- Thailand News
Navigating new depths: RTN seals deal for Chinese submarine
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) confirmed its decision to proceed with the purchase of a 13.5-billion-baht submarine from China, following successful negotiations earlier this week. This announcement came from an RTN source. General Somsak Rungsita, adviser to Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and chairman of the Defence Ministry panel dealing with the submarine issue, held discussions with a Chinese delegation led…
- Thailand News
Why are some books banned in Thailand?
Despite being the tourist favourite for all the positives, including magnificent beaches, diverse culture, and delicious cuisine, Thailand has been reported for imposing unnecessary censorship even in today’s era of freedom and digitalism. Thais can not decide which books they can read freely because of the influence of religious sensibilities and traditional notions of respect for the monarchy. Here are…
- Thailand News
Alipay+ partners with TAT to redefine travel experience
Thai tourism is undergoing a digital revolution as Alipay+ teams up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to redefine the travel experience. With an aim to attract more tourists and enhance their journey, the duo unveils an array of innovations that promise seamless exploration and unforgettable memories. In a joint statement, Alipay+ and TAT announced groundbreaking developments set to…
- Thailand News
PM Srettha: Six advantages to make Thailand an investment hotspot
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, addressing potential investors at SUBCON Thailand 2024, asserted that Thailand possesses a plethora of advantages positioning it as an investment hotspot for crucial industries such as electrical vehicle (EV) and electronics manufacturing. Hosting the international trade show for part-sourcing and business-matching, the premier highlighted Thailand’s standout traits, starting with its geopolitical stability, distinguishing it from its…
- Thailand News
Fears mount as Thailand’s 10 year old rice set to hit Nigeria
Growing concerns and fears are emerging in Africa’s most populous country over the possibility of Thailand’s 10-year-old stored rice entering the Nigerian and African markets. This comes after the Thai government announced plans to sell it to the public, BusinessDay Nigeria has reported. Thailand plans to auction 150,000 sacks of rice that have been kept in warehouses for 10 years,…
- Phuket News
Phuket man arrested for illegal firearms, ammo possession
Thalang Police in Phuket apprehended a man in Srisoonthorn for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The arrest took place yesterday evening after law enforcement received a tip-off regarding suspicious activities at an unregistered house. Officers arrived at the residence at 8pm, where they found Amarin Khanitthanam standing near the open front door. After identifying themselves, the police questioned…
- Thailand News
Cannes craze: Thai films poised for global stardom
In a dazzling showcase at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, Thai films have captured the interest of international buyers, offering a promising boost for Thailand’s film and tourism industries. The government heralds this as a new era of global recognition and economic expansion. Yupa Taweewattanakitbovorn, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Culture, announced that the films The Undertaker, Death Whisperer, and…
- Phuket News
Shell-abrate: Phuket releases baby leatherback turtles into Indian Ocean
Eleven baby leatherback sea turtles have been released into the Indian Ocean off the coast of Phuket, Thailand. Marine conservationists are hopeful these turtles will thrive in the wild and return to lay eggs in approximately two decades. These young turtles, each around the size of a rugby ball and a year old, are the result of an intensive conservation…
- Crime News
Foreigners detained for illegal daycare services on Koh Pha Ngan
Police in Surat Thani detained several foreigners suspected of illegally running a daycare and a wakeboarding service centre on Koh Pha Ngan. Tourist Police apprehended a 26 year old Russian woman and an 18 year old Myanmar woman at a residence where they were taking care of foreign children. The Russian woman confessed to the police that she had been…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s cannabis crackdown: High hopes hang in the balance
Thailand’s cannabis industry faces an uncertain future as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin spearheads a controversial meeting to reconsider the legal status of cannabis. The high-stakes discussion, involving Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsuthin, and Minister of Justice Police Colonel Thavee Sodsong, aims to reclassify cannabis as a Category 5 narcotic. This move would restrict its…
- Thailand News
Rayong residents demand action after fire raises safety fears
A demand for immediate action echoed from Rayong residents following a factory fire last month that has heightened concerns over chemical safety. Community members, deeply troubled by the incident, mobilised a protest to present their case to provincial governor Traiphop Wongtrairat. The villagers convened at Wat Nong Phawa in the Ban Khai district to voice their concerns before proceeding to…
- Politics News
Thailand to discuss lese majeste suspects’ amnesty
Amidst Thailand’s ongoing political tension, the House of Representatives‘ special committee is poised for a crucial meeting today to deliberate the formation of a new committee. This body is to consider the inclusion of lese majeste suspects in the proposed political amnesty. Nikorn Chamnong, the committee’s secretary-general, confirmed the upcoming discussion. Yuttaporn Issarachai, leading a sub-committee dedicated to the evaluation…
- Thailand News
Tripartite committee rejects uniform 400-baht minimum wage hike
The tripartite wage committee has chosen to uphold the autonomy of provincial wage panels in setting minimum wages, rejecting the Thai government’s uniform 400-baht minimum wage hike. During a tense session on May 14, the 15-member committee, representing the Ministry of Labour, employers, and employees, did not endorse the proposed nationwide increase. This decision followed closely on the heels of…
- Thailand News
Phuket gears up for unique senator selection process
Phuket prepares for senatorial selection with Governor Sophon Suwannarat at the helm. Phuket’s approach to selecting its next senator takes an unorthodox turn, as the process described in official notices by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) Phuket oddly employs the term elected for what is essentially an appointment. The process, outlined in the Royal Gazette on May 13, allows…
- Thailand News
Thailand assesses boy’s mental health over telepathy abilities
Thailand’s authorities are taking legal action to assess the mental health of an eight year old boy known as Nong Nice who is claimed by his parents to have telepathic abilities and a connection with Buddhist deities. The Social Development and Human Security Ministry, led by Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, is now seeking a court warrant to evaluate the child after…
- Thailand News
Ombudsman: No jurisdiction over digital wallet scheme complaints
Keirov Kritteeranon, the secretary-general of the Office of the Ombudsman, revealed that they lack the power to escalate complaints about the contentious digital wallet scheme to the Constitutional Court or any other legal forum. At the heart of the furore are the government’s ambitious plans to distribute 10,000-baht payments to a staggering 50 million adult citizens through digital wallets, alongside…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s transgender rights echoed by Pheu Thai Party
Efforts to champion transgender rights in Thailand have gained momentum, with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, endorsing a push for legal recognition of transgender individuals. This initiative aligns with Thailand’s aspiration to host World Pride by 2030, showcasing the nation’s commitment to equality and inclusivity. At a recent event held at the Siam Discovery shopping centre, Paetongtarn…
- Thailand News
NBTC member corruption complaint thrown out
The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases has dismissed a high-profile dereliction of duties complaint against NBTC bigwig Pirongrong Ramasoota. The ruling cited insufficient evidence to support the allegations. True Digital Group, a faction of True Corporation, ignited the legal firestorm back in March, accusing Pirongrong of stirring up trouble by dispatching notices to 127 TV and radio…
- Thailand News
Cathay-Siam Piwat partnership: Shopping rewards to travel perks
Overseas Cathay members are in for a treat as Cathay and Siam Piwat unveil an exciting enhancement to their partnership. The new scheme allows members to convert ONESIAM Coins to Asia Miles, offering unprecedented rewards both on the ground and in the air. Imagine strolling through the bustling malls of Bangkok and effortlessly converting your shopping rewards into travel perks.…
- Phuket News
Shell shock: Power outage to hit Phuket’s Heroines Monument area
Residents and businesses around the Shell petrol station north of the Heroines Monument in Phuket will experience a power outage from 9am to 5pm tomorrow. The Provincial Electricity Authority’s Thalang branch (PEA Thalang) will be carrying out necessary improvements to the high-voltage network, resulting in a temporary disruption. The scheduled power cut is part of ongoing infrastructure enhancements in the…
- Thailand News
Ex-minister dodges jail over Pattaya luxury condo scandal
The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases acquitted former Culture Minister and ex-mayor of Pattaya City Itthipol Khunpluem in a luxury condo scandal case. The high-profile case, involving allegations of abuse of power, reached its statute of limitations, allowing Itthipol to escape legal repercussions. Itthipol, who attended the court session in Rayong province yesterday, left without addressing the media…
- Thailand News
Thai tour buses set to drive cross-border travel surge into Malaysia
Thailand’s tour buses are now set to roll into Malaysia, promising a surge in cross-border travel. According to Malaysian Minister of Transport Anthony Loke, this exciting development allows Thai buses to bring in tourists, provided they secure temporary permits from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) beforehand. Speaking to the press yesterday, Loke emphasised that tour bus operators must submit…
- Thailand News
Phuket’s Sarasin Bridge to remain amid new construction plans
Phuket’s iconic Sarasin Bridge is set to remain untouched amid plans to construct a new bridge connecting the island to the mainland, according to Yutthana Phitak, the Chief of Phuket Highways Office. The announcement was made at a meeting held yesterday to address concerns over the Sarasin Bridge’s future, sparked by social media rumours of its potential demolition. The Sarasin…
- Thailand News
Amphetamine possession review by health minister sparks debate
The maximum number of amphetamine pills one can possess without facing criminal prosecution is under review, as revealed by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin. A meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 16, aims to reassess this limit, currently set at five pills. The existing regulation, enacted under previous Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew on February 9, designates individuals found with five…
- Phuket News
Alcohol fuelled Phuket man arrested for axe attack on wife
A Chiang Mai native was arrested yesterday in Srisoonthorn, Phuket, following a violent domestic incident. During a heated argument fuelled by alcohol, 56 year old Insorn Bousai reportedly attacked his 52 year old wife, Boonjun Buasai, with an axe, causing severe injury to her foot. Thalang police, led by Police Lieutenant Thitiwat Asasingh, were informed of the distressing event at…
- Thailand News
Thai govt plans to ‘rice’ to the occasion with decade-old grain auction
The Thai government expressed a strong intent to auction off the last remaining stocks of decade-old rice. This move is in line to replenish the state coffers, as made clear by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, in a recent Facebook post. The aged rice in question is part of the controversial rice-pledging scheme initiated during the administration…
- Phuket News
Phuket gears up for Discover Phuket Pride 2024 to boost tourism
Phuket City Municipality, in its drive to bolster tourism and uphold inclusivity, is preparing for the forthcoming Discover Phuket Pride 2024 @ Old Town festival. Set to take place on Saturday, June 29, the event is designed to commemorate the LGBTQ+ community and contribute to the urban area’s economic expansion. The announcement of the event by Saroj Angkhanapilas, the Mayor…
- Thailand News
Thai labour minister embroiled in minimum wage dispute
The labour minister found himself in the midst of a heated debate today as employee and employer representatives presented their contrasting views on a proposed minimum wage increase. The conflicting opinions were expressed ahead of a crucial tripartite committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow, May 14. The Thai Labour Solidarity Confederation and the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation were the first…
- Thailand News
Thailand murder suspect arrested in South Korea
A man in his 20s, one of the trio suspected of a gruesome murder, has been apprehended in South Korea. The victim’s body had been discovered encased in concrete within a large plastic container, submerged in the Map Prachan reservoir in Chon Buri, Thailand. The arrest took place yesterday, May 12, at the suspect’s residence in Gyeongnam province, according to…
- Thailand News
Thailand eyes AI to improve airport operations, inspired by Beijing
The Thailand Ministry of Transport is considering leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance airport operations, in line with the government’s ambition to establish the country as a prominent aviation centre in the region. Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit unveiled the proposal following his visit to Beijing Capital International Airport in China, where he observed the AI implementation…
