- Thailand News
Thai’ed down: Fertility crisis set to halve Thailand’s population in six decades
Thailand’s population is predicted to plummet by half over the ensuing six decades due to a mounting fertility crisis. This alarming situation has spurred the Ministry of Public Health to instigate measures to encourage pregnancy and subsequently manage the drastic demographic shift that the country is poised to face. The Public Health Minister, Cholnan Srikaew, highlighted yesterday, October 30 that…
- Thailand News
Government’s digital wallet scheme delayed amid sustainability concerns
A seven-month delay is set to affect the government’s digital wallet scheme, with the expected launch now projected around September of next year, according to an adviser to the prime minister. Pichai Chunhavajira, while addressing a Senate-organised forum on the scheme, voiced that the policy is a vital economic stimulant but doubted its implementation in February as initially planned. The…
- Thailand News
Thailand and Laos aim for US$11 billion bilateral trade boost with enhanced transport links
Thailand and Laos have set in motion plans to increase the value of bilateral trade to US$11 billion (395.7 billion baht) within the next two years, as announced by government spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke. This ambitious target was a significant point of discussion during a meeting between the Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and his Lao counterpart, Sonexay Siphandone. Covering an…
- Thailand News
Thai PM’s frequent flyer miles soar: Srettha’s approval ratings stay grounded
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has received favourable approval ratings despite concerns over his frequent overseas trips, according to a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). Conducted over the telephone between October 24-25, the NIDA Poll surveyed a diverse group of 1,310 individuals aged 18 and above. The findings revealed that the Thai prime minister’s international travel…
- Phuket News
Stroke awareness: Phuket’s Sang Nam Jai fun run sets record turnout
Thousands of participants laced up their running shoes in the early hours of yesterday morning at Saphan Hin and Kamala Beach, Phuket, as they gathered for the 9th annual Sang Nam Jai Thai Nation fun run. The event, which is part of a nationwide series, aims to uplift awareness about strokes and their potentially life-altering impacts. The Sang Nam Jai…
- Thailand News
Mpox outbreak in Thailand: 24 infected, one death reported
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) has claimed the life of a man in Thailand and infected an additional 24 people, as disclosed by the acting director-general of the Disease Control Department today. The affected individual was a 24 year old Thai male, who had been battling HIV for three years prior to contracting mpox. His symptoms included high fever, physical…
- Phuket News
Omura’s whale spotted in Thailand’s Surin Islands for first time
A sightseeing trip in Thailand’s Surin Islands took an unexpected turn when tourists spotted a rare Omura’s whale, a species only identified in the wild eight years ago. The sighting was confirmed by the national park officers at Mu Ko Surin National Park through an online post on Thursday, October 26. The online post featured a video of the whale…
- Thailand News
Thailand persists with 10,000-baht digital money giveaway to reboot economy
The Thailand government is standing firm on its decision to proceed with the 10,000-baht digital money giveaway, despite various calls for its reconsideration. The government maintains that while the specifics of the project can be tweaked, the fundamental principle of using it as a tool to reboot the economy remains steadfast. According to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the Thai…
- Thailand News
Edtech collaboration: Hong Kong and Thailand unite to enhance education
Hong Kong extended an open invitation to Thailand to engage in a meaningful Edtech collaboration aimed at advancing educational technology in both regions. This is to enhance student learning and facilitate teachers in crafting personalised lessons and promoting active classroom engagement. The EdTech collaboration was discussed during the Edtech Month Summit 2023 held recently in Hong Kong. The summit centred around…
- Thailand News
Cool season in Thailand delayed due to El Niño phenomenon
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) announced that the onset of this year’s cool season is likely to be delayed by approximately two weeks, and will be warmer than usual. The shift has been attributed to unpredictable weather patterns and the influence of the El Niño phenomenon. Typically, Thailand’s cool season commences around mid-October. However, this year the initial moderate…
- Thailand News
Hong Kong investment spurs expansion in Thai manufacturing and logistics
Thailand is attracting the attention of Hong Kong-based investment companies keen to establish manufacturing and logistic firms within its borders, revealed Thai trade representative Nalinee Taveesin. This follows a recent dialogue with Ronald Ho, the director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Southeast Asia and South Asia, in Bangkok. The two nations have long enjoyed a prosperous relationship in trade,…
- Thailand News
Bangkok’s Sai Mai district set to receive its first hospital
Bangkok’s Sai Mai district, the second most populated district with 209,556 inhabitants, is set to receive its first hospital. This development comes as a result of the initiative by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who recognised the district’s lack of hospitals under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Chadchart, on a recent visit to the district alongside Sai Mai district councillor Rattikan…
- Thailand News
Thai PM backs deputy amid criticism over 10,000-baht digital wallet plan
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stood firm against criticisms levelled at his deputy, Julapun Amornvivat, concerning his capacity to chair the governmental sub-committee responsible for the roll-out of the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout initiative. Responding to requests for a more equipped individual to hold the chairmanship, PM Srettha stated unequivocally in a message on platform X (formerly Twitter), that he “won’t…
- Thailand News
Thai nationals in Israel urged to return home amid escalating conflict
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) urgently called for all Thai nationals residing in Israel to promptly return to Thailand on Saturday. The escalating conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group, Hamas, has prompted this immediate action. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced their intent to broaden their ground and air operations, leading to heavy bombardments overnight. The heightened…
- Thailand News
Riverfront walkway project collaboration between Bangkok Met Administration and Royal Thai Navy
A cooperative venture between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) to supervise a riverfront walkway project has been launched. The riverfront walkway will connect multiple tourist attractions along the Chao Phraya River on the Thonburi side. Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok, confirmed the BMA’s intention to construct the riverfront walkway, which would extend from…
- Thailand News
Pheu Thai government opts for Chinese frigate
An unexpected turn of events saw the Pheu Thai-led government opting for a Chinese-made frigate over a submarine, after a prolonged period of uncertainty surrounding the original submarine purchase. The shift in decision came on the heels of China‘s inability to get the German-made MTU 396 engine for the submarine, as specified in the 2017 agreement. China’s suggestion of using…
- Thailand News
Chiang Mai Airport to extend operation hours
The Chiang Mai International Airport is set to operate on a 24-hour basis starting from next Wednesday November 1, a move prompted by the government‘s Quick-Win economic stimulus policies, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit revealed. The decision, influenced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s orders, is deemed critical to accommodate the anticipated influx of tourists during the year-end peak season and beyond,…
- Thailand News
Phuket: Russian and Indians overstay visa leading to police raid
A Russian national and two Indian men were apprehended during a police raid in Phuket’s Bang Thao beach district, charged with overstaying their visas. The operation was conducted by a joint team of immigration and tourist police yesterday afternoon around 1.15pm at a villa where they expected to arrest another Indian man under charges of threats and intimidation. The Phuket Provincial…
- Phuket News
Phuket MP urges swift action on delayed Patong Tunnel
Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee recently took the floor in the House of Representatives, using his platform to challenge the ongoing delay in the construction of the much-anticipated Patong Tunnel. The Speaker of the House and the Deputy Minister of Transport were present to hear his concerns. With a reputation as a renowned tourist hotspot, Patong’s economic health is largely reliant…
- Thailand News
MFP charter rewrite motion rejected by Thailand House of Representatives
A charter rewrite motion, sponsored by the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), has been rejected by Thailand’s House of Representatives. The decision was influenced by concerns that the proposed changes could lead to a biased charter amendment, as explained by Nikorn Chamnong, who leads a sub-panel tasked with gathering public opinion on a constitutional amendment referendum. The MFP intended…
- Thailand News
Thai Airways sees surge in bookings despite pandemic and global conflict
Thai Airways International (THAI) reported a surge in bookings on its European and Australian routes for the fourth quarter of this year, signalling a robust recovery for the airline even amid an ongoing pandemic. Despite the broader global economic slowdown and the Israel-Hamas war, these routes have witnessed heavy bookings. However, the Chinese market remains slow, possibly due to various…
- Thailand News
Thai PM to kickstart Naga Fire: Miracle of Faith 2023, boosting tourism
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to grace the grand opening of the Naga Fire: Miracle of Faith 2023 event in Phon Phisai District, Nong Khai on Sunday, October 29, according to the government’s spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke. This visit marks the premier’s first official journey to Laos, set to commence the day after his overnight stay in Udon Thani.…
- Thailand News
Thailand intensifies fight against XDR-TB, targeting eradication by 2030
The battle against drug-resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is escalating in Thailand, as the Public Health Ministry pushes towards its objective of wiping out the disease by the conclusion of this decade. Dr Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, conveyed particulars yesterday about XDR-TB discussed during a meeting of the National Communicable Disease Committee. The committee consented to update the definition of…
- Thailand News
Thai death toll in Israel conflict reaches 33, repatriation efforts underway
The ongoing conflict in Israel has seen the death toll rise to 33 for Thai workers, with an additional 18 injured, as announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara on Wednesday. Furthermore, 18 Thai workers have been captured as hostages by the extremist group, Hamas. This figure was previously reported incorrectly as 19. Reuters, citing an update from the Israeli…
- Thailand News
Thai PM pledges fast-tracking marriage equality and transgender recognition laws
A pledge was made yesterday by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to accelerate the progress of three significant bills, inclusive of the marriage equality draft law. These proposed laws are scheduled for Cabinet deliberation next Tuesday before being forwarded to Parliament for further scrutiny. The marriage equality bill seeks to revise the Civil and Commercial Code, enabling individuals of a suitable age…
- Thailand News
Monkeypox morphs: Thailand reports 535 ‘mpox’ cases in a year
A whopping 535 mpox cases (formerly monkeypox) have been reported across Thailand between May last year and October this year, according to the figures released by the Department of Disease Control (DDC). Dr Taweechai Wisanuyothin, the director of the Nakhon Ratchasima-based Region 9 Disease Control Office, disclosed the above data. A total of 481 reported cases were Thai citizens, 50…
- Thailand News
Prison escapee on the prowl: Inmate’s great Thailand wildlife sanctuary location unveiled
The hunt for a 37 year old inmate who escaped from Maharat Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital led police to the Khao Banthat Wildlife Sanctuary. This vast wildlife refuge, spanning 1266 square kilometres across Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, and Songkhla, is believed to be the hideout of Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng. This discovery prompted a shift in law enforcement’s…
- Thailand News
Thai firms to get tax cuts for aiding PM2.5 pollution reduction efforts
The government is set to grant tax incentives to Thai firms that financially support the mitigation of PM2.5 fine particulate matter, primarily resulting from forest fires. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has expressed growing concern over the haze pollution expected to shroud the central and northern regions from November to March due to an extended drought period influenced…
- Thailand News
Thai worker pleads for government help to retrieve twin brother’s body from Israel
A 36 year old Thai worker is urging the Thai government to assist in locating the body of his twin brother, who was fatally attacked during a Hamas-led assault on the Gaza Strip. His twin brother, whose body is undergoing identification in Israel, joined him in Israel six months after he began working there in 2019. While he was employed…
- Thailand News
Thailand refines 10,000-baht digital handout eligibility amid wealth exclusion fears
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced that the government is developing criteria to determine eligibility for a 10,000-baht digital money handout amid speculation that affluent individuals might be exempted from the scheme. The prime minister, also serving as finance minister, stated that the government is refining the scheme following recommendations from diverse sectors. “I am listening to opinions. There will be…
