- Aviation News
Thai Vietjet takes off: Targets nearly 8 million passengers this year
Low-cost airline Thai Vietjet aims to attract nearly eight million passengers this year by enhancing aircraft utilisation and increasing flights on existing routes, with plans to introduce new Boeing 737 Max jets next year. Thai Vietjet Chief Executive Woranate Laprabang highlighted that the visa-free scheme has significantly boosted demand on international routes, particularly to China. The airline operates flights to over…
- 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…
- Politics News
Paetongtarn’s pledge: No more Shinawatra slip-ups
Thailand’s youngest Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pledged to avoid the political disasters plaguing her father and aunt. Addressing the media for the first time after her royal endorsement yesterday, the 37 year old Thai premier made a bold promise to dodge the fate of Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra. The Bangkok-born Thai politician made known she is keen to avoid her…
- 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
Thailand’s health crackdown: Screening mpox-treme measures
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is on high alert, ramping up passenger screening like never before to fend off a potential mpox outbreak. This drastic measure comes hot on the heels of the World Health Organisation (WHO) slapping a “public health emergency of international concern” label on the situation, following a surge of mpox cases in several African nations. Dr…
- 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…
- Crime News
Thai man granted bail after shooting father during confrontation
A Thai man was granted bail after shooting his father during a confrontation. The incident occurred when the son turned himself into the police. The police plan to question the father about the event. Police granted bail to 32 year old Pavinyoh after he turned himself in following a shooting incident involving his father, 53 year old Chalao. The altercation…
- 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…
- Politics News
Thailand PM Srettha axed over shady Cabinet appointment
In a dramatic turn of events, Thailand’s Constitutional Court delivered a bombshell ruling today, August 14, declaring that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had breached ethics rules by appointing a convicted lawyer to his Cabinet. The shocking verdict, delivered amid heightened tensions, has put the Bangkok-born PM’s political future in jeopardy, with the nation holding its breath to see if he…
- 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…
- Tourism News
DEPA proposes single window to boost digital tourism in Thailand
The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) called for the establishment of a single-window paradigm to streamline business operations for foreigners and bolster the digital-driven tourism industry in Thailand. This initiative aims to unify data exchanges among various state agencies, enhancing the ease of doing business. The proposed single window would function as a platform-as-a-service, operated via a centralised data portal…
- 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…
- Transport News
Tesla’s Thailand gamble: EV plans still in the slow lane
Tesla’s investment plans in Thailand remain uncertain as the Government of Thailand awaits confirmation from the United States-based electric vehicle (EV) maker. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke highlighted that Tesla is reassessing its global investment strategy, which has been affected by slowing sales growth and intense competition, particularly from Chinese EV manufacturers. Reports suggest Tesla aims to concentrate on its existing…
- Politics News
Thailand’s entertainment bill faces opposition over complex plan
The Government of Thailand’s proposed entertainment complex bill has faced significant opposition from both the coalition Bhumjaithai and the opposition Democrat parties, with critics arguing that the potential drawbacks outweigh the benefits. Bhumjaithai Party Secretary-General Chaichanok Chidchob voiced the party’s objections after a coalition meeting yesterday, August 13, highlighting four main concerns. According to Chaichanok, the bill would not effectively…
- Thailand News
Landslides trap 400 in Mae Hong Son village, urgent aid needed
Over 400 residents in a hillside village in Mae Hong Son‘s Khun Yuam district urgently called for help as they awaited evacuation following several landslides. The main road leading into the village became impassable after heavy rain on Monday, leaving them stranded. Phachat Chomchopdi, a resident, reached out to local government officials yesterday, August 13, reporting that while no injuries…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok councillors support port relocation to ease congestion
Bangkok councillors have thrown their weight behind the Transport Ministry‘s proposal to shift the capital’s port operations to a new location, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce air pollution. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced yesterday, August 13, that five councillors have formally backed the plan through a letter submitted to the ministry. Kittipong Ruayfupan, Bangkok councillor for Thung…
- Thailand News
Berry bad: Ex-boss faces 5 years for human trafficking scandal
Finnish prosecutors are gunning for a hefty five-year prison sentence for the former head of a berry company and his Thai business partner over shocking human trafficking charges. The Lapland District Court kicked off the trial yesterday, August 13, with the duo facing a staggering 77 counts of aggravated human trafficking. Jukka Kristo, the ex-CEO of Polarica, and his Thai…
- Thailand News
Thailand ministry urges public to stop giving money to beggars
The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is set to launch a major new campaign this Friday, and it’s urging the public to stop giving money to beggars and halt the shocking surge in the number of beggars across Thailand. The big reveal will kick off at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre in Pathumwan district. Expect a star-studded…
- Tourism News
Thailand’s tourism boom: Revenue set to soar to 2.8 trillion baht
Hold onto your sun hats! Thailand’s tourism sector is on the brink of a massive surge in the latter half of the year, with an eye-popping revenue forecast of 1.46 trillion baht. That’s set to push the annual total to a whopping 2.8 trillion baht—up a staggering 25% from last year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The…
