Top National Thailand Stories From the Past Week: Floods, Boat Disasters, and More

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from the last week, Monday, December 25th, 2023, to Sunday, December 31st, 2023.

They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.

1. A tourist speedboat, “Bandaya 19,” capsized near Bubu Island, about 3 km from Satun’s Lipe Island, Sunday (Dec 24). The boat carried 73 tourists, including 3 children and 4 crew members.

Fourteen foreign tourists and two Thais have been rescued after water leaked into a boat in the Khura Buri district.

It has been a very tough week for boat disasters around Thailand.

2. Mr. Surapong Piyachote, the Deputy Minister of Transport, publicly revealed the investigation on a conductor rail that fell from the Pink Line, Samakkhi MRT station, Nonthaburi, at 4:45 AM, on December 24th.

The investigation is still ongoing.

3. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reports five provinces in the South of Thailand are suffering from flooding as heavy rains continue.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited Narathiwat Province on December 26 to address the ongoing severe flooding in Ra-ngae district.

Flooding is common in South Thailand this time of year even as much of the rest of Thailand is in the dry season.

4. In a recent report by World of Statistics, Bangkok has been crowned the world’s most visited city in 2023, welcoming a staggering 22.78 million visitors. Notably, Thailand boasts three cities in the top 20, with Phuket ranking 14th and Pattaya securing the 15th spot.

TPN media notes, however, that some press have disputed this list.

5. The Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported (December 30th), a total of 34 deaths, 335 injuries, and 339 road accidents on the first day (December 29th) of the New Year Seven Days Road Safety campaign in Thailand (December 29th, 2023 to January 4th, 2024).

The Thai Department of Probation reported in total 515 cases of drunk driving in Thailand on the first day (December 29^th) of the New Year Seven Days Road Safety campaign (December 29th, 2023 – January 4th, 2024).

Stay safe on the roads out there!

That’s all for this week, Happy New Year!