- Thailand News
Thai PM pushes for minimum wage raise
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared yesterday that Thailand must abandon its reliance on low labour costs to entice foreign investments, pushing for a raise in the country’s minimum wage. Addressing a panel discussion titled Learning from ASEAN at the World Economic Forum in Davos, PM Srettha emphasised a paradigm shift in priorities. “Low labour cost should not be the attracting…
- Thailand News
Shocking teen crimes spark government debate on harsher punishments
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed plans to reevaluate legal consequences for young offenders involved in heinous crimes. This revelation comes in the aftermath of a brutal slaying allegedly committed by a group of teenagers aged 13 to 16 in Sa Kaeo’s Aranyaprathet district. Caught on security cameras attacking a 47 year old woman with mental health issues named Buaphan Tansu, the…
- Thailand News
Thonburi Healthcare Group unveils plan to tackle decline in Thai doctors
Thonburi Healthcare Group Plc (THG), which manages Thonburi Hospital, is teaming up with Assumption University to combat Thailand‘s chronic doctor shortage. An international medicine programme is set to launch in 2025, in collaboration with the prestigious St Luke School of Medicine. THG CEO Tanatip Suppradit explains that the programme plans to admit 60 students annually, attracting talent not just from…
- Thailand News
Phuket’s seven-colour lobster eyes official recognition as Thai GI treasure
Phuket‘s renowned seven-colour lobster is poised to attain official recognition as one of Thailand’s geographical indication (GI) treasures, according to the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP). Departing from the norm, Department Director-General Vuttikrai Leewiraphan disclosed that officials recently started an investigation to delve into the intricacies of seven-colour lobster farming and glean insights from the local entrepreneurs who have turned…
- Thailand News
Pad Haggis sparks fusion frenzy at Edinburgh’s Ting Thai restaurant
Popular Edinburgh eatery Ting Thai is set to redefine Burns Night celebrations with its daring culinary creation, the Pad Haggis. This limited edition dish, born from the success of Ting Thai’s trendsetting Pad Thai, promises a fiery twist to the traditional Scottish supper. Exclusively available through the Deliveroo app from January 23, the Pad Haggis is poised to add an…
- Thailand News
STARLUX Airlines to launch LA and San Francisco to Chiang Mai flights
Taiwanese airline, STARLUX Airlines, is launching new routes from Los Angeles and San Francisco to the northern province of Chiang Mai. The launch event, held at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on January 16 showcased the distinct traditions of Chiang Mai while underscoring TAT’s unwavering commitment to enhancing US-Thailand travel. As a warm Chiang Mai welcome, passengers on the inaugural…
- Thailand News
US Embassy sets up passport renewal service in Hua Hin
In a bid to make life easier for American citizens in Hua Hin and its environs, the US Embassy’s Citizen Services Unit is bringing its consular outreach programme to the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort on January 25 from 8am to 11am. This exclusive event boasts a trio of services, featuring passport renewals for adults via DS-82 forms, passport issuance for…
- Thailand News
Thai Consular introduces electronic documents services including e-passports
Thailand‘s Department of Consular Affairs has introduced biometric e-passports and AI-powered consular applications. Below is a list of the e-services that the Department of Consular Affairs have launched: E-passports. The star of the show is the e-passport, boasting biometrics galore – facial images, fingerprints, and iris scans, all in line with international standards. E-visa. With an online system already rocking…
- Thailand News
Thai health chief champions surrogacy for same-sex couples
In a move anticipating the impending legalisation of same-sex marriage in Thailand, the nation‘s Health Department Director-General Atchara Nithiapinyasakul is pushing for a revision of the Surrogacy Act. The aim is to open the doors for homosexual couples to adopt a baby through a surrogate mother, addressing not just personal desires but also a national crisis. As Thailand grapples with…
- Thailand News
PM Srettha discusses direct flights from Brussels to Bangkok at WEF
At the 54th World Economic Forum in Davos, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to discuss stronger ties between the two nations at the Congress Centre on January 17. Coming out of the high-profile meeting, the prime minister-cum-finance minister pledged to explore the prospect of direct flights between Brussels and Bangkok with the involvement of…
- Thailand News
Thai trio arrested for fraud and coercion in job scam
Three Thais were arrested yesterday for fraud and coercion by tricking victims into a job scam and by forcing them to open mule accounts in the eastern region and West Thailand. Police Major General Saruti, Sopha District, Commander of the Provincial Crime Suppression Division, Pol. Col. Pattanaphong Sriphinphao, Superintendent of Region 2, Provincial Crime Suppression Division, Pol. Lt. Col. Narong…
- Thailand News
Tourists arrested for refusing to pay for beach chairs in Pattaya
Two tourists were arrested by Pattaya police yesterday, January 18, for refusing to pay for beach chairs. According to eyewitnesses, the drama unfolded when the two men, one sporting a shirtless bravado and described as aggressive, attempted to commandeer beach chairs without paying. The eagle-eyed owners promptly reminded them that the coveted chairs came at a cost, igniting a fiery…
- Thailand News
Thai activist Arnon Nampa sentenced to four years in prison for royal defamation
Activist and lawyer Arnon Nampa has been given a four-year prison sentence by the Criminal Court. Arnon was charged with violating the lèse-majesté law under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act. This decision comes after 39 year old Arnon was found guilty of defaming the monarchy, a crime carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years.…
- Thailand News
Thai PM tweets from the top: Srettha’s Swiss summit scoop at Davos World Economic Forum
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin took to his Twitter account to keep his compatriots in the loop about his diplomatic encounters in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum (WEF). The 61 year old Thai prime minister spared no detail in sharing snippets of his discussions with a constellation of influential figures at the WEF. From rubbing shoulders with executives of…
- Thailand News
Thai PM hails Thailand as top Airbnb hotspot and UK Telegraph’s 6th best destination this year
Thailand emerged as the ultimate getaway for Chinese tourists, clinching the top spot on Airbnb‘s coveted list and securing the 6th position in The Telegraph’s must-visit destinations for 2024. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke revealed that Thailand outshone all rivals on Airbnb’s hotel booking platform during the winter season of December 2023 to February 2024. “Thailand is the most sought-after destination…
- Thailand News
Construction worker killed in crane accident on Rama II, Bangkok
A construction worker was killed on the under-construction elevated road near Soi 72, heading towards Kanchanaphisek Road in the Samae Dam area, Bang Khun Thian District, Bangkok, at precisely 1.27pm today, January 18. A sling snapped, sending the crane’s suspended basket hurtling to the ground on Rama II Road in Bang Khunthian district. Rescue workers, racing against time, revealed that one…
- Thailand News
Vietjet Air and Trip.com join hands for better travel service
Vietjet Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with global travel giant Trip.com Group to provide a more convenient experience for travellers worldwide. Passengers are in for a treat as Vietjet Air’s official website will soon serve as a one-stop-shop for a plethora of travel offerings from Trip.com Group. From hotels to airport transfers, attractions, and activities, travellers can effortlessly…
- Thailand News
RTA sergeant questioned over double murder at Nakhon Phanom petrol station
A Royal Thai Army (RTA) sergeant is now under intense interrogation in connection with the chilling double murder of two petrol station workers last month. Police Major General Thawatchai Thungpao, Nakhon Phanom police chief, led the operation yesterday afternoon, January 17, alongside crack investigators from Nakhon Phanom’s Muang station and Provincial Police Region 4. The suspect, still awaiting identification, is…
- Thailand News
Thai Airways unveils new route to India’s Kochi
Thai Airways (THAI) made its intentions known to operate flights to Southwest India, by applying to India’s civil aviation authorities to introduce a brand-new route from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Kochi in Kerala. Scheduled to take off in April, the airline plans three weekly flights. Renowned for its impeccable service, THAI is set to dispatch its A320-200, exclusively configured for…
- Thailand News
Lottery vendor scoops 6 million baht lottery jackpot
A lottery vendor in Nakhon Phanom province scooped the first prize jackpot in yesterday’s lottery draw. The winning ticket, number 105979 landed a 6 million baht bounty for the vendor. The 63 year old lottery vendor, Onchan Suriyon, also known as Uan, resides at Ban Thung Mon, Village No. 8, Kham Toei Subdistrict, Mueang District, and set up her stall at…
- Thailand News
Thai horror breaks new ground: The Cursed Land unleashes chilling Islamic spirits
Thai horror films have long captivated audiences with their spine-chilling tales rooted in local ghosts and mythology but The Cursed Land, a Thai-Malay language horror film, is being recognised at the International Film Festival Rotterdam for challenging preconceived notions and introducing audiences to a realm of demonic entities and Thai Muslim identity. The Cursed Land, directed by Panu Aree and co-directed…
- China News
China’s population plummet, two million decline in a year
China witnessed a massive decline in population last year with a decrease of two million, marking the nation’s second consecutive annual dip, according to government reports. The aftermath of Covid-19 restrictions lifting unleashed a demographic whirlwind, unveiling unforeseen challenges for the once-populous Asian giant. The statistics bureau disclosed that deaths surged by a staggering 690,000, reaching 11.1 million – more…
- Thailand News
From threads to trends: Chiang Mai couple behind Thailand’s elephant pants phenomenon
In Chiang Mai, a business duo are turning Thailand’s iconic elephant pants into a global trend. Hailing from Chiang Mai, Kingkarn Samorn, the Managing Director, and Jakkaphum Samorn, the Director of Chinrada Garment Company, are the masterminds behind the rise of this iconic fashion phenomenon. From a small home office in 2013 to a sprawling modern factory in 2018, the…
- Thailand News
Thai herbs: Nature’s secret weapon against deadly PM2.5 dust
Whilst Bangkokians battle with the silent killer, the potent PM2.5 air pollution, the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine unveils a game-changing solution to combat the notorious dust particles threatening the health of residents in the capital city. Amidst rising concerns over the long-term health impacts of PM2.5 exposure, Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the face of the Centre for Covid-19…
- Thailand News
Former Transport Minister Saksayam found guilty in shares concealment case
The Constitutional Court has declared former Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob guilty of concealing his shares and ownership in a construction company that scored numerous projects from his own ministry, with the ruling of a 7-1 vote. According to the court, Saksayam’s ownership of Buricharoen Construction Co Ltd was confirmed, as alleged by 54 opposition MPs. One judge, Wiroon Saengthian, was notably…
- Thailand News
Police officer involved in fatal road accident causing female doctor’s death gets 10-year sentence
The Court of Appeals increased the sentence of a police officer who fatally struck a doctor on a Bangkok zebra crossing. Police Lance Corporal Norawit Buadok, riding a red Ducati big bike, crashed into ophthalmologist Waralak Supawat-Jariyakul on January 21, 2022. The tragic incident occurred in front of Bhumirajanagarindra Kidney Institute Hospital on Phya Thai Road. Waralak, flung into the…
- Thailand News
Juvenile violence sparks national police chief’s call for tougher laws
In a bid to curb the alarming rise in violent crimes committed by young offenders, National Police Chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol ordered a comprehensive review of all criminal cases involving youngsters over the past five years. The objective is to assess whether the existing juvenile criminal laws should be revamped to enforce stricter penalties for violent offences, said Pol.…
- Thailand News
VGI’s bold move to dominate BTS Lines
In the fast-paced world of out-of-home (OOH) media, VGI Plc is gearing up for innovative plans for advertising space on Bangkok’s bustling BTS lines. VGI’s CEO, Nelson Leung reveals the plans. “Global media is evolving but targeting the right audience at the right time remains paramount.” With the OOH sector rebounding from pandemic challenges, VGI sets its sights on exploiting…
- Thailand News
Chulalongkorn Hospital to employ robot helper ‘Mr Sam’ to assist paperwork
Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital has unleashed a team of five robots, headed by Mr Sam, to revolutionise outpatient services. This futuristic endeavour aims to slash red tape, accelerate patient processes, and provide a helping hand to overwhelmed medical staff. It marks the dawn of a new era in healthcare technology, with robots taking charge of paperwork and streamlining the registration process.…
- Thailand News
Thailand domestic boarding regulations tighten
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed new regulations for non-Thai passengers taking domestic flights in Thailand. Effective from January 16, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) tightened control on the boarding pass and ID checks. The CAAT laid down the law, demanding an exact match between the name on the boarding pass and the passenger’s government-issued ID. Whether…
