- Thailand News
Thailand’s bid to become ASEAN halal haven
Thailand‘s Industry Ministry, under the dynamic leadership of Minister Pimpattra Wichaikul, is set to revolutionise the nation into an ASEAN Halal hub. The minister is gearing up for a high-stakes meeting with Saudi Arabian officials, the powerhouse behind the world’s colossal halal markets. Scheduled to confer with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), Pimpattra is on a mission…
- Thailand News
Srettha promises to save Thailand from fiscal chaos
In a parliamentary revelation yesterday, January 5, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin admitted that his government had inherited the controversial fiscal 2024 budget and was scrambling to make necessary improvements. Opposition MPs, particularly from the Democrat Party, unleashed a barrage of complaints, alleging unfair budget allocations that left southern provinces in the lurch. PM Srettha found himself in the hot seat…
- Thailand News
Thai mother-in-law fatally stabs abusive daughter-in-law in Pathum Thani
A mother-in-law fatally stabbed her daughter-in-law after allegedly enduring verbal abuse on a daily basis. The incident occurred at an unnamed apartment building in the Soi Nakhon Chai 1, Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani province at 6pm yesterday, January 5. At the crime scene – a five-storey apartment building – authorities discovered the body of 30 year old woman named…
- Thailand News
Pattaya taxi operator finds and returns 64,800 Thai baht left on street
A taxi service operator in Pattaya found a bag containing a substantial amount of money at around 8.30pm yesterday, January 5. The operator, 58 year old Wilailak Pimnoy discovered a clear plastic bag filled with US$1,500 (approximately 54,000 Thai baht) and an additional 10,800 Thai baht. The found money, totalling 64,800 Thai baht, was on the street in front of…
- Thailand News
Hong Kong Kowloon City to host Songkran festivities and more to boost tourism
Hong Kong’s District Councils are on a mission to rejuvenate the city’s allure, unveiling a host of creative proposals to entice locals and tourists alike. Kowloon City District Council is taking the lead with an electrifying idea – the Kowloon City Thai Vibes with food and water-splashing carnival. Aimed at celebrating the Thai New Year, Songkran, the festivities promise an…
- Thailand News
NESDC: China’s economic slowdown could have significant effect on Thailand
Thailand is on high alert as the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) closely monitors the ripple effects of China’s economic deceleration. Despite initial projections, China’s sluggish growth last year has cast shadows over Thailand’s economic prospects for the coming year. NESDC’s chief, Danucha Pichayanan, predicts Thailand’s economic expansion in 2024 to hover between 2.7% and 3.7%, with a…
- Thailand News
Thailand hopes to launch NARIT Cube-1 satellite into space by 2024
Dr Saran Posayajinda, Director of the National Astronomical Research Institute (NARIT), revealed that this year Thailand will build a world-class astronomical infrastructure, the NARIT Cube-1 satellite. A new radio telescope for research in radio astronomy, the Vigos model (VGOS), with a diameter of 13 metres, in Chiang Mai and Songkhla provinces, will connect to networks with other countries. The launch…
- Thailand News
Khon Kaen: Closure of two pubs ordered by governor
A pub in the Mueang district of Khon Kaen has been ordered to close for five years by Governor Kraison Thongchalart. The closure is to take effect from next Monday, January 8. The command came after the pub, named Suksant Khon Kaen, granted entry to a female minor. Somrak Kamsing, a former Olympian was allegedly found guilty of engaging in a…
- Thailand News
Gardeners at Khao Saming grow golden rambutans and make good profit
Gardeners in Khao Saming District, Trat province, have been growing golden rambutans for two years and reported experiencing good yields. The rambutans have generated profitable annual incomes. The first lot of rambutan is priced at 100 baht per kilogramme, while the second lot which weighs 2 kilogrammes costs 60 baht per kilogramme. However, the gardeners have not yet started selling…
- Thailand News
Pattaya: Two motorcyclists crash into each other, seriously injured
Two motorcyclists collided with each other on Pattaya Klang Road in the early hours of this morning. The clash at 1.10am, today, January 5, involved a Yamaha Fino under the control of 27 year old Artragoon Aonsongchan and a blue Honda Wave 110, without a license plate, belonging to an unidentified 20 year old Thai man. Both riders, Artragoon and…
- Thailand News
Rice-rumble rocks markets: Thailand anticipates 15% export dip, global repercussions loom
In a rice-rumble that could shake global markets, Thailand’s rice exports are poised to plunge by a staggering 15% this year. Thailand, the rice heavyweight, is set to face a double whammy. Chookiat Ophaswongse, the honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, predicts a dip in demand from Indonesia, last year’s top buyer. “Indonesia, after its presidential election next…
- Thailand News
Ministry of Energy: Exclusive discounts and extended assistance period for NGV prices
The Ministry of Energy, led by Deputy Prime Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, is rolling out an unprecedented lifeline for truck operators, public transport, and taxi drivers grappling with soaring natural gas prices for vehicles (NGV). Pirapan announced the formation of a dedicated working group aimed at tackling the escalating issue of surging NGV prices. The superhero in this saga, PTT Public…
- Thailand News
Irish firm takes flight: Thai Airways to receive new Airbus airliner from CDB
Irish aircraft leasing company CDB Aviation is unleashing the power of two A330-300 aircraft into the hands of Thai Airways. Scheduled for delivery in September and October this year, these A330-300 aircraft boast an impressive long-distance range of 6,350 nautical miles, positioning Thai Airways for unrivalled success, says the company. Jie Chen, the mastermind behind the leasing deal and CEO…
- Thailand News
Thai Health: Free telemedicine for citizens abroad
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is set to roll out a revolutionary Telemedicine service catering to Thai citizens across the globe through the widely acclaimed gold card scheme. Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke revealed the details of this game-changing initiative aimed at providing quality medical and public health services at zero cost. “Our goal is simple: seamless healthcare access for…
- Thailand News
Commerce Ministry’s plan to catapult SMEs to 40% GDP by 2027
The Commerce Ministry unleashed an ambitious plan to elevate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to new heights, targeting a staggering 40% contribution to the GDP by 2027. A comprehensive strategy is set to turbocharge consumption, investment, government spending, and international trade, propelling SMEs into the forefront of economic prowess. Acknowledging the pivotal role SMEs play in Thailand’s economic fabric, Commerce…
- Thailand News
PM launches ’30 baht plus’ health scheme in Roi-Et
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to kickstart a revolutionary healthcare initiative dubbed the 30-baht Plus universal health scheme. The grand launch is scheduled for this Sunday, January 7, in the northeastern province of Roi-Et. This innovative trial, to be initially rolled out in Roi-Et, Phrae, Phetchaburi, and Narathiwat, promises free medical services at state and private hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.…
- Thailand News
Transport minister: Feeder buses to save Red and Purple Lines
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit slammed naysayers in Parliament, asserting confidence that the state-owned Purple and Red Lines train services are on the brink of turning a profit within the next six months, all thanks to a game-changing feeder bus system. Addressing critics of the government’s daring move to cap maximum fares at 20 baht for electric train services in Bangkok,…
- Thailand News
Power play: Energy minister’s plan sparks potential for across-the-board cost cuts
Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga unveiled a plan that could slash energy costs across the board. Pirapan declared yesterday, January 3, that a paradigm shift is imminent in the gas supply sector, aiming to empower power producers and significantly cut down on electricity expenses. The key? A strategic merger of gas pools to unleash a domino effect that could alter the…
- Thailand News
Vietnam fines TikTok influencer for Angkor Wat mix-up
In a 90-second TikTok clip that shook the social media scene, Vietnamese influencer Hua Quoc Anh found himself in hot waters after overlaying the Thai flag on an image of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. The influencer faced a hefty US$300 fine (approximately 10,000 baht) and a stern meeting with the authorities. Vietnam, known for its tight grip on social media in…
- Thailand News
Royal ripple: US court docs weave tangled ties, linking Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein scandal (video)
Newly released US court documents have unveiled a web of connections between high-profile figures and the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – including Prince Andrew. The scandalous details, including accusations against the 63 year old Duke of York, and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, are sending shockwaves through elite circles. Prince Andrew finds himself entangled in the latest…
- Thailand News
LA orthodontist’s narrow escape from electrocution in Thailand
When a Los Angeles-based orthodontist‘s dream Thai vacation took a horrifying turn, it shocked social media with her Instagram and TikTok followers expressing their concern and support. Dr Cara Hodgson, boasting a considerable online following of 25,500 on Instagram and 97,000 on TikTok, usually shares glimpses of her jet-setting lifestyle and dental tips. However, her recent revelation about a life-threatening…
- Thailand News
100% recovery predicted for Thailand’s hospitality sector
In an exclusive interview, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, the Thai Hotel Association (THA) President, shared her optimism about Thailand‘s tourism prospects, predicting a remarkable comeback from the pandemic’s impact by the latter half of 2024. “2023 saw Thai hotels at a 60% occupancy rate, down from the pre-Covid glory of 75% in 2019. However, with more flights to Thailand and a…
- Thailand News
Zika alert: Hua Hin calls for pregnant women to undergo virus test
As Zika fears grip Hua Hin, the quaint Thai resort town finds itself battling a sudden surge in cases. The Public Health Office of Prachuap Khiri Khan is sounding the alarm, urging expectant mothers to take immediate action. In response to an alarming spike in Zika virus cases, the Public Health Office of Prachuap Khiri Khan has issued a stark…
- Thailand News
Street shootout shakes Phuket: Teen hospitalised, passerby catches stray bullet drama
A teenager yesterday was hospitalised after a tumultuous shootout on a street near Saphan Hin, Phuket. A passerby suffered a shoulder wound whilst the teen had a head injury. Phuket Police received a report of a shootout near the Phuket Marine police chief’s residence on Phuket Road yesterday, January 3, at 3.10am. Police found a damaged glass louvre in one of…
- Thailand News
Government’s budget blunder: MFP MP slams 3.5 trillion baht bill
In a fiery critique that rocked the House of Representatives, Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Sirikanya Tansakun aimed at the government‘s 3.48-trillion-baht budget for 2024, labelling it a masterpiece of unprofessional blunders. On the opening day of the budget bill’s inaugural reading, Sirikanya, the deputy leader of MFP, unleashed scathing criticism, claiming that the government had failed to craft a…
- Thailand News
Quake, planes, and prices: Thai tourists undeterred in the face of Japan’s travel turmoil
Thai tourists seem undeterred by Japan‘s recent bout of earthquakes, airplane fireballs, and escalating travel costs. The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) predicts that Japan will maintain its allure as the ultimate outbound destination for Thai visitors this year. Phumiphiphat Meesamran, TTAA’s Vice-President, revealed that the earthquake on New Year’s Day predominantly impacted Ishikawa prefecture, a lesser-known destination for Thai…
- Thailand News
Students and activists set to storm Government House over Thaksin’s VIP treatment
Students and activists from the People’s Network for Thailand Reform (STR) are set to storm Government House next Friday, January 12, demanding answers over the controversial treatment of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin, convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison, has spent nearly five months receiving special privileges outside the confines of incarceration, sparking suspicions of preferential treatment.…
- Thailand News
Heartless thief in Pattaya targets disabled woman’s lifeline: Stolen electric handcycle sparks outrage
A heartless thief left a disabled woman in Pattaya stranded after callously swiping her electric handcycle, her lifeline to mobility, on December 31 last year. The 20 year old victim, Alisa Umsin, now faces an uphill battle without her essential aid. The Thai woman with impairment to both her legs was left devastated when her electric handcycle, a vital hybrid…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya police bust illegal Kratom ring targeting tourists
Pattaya police apprehended a vendor peddling illicit Kratom concoctions to unsuspecting foreign tourists and youngsters on Pattaya Beach on the night of January 2. Responding to the outcry of concerned locals, Pattaya’s finest executed a well-coordinated sting operation to collar a Thai vendor suspected of flouting the law by selling Kratom-laden drinks under the moonlight along Pattaya Beach. In a…
- Thailand News
Thai elderly in yellow aprons fight homelessness on Bangkok streets
The sight of elderly individuals in yellow aprons diligently cleaning pedestrian flyovers under the pelting sun may be disturbing to many. After all, most Thais have been raised to respect the elders and ensure they are well looked after. With Jang Wan Kha, or Please Hire Us, boldly written on their aprons, these seasoned citizens are not forgotten souls left…
