- Thailand News
Sound investment: Thai benefactors hit the high notes with Mahidol University’s new musical theatre
A new musical theatre has been unveiled at the College of Music, Mahidol University, made possible with the backing of benefactors Dr Somsak and Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul. The Black Box Theater by Dr Somsak & Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul was inaugurated by Khunying Patama, accompanied by esteemed guests like Prasop Riangngoen, the Director of the Office of Contemporary Arts and Culture from…
- Thailand News
Peace dialogue: Chatchai to head panel in far south, says PM Srettha
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin appointed Chatchai Bangchuad, the deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), as the head of the government’s peace dialogue panel in the far South, replacing Gen Wanlop Rugsanaoh. The latter’s term concluded after the constitution of the new government. Despite two former Fourth Army chiefs being among the proposed candidates, the 61 year old prime…
- Thailand News
Thai deputy PM raises concerns over MFP’s political amnesty bill
Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed reservations about the Move Forward Party’s (MFP) political amnesty bill. The MFP, led by Chaithawat Tulathon, proposed an amnesty for individuals involved in politically motivated incidents dating back to the protests of February 2006. This proposition was initially introduced last year and is now under consideration for parliamentary debate. Phumtham stated that while…
- Thailand News
Thailand intensifies fight against online fraud
A heightened crackdown on online fraud and call centre scams is in motion, as directed by Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The 61 year old PM’s call for increased vigilance arose after he was personally targeted by scammers. His advice for the public is to adhere to the guidelines provided by the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry to avoid…
- Thailand News
Four more Thai workers freed by Hamas, confirms UK Foreign Ministry
The Hamas group released another four Thai workers from their captivity yesterday, according to a statement made by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Kanchama Patarachoke today. The announcement was based on a report from the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv. The spokesperson, who also heads the Department of Information, indicated that upon their release, Israeli officials admitted the four Thai nationals to…
- Thailand News
Fugitive inmate Chaowalit raises controversy with allegations of legal injustice
The 37 year old fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, has stirred up controversy following his audacious escape from prison and the subsequent month-long evasion of law enforcement. His allegations of injustice within the legal system have been aired publicly through a series of anonymous videos posted online, causing ripples within the justice authorities. In response to the…
- Thailand News
Northeast Thailand: Former police commissioner linked to Saudi jewel theft dies
Chalor Kerdthes, the former police commissioner implicated in the infamous Saudi royal jewellery theft case, passed away at the age of 85. He succumbed to heart failure at Maharaj Hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima on November 24. Chalor was born to Lieutenant Colonel Chaem and Thongkum Kedthes on August 28, 1938, in Bangkok. Chalor, an alumnus of the 15th class of the…
- World News
SkyCity alerts public to rising scam gambling sites misusing Its brand
SkyCity Casino is the online division of SkyCity Entertainment Group. The group is an entertainment firm situated in Auckland. It owns and runs five casinos on land in New Zealand. Additionally, it is listed as stock on the New Zealand Exchange, or NZX. SkyCity Casino opened its virtual gates in August 2019. Ever since, it has been the preferred option…
- Thailand News
Former Thai PM Prayut’s wealth grows by 2.8 million baht post-office
Prayut Chan-o-cha, the former prime minister of Thailand, along with his wife, saw their assets increase by 2.8 million baht, while former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan‘s wealth increased by 2 million baht after they left office. This information was released by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Thailand. Prayut and Prawit’s finances garnered significant attention when the NACC released…
- Phuket News
Chalong’s ex-mayor resists pressure to close popular Suksamran Market
Former Chalong Mayor Samran Jindapol is standing his ground against formal charges, refusing to shut down the popular Suksamran Market on Chao Fa East Road, despite pressure from Chalong Municipality. The market, which has been functioning without disruption for nearly ten years, is still bustling with residents and vendors, who continue to back Samran staunchly. The ex-mayor, fondly known by…
- Thailand News
Holiday horror: American tourist’s idyllic adventure turns tragic near Phuket’s Khai Nai Islands
A 75 year old American tourist met a tragic end during what was supposed to be a blissful day trip to the Khai Nai Islands near Phuket. Police Lieutenant Colonel Weerayuth Thansirisukvorakul of Phuket City Police received a call from Phuket Provincial Hospital at 11 am on November 22, revealing the demise of Danny G Liu. The picturesque Khai Islands,…
- Thailand News
Thailand tourism suffers as Chinese visitor target falls short
Thailand‘s anticipated tally of Chinese visitors for this year has been downgraded to between 3.4 million and 3.5 million, falling short of the target set by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). This comes despite the implementation of a visa-free scheme aimed at luring Chinese tourists. Before the pandemic wreaked havoc in 2019, China played a pivotal role in Thailand’s…
- Phuket News
Phuket launches health certification for hotels to boost tourists’ confidence
The Department of Medical Sciences, a part of Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, has introduced a certification programme that awards hotels for their effective prevention of Legionnaires disease and Norovirus. This initiative is part of the broader Safety Phuket Island Sandbox scheme, aimed at bolstering tourist confidence in visiting Phuket and the rest of the country. The unveiling of this…
- Phuket News
Taxi cooperatives dispute: Phuket vice governor urges calm
Tensions have been simmering amongst taxi cooperatives in Phuket, as a recent meeting saw the island’s vice governor pleading with drivers to keep their emotions in check when dealing with mobile app taxi drivers. Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan’s plea comes in light of a series of confrontations and issues that have been escalating on the island’s roads. The gathering took…
- Thailand News
ASEAN military cooperation reinforced amid external pressures
The Defence Ministry of Phetchaburi has affirmed its dedication to bolstering cooperation among the military forces of ASEAN members while maintaining neutrality amidst external pressures. The statement was part of Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang’s address at the inaugural ceremony of the 24th ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting (ACAMM) at the Dusit Thani Hua Hin located in Cha-am district, which took…
- Thailand News
Uncertainty over Thai hostages release in Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange
A prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas sparked questions about the fate of Thai hostages, yet the Foreign Affairs Ministry remains uncertain about their release. The ministry has been unable to ascertain whether any of the Thai workers detained by Hamas will be among the initial 50 hostages set free. Kanchana Patarachoke, the ministry’s spokeswoman, revealed that information about…
- Crime News
Visa villains vamoosed: Thailand’s Immigration Police pounce on six suspects for fraud, overstays, and shady transactions
Thailand’s Immigration Police recently nabbed six foreign suspects in three distinct cases of visa fraud, overstaying, and illegal money transactions. According to the Immigration Bureau (IB) commissioner, Police Lieutenant General Itthipol Itthisaranachai, some of the culprits are now awaiting deportation to their home countries for prosecution. Highlighting the first instance, Itthipol drew attention to a group of four Pakistani individuals…
- Thailand News
Bangchak to launch Thailand’s first sustainable aviation fuel factory
Bangchak Corporation Plc, a leading energy conglomerate in Thailand, is set to launch the country’s first factory to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from used cooking oil. The operation of the factory will start in early 2025, with the aim of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the aviation industry. The venture is being propelled as the Department of Airports and…
- Thailand News
Thai Srivijaya Party leader gets one-month prison sentence and 20000 baht fine for intimidation
The Phra Nakhon North District Court sentenced Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, also known as Tae, the leader of the Thai Srivijaya Party, to a month in prison and a fine of 20,000 baht for intimidation. The intimidation charges relate to threats made against Decha Kittiwittayanan, with sentencing to be deferred for a year and a probationary period of one year, during which…
- Thailand News
GCNT chairman urges Thailand to boost human resources for Society 5.0
The chairman of Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT) called on the government to increase its investment in human resources development in preparation for Society 5.0. This new era will be marked by the prominent role of innovative technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in driving the global economy. Suphachai Chearavanont made these remarks while addressing the GCNT Forum 2023 on the…
- Thailand News
Thai ambassador advises workers to delay return to Israel amidst conflict
The ambassador of Thailand to Israel, Pannabha Chandraramya, advised Thai workers who have recently returned from Israel to refrain from going back due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. She updated on the situation during a meeting involving 97 of the nation’s high-ranking overseas representatives at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pannabha suggested that those who had returned…
- Thailand News
Thai Interior Ministry to launch nationwide crackdown on influential figures
The nationwide crackdown on influential figures, orchestrated by Thailand’s Interior Ministry, is set to kick off on December 1, confirmed Deputy Interior Minister, Chada Thaiseth. The operation, a collaborative effort between numerous authorities, including provincial administrative organisations, subdistrict administrative organisations, law enforcement and armed forces, is aimed at scrutinising and disbanding networks of these influential figures. A comprehensive list of…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s visa exemption policy for Chinese unaffected despite low flight demand
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday announced that the government’s visa exemption policy for Chinese citizens remains unaffected amidst the cancellation of flight slots by several Chinese airlines due to low passenger demand. These airlines had previously secured slots for flights to Thailand, inclusive of ground handling services for their aircraft, only to relinquish their landing and take-off rights due to…
- Thailand News
Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement offers hope for Thai hostages
The Israeli–Gaza war took an unexpected turn as Israel and Hamas agreed to swap hostages for prisoners. This development has brought a glimmer of hope for the Thai workers who were held hostage during the conflict. As per the information received by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the ceasefire agreement between the two battling factions is likely to facilitate the release…
- Phuket News
3D-printed coral islands to rejuvenate Phuket’s degraded reefs
The coastal waters of Racha Yai Island, south of Phuket, are about to witness a groundbreaking ecological restoration project. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) initiated a project to install 88 sets of 3D-printed coral larvae islands at Siam Bay, to restore the severely degraded coral reef in the area. At the helm of this inaugural installation was…
- Phuket News
Phuket police issue prohibitions for upcoming Loy Krathong Festival
Phuket’s Provincial Police force issued a stern reminder of the prohibitions in place for the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival celebrations. These regulations, originally announced by Region 8 Police on Monday, November 20, were communicated by Region 8 Police Commander Lieutenant General Surapong Thanomjit. Situated at the top end of Phuket, Region 8 Police headquarters oversees law enforcement activities across seven…
- Phuket News
Swedish consulate inaugurated in Phuket, Thailand
The vibrant island of Phuket witnessed an auspicious occasion on November 20, as the newly appointed Swedish Consulate was officially inaugurated. Gracing the ceremony with her presence was Anna Hammargren, the Swedish Ambassador to Thailand. The ambassador, along with her entourage from the Swedish embassy in Bangkok, had embarked on a two-day tour to Phuket, which wrapped up yesterday, November…
- Thailand News
PM Srettha unveils proactive diplomacy for Thai global influence
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday unveiled a fresh approach to foreign policy, dubbed proactive diplomacy, aimed at empowering Thai representatives abroad to stimulate trade, investment, and tourism, and enhance Thailand’s global influence. The 61 year old prime minister detailed his proactive diplomacy policy at a yearly gathering, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended by Thai ambassadors, consul-generals, commerce…
- Thailand News
Village headman implicated in Chon Buri forest land encroachment
A village headman stands accused of participating in forest land encroachment in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri. This allegation surfaced during an investigation led by the district chief, Sunthorn Munaowaroh, who visited the affected region within the Kao Krating forest reserve yesterday. Thawatchai Srithong, the governor of Chon Buri, commanded Sunthorn to conduct the inquiry following the public release…
- Thailand News
Myanmar conflict: Thailand calls for urgent peace talks
Thailand has implored all parties involved to contribute towards the restoration of peace in the ongoing Myanmar conflict via immediate discussions. The plea was made during the annual congregation of 97 high-ranking international diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. The Thai ambassador to Myanmar, Mongkol Visitstump, provided a status update on the ongoing peace initiatives amidst the conflict…
