Thailand video news | Four charges filed against driver in deadly bus fire, Thailand plans to regulate sex work, igniting public debate
In Thailand video news, Alex delves the stories from across Thailand and around the world cover critical issues ranging from legal action and public safety to significant economic investments and political developments. In Thailand, charges have been filed against the driver involved in a deadly bus fire, while the government is sparking public debate with plans to regulate sex work. Meanwhile, the Bank of Thailand intervenes to stabilise the baht, and Google commits 36 billion baht to bolster cloud and AI services. Globally, South Korea showcased its military strength with a missile parade, an unexploded WWII bomb halted flights in Japan, and Oracle announced a $6.5 billion investment in Malaysia’s cloud infrastructure. Lastly, the Philippines braces for a political rivalry between Marcos and Duterte as the 2025 elections approach.
Four charges filed against driver in deadly bus fire on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road
The driver of a bus that caught fire on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, killing 23 people, faces four charges, including reckless driving and failure to assist. After the crash, the driver fled in panic but later surrendered to police. The accident involved a collision after a suspected tyre or suspension failure. Investigations are ongoing, including an inspection of the bus. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra criticised suspending school field trips, instead calling for better maintenance of public transport. Transport authorities have ordered checks on over 13,000 CNG buses.
Thailand plans to regulate sex work, igniting public debate
Thailand’s government, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has proposed a plan to regulate sex work and bring underground industries into the formal economy, sparking public debate. Advocates like Surang Janyam from SWING argue for decriminalizing sex work to provide legal protections and allow workers to pay taxes. Supporters, including brothel owners and businesses in Pattaya, back the idea, while critics worry about child exploitation. Meanwhile, sex workers protested outside Parliament, demanding equal rights and faster progress on protective legislation for their industry.
Bank of Thailand intervenes to stabilise baht’s exchange rate
The Bank of Thailand is actively intervening to stabilise the baht, aligning its exchange rate with regional currencies. The central bank’s international reserves have risen, benefiting from these interventions and the dollar’s depreciation. While the baht’s strengthening impacts export revenues, it is expected to have minimal negative effects on the tourism sector, with key visitor markets also experiencing currency appreciation. In August, 3 million tourists visited Thailand, and spending remained stable despite a slight dip in visitor numbers from China and Malaysia.
Google commits 36 billion baht to enhance Thai cloud and AI services
Google has announced a 36 billion baht investment to expand cloud infrastructure and data centres in Bangkok and Chon Buri, aiming to meet rising demand for cloud services and support Thailand’s role in the AI economy. This initiative will enhance Google’s cloud services and AI tools while promoting digital skills for all Thais through the “Leave No Thai Behind” mission. The investment is expected to create 14,000 jobs and boost Thailand’s economy by 140 billion baht by 2029. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra welcomed the move, which aligns with Thailand’s Cloud First Policy.
AIS launches 5G movie package for young movie lovers at 299 baht monthly
AIS has launched the AIS ZEED 5G Movie Lover package for youths aged 7-24, offering a free cinema ticket per month, a second ticket for 50 baht, and 10GB of high-speed 5G internet for streaming content on platforms like Viu, WeTV, iQiYi, and AIS PLAY. Priced at 299 baht per month, this package aims to enhance the digital entertainment experience for young customers. The collaboration with Major Cineplex and leading streaming platforms emphasises AIS’s commitment to catering to the lifestyle of teens through seamless access to movies and digital content.
Thailand ranks third in Asia for food-loving tourists
Thailand ranked third in Asia’s top foodie destinations, according to Agoda’s survey of over 4,000 users. South Korea topped the list, followed by Taiwan, with Thailand securing its spot for dishes like Pad Thai, which is popular among tourists unfamiliar with spicy food. Other Thai culinary highlights include Khao Soi in the north and Khanom Jeen in the south. South Korea’s kimchi, BBQ, and fried chicken led the rankings, while Japan and Malaysia followed with sushi and Nasi Lemak, respectively. Thailand also emerged as the top destination for South Korean food lovers.
South Korea revives military parades, unveils ‘monster missile’ in show of force
South Korea held its revived annual military parade, showcasing the powerful Hyunmoo-5 “monster missile” and a U.S. B-1B bomber flypast. The parade featured 5,300 troops, military equipment, and aircraft, marking a show of force aimed at deterring North Korean threats. President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasised the country’s “peace through strength” approach, warning Pyongyang of a decisive response if nuclear weapons are used. The Hyunmoo-5, capable of penetrating bunkers and exceeding a 5,000 km range, was the parade’s highlight. Critics questioned the cost, while officials defended the event as boosting morale and deterring threats.
Unexploded World War II bomb detonates at Japanese airport, halting flights
An unexploded 500-pound U.S. bomb from World War II exploded at Miyazaki Airport in Japan, creating a large crater in a taxiway and leading to the cancellation of over 80 flights. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The explosion occurred early Wednesday, with no aircraft nearby. Authorities confirmed the bomb was from the war and are investigating what triggered the detonation. Miyazaki Airport, originally built as a military flight training field, has a history of unexploded ordinance from the war being found. The airport aims to resume operations on Thursday.
Oracle invests $6.5 billion to set up cloud facilities in Malaysia
Oracle plans to invest $6.5 billion to establish its first public cloud region in Malaysia, marking one of the largest tech investments in the country. This investment follows major digital investments by other global tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google in Southeast Asia, driven by the rising demand for cloud services and AI. Oracle’s new cloud region will help Malaysian organizations modernise, migrate workloads, and innovate with AI and data analytics. It will also support key sectors, including government and financial institutions, enabling them to access local cloud services.
Marcos-Duterte rivalry heats up ahead of 2025 Philippines midterm election
The upcoming May 2025 midterm election in the Philippines is set to be a critical battle between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. With 18,000 positions up for grabs, including 12 key Senate seats, the election will test Marcos’ popularity and political strength. The Dutertes, led by former President Duterte and his sons, may run for Senate to challenge Marcos’ power after their alliance fell apart over policy differences and investigations into Duterte’s administration. A strong showing for Marcos’ endorsed candidates could solidify his legislative agenda and help him groom a successor for 2028.
