok last year, police said.

The three phone booths are located some 50 metres from the front of the cinema complex. The area is practically deserted late at night.

Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn said the bomber probably aimed to create an atmosphere of instability in the country, rather than to take lives. The bombing could be the work of someone with a grudge against the owner of the cinema complex or against local traffic police, or with the intention of creating public disturbances.

''I can confirm that this incident is not related to the New Year's Eve bombings because the explosives used were different. The New Year bombs were high-powered and included lethal shrapnel, but this one was not,'' Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn said.

Damrongchai Pongpanich, deputy manager of the Major Cineplex Ratchayothin, rejected the possibility that the blast might be the work of someone with a grudge against the cineplex.

Acting national police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej said the bombing was only aimed at making a loud noise and was not the work of an expert.

He saw no links between the Monday night's blast and the New Year bombings, saying they differed in terms of methods of working, materials used and objectives.

Pol Gen Seripisuth added that security was not his biggest concern duing the Songkran holiday. He was more concerned about expected high fatalities from road accidents during the long holiday period.

A government source quoted assistant army chief Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr as saying there were intelligence reports about possible bomb plots during the Songkran holiday.

First Army chief Lt-Gen Prayut Chan-ocha ruled out invoking the executive decree on emergency situations in the wake of the Monday night's bombing.

Supreme Commander Gen Boonsang Niampradit urged the public to remain calm, saying the bombing was only aimed at creating public disturbances.

Prakit Prachonpachanuk, secretary-general of the National Security Council, denied the blast had anything to do with the southern insurgency.

Both Mr Prakit and Interior Minister Aree Wongarya agreed intelligence work should be intensified in Bangkok and other major cities during Songkran.

Anawat Ongvasith, an executive of Major Cineplex Group Plc, said more security cameras would be installed to cover areas outside the Major Cineplex Ratchayothin, one of the nine locations hit by the New Year bombs. --- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 13 April 2007 :-

More Thais spend Songkran abroad this year

Security concerns at home and a strong baht, which makes travel cheaper, cited as reasons why many are heading overseas

More Thais than ever are using the long Songkran break to go abroad, with rising security concerns at home and a strong baht making it cheaper to travel overseas.The number of Thais leaving from Suvarnabhumi airport grew from about 11,000 on Tuesday to 18,000 on Wednesday, according to the Immigration Bureau.

Immigration officials expected the number to be even bigger yesterday and today.

A normal day sees 7,000 to 8,000 Thai nationals leaving through Suvarnabhumi, the country's main international airport.

Suvarnabhumi airport director Serirat Prasutanond said preliminary figures indicated that more Thais would be travelling overseas over the Thai New Year than during the same period last year.

He thought one of key reasons for the increase was that many Thais felt insecure about holidaying at home due to continuing security concerns.

Tensions remain, particularly in the capital, after deadly bombings in Bangkok on the night of Dec 31 that killed three and injured dozens more. A small improvised explosive device was also detonated in front of the Major Ratchayothin Cineplex in northern Bangkok just this week.

Violence in the southernmost border provinces has also escalated since the Sept 19 coup last year, and fears remain that insurgents may take their bloody campaign to the capital or other major cities and holiday destinations. The strengthening of the baht has also reduced the cost of travelling overseas, especially on package tours.

The flow of foreigners leaving the country remained steady at 24,000 to 25,000 daily.

Despite the increase in Thais heading overseas for the holidays, the traditional exodus from the capital of people returning to their hometowns for Songkran was well underway yesterday.

The Meteorological Department warned motorists to be extra careful with forecast summer storms and gale-force winds in the North and Northeast over the next couple of days.

Hundreds of people die each year on the roads over the Songkran period, normally in drink-driving related incidents.

Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen yesterday said the first day of the Songkran festival saw 41 deaths and 514 injuries in 435 road accidents.

Each year accident figures are listed for each province. So far, Chiang Mai and Nakhon Si Thammarat are top of the list with three deaths in each province on the first of what are now termed the seven most dangerous days of the year.

Only four provinces remained accident-free _ Pathum Thani, Nakhon Nayok, Uthai Thani and Yasothon.

Drunk driving remained the main cause, accounting for 34% of the accidents, followed by speeding and bad driving.

Other people trying to get away for holidays were also facing difficulties yesterday. About 200 train passengers were stranded and south-bound train traffic disrupted for seven hours after two trains clipped each other in Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday, derailing one carriage.

The accident happened about 2am at Sam Roi Yot sub-district train station. No one was hurt.

The locomotive of the Lung Suan-Thon Buri train sitting at the station jutted into the crossing junction.

The Yala-bound sprinter grazed it as it went past, derailing its final carriage. Seven air-conditioned buses were hired to transport passengers to their destinations in Surat Thani and Songkhla.

The track was cleared around 10.30am.

The State Railway of Thailand said the incident should not affect holidaymakers and that 22 extra train services had been added to meet rising demand over the Songkran period.

In Maha Sarakham, at least 20 people were seriously injured when a bus travelling from Khon Kaen skidded off the road and overturned yesterday.

The Surin-bound bus flipped on its side on the Maha Sarakham-Kosum Phisai road, and the 40 passengers scrambled out of the windows.

Passengers said the road was slippery from rain. The driver lost control when the bus skidded as it was approaching a bridge.

Elsewhere, thousands of people queued at Nakhon Ratchasima bus terminal yesterday, which is the main station for connecting buses to the Northeast and the Central Plains.

Station chief Manas Rungpin said buses from Bangkok emptied their passengers at the terminal and rushed back with empty seats to pick up more waiting passengers in Bangkok.

Six people turned up without enough money to buy tickets yesterday and the station asked the bus companies to take them for free.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Saturday 14 April 2007 :-

Songkran celebration amid tight security

People nationwide celebrated Thailand's Songkran festival, or traditional New Year, in joy as they offered alms to Buddhist monks and splashed water, either modestly, according to tradition, or more vigorously, in contemporary style.

The general atmosphere on Bangkok's Khao San Road was active as both locals and foreigners participated in the water festival amid tight security measures imposed by police after the city experienced a bombing earlier this week.

But the situation in the three restive southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat was quite subdued as most families decided to depart their native towns and celebrate the festival elsewhere.

Apirak Kosayothin, Bangkok governor, presided at a merit-making ceremony in which alms and breakfast were offered to 10 senior monks and 181 other monks at Sanam Luang.

Representatives of the public and private sectors also joined in the ceremony.

Security checkpoints have been set up jointly by the metropolitan administration and Bangkok Metropolitan police as part of stepped-up security measures in the Thai capital.

Authorities also gave drivers breathalyser tests in a bid to eliminate driving under the influence of alcohol and ro reduce traffic deaths. Nine persons were killed and 78 injured in Bangkok last year during the festival.

Both uniformed and plainclothes police as well as other BMA officers searched suspected people at checkpoints to ensure that no untoward incident take place.

Several business operators along the normally congested Khao San Road complained that the numbers of tourists this year had fallen compared to 2006 and that their businesses were not doing well.

Expressing the spirit of fun and joy, however, was Swedish beauty Sarah Ericson, crowned as this year's Miss International Songkran Khao San Road, who said she loved Songkran while she had an opportunity to wear beautiful Thai dress and splashing water at others. She said she was unafraid of possible incidents and was confident regarding security measures provided in the area.

Another highlight of the exciting events along Khao San Road was seen when Phornsiri Manoharn, governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), presided at a ceremony which was joined by South Korean movie heartthrob Kim Jeong Hoon, in his capacity as his country's special tourism ambassador.

Mrs. Phornsiri said the popular movie star joined the event in order to attract more Asian tourists to Khao San during future Songkran festivals. She said TAT estimated that about Bt9 billion would change hands during this year's festival.

In Yala province, few people were on streets to celebrate. Only a small group of children was seen throwing water to passing motorcyclists. Most families had left town to celebrate elsewhere, due to the ongoing violence which has haunted the region for more than three years. The atmosphere in nearby Narathiwat and Pattani was likewise subdued.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Saturday 14 April 2007 :-

Court interrupts brothel love story

Singapore - A man who bought freedom for a Thai woman trapped in a Singapore brothel so he could marry her has gone to the High Court to stop the deportation of his wife-to-be, news reports said on Saturday.

Wai Keen Weng, 31, and Amue Athu, 24, were due to wed last year, but Amue was arrested in October when she tried to extend her social visit pass. She was jailed for one year after pleading guilty to returning to the city-state despite being banned from the country.

Wai has been battling to free her and stop the deportation. His lawyer, RS Bajwa, petitioned the court on Friday for Amue's conviction to be quashed, The Straits Times reported.

Bajwa argued that she should not have been banned from entering Singapore in 2004 as she was a victim of human trafficking who had been coerced into working in the city-state as a prostitute.

Bajwa also said that Amue had unwittingly pleaded guilty because she could not understand the court proceedings. She belongs to the Akha hill tribe, which lives in the province of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand and has its own language.

The case was adjourned until Tuesday.

Wai, who works in his parents' advertising business, first met Amue on his birthday in May last year, the report said. He helped her escape from the brothel two months later.

"Meeting her on my 31st birthday was the best present and hopefully she can be released in time for my 32nd" in May, he was quoted as saying.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Saturday 14 April 2007 :-

Songkran fun gets under way in earnest

Full celebrations of Songkran began across the country yesterday as hundreds of thousands of revellers filled the streets to splash water and have fun.

Tourists also accounted for a large number of celebrants in famous zones such as Bangkok's Khao San Road and Phuket's Patong Beach.

"We expect the festival to spread up to Bt9 billion all over the country," said Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Pornsiri Manoharn.

South Korean film star Kim Jeong Hoon joined the celebrations in Khao San Road as a special ambassador for Thailand's tourism.

Surrounded by about 500 fans, Kim was on a procession from Khao San Road to Sanam Luang.

By midday, Khao San Road was a sea of water-soaked revellers.

For safety reasons, officials closed all entrances to the road except those at its mouth and end. As part of a plan to tighten security, everyone was subject to a search before entering the backpackers' street.

Earlier in the week, a small bomb exploded in Bangkok, reminding the capital of fatal bombing attacks on New Year's Eve.

Revellers on Khao San Road were barred from playing with talcum powder and high-pressure water guns. Females were encouraged not to wear revealing clothes.

Many people received rebukes from officials after using talcum powder and their powder was seized.

So far, the strict rules have not dampened joyful spirits as celebrants confirmed they were having a great time.

"It's so much fun. I am very happy," an American tourist said cheerfully while engaging in a water fight.

"It's such a wonderful experience," Nisachol Chanabua said about her first Songkran in Bangkok.

Hailing from the northeastern province of Khon Kaen, the girl said the lively atmosphere of Khao San Road was very similar to Songkran celebrations in her hometown.

"The Khao Niew Road has this same feel," she said.

In Khon Kaen, Khao Niew Road attracted a huge number of revellers, including tourists. Up to six stages went up to entertain the water-soaked celebrants with live musical performances.

In Phuket, almost everyone on Patong's beach had a water gun while many roads were closed to traffic to allow revellers to get the fullest fun from the celebrations.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, fun-seekers took part in water battles in the rain. Some accidents took place.

The grim side of Songkran was the high number of road casualties. On Wednesday and Thursday, road accidents claimed 98 lives, said Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya. The number of people injured on the first two days of the festival was 1,234.

"Drunk driving was responsible for 40 per cent of 1,067 accidents on Wednesday and Thursday. The number two cause was speeding, which accounted for about 19 per cent of accidents," Aree said in his capacity as chairman of the Road Safety War Room.

There were 632 road accidents on Thursday alone, claiming 57 lives and leaving 720 injured. Most involved motorcycles.

Officials are manning 3,251 checkpoints across the country in a bid to enforce traffic laws and enhance road safety.

Checks on 1,819,299 vehicles so far have led to 38,950 people being punished for breaking traffic laws. The most common offences were failure to carry a driving licence, failure to wear a crash helmet and failure to wear a safety belt.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Monday 16 April 2007 :-

Rules ignored as revellers party hard

Chiang Mai, Khao San lead the way; Khon Kaen tops list of road fatalities

Songkran fun continued into its fourth day across the country, especially at locations where water frolics went on alongside dancing and - however unlawfully - drinking.

Free concerts in Chiang Mai have been held for three consecutive days without official permission. Authorities were helpless to stop the sale of alcohol at privately owned areas where large groups of teenagers gathered.

Ten of thousands crowded the Huay Kaew Road - which was closed to allow the concerts. Heavy traffic congestion resulted. Several scuffles broke out but there were no reports of serious injury.

Apart from hundreds of police officers and city officials, about 1,000 soldiers from local Army units mobilised along the road to provide safety and crowd control and direct traffic.

As ever, Bangkok's Khao San Road was packed end to end with revellers armed with water guns and other implements. Police prohibited the throwing of powder and other material.

That means a lighter workload for the 200 city workers who must start cleaning the road and its nearby streets today, the official end of the festival.

Police reported no complaints of women being molested during the wholesale fun. They said most followed advice not to dress in revealing attire.

Many new sites for Songkran fun emerged this year with names mimicking legendary Khao San [rice seed] Road.

Two are Khao Neo [sticky rice] Road in Khon Kaen and Khao Pun [round rice noodles] Road in Nakhon Phanom.

On a sadder note, Songkran has seen 238 people killed and another 3,180 injured in 2,823 road accidents between this past Wednesday and Saturday. The road toll remains slightly lower than that of 2006.

Sixty-seven people died and another 886 were injured in 789 accidents yesterday alone.

A Westerner drowned in the historic Chiang Mai moat after a heavy bout of drinking. Many locals had been swimming in the moat.

Drinking drivers were the main cause of road accidents. About 43 per cent of accidents are caused by alcohol, police reported. Speeding accounted for 17.5 per cent and reckless driving 10 per cent.

Motorcycles are involved in more than eight of every 10 accidents. Pickups are involved in 10 per cent of all accidents.

Khon Kaen has recorded the most fatalities at 14 with Phitsanulok and Chiang Mai at 11 and 10 respectively, according to the Public Health Ministry.

Traffic on major Bangkok-bound routes is starting to become congested as commuters head back to the capital.

The traditional festival period ended yesterday, although the extended holiday ends on Tuesday.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 17 April 2007 :-

318 killed in Songkran road accidents

318 have been killed and 4,293 injured in road accidents in the past six days of the Songkran period, authorities said.

There have been 3,823 accidents nationwide during the period.

Khon Kaen and Nakhon Phanom are the two provinces with the highest fatalities - 15 each.

On Monday alone, 45 were killed and 461 injured in 417 road accidents nationwide, mostly resulting from drunk driving and speed driving.

Tuesday is the last day of the official Songkran holiday.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 17 April 2007 :-

'Back to Siam' campaign gets tepid response

Historian Charnvit Kasetsiri launched his campaign online at http://www.petitiononline.com/siam2007 two weeks ago, seeking public support to have the name Siam restored in the new constitution.

Mr Charnvit says he has not given up in his bid to change Thailand's name back to Siam, despite a lukewarm public response to the idea. Siam was used in the country's first charter in 1932.

About 800 people have signed up in support of the campaign so far - 0.0001% of the population.

Last week he sent a letter to several leaders, including the prime minister, the head of the Supreme Court, the National Legislative Assembly and the Constitution Drafting Committee.

Mr Charnvit said Siam was a term that better signifies ethnic and cultural diversity and its use would boost national unity.

The change of the country's name to Thailand in 1939 was made out of "ethnocentrism" that was incorrect, factually and historically, he said. There have been a few attempts to change the name back to Siam, including prior to the 1949 and 1968 constitutions.

"Many things were changed by Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram out of racism. For example, Phra Siam Devatiraj was changed to Phra Thai Devatiraj and Siam to Thailand. Surprisingly, our country is the only nation in Asia that uses "-land" at the end of its name," he said.

He said the campaign has attracted more people from the younger generation.

Mr Charnvit said the old name Siam would help create harmony within Thai society, which comprises people of different ethnic, linguistic and cultural identities. However, he said, he realised the "Siam not Thailand" campaign might not bear fruit in the new constitution now being drafted.

"Yet, I will continue to campaign for it and believe the issue will still be the basis for political debate for other charters," he said

"After all, the 18th constitution will surely not be the last for this country."
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 17 April 2007 :-

Heavy traffic clogs major roads in Bangkok

Heavy traffic clogged several major roads in Bangkok last night as an estimated 150,000 people made their way to the Mor Chit bus terminal from the provinces after the Songkran holiday. Another 250,000 passengers are expected to arrive at the bus terminal today.

Transport Co acting managing director Wutichart Kalayanamitr said inter-city buses, expected to make more than 1,000 trips to bring people back to the capital, will be parked in a specially-designated area to prevent traffic jams.

Mr Wutichart said he was certain there would be enough buses to serve travellers and no one would be left stranded at provincial terminals.

Assistant police chief Adul Saengsingkaew said highway police were mobilised to ease traffic congestion on major roads, especially from the North and Northeast.

Pol Lt-Gen Adul said last night that inbound traffic on the Asia Highway, the main route to the North, was building up in Sing Buri. Similar congestion was seen on the Friendship Highway to the Northeast in Saraburi's Muak Lek district.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, the traffic on the Friendship Highway slowed in the afternoon and was heavy all evening.

Traffic on the highway is expected to be even heavier today, which is the last day of the long Songkran weekend.

Prat Boonyawongwirote, permanent secretary for public health, said more than 4,000 emergency teams had gone out on 8,309 rescue missions over the past five days of Songkran, or roughly one trip every minute.

Suvarnabhumi airport director Serirat Prasutanont said the airport recorded an additional 70,000 passengers during the Songkran celebrations and most were Thais travelling overseas.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 17 April 2007 :-

Sharp fall in Japanese visitors predicted - Association cites baht, negative news

The Thai Travel Agents Association has estimated the number of tourists from Japan will drop by 10-15 per cent this year due to the stronger baht and negative news from Thailand.

TTAA president Anake Srishevachart said Japanese tourists are now getting a lower exchange rate, 1,000 yen buying only Bt280 compared to Bt380 a few months ago.

Meanwhile bad news, particularly of bombings and political unrest, is making Japanese choose alternative destinations where they feel safer.

As a result, Anake said, Japanese arrivals this year will decrease by 10-15 per cent from initial projections. Japan is the biggest market for the Thai tourism industry, with one million visitors last year.

Anake urged the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the government to do more marketing, specifically promotions to maintain this market. He added that a campaign by TAT to commemorate 120 years of Thai-Japanese relations had already failed as advance bookings from Japan were very slow for March and April.

One suggested strategy is to organise sporting tournaments in Thailand in the second half of this year to attract more Japanese.

TAT organised a road show in Japan as part of this year's marketing plan and expects that Japanese tourists will return to Thailand as a result.

In 2006 the number of tourist arrivals at international airports in Thailand reached nearly 10 million. East Asia was the highest contributor with over four million, with Japan topping one million. Arrivals from the Middle East and Africa represented the biggest increase.

According to TAT statistics, the top three countries on the international arrival lists at Bangkok's airports from January to December 2006 are all in East Asia.

Japan was top with 1,124,784, followed by China with 843,342 and Korea with 784,721. Growth rates for the Middle East and Africa were significant, with increases of 32.76 per cent and 23.15 per cent respectively.

The statistics show the total number of international visitors at the end of 2006 was 9,799,993, an increase of 15.41 per cent over the previous year.

The biggest growth was Russia with a 93.61-per-cent increase to 145,930 arrivals and Saudi Arabia with 88.13 per cent.

A slight drop was also recorded in arrivals from Nepal, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Singapore, Laos and Brunei.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork