- 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…
- 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
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
Thailand mayor resigns following arrest over 600,000 baht extortion charges
Weerachart Rasamee, the son-in-law of Thailand’s Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised, stepped down from his role as municipal mayor following an arrest linked to alleged extortion charges. The incident unfolded in Uthai Thani province, with Weerachart being apprehended on Tuesday. Chada shared yesterday, October 25, that Weerachart offered his apologies for the incident after being granted bail on Tuesday evening.…
- 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…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s spirit sobered: 24-hour alcohol ban for Wan Org Pansa holiday
Popular Thai tourist destination Phuket will observe a strict 24-hour ban on alcohol sales starting from midnight on Saturday, as part of the country’s observance of the Buddhist religious holiday, Wan Org Pansa. This event, which takes place on Sunday, October 29, marks the culmination of the three-month season known as the Rains Retreat, often referred to as Buddhist Lent.…
- Phuket News
Phuket taxis: Drivers demand action against illegal private car services
Over 100 public transport operators, including metered taxi drivers, green plate taxis, and passenger van drivers, assembled at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday to formally complain. They are demanding that the Phuket provincial government take more robust action against illegal private car services operating through taxi apps on the island. The formal complaint was received by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan…
- Thailand News
Frigate negotiations: RTN discusses submarine switch controversy
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang announced plans to assign the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) to enter into negotiations with China to reduce the cost of a frigate. This decision comes in the wake of the Thai government’s resolution to acquire such a vessel as a substitute for a submarine. Anticipated to depart for China next week, an RTN delegation will conduct…
- Phuket News
Thailand and Australia unite in fight against child sexual exploitation
Angela Macdonald, the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, and Deputy Chief of the Royal Thai Police Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn joined forces in Phuket yesterday to participate in the Countering Child Sexual Exploitation Regional Dialogue Thailand 2023. The dialogue, taking place at the SAii Laguna Phuket resort in Cherng Talay, brings together law enforcement officials and NGO representatives from nine nations,…
- Thailand News
Winter festival in Thailand to boost tourism through creative events
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared plans to extend the country’s annual winter festival nationwide, renaming it the Thailand Winter Festivals. This announcement followed a strategic meeting with key figures including Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The primary focus of their discussion was the forthcoming “Colourful Bangkok Winter Festival” scheduled…
- Phuket News
Phuket police crackdown: 39 nabbed in weeklong sweep against drugs and guns, boosting tourist security
The Phuket Provincial Police apprehended 39 individuals on counts of drug and firearm offences over the past week in their continuous effort to enhance the security of its tourism sector. Between October 15 and 21, Phuket police reported that they had caught 32 suspects red-handed with narcotics. Among them, 11 were implicated in allegations of drug distribution and conspiring to…
