- Thailand News
Walk on wild side: Bang Kapi skywalk to open by end of September
Bangkok Deputy Governor Wissanu Sapsompol announced that the capital’s Bang Kapi area is set to see the full opening of its skywalk by the end of next month. The skywalk project has faced delays, with only a 1-kilometre section from The Mall shopping centre to Wat Si Boonruang near the MRT Yellow Line currently accessible. The remaining section, which will…
- Thailand News
DoH advises toll cuts over extension to ease Bangkok costs
The Department of Highways (DoH) urged the Government of Thailand to focus on reducing toll fees rather than extending the concession for the Don Mueang Tollway, as a strategy to lower living costs in Bangkok. Caretaker Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit recently proposed extending the current concession for Don Mueang Tollway Plc, which is set to expire in 2034. Suriya argued…
- Phuket News
Phuket or leave it: Flooded roads sink travel plans to island airport
Flooding across Phuket is wreaking havoc on travellers bound for the island’s international airport, as waterlogged roads spark major disruptions. Local officials are urging passengers to rethink their travel plans, advising them to allow an extra three to four hours to reach the airport in these treacherous conditions. Phuket International Airport officials issued a public warning, strongly recommending the additional…
- Thailand News
Former PM Thaksin faces court over 2015 lese majeste allegations
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, made a dramatic return to the Criminal Court today, facing charges in a high-stakes lese majeste case linked to a controversial 2015 interview in Seoul. Arriving at 8.53am, today, August 19, in a yellow shirt and black jacket, the 75 year old Thaksin appeared unfazed as he briefly addressed the press. “I’m…
- Thailand News
Motorcyclist dies after crash on new coastal bridge in Chon Buri
A motorcyclist tragically lost his life yesterday after his big bike skidded off a sharp curve on a new coastal bridge in Chon Buri, crashing into a lamppost. The incident occurred at 5.30pm yesterday, August 18. Police Lieutenant Thitirattapoom Jaipinta, Deputy Inspector of Samed Police Station in Chon Buri, received a report about the accident near the descent of the…
- Thailand News
Berry big deal: over 1,000 Thai pickers to jam in Sweden, Finland
Thai workers are set for Sweden and Finland as the new berry-picking season kicks off. In a major move, the Department of Employment has given the green light to a whopping 1,129 Thai workers to pack their bags and head to the Nordic lands. Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan broke the news, revealing that the first wave of over 1,000 Thai…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Rain check: Thailand braces for a monsoon downpour and flooding
Get out the brollies and waterproofs, the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning of heavy rainfall and potential flooding in 49 provinces across Thailand due to a monsoon. The TMD forecasts rain in 70% of the affected areas, advising caution against flash floods and landslides. A weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that a monsoon trough…
- Economy News
Thailand’s economy grows 2.3% in Q2, surpassing forecasts
Thailand’s economy roared back to life in the second quarter, fuelled by a surge in consumption, tourism, and exports, according to today’s eye-popping official data. This economic boost has prompted the government to up its growth forecast for the year. The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) revealed that Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy expanded by 2.3% from the same…
- Business News
Thai baht rally faces threats amid political drama and bank policy
Thailand’s recent baht rally faces a rocky road as the country dives into political chaos just before the central bank’s policy meeting this week. Since July, the baht has been a star performer, climbing up the ranks as tourism bounced back from a near two-year low against the US dollar in May. But this impressive upswing could be at risk…
- Transport News
Pattaya targets traffic congestion with new management strategies
Efforts to address Pattaya’s persistent traffic congestion took a significant step forward as Bang Lamung district chief Wikit Manarojkit led a pivotal meeting with key stakeholders at Pattaya City Hall just before the weekend. The gathering included Pattaya City Mayor Poramese Ngamphiches, Police Colonel Nawin Thirawit, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, Police Colonel Tawi Kutthaeng, Superintendent of Nong Prue…
- Tourism News
Pattaya’s big splash: New app to make Chinese tourists feel at home
Pattaya launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enriching the travel experience for Chinese tourists. The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, led by Boon-anan Pattanasin, hosted a meeting at the Sabai Sabana Hotel on Pattaya Soi 2 to unveil the “Wei Tai Guo” application. During the event, Panawika Limpaphan, Executive Chairman of Digilink (Thailand) Co., Ltd., introduced the new app. Panawika…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya Tourist Police catch Cambodian duo in water safety sting
Pattaya Tourist Police arrested two Cambodian men as they conducted a water safety plan in the popular holiday seaside resort. Pattaya Tourist Police, in collaboration with the Water Transport Inspection Unit, Regional Harbor Office 6 (Pattaya Branch), and the Chon Buri Marine Disaster Prevention Division, intensified their efforts to enhance water safety over the past weekend. The joint inspection aimed…
- Politics News
People’s Party to turn the electoral tide
New People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut demanded his party perform much better in the next General Election. The 37 year old was unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight as the new head of the freshly minted People’s Party (PP). This surprise appointment comes hot on the heels of the Constitutional Court’s bombshell decision to dissolve the Move Forward Party (MFP) and…
- Thailand News
30-baht scheme in hot water: is Thailand’s gold card running out of cash?
Thailand’s universal healthcare policy, known as the 30-baht gold card scheme, faces scrutiny over its financial sustainability and adequacy in providing security to all citizens. Health experts call for a reform to ensure the scheme’s long-term viability. This populist policy, launched by the Pheu Thai Party more than two decades ago, strives to offer equitable medical treatment for Thai citizens,…
- Thailand News
Thaksin’s pardon: Royal flush for the former PM’s clean slate
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be handed a certificate of innocence within the next 120 days. The Department of Corrections (DoC) revealed the stunning news following a massive royal pardon granted to tens of thousands of prisoners yesterday, August 18. The royal decree, unveiled on the Royal Gazette website yesterday, celebrates His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday…
- Thailand News
Mae On reservoirs quake the worry but hold strong
Reservoirs in the Mae On district have been declared structurally sound after being struck by a 3.4-magnitude earthquake yesterday morning. The Royal Irrigation Operation (RIO) conducted a thorough inspection to assess any potential damage. Keaurkul Manasamphankul, RIO director, confirmed that the Maintenance Department was tasked with evaluating the structural integrity of the Mae On and Mae Takhrai reservoirs. These reservoirs…
- Thailand News
Buriram residents fear digital wallet could be axed after PM ousted
Buriram residents and local vendors are increasingly anxious following the Thai Constitutional Court’s surprise decision to oust Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The major concern is the potential scrapping of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, a key economic boost initiative from the Pheu Thai Party. The Buriram municipal market is buzzing with worry as many dread that the much-anticipated digital wallet…
- Politics News
FTI rattled by PM Srettha’s ousting: Investors on edge
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) voiced alarm following the Thai Constitutional Court‘s shock decision to remove Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office yesterday. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, Chairman of the FTI, warned that the ruling could put a brake on both local and foreign investment as investors rethink their strategies amid the political turmoil. Thailand is already wrestling with major economic hurdles,…
- Business News
Mercedes-Benz shifts into high gear with ByteDance partnership
Mercedes-Benz is revving up its tech game by teaming up with ByteDance’s cloud division, Volcano Engine, to explore cutting-edge large language models (LLMs), generative artificial intelligence (AI), and big data. This turbocharged collaboration aims to supercharge Mercedes-Benz’s in-car systems in China with ByteDance‘s advanced LLM technology, giving their virtual assistants a full-throttle upgrade. According to both companies, ByteDance’s LLMs will…
- Phuket News
2,000 debtors flock to Phuket fair for a chance to clear the air
Over 2,000 debt-ridden individuals yesterday turned out for the 55th Debt Relief Fair at The Pago Hotel in Ratsada, north of Phuket Town. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Justice’s Department of Rights and Liberties Protection and the Legal Execution Department, in collaboration with the Phuket Provincial Justice Office and other organisations, aimed to offer guidance on managing various…
- Crime News
Father accused of stealing palm fruit by own son amid land dispute
A father, deeply hurt, finds himself accused by his son of stealing palm fruit that he had planted and nurtured himself. This dramatic family dispute has unfolded over land that has been in the father’s possession for nearly 40 years. Somjet, a 73 year old man, and Adul, a 46 year old man, were accused by Somjet’s third son of…
- Thailand News
Two judges disciplined for conduct violations by Supreme Court
Two judges were disciplined for failing to adhere to judicial regulations and behaving in a manner that tarnished the dignity of their office. The Supreme Court meeting held yesterday, August 13, chaired by Anucha Chiwitsophon, addressed these issues. The Judicial Commission of the Supreme Court (JC) approved the transfer and appointment of senior judges, including eight positions at level four…
- Transport News
Rama II Road inbound lanes closed for construction, August 16-31
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) announced a temporary closure of the inbound parallel lanes on Rama II Road near the Big C Kheha Thonburi bus stop from Friday, August 16 to August 31, from 10pm to 5am daily. Reports today, August 14, confirmed that EXAT, under the Ministry of Transport, hired the joint venture of UN-CC, comprising Unique Engineering…
- Bangkok News
Bangok condo owner’s 120,000 baht bill for trashed rental (video)
A Bangkok condo owner shared his experience after discovering a rented room in a deplorable state, leading to renovation costs exceeding 100,000 baht. The tenant, a PR woman, left the room in such a condition that it appeared someone had died, with black water leaking and a foul smell permeating the space. Around 2pm yesterday, August 13, the 43 year…
- Thailand News
Lampang ceramics industry at risk due to cheap Chinese imports
The ceramics industry in Lampang is facing a severe crisis as Chinese ceramic products flood the market at significantly lower prices, causing numerous local factories to shut down. The situation has become dire, with many businesses unable to compete. Preecha Srimala, President of the Lampang Pottery Association, yesterday, August 13, revealed that local ceramic businesses are experiencing unprecedented hardship. Even…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya amps up city services with an ‘electrifying’ EV overhaul
Pattaya City is sparking a revolution in government services with a groundbreaking new project to integrate electric vehicles (EVs) into its operations. In an exciting collaboration with seven prototype municipalities and Pathum Thani University, the city officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to kick off this forward-thinking initiative. The signing took place yesterday, August 13, in the Thappraya Room…
- Business News
Bridge Alliance and Deutsche Telekom spark a new IoT connection
Bridge Alliance, the heavyweight coalition of telecom giants, has just struck a blockbuster deal with Deutsche Telekom AG, Europe’s telecom titan. This game-changing partnership aims to turbocharge growth in the booming Internet of Things (IoT) sector. With Deutsche Telekom on board, Bridge Alliance’s roster balloons to 35 operators, now covering over 100 markets and reaching more than a billion customers…
- Thailand News
Thailand bank loan growth forecast cut to 1.5% for 2024
Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research) reduced its overall loan growth projection for the banking industry in 2024 to 1.5%, down from the earlier forecast of 2.5-3.5%. This adjustment reflects borrowers’ diminished ability to access credit amid slower economic growth. K-Research’s updated assessment, released yesterday, August 13, indicates that banks’ lending expansion this year will be primarily driven by business loans, with…
- Business News
Wallet watch: Thai restaurants hungry for details on digital handout
Restaurant owners are on tenterhooks, waiting for vital details on the government’s digital wallet handout scheme. The Thai Restaurant Association reveals that operators are eagerly anticipating specifics on how they can use and convert digital cash. President Thaniwan Kulmongkol says restaurateurs are frustrated by the delay, as the Commerce Ministry has scrapped the August 5 press conference meant to explain…
- Business News
Thailand poised to profit amid US-China trade war
Thailand might be about to cash in on the US-China trade war. According to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE), the ongoing clash between Washington and Beijing could see a major boost in Thai exports as American buyers look to replace Chinese shipments that are in jeopardy. OIE Director-General Warawan Chitaroon stated that Thailand is a key manufacturing nation in…
