- Business News
Thailand to finalise free-trade deal with EFTA by January
Thailand is set to finalise a free-trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) by January next year, aiming to boost its export market and draw European investors. This announcement from the Ministry of Commerce emphasises a strategic step forward in Thailand’s economic expansion. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan confirmed the completion of negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA)…
- Thailand News
Legal action pursued over shooting at elephants in Thailand
Kaeng Krachan National Park officials are actively pursuing legal action against people involved in a shooting incident aimed at intimidating wild elephants. The unsettling event, caught in a TikTok video, occurred yesterday evening, November 30, showing a black sedan from which four gunshots were fired as elephants roamed nearby. The car was travelling on the Nong Phlap-Huai Sat Yai road,…
- Thailand News
M81 motorway opens free for new year travel in Thailand
Bang Yai district in Nonthaburi and Kanchanaburi province will soon be connected by a new motorway, offering motorists a cost-free travel experience over the new year holiday period. This initiative comes as a gesture from the Department of Highways, which announced that the 96-kilometre route, designated as M81, will be open for free from December 26 to January 2. Since…
- Bangkok News
Two men arrested for posing as police to rob tourists in Bangkok
Two men in Bangkok have been detained following allegations of impersonating police officers to rob Vietnamese tourists. The incident unfolded at a restaurant in the capital yesterday, November 30, as detailed by Noppasin Poolsawat, the deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Three people, clad in police attire complete with bulletproof vests and jackets, approached the tourists. They brandished police…
- Thailand News
Four million young Thais hooked on online gambling, experts warn
More than four million young Thais have been lured into the world of online gambling, a growing concern that experts warn could evolve into addiction, affecting their mental and physical health. This pressing issue was brought to light by Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, director of the ThaiHealth Promotion Foundation, during the annual conference of the Centre for Gambling Studies (CGS) held recently…
- Thailand News
Thai Airways secures 44 billion baht in share rights offering
The Government of Thailand announced plans to increase its investment in Thai Airways International (THAI) without reinstating the airline as a state enterprise. This decision was confirmed during a Cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai, where Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira provided updates on the airline’s debt restructuring efforts. During the meeting, it was revealed that THAI anticipates raising approximately 44 billion…
- Thailand News
Thai man loses 1.8 million baht in online scam
A Thai man who works as a production manager has fallen victim to an online scam that has cost him just over 1.8 million baht. His family, worried about the financial losses, took him to file a police report yesterday, November 28, after he was convinced by fraudsters that he would be refunded the next day. The scam began when…
- Thailand News
Thailand unveils plan to boost SMEs, tackle substandard imports
The Deputy Minister of Commerce, Napintorn Srisangpang, has reported on the outcomes of the second meeting of the subcommittee aimed at promoting and upgrading Thai SMEs, alongside tackling the issue of substandard foreign goods. The meeting, involving 20 related government agencies, categorised products into three groups: agricultural, consumer, and industrial products. To address these issues, a three-phase plan, short, medium,…
- Thailand News
Thai Airways gets a financial lift-off with ministry’s capital boost
The Ministry of Finance is set to propose a capital injection for Thai Airways International to the Cabinet next week. This move is designed to ensure the airline’s recovery while keeping the ministry’s shareholding below 50%, preventing a reversion to state enterprise status, as confirmed by Tibordee Wattanakul, Director-General of the State Enterprise Policy Office. This financial boost is part…
- Thailand News
Bail denied for Boon Vanasin’s wife and daughter
The Criminal Court has denied bail for the wife and daughter of Boon Vanasin, citing ongoing investigations and concerns about potential evidence tampering and flight risk. Yesterday at 10am, November 28, the court convened to consider the temporary release request for 79 year old Jaruwan Vanasin and 51 year old Nalin Vanasin, both of whom are accused alongside Boon Vanasin…
- Thailand News
Plans in the works to increase hippo population in Thailand
Plans are progressing for Moo Toon, the older brother of the famed hippo Moo Deng, to mate with Moo Manao at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, aiming to increase the population of pygmy hippopotamuses in Thailand. Moo Toon celebrated his fifth birthday recently at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, where he resides with his sister. Moo Manao, currently eight…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s economy rebounds but experts warn of growth risks
Thailand’s economy is showing signs of recovery, yet economists warn of ongoing risks that could hinder its growth potential. Key challenges include elevated household debt, slow income recovery for vulnerable groups, and Thailand’s economic interdependence with China. Despite these issues, the Thai economy reported a growth of 1.9% in 2023, although this was below expectations. The economy is gaining strength,…
- Thailand News
SET soon to adpot AI for monitoring of listed companies
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is set to implement artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance its monitoring of listed companies amid growing concerns about corporate fraud. SET President Asadej Kongsiri explained that the AI adoption will enable the bourse to more rapidly detect irregular share price movements and trading activities, allowing for quicker investor notifications. Asadej highlighted that late…
- Business News
Thailand’s manufacturing index poised for growth after 2024 dip
Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) is set to see a turnaround next year, with expectations of a 1.5 to 2.5% growth. This forecast comes as a recovery from the anticipated 1.6% contraction in 2024, largely attributed to weak consumer purchasing power and high household debt, as reported by the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). OIE Director General Passakorn Chairat expressed…
- Thailand News
People’s Party shuns protests, opts for Parliamentary reform
Thailand’s main opposition group, the People’s Party (PP), has decided not to engage in the upcoming anti-government protests orchestrated by former protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul. Instead, PP is committed to operating within the Parliamentary system to fulfil its role as a political entity. Parit Wacharasindhu, spokesperson for the People’s Party, stated yesterday, November 27, that the party would prioritise addressing…
- Thailand News
Three referendums required for 2017 constitution rewrite
Three referendums are deemed necessary for a complete rewrite of the 2017 constitution, according to Nikorn Chamnong, the secretary of the joint House-Senate panel on the referendum bill. This statement directly counters the claim made by People’s Party list MP Parit Wacharasindhu, who suggested that only two referendums would be needed, a point he believed was backed by Parliament President…
- Thailand News
Infant child drowns in canal after left unattended by mother
A tragic accident occurred when a young child went missing after being left alone by his mother who stepped out briefly to go shopping. The child, aged just one year and eight months, was later found drowned in a nearby canal, 2 kilometres from home. Local officials received a report about a missing child in the village of Mueang Ngam,…
- Thailand News
Girl, 11, rescued after abduction, abuse by teenage kidnapper
An 11 year old girl was reportedly abducted and assaulted by a 16 year old male acquaintance she met on Facebook, sparking a desperate search by her mother and police. The girl was eventually rescued, safe but shaken, after enduring five days of captivity. The distressing incident began when the girl’s mother reported her daughter missing to the Pavena Hongsakul…
- Pattaya News
Pet dogs poisoned in Chon Buri sparks outcry over animal cruelty
Tragedy struck yesterday when two pet dogs were poisoned and killed in Chon Buri province. Chalawan Chutaphet, a resident of Tambon Khao Mai Kaew, Bang Lamung district, expressed his deep sorrow following the incident, which has left his family devastated. The dogs were found dead after consuming fried chicken laced with a lethal substance, believed to have been deliberately placed…
- Thailand News
Thai airlines offer 30% discounts on 50,000 seats for new year
The Thai Ministry of Transport announced a new year’s gift for travellers, addressing the issue of expensive flight tickets by collaborating with airlines to offer a 30% discount on 50,000 seats during the new year holiday period. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Jungrungreangkit yesterday, November 27, disclosed that a meeting was convened with the Thai Airline Association.…
- Thailand News
Thai racer alleges deception, loses 3.5 million baht
A renowned Thai lawyer has taken up the case of a female national motorcycle racer, who claims to have been deceived by senior figures in the sports industry, leading to a loss of nearly 3.5 million baht. Lawyer Kriengsak Pintusornsi joined forces with actress Sitang Buathong and Ratchada Nakkachareonsri yesterday, November 27, Thailand’s first female competitor at the World Superbike…
- Thailand News
Beauty and the bust: Cops raid fake Khon Kaen cosmetics factory
In a significant crackdown on illegal cosmetics production, the Consumer Protection Police Division (CCPD) conducted a raid on an underground factory in Khon Kaen, resulting in the seizure of more than 40,000 counterfeit items valued at approximately 2 million baht. Investigators traced the illegal operation to a residence located in the Chum Phae district, where unauthorised cosmetic products were being…
- Thailand News
Fishy business cafe forced to close doors due to health violations
The Department of Health announced the closure of a koi fish cafe in Chon Buri on Saturday for violating public health regulations. The cafe, known for allowing customers to dine while interacting with koi fish, was deemed a potential source of contamination and health risks, both for patrons and the ornamental fish. Doctor Thiti Sawaengtham, Deputy Director-General of the Department…
- Thailand News
Thai trade talks: Minister navigates surplus dilemmas with US
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan is set to visit the United States in February to address concerns about Thailand’s trade surplus between the two nations. Following a meeting at the Commerce Ministry with representatives from 50 US corporations who are members of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), which includes major multinationals like Amazon, Apple, Boeing, Citi, Google, Mastercard, and Seagate. Pichai…
- Thailand News
Thai graduates face high unemployment despite stable job market
Thailand’s unemployment rates reveal a concerning trend among university graduates, with 65% unable to secure employment. Long-term unemployment has risen by 16%, and a significant 71.3% of the unemployed have never worked before. Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), announced the findings from the third quarter of 2024, highlighting a relatively stable employment scene.…
- Thailand News
Thai patrol rescues 39 foreigners from call centre scam at border
Thirty-nine foreign nationals were rescued by Thai officers during a border patrol operation, claiming to have been victims of a call centre gang. The rescue took place yesterday morning, November 25, at the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district. Border patrol officers, alongside the Naresuan Task Force, discovered the group near a village while conducting a routine patrol. Among those…
- Thailand News
Thai PM urges action to curb violence against women and children
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra called on the public to actively support government initiatives aimed at curbing violence against children and women. This appeal is part of the government’s annual anti-violence campaign, coinciding with National Violence Elimination Against Children and Women Month. Thailand designated November for this cause in 1999, aligning with the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of…
- Bangkok News
Grease pipe blockage causes leak at Bangkok shopping mall
Officials from the Chatuchak district in Bangkok swiftly addressed concerns over a pipe incident at a prominent shopping mall in the Ladprao area, confirming it was not a sewage leak. The incident stemmed from a blockage in a grease pipe on the fourth floor, causing pressure buildup and a subsequent leak. Despite initial fears, no sewage was involved. Yesterday morning,…
- Thailand News
Major meth dealer arrested in Pathum Thani with drugs and guns
Police and local administrative officers in Pathum Thani made a significant arrest involving a major meth dealer in the Khlong Luang area. Officials discovered a stash of drugs and firearms in an abandoned car, leading to the apprehension of two suspects. The operation was spearheaded by Amornritpol Khiaorungphet, the deputy district chief of Khlong Luang, and Nuttanan Nimmnuan, the deputy…
- Business News
Thai banks remains cautious despite liquidity surplus
Thailand’s banking sector is experiencing a significant liquidity surplus, according to a Bank of Thailand (BoT) assistant governor. The central bank has not yet increased its lending oversight, indicating a cautious approach by banks when it comes to extending loans. Sakkapop Panyanukul, in an article featured on the BoT’s website, explained that banks’ lending decisions are closely tied to the…
