Top National Thailand Stories From the Past Week: Flooding Affecting 30,807 Households, Resulting in 13 Deaths and 19 Injuries, and More

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, Monday, August 19th, to Sunday, August 25th, 2024.

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

Let’s get started and see what the top stories were!

1. The Thai Department of Disease Control has announced a new regulation requiring all cigarette and tobacco retailers nationwide to display campaign media aimed at reducing, stopping, and quitting smoking and tobacco use at their points of sale.

Thai Department of Disease Control Mandates Anti-Smoking Campaign Media at all Tobacco Retailers

Dr. Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, announced that all retail tobacco sellers must display anti-smoking campaign materials starting August 21st, 2024.

Tobacco Sellers Required to Promote Anti-Smoking Awareness Nationwide Starting August 21st

2. Health experts in Thailand have raised concerns about the spread of a new strain of mpox, warning of its potential to escalate into a global pandemic.

Thai Experts Warn of New Mpox Strain Risks

Dr. Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, announced Thailand’s first suspected case of Clade 1B monkeypox.

European Traveler in Thailand Suspected of Carrying Clade 1B Monkeypox

Acting Thai Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has confirmed that the patient has 1B but has again stressed for calm and that this is not another Covid or spread as easily.

3. Thailand is bracing for increased flooding risks as the La Nina weather phenomenon is expected to bring heavier-than-average rainfall across the country.

La Nina Raises Flooding Risks in Thailand

Mr. Chaiwat Junthiraphong, the Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), provided an update on the flash floods and forest runoff affecting 11 provinces in northern and southern Thailand.

Thailand’s Flood Crisis: 13 Fatalities in Phuket Landslide, DDPM Mobilizes Recovery Efforts

The most tragic incident occurred in Phuket, where heavy rains triggered both flooding and a landslide in Mueang District. The landslide struck a residential area, causing multiple fatalities.

4. A tragic incident unfolded in Village 6, Khao Din Subdistrict, Bang Pakong District, when a small plane crashed into a mangrove forest area.

Nine People, Including Foreigners and Children, Missing in Small Plane Crash in Chachoengsao, Thailand

The ongoing search for missing passengers from the crash of a small C208 aircraft, flight TFT209, en route from Suvarnabhumi to Koh Mai Chi, Trat. The plane went down near Wat Khao Din in Bang Pakong, Chachoengsao.

Update: Search Resumes for Missing Passengers After C208 Plane Crash in Chachoengsao

The government is collaborating with aviation experts to determine the cause of a small plane crash in Chachoengsao’s mangrove forest on Thursday (Aug 22), which claimed the lives of all nine people on board, including five Chinese nationals.

Aviation Experts to Determine Cause of Chachoengsao Small Plane Crash

5. A section of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail tunnel in Khlong Khanan Chit, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima, had collapsed, trapping three foreign workers inside.

Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail Tunnel Collapse in Nakhon Ratchasima Traps Three Foreign Workers

The search continues for the missing foreign workers.

That’s all for this week, be safe!

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Goongnang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for many years and has worked with The Pattaya News for five years. Specializes primarily in local news for Phuket, Pattaya, and also some national news, with emphasis on translation between Thai to English and working as an intermediary between reporters and English-speaking writers. Originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but lives in Phuket and Krabi except when commuting between the three.