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Business News
Bangchak to balance expansion and emission reduction
Bangchak Corporation Plc, the energy giant, has pledged to harmonise its business expansion with a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the next seven years. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, the CEO, emphasised the need to merge profitability with active initiatives to shrink the global warming-causing gases. The company and its subsidiaries are due to receive an allocation of 150 billion baht for…
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Thailand News
Air Force guard gets 15-day jail for violent incident
A 15-day jail sentence has been ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) for a military guard, following a violent incident for consuming alcohol on government premises. Air Marshal Boonlert Andara, a spokesperson for the RTAF, revealed details of the case involving four soldiers from Squadron One of the Yothin Air Command who were excessively punished, contrary to the…
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Business News
Thailand and China agree on permanent visa-free travel from March
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today announced a new permanent visa-free agreement between Thailand and China during a Cabinet meeting. This arrangement, set to start on March 1, will allow citizens from both nations to travel to each other’s countries without prior visa applications. This move marks an enhancement to Thailand’s existing visa-free policy for Chinese visitors, initially slated to run…
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Phuket News
Phuket boat crew tested for drugs after tragic speedboat accident
The tranquil morning at Chalong Pier in Phuket was disrupted yesterday as a swarm of officials descended on the scene. Their mission is to conduct drug tests on a group of 23 boat operators and crew members. This action was triggered by a tragic speedboat accident that occurred at Koh Maithon the previous day, resulting in the death of a…
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Thailand News
Uncontrolled firework display endangers tourists at Phu Thap Boek
A distressing incident unfolded at Phu Thap Boek, a popular tourist attraction in Thailand, where tourists were endangered by stray fireworks. As the countdown to the new year progressed, a lack of control over the fireworks displays resulted in a chaotic spectacle, putting visitors’ safety at risk. A social media post from an affected tourist shed light on the alarming…
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Thailand News
House committee to inspect Land Bridge project impact on local
An investigative committee from the House is set to make a field visit to Chumphon and Ranong, the designated development areas for the much-anticipated Land Bridge megaproject. The committee’s objective is to garner insights into the project’s potential repercussions on local communities, according to an anonymous source. Presided over by Pheu Thai MP for Phayao, Wisut Chainaroon, the committee has…
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Thailand News
Octogenarian love heist: 81 year old demands justice as 83 year old hubby swipes for secret sweetheart
An 81 year old Thai woman demanded legal action against her 83 year old husband who stole from her and local vendors so he could support his lover. Mueang Sing Buri Police Station officers, in the central province of Sing Buri, received a theft report from a 50 year old grocery store owner named Noppakhun Mathap on December 31. The…
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Business News
Bitcoin surges above 1.537 million baht marking a significant peak
With a noteworthy rise of 3%, Bitcoin surged above US$45,000 (1.537 million baht) today, marking its first significant peak since April of the previous year. This considerable leap has signalled an auspicious start to 2024 for the world’s leading and most recognisable cryptocurrency. Earlier in the day, Bitcoin had reached an impressive 21-month high of US$45,386 (1.550 million baht). It…
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Thailand News
Thai government cuts local alcohol tax to zero to boost tourism and economy
The Thai government has announced a tax reduction on local alcohol as part of a wider review of laws hindering domestic tourism and economic growth. Revealed on January 2 at the Government House, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin stated that the restructuring of excise and various national taxes, including reducing domestic alcohol tax to 0%, formed part of their strategy to…
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Phuket News
Phuket welcomes 2024 with soaring tourist numbers and an 8 billion baht boost
Thailand’s famed island paradise of Phuket has just witnessed an impressive upswing in tourist numbers over the new year break. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office has confirmed that the island has welcomed a remarkable 265,000 visitors, contributing more than 8 billion baht to the local economy. The head of the TAT Phuket office, Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, provided these…
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Thailand News
Chiang Mai confrontation leads to seizure of 200,000 meth pills
A confrontation between soldiers and smugglers occurred in the Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai in the early hours of today. The incident led to a seizure of 200,000 methamphetamine pills that were abandoned during the conflict. The Pha Muang task force, while on patrol, encountered armed individuals near the natural border crossing from Myanmar in the Kaeng Tum village…
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Thailand News
Thai minister pitches pension perk: Varawut’s push for a raise in elderly stipend draws attention
Varawut Silpa-Archa, the Minister for Social Development and Human Security, voiced his backing for an increment in the monthly elderly stipend to 3,000 or 5,000 baht during a briefing yesterday, January 1 but stressed the hike’s financial feasibility for the country. The minister’s comments were a direct response to a legislative proposal, submitted by several civic organisations on December 21,…
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Thailand News
Thai man evades arrest after beating girlfriend to death
The family of a Thai woman is seeking justice after her boyfriend beat her to death at their shared home in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok and evaded arrest. The victim’s younger brother, 26 year old Phontakorn, urged non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to reveal his sister’s story to the public. Phontakorn said he and his mother hoped a miracle would happen…
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Thailand Weather Updates
Thailand weather alert: Cold snap and unhealthy air quality
The weather today, continues to be cold in northern Thailand with temperatures dropping to a low of 3 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Bangkok is experiencing elevated levels of particulate matter. The Thai Meteorological Department’s 24-hour forecast predicts high atmospheric pressure, or a mass of cold air, covering the upper region of Thailand. Concurrently, westerly winds at high altitudes are sweeping across…
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Phuket News
Heavy traffic in Phuket forces travellers to allocate extra time
Phuket International Airport is once again reminding those scheduled to fly out of the island to factor in additional travel time to reach the airport. This advice, which was initially issued for the new year period, has been reiterated due to persistent heavy traffic on the island’s main roads. This renewed call for travellers to allocate an extra two to…
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Business News
Thailand’s economy braces for slow growth
Thailand’s economy is set to experience slow growth in the coming years, with GDP forecasts for this year ranging between 3-3.4%. Several factors, including sluggish growth in exports, subdued Chinese demand for consumption and tourism, geopolitical risks, and a shortage of skilled workers, are expected to influence this. Despite these challenges, industry executives are optimistic and are devising strategies to…
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Tourism News
Bangkok reigns as the most visited city by international tourists in 2023
Bangkok has taken the top spot as the most visited city by international travellers in the previous year according to Travelness, a popular travel website. The ranking was based on the Global Destination Cities Index gathered by Mastercard, which considered the total number of foreign tourists who stayed overnight and their expenditure. In the previous year, The Thai capital Bangkok…
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World News
South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung survives stabbing attack in Busan
South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed while making a public announcement in Busan. Following the incident, authorities immediately apprehended the attacker. Lee, who lost the presidential election in 2022, was transported to the hospital approximately 20 minutes post-assault and is currently conscious. Lee Jae-myung, who suffered a defeat in the 2022 presidential polls, was stabbed on the left…
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Thailand News
Unexpected meeting between Thai actress Khunying Ton and PM Srettha
Social media users have been sharing photographs of a chance seaside encounter between Thai actress Piyapas Bhirombhakdi, popularly known as Khunying Ton, and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Hua Hin. The images were posted by Khunying Ton on her personal Instagram account on December 31. Khunying Ton captioned her post, stating that PM Srettha has been her friend since kindergarten.…
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Thailand News
Thai teenage boy accidentally shoots and kills friend near Bangkok
A 15 year old Thai boy confessed to accidentally shooting and killing his 14 year old friend while attempting to attack a rival group of teenagers on a road in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. The 14 year old boy was shot in the back of the head while riding a motorcycle with two friends on Liap Khlong Song Road…
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Thailand News
Thailand’s energy minister initiates major revamp of energy pricing structure
Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, the Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister, pledged to initiate a significant revamp of Thailand’s energy pricing structure, beginning with the removal of refined oil import restrictions. His commitment to this overhaul aims to alleviate the current strain of escalating energy costs on the populace. “I will overhaul the entire system to help ease the current burden of…
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Thailand News
Nostradamus predicts catastrophic tsunami and royal shake-up in 2024
Renowned French seer Nostradamus predicted a catastrophic tsunami in 2024, a prophecy that has sparked widespread online discussion following the recent tsunami in Japan yesterday. Nostradamus, who lived five centuries ago, penned his predictions in a book of 942 poems, foreseeing major global events with uncanny accuracy, including World War II, the 9/11 attacks, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Famous news…
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Thailand News
Thai Smile takes its final flight: Farewell fiesta signals merger with Thai Airways
Thai Smile Airways threw a farewell party with passengers on the airline’s last flight before saying goodbye on December 31 and merging with Thai Airways (THAI). THAI embarked on a business rehabilitation plan in October of 2021, granting the airline a five-year timeline to enhance its operations. The company underwent significant changes, including restructuring its business, downsizing its workforce, implementing…
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Business News
Thai hospitality groups eye global expansion amid tourism recovery
The global tourism recovery has spurred Thai hospitality groups to broaden their horizons beyond domestic borders, tapping into the robust demand in numerous destinations. In the previous year, many hotel management companies reported substantial profits, with some even witnessing their average daily room rates surpass 2019 levels, particularly in prime locations. Minor International (MINT), the largest hotel chain in Thailand,…
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Thailand News
Fatal stabbing in Ban Pong escalates from heated argument
A fatal stabbing occurred in front of a convenience store in Ban Pong, Ratchaburi, following a heated argument between two women. The incident, which took place at 10.45pm yesterday, January 1, ended tragically as a man attempting to intervene was fatally stabbed. The crime scene was attended by Ban Pong Police Station Deputy Investigator Suksiri Chansacha along with Ban Pong…
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Economy News
Gold prices predicted to hit record highs by 2024, says MTS Gold
MTS Gold, a local trader, predicted that gold prices are likely to skyrocket to new record levels of over 79,005 baht (US$2,300) per ounce and beyond 40,000 baht (US$1,164) per baht weight by this year. This forecast comes amidst anticipated adverse global economic situations. Kritcharat Hiranyasiri, the President of MTS Gold, explained that the anticipated decline in interest rates and…
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Aviation News
Thai authorities craft national oil proposal to boost sustainable aviation fuel
In a bid to bolster the aviation industry’s effort to curtail carbon dioxide emissions, Thai energy authorities are in the process of crafting a novel national oil proposal. The blueprint will cater to the evolution of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a biofuel variant for aircraft. The appeal of SAF lies in its strong resemblance to jet fuel in terms of…
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Thailand News
Pattaya punch-up perplexes police: Viral video captures motorcycle taxi turmoil outside central mall
A viral video emerged on Thai social media over the weekend showing a brutal attack on a foreign man by two motorcycle taxi riders outside Central Pattaya shopping mall. Police said they had received no reports of the incident. The Facebook user, เดฟร็อก ไทย, shared the video of the attack on December 30 with a caption that said: Pattaya motorcycle…
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Thailand News
Bangkok developers warned over glut of affordable condos and townhouses
Real estate developers in Greater Bangkok should tread carefully when introducing new condos and townhouses priced under 2 million baht (US$58,241) due to a significant backlog of unsold units, warns Vichai Viratkapan, acting director-general of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC). Vichai highlighted that the condo and townhouse market for units priced under 2 million baht (US$58,241) experienced a slowdown…
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Thailand News
Thai prime minister ready for key 2024 fiscal year budget bill debate
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confidently announced yesterday his readiness to participate in the upcoming debate on the 2024 fiscal year budget bill. The discussions are set to kick off tomorrow, January 3. PM Srettha revealed that a series of discussions with coalition partners in preparation for the debate had taken place before the new year holiday. The primary aim,…
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Thailand News
Chinese tourist’s fatal plunge at Pam Bok waterfall underscores safety importance
In the serene province of Mae Hong Son, an unfortunate incident unfolded at the Pam Bok waterfall in Pai, on December 31. A 52 year old Chinese visitor named Peng Xin met an untimely demise after a fatal fall from 10 metres at the waterfall. The distressing event surfaced at 3.30pm when the Pai police were alerted about the incident.…
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Food
Jet set your palate through River Café & Terrace’s Culinary Passport
Tired of the same old dinner routine? Craving for an international buffet for your taste buds? River Café & Terrace, The Peninsula Bangkok’s waterfront garden restaurant, has the solution for you. Hop on their Culinary Passport journey where you can travel to different countries from your table every evening. From Thai cuisine Mondays to Italian specialities Saturdays, the dedicated team…
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Business News
Thai investors anticipate surge in depositary receipts popularity in 2024
Executives anticipate a surge in the popularity of depositary receipts (DRs) among Thai investors this year, with the investment tool offering a gateway to high-profile foreign stocks, risk diversification, and potential high returns. As they have become more prevalent on the Thai bourse, investors held DRs worth around 16 billion baht (US$466 million) on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)…
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Thailand News
PM Srettha extends new year wishes, discusses govt’s plans
On the advent of the new year, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, in company with Supreme Patriarch and House Speaker and Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, extended heartfelt wishes to the nation and its inhabitants. PM Srettha started his year with a visit to Wat Ratchabophit, accompanied by his wife, Pakpilai Thavisin. They expressed their reverence to the Supreme…
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World News
Japan braces for severe earthquakes, warns meteorological agency
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of potential severe earthquakes in the country’s central region in the forthcoming week. The agency revealed this forecast in a press conference yesterday, January 1, following an earthquake that registered a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 on the country’s seven-tier scale. The quake was detected off Japan’s coastline on yesterday afternoon, accompanied by warnings of a…
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World News
Tsunami hits South Korea with unexpected 67cm wave, North Korea on alert
South Korea has been hit by a tsunami with a wave height of 67 centimetres, exceeding initial predictions by the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA). The surging wave height, which is potentially dangerous, could also affect North Korea, which has issued a tsunami warning. The KMA reported that a 20-centimetre high tsunami wave hit the east coast of Kangneung City in…
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Thailand News
Thailand’s New Year road safety campaign reveals shocking toll
There’s a chill in the air, but temperatures are rising on Thailand’s roads as the New Year Seven Days Road Safety campaign reveals a sobering toll. According to the Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the first two days of the campaign have already witnessed a surge in road accidents, injuries, and deaths. The numbers are staggering –…
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