News
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Forest City’s future uncertain amid Chinese property giant’s financial struggles
Forest City, the Malaysian island megaproject backed by Chinese investment, is facing an uncertain future due to the financial struggles of Chinese property giant Country Garden. The US$100 billion artificial city, which has been built in the middle of palm oil trees, remains largely vacant despite being aimed at middle-class Chinese buyers. The project, which includes condos, roads and shops,…
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Kazakh tourist drowned on Phuket beach after ignoring weather warning
The body of an 18 year old tourist from Kazakhstan, was discovered washed ashore drowned on Nai Yang Beach, Phuket. The man’s body was found two days after he was declared missing. He had reportedly gone for a swim amidst inclement weather on September 1 and failed to return, sparking a search operation. A lifeguard from Nai Yang Beach found…
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Visa overstay charge lands international visitor in trouble at Phuket Airport
An international visitor was apprehended at Phuket International Airport this week, facing charges of overstaying his visa, according to the Phuket Immigration Checkpoint’s Facebook page managed by the airport division of Phuket Immigration. The arrest occurred on August 30, with the individual now at risk of being blacklisted under the Good Guys In, Bad Guys Out regulation. The man, whose…
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Phuket Airport expansion to double capacity, costing 6 billion baht
Phuket International Airport is set to undergo a significant expansion, as approved by the Airports of Thailand (AoT). The project, which is currently in the design stage, is estimated to have a price of upwards of 6 billion baht. AoT’s President, Kerati Kijmanawat, highlighted the expansion as a primary agenda during Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent visit. The proposed airport…
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AEC meeting to discuss digital economy and sustainability for ASEAN
The ASEAN Economic Council (AEC) meeting, set to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, will be attended by Thai representatives, the objective being the discussion of the Digital Economic Framework Agreement (DEFA) progress. The upcoming 43rd ASEAN Summit’s preparations will also be a focal point in the discussions. Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, Auramon Supthaweethum, shared with the press…
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Thai government pledges better conditions for motorcycle taxi drivers
The Thai government has recently taken into account a series of grievances from motorcycle taxi drivers, tasking the Transport Ministry with the job of enhancing their working conditions. The decision was made yesterday, following a meeting between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and representatives from the drivers’ community. The gathering took place at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok, marking…
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Chinese developer Country Garden secures bond repayment delay amid liquidity crisis
Chinese developer, Country Garden, has successfully secured creditor approval to postpone a critical bond repayment deadline, narrowly dodging a potential default. This agreement provides temporary relief amidst a liquidity crisis that has significantly impacted the nation’s financial markets. Country Garden gained enough support in a vote concluded yesterday to extend payments on the 3.9 billion yuan (18 billion baht) outstanding…
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Human trafficking victim rescued from Myanmar ring by Thai officials
Chiang Rai officials have successfully executed a rescue operation, saving a 29 year old Udon Thani woman, known as Nam, from a human trafficking ring in Myanmar. It was revealed that she had been coerced into providing sexual services to call centre employees in the Shan state by Chinese perpetrators. The incident was initially flagged by a citizen journalist from…
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15 years of escrow legislation: 867 billion baht in transactions
Data released by the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) has shed light on the impact of escrow legislation over a 15-year span. According to an anonymous FPO source, escrow service transactions during this period totalled a hefty 867 billion baht, the majority of which were linked to capital market transactions. The Escrow Account Act came into effect in 2008, and from…
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Thai rice body urges government to focus on new rice strains
The Thai Rice Exporters Association is calling on the new government to avoid manipulating rice market prices and instead focus on the strategic production of new rice varieties. Chookiat Ophaswongse, the association’s honorary president, emphasised the importance of developing new rice strains to maintain competitiveness with other exporting nations. “This is crucial for the future of Thai rice. Following roadshows…
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Bangchak acquires Esso Thailand bolstering network and refining capacity
In a significant move in Thailand’s petroleum sector, Bangchak Corporation secured a resounding acquisition of Esso Thailand. ExxonMobil Asia Holdings’ relinquishing of a 65.99% majority stake to Bangchak marks the completion of this transaction. As a consequence of this development, around 700 Esso petrol stations throughout the country will commence operations under Bangchak’s brand, starting tomorrow. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, the Group…
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Blue Strike-2023: China and Thailand’s joint naval exercise
The Gulf of Thailand and the Sattahip district of Chon Buri will serve as the training grounds for the Blue Strike-2023 joint naval exercise, involving China and Thailand. Participation from Chinese warships and submarines has been confirmed for this annual drill. The exercise, which will extend from tomorrow to September 10, will take place in the upper reaches of the Gulf…
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Loei’s PEA moves transformers underground to boost Chiang Khan tourism
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) in Loei has embarked on a mission to relocate electric transformers underground in the tourist-heavy Chiang Khan district. The initiative aims to prevent fire hazards in the district, which is known for its century-old wooden houses. Komkrit Siriyutthaseanyakorn, who heads the local office of the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, stated that…
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Thai research probes herbal solutions to PM2.5 dust-related chronic diseases
In promising scientific research, experts are exploring the potential of three herbal plants in combatting chronic diseases connected to PM2.5 dust. The focal point of this collaborative project is to address the health challenges arising from prolonged exposure to harmful PM2.5 dust particles, a pressing concern in regions affected by air pollution. The collaborative efforts have seen researchers from Chaophraya…
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Chiang Mai University launches Builds platform to boost student entrepreneurship
Chiang Mai University (CMU), in collaboration with the Stock Exchange of Thailand, has unveiled an entrepreneurial platform named “Builds”. This initiative is designed to assist students in transforming their research projects into profitable enterprises. Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, a CMU rector, expressed the institution’s ambitions to become an entrepreneurial hub, aiming to bolster its economic contribution to 60 billion baht within the…
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Thai GPO’s Covid-19 vaccine set for 2023 launch, targets 10 million doses annually
Thailand’s National Vaccine Institute (NVI) is making significant strides with its first domestically produced Covid-19 vaccine, HXP-GPOVac. The vaccine, currently in its third stage of clinical trials, is on track to conclude this phase by the end of the month. This development represents a crucial step forward for Thailand’s efforts to continually combat the pandemic. The vaccine’s production is overseen…
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Thai government considers visa system revamp to boost tourism revenue
A major revamp of the visa system is presently under deliberation by the Thai government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The amendments are anticipated to augment revenue generated from vital tourism markets like India and China. The call to review the visa system originated from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They acted in response to many complaints from…
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Chalong underpass closure in Phuket tonight for essential pump repairs
Phuket’s Chalong Underpass will be inaccessible to all traffic tonight due to closure to perform critical repair works on the tunnel’s pump system. The Phuket Highways Office has issued a statement detailing the closure timings, which commence from 9pm today and extend until 5am tomorrow. This is not the first instance of such a closure; the region’s ongoing rainy season…
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South Korea aims to boost Thai tourism with new campaign
South Korea, marking its 65th year of diplomatic relations with Thailand, is all set to attract more Thai tourists. This comes as part of a bilateral effort to revive the tourism industry in both countries, which shares a robust relationship economically, socially, and culturally. Covid-19 restrictions saw a decline in international tourism, with South Korea welcoming about 570,000 Thai tourists…
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Surrogacy ring arrest in Bangkok linked to missing toddler case
A series of raids and an arrest have been carried out against an international surrogacy ring, suspected to be tied to last year’s missing toddler case in Bangkok. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) this week searched three clinics in Bangkok and a building in Nong Khai, with a man apprehended for suspected involvement as an agent in the operation.…
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Phuket police hunt for missing Russian tourist amid rough seas
A Russian tourist has reportedly gone missing off Nai Yang Beach in Phuket. The Phuket division of the Tourist Police Bureau is urgently seeking any information that could assist with their ongoing search. The man’s disappearance was reported yesterday evening, with local authorities suspecting a potential drowning due to the rough sea conditions. The man’s identity has not been officially…
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Thai motorcycle production to exceed 2.1 million units amid tourism rebound
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is forecasting that motorcycle production this year will surpass the initial target of 2.1 million units. The revival of the tourism sector and the easing of the global semiconductor shortage are cited as the primary factors for this optimistic outlook. Surapong Paisitpatanapong, the vice-chairman and spokesperson for the FTI’s Automotive Industry Club, attributes this…
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Thai Prime Minister pledges to tackle fisheries industry woes
Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister, promised to address the issues plaguing the fisheries industry in his visit to Samut Songkhram yesterday. This move came after representatives from the industry called upon the newly formed government to revise laws to mitigate the effects of restrictions put in place to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Srettha stated that the…
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Ratch Group earmarks 35 billion baht for business expansion
Thailand’s leading private power producer, Ratch Group Plc, remains steadfast in its decision to allocate a capital expenditure of 35 billion baht for the expansion of its operations in both the power and non-power sectors this year. Chief Executive Choosri Kietkajornkul said that out of this capital allocation, 29 billion baht is for investments in power generation. She further revealed…
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AIS withdraws lawsuit against NBTC over True-DTAC merger approval
AIS, the telecommunications giant, recently took a surprising turn as it withdrew its case against the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission’s (NBTC) decision, which recognised the merger between True Corporation and Total Access Communication (DTAC), its two direct competitors. The lawsuit contended that the NBTC board had failed to exercise its authority to regulate the deal according to existing regulations.…
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Miss Universe 2023 Official After Party: A glittering tribute to Studio 54
The glamour, the glitz, and the electric energy of an era gone by came alive once again at the Miss Universe 2023 Official After Party held at Escape Bangkok. This sensational event is hosted jointly by Megatix Thailand and TPN with an iconic Studio 54 theme, a name synonymous with the golden age of disco and extravagant nightlife. The night…
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Toothpaste review uproar: 1.7 million baht lawsuit gets brushed aside
A legal case involving a young woman who reviewed a toothpaste brand and was subsequently sued for 1.7 million baht has been dropped, causing a stir on social media. The young woman had earlier requested justice after developing an allergic reaction to the toothpaste, leading to the brand’s owner suing her for damages, sparking widespread debate across various social media…
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BREAKING NEWS: Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra granted royal pardon, sentence reduced to 1 year
Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted a royal pardon, effectively reducing his punishment to a one-year sentence. According to the announcement published in the Royal Gazette this afternoon, King Rama X extended royal clemency to the 74 year old Thaksin, slashing his previous sentence of seven years, eleven months, and 20 days down to one year. The royal…
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Illegal surrogacy ring busted in Bangkok as police raid three healthcare facilities
A special investigation team (DSI) raided three healthcare facilities, apprehending an operation secretly arranging surrogate mothers. The illegal surrogacy operation involved Thai women paid to carry pregnancies before the infants were sent abroad. Crucial documents were found during the raid, and legal proceedings are underway. The illegal surrogacy operation news broke out today, at 6.30am. The DSI, under the supervision…
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Bangkok bullet bust: Officers nab four with guns and ammunition at petrol pit stop
Four suspects were arrested by Min Buri inspection officers, who seized five handguns and nearly 50 rounds of ammunition. The ammunition arrest occurred at a petrol station in Min Buri, a district of Bangkok, today. The group, consisting of 15 year old A, 19 year old Naphat, 20 year old Natthawut, and 19 year old Chanachon, were found in possession…
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