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  • Thai minimum wage: Coalition parties and industry council engage in discussions

    Thai minimum wage: Coalition parties and industry council engage in discussions

    Eight Thai political parties agreed to support a Thai minimum wage increase to 450 baht (US$13) per day and continued discussions with the Federation of Thai Industries about moving the bill forward. Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), emphasized the excellent cooperation within the coalition government. The MFP leader informed INN News that the atmosphere during the…

  • El Nino set to return in 2023, raising haze risk for Singapore

    El Nino set to return in 2023, raising haze risk for Singapore

    Haze is expected to once again rear its ugly head in Southeast Asia. The Meteorological Service Singapore has forecasted that El Nino conditions are expected to develop in the second half of 2023, following three years of La Nina conditions. This comes seven years after the last strong El Nino event. The Met Service also predicts that a positive Indian…

  • Thai parties push for Progressive Liquor Bill to boost local alcohol production

    Thai parties push for Progressive Liquor Bill to boost local alcohol production

    The Progressive Liquor Bill, which aims to create fairer rules for small and community-based alcohol producers in Thailand, resurfaced in public discussions after being mentioned in a memorandum of understanding signed by eight parties looking to form a coalition government. The bill, proposed by the Move Forward Party (MFP), narrowly lost approval in the House of Representatives last year by…

  • Love Confession Day turns into betrayal: Husband catches cheating wife in the act

    Love Confession Day turns into betrayal: Husband catches cheating wife in the act

    A marriage was shaken to its core on “Love Confession Day” in China after a husband caught his wife dating another man while out with his daughter in the Jiangsu province. The cheating wife then defended her lover when confronted. ‘A,’ a married woman, chose to celebrate Love Confession Day, which is similar to Valentine’s Day, by secretly dating another man…

  • Virtual twin tech tackles traffic congestion and pollution in smart cities

    Virtual twin tech tackles traffic congestion and pollution in smart cities

    Virtual twin technology is emerging as a transformative tool for future mobility and smart cities, helping to address issues such as traffic congestion and air pollution, according to Dassault Systèmes, a France-based 3D design software company. This technology is an extension of digital twins, which are digital replicas of physical objects, systems, or processes that integrate advanced technologies and data…

  • Police race action plan faces racism claims from ethnic minority staff

    Police race action plan faces racism claims from ethnic minority staff

    The Police Race Action Plan, an initiative aimed at addressing racism within policing in England and Wales, is facing accusations of racism from some of its ethnic minority staff members. Launched in response to the murder of African-American George Floyd in 2020, the plan seeks to improve police relations with black communities. However, former staff members have told BBC Newsnight…

  • Cyber police bust luxury home, arrest Chinese crypto gang for global investment scam

    Cyber police bust luxury home, arrest Chinese crypto gang for global investment scam

    Cyber police yesterday raided a lavish home in the Bang Na district of Bangkok and arrested a Chinese couple involved in an international cryptocurrency scam. The operation, ‘Trust No One,’ seized valuable assets worth millions and investigated other linked locations across the city. Cyber police officers recently launched the ‘Trust No One’ operation, targeting an international cryptocurrency scam operated by…

  • Thai e-marketplaces Shopee and Lazada shift to profitability

    Thai e-marketplaces Shopee and Lazada shift to profitability

    The e-commerce landscape in Thailand experienced a significant shift as major players Shopee and Lazada reported profits for the first time in almost a decade. This change has been attributed to careful spending, operational adjustments, and increased service fees. In 2022, Shopee recorded a profit of 2.4 billion baht, while Lazada posted a profit of 413 million baht. Shopee’s revenue reached…

  • MFP leader concerned over Thai media censorship

    MFP leader concerned over Thai media censorship

    Concerns about media freedom in Thailand have been raised by Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat after a local pay-TV provider blocked a BBC profile about him. During a news conference, Pita addressed the issue, stating that press freedom must be rectified and made tangible in the country. Pita highlighted that at least three foreign news media outlets had experienced…

  • Unusual tree brings luck seekers, sparks lottery frenzy in Thai village

    Unusual tree brings luck seekers, sparks lottery frenzy in Thai village

    An unusual Sisal tree bearing an uncanny resemblance to a mythical Naga snake has drawn crowds of people to the residence of an 89 year old woman in Non Malai village in Thailand’s northeast Buriram province. Villagers believe the tree brings fortune. They flocked to pay respects and seek lucky lottery numbers from the peculiar tree in front of the…

  • China’s durian imports surge as Vietnam challenges Thai dominance

    China’s durian imports surge as Vietnam challenges Thai dominance

    Beijing’s decision to allow fresh durian imports from Vietnam has led to a surge in demand for the fruit in China, with importers like Bob Wang, founder of TWT Supply China, securing deals with Vietnamese durian farms. Despite the pandemic-related import restrictions, China saw a fourfold increase in durian imports in 2022 compared to 2017, reaching a total value of…

  • Bangkok commuters demand missing link between Green and Yellow lines

    Bangkok commuters demand missing link between Green and Yellow lines

    The operators of Bangkok’s Green and Yellow lines are facing increasing pressure to construct a 2.6-kilometre connection between the two electric train systems. This would enable Bangkok commuters to conveniently switch lines at Ratchayothin and Lat Phrao stations. The Yellow Line monorail, set to begin operations later this year, will serve as a mass-transit link for commuters in Bangkok’s north…

  • Pattaya to host 9th Annual International Day of Yoga at H20 Pool Nirvana

    Pattaya to host 9th Annual International Day of Yoga at H20 Pool Nirvana

    Yoga enthusiasts have a fantastic opportunity to participate in a special event in Pattaya. The 9th Annual International Day of Yoga is scheduled to be held at the H2O Pool Nirvana on June 18 from 8am to 9am. This gathering promises to be a delightful experience for all attendees, with free t-shirts and morning refreshments provided. Yoga mats will be…

  • Thailand urged to prioritise accessible tourism for disabled and elderly

    Thailand urged to prioritise accessible tourism for disabled and elderly

    Tourism operators in Thailand are calling for the development of a long-term action plan to make the country more accessible for elderly and disabled travellers. Jittasak Putjorn, an assistant professor at Silpakorn University researching the development of Thailand as a “Tourism For All” destination, said that the government and private operators should work together to close the gap in development…

  • Thai police and Interpol unite to combat human trafficking in Southeast Asia

    Thai police and Interpol unite to combat human trafficking in Southeast Asia

    The Royal Thai Police (RTP) is set to collaborate with Interpol in establishing a coordinating centre to combat human trafficking gangs operating in Southeast Asia. A meeting between Thai police officials and the FBI took place at the Interpol Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore to discuss human trafficking prevention strategies. The centre aims to tackle online crimes involving the…

  • Rat-astrophe at beachside feast! Thai woman’s warning after rodent bite

    Rat-astrophe at beachside feast! Thai woman’s warning after rodent bite

    A Thai woman issued a warning to others after she was bitten by a large rat while she was dining near Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri province. TikTok user, Wave.ds, posted a video of his sister with a bite wound two days ago with a caption that said… “Poor sister. A rat bit her when eating food on Bang…

  • Animal fat jet fuel demand risks palm oil surge, worsening emissions

    Animal fat jet fuel demand risks palm oil surge, worsening emissions

    The use of animal fat as a greener alternative to traditional jet fuel is raising concerns about its impact on the environment. Animal fats, considered waste, are used to create aviation fuel with a lower carbon footprint. Demand for such fuel is expected to triple by 2030, driven by airlines. However, experts warn that scarcity in animal fat could lead…

  • Nvidia valuation drops despite rally as earnings estimates outpace share price

    Nvidia valuation drops despite rally as earnings estimates outpace share price

    Nvidia Corp’s impressive stock rally in recent days has seen the chip developer’s valuation decrease, as measured by the forward price/earnings (P/E) ratio. Over the last three sessions, the company’s stock has risen more than 31%, with a 3% gain reaching $401.11. Despite this, Nvidia’s P/E multiple has fallen due to Wall Street’s earnings expectations for the company rising even…

  • Heavy rain warning across Thailand, strong winds raise flood risk

    Heavy rain warning across Thailand, strong winds raise flood risk

    Heavy rain and flash floods are forecast across Thailand today with a 70% chance of Bangkok being affected. Compelling precautions, the Thai Meteorological Department has warned residents in at-risk areas. The Meteorological Department reports that for the next 24 hours, beginning from 6pm yesterday until 6pm today, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected across the northern, central, and eastern regions…

  • Woman fatally shot amid domestic argument, husband blames dog jump for her death

    Woman fatally shot amid domestic argument, husband blames dog jump for her death

    A woman was found dead in her home after an argument with her drunken husband in Chachoengsao, Thailand. Police and forensic officers are investigating the scene and questioning four individuals, including the husband, to identify the perpetrator. Yesterday, officers from Chachoengsao Police Station were notified of a shooting that resulted in a fatality in a two-storey house in the city.…

  • Phuket sees Covid-19 surge, lax prevention and booster shot issues

    Phuket sees Covid-19 surge, lax prevention and booster shot issues

    Thailand’s island province of Phuket has experienced a concerning surge in Covid-19 infections over the past month, according to the Provincial Public Health Office. Deputy Chief Dr Muanprae Boonlorm highlighted that Vachira Phuket Hospital has seen a rise in Covid-19 patients since the Songkran holiday in mid-April. The number of hospitalisations due to pneumonia and Covid-19 related fatalities have also…

  • Tragic property dispute ends in fatal shooting: Former owner surrenders to police

    Tragic property dispute ends in fatal shooting: Former owner surrenders to police

    The former owner of the repossessed house in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok surrendered to the police last night after he shot and killed its new owner. The new owner bought the property from the bank. The accused murderer alleged that the bank unjustly seized his house and resold it. At 3pm yesterday, the former owner of the house, 65…

  • Elizabeth Holmes starts 11-year prison term for Theranos fraud

    Elizabeth Holmes starts 11-year prison term for Theranos fraud

    Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the now-defunct Theranos, reported to a federal prison in Texas to serve her 11-year sentence. The 39 year old was convicted of four counts of fraud related to her failed blood testing start-up early last year. Her request to remain free on bail while challenging the original conviction was denied in mid-May. The Federal Bureau…

  • Lorry crashes into house after swerving to avoid truck in Thailand

    Lorry crashes into house after swerving to avoid truck in Thailand

    A six-wheel lorry veered off the road and crashed into a house in Thailand‘s eastern Chanthaburi province, causing significant damage to the property. The homeowner narrowly escaped injury, while the truck driver stated that a sudden lane change by a pickup truck forced him off the road. The incident occurred yesterday in the Chanthaburi district when the vehicle lost control…

  • Bullied Thai student fatally stabs 1 and injures 2 others at renowned school

    Bullied Thai student fatally stabs 1 and injures 2 others at renowned school

    A secondary school student fatally stabbed a fellow student after an argument at a reputable school in Sri Rattana district in Thailand‘s northeast Sisaket province. Two other 14 year olds sustained serious injuries, Khaosod reported this morning. The incident led the Sisaket Provincial Governor, Samruay Kasemsuk, to urgently visit and aid the deceased student’s family, providing financial assistance and moral…

  • Cabinet approves extension for over 200,000 migrant workers amid government limbo

    Cabinet approves extension for over 200,000 migrant workers amid government limbo

    The Thai Cabinet approved an extension for over 200,000 migrant workers’ employment contracts, allowing them to retain their jobs until the new government assumes office, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. The decision impacts workers from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, and comes after an initial rejection of the Labour Ministry’s request for an extension. The change of heart was…

  • Rayong’s frog-tunate discovery: Residents hop on golden toad’s good luck

    Rayong’s frog-tunate discovery: Residents hop on golden toad’s good luck

    Residents in a Rayong village believe a golden yellow toad they discovered amid regular frogs during a heavy downpour will bring good luck. The woman who caught the toad refuses to sell it as she believes it would bring good luck and generate a lottery windfall someday. Reporters yesterday met with the woman who caught the toad, Vinijta Ruamwong, at…

  • Motorbike rider killed in tragic collision with 6-wheel truck in central Thailand

    Motorbike rider killed in tragic collision with 6-wheel truck in central Thailand

    A tragic accident occurred at Nawanakorn Industrial Estate in Thailand‘s central Pathum Thani province when a 26 year old man on a motorbike collided with a six-wheeled truck, resulting in his death. The incident took place at 7.30pm yesterday, and authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. The deceased man, originally from Ban Haet district in the northeast Khon…

  • Economist warns of panic as new Thai government risks fiscal sustainability

    Economist warns of panic as new Thai government risks fiscal sustainability

    Concerns about fiscal sustainability have been raised by Kiatnakin Phatra Securities (KKP), as the new government‘s potential “addiction to budget deficits” may cause panic in the stock market. KKP’s chief economist, Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, expressed his apprehensions regarding the country’s fiscal outlook if excessive expenditure is allocated by politicians and the government without a clear financing plan. As Thailand prepares for…

  • Skeletons of three infants found in 70 year old woman’s wardrobe

    Skeletons of three infants found in 70 year old woman’s wardrobe

    A 70 year old Japanese woman in Osaka alarmed police with a phone call stating she had just given birth. Upon arrival at her home, officers discovered the skeleton remains of three infants hidden in a wardrobe for around 40 years. The woman from Daito, Osaka, Japan, made a sudden call to the police on Thursday, May 25, vaguely claiming…