Bangkok News
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Bangkok taxi driver aids drunk motorist with damaged car
A recent incident involving a drunk driver whose vehicle sustained severe damage, including a missing tyre, has become a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence. The event unfolded late at night on a busy Bangkok street and was captured on video by a local taxi driver who intervened to prevent further mishaps. The taxi driver, Phasda…
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Thaksin hospital release: Justice Minister denies misconduct
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong remained resolute, shrugging off the latest petition urging the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to delve into the ministry’s alleged misconduct surrounding Thaksin Shinawatra’s hospital release and parole. Police Colonel Tawee reiterated the ministry’s adherence to regulations governing prisoner treatment outside confinement and parole eligibility. However, he acknowledged citizens’ rights to petition the NACC if they perceive…
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Shared toilets for teachers and students stir controversy
The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) sparked controversy with its recent decision to implement shared toilet facilities for teachers and students at all of its schools. The news was met with widespread criticism on a social media platform overseen by the Education Ministry. According to OBEC Secretary-General Thanu Wongchinda, shared toilets at schools for teachers and students will…
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Bangladesh prime minister visits Thailand
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to make waves in Thailand as she embarks on a high-profile six-day mission, kicking off with her arrival today at the invitation of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Government House confirmed Hasina’s stay until next Monday, April 29, promising a flurry of diplomatic activity. A series of significant signings, including official agreements and memoranda…
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Indian coffee trader busted with 10 anacondas on Bangkok flight
Customs officials intercepted a 56 year old coffee trader from Sakleshpur, India with a suitcase filled with 10 baby yellow anacondas, on a flight from Bangkok to Bengaluru. At Kempegowda International Airport, the trader, arriving on Thai Air Asia Flight No. FD-137, was swiftly apprehended on Saturday night, sparking a high-stakes investigation into the illicit trafficking of exotic reptiles. The…
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Former officials to face charges for 2004 Tak Bai massacre
Criminal charges are set to be filed against nine former security officials involved in the 2004 Tak Bai massacre. Lawyers representing the victims’ families are spearheading this legal action. This move comes months before the expiration of the 20-year statute of limitations on the case, which is due to conclude in October this year. The charges will be filed at…
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Minister warns against fake Labubu doll scam
Reports of a sinister scam preying on Labubu doll enthusiasts have flooded in, warned Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad. Puangpet delivered a stern warning to the public, her handbag adorned with a green Labubu doll and a pink one grasped firmly in her hand. “Prices of these coveted dolls, often reaching thousands of baht, have soared since Thai K-pop…
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PM Srettha discusses interest rate cuts with bank chiefs
Prime Minister Srettha Thavasin convened a meeting with top executives from four major banks to discuss potential interest rate reductions aimed at aiding vulnerable groups within the country. The discussions took place at the Government House at 9am today just before the weekly Cabinet meeting. PM Srettha, who also serves as Finance Minister, sought cooperation from the leaders of both…
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Thailand government plans to raise minimum wage to 400 baht
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn unveiled yesterday that the Government of Thailand has assembled a series of fresh employment benefits set to be introduced on May 1, International Workers’ Day. The most notable of these is a proposal to elevate the minimum wage to 400 baht across the nation. The new minimum wage rate of 400 baht has already received the…
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PM Srettha aims to boost Asia-Pacific’s sustainable development
PM Srettha charged the United Nations’ Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to assist in identifying innovative solutions to promote sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region. This appeal was part of his address at the 80th ESCAP session, themed Leveraging Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, held in Bangkok yesterday, April 22.…
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Thai tourism sector proposes 300-baht tax to counter over-tourism
Thai tourism operators are advocating for government regulations to address the rising issue of over-tourism in the country. They propose the implementation of a 300-baht tourism tax, which they believe could alleviate the problem. Their call for action comes in response to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s commitment to make 2025 a pivotal year for Thai tourism. The Federation of Thai…
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Government launches utility cost subsidy for welfare cardholders
A new government initiative has been launched to alleviate the burden of utility costs for households in Thailand. The programme, aimed at state welfare cardholders, offers a single electricity and water subsidy per household, linked to one household registration code. Eligible participants must confirm their identity and register for the subsidy, which applies to either electricity or water services, not…
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Bangkok e-cigarette raid seizes 10,000 products
Thai authorities have swooped on five e-cigarette outlets in the vicinity of Bangkok’s universities and residential properties, confiscating 10,000 e-cigarette products valued at 3 million baht. The operation was headed by Puangpet Chunlaiad, a minister from the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday in collaboration with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and officers of Lat Phrao Police Station. The…
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French national apprehended in Bangkok on kidnap charge
Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Bureau apprehended a 45 year old French national at a hotel in the Silom area of Bang Rak district. The arrest, which took place around 10pm yesterday concerned allegations of a planned kidnapping of the young daughter of a renowned businesswoman, with a demand for a 200 million baht ransom. The arrest warrant for Sandra Christina Marie Diersten,…
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BYD electric bus charges Thong Lo roads in Bangkok
In a move towards eco-friendly commuting, BYD, the leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer from China, has unleashed its electric bus onto the bustling streets of Bangkok. Offering complimentary rides to commuters in the vibrant Thong Lo area until April 30, this trial run marks a pivotal moment in Thailand’s transportation landscape. Under the auspices of Rever Commercial Vehicles Ltd, the…
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Deputy minister’s son crashes BMW into police checkpoint
Traffic Police Division 5 officials in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district found themselves in a high-speed chase with the son of a deputy minister. The 46 year old man in question was behind the wheel of his sleek BMW sports car when the vehicle careened into steel barricades at a police checkpoint near Soi Ratchadaphisek 31. The driver declined an alcohol test,…
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Brewing herbal revolution: Thai herbs poised to spice up global markets
Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke unveiled Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s master plan to transform Thai herbs into a formidable soft power product, captivating domestic and international markets. “Prime Minister Thavisin’s vision is crystal clear: to propel Thailand’s herbal industry to unprecedented heights, elevating the status of Thai herbs worldwide.” Harnessing the innate medicinal prowess, rich biodiversity, and indigenous knowledge embedded within…
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TAT to launch Nihao Festival in October to woo Chinese tourists
To captivate the hearts of Chinese tourists, the Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) has unveiled a month-long extravaganza, the Nihao Festival, set to take place for the entire month of October. Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool announced the grand scheme yesterday, aiming to entice holidaymakers during China’s National Day Golden Week, renowned for its bustling travel fervour. The festivity will unfurl across Bangkok’s…
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Klook and TAT join forces to revolutionise Thailand tourism
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Klook, Asia’s premier platform for travel experiences, have inked a deal to supercharge the kingdom’s allure. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool expressed the perfect timing for this collaboration, highlighting their shared goals of promoting Thailand as a top tourist destination. “We have set our goals to collaborate and create comprehensive joint marketing with Klook…
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Spain’s plastic law impacts Thai beverage exports
The Ministry of Commerce’s latest directive has set Thai entrepreneurs on a mission to crack the cap code in light of Spain’s latest law on plastic waste. To tackle plastic waste, Spain’s new law insists bottle caps remain steadfastly attached, impacting global trade. Aligning with the EU’s green agenda, this move aims to slash plastic pollution and set a new…
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Thai Ministry to reimburse victims of call centre scams
The Thai Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) announced plans to reimburse victims with more than 10 billion baht worth of money and assets, previously seized from call centre scam operations. The assets, including 6 billion baht in cash, were retrieved by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) in 2021, according to Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. He iterated that AMLO is…
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Pheu Thai Party eyes House Speaker position
The Pheu Thai Party is reportedly planning to reclaim the House Speaker position from the Prachachat Party, according to a source yesterday. This move is part of the ruling party’s strategy to restructure its parliamentary operations, and it is predicted that the position might be given to a prominent member of the party, possibly a minister who may be removed…
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Thai government’s triple referendum approach under scrutiny
The Cabinet will acknowledge the government’s stance on a triple referendum as a part of the process to amend the entire charter next week, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham asserted that despite being a protracted process, three referenda would ensure a judicious approach. However, critics have raised concerns that organising the triple referendum, each…
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Thai and Taiwanese firms join to build medical products plant
Aiming to capitalise on the government’s initiative to make Thailand a medical hub in Southeast Asia, Thai firm Namwiwat Medical Corporation (Nam) and Taiwanese company Somnics Inc have joined forces to construct a new manufacturing plant. The facility, intended to serve as an export base, will produce a wide range of medical products, including sleep-enhancing devices. Nam, a local sterilised…
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Bangkok aims to reduce plastic use with more water refill stations
To combat plastic pollution, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Bottle Free Seas project has proven to be a roaring success, with plans now underway to expand its reach by installing an additional 200 drinking water refill points across the city. Launched last August, this eco-initiative has already made a significant dent in plastic bottle consumption, slashing the usage of a…
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Bangkok commuters to ride electric trains for just 20 baht
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit pledged that by September 2025, electric train rides throughout the metropolitan area will cost a mere 20 baht, fulfilling a longstanding promise of the ruling Pheu Thai Party. This initiative, initially implemented on select lines last year, faced scepticism from opposition figures like Surachet Pravinvongvuth of the Move Forward Party. Yet, Suriya remains steadfast, asserting that…
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Xi Jinping’s bullet train gift sparks China-Thailand railway reality
A replica of China’s Fuxing bullet train, bedecked in Thailand’s national colours and gifted during the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok in November 2022, now finds itself at the epicentre of a transformative railway saga between China and Thailand. As the wheels of progress turn, the construction of the China-Thailand Railway, a flagship venture under the Belt and…
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Police officer receives brain surgery after Songkran accident
A police officer was transferred to the Police Hospital in Bangkok following a severe traffic collision that left him critically injured. The incident occurred during the mid-Songkran festival traffic duties in Lopburi province when a female driver struck the officer, 39 year old Police Lance Corporal Piyaphan Seesuay, also known as Dab Tao. The medical team, after an immediate CT…
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Century-old heritage house on sale for 45 million baht in Bangkok
An almost century-old two-storey heritage house on the banks of the Chao Phraya River has sparked interest online after being listed for sale at 45 million baht. The property, boasting a land area of 200 square wahs (800 square metres), has been praised for its robust structure, despite showing signs of age. It was revealed today by a Facebook user,…
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Three year old girl survives Ferris wheel plunge in Bangkok
In a heart-stopping moment captured on CCTV, a three year old Thai girl found herself dangling from a Ferris wheel gondola after a daring grab for a metal bar sent her on a terrifying ride at Liab Duan Market in Bangkok. With astonishing strength, little Kanchaya Phoyen clung on for dear life as the wheel ascended, eventually dropping a stomach-churning…
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