Malaysia
- Thailand News
PM Paetongtarn to visit Malaysia for trade and border security talks
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra plans to visit Malaysia next month to enhance bilateral ties, focusing on trade and border security improvements. This announcement follows Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s meeting with Malaysian Ambassador Datuk Jojie Samuel during his farewell visit, where they discussed pressing issues along the southern border that necessitate increased collaboration. Anutin highlighted that PM Paetongtarn’s December…
- Thailand News
Malaysian singer arrested in southern Thailand with 6,060 Yaba pills
Thai police officers arrested a well-known Malaysian singer and five other suspects in a hotel room in the Su-ngai Kolok district of Narathiwat in the early hours of November 1, with 6,060 methamphetamine pills, also known as Yaba, in their possession. The arrests were made by officers from Su-ngai Kolok Police Station at around 3.30am in room number 814 of…
- Thailand News
Thailand steps up border monitoring due to palm oil smuggling
Thailand’s border officials have heightened surveillance along the Malaysian border to combat potential palm oil smuggling, as price differences between the two countries create incentives for illegal trade. Internal Trade Department Director-General Udom Srisomsong directed commerce officials in Songkhla and Satun provinces to strengthen border checkpoint inspections. The Satun Public Relations Office confirmed that officials conducted thorough examinations of palm…
- Thailand News
Milking it: ThaiBev pours 18 billion baht into dairy, drinks expansion
ThaiBev Group plans to invest 18 billion baht in 2025, more than doubling its annual investment, focusing on strengthening its non-alcoholic beverage and dairy businesses, including establishing a dairy farm in Malaysia. ThaiBev Group, led by CEO Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, announced a significant investment increase to 18 billion baht for the fiscal year 2025, which spans from October to September 2025.…
- World News
Malaysia and Cambodia launch cross-border QR payment system
Malaysia and Cambodia have collaboratively launched a cross-border quick response (QR) payment linkage, enabling consumers and merchants to conduct instant retail payments via mobile applications. This initiative, announced by Bank Negara Malaysia and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), aims to enhance the payment experience and expand market reach for over 5 million merchants in both countries, primarily small businesses.…
- Thailand News
Thai trade talks push for expanded ASEAN market access
Thai representatives, led by Thatchayanpol Apimontechabutr, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, recently participated in the 11th ATIGA Upgrade Negotiation Trade Negotiating Committee (ATIGA-TNC) meeting in Malaysia. The meeting, held over four days, aimed to accelerate negotiations for a comprehensive conclusion by the middle of next year. The Thai Department of Trade Negotiations prioritises Free Trade Agreement (FTA)…
- Business News
Malaysia Airlines cuts network capacity by 20% amid shortages
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, announced a 20% reduction in network capacity across its airlines for this year due to shortages in planes, labour, and parts. This decision affects domestic flights and routes in Southeast Asia, North Asia, Australia, New Zealand, mainland China, South Asia, and the Middle East. The group, which also includes Firefly…
- Thailand News
New train service to link Bangkok and Penang in three months
Thailand will launch a new train service linking Bang Sue in Bangkok to Penang, Malaysia, within the next two to three months. The initial phase will be a six-month trial period, marking a significant step in cross-border transportation. The announcement was made yesterday, August 20, by Ekarat Sriarayapong, head of the Governor’s Office of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).…
- Thailand News
New Malaysian mediator appointed for Thai peace talks
The Malaysian government has appointed a new mediator for the peace process in southern Thailand. This comes amid urgent calls for a reassessment of the peace roadmap following a surge in violence that has shattered public confidence. A devastating car bomb exploded outside a police flat in Yala on June 30, claiming the life of a school teacher and injuring…
- Thailand News
Thailand and Malaysia aim for 1 trillion baht trade by 2027
Thailand and Malaysia have set an ambitious goal to boost bilateral trade to 1 trillion baht by 2027, with a focus on enhancing border economic connections through the Twin Cities initiative. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai outlined the plans following the third Thailand-Malaysia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Phumtham highlighted the strong relationship…
- Business News
Thailand aims for US$30 billion bilateral trade with Malaysia
The government is set to participate in the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting with Malaysia on July 4, aiming to enhance bilateral trade to US$30 billion by 2025. Chotima Iemsawasdikul, Director-General of the Trade Negotiations Department, announced that Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will attend the third JTC meeting between Thailand and Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. This will be Thailand’s inaugural…
- Thailand News
Thailand poised for unprecedented surge in tourists
Thailand is set to witness a phenomenal surge in tourists, with visitor numbers from four key markets, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia, expected to hit record highs in 2024, thanks to robust government support and the country’s soft power initiatives. According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), arrivals from Malaysia are projected to soar to 5 million…
- Thailand News
Malaysia and China join forces on billion-dollar rail project
China’s plans to extend the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) into Thailand are set to transform Southeast Asian trade. Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced the initiative during his visit to Malaysia yesterday. The US$10 billion (approximately 366 billion baht) ECRL, a key project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, aims to connect Malaysia’s east and west coasts by 2026. Initially…
- Thailand News
Thailand shoots to the top, leaves Malaysia trailing in ASEAN rankings
Thailand has rocketed up the global competitiveness rankings, leaving Malaysia in the dust and securing the second spot in ASEAN. The IMD World Competitiveness Centre’s 2024 report catapulted Thailand from 30th to 25th place worldwide, highlighting a significant leap in economic performance. Danucha Pichayanan, the Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, briefed the Cabinet yesterday regarding this…
- Thailand News
AirAsia resumes direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Pattaya
AirAsia resumed its direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Pattaya, yesterday, June 17. The airline will now operate this popular route three times a week, with flights scheduled every Monday, Friday, and Sunday. Flight AK840 is set to take off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) at 11am, landing in Pattaya’s U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport (UTP) at 12.05pm. The return…
- Thailand News
Thai-Malay twin-city initiative to boost southern economic growth
The Thai government announced a collaboration with Malaysia to promote a twin-city concept in the Deep South, aiming to stimulate economic growth and bring peace to the region. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai recently chaired a meeting to review the progress of this initiative, which seeks to transform the longstanding conflict zones into thriving trade hubs through…
- Thailand News
Thai tour buses set to drive cross-border travel surge into Malaysia
Thailand’s tour buses are now set to roll into Malaysia, promising a surge in cross-border travel. According to Malaysian Minister of Transport Anthony Loke, this exciting development allows Thai buses to bring in tourists, provided they secure temporary permits from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) beforehand. Speaking to the press yesterday, Loke emphasised that tour bus operators must submit…
- Business News
Boardroom balance: Thailand trails in female representation stakes
Thailand falls slightly short of the Southeast Asian average for women in board positions, with 19% compared to 19.9%, as revealed in the 2023 Women in the Boardroom report by Deloitte Global. This figure also remains behind the global average of 23.3%. Nevertheless, Thailand ranks second in Southeast Asia for female chief executives, equalling Singapore’s 11.9% and sitting just behind…
- Thailand News
Family seeks truth over Thai woman’s mysterious death in Malaysia
The tragic death of a 26 year old Thai woman in Malaysia has galvanised a family to seek justice amidst mysterious circumstances. The 25 year old deceased’s husband and her 49 year old mother have come forward with concerns over the unclear causes of her untimely demise. On a recent afternoon at the Paweena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women…
- World News
Amid economic turbulence, Malaysia’s illicit trade crackdown must stay the course
After an economically disappointing 2023, Malaysia faces further headwinds due to global economic and political uncertainties. New research published in late March has identified the country’s East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) among the Southeast Asian megaprojects affected by a $50 billion gap between China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) commitments and delivery for the region. Reflecting the broader ASEAN growth…
- Thailand News
Malaysian Airlines unveils new routes including to Chiang Mai
Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) announced three new routes to the Maldives, Chiang Mai, and Da Nang. As part of its ambitious expansion strategy aimed at capturing the leisure market, MAB, a key player in the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), is primed to whisk travellers away to exotic destinations with unparalleled ease. From its bustling hub in Kuala Lumpur, MAB is…
- Thailand News
Malaysian e-hailing driver receives surprise panties gift from Thai woman
A Malaysian e-hailing driver found himself in for a wild surprise after a recent passenger encounter which ended with him receiving a pair of panties from a Thai woman. Shared on the Facebook group, Drivers and Passengers Chinese Language Platform, the unnamed driver recounted his encounter with a group of lively Thai women. Amidst their banter, the driver found himself…
- Thailand News
Missing Thai woman reportedly arrested in Malaysia
A Thai restaurant owner in Malaysia revealed that a Thai woman, who disappeared on March 8, has been arrested by Malaysian police. She is reportedly safe but will be unable to contact her family until her interrogation is complete. The missing Thai woman, 26 year old Chutimon “Care” Jantawisai, travelled from her home province, Loei, in Isaan to work at…
- Thailand News
AirAsia launches Takeover Thailand campaign with celeb partner
AirAsia is doubling down on its commitment to boost regional tourism, unveiling the Takeover Thailand campaign, aimed at thrusting Thailand into the spotlight as the go-to destination for travellers from Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Strategically aligning forces with Tay Tawan, a distinguished Thai personality appointed as AirAsia’s Route Presenter for Malaysia, the airline is geared up to elevate the travel…
- World News
Beggar with luxury SUV earns thousands at flea market
A beggar at a flea market was shockingly discovered to be the owner of a luxury SUV, earning more in a few hours than those who gave him money. The incident left officials astonished and opened a dialogue on the issue of beggars. During a routine check at the Sri Jaya night market in the Maran district of Pahang, Malaysia…
- Thailand News
YouTuber’s false 73.2 million baht mansion purchase exposed
A prominent YouTuber has been called out by a Malaysian real estate agent for falsely claiming to have purchased a luxurious mansion valued at approximately 73.2 million baht, a report from Sinchew revealed. The property in question, which the YouTuber, with a subscriber base in the millions, claimed to have bought for 9.7 million ringgit (about 73.2 million baht), was…
- World News
Malaysian bride heartbroken as groom’s ex attends wedding
The wedding of a Malaysian bride turned bittersweet when her husband’s ex-girlfriend attended the event, and the groom’s family’s actions left her heartbroken. The father of the groom’s comments struck a particularly painful chord, prompting sympathy from those aware of the situation. Marriage ceremonies are traditionally occasions of immense joy, marking the beginning of a new shared life. Yet, when…
- Thailand News
Thai government and BRN to commence peace talks in Malaysia
The upcoming dialogue between the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu-Patani (BRN) and the Thai government’s peace team is set to start today in Malaysia, as disclosed by a source from the National Security Council (NSC). The two-day negotiation session will be steered by Chatchai Bangchuad, NSC deputy secretary-general, representing the NSC team, and Anas Abdulrahman, a high-ranking BRN official, leading the…
- World News
Groom honours late bride in solo Malaysian wedding ceremony (video)
In a poignant ceremony that has resonated across social media, a groom proceeded with his wedding despite the absence of his bride, who had tragically passed away from lymphoma shortly before the event. The groom, identified as Daniel, had originally married his partner, Nofar, in Japan during the Covid-19 pandemic, with plans to hold a traditional ceremony in her native…
- Thailand News
Thai woman mysteriously dies in Malaysia while travelling with friend
Thai parents sought help from the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women to investigate the mysterious and tragic death of their daughter who reportedly fell from the 33rd floor of a building in the Kuala Lumpur city in Malaysia and died. A 62 year old Thai woman, Nopparat In-pru and her 63 year old husband, Narongchai Phansanoi, travelled from the…
