- Thailand News
South Thailand hit by extensive flooding due to heavy rain
South Thailand has been hit by extensive flooding over the last two days due to relentless heavy rain, impacting Narathiwat and Yala provinces. The flood has affected 67 sub-districts across 16 districts, disrupting the lives of thousands of inhabitants. The inundation in Narathiwat has flooded nine districts on Monday morning, including Waeng, Sukhirin, Chanae, Rangae, Sungai Padi, Si Sakhon, Cho…
- Thailand News
Bangkok taxi driver arrested for stealing million-baht wristwatch
A 44 year old Bangkok taxi driver was apprehended on Monday morning, accused of delaying his journey for several hours in wait for a Japanese passenger, who was inebriated, to fall asleep. The motive behind this delay was allegedly to pilfer a wristwatch worth a million baht. Pol Col Pansa Amarapitak, the chief at Bangkok’s Thong Lor station, reported the…
- Thailand News
Thailand enforces cautionary sign display for kratom sales, restricts alcohol promotions
Cracking down on the sale of psychoactive kratom, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has mandated all vendors to prominently display a cautionary sign at their point-of-sale. The sign is a warning to individuals under the age of 18, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, prohibiting the purchase of the substance. This directive became operational on Saturday, following its announcement…
- Thailand News
Airborne pollutants rise prompts health alert in Thailand
A surge in respiratory issues is anticipated as airborne pollutants are predicted to rise in the forthcoming weeks across Thailand, prompting a critical directive from the Ministry of Public Health to all national public hospitals. The directive mandates these hospitals to ready themselves to handle the expected increase in health problems. Deteriorating air quality was observed in various districts of…
- Thailand News
UN urges Thailand to bolster multi-sector approach to child rights protection
Thailand has been urged to broaden its efforts in child rights protection, with the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid, calling for a more comprehensive, multi-ministerial approach. Maalla M’jid emphasised that safeguarding children should not be the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security but rather a shared…
- Thailand News
Thai government makes headway in battle against informal debts
The Thai government has reported progress in its ongoing battle against informal debts, stating that it has resolved the issues of 233 registered debtors. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin personally observed the progress of a debt resolution model in Nan last Saturday. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke revealed that the Interior Ministry’s data indicates that 106,863 debtors have registered with the government…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s energy ministry to revise fuel regulations for consumer protection
In a move to safeguard consumer rights, Thailand’s Energy Ministry is set to revise regulations to guarantee that customers receive the exact volume of fuel they purchase. The decision came in response to a social media uproar over a motorist’s complaint that a petrol station failed to dispense the correct volume of fuel he had purchased. The motorist, Ritdech Daengpradit,…
- Thailand News
Pattaya’s New Year’s Eve beach bash: Extended hours and giant umbrellas
In a move to ring in the New Year with a bang, Pattaya has given the green light for beach umbrella operators to stay open overnight on New Year’s Eve. In a meeting chaired by Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn on December 21, set the stage for exciting changes in the beach umbrella scene. Over 150 operators, along with top city…
- Thailand News
Thai transport minister denies plans for petrol tax hike
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has clarified that the proposed excise tax increase on petrol in Greater Bangkok is merely a proposal, and there are no current plans for its implementation. This statement came yesterday, December 22, following misunderstandings about the proposal’s intent and potential ramifications. Suriya apologised for any confusion, explaining that the idea of the tax increase was a…
- Thailand News
Gun stash found in YouTuber’s house
A YouTuber‘s home was raided by Thai police and a total of 87 guns were discovered. Trinsak Wachirasrisirikul, the face behind the YouTube channel Tacticool BoB, found himself in hot waters when a Police Cyber Taskforce, in collaboration with local officers, uncovered a staggering cache of weapons during a house search in Mueang district. The raid, orchestrated to fortify public…
- Thailand News
Thai listed companies broke records by reeling in 6.21 trillion baht last year
Thai listed companies have orchestrated a financial coup, raking in an astronomical 6.21 trillion baht from their overseas ventures last year, smashing records and defying global economic odds. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) reports an eye-watering surge of 1.83 trillion baht from the previous year, making it a staggering 17-year high. Amidst the chaos of the Russia-Ukraine war and…
- Thailand News
Phuket taxi drivers protest against rise of illegal taxi apps
A sea of yellow and green licence plates flooded the grounds of Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, December 21, as taxi drivers from all over the province assembled in protest. They demanded a crackdown on illegal taxi app drivers, who they contend are infringing on their once unchallenged dominion over tourist transportation. At the forefront of the protest was Tinnakorn Chommuang,…
- Thailand News
Thai economy set to boom with 106 billion baht splash with new year expenses
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) predicts a staggering 106 billion baht surge in consumer spending during the upcoming New Year festivities – a four-year high that could inject new life into the nation’s financial veins. President Thanavath Phonvichai, the maestro behind this optimistic symphony, attributes the spending spree to the government’s strategic new year’s gift measures.…
- Politics News
Justice minister denies orchestrating Thaksin’s extended hospital stay
Justice Minister Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong has denied any involvement in the Department of Corrections’ (DoC) decision to grant former 74 year old Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra preferential medical treatment outside of prison. The controversial decision was brought to light during a parliamentary meeting yesterday by Move Forward Party MP, Chonthicha Jangrew, who criticised the DoC’s approval of Thaksin’s extended…
- Thailand News
Listening devices found at MCOT headquarters
Authorities unearthed concealed listening devices strategically placed within the conference rooms of Thailand‘s Mass Communication Organisation (MCOT) yesterday, December 21. The discovery took place during a thorough sweep of the MCOT headquarters. The eavesdropping devices, cunningly planted in the rooms designated for MCOT board meetings, sent shockwaves through the media landscape. The police, accompanied by forensic experts, meticulously combed through…
- Bangkok News
Thai traditional dress set to be listed on UNESCO
The Ministry of Culture is gearing up to propose the inclusion of Thai traditional dress in UNESCO‘s prestigious intangible cultural heritage listings. The visionary behind this move is none other than Kowit Pakamart, the director-general of the Department of Cultural Promotion. To pave the way for this historic proposal, the department recently orchestrated a vibrant brainstorming session at the Thailand…
- Phuket News
Unexpected algae bloom hits Patong beach due to premature seaweed growth
Yesterday, employees from the Public Health and Environment Division of Patong Municipality were hard at work on Patong Beach, clearing off algae that washed ashore. This unexpected event came as a result of an algae bloom and has yet to be formally addressed by Patong Municipality. The purpose of this timely response was primarily to retain the aesthetic appeal of Patong…
- Thailand News
Nonthaburi police nab Indian man for illegal money lending and visa overstay
Nonthaburi Immigration Police apprehended an Indian man yesterday, accused of illegal money lending and found to have overstayed his visa by more than six years. The 39 year old man was apprehended outside a rented accommodation in Moo 3 village, located in Tambon Bang Rak Noi of Mueang district. The detention was a result of an investigation into foreign nationals…
- Phuket News
South Korean firm GCOO brings e-bikes and e-scooters to Phuket
Phuket, Thailand’s famous tourist destination, is now home to e-bikes and e-scooters, courtesy of South Korean firm GCOO. The company recently launched its clean-energy personal transport services, deploying these eco-friendly vehicles at major points across the island, including Phuket Town and Patong. The launch, dubbed Phuket Smart Mobility, was celebrated with an event held at the Chartered Bank Intersection in…
- Thailand News
Government to shoulder Covid-19 insurance claims as insurers buckle under 60 billion baht payouts
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has revealed that the Thai government may have to step in to assist with the hefty burden arising from Covid-19 insurance claims. The grim situation has seen total payouts skyrocket to almost 60 billion baht, leaving non-life insurance companies in shambles and prompting the closure of those unable to meet the financial demands. Julapun disclosed…
- Thailand News
Will the 2024 fiscal year save the Thai economy?
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat revealed that Thailand‘s eagerly awaited 3.48 trillion baht budget for the 2024 fiscal year won’t see the light until early May. Originally set to kick off on October 1, the budget got tangled in the web of politics, with May’s election and the lengthy government formation process pushing the official start to September 5. According…
- Thailand News
Thailand government expands Red Line electric train to Ayutthaya and Nakhon Pathom
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has received a directive from the government to broaden the Red Line electric train system to include Ayutthaya and Nakhon Pathom. Surapong Piyachote, Deputy Transport Minister, on Wednesday disclosed that the existing 8.8 kilometer stretch from Rangsit to Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus will be extended to Ayutthaya. In a similar vein, the 14.8 kilometer…
- Thailand News
Northern Thailand: Endangered red-headed vulture lays egg in sanctuary in Uthai Thani
A significant milestone has been reached in Thailand‘s conservation efforts with the laying of an egg by a critically endangered red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) in Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary, Uthai Thani. The exciting development was announced on social media by Ornyupa Sangkamarn, secretary-general of the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation, who remains hopeful about the egg’s fertility and successful hatching. The…
- Thailand News
Thai health charter chairman advocates for cannabis in wellness tourism
Dr Kampon Sriwatanakul, chairman of the Thailand National Charter of Health, has called for the adoption of a holistic wellness technique to leverage the potential of cannabis in bolstering the nation‘s tourism. He delivered these remarks at the 4th CISW MedCann Investment Summit 2023, which took place yesterday, December 20. The chairman advocated for a wellness tourism model revolving around…
- Thailand News
Bangladesh on the brink: Opposition calls for general election boycott amidst political turmoil
Bangladesh‘s political landscape is teetering on the edge as the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), intensifies its calls for a boycott of the upcoming January 7 general election. The stakes are high, with the BNP warning of a one-sided dummy election unless Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina steps down. Struggling with key leaders either imprisoned or in exile,…
- Thailand News
Survey reveals half of Thai workers unprepared for retirement
In a startling revelation, a recent survey conducted by the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy at Chulalongkorn University has unveiled a concerning truth – a staggering 50% of working-age Thais are not financially equipped for retirement. The implications are dire, as experts warn of the impending challenges faced by the nation’s ageing population. The survey, involving 2,400 participants nationwide, disclosed…
- Thailand News
Phuket paradise beckons: TAT teams up with Saudia Airlines for tourism extravaganza
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joined forces with Saudia Airlines, setting their sights on a jaw-dropping target of 300,000 arrivals and a staggering 27.68 billion baht in revenue. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool revealed ambitious plans after a high-stakes meeting in Riyadh with Saudia Airlines bigwigs. Thapanee disclosed discussions that could make this a game-changer for Saudi tourists seeking…
- Thailand News
Young firefighter steals hearts and extinguishes flames
Capturing the internet’s attention, six year old Peerapat, a kindergarten student at Wat U-Tapao Kindergarten in Chon Buri, has become a viral sensation after a video of him extinguishing a forest fire alongside adult firefighters surfaced on social media. The video, shared on Thai social media on December 18, has amassed over 2 million views, turning Peerapat into a symbol…
- Phuket News
Illegal labour crackdown in Phuket ensnares 30 Chinese men
Yesterday in Tambon Thepkrasattri, an enclave in Phuket, Thailand, police apprehended 30 Chinese men on charges of illegal labour. The detained, aged between 24 and 59 years old, were caught in the act, with 12 of them arrested at a construction site in Baan Pa Khlok Cheep, and the remaining 18 along Wong Chalerm Village Road. Now, further investigations are…
- Crime News
Thai police warn about rise in deepfake AI related crime
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has issued a public warning about the potential rise in crime related to advanced deepfake AI technology. This technology, capable of swapping faces and mimicking voices, is feared to be the next tool for scammers in the coming year. The warning stemmed from the national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol’s concerns, which were communicated…
