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    5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)

    Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...

  • DEPA proposes single window to boost digital tourism in Thailand

    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…

  • Toyota Fortuner crash injures six migrants after police chase

    Toyota Fortuner crash injures six migrants after police chase

    A Toyota Fortuner carrying nine illegal migrant workers flipped over multiple times after attempting to evade a police checkpoint, leaving several injured. The incident occurred around 1am yesterday, August 13, when officers from Sam Roi Yot Police Station set up a checkpoint on the Pranburi-Khao Daeng rural road at Ban Bang Pu intersection in Sam Roi Yot district, Prachuap Khiri…

  • Wallet watch: Thai restaurants hungry for details on digital handout

    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…

  • Thailand poised to profit amid US-China trade war

    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…

  • Teen severs soldier’s arm in brutal sword attack in Udon Thani

    Teen severs soldier’s arm in brutal sword attack in Udon Thani

    A young soldier‘s dream of climbing the military ranks was shattered when he returned home for a visit and was attacked by a 15 year old with a sword, severing his arm. The incident occurred near a school in Udon Thani. Police Colonel Chakkapad Wichitwaithaya from Nam Som Police Station in Udon Thani provided an update on the case. He…

  • Thai transport twist: No chinese takeover in the fast lane, says DLT

    Thai transport twist: No chinese takeover in the fast lane, says DLT

    The Department of Land Transport (DLT) dismissed media reports suggesting Chinese companies are increasingly taking over struggling Thai transport businesses, emphasising that licences issued to one business cannot be transferred in the event of a takeover. “More importantly, only Thai legal entities registered and headquartered in Thailand are eligible to hold the licences.” The DLT clarified that at least 51%…

  • Thailand’s entertainment bill faces opposition over complex plan

    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…

  • Thai PM orders swift action on Chinese goods influx

    Thai PM orders swift action on Chinese goods influx

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin tasked Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai with fast-tracking measures this month to tackle the surge of Chinese goods into Thailand. Following the weekly Cabinet meeting held yesterday, August 13, PM Srettha announced that the Commerce Ministry would spearhead efforts to prevent substandard goods from entering the country. This initiative will be a collaborative effort with the Finance…

  • Fatal truck accident in Ratchaburi highlights dangerous U-turn point

    Fatal truck accident in Ratchaburi highlights dangerous U-turn point

    A tragic accident involving a six-wheel truck carrying animal feed resulted in one fatality and two injuries yesterday in Ratchaburi province. The incident occurred near a U-turn point on Nong Bua Road, sparking calls for police to investigate the hazardous location. At noon yesterday, August 13, Norn Sodok, Deputy Inspector of Pak Tho Police Station in Ratchaburi, received reports of…

  • Bangkok councillors support port relocation to ease congestion

    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…

  • Elderly man arrested for assaulting woman with hoe in backyard

    Elderly man arrested for assaulting woman with hoe in backyard

    Police apprehended a 73 year old man for assaulting a 77 year old woman with a hoe, resulting in her requiring five stitches. The incident occurred while she was cutting bamboo shoots in her backyard. The suspect, identified as Thoeng Chinpak from Buriram, was taken into custody at the Satuek Police Station after hiding at a relative’s house in Nakhon…

  • Retired janitor dies in Chai Nat motorcycle crash

    Retired janitor dies in Chai Nat motorcycle crash

    A tragic accident claimed the life of a recently retired school janitor when his motorcycle was struck by a pickup truck at a U-turn point in Chai Nat. The collision occurred despite the pickup driver’s attempts to warn and stop. Police from the Chai Nat City Police Station were alerted to the accident yesterday, August 13, and promptly arrived at…

  • Heavy rain warning for three Thai regions, Bangkok to see showers

    Heavy rain warning for three Thai regions, Bangkok to see showers

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning for heavy rain in three regions, with the northern region expected to face 70% rainfall. Bangkok will experience heavy showers from afternoon to evening. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential flooding and flash floods. The weather forecast for today indicates a possibility of heavy rainfall in the northern, upper…

  • Thailand govt addresses TEMU’s impact on local SMEs

    Thailand govt addresses TEMU’s impact on local SMEs

    Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce raised concerns over the impact of the global e-commerce platform TEMU on Thai SMEs. Immediate protective measures are being discussed with eight agencies to curb the influx of online goods into the country. Phumtham Wechayachai shared his views on Facebook, stating that while international e-commerce platforms bring opportunities, they also present significant…

  • Pipe bomb attack at Batu checkpoint injures volunteer in Narathiwat

    Pipe bomb attack at Batu checkpoint injures volunteer in Narathiwat

    Two assailants hurled pipe bombs at the Batu checkpoint in Narathiwat, injuring one paramilitary volunteer and damaging property. CCTV footage captured the incident, showing the suspects approaching the checkpoint on foot before throwing the explosives. The southern border province of Narathiwat has been plagued by unrest, and the recent attack at the Batu checkpoint is a stark reminder of ongoing…

  • Hat Yai in southern Thailand hailed Asia’s most affordable travel destination

    Hat Yai in southern Thailand hailed Asia’s most affordable travel destination

    One of the globe’s most popular online travel platforms hailed Hat Yai district in the southern province of Songkhla as the most affordable travel destination in Asia. Agoda released a ranking of cities that offer the most affordable stays in Asia, providing suggestions for users seeking budget-friendly holidays or those wishing to extend their trips within a limited budget. The…

  • Rubber plantation worker shot dead near home in Songkhla

    Rubber plantation worker shot dead near home in Songkhla

    A rubber plantation caretaker was fatally shot in Songkhla’s Sadao district while riding his motorcycle home, just 20 metres from his house. Police are actively investigating to apprehend the perpetrator. The Deputy Inspector at Sadao Police Station, Phongsakon Paochanarong, today, August 13, revealed the incident. The shooting occurred at about 8pm yesterday at the entrance of Ban Rai Tok Dan…

  • Thai rice faces sticky situation as Vietnamese rice steals the show

    Thai rice faces sticky situation as Vietnamese rice steals the show

    Rice exporters are sounding the alarm over the possible disappearance of local Thai rice varieties, as farmers increasingly switch to a Vietnamese strain celebrated for its soft texture. Charoen Laothamatas, President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, raised concerns about the dire state of the industry. Production of beloved Thai varieties like Pathum Thani fragrant rice and KB 79 has…

  • Chinese-owned smelting plants raided for hazardous aluminium waste

    Chinese-owned smelting plants raided for hazardous aluminium waste

    Police raided two illegal aluminium smelting plants owned by a Chinese investor in the central provinces of Pathum Thani and Samut Sakhon on Sunday and Monday, August 11 and 12, after discovering potential negative impacts on human health and the ecosystem. The raids on the two plants were carried out following the discovery of aluminium dross, a dangerous waste product…

  • Thailand aims to be global tech talent hub by 2030

    Thailand aims to be global tech talent hub by 2030

    Thailand is on the brink of becoming a global hub hotspot, thanks to its strategic location, abundant resources, and savvy policies aimed at drawing in young professionals, according to industry bigwigs. The strategy, highlighted at the Techsauce Global Summit 2024 Home for Tech Talent panel, seeks to boost knowledge transfer and export future talent. Karndee Leopairote, chief of foresight and…

  • Ministry tackles chemical waste crisis with 14.9 million baht cleanup

    Ministry tackles chemical waste crisis with 14.9 million baht cleanup

    The Ministry of Industry initiated a collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and other relevant agencies to address areas recently contaminated with chemical waste. The Permanent Secretary of the Industry Ministry, Nattapol Rangsitpol, informed the media of the coordinated efforts yesterday, August 12. Nattapol acknowledged the issues arising from the illegal dumping of hazardous substances in Rayong,…

  • Thai teen allegedly shoots himself in face while playing with gun

    Thai teen allegedly shoots himself in face while playing with gun

    A Thai teenager in the southern province of Phattalung allegedly shot himself in the face while playing with a gun, but his father doubts this, believing that his son may have been attacked by someone. Officers from Kong Ra Police Station rushed to a wooden hut in the Kong Ra district of Phattalung after being notified of the shooting at…

  • MG to produce hybrid electric vehicles in Chon Buri next year

    MG to produce hybrid electric vehicles in Chon Buri next year

    Thailand’s hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) market is set to witness heightened competition as automakers roll out investment plans. The Chinese-Thai joint venture SAIC Motor-CP and MG Sales (Thailand) announced their intention to produce HEVs under the MG brand in Chon Buri by next year. MG is capitalising on a burgeoning domestic market for HEVs, spurred by the Board of Investment’s…

  • Pattaya rolls out the red carpet: Aiming for film-tastic UNESCO spot

    Pattaya rolls out the red carpet: Aiming for film-tastic UNESCO spot

    The seaside resort of Pattaya is gearing up to host the Pattaya Film Festival 2024 in a bid to establish itself as a UNESCO Creative City of Film. The festival seeks to boost tourism through film-related activities and position Pattaya as a central hub in the film industry as part of its development plan for 2023-2030. A press conference was…

  • Thailand launches new double-track railway, enhancing logistics

    Thailand launches new double-track railway, enhancing logistics

    Thailand’s double-track railway on the State Railway of Thailand’s southern line, spanning from Nakhon Pathom to Chumphon, has officially started operations. The announcement was made yesterday, August 12, by the agency. The head of the SRT governor’s office, Ekarat Sri-arayanpong, stated that the new track will enhance logistical operations along the 421-kilometre route. The upgrade is set to reduce journey…

  • Ringing in trouble: Bangkok thief swaps gold for cold hard cash

    Ringing in trouble: Bangkok thief swaps gold for cold hard cash

    Police arrested a man for stealing a gold ring by posing as a customer. He swapped the real ring with a fake one while the staff were distracted and later confessed to selling the ring for money. Police yesterday, August 12, arrested 33 year old Sakda following a warrant issued by the Criminal Court on August 1. He was apprehended…

  • Don’t let Thailand’s smiles rain on your parade: Brace for floods

    Don’t let Thailand’s smiles rain on your parade: Brace for floods

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasted increased rainfall and potential flash floods over the next ten days, urging vigilance from residents in the Land of Smiles. The TMD released its updated ten-day rainfall accumulation forecast, predicting increased rainfall and potential flash floods from today to ten days ahead. This forecast, based on data from the European Centre for Medium-Range…

  • Russian-Canadian arrested for overstaying, begging on Koh Pha Ngan

    Russian-Canadian arrested for overstaying, begging on Koh Pha Ngan

    Residents on Koh Pha Ngan island in the southern province of Surat Thani alerted the Tourist Police to a Russian-Canadian man found overstaying his visa and begging for food from locals. Residents on the island reported to the Tourist Police that they witnessed a foreign man begging for food from various households and sleeping on a footpath. The foreigner’s begging…

  • People’s Party confirmed legal despite petition threat

    People’s Party confirmed legal despite petition threat

    The People’s Party (PP), emerging from the recently disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), has been confirmed by the Election Commission (EC) as having established the necessary party branches legally. The announcement followed a statement by Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, who indicated his intention to file a petition against the PP. His contention revolves around the predecessor,…

  • Thai central bank to cut rates as US economy slows

    Thai central bank to cut rates as US economy slows

    The US economy is anticipated to face a cyclical slowdown from late next year into 2025, prompting the Bank of Thailand to reduce its policy rate by up to 1.5 percentage points, according to KGI Securities (Thailand). KGI analysts, Rakpong Chaisuparakul and Pragrom Pathomboorn highlight in their report that this slowdown will normalise the labour market and make US consumers…