Year: 2024
- Business News
Thai government’s 500 billion baht digital wallet under scrutiny
The funding sources for the government’s flagship 500 billion baht handout scheme, better known as the digital wallet, will undergo careful consideration, ensuring that public debt remains manageable, a senior government official stated today. This scheme is a crucial campaign pledge of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, intending to distribute 10,000 baht to 50 million Thai citizens to stimulate local…
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Bangkok crab business owner seeks justice amidst false claims
The owner of the clear-sky crab business in Rama 2, went to Tha Kham Police Station to file a complaint at 10.30am today. This action followed allegations of fraud and physical abuse of a child, which also involved the police station. Guntouch Pongpaiboonwetch, also known as Gun Jomphalang, accompanied by 45 year old Rachot Kamrod, stated his intention to help…
Read More » - Thailand Cannabis Guide
Top 5 cannabis accessories for the green enthusiast
In the world of cannabis, There’s always a new gadget or gizmo popping up that promises to take your pot experience to new heights. Whether you’re a total newbie or an old pro at this cannabis thing, there are loads of cool toys out there designed to make your sessions easier, more chill, and just plain fun. Think portable vape…
Read More » - Business News
Bangkok and JETRO Review 2023 economic trends of Japanese ventures in Thailand
Bangkok discusses JETRO presenting the results of a survey of economic trends of Japanese joint venture companies in Thailand in the second half of 2023 towards the development of Bangkok as a city of economy and hope. Sanon Wangsrangboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok welcomed Jun Kuroda, Chairman of Japan External Trade Organization, Bangkok: JETRO Bangkok to present the results of…
Read More » - Thailand News
Man’s fiery folly: Smoking while filling petrol bottles leads to fire
An absentminded Thai man inadvertently triggered a catastrophic blaze by smoking while filling up petrol bottles leading to a catastrophic blaze that engulfed his house and caused moderate injuries in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. On Wednesday, April 3, a man inadvertently triggered a catastrophic blaze by smoking while filling up petrol bottles. The resulting fire engulfed his house and…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai man nabbed for taking drugs and showing gun on livestream
Police yesterday arrested a Thai man at his home in the central province of Chachoengsao after he posted a livestream on Facebook showing him taking drugs and brandishing a gun. The livestreams of the Thai man, later identified as Pornthep, were reposted by a local news Facebook page, Khaoded Paet Rio. The caption read… “#ShareToPolice. A Thai man from Mueang…
Read More » - Thailand News
‘Land of Smiles’ fast becoming ‘Land of Russian Crime’
Maybe Thailand should rebrand its Land of Smiles moniker to the Land of Russian Crime after yet another Russian man was nabbed for criminal activity. Yesterday, a 36 year old Russian national added his name to a catalogue of former Soviet block criminals arrested for reportedly operating illegal activities. Russian Ibragim Gaitukiev was arrested for allegedly running an unauthorised cryptocurrency…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai airports expecting a surge in arrivals during Songkran
During the Songkran festival, around 2.61 million passengers are expected to be welcomed across six Thai airports, as reported by the Transport Ministry. This forecast was made by Transport Minister Suriya Juengrungreangkit following a recent meeting. Suriya highlighted that the ministry had issued directives to the Airports of Thailand (AoT), as well as all other transport-related agencies, to prioritise passenger…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai PM to seal multi-billion deal with Microsoft
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is poised to welcome Microsoft titan Satya Nadella at the Government House next month, fuelling anticipation for a high-stakes dialogue on technological advancement. Reports suggest the rendezvous will delve into investments spanning a cutting-edge data centre, the Cloud First platform, and pioneering strides in artificial intelligence (AI) within Thailand’s borders. Nadella’s eagerly anticipated appearance is scheduled…
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Russian man arrested in Pattaya for illegal trade linked to a suicide
Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) officers arrested a Russian man at a luxury penthouse in Pattaya yesterday for allegedly running an illegal trade, which led to the suicide of a Thai woman. ECD officers arrested the 40 year old Russian man, Alexey Vegman, at his penthouse yesterday, April 4 on an accusation of illegally trading. Vegman reportedly denied all allegations…
Read More » - Thailand News
Government’s debt hike prompts caution from agencies
Ratings agencies issued cautionary statements following the surprise decision this week by the government to increase its debt in a bid to stimulate the economy. The move, which may compromise the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts, is likely to stimulate short-term growth. The medium-term budget plan was revised by the Cabinet on Tuesday, causing a rise in the deficit next fiscal…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket reveals Songkran festival plans featuring music festival
Phuket officials yesterday revealed their plans for the upcoming Songkran festival celebrations, with two major events scheduled to take place in Cherng Talay and Rawai. The Alive Beach On Cloud Songkran Music Festival is set to be held at the Blue Tree complex in Cherng Talay from April 13 to 15. On April 13, a merit-making ceremony and water festival…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai government accused of ignoring call centre gangs problem
The Thai government came under fire from the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), who accused them of reneging on their commitment to eradicate call centre gangs. These criminal outfits, operating from across the Thai-Myanmar border, are becoming an escalating menace to Thailand and beyond. List-MP of the MFP, Rangsiman Rome, suggested that the government’s seeming indifference to the widespread issue…
Read More » - Business News
Gold rush: Bullion prices hit record high, further increase forecast
Bullion prices have hit a new record high of over US$2,300 an ounce with sustained demand from central banks and rising geopolitical conflict. This led local traders to raise their forecasts for both global and domestic prices of gold to US$2,350 and 40,500 baht respectively. The Gold Traders Association (GTA) updated the domestic price by 400 baht per baht-weight before…
Read More » - Thailand News
Intoxicated driver flips car in Pattaya accident
In the early hours of yesterday, an intoxicated Thai man overturned his car on Petchtrakul Road in Pattaya. The Sawang Boriboon Thammatasan Rescue Unit was promptly dispatched to the location in the Na Kluea subdistrict of the Banglamung district in Chon Buri province, where they found a black Toyota Vios sedan, with Bangkok licence plates, lying on its roof. The…
Read More » - Press Room
Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort provides comfort to the local community with major pillow donation
Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, which is nestled just steps from the sea on Phuket’s sunset coast, has continued to give back to the local community with an important initiative that will help hospital patients and underprivileged children to get a great night’s sleep. The resort has teamed up with four caring organizations to provide 900 soft,…
Read More » - Business News
Krungsri Bank targets 2-3% growth in SME loans in 2024
Krungsri, Thailand’s fifth-largest lender, is optimistic about achieving a 2-3% growth in small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) loans in 2024, following a surge in the first quarter of the year. The bank’s SME loans increased by over 2% by the end of March, in line with the gradual economic recovery of the country. This follows a robust 11% growth in…
Read More » - Thailand News
15,000 tonnes of cadmium found in Samur Sakhon, no health scares yet
Acting on a tip-off, the Thai authorities yesterday discovered 15,000 tonnes of cadmium in a warehouse in the Mueang district in the central province of Samut Sakhon. No adverse health effects have been reported by residents thus far. The Industrial Commission of the Secretariat of The House of Representatives received a complaint alleging that a company in the northern province…
Read More » - Business News
Thai bond defaults to stay below 1% in Q2, predicts ThaiBMA
The Thai Bond Market Association (ThaiBMA) forecasted a low probability of bond defaults in the forthcoming second quarter, with the total default value expected to fall below 1% of the entire outstanding market value. Ariya Tiranaprakit, Executive Vice President of ThaiBMA, revealed that the trend of deferring bond payments gained traction in the aftermath of the pandemic, largely induced by…
Read More » - Best of
Top 5 Italian Restaurants in Bangkok
Bangkok excels at many things, but its Italian scene especially does not disappoint. Whether you’re craving pizza, pasta or bread, the city offers it all. As such, finding the best Italian restaurant in the city is no easy task. Luckily, we’ve rounded up the top 5 joints that serve the best Italian food in the city below. 5 Best Italian…
Read More » - Thailand News
Bolt driver in Pattaya attacked by passenger’s ex-boyfriend
A Bolt driver in Pattaya found himself in an unexpected and dangerous situation when an unidentified man attacked him, mistakenly believing him to be the new boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend. The incident took place yesterday when 40 year old Pairat Songsod was waiting in his parked car for his passenger, 24 year old Kulrat who had booked a ride through…
Read More » - Thailand News
Immigration officials gear up for Songkran rush at Thai border
The head of the Immigration Police and the chief of Immigration Division 6 recently inspected the Sadao and Padang Besar border checkpoints in Songkhla province. The inspection took place yesterday at 10.30am as part of a drive to ensure the readiness of the immigration facilities in anticipation of the increased flow of tourists during the Songkran festival, which marks the…
Read More » - Business News
AWC set to scoop jackpot from Thailand’s casino legalisation
Tisco Securities indicated that Asset World Corporation (AWC), a luxury hotel and retail centre operator, stands to gain significantly from the government’s plan to legitimise casinos within entertainment complexes. This move is part of the government’s strategy to attract high-spending tourists and curb revenue losses from illicit gambling. The government is contemplating the establishment of the first entertainment-casino complex in…
Read More » - Thailand video news
Thailand Video News | Ferry fire rescue in Koh Tao, Governor warns of fuel station scams this Songkran
In this video, Alex and Jay cover the news from across Thailand. The Governor has initiated a rigorous crackdown on fuel station scams, just in time for the approaching Songkran festivities. Swift and decisive action by Thai authorities recently averted a potential tragedy, rescuing all passengers from a ferry fire en route to Koh Tao. Meanwhile, the monkhood bid of…
Read More » - Thailand News
Armed man shot by police at hospital in Phetchaburi after standoff
A man armed with a gun and a knife caused havoc at Cha-am Hospital in Phetchaburi, resulting in a confrontation with the police that led to him being shot and injured. The incident occurred yesterday evening when local police were alerted to a disturbance in the hospital’s in-patient building. On arrival, they discovered the man, identified as 34 year old…
Read More » - Thailand News
Bangkok repays 2.3 billion baht in debt owed to BTS Skytrain
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced yesterday that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had repaid its 2.3 billion baht in debt to the Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the BTS. It is hoped that this debt repayment will give the private sector confidence to invest in future projects with the BMA. The debt owed by BMA to the BTS…
Read More » - Thailand News
Teen gang fatally shoots boy in Udon Thani province
A group of teenagers ruthlessly chased down and fatally shot a 14 year old boy in the Nong Han District, Udon Thani province, leaving two of his peers severely injured. The horrific incident occurred on the evening of March 31, in the village of Ban Yang. Captured by CCTV, five youths on two motorcycles pursued the group to a dead-end…
Read More » - Press Room
Grand opening of SO/ Maldives marks milestone in CROSSROADS Project
S Hotels and Resorts PCL, the international hospitality company from Singha Estate PCL, has celebrated the grand opening of SO/ Maldives, which becomes the third luxury lifestyle resort at CROSSROADS Maldives, the Indian Ocean’s first and only fully-integrated leisure destination. The Company’s strategic investment in this glamorous new fashion-led retreat marks the completion of CROSSROADS Maldives and the resort is…
Read More » - Business News
Thai Tourists undeterred by Taiwan earthquakes for Songkran
Despite Taiwan experiencing its most significant earthquake in a quarter of a century and a series of tremors in Japan, Thai tourists are undeterred and continue with their planned holidays during the Songkran period. Charoen Wangananont, President of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), revealed that the majority of Thai tourists had already secured their tour packages, flight tickets, and…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai student arrested for using AI to create explicit celebrity images
Police in Chon Buri Province arrested a 25 year old man for allegedly creating and distributing explicit images of celebrities using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The student, Suphanat, has been previously apprehended for similar offences and was found with over 1,000 doctored images. The arrest on April 5, 2024, by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) led by Police Major…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand grapples with scorching 43C heatwave and health risks
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a health warning today as Thailand grapples with a heatwave as temperatures soar to extreme highs of up to 43 degrees Celsius in the north, northeast, and central regions, compounded by moderate to high levels of dust accumulation and smoke haze. Today, April 5, the country is enveloped in a heat-induced low-pressure system,…
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Laem Phromthep’s sunset threatened by caterpillars (video)
Laem Phromthep, a popular sunset viewpoint in Phuket known for its iconic Palmyra palm trees, is under threat due to an infestation of black-headed caterpillars. The local governor, Sophon Suwannarat, observed this alarming situation during a recent visit to the cape. He attributed the sudden surge in the caterpillar population to the uncharacteristically prolonged dry spell in the past few…
Read More » - Thailand News
MFP alleges govt embezzlement in RTN frigate procurement
Thailand’s leading opposition group the Move Forward Party (MFP) has levelled charges at the government for alleged embezzlement about the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) planned acquisition of a new frigate. The controversy, now infamously dubbed as the “change money” scandal, was brought into the limelight by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, an MP from the MFP, on the final day of a general…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand’s airports to see more than two million jet-setters
The Transport Ministry anticipates a surge of 2.61 million travellers across Airports of Thailand (AOT)’s six international hubs during the seven-day Songkran festivities. Minister Suriya, in a recent announcement, affirmed preparations for the expected influx, rallying relevant agencies to gear up for the travel onslaught spanning from April 11 to 17. Ensuring passenger comfort and safety remains paramount, Suriya directed…
Read More » - Thailand News
Water crisis hits Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui, tap water rationed
On Koh Pha Ngan, a water crisis since late March has led to a stringent rationing of tap water which affected both locals and tourists. The rationing, operating on a rotational basis, leaves some areas parched on certain days while others savour the flow. A meagre 3,500m3 to 4,000m3 of water trickles through the pipes daily, barely meeting the island’s…
Read More » - Thailand News
Khon Kaen parents forced to pay ‘tea money’ for student admission
Eight secondary schools in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen found themselves in hot water as officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) launched an investigation into alleged corruption practices. Parents have lodged complaints, accusing decision-makers within these schools of demanding exorbitant “tea money” sums, reaching up to 100,000 baht, from families whose children failed the entrance examination. Thirat Bangpetch,…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai monk arrested for drinking alcohol and approaching nuns
Thai police arrested a Thai monk last night and forced him to quit the monkhood after he was caught drinking alcohol and trying to enter the rooms of two nuns at a temple in the Isaan province of Buriram. Two nuns at the unidentified temple in Buriram sought help from Satuek Police Station in the middle of the night after…
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