- Thailand News
Thai minister reveals groundbreaking health initiative with China
Thailand’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation unveiled a pioneering research programme in collaboration with China’s leading genome research powerhouse, BGI. This initiative, aimed at transforming healthcare in Thailand, promises to elevate the quality of life for locals while slashing healthcare costs tied to late-stage diseases. The ambitious project, spearheaded by Thailand’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology…
- Thailand News
Man falls to death from fifth floor in Bangkok mall
A foreign man tragically fell to his death from the fifth floor of a shopping mall in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area last night. The circumstances around his untimely death are currently unknown. Thong Lor Police Station received the report of the incident around 10.30pm. Responding quickly, police officers, forensic officials, and rescue workers rushed to Soi Sukhumvit 35 in Khlong Tan…
- Thailand News
Royal splendour: King and Queen lead Visakha Bucha ceremony
Their Majesties, King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida graced the Temple of the Emerald Buddha within Bangkok’s Grand Palace complex yesterday, presiding over a solemn religious ceremony to mark Visakha Bucha Day. A group of venerable senior monks orchestrated the spiritual proceedings, infusing the ancient halls with sacred reverence. As twilight descended, the king took the lead in the wian…
- Thailand News
Thai Constitutional Court accepts petition against PM Srettha
The Constitutional Court accepted a petition calling for the removal of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin over his decision to appoint a minister with a criminal record. Despite this, the court narrowly voted 5-4 not to suspend the Bangkok-born PM from his duties while awaiting its final ruling. A panel of nine judges convened today to consider the petition submitted by…
- Thailand News
Record sea temperatures devastate coral reefs and marine life
Record sea surface temperatures in Thailand’s eastern gulf coast are causing severe damage to the region’s aquatic life, raising concerns among scientists and local communities. Coral reefs that were once vibrant and colourful, situated about 5 metres underwater, have turned white due to coral bleaching. This phenomenon indicates deteriorating health caused by elevated water temperatures. Data reveals that sea surface…
- Thailand News
Pichit exit rocks premiership boat amid legal storm
Pichit Chuenban, the Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, has resigned after a legal complaint from senators that threatens the premiership of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Pichit’s resignation follows a bombshell petition from 40 senators, urging the Constitutional Court to scrutinise the qualifications of both Prime Minister Srettha and Minister Pichit, alleging they fall short under Article 160 of…
- Thailand News
Thai lawyers seek bail for political prisoners under lese majeste law
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) is working to secure bail for 19 political prisoners, predominantly those charged under Section 112, commonly known as the lese majeste law, to uphold their human rights. TLHR announced yesterday, May 22, that the number of political prisoners, especially those detained under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, has surged since last year. Many…
- Thailand News
Yingluck’s hope for a democratic revival with new charter
Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra sparked fresh hope for Thailand’s democratic future, declaring that the country will soon see a return to full democracy under the Pheu Thai Party-led government with a new people’s charter. In a poignant Facebook post marking the 10th anniversary of the coup that ousted her caretaker government on May 22, 2014, Yingluck expressed renewed optimism.…
- Thailand News
Thailand boosts ties with Italy, eyes Schengen visa waiver
Thailand and Italy have committed to enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced following his official visit to Italy, describing his discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as highly productive. Thailand’s prospects for obtaining a Schengen visa waiver for its ordinary passport holders have significantly improved. Meloni pledged her support for Thailand’s proposal, bolstering the…
- Thailand News
Bangkok’s new drainage upgrade halves rainwater clearance time
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced that the newly implemented road drainage system in the Udomsuk area will significantly improve rainwater drainage efficiency. Heavy rainfall over Bangkok prompted Chadchart to visit Udomsuk Road, also known as Sukhumvit Soi 103, to assess the flood situation following The Meteorological Department of Thailand’s (TMD) declaration of the official start of the rainy season. The…
- Thailand News
Bangkok piano teacher arrested for child assault crimes
A piano teacher in Bangkok’s Watthana district has been arrested for allegedly indecently assaulting a 10 year old girl at his music school in the Phra Khanong Nua area. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) detained Veeranan Lerdpanyaroj, 43, known as Khru Ju, at his music school, 77 Musical, located on Soi Sukhumvit 77. An MPB chief investigator, Police…
- Thailand News
Thailand taskforce seizes 130 million illegal pills in six months
Thailand’s northern border has seen the most significant progress in combating narcotics trafficking, with the Narcotic Drug and Chemical Substance Control Command Unit (Taskforce 35) seizing nearly 130 million illegal pills over the past six months. In this period, a specialised task force named Taskforce 35 conducted 74 operations targeting narcotic activities, 30 of which escalated to gunfights, according to…
- Thailand News
Backlash over Stark scandal suspect’s hospital transfer
The Department of Corrections (DoC) faced heavy criticism yesterday for transferring a key suspect in the Stark Corporation scandal to the Police General Hospital (PGH), as victims of the financial misconduct accuse officials of granting him special treatment. Dozens of investors affected by the Stark Corporation fraud case petitioned Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, seeking transparency after discovering that Vonnarat Tangkaravakoon,…
- Thailand News
Court shakes up Senate race: Judge advises removal of EC regs
A judge at the Administrative Court has advised the removal of certain Election Commission (EC) regulations that govern how Senate election candidates introduce themselves, following complaints from petitioners. Activists and candidates filed a petition against the EC regulations, arguing that they overly restrict candidates’ use of social media and mass media to introduce themselves to the public. The court held…
- Thailand News
NBTC rings changes: Task force to dial down online banking scams
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has established a working group to enforce a new policy aimed at preventing online scams targeting mobile banking users. This policy mandates that the name used to register a mobile phone SIM card must match the name of the bank account holder connected to the internet via that SIM card. This policy had…
- Thailand News
PM Srettha scrambles to address economic woes
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has called an urgent meeting with his economic ministers next Monday in a bid to tackle Thailand’s sluggish economic growth. This move comes after a dismal first-quarter GDP report, which has sent shockwaves through the government and the public alike. In a Twitter post last night, the 62 year old Thai prime minister announced that…
- Thailand News
Chiang Mai Airport grants Grab exclusive ride-hailing rights
Chiang Mai Airport defended its decision to grant Grab exclusive rights to operate ride-hailing services at its passenger terminal. Only vehicles using the Grab app are permitted to pick up passengers at the airport, according to Chiang Mai Airport General Manager Ronnakorn Chalermsanyakorn. Ronnakorn explained that two categories of vehicles provide services at the airport. The first category includes non-regular…
- Thailand News
Pothole in Samut Prakan damages 10 vehicles, injures motorcyclist
A dozen vehicles were damaged and a motorcyclist was left injured in Samut Prakan when they encountered a pothole next to a temporary cover on Srinakarin Road in the Mueang district last night. At least 10 cars experienced tyre and wheel damage and a motorcyclist was injured after falling into the hole. Police received the report at around 10pm. The hole…
- Thailand News
Chalong Bay luxury yacht goes up in flames
A 34.2-metre luxury yacht yesterday suffered extensive damage in a dramatic blaze, which left its towering mast levelled. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) sprang into action around 3pm, dispatching two boats, Tor 111 and Tor 272, to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the yacht, Obsession II, anchored and continuously burning. The yacht’s crew, who…
- Thailand News
Underground sex bar exposed: 24 Thai women arrested
Taipei law enforcement swooped on an illicit underground bar in the Zhongshan District in Taipei, Taiwan, uncovering a web of illegal activities and arresting 24 Thai women suspected of working as hostesses. The raid, conducted on Saturday, May 18, resulted in the arrest of the 29 year old bar owner, identified only as Chiang, along with four of his employees…
- Thailand News
Marine officers to intensify clean up efforts at Koh Phi Phi
Marine officers at Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park are set to intensify clean-up efforts to collect floating rubbish around Koh Phi Phi beach, driven ashore by the monsoon season. This decision follows viral Facebook posts by Associate Professor Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine environmental academic and lecturer at Kasetsart University. He highlights the growing problem of marine debris…
- Thailand News
Bangkok holds five-day Pride fest to boost LGBTQ+ tourism
Thailand is gearing up to host a five-day Pride event in Bangkok, aiming to establish itself as Asia’s rainbow capital. This event, organised by the government alongside private and civil sectors, will feature a series of activities running from May 31 to June 4 under the theme Celebration of Love. Ann Chumaporn, founder and president of the Bangkok Pride Parade,…
- Cannabis
Why cannabis grown outside in the sun is better
Sun-grown cannabis includes plants that are grown outside, in a greenhouse, on a window-ledge, or put simply, in nature. It refers to plants grown using any method that depends primarily on direct sunshine. It’s different from indoor growing, which happens in controlled settings with artificial lighting, often referred to as hydroponic, because the chemicals and claimed psychoactive effects that come…
- Thailand News
Thailand plans Formula One circuit near U-Tapao airport by 2028
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced plans to construct a Formula One racing circuit near U-Tapao Airport in Rayong province within the next three to four years. The prime minister shared this vision after meeting with Formula One Group executives in Milan yesterday. The 62 year old prime minister emphasised the importance of international sporting events for boosting tourism, expressing the…
- Thailand News
Thailand govt to auction decade-old stash after safety check
Thailand’s government will move forward with plans to auction off rice from Yingluck Shinawatra’s pledging scheme, stored in two Surin warehouses for a decade, following a laboratory test confirming its safety for consumption. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, currently in Italy, announced that a private laboratory’s tests on samples from the Surin warehouses revealed no aflatoxins or…
- Cannabis News
Thais support reclassifying marijuana as illegal, NIDA poll
A recent survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) poll reveals that a majority of Thais endorse plans to reclassify marijuana as an illegal drug, although opinions on its benefits remain divided. The NIDA conducted the poll from May 14 to May 15, engaging 1,310 individuals aged 15 and over across various educational backgrounds and occupations. Participants were…
- Phuket News
Phuket cracks down on illegal jet-ski operations in Yamu Bay
Phuket police cracked down on illegal jet-ski operations in Yamu Bay and the neighbouring areas of Ao Por, Koh Rang, Koh Rang Noi, and Naka Island, all situated off the east coast of the island. Natchapong Pranit, Director of the Marine Department Region 5 office (Phuket Marine Office), revealed that the operation was initiated following numerous complaints from locals. They…
- Crime News
British tourist stabbed in gang assault on Bangla Road, Patong
Patong police are currently pursuing a group of men responsible for a gang assault on Bangla Road that left a British tourist injured early yesterday morning. The incident took place near a 7-Eleven close to Soi Sea Dragon at 4.40am. Charlie Faulkner, a British tourist, was found with a stab wound on his lower left side when officers arrived at…
- Business News
PM backs Phu Kradueng cable car project to boost tourism
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his support for the long-awaited cable car project at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei. During his official visit to Italy, he met with Leitner, an Italian-based ropeway company, to discuss plans for building electric cable cars. Leitner, which had already contracted with the Thai government for the cable car and ropeway sales, received praise…
- Economy News
Voluntary exodus leaves 1% of workforce jobless in first quarter
Over 400,000 individuals, representing approximately 1% of the working-age population, were unemployed during the first quarter of the year, with the primary reason being voluntary resignation. Piyanuch Wuttisornon, the Director-General of the National Statistical Office (NSO), announced the findings from a survey on the working-age population. The results indicated a decrease in unemployment numbers for the first quarter compared to…
