Northern Thailand

Anti-Crime Operations Stepped Up in Northern Thailand

Authorities in many northern Thailand have stepped-up anti-crime operations ahead of the annual Loy Krathong festival. Stepping up their crackdown on criminal activities, while keeping a close watch on the use of fireworks and also firecrackers.

In Chiang Mai province, the Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol. Lt. Gen. Chinnapat Sarasin, presided over the launch of the anti-crime operation ahead of Loy Krathong. The event was attended by the Governor of Chiang Mai, Charoenrit Sa-nguansat, heads of state agencies, administrative, police and military officers and also volunteers.

Loy Krathong in northern Thailand is often celebrated together with Yee Peng, a Lanna festival. This year, the festival will be celebrated on October 31, and many residents and tourists are expect to release floating baskets and launch lanterns in different areas. Relevant agencies have made preparations to deal with traffic congestion and the use of fireworks, firecrackers and lanterns, while protecting members of the public and tourists from theft and also other crimes.

Anti-crime operation launched in Chiang Rai

The Governor of Chiang Rai, Prajon Prachsakul, presided over the launch of another anti-crime operation, taking place in all 18 districts of the province. The operation is being jointly conducted by 300 personnel from the 37th Military Circle; the Third Cavalry Division; the Phamuang Force; the Border Patrol Police; the Immigration Police; the Tourist Police; the Highway Police; the Chiang Rai Disaster Mitigation and Prevention Office; the administrative sector; the Norasingh team; and also Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital.

Anti-crime operation launched in Lamphun

An anti-crime operation was also launched in the northern province of Lamphun. The Governor of Lamphun, Worayut Naowarat, presided over the event. Security officers are to patrol different venues at night, to ensure the safety of people and tourists. On October 31, Phra That Hariphunchai Temple, in Lamphun, will also organize the 100,000 Lanterns festival. Officers will also be deployed to address traffic and safety issues in different areas and to take other precautionary measures.- NNT

Loy Kratong Festival in Chiang Rai Thailand

Although not an official public holiday, Loy Kratong is one of the most popular and romantic of Thailand’s traditional festivals. The festival is held on the night of the 12th full moon, which lands sometime in November. The festival is held to pay homage to the goddess of rivers and waterways, Mae Nam my take on a new meaning in Flooded parts of Thailand

Loy literally translates to “float”, while Kratong is the Thai word for a sort of tray made out of banana leaves. Loy Kratong is celebrated by floating elaborate kratongs decorated with flowers, candles and incense. There released on just about any waterway in the kingdom.

The romance is provided by a legend about the origins of the festival in 13th century Sukhothai. According to the story, Nang Nopamas, a royal consort of King Ramkhamhaeng (the founder of Sukhothai), made the first kratong as an offering to Mae Nam.

She set it afloat on one of the canals of the palace so that it would drift past her lover the king. The king was delighted with the creation.And thus was the origins of the saying that if two lovers set a kratong adrift. It stays afloat until out of sight, their love will last forever.

Northern Thailand

Tubers on Pai River Draw Anger Over Inappropriate Behavior

The Governor of Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has sought stricter rules for tourist tubing on the Pai River, following allegations of tourists sneaking into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police reports and considerable criticism online.

After a resort owner in Pai protested about the existing situation of tubing activities along the Pai River, the Governor became aware of the matter. According to the accusations, wine and beer are discreetly offered to tourists while disguised in plastic water bottles to prevent detection.

After their tubing adventures, these tourists, both men and women, would walk around Pai town in their swimsuits. Men often wear one pair of swim briefs, but most women wear two-piece swimsuits or bikinis.

This behavior was considered derogatory to local culture. Recently, there were instances of tourists slipping into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police investigations and considerable online criticism.

Following the complaint, provincial governor Chuchip Pongchai requested a meeting of the police and allied authorities on July 16 to explore further tourism restrictions.

The province already restricts the selling of alcohol to tourists who go tubing, which involves floating down a river on inner tubes made of rubber tires. Most people observe the guidelines, but others, including some store owners, break them by concealing the alcohol by pouring it in water bottles.

According to TNA, Pai is one of Northern Thailand’s most popular tourist spots, attracting 40,000 visitors each year and strengthening Thailand’s economy.

Tubing in the Pai River has become a favorite activity among foreigners. However, the governor stated that the attitude of some tourists has jeopardised the province’s image.

Tourists Tubing on Pai River

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Northern Thailand

Pregnant Woman Goes Psycho Stabs Family Members in Phayao

Police in northern Thailand’s Phayao province have arrested a 40-year-old pregnant mother for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm.

Phayao Police report they were called after a woman and her daughter had been stabbed and beaten by a family member to a house number 206, Soi 7, Village No. 3, Ban San Nong Niao Subdistrict. Tom, Mueang District.

When officers arrived they found Ms. Chayada Chaiyawan, age 45, and her daughter Ms. Patida Chaiyawan, age 19, with injuries to their bodies and heads. Blood was spread all over the bedroom, and they found Mrs. Sakulkarn, aged 40 years, who was a relative living next door, tied up.

The police then transported all of them to Phayao Hospital for treatment. Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice. Both also sustained head injuries, according to Phayao police.

Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice

Ms. Chayada told police the incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. She was sleeping in the room with her young son, when she heard someone opened the bedroom door. She said at that time it was still dark and all she saw a shadow of a person lifting what she though was a hammer.

She said the got up and fought until she fell after being hit in the head and stabbed with a knife, in fear for her life she screamed for her daughter to come and help. When the daughter entered the room the assailant proceeded to hit her in the head and stabbed her also.

The assailant ran out of the room and was immediately restrained by a neighbour who heard the screaming and ran into the house to help. Mrs. Sakulkarn who was 7 months pregnant was tied up and police and rescue workers were called to the scene. The neighbour told police that all the time they were waiting for the police.

Police said Mrs. Sakulkarn is being held in Hospital and is under psychiatric care. Ms. Chayada and her daughter were treated for their injuries and sent home.

According to Thai Media, Police said charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm will be filed against Mrs. Sakulkarn after she is released from Hospital.

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Northern Thailand

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province

Five people were killed and two others badly injured when a pickup truck was hit by a north-bound train at an unguarded railway crossing in Phitchit province on Monday evening.

Phitchit police reported the horrific crash occurred around 6 pm at Moo 1 village in tambon Pak Thang of Muang district of Phitchit.

Police said the 201 passenger train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok approached the crossing, which was unguarded and had no safety barriers.

A four-door pickup truck plates drove across the tracks and into the path of oncoming the train which was was unable to stop or slowdown in time to avoid hitting the pickup truck.

The force of the crash drove the pickup about 30 metres down the railway crossing and off to the side. All passengers on the pickup were thrown from the vehicle.

Three women passengers died immediately and two more passengers died later at Phichit Hospital. Two others including the driver of the pickup were seriously injured.

Police investigators said truck driver Pratya Khongthat, 40, was taking relatives, including a 14-yea-old girl, to a funeral at Wat Ratchangkhwan in tambon Pak Thang, approximately one kilometer from the accident scene.