- Thailand News
Thailand imposes stricter penalties for unpaid tolls
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is set to enforce stricter penalties for unpaid tolls starting January 1, 2025. Drivers who fail to pay tolls will face fines up to ten times the toll fee, with a maximum of 2,000 baht per incident. This new regulation is part of the enforcement of Section 63 of the EXAT Act of 2007,…
- South Thailand News
Supermodel recalls surviving 2004 tsunami after 20 years
Twenty years after surviving the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, supermodel Petra Nemcova revisited her harrowing experience in a recent Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer. Nemcova, now 45 years old, was vacationing at Thailand’s Khao Lak resort with her boyfriend, photographer Simon Atlee, when the tsunami struck on December 26, 2004. The massive waves, triggered by an undersea…
- Thailand News
Thai police collaborate with UK to improve detainee conditions
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has joined forces with the United Kingdom to enhance custody procedures and improve the living conditions for detainees at police stations across Thailand. This collaborative project aims to adopt a UK-based model to uplift safety standards and quality of life for those held in custody. Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, the inspector-general of the RTP, recently…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s massage therapist shortage outlined by Health Ministry
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has unveiled plans to train 7,000 new massage therapists, addressing a significant workforce shortage in an industry worth 200 billion baht annually. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin announced the initiative yesterday, December 22, emphasising the goal of elevating Thai traditional massage as a complementary treatment alongside conventional medicine. The programme will focus on developing specialists who…
- Thailand News
MPs urged to prioritise urgent bills in packed Parliamentary session
Chief government whip Wisut Chainarun is optimistic that the House will successfully scrutinise approximately 20 urgent bills during the current Parliamentary session. This session, which commenced yesterday, December 22, has a packed agenda with bills of significant economic and social impact awaiting approval. The urgent bills include legislation on fisheries, aimed at tackling industry challenges, and a bill to introduce…
- Pattaya News
Crackdown in Jomtien, Pattaya, nabs over 50 for drug offences
A major crackdown operation dubbed Purge the Parasites Part 2 was conducted in Jomtien, Pattaya, targeting crime and drug-related offences. Over 50 individuals involved in drug possession and consumption were apprehended during the raid, which took place yesterday, December 22. The operation was spearheaded by Tawatchai Jindakawornsanong, the Chon Buri Provincial Police Commander. The operation involved a massive deployment of over 900…
- Aviation News
Malaysia Airlines grounds Airbus A330neo after technical issues
Malaysia Airlines has temporarily grounded its newly acquired Airbus A330neo aircraft due to technical problems, as reported by the Business Times. Following its debut flight to Melbourne, the aircraft experienced multiple technical issues, prompting the airline to take swift action. The national carrier of Malaysia received the Airbus A330neo at the end of November and has plans to acquire an…
- Thailand News
Jealous husband shoots wife over infidelity suspicions
A tragic domestic incident unfolded yesterday, December 22, in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, where a jealous husband used his stepson to lure his wife into opening a bedroom door before fatally shooting her. The woman, identified as 38 year old Dusadee was found critically injured in her home and later succumbed to her injuries at Chonprathan Hospital Pak Kret. The incident occurred…
- Thailand News
Twenty years on, waves of Tsunami trauma still echoes in Phang Nga
Twenty years after the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, survivors in Thailand’s Ban Nam Khem village in Phan Nga province still carry vivid memories of that fateful December morning. For Neungduangjai Sritrakarn, then a 20 year old college freshman, the day began with her mother’s urgent warning to evacuate their seaside home. Sensing danger from unusual whitecaps on the Andaman…
- Thailand News
Thai travellers may use ThaID app for airport check-in
Thai nationals now have the option to utilise the ThaID app to present digital identification cards when checking in for flights, aiming to alleviate travel inconveniences during the upcoming new year holiday period. With the introduction of this app, checking in at airports like Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi International Airport is said to become significantly easier, especially when paired with…
- Thailand News
Udon Thani officers suspended over allegations of traffic bribes
Eighteen traffic police officers in Udon Thani are facing suspension due to allegations of accepting bribes for traffic tickets. This development arose after a video was shared on a popular Thai Facebook page, depicting officers providing motorists with a choice: pay on the spot or receive a ticket. Public outcry ensued, with many criticising the practice. The incident occurred yesterday,…
- Tourism News
Japan dethrones Thailand as top tourist spot
Japan’s rise as a favoured tourist destination over Thailand is attributed to a weaker currency and its preparedness to welcome independent travellers. In response, tourism operators in Thailand are urging the government to enhance attractions and improve service quality to achieve the target of 40 million visitors. For the first eleven months of this year, Japan received over 33.3 million…
- Thailand News
Thai weather: Cool mornings, thunderstorms, and changing temps
Severe weather conditions are expected in various regions of Thailand today, December 23, as the Meteorological Department (TMD) issues warnings for freezing temperatures and thunderstorms covering 20% of certain areas. Despite a slight rise in temperatures across northern Thailand, mountainous areas remain extremely cold. TMD attributes the fluctuating weather to a weakening high-pressure system over the upper parts of Thailand,…
- Thailand News
Thaksin to become informal advisor to Malaysian PM for ASEAN
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the appointment of former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an informal advisor for Malaysia’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year. The announcement was made by Ibrahim during a joint press conference with Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Putrajaya today, December 16. “I have agreed to appoint [Thaksin] as…
- Thailand News
Thai customs intercept over 300 drug cases so far in December
The Thai Customs Department announced the seizure of heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, and counterfeit goods at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in a coordinated effort with the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Immigration Bureau, and the Australian Border Force (ABF). The announcement was made at a press briefing at the Customs Department headquarters in Bangkok, today, December 16. Yesterday, customs officials intercepted two passengers…
- Thailand News
Grain gains: Thai farmers to receive 1,000 baht per rai support
The Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has initiated a comprehensive financial support programme, transferring 1,000 baht per rai to Thai rice farmers across the country. Deputy Finance Minister Jullapan Amornvivat presided over the first day of payments, aimed at providing relief and encouraging agricultural productivity. The support programme targets 4.61 million farming households, with total funding reaching 37.4…
- Thailand News
Motorcycle crash with 18-wheeler claims life in Ayutthaya
A tragic accident unfolded when a young man and his girlfriend, riding a motorcycle, were involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler truck in Ayutthaya. The incident resulted in the death of the young woman. Police officers and rescue teams were promptly dispatched to the location on Rojana Road in Bang Pa-in District after receiving reports of the accident. The…
- Thailand News
Boat capsizes in Songkhla, search for missing crew continues
A fishing boat capsized off the coast of Songkhla, leaving crew members stranded at sea. Five of the crew have been rescued, while the search continues for two missing crew members. The incident was reported around 9am yesterday, December 15, to the Second Naval Area Command’s Maritime National Interests Administration Centre by Krit Phitakkhumpol, owner of the fishing vessel, Krit…
- Business News
Excise Department to reassess retail prices for higher tax revenue
The Excise Department is set to reassess the recommended retail prices that form the foundation for calculating excise taxes. This revision comes as many products’ current prices are estimated to be 5% to 10% below the actual selling prices. According to Bangkok Post, a source from the department indicated that setting recommended retail prices too low results in reduced revenue…
- Thailand News
Thailand accelerates universal healthcare coverage nationwide
The Health Ministry is set to complete its ambitious healthcare coverage expansion, bringing the 30 Baht for Healthcare Anywhere programme to all provinces by the end of 2024. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin announced yesterday, December 15, that the initiative has already reached 46 provinces, with only 31 remaining to be integrated. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will officially launch the…
- Thailand News
Relentless flooding in Nakhon Si Thammarat plunges city
Severe flooding has devastated Nakhon Si Thammarat as relentless rain continues to batter the province, submerging key city areas and causing another fatality, bringing the death toll to four. Residents have been urged to stay alert as the situation worsens. Heavy rain has persistently hit Nakhon Si Thammarat for several days. Although there was a brief reprieve yesterday morning, December…
- Thailand News
Bangkok man caught stealing 1,100-litre water tank
A man was caught attempting to steal a 1,100-litre stainless steel water tank in Taling Chan, Bangkok, with plans to sell it to a junk shop. Police received a report about the incident early yesterday morning, December 15, leading to the arrest of 62 year old Prasert Jitthamphong, who was found with the stolen tank and a blue tricycle cart…
- Bangkok News
Fire engulfs Bangkok factory, emergency services contain blaze
A massive fire broke out at a large plastic bag manufacturing factory in Bangkok, causing chaos as firefighters rushed to control the blaze. The incident occurred yesterday, December 15, at 1.50pm in the Samdam area, Bang Khun Thian district. Bangkok police and fire services were promptly dispatched to the scene after being alerted by Prasert Phunkaew, an investigator at Samdam…
- Thailand News
Wild elephant attack kills man, highlights longstanding issue
A tragic incident occurred when a wild elephant from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary fatally attacked a man near a sugarcane field adjacent to a village. This longstanding issue, persisting for four years without resolution, has become a cause for concern among locals. Police Lieutenant Thirawat Yiam-on, the deputy investigator at Kabin Buri Police Station in Prachin Buri…
- Koh Samui News
Search for Myanmar workers underway after Koh Samui landslide
Rescue efforts are underway to locate two missing Myanmar construction workers following a landslide on Koh Samui. The incident occurred early yesterday morning, December 15 at around 4am, when a landslide engulfed part of a workers’ camp at a resort development site located on a mountain slope in Soi Hima Thong, tambon Maret. Eight workers were asleep at the time…
- Thailand News
Paetongtarn Shinawatra 29th on Forbes’ 2024 Power Women list
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been named among Forbes Magazine’s 100 World’s Most Powerful Women 2024, securing the 29th position globally and ranking third in Asia. This prestigious recognition places her among influential figures such as Sandy Ran Xu, CEO of China’s JD.com, and Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, who hold the 27th and 28th positions,…
- Thailand News
Senate to vote on divisive referendum double-majority rule
The Senate is set to convene tomorrow, December 17, to cast votes on a contentious referendum bill concerning constitutional amendments. The majority of senators are anticipated to uphold the divisive double-majority requirement, a decision that has sparked significant debate. Following a vote by a joint MP-Senate committee, the double-majority rule, necessary for passing a charter rewrite referendum, has been endorsed.…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok’s Purple Line extension nears halfway mark
The construction of the Purple Line’s southern extension, a crucial link between Tao Poon in the Bang Sue district and Rat Burana in southern Bangkok, is making significant progress. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) reported that the project is nearly halfway finished. During an inspection conducted yesterday, December 15, Montri Dechasakulsom, alongside board members and executives, assessed…
- Pattaya News
Dirty business: Pattaya car wash scam leaves victims high and dry
A group of victims has filed complaints at Bang Lamung Police Station after falling prey to a scam orchestrated by a car wash shop called BB, located in East Pattaya, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. The victims reported losing vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, which were handed over for cleaning and repainting services. A local near the shop entrusted their…
- Thailand News
Trang Airport project abandoned, contractor loses millions
The Airports Department has terminated its contract with Port and Marine Corporation (PAM) and confiscated a 53 million baht security deposit after the company failed to complete the construction of a new passenger terminal at Trang Airport in southern Thailand. Director General Danai Ruangsorn announced that Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri instructed the department to end the agreement and expedite…
