- Thailand News
Thai investors flee Myanmar chaos, pulling out 253 billion baht
Thai companies are fleeing Myanmar amid escalating conflict and economic instability. The ongoing clash between Myanmar’s military government and opposition forces shows no signs of easing, prompting Thai firms to withdraw a staggering US$7 billion (around 253 billion baht) in investments. Once the third-largest investors in Myanmar, Thai companies are now ranked 5th, with investments plummeting from US$11.6 billion in…
- Thailand News
New Bangkok tollgate sparks controversy
Bangkok’s new tollgate on the Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway in Pathum Wan district has officially opened, promising to improve the city’s traffic flow—but not without sparking a heated debate. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) announced that the new Lumpini entrance will provide a crucial link from the Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway to Wireless Road. This strategic shortcut is set…
- Thailand News
Thai rice enthusiasts in US could win a trip to Thailand
The Thai Trade Centre in New York launched a tantalising campaign, Love Thai Food, Eat Thai Rice, inviting food lovers across the United States to share their passion for Thai food on social media. The prize of a trip to Thailand worth up to US$5,000 (around 180,000 baht) is up for grabs. Ketsuree Vijaranakorn, Director of the Thai Trade Centre,…
- Thailand News
Thai man arrested for Facebook phone scam in central Thailand
Police apprehended a young man at a railway station for allegedly selling mobile phones through a Facebook page, claiming his ex-girlfriend misused his bank account to deceive victims into transferring money without delivering the goods. The suspect, a 21 year old man named Denondai, was arrested by police at Nakhon Pathom Railway Station. The arrest was carried out by Pakapol…
- Thailand News
New senate sworn in: Election results ‘seal’ the deal on fresh faces
The new Senate was inaugurated yesterday, July 10, following the Election Commission’s certification of the 2024 Senate election results. The ceremony saw 200 elected senators and a reserve list of 100 approved, though controversy struck early when Senator-elect Kordiyah Song-ngam was temporarily suspended due to her advisory role to the president of the Ang Thong Provincial Administration Organisation. The newly…
- Thailand News
Nine arrested in Songkhla drug raid, crystal meth seized
A police raid on a house in Songkhla’s Mueang district led to the arrest of nine people for alleged drug use, along with the seizure of crystal methamphetamine (Ice). Border Patrol Police executed the raid in Thung Wang subdistrict yesterday, July 10, discovering six men and three women partaking in a drug-fuelled party. The suspects attempted to escape upon seeing…
- Thailand News
Nation Group announces partial salary suspension
Nation Group announced a partial salary suspension for some employees due to a significant decline in advertising revenue across the media industry, driven by current economic conditions. Chairperson Chai Bunnag also opted to forego his salary. Nation Group released an announcement, numbered 015/2567, detailing the decision to partially suspend salaries. This measure comes in response to a sharp decrease in…
- Thailand News
Japanese tourists to flock to Thailand despite economic woes
To revive tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled dynamic strategies to draw Japanese tourists back to the Land of Smiles. Despite the yen’s depreciation, TAT Tokyo Office Director Kajorndet Apichartrakul remains optimistic about reversing the deficit in tourist numbers with Japan. Last year, 995,000 Thai tourists visited Japan, while only 804,000 Japanese tourists came to Thailand, resulting in…
- Thailand News
Thailand slashes digital wallet budget amid corruption fears
The Thai government has decided to slash the budget for its digital wallet scheme from 500 billion baht to 450 billion, scrapping plans to borrow 170 billion baht from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced the decision yesterday, July 10, citing corruption concerns raised by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Julapun revealed…
- Thailand News
Thai investor confidence remains neutral for 5th month
The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organisations’ (FETCO) Investor Confidence Index (ICI) maintained its position in the neutral zone for the 5th consecutive month, registering 82.89 in June. The index, which forecasts market conditions over the next three months, highlights that stimulus measures and companies’ earnings reports could potentially boost investor sentiment in the latter half of the year. FETCO…
- Thailand News
Toddler dies after sexual abuse by drug-addict neighbour
A one year and nine month old infant died after being sexually abused and beaten by a 50 year old man in Ongkharak district, Nakhon Nayok. The horrifying event came to light when the girl’s aunt, Sukanya (surname withheld), was informed by a neighbour that the child had been unconscious since falling down some stairs on Saturday night, July 6.…
- Thailand News
King Vajiralongkorn champions equal education for Thai youth
King Maha Vajiralongkorn is steadfast in his mission to provide equal education opportunities for Thai youth, viewing education as pivotal for the country’s progress. In 2009, then-Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn initiated the Crown Prince Scholarship, which has since evolved into a foundation dedicated to offering scholarships to underprivileged youth. The King personally chairs this foundation. Privy Councillor General Dapong Ratanasuwan highlighted…
- Thailand News
Phuket woman assaulted on motorcycle, prompts police action
A man on a motorcycle harassed and assaulted a woman in Phuket, prompting calls for police action. The event, which occurred late at night, saw the assailant grab the victim’s chest, almost causing her to fall from her bike. The incident, which occurred on July 1 near the Super Cheap Road in Soi Khok Makham, Rawai, Phuket was reported by…
- Thailand News
New tree species unearthed in Thai Geopark
Researchers from Chiang Mai University have uncovered a brand-new species of Ylang Ylang, or cananga tree, at the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark. Dubbed “Chalermprakiat” in honour of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday, this discovery is set to shake the botanical world. Ylang Ylang, a tropical tree known for its fragrant flowers, is typically found in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia,…
- Thailand News
Teenager violently attacked by rivals in rental room near Pattaya
A teenager was violently attacked by rivals and left with serious injuries in his rental room near Pattaya. The incident was reported to the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation around 4.06pm on Wednesday, July 9. Rescue workers promptly arrived at the scene in a rental room in the Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Upon arrival,…
- Thailand News
Tourism Ministry reinstates guarantee for outbound tour operators
Thai travellers faced significant setbacks after some licenced outbound tour operators left them stranded despite purchasing premium packages. In response, the Tourism and Sports Ministry is now seeking enhanced consumer protection measures. The Tourism Department, under the ministry’s supervision, plans to reinstate the guarantee amount for licenced outbound tour companies to 200,000 baht next year. This comes after a pandemic-era…
- Thailand News
Early retirement scheme slashes Thai Defence senior ranks
The Cabinet approved an early retirement scheme for senior Defence Ministry officials, effective this October. According to insider sources, the initiative is set to revolutionise the armed forces by offering retirement packages to over 700 top brass. The ambitious three-year campaign aims to retire 732 high-ranking officials, approximately 244 each year, slashing the defence budget by an impressive 4.47 billion…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s BOI opens first Saudi branch amid growing ties
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) will inaugurate its first branch in Saudi Arabia this week, signalling a new chapter in economic relations between the two nations. The new office in Riyadh, opening this Sunday, July 14, marks a significant step in fostering investment and business growth. This strategic expansion has drawn high-profile attendees, including Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and over…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s oldest oilfield to get 300 million baht redevelopment
Thailand’s oldest oilfield is set for redevelopment with a budget of 300 million baht, as announced by the Defence Energy Department’s Northern Petroleum Development Centre (NPDC). The redevelopment plan of Fang Oilfield in Chiang Mai includes upgrading the oil refinery to Euro5 standards, enabling it to produce lower-sulphur diesel that is safe for car engines, according to Montri Jeennakorn, director…
- Thailand News
GAC AION charges ahead in Thailand with new EV hub in Rayong
China’s 4th-largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, GAC AION New Energy Automobile, is gearing up to revolutionise Thailand’s automotive landscape with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Rayong’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) on July 17. Industry Minister Pimphattra Wichaikul announced that the cutting-edge plant, costing a staggering 2.3 billion baht, is poised to kick off operations by November. Boasting…
- Thailand News
Thailand govt defends Buriram graduates amid cheating claims
The Thai government fiercely defended 40 Buriram Rajabhat University graduates against allegations of cheating in their competitive exams for assistant teaching positions. Rumours have been swirling that the graduates were aided by leaked exam papers, a suspicion magnified by the fact that the Minister of Education, Permpoon Chidchob, is from Buriram province. Addressing the controversy, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime…
- Thailand News
Oil smuggling fugitive escapes with politician’s help
Crime Suppression Division (CSD) officers are seeking warrants for the arrests of six individuals allegedly involved in the brazen hijacking of three oil smuggling vessels from the Marine Police Division’s pier in Sattahip on June 11. Police Colonel Anek Taosuparb, CSD Deputy Commander, revealed to the media today, July 10, that two of the six suspects, including the ringleader known…
- Thailand News
Northern Thailand: Fire destroys home, injures elderly woman
A devastating fire destroyed a home in Phrae province, leaving an elderly, disabled woman injured. Police and local agencies swiftly moved to assist following the incident, which occurred at noon today. The tragedy unfolded when a fire broke out at a single-story wooden house in Village 6, Taopoon subdistrict, Song district. Police Lieutenant Colonel Krittipoom Thaboon received the alert and…
- Thailand News
Park officials nab suspects for illegal forest clearing to plant durians
Park officials apprehended two suspects for illegally clearing forest land to plant durian trees on an area spanning 3 rai. Hearing the sound of forest clearing, officials moved in, capturing one individual while the other fled, later convincing him to surrender. Officials from the Phetchaburi branch of the Protected Areas Regional Office 3 received a report from Kittisak Somsri, head…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s plan to turn food waste into lifesavers
Thailand unveiled a plan to tackle food waste and hunger. The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has teamed up with the Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS) to outline the creation of a national food bank. NSTDA’s vice president for strategy and budgeting, Nuanwan Sanguansak, spearheaded a public hearing on Sunday, July 7, aimed at gathering feedback on managing…
- Thailand News
No plastics allowed: Koh Nang Yuan protects coral reefs
Visitors to the stunning island of Koh Nang Yuan in southern Thailand are facing a surprising restriction: no plastic items or styrofoam boxes are allowed. Koh Nang Yuan, renowned for its three interconnected islets with pristine white sands, has long upheld a strict no-plastic policy. This rule extends to the thousands of tourists who flock to its shores each day,…
- Thailand News
Minor earthquake shakes Koh Samui, residents feel tremors
An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.0 shook Koh Samui in the middle of the night, causing residents in Bo Phut, Koh Samui in Surat Thani to feel the tremors. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported that the earthquake occurred at 12.14am today, July 10, at a depth of 1 kilometre. Several residents reported feeling the tremors, including those in…
- Thailand News
PM Srettha to meet Malaysian PM for peace talks
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced a high-stakes meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a southern border province on August 3, though the exact location remains undecided. The Thai premier hinted that Yala, Pattani, or Narathiwat could be the chosen venue. “My team is making arrangements.” While the specifics of the agenda are under wraps, the Bangkok-born PM…
- Thailand News
Cyber police arrest call centre gang in Sa Kaeo for 700k fraud
Cyber police arrested members of a call centre gang impersonating officials from the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and defrauding a high-ranking female official from the Ministry of Justice of over 700,000 baht. Cyber police, directed by Vorawat Watnakornbancha, led a raid to arrest 31 year old Angkana and 34 year old Chanchai, based on a warrant from…
- Thailand News
AirAsia launches cinematic inflight experience in India
AirAsia is bringing a cinematic inflight experience to selected cinemas across India. This partnership with Qube Cinemas aims to showcase the airline’s diverse and unique destinations as part of the movie-going experience. Over the next six months, more than 130 cinemas across 12 cities will feature this immersive experience, offering movie-goers the chance to win flights to any destination in…
