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Thai government changes funding approach for digital wallet project
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s coalition government has made a crucial change to its flagship scheme, a digital wallet project aiming to distribute 10,000 baht (US$270) to 50 million Thais. The government has switched from borrowing funds, which faced severe criticism and raised concerns about possible violations of financial and fiscal discipline regulations, to using money from the annual expenditure budget.…
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Thai minister to push for Land Bridge megaproject in China visit
Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the Thai Transport Minister, is set to lead a delegation to China to explore further developments concerning the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project and advocate for the 1 trillion baht (US$27 billion) Land Bridge megaproject. The visit, which is scheduled for next month, will involve participation in the 31st Thailand-China joint ministerial committee meeting. A key agenda item is…
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Prachinburi firefighters battle stubborn landfill blaze
A relentless blaze has been challenging firefighters in Prachinburi as they work tirelessly to extinguish a landfill fire that has been burning throughout the night. The sprawling fire, spanning over an area exceeding 17 rai with mounds of garbage more than 4 metres high, has caused significant distress to locals due to the smoke and foul odour affecting three subdistricts.…
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Pattaya police raid reveals 21 Burmese living illegally
In Pattaya, a police raid led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Weerachai Thinkhamut, Superintendent of the Immigration Police for Chon Buri province, resulted in the arrest of 21 Burmese nationals living illegally in rented properties on Soi Kho Phai. The operation, which took place around midday yesterday, April 24, was instigated following complaints from locals about the disruptive behaviour of the…
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Ang Thong’s spirit boat lures lottery hopefuls with sacred numbers
A boat believed to be inhabited by spirits has become the centre of attraction in Ang Thong province, attracting locals with the lure of winning lottery numbers. The boat, located at Wat Mai Khok Marum temple, is linked to the tragic tale of a woman named Praewa and her unborn child, Grung Gring. It is thought to have sailed from…
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Thailand households cut cooling costs with aircon and fan trick
In the grip of summer heat, Thailand households are finding that using air conditioning is a necessity rather than a luxury. However, the spike in electricity bills at the end of the month has many looking for cost-effective ways to stay cool. A recent experiment by the YouTube channel CLEAR ENERGY sparked significant interest, offering insight into which is more…
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Scorching heatwave sparks record-breaking electricity surge
Energy officials revealed that electricity demand skyrocketed to a staggering 35,830 megawatts (MW) at precisely 8.58pm on Monday, shattering previous records amid a blistering national heatwave. Temperatures across the country soared between 35 and 38 degrees Celcius, peaking at a scorching 42 degrees Celcius on the same day. “This demand surge surpassed the previous record of 34,656MW set on April…
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South Korean man’s cat-killing spree lands him in prison
A South Korean man, identified only as being in his twenties, has been handed a 14-month prison sentence for slaughtering 76 cats. This harrowing revelation emerged from the recent verdict delivered by the Changwon District Court, which condemned the perpetrator for violating South Korea’s stringent animal protection laws. According to court documents obtained by the Associated Press, the man’s gruesome…
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Health Ministry greenlights medical opium and magic mushrooms
The Public Health Ministry authorised the utilisation of opium and magic mushrooms for medical treatment and research purposes. This groundbreaking decision, disclosed in a directive published in the Royal Gazette yesterday, signifies a significant shift in drug policy. Signed by Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, the directive came into effect today. It categorises opium and psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as…
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Thai netizens slam illegal workers in South Korea for arrest protest
Thai netizens slammed illegal Thai workers in South Korea for organising a protest, demanding local authorities stop arresting them. A Facebook account under the name Fonfon Snt shared pictures of herself and other illegal workers protesting outside the immigration office in Yangju City, Gyeonggi province, South Korea. “Stop arresting Phi Noi (an illegal Thai worker in South Korea). We are…
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Six month old Thai baby’s foot swollen due to tight pulse band
A six month old baby was hospitalised with severe bruising on his foot after a Thai hospital used an elastic band to measure his pulse, resulting in swelling and discolouration. The incident came to light today when the baby’s 37 year old mother shared images of the injuries on social media, sparking widespread concern and prompting calls for better child…
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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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Facebook group blooms sharing poison plant pointers
A Facebook group dedicated to identifying poisonous plants and trees has become an online sensation, amassing more than 250,000 members. The group’s popularity surged when a young man posted a picture of a leaf with the caption, “What is this plant? Touched it and it’s very itchy.” The image captured a beautiful green leaf with sharp hairs on both sides,…
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Buddhism Office probes monks over ‘Mind Connection’ cult claims
A controversial spiritual practice in Thailand, dubbed the “Mind Connection” technique, has prompted an investigation by the National Office of Buddhism (NOB). The director of the NOB, Intaporn Jantaeiam, recently announced a legal pathway to take action and initiated a probe into two monks whose images appeared at an event related to this practice. The case came into the spotlight…
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Songkran festival boosts Thailand’s tourism with 140 billion baht
This year’s Songkran festival, spanning over three weeks, spurred a remarkable 140 billion baht influx into Thailand’s tourism sector, surpassing the anticipated 132 billion baht. Foreign tourist arrivals soared to a hefty 1.9 million amidst the celebrations, divulged the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The festival, running from April 1 to April 21, witnessed multiple sectors cashing in on the festive…
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Koh Pha Ngan: French tourist nabbed for drug dealing
Surat Thani police officers, alongside the Pa Cha Da Special Operation Unit, apprehended a 41 year old French national at a hotel bar on Koh Pha Ngan yesterday. Authorities unveiled a stash of narcotics and incriminating evidence. Among the damning items seized were 19.7 grammes of cocaine, 23 ecstasy pills, a digital scale, and 6,000 baht in cash, along with…
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Volunteer firefighter attacked by Asian black bear in Lampang
An Asian black bear attacked a volunteer firefighter while putting out a forest fire at Chae Son National Park in the northern province of Lampang on April 21. The victim is currently in a stable condition. The volunteer firefighter, 56 year old Sarm Mungtrong, sustained injuries to his head and arm after being attacked by the Asian black bear during…
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Foetus found behind durian stall sparks police hunt in Chanthaburi
The gruesome discovery of a five month old male foetus buried in a makeshift grave behind an unnamed durian stall in the Tha Mai district of Chanthaburi province has sent shockwaves through the local community. The incident was reported to police at 7.30am today, April 24, by a villager who stumbled upon the scene while gathering vegetables. Upon arrival, Deputy…
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PM Srettha reveals ‘Phuket Model’ to boost tourism and safety
Srettha Thavisin unveiled the Phuket Model which aims to revolutionise tourism management and social security in the tourist hotspot. Addressing a gathering of consular mission heads and law enforcement officials from 12 countries, PM Srettha highlighted the urgent need to prevent Phuket from descending into a haven for safety tourism. “Phuket was the first province I visited after taking office…
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Buriram teen brutally attacked, family seeks justice
A Buriram teen was brutally attacked by a group of teenagers, including one army conscript, during the Songkran festival on April 14. After nearly collapsing from injuries and receiving threats online, the family of the victim is seeking justice, while the case remains unresolved as of today. The joy of Thailand’s traditional Songkran celebrations turned into a nightmare for a…
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Thai airports soar in Skytrax rankings: Suvarnabhumi leaps to 58th
The global airport ranking agency, Skytrax, recently unveiled its 2024 report on the World’s Best Airports. A notable mention in this year’s list is Thailand’s very own Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which has impressively climbed up ten places from the previous year to secure the 58th spot. The rise in the ranking can be attributed to a number of various improvements…
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Thai woman spills beans on corrupt cop’s love-linked traffic fines
A Thai woman took to social media to expose a corrupt police officer from Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen after the officer instructed locals to transfer traffic fines to a girlfriend’s bank account. The woman recounted the corrupt behaviour of the police officer, known only as Police Senior Sergeant Major S., through the…
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Thai SEC crackdowns on unlicenced crypto operators
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (Thai SEC) has declared war on unauthorised digital asset services, aiming to safeguard investors from financial pitfalls. Pornanong Busaratrakul, Secretary-General of the Thai SEC stated that at the meeting on April 19, it was resolved to order the SEC to submit information on unauthorised digital asset service providers to the Ministry of Digital…
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Man shot dead on cassava farm in Udon Thani, police seek motive
A 60 year old man was brutally shot dead while operating his tractor in the heart of a cassava plantation in the Udon Thani Province of Thailand. The incident occurred today, April 24, in the Non Sa-at district, sending shockwaves throughout the local community. The Thai authorities are investigating potential motives, including personal disputes or romantic entanglements, as they hunt…
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Phuket model: Thai govt’s innovative approach to tourist safety
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the acting Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police, Police General Kittirat Panphet, convened with local consuls to discuss the Phuket Model – an innovative approach to law enforcement. The meeting took place yesterday at the Banyan Tree Hotel in Phuket. The Phuket Model, a comprehensive strategy aimed at safeguarding the interests of tourists, was unveiled…
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PEA advises on cost-effective air conditioners amid Thai heat
In this sweltering heat, many turn to air conditioners for relief, yet the cost of electricity remains a concern. The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) of Thailand has provided guidance on how to use air conditioning efficiently without incurring high electricity bills. The PEA recommends selecting the right size of air conditioner, as measured in British Thermal Units (BTU), for the…
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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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Thailand’s central bank defends policy rates amidst govt pressure
Amidst persistent governmental pressure to decrease borrowing costs and stimulate slow-paced growth, Thailand’s central bank (BoT) defended its current policy interest rate settings today, stating they are resilient and capable of tackling future economic risks. The bank warned that although rate reductions could alleviate debt in the short term, they could also invite long-term hazards. By maintaining a steady rate…
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Thai Teen girl sexually assaulted by chief’s son, family seeks justice
A 17 year old girl was reportedly lured and sexually assaulted by the son of a village chief, leading to a family’s outcry for justice in a case that has stirred up the local community. Despite attempts at hushing the matter with monetary compensation, the family remains resolute in their pursuit of legal action. In the small community of Huai…
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Lopburi locals demand action as macaque mischief escalates
Locals of Prang Khaek in Mueng District of Lopburi held a press conference on Monday and installed protest signs regarding the lack of action from Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation in tackling the sizeable macaque problem in their area, which left locals vulnerable to attack. The protest leader was…
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