- 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…
- Thailand News
Severe storms and flash floods threaten 12 Thai provinces
The Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning predicting severe storms in 12 provinces, with heavy rain expected to cover 70% of the area. This could lead to flash floods and severe weather conditions, with temperatures dropping. The northeast monsoon, which is currently quite strong, is affecting the Gulf of Thailand and the southern region. A low-pressure system also covers…
- 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
Thailand and UK discuss trade, explore FTA possibilities
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan met with British Ambassador Mark Gooding last week at the ambassador’s official residence in Bangkok to discuss strengthening economic ties between Thailand and the United Kingdom. Central to their discussions was the feasibility of a Thailand-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade and…
- Thailand News
Grain of truth: Thailand trails Asia in rice yield race
Thailand’s rice yields are significantly lower than other major Asian rice producers, according to Anon Nonsee, Deputy Director General of the Department of Rice. The average rice yield in Thailand is about 400 to 500 kilogrammes per rai (0.16 hectares), far below Vietnam’s 1,000 kilogrammes per rai and China’s 1,000 to 1,200 kilogrammes per rai. While some Thai rice varieties…
- Thailand News
Ex-husband sets Chon Buri home on fire over lost military ID card
A heated domestic dispute in Chon Buri turned fiery when a former military husband allegedly set his ex-wife’s house on fire after a disagreement over a lost military ID card. The incident took place in Bang Saray, Sattahip district, leaving the single-storey home severely damaged. Police were alerted to the fire at 8pm yesterday, December 8. Chaiwat Nemmee, a police…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s birth rate drops 81% over 74 years, surpasses Japan
Thailand is now ranked among the top three countries globally experiencing the most significant decline in birth rates, with an 81% drop over the past 74 years. This dramatic decrease has seen Thailand surpass Japan in this regard, highlighting a widespread global issue of shrinking populations. Various factors such as economic conditions, environmental pollution, and living conditions are making people…
- Thailand News
Teacher’s misconduct with female students fall on deaf ears
Reports have emerged from Buriram province, involving allegations against a male teacher accused of inappropriate behaviour towards multiple fourth-grade female students. Parents lodged a complaint, alleging that the teacher engaged in misconduct when students made mistakes in their homework. The series of incidents came to light after a social media post highlighted the situation, stating that the matter had been…
- Thailand News
Thailand floods claim lives, deforestation and dams blamed
Flooding has wreaked havoc across Thailand this year, claiming more than 50 lives in the north and at least 25 in the south. While climate change plays a role, Pianporn Deetes, Southeast Asia Programme Director for the NGO International Rivers, attributes specific man-made causes to the disaster. Pianporn identified deforestation, dams, and river encroachment as three main factors exacerbating the…
- Thailand News
Husband and wife arrested for brutal murder in Uthai Thani
A gruesome murder has come to light after the arrest of a husband and wife in Uthai Thani, Thailand, following the discovery of a deceased man’s body in a field. The suspects, identified as 58 year old Samrit and 32 year old Jirawan confessed to the murder of 60 year old Udom. The couple was apprehended after a public altercation…
- Thailand News
Man arrested at Udon Thani festival for inappropriate behaviour
A man was apprehended by police at the Thung Sri Muang festival in Udon Thani yesterday after reports surfaced on social media about his inappropriate behaviour towards women. Boonhom, who had recently sold two cows and had been spending his earnings at the festival, claims he was misunderstood. Social media posts warned women attending the Thung Sri Muang festival to…
- Thailand News
Family seeks justice after prison boxing match death in Rayong
The wife and family of a 27 year old boxer are seeking justice who unexpectedly died after participating in a prison boxing match in Rayong, Thailand. The boxer’s wife, 26 year old Suchada, raised suspicions about the circumstances surrounding his death, which occurred shortly after he competed in a sports day boxing event at Rayong Central Prison. The incident took…
- Bangkok News
High stakes: Police roll the dice on Bangkok gambling den
Police in Bangkok have once again raided a notorious gambling den operated by Kiat Don Mueang, also known as Panuae. Over 100 gamblers were caught in the act of playing the traditional Thai game known as hi-lo during the raid. This marks yet another crackdown on the illegal establishment that has been raided multiple times before yet continues to operate.…
- Thailand News
Thailand pushes alternative crops to curb agricultural burning
Thailand is taking significant steps to empower farmers in addressing the persistent issue of agricultural burning, which contributes to PM2.5 dust pollution, particularly in lowland areas. By encouraging the cultivation of high-value alternative crops, the country aims to mitigate the detrimental environmental impact and enhance the sustainability of the agricultural sector. The Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, alongside international…
- Thailand News
Thailand advised to limit economic stimulus as recovery progresses
The Government of Thailand is being urged to reconsider its approach to economic stimulus as the country’s economy shows signs of recovery. The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) advised against implementing large-scale economic stimulus measures, arguing that the economy is on a path to sustainable growth. Nonarit Bisonyabut, a research fellow at TDRI, likened the private sector’s reliance on government…
- Thailand News
Monsoon system brings heavy rain to southern Thailand
A new monsoon system is set to sweep across southern Thailand, bringing heavy rainfall to nine provinces. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) warned residents to be cautious of potential hazards due to the severe weather. Meanwhile, northern Thailand is experiencing a drop in temperature and strong winds. The latest forecast from the TMD indicates that a new cold air…
- Thailand News
Parked car explosion in Chon Buri nearly ignites house on fire
A parked car’s unexpected explosion after sitting idle for over a week nearly set an entire house ablaze. The incident occurred yesterday, December 6 at 6.30pm in Ban Suan, Mueang Chon Buri district. The intense fire destroyed the vehicle and cracked the house’s glass windows due to the explosion’s force. Police, led by Siwakorn Chanthamenchai from the Chon Buri Police…
- Thailand News
Teen killed in crash, 400 meth pills found in car
A collision between a car and a motorcycle resulted in the tragic death of a teenage girl, with police discovering 400 meth pills in the car involved. The car driver, 71 year old Chanyut, denies ownership of the drugs, questioning why would he wait for the police if they were his. Police Captain Prem Tiamtua of Udon Thani City Police…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s VAT hike: Restaurant and hotel sectors’ suggestions
A proposed increase in the value-added tax (VAT) rate from 7% to 15% has sparked significant concern among Thailand’s restaurant and hotel industries. Although the plans for the VAT hike are now reportedly scrapped, Sorathep Rojpotjanaruch, who leads the Thai Restaurant Business Association, expressed alarm over the potential consequences this tax hike could have on the already struggling restaurant sector.…
- Thailand News
Fatal shooting at Udon Thani concert leaves community in shock
A tragic altercation at a Pu Pongsit concert in Udon Thani yesterday led to a shooting which ultimately led to the death of one attendee and severe injuries to another. The incident unfolded yesterday, December 6, at 1.30am, when 22 year old Suphawit and 18 year old Theeraphat attended the annual Thung Si Muang festival concert and encountered a rival…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya’s ongoing struggle of managing railway road traffic
Traffic congestion along railway roads has become a persistent headache for Pattaya’s commuters, with years of attempted solutions failing to provide meaningful relief. The city’s struggle to manage vehicular flow has highlighted significant infrastructure challenges. Seeking to address the issue, Pattaya City administration took an innovative approach by leasing a 19-kilometre stretch of the road from the State Railway of…
- Thailand News
Chon Buri police officer dismissed for extortion of elderly woman
A police officer in Chon Buri has been dismissed following allegations of extorting 250,000 baht from a 70 year old woman in exchange for handling her online fraud case. The officer is now in custody, with bail opposed. The officer, a sergeant major, is affiliated with the Saensuk Police Station in Chon Buri. Following an investigation led by the provincial…
- Phuket News
Phuket unveils road safety centre for seven days of danger
Phuket is gearing up for a heightened focus on road and marine safety with the opening of a road safety operations centre on Christmas Day. This effort is in preparation for the upcoming Seven Days of Danger campaign, scheduled to run from December 27 to January 2, as confirmed by Sopon Thongsai, chief of the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and…
- Thailand News
Thai pilots oppose foreign pilots on domestic routes amid tourism surge
The Thai Pilots Association has taken a definitive stance against the recent Cabinet decision allowing foreign pilots to operate domestic routes through wet lease agreements. Yesterday, December 6, they formally petitioned the Labour and Transport ministries to reconsider the move, which was introduced to address a perceived shortage of commercial pilots amid a surge in tourism activity. The Cabinet’s decision,…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok named world’s most visited city with 32.4m tourists
Bangkok has been named the world’s most-visited city for 2024, welcoming an impressive 32.4 million international tourists. This announcement was made in a report by Euromonitor International yesterday, December 6. The Thai capital experienced a significant growth of over 30% from the previous year, solidifying its status as a leader in global tourism. The city’s allure is attributed to its…
- Thailand News
Justice Ministry denies parole rule tailored for Yingluck Shinawatra
The Ministry of Justice firmly dismissed claims that a regulation permitting prisoners to be released on parole and confined to house arrest was crafted to benefit any specific individual, including former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. This denial emerged during an interview yesterday, December 6, with Somboon Muangklam, an adviser to Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, alongside officials from the Department of…
- Thailand News
Fire destroys five cars in Nonthaburi garage blaze
A devastating fire engulfed a car repair garage, reducing five vehicles to ashes after a series of loud explosions rocked the neighbourhood. The incident occurred in the early hours yesterday, December 6, prompting a swift response from local fire services and police in Nonthaburi. The blaze erupted at approximately 12.20am at a garage known as Chang Tao Garage, located within…
- Thailand News
Thailand braces for cold snap and coastal thunderstorms
Thailand is experiencing a noticeable drop in temperature, with the northern regions facing chilly to cold weather as temperatures plummet by four degrees Celsius (°C). The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued warnings for strong winds, thunderstorms and high seas in the south. The TMD’s forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that a high-pressure system or cold air mass…
- Thailand News
Pervert scandal: Uni sports event rocked by hidden camera (video)
A hidden camera scandal has rocked a prominent university sports event, sparking widespread online outrage. A perverted man is accused of placing cameras in the athletes’ bathroom, secretly recording videos during the event. Despite his denial, police uncovered substantial video evidence from his messaging app. Yesterday, December 1, social media platforms were abuzz with discussions and condemnations of the incident.…
