- Phuket News
Phuket’s nightlife venues to stay open till 4am boosting tourism and economy
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat called upon local authorities to prepare themselves for the island’s nightlife venues, which remain open until 4am. This directive was issued during a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall, where officials were instructed to identify the precise areas or zones where the late-night operations would be applicable. The urgency for Phuket’s officials is palpable. Deputy Prime Minister…
- Phuket News
Phuket City gears up for debut of Chartered Walking Street market
Phuket City Municipality issued an advisory to residents and visitors alike, informing them of the forthcoming closure of Phang Nga Road this coming Sunday, November 5. The thoroughfare will be shut down from 1pm to midnight to pave the way for the debut of the Chartered Walking Street Market. The Chartered Walking Street Market’s geographical footprint will extend along Phang…
- Phuket News
Phuket drivers protest against new baht bus service threatening livelihoods
Around 50 tuk tuk and taxi drivers swarmed the Patong Municipality offices in Phuket yesterday to express their discontent about a proposed baht bus circular service that could potentially disrupt their livelihoods. Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri, along with other officials, received the formal complaint as the officers of the Patong Police maintained order. The complaint predicted a significant impact on the…
- Thailand News
Cosmetics industry goes global: Thai NSTDA’s empowering touch
The Thai National Science and Technology Development (NSTDA) initiated a comprehensive service to aid cosmetics industry entrepreneurs in their global market expansion. The NSTDA director, Chukit Limpijamnong, indicated that the cosmetics industry is a key sector for the agency and possesses significant expansion potential, both domestically and internationally. Therefore, firms in this sector require robust support in innovation and technological…
- Thailand News
PM Srettha forms team to clarify digital wallet scheme amidst confusion
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin agreed to establish a dedicated team to effectively communicate details about the government’s flagship digital wallet scheme. This move yesterday, October 31, comes in response to a wave of suggestions from various sources, aiming to avoid any public confusion regarding the scheme. PM Srettha acknowledged the circulation of differing information about the wallet scheme. He urged…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s drug policy shift: Possession of 10 or fewer meth pills no longer means jail time
A significant shift in Thailand’s approach to drug possession is underway, as the Justice Ministry and the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) are supporting an initiative by the Public Health Ministry. This initiative aims to reclassify individuals found with 10 or fewer methamphetamine pills as users rather than dealers. Somsak Thepsutin, Deputy Prime Minister and ONCB president, addressed the…
- 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
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…
- Thailand News
Thai hostages in Israel reach 22 amid escalating Gaza conflict
The number of Thai workers held hostage during the recent attack by Hamas on Israel has escalated to 22, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The latest confirmation of three additional abductions was disclosed by the Foreign Ministry. The 61 year old prime minister relayed this information while addressing journalists at the Wing 23 air terminal at Udon Thani Airport,…
- 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…
- 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
Thai ministry condemns Israel’s UN display of Thai hostage brutal murder
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) expressed severe condemnation of Israel’s presentation of a video showing the gruesome murder of an individual, claimed to be a Thai hostage, during a recent session at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The MFA statement confirmed that such a display of horrific brutality has incited outrage globally, not just among Thai citizens.…
- 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
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
Endangered gaur sighted in northern Thailand after 37-year absence
A gaur, an endangered wild animal, has been sighted for the first time in 37 years at the Salwin Wildlife Sanctuary in Mae Hong Son, a northern province on the Thai-Myanmar border. The sanctuary’s chief, Arkhom Boonnontae, confirmed the sighting, noting the rarity of such occurrences in northern Thailand. The camera trap that captured the elusive bull gaur clicked into…
- 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
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
Surin: More than 300 shops destroyed by massive fire at Chong Chom border market
A massive fire engulfed the Chong Chom border market in Surin’s Kap Choeng district late last night, destroying over 300 shops. The fire thankfully claimed no lives. In response to the emergency, over 10 fire trucks, along with numerous firemen and rescue teams from the district and surrounding areas, were dispatched to quell the fire at the Chong Chom border market…
- 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…
- 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
NACC probes Thai government’s 10,000-baht digital handout amid corruption fears
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) initiated an in-depth study into the Thai government’s policy for a 10,000-baht digital currency handout. This step comes as the agency intensifies its examination of the key policies of the ruling Pheu Thai Party. According to a source within the NACC, the decision was made following a suggestion from the agency’s corruption monitoring and appraisal…
- 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
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
Investment ties strengthened: Parnpree’s mobile meeting proposal for Thai-Vietnam relations
Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, the Foreign Affairs Minister, yesterday proposed the reinstatement of mobile meetings to bolster investment ties between Thailand and Vietnam. The proposal came about during a meeting with Pham Minh Chinh, the Prime Minister of Vietnam, concluding Parnpree’s two-day official visit to the neighbouring nation. The visit, which kicked off on October 25, marked Parnpree’s inaugural official trip since…
