Hot News
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Thai export growth projected at 2-3% amid global economic recovery
The UTCC (University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce) predicted a revival in exports, projecting a growth of 2-3% for the year, which equates to a value between US$290-293 billion. This shows a significant improvement from the 1% contraction experienced in the previous year. The UTCC’s president, Thanavath Phonvichai, attributed this predicted resurgence largely to the global economic recovery and…
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Thailand’s thriving Muslim tourism boom with mosque tour
In a bid to elevate Thailand to the zenith of the Global Muslim Tourism Index (GMTI), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) teamed up with key figures like Imam Mathanarat Vacharapisut from the Haroon Mosque and the Islamic Committee of Bangkok to revolutionise cultural tourism for Muslim travellers. Imam Mathanarat Vacharapisut recently joined forces with Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT, in…
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Thailand PM calls for cut in interest rates amid economic crisis
The Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, urgently called upon the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to organise an unscheduled meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The objective of this meeting is to consider a cut in interest rates, as recent data suggests that the nation’s economy is in crisis. PM Srettha’s plea for this urgent meeting…
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Thaksin denies lese majeste law violation, secures 500,000 baht bail
After being released on parole for only a day, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra turned himself into authorities again, yesterday, February 19, in connection with a lese majeste case. He successfully secured bail of 500,000 baht. The 74 year old former PM was released on parole after a six-month detention at Police General Hospital. On February 18, he returned…
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Myanmar conflict may drive surge of workers to Thailand
The ongoing conflict in Myanmar is predicted to drive its citizens towards Thailand in search of work, according to the Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai). Following the 2021 military coup and the government’s urgent need to bolster its forces through conscription, Myanmar residents eager to avoid the draft may seek refuge in Thailand, potentially entering the labour…
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Thailand’s EGAT targets biomass, hydrogen to cut CO2 emissions
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is endeavouring to combat climate change by adopting alternative fuels to replace coal in its power plants. Partnering with the Forest Industry Organisation, a study is underway to identify fast-growing plants suitable for conversion into biomass fuel. This initiative falls within EGAT’s strategy for long-term CO2 reduction, as confirmed by Chaiwut Lakmuang, the…
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Prime Minister Srettha hands over 10,000 rai of land to farmers
In a significant move to uplift the farming community, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, on a visit to the northeastern region of Udon Thani, officially handed over lease contracts to farmers for over 10,000 rai of land owned by the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment. This marked a significant day in the Nong Wua So development scheme, designed to safeguard the interests…
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Pollution turns Nonthaburi canal water pink
Reports revealed strange pink canal water in Nonthaburi on Valentine’s Day last week as scientists scrambled to uncover the truth behind the sudden rosy hue. Experts from the Department of Science Service (DSS) embarked on an investigation uncovering startling findings that could change the way we see pollution. The case, discovered in Khlong Bang Phraek near the Big C department store…
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Thailand gears up for 4 expressway projects worth 120 billion baht
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is set to launch four expressway projects amounting to approximately 120 billion baht (US$3.3 billion). The projects, once approved and operational, are anticipated to stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities across the nation. Surachet Laophulsuk, the head of EXAT, revealed that the four proposals are ready for submission to the Cabinet for approval.…
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Chaos outside passport office claims lives in Myanmar
In Myanmar’s Mandalay, a rush for escape turned fatal as two lives were lost in a stampede outside a passport office yesterday. According to an AFP report, the victims, two women aged 52 and 39, succumbed to the overwhelming surge of hundreds clamouring to secure their passage out of the country, amplifying the harrowing toll of Myanmar’s societal upheaval. A…
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Thai prosecutors threatened over online gambling scandal probe
Two leading prosecutors have allegedly been threatened by police officers implicated in a major online gambling scandal in Thailand, prompting the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to seek their protection. The Royal Thai Police, however, have yet to offer a response to the OAG’s plea. The OAG has specifically requested the national police chief, Police General Torsak Sukvimol, to…
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Rare oarfish carcasses found in Thailand to be exhibited post study
Two oarfish carcasses recently discovered in Thailand are currently under examination by the National Science Museum (NSM) Foundation. Once the investigation is finished, the remains will be showcased at an exhibition. Supamas Isarabhakdi, the Minister of Education, Science, Research and Innovation, said yesterday that the first oarfish carcass was discovered near Patong Beach, Phuket on February 15. Local fishermen located…
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NESDC adjusts Thailand’s GDP growth projections
An adjustment to the anticipated GDP growth for 2023 and 2024 has been made by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), dropping to 1.9% and 2.7% respectively. The secretary-general of NESDC, Danucha Pichayanan, has called upon the Bank of Thailand to utilise financial measures to support the economy. The NESDC unveiled the figures for the economic growth in…
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TBA urges integration of informal economy for digital growth
The Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) has advocated for integrating the informal economy into the national economic framework to enhance transparency and bolster the country’s digital economy. The recovery index of Thailand’s GDP post-pandemic in 2023 was marked at 110, underperforming the worldwide average of 80, according to the TBA. A higher score on this index indicates a lengthier recovery period.…
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Bangkok Produce leads campaign on crop burning to fight PM2.5 dust
Taking the lead in the fight against the PM2.5 dust challenge, Bangkok Produce Merchandising Public Company Limited, a subsidiary of the leading agri-food conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods), has joined forces with government authorities, business partners, and farmers. They are spearheading a holistic campaign designed to curtail crop burning in the lead-up to the imminent planting…
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Thai police chief ordered to protect prosecutors in online gambling case
The national chief of police has been instructed by the attorney-general to prevent eight implicated officers in an online gambling case from intimidating two senior prosecutors, disclosed Prayut Phetcharakhun, spokesperson of the Office of the Attorney-General. In the previous week, Attorney-General Amnat Chetcharoenrak penned a letter to police Chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol, requesting him to halt threats from the…
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Phuket passenger van drivers’ brawl sparks public outrage
A violent altercation between two passenger van drivers erupted at the Ratsada Pier exit in Phuket. The incident, which was captured on video, circulated rapidly on social media yesterday, February 18, sparking widespread outrage. The video footage revealed a heated exchange between the drivers that eventually escalated into a physical brawl. One driver was seen being kicked while he lay…
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Homeless veteran found dead under Bangkok expressway
A homeless veteran was found dead under the Sri Rat Expressway in Nonthaburi, with a fractured skull, sparking a police investigation to capture the assailant. In a sombre discovery beneath the Sri Rat Expressway in Nonthaburi province, authorities found the lifeless body of a homeless veteran with severe injuries to his head. The incident, which occurred under the shadow of…
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Thailand aims for top ASEAN agricultural exporter with new FTAs
A Government of Thailand spokesperson revealed plans to enhance economic cooperation and attract foreign trade and investment, which could propel the Thai nation to the top of the agricultural export rankings in ASEAN through the implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTA). The spokesperson for the Thai Prime Minister’s Office, Chai Watcharong, disclosed Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin’s determination…
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Thailand’s fiery plight: 400+ hotspots spark concern
Thailand is currently grappling with more than 400 hotspots, with the highest concentration in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lampang, and Mae Hong Son, each reporting over 40 incidents. In comparison, neighbouring countries are also facing significant challenges, with Myanmar recording 3,065 hotspots, Cambodia 1,341, Laos 704, and Vietnam 414 as of February 18. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development…
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Late onset of Thai summer predicted with extreme heat
The onset of summer in Thailand is set to be late this month, as projected by the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD). The upcoming months of March and April are forecasted to experience extreme heat, with temperatures potentially soaring as high as 43-45°C in certain provinces. According to the department, the latter part of the week will witness a surge…
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Community mourns as drunk driver kills two 12 year olds in Thailand
A recent tragedy gripped the local community of Satuek following a fatal traffic incident involving two 12 year old students, needlessly killed by a drunk driver. The accident occurred at 3pm yesterday, when a 67 year old man, identified only by his first name, Banchong, struck the children with his black Mitsubishi pickup truck, leading to their immediate death at…
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Dugong survival threatened by seagrass decline in Andaman Sea
A prominent marine biologist issued a stark warning regarding the potential threat to the survival of dugongs in the Andaman Sea due to the rapid decline of seagrass, their primary food source. Thon Thamrongnawasat, the deputy dean of Kasetsart University’s fisheries faculty, voiced his concerns in a Facebook post, emphasising his worries for the future of marine biodiversity, specifically the…
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Chinese man’s gambling site bust leaves billions in losses
The Immigration Bureau of Thailand arrested a Chinese man for running an illegal gambling website that caused more than 2.5 billion baht in losses to people in China. The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand requested cooperation from the Immigration Bureau to apprehend a 32 year old Chinese suspect named Huang who escaped an…
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Phuket boat operators nabbed for unlicensed fishing
At the heart of Phuket’s pristine waters, two boat operators found themselves ensnared by the law on a fateful day earlier this week. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Marine Police, in a display of concerted action, apprehended the duo for carrying out commercial fishing activities in a restricted zone and for steering an unlicensed fishing vessel. The incident…
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Thai mum’s plea for aid after daughter’s car crash in Taiwan
A Thai mother is seeking help from the Government of Thailand after her daughter was seriously injured in a car accident in Taiwan. She has received no assistance from the Taiwanese authorities or the driver’s family. The mother contacted the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive, saying her daughter was in hospital in Taiwan following a car accident on February 7, but she cannot…
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Phuket aims to become a low-carbon green city
The popular tourist destination of Phuket is on course to become a low-carbon green city, thanks to a recent collaboration between Energy Absolute Public Company Limited (EA) and the Federation of Thai Industries Phuket (FTI Phuket). Both organisations have agreed to make this transformation a reality, and Governor Sophon Suwannarat witnessed their commitment at an event held on February 17.…
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Phuket hookah bar raided in ongoing clampdown on illicit tobacco trade
In the bustling city of Phuket, a hookah bar in Cherng Talay was stormed by a team of ten officials from the Thalang District. Following the crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade, authorities have apprehended and charged the venue operator involved in the illegal activity. The operation was initiated late into the night at 11.09pm on Friday, February 16. This…
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Thailand’s GDP sees modest growth amid calls for interest rate cut
Thailand’s economic growth in 2023, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), registered a 1.9% increase, according to the National Social and Economic Development Council (NESDC). This growth, however, was tempered by a decline in manufacturing and public spending, despite an upswing in private consumption and visitor numbers. This growth bolsters the argument for an interest rate slash during…
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AWS plans to democratise generative AI as global fight heats up
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon’s cloud computing division, unveiled its plans to make technology and generative artificial intelligence (AI) readily available. This initiative comes as the global generative AI sector becomes increasingly competitive. Jaime Valles, AWS Vice President of the commercial sector for Asia-Pacific and Japan, highlighted the transformative influence of cloud computing in granting global access to technology and…
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