- Health
Businesses rush in to capitalise on medical marijuana mania
The recent legalisation of medical marijuana in Thailand is spurring active efforts to investigate and develop the plant’s medicinal properties. Earlier this year, the government legalised medical marijuana citing research suggesting that cannabis may be beneficial in treating some chronic conditions. Despite the fairly ambiguous and unspecific wording in the legislation, many companies are now actively pursuing a profitable future…
- Events
King greets the people in a massive public audience at the Grand Palace
Yesterday’s appearances on the balcony of the Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall of the Grand Palace in Bangkok of HM The King and royal family capped off three days of pomp and circumstance for the coronation of Thailand’s monarch. His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn granted a historic public audience from the main balcony yesterday afternoon. A sea of yellow-clad people of all ages…
- Thailand Election News
Junta and government looking to unwind some orders made since 2014
The junta and the government are scheduled wind back orders and announcements originally issued by the junta but which are no longer considered necessary – some of them issued back in 2014 when the Junta took control in May of that year. Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam passed on the news earlier today. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha said the junta and the…
- Events
HM The King confers new royal titles on his family – PHOTOS
“HM The King’s mother will now be addressed as Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother.” HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn yesterday granted new titles to members of his family in a grand, televised royal ceremony. The late King Bhumibol Adulyadej has a new name signifying he was also the father of a monarch, and that he was a “Maha Raja”…
- Events
Saturday’s Royal Coronation ceremonies – PHOTOS
The 66 year old monarch, dressed in a bejewelled golden robe, was handed the Crown of Victory that weighs 7.3 kilograms, which he placed on his head. HM the King then issued his First Royal Command: “I shall continue to protect, develop and reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the people.” His Majesty the King then granted…
- Thailand Election News
Announcement of election results this Tuesday and Wednesday
The Election Commission is, as promised, poised to announce the final election results next Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday’s initial round of results are sure to spark off a new round of political dramas – no matter who is considered the ‘winner’ from the results. The announcements come at a time when tensions are running high over lawsuits and the uncertainty over…
- Events
Royal Coronation – HM The King grants grand audience
His Majesty the King has granted a grand audience to members of the Royal Family, the Privy Council and the Cabinet, as well as foreign dignitaries. At 2.59pm, King Maha Vajiralongkorn grants grand audience. They gathered to offer their best wishes to His Majesty at Amarindra Vinicchaya Throne Hall. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn led the group to congratulate the King…
- Events
Royal Coronation – Saturday morning’s ceremonies – PHOTOS
Today, May 4, is day one of the three-day Royal Coronation ceremony in Bangkok. Today, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has been anointed and officially enthroned as the 10th monarch of the Chakri Dynasty. 10.45am: The Royal Purification ceremony completes. The King proceeds to Baisal Daksin Throne Hall where the Anointment Ceremony takes place. 10.09am: His Majesty the King attends…
- Thailand Election News
Future Forward candidates deny claims of media shares, again
Future Forward party candidates have again denied a pro-Junta activist’s accusations that some of their members have shares in media companies. Srisuwan Chanya, describing himself as a social activist, earlier this week asked the Election Commission to take legal action against 11 candidates of the party, claiming they owned shares in media firms. If a candidate is found guilty of the…
- Thailand News
Thailand passes new laws to reduce begging
Thailand is aiming to purge itself of beggars in the latest laws to outlaw the practice. General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, head of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), says his agency would co-ordinate with the National Office of Buddhism to ask for co-operation from temples to educate the public about appropriate merit-making and to stop them from giving…
- Events
Bangkok resplendent in yellow for this weekend’s Royal Coronation
Decorations are adorn houses and buildings around Rattanakosin Island, lining the route of the Liap Phranakhon Royal procession, as people prepare to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. The last time Bangkokians welcomed a newly-coronated King was on May 7, 1950. With help and funds from City Hall for renovation and decoration, properties along the route look new and lively. Portraits of…
- Bangkok News
Leaning Tower of Sathorn: not cracked or leaning says Sathorn district chief
PHOTO: Daily News The district chief in Bangkok’s swish Sathorn district has been forced to come out publicly declaring a luxury 72 story condominium development under construction in her area was neither cracked nor leaning. The false claims were made in social media after a minor fire in the building’s basement. Daily News reports that Chuleeporn Wongphiphat responded to online…
- South Thailand News
Songkhla man accused of human trafficking of Burmese
FILE PHOTO A Songkhla man has been arrested for allegedly being a member of a human trafficking ring that has been smuggling Burmese migrants into Malaysia across the southern border. 60 year old Thammasak Boonyarit was arrested at a house in Songkhla’s Hat Yai district under an arrest warrant issued by the Chumphon Court. The arrest was made a day…
- Northern Thailand News
76 year old Swiss man found dead in his Khon Kaen home
PHOTO: Srinakharin Khon Kaen Hospital where the man’s body has been taken for autopsy A 76 year old Swiss man has been found dead in his home in Khon Kaen’s city district. Police and a doctor from Srinakharin Khon Kaen Hospital headed to the house in Tambon Muang Kao after neighbours noticed a strong smell coming from the house. The…
- Events
His Majesty marries Suthida and names her Queen, days before coronation
FILE PHOTO: Queen Suthida with His Majesty the King and Prince Dipangkorn Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn announced earlier this evening that he has married his bodyguard, Gen. Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayudhya, and named her Queen Suthida, just days before the Royal Coronation this weekend. The announcement was made tonight in the Royal Gazette. In 2014 HM appointed Suthida Tidjai, a…
- Phuket News
Fishing crew release Manta rays after getting snared in their nets
A fishing boat has released two giant Manta rays, tangled in its nets, back to the Andaman Sea off Phang Nga’s Kura Buri. The crew have won wide praise for releasing the snared rays. Thana Ketsa-ard, owner of the Thanakorn 99 fishing boat, posted a video on Facebook at 12.30am on Tuesday night showing his workers rescuing the two Manta…
- South Thailand News
Ranger killed in Pattani roadside bomb ambush
One ranger has been killed after southern insurgents detonated a roadside homemade bomb to ambush his patrol unit in Pattani’s Panare district this morning. Police say the attack happened at 10.20am on the main road in Ban Rawor village in Tambon Krawa. 34 year old Ranger Damrong Thong-u was killed by the blast. Police say the explosion occurred when Damrong…
- Thailand Election News
Future Forward’s Thanathorn says he’s confident he will be endorsed as an MP
Thanathorn had prepared some 27 items of evidence to prove to the poll authority that he had divested his media shares on January 8, well before he registered to run in the election that took place a month later. A defiant Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit emerged from yesterday’s marathon ‘chat’ with the Election Commission over charges he still owned…
- Events
Royal Coronation ceremonies in the inner sanctum of the Grand Palace
The historic Coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn this weekend will be based on long held traditions that were included in coronations of the preceding nine Kings of the Chakri Dynasty since 1782. Three halls in the Phra Maha Monthira section of the Grand Palace will be used for the royal coronation. Off limits to the public, the Phra Maha Monthira…
- Thailand Election News
Thanathorn says other MPs now in the firing line, including from Phalang Pracharat
PHOTO: Future Forward’s Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit emerges defiant after spending six hours with the EC yesterday – The Nation by Kas Chanwanpen The political tactics of going after Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and other party members for alleged shareholdings in media companies, could come back to haunt the pro-junta camp after a similar allegation was made against one of its…
