Hot News
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Third sea turtle rescued from fishing nets in Phuket this week
Another sea turtle, entangled in discarded fishing nets, washed ashore in Phuket yesterday. The young turtle was found by lifeguards on Kalim Beach, north of Patong, amidst a mix of debris. Patong Surf Life Saving Club lifeguards successfully freed the turtle by cutting away the netting before notifying officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). DMCR officials…
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Hook, line, and sinker: Two men nabbed for illegal fishing
Two men have been apprehended for illegal fishing within a restricted zone off Cape Panwa, an area designated as a sanctuary for aquatic animals and plants. Officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) stationed at the Phuket Marine Resources Conservation Center spotted the men fishing in the protected waters on Wednesday afternoon, June 12. According to a…
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Digital wallet scheme to include smartphones purchases
The Ministry of Finance confirmed that the distribution of a 10,000 baht digital wallet can be used to purchase smartphones, which are seen as essential livelihood tools by the minister. Deputy Minister of Finance Chulpan Amornwiwat provided an update on the progress of the 10,000 baht top-up project through digital wallets. He announced that an operational subcommittee meeting is scheduled…
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Koh Samui steals spotlight: Readers rave over four island getaways
Readers of the popular American travel magazine Travel+Leisure voted four accommodations in Koh Samui as winners in the Beach+Island Resort category. Travel+Leisure released its 2024 Luxury Awards Asia Pacific ranking, allowing readers to nominate and vote for outstanding accommodations in various categories, including five-star urban escapes, private-island beach resorts, innovative spas, Instagram-worthy swimming pools, awesome airlines and airports, cruises, and…
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Thai energy firms question new power plan for carbon neutrality
Thailand’s energy firms expressed concerns that the revised power development plan (PDP) may fall short of the kingdom’s 2050 carbon neutrality goals, highlighting the need for a balanced approach between practicality and optimism. The PDP, which is set to be enforced from 2024 to 2037, aims to promote greater use of renewable energy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. However, energy…
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Thaksin’s political comeback: A masterstroke or misfire?
Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra, despite facing charges under the lese-majeste law, is plotting a grand comeback. Engaging with influential political figures and major families, the 74 year old former prime minister plays the long game with a cunning new strategy. Thaksin is abandoning the 100-party list MP seat strategy, focusing instead on the 400 constituency MP seats, a tactic…
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Police seize 1.1 million meth pills abandoned in Chiang Rai
Police intercepted a major drug haul when two motorcyclists abandoned 1.1 million meth pills by the roadside in Chiang Rai. The suspects fled after encountering a checkpoint, leaving behind the drugs branded with a luxury car logo. The incident occurred around 6.30pm yesterday. Officers from the 191 Patrol Unit of Mae Chan Police Station and the Tha Khao Pluak checkpoint…
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Woman robbed of newly purchased 548,000 baht Toyota Fortuner
A bold heist occurred yesterday as a woman was robbed at gunpoint for her newly purchased Toyota Fortuner, moments after she transferred 548,000 baht for the vehicle. The victim, 41 year old Cass recounted the ordeal to an investigating officer, explaining that she and an acquaintance, 25 year old Bow, were introduced to a woman known as Jae Aeh, who…
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Irishman dies on Thai holiday just before godson’s birthday
An Irishman’s dream holiday in Thailand turned into a nightmare after he tragically died just days before he was due to return home for his godson’s birthday. Damien Melarkey had been enjoying nearly four weeks in the picturesque Southeast Asian country when he suddenly passed away, only a day before his flight home. Melarkey’s brother Brian revealed that Damien died…
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Majority oppose Thai amnesty bill in online survey
A significant majority of people surveyed by the Secretariat of the House of Representatives expressed opposition to a bill sponsored by civil society groups that seeks amnesty in political and lese majeste cases dating back to September 2006. The month-long online survey concluded with 64.66% of participants rejecting the bill, while 35.34% were in favour. Some 90,503 respondents took part…
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Twinning triumph: Thailand to launch second border bridge to Malaysia
Thailand is set to break ground on a monumental project that will transform the region. The Twin Bridge, a massive construction project in Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok, is expected to begin in April 2025. Narathiwat Province Governor Trakul Thotham announced that before construction starts, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) must be conducted. The EIA survey is scheduled to kick off next…
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Sting op: Police seize 12 million meth pills in beekeeping crates
Officers from Li Police Station intercepted a major drug smuggling operation, seizing 12 million methamphetamine pills, the largest drug bust in a decade. The drugs were hidden in beekeeping crates in an attempt to deceive the police. Officers yesterday, June 13, led by Vicha Kanthasuk and Piya Angkul Kattanyu, with Songwun Saengkham and anti-narcotics police, set up a checkpoint at…
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Chon Buri cannabis store vandalism turns into a blaze of gunfire
A cannabis store in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province fell victim to vandalism twice, with the second attack escalating to gunfire, perpetrated by masked youths. Sakda Niempai, the proprietor, revealed that his shop, situated opposite the Bang Saray Night Market, was the target of two assaults by a group of teenagers. CCTV footage documented both incidents, prompting the…
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New SRT Royal Blossom train to boost Kanchanaburi tourism
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to launch the new SRT Royal Blossom tourist train, refurbished by Thai craftsmen, on the Kanchanaburi route by mid-August. The announcement came from Akranun Kannakitinan, a Kanchanaburi MP from the Pheu Thai Party. Akranun revealed that the refurbished train, featuring air-conditioned Hamanasu carriages from Japan, will soon commence operations. The train has…
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Election Commission defends move to dissolve MFP
The Election Commission (EC) defended its move to seek the dissolution of the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) due to its support for revising the lese majeste law, asserting that the move adhered to proper legal procedures under the organic law on political parties. EC member Pakorn Mahannop clarified that the commission’s action was based on Section 92, not Section…
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Police raid karaoke bar uncovering child prostitution ring
The Thai police conducted a raid on a karaoke bar in the Lat Pla Khao area, revealing a child prostitution ring exploiting minors to pay off exorbitant debts. The operation rescued teenage victims aged between 15 and 16 years old. Special Operations from the Department of Provincial Administration carried out the raid yesterday to rescue the teenage victims of human…
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Singaporean tourist and locals injured in Pattaya traffic accident
A traffic accident involving a Singaporean tourist and a local pickup truck left over 12 people injured in Pattaya. The collision occurred on Jomtien Beach Road at 12.36am, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Upon arrival, responders discovered a modified Nissan Frontier pickup truck and a white Honda Civic sedan involved in the crash. The pickup truck was transporting…
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Student brawl in Ayutthaya leaves two dead and one injured
A violent clash erupted between students from different institutions, resulting in two deaths and one injury. The brawl included the use of firearms and knives, leaving a mother devastated as her warnings went unheeded. The incident occurred at 6.30pm yesterday on Rojana Road, Bang Pa-in, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Police and emergency services responded swiftly to reports of a brawl…
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Data breach of over 20,000 Senate applicants investigated
A major data breach involving personal information from over 20,000 applicants for the Senate election is under investigation by the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand. The leak occurred soon after the district-level voting on June 9. EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee confirmed that the data was compromised through file formats integrated into the system by an unidentified agency. The EC is…
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Bangkok rail fares capped at 20 baht by March 2026
The government is set to implement a 20-baht fare cap across all of Greater Bangkok’s rail network by March 2026, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced yesterday. Suriya confirmed the decision following a meeting with the Common Ticketing System Policy Committee. The committee approved the plan to impose a 20-baht limit on ticket prices throughout Bangkok’s rail network and has instructed…
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How technology fosters a happy working environment
Today, technology is not just a tool; it drives the creation of more enjoyable and efficient environments. With 97% of employees believing technology can greatly improve their workplace, it’s clear that the digital era is transforming our professional lives. However, there is a caveat. A significant 64% believe that businesses risk falling behind if they do not adopt new technology.…
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Baht’s the password? Thai gran’s costly slip leads to 105k bank loss
A 65 year old Thai woman lost 105,000 baht from her bank account after writing her ATM password on the back of the card and subsequently losing it on March 13, resulting in the loss of 105,000 baht in her bank account. The 65 year old victim, Janpen, accompanied by her 44 year old daughter, Somporn, sought help from Move…
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Thai court to review 2001 Thai-Cambodian MoU’s constitutionality
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) Deputy Leader Paiboon Nititawan has taken his concerns about the 2001 Thai-Cambodian memorandum of understanding (MoU) on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand to the Constitutional Court, questioning its alignment with the Thai constitution. Paiboon had initially requested the Ombudsman to petition the court on April 10 but, after the Ombudsman failed to act within…
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Philippines intensifies illegal offshore gambling crackdown
The authorities in the Philippines have intensified efforts to shut down illegal offshore gambling operations amidst growing calls for a complete ban due to alleged connections to criminal syndicates. The country’s gaming regulator revealed approximately 250 to 300 offshore gambling firms are operating without a licence, a significant increase from the 46 legitimate operators. This information was disclosed by Alejandro…
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Man dies after pickup veers off Samut Songkhram road
A 34 year old man tragically lost his life after his pickup truck veered off the road and crashed into a barricade, ejecting him through the rear window. The accident happened at around 2.30am today, June 14, on Samut Songkhram-Bang Phae Road, heading towards Mae Klong. Police Lieutenant Pongporn Taowarod, Deputy Inspector at Amphawa Police Station, was alerted to the…
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Budget airlines push jet fuel tax cut to reduce airfare prices
Budget airlines have issued an appeal to the Finance Ministry to reduce the excise tax on jet fuel, to help mitigate their operational costs with the fragile state of the industry. Following a meeting with representatives from low-cost airlines, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat reported that the carriers discussed economic challenges and reiterated their commitment to supporting government measures aimed…
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Thai govt warns of monsoon mayhem, brace for floods, heavy rain
The Thai government issued a warning for heavy rain and potential flash floods from June 15 to June 19, due to monsoons and increased weather activity. The Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand are expected to experience high waves, urging fishermen to avoid navigating stormy areas. Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, Karom Polpornklang, alerted the public to the…
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Fruitful apology: Durian shop to sue after false TikTok fraud claim apology
A customer issued an apology after accusing a durian shop of fraud in a viral TikTok post, which later turned out to be a misunderstanding. The shop owner accepted the apology but insisted on pursuing legal action due to the damage caused to the shop’s reputation. A TikTok user posted a video clip with a damaging message. “As consumers, we…
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Bank of Thailand intensifies crackdown on mule accounts
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) intensified efforts to crack down on mule bank accounts used for fraudulent financial activities by placing a freeze on any suspicious accounts, in a move to disrupt criminal operations. Deputy Governor for Financial Institution Stability at the BoT, Ronnadol Numnonda revealed that last year, a decree on measures to prevent and suppress technological crime was…
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Election shocker: Over 23,000 candidates’ personal data exposed
The Election Commission (EC) accidentally exposed the national ID numbers of over 23,000 candidates who had advanced to the district-level senatorial elections. The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC)’s Eagle Eye Centre sounded the alarm, revealing the EC Office had breached personal data protection laws. “The EC Office must immediately conceal the leaked numbers and provide an explanation.” The PDPC, under…
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