THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

The People’s Party (PP) is charging full steam ahead with a legislative inquiry into Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s eyebrow-raising utilization of promissory notes (PNs) in a colossal 4.43-billion-baht share acquisition. The main opposition party doesn’t believe these promissory notes are simply unassuming pieces of paper. Instead, they suspect a crafty scheme aimed at sidestepping tax obligations, potentially depriving the state of much-needed revenue. The man steering the ship of this House inquiry is none other than PP list-MP Sittiphol Viboonthanakul. He wears his role as chairman of the House committee on economic affairs like a badge of honor. Sittiphol put forth three burning questions: First, was the share acquisition legal? Second, did it cunningly slip through tax loopholes, depriving state coffers? And last, did all the relevant agencies act like transparent knights guarding the kingdom’s fiscal peace? These questions were hurled into the public sphere like confetti at a ticker-tape…

In a captivating move certain to keep political aficionados glued to their seats, the People’s Party (PP) is gearing up to launch a thorough inquisition in the grand halls of the House of Representatives. The protagonist of this unfolding drama? None other than Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, whose audacious entanglement with a series of intriguing promissory notes has sparked a nationwide debate. These promissory notes, wrapped in mystery and possibly tax-related intrigue, facilitated the Prime Minister’s acquisition of shares totalling a staggering 4.43 billion baht, leading to raised eyebrows and whispers of tax evasion floating through the corridors of power. Taking center stage on this political theater is PP list-MP Sittiphol Viboonthanakul, waving the baton as the chairman of the esteemed House committee on economic affairs. Sittiphol, with a determined gleam in his eye, posed a trifecta of questions that promise to unravel the layers of this intriguing saga: Was…

In a remarkable leap forward, Rajavithi Hospital, a beacon of medical innovation, has triumphantly completed its inaugural stem cell transplantation for a patient grappling with multiple myeloma (MM), a notorious and challenging form of cancer. This milestone reverberates through the corridors of the hospital as a testament to its commitment to pioneering life-saving medical advancements. The hospital’s director, Dr. Jinda Rojanamatin, shared this landmark achievement, highlighting the successful haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) administered to a resilient 60-year-old patient. This patient, under the vigilant watch of a dedicated and diverse medical team, had presented with agonizing spine pain, leading to the detection of MM, a debilitating cancer originating from plasma cells in the bone marrow. In a synergistic team effort, the medical professionals embarked on an intense treatment regimen, starting with chemotherapy. This initial approach achieved a very good partial response (VGPR), providing a solid foundation to progress to their…

In a groundbreaking move, the government has unveiled a sweeping initiative aimed at tackling the pervasive challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the vast populace of Thailand. This ambitious campaign is targeting over 38 million citizens, with a noble goal of preserving health and cutting a hefty 22 billion baht from national healthcare expenses. Standing at the helm of this revolutionary public health movement is Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who recently orchestrated the official launch of this initiative. It aspires to extend comprehensive screening and preventative healthcare services to almost 40 million Thai citizens, thereby alleviating the crushing pressure NCDs impose on the healthcare system. Under the evocative title “Healthcare for All Ages,” this campaign pledges unwavering dedication to the cause of universal healthcare, all under the promising slogan “30 Baht Anywhere with Strong Public Health for a Thailand Free from NCDs.” This initiative seeks to seamlessly integrate early screening…

Imagine a world where our daily hometown heroes—the folks speeding down streets on scooters and bikes, donning their brightly colored uniforms, bearing coffee, meals, or last-minute essentials—suddenly found themselves stuck in a web of bureaucratic definitions that paint them as anything but what they truly are. Of course, I’m talking about the undeniable champions of the gig economy, the digital platform riders. Asst Prof Kritsada Theerakosonphong at Thammasat University is standing up for these unsung heroes, raising a clarion call for justice and reclassification. This knowledgeable lecturer from the Faculty of Social Administration isn’t just teaching students; he’s tackling what some might call a social injustice embedded within the very fabric of Thailand’s Social Security laws. He argues that these dedicated riders, currently lumped together under the vague label of “semi-independent” or informal workers, should rightfully be recognized as bona fide company employees under the Social Security Act. Now, before…

In a world where diplomatic ties can sway like a gentle breeze or ignite like a spark in tinder, Thailand and Indonesia stand together on the cusp of a remarkable milestone. Seventy-five years of friendship — a significant achievement — with dreams of a future painted with strokes of lasting peace and prosperity. These nations, each with its vibrant culture and indomitable spirit, are steadfast, staring down the complexities of today’s geopolitical landscape side by side. At the heart of this momentous celebration is a commitment to tackle the issues that matter most. As articulated by Mirza Nurhidayat, the director of Southeast Asian affairs at the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, the focus is clear: Myanmar, a nation in turmoil, and the pervasive threat of transnational crimes. These are not merely isolated whispers but urgent calls to action, demanding that Thailand and Indonesia join forces to forge a united front for…

The idea of gliding over lush treetops while soaking in breathtaking landscapes sounds tempting, doesn’t it? That’s precisely the allure driving the ambitious cable car project being considered at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province. This endeavor, under the stewardship of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), recently got a boost with a two-year extension for its feasibility study, marking a pivotal step towards transforming this vision into reality. Director-General of the DNP, Attapol Charoenchansa, recently shared insights from consultations with the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta), revealing that the department has greenlighted a two-year permit for conducting exhaustive studies in the verdant expanses of the proposed route. This elongated timeframe is meant to encapsulate every intricate assessment necessary, including a comprehensive feasibility study, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and meticulous design specifications. Should the stars align and the EIA garner the coveted…

In recent times, Thailand’s economy has been navigating through rough seas, with Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira acknowledging the impending “turbulence” that is on the horizons over the next six months. As the country’s finance minister, Mr. Pichai attributed this potential economic evolution largely to the ripple effects of a fluctuating global economy. The winds of change started blowing when US President Donald Trump initiated a new tariff policy that sent ripples across the global economic landscape. “There’s been a major global shift, triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, which has impacted all economies,” said Mr. Pichai. He expressed optimism that the world will eventually find a new balance under these changed conditions but cautioned that, in the short term, Thailand might hit a rough patch. The anticipated downturn calls for an agile and ongoing assessment of the situation. Currently basking in the surplus of trade with the…

Moody’s Ratings recently spiced things up for Thailand’s financial scene, and not in the way anyone was hoping. The renowned ratings agency shifted the outlook of seven major Thai financial institutions from stable to negative. This somber list reads like a who’s who of Thailand’s banking heavyweights: Bangkok Bank (BBL), Krungthai Bank (KTB), Kasikornbank (KBank), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) along with its tech-centric partner SCB X, TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), and the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIMT). This twist of fate didn’t appear out of thin air. Just a day prior, Moody’s put the spotlight on Thailand’s government, switching its outlook to the chilling label of negative. The backdrop to this drama is Thailand’s Baa1 sovereign rating’s outlook dropping to negative, signaling storm clouds over its economic and fiscal fortitude. This comes amid a whirlwind of global trade tensions and new US tariffs, contributing to the world’s ongoing uncertainty cocktail. As…