Indian Ambassador Nagesh Singh has urged Thailand and India to strengthen their economic alliance and bilateral ties, as India continues to lead the international economic landscape. Despite Thailand currently ranking as ASEAN’s second-largest economy, it is only India’s fifth-largest trading partner within the bloc. To enhance this relationship, more trade and investment between the two countries is required, particularly in thriving areas such as automobiles, food products and electronic goods, Mr. Singh stated. Recognizing India’s booming market, the ambassador encouraged Thailand to increase their investments in India. For instance, Apple’s smartphone investment in India generated $6 billion in revenue despite holding a relatively small market share. The close geographical proximity between India and Thailand, located on either side of the Bay of Bengal, presents ample opportunities for greater connectivity and financial cooperation. As India currently accounts for 40% of global digital payments, Mr. Singh suggested that a collaboration between India’s…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
The Bhumjaithai Party has proposed an innovative solution to make commuting more affordable for residents of Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. The party’s plan is to offer a 40-baht daily transport pass, giving holders unlimited rides on the city’s electric rail network for a 24-hour period. This move would reduce the cost of commuting to approximately 800-1,000 baht per month, encouraging more people to use electric trains and help decrease fine dust pollution. This one-day-pass election pledge stems from collaborative efforts by transport experts and the party’s new generation of politicians, according to the party’s election director for Bangkok, Buddhipongse Punnakanta. Despite the development of electric rail lines to enhance commuting affordability, fares for the city’s skytrain lines and subway networks remain inaccessible for some residents, particularly when traveling across multiple rail lines. In addition to the daily transport pass proposal, the Chartpattanakla Party has highlighted four crucial issues impacting…
In a recent crackdown on illegal online lottery operations, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has brought money laundering and gambling charges against Panthawat “Nott” Nakwisut, former CEO of the now-defunct Kong Salak Plus platform, and 16 other individuals. The suspects are part of a larger group of 41 individuals, with some currently imprisoned and others eluding arrest warrants. DSI investigators submitted their report to prosecutors at the Attorney-General’s Office in Bangkok, detailing the defendants who are allegedly involved in the Kong Salak Plus scheme that was closed in February 2023. Panthawat, also known as “Nott Kong Salak Plus,” is accused of turning in winning lottery tickets to a man named “Foey” to collect cash prizes totaling 53 million baht. These funds were later deposited into his bank account, with the other 16 suspects accused of facilitating the creation of bank accounts and cash withdrawals. These charges will be supported…
During a recent election campaign, Varawut Silpa-archa highlighted the importance of embracing renewable energy solutions to decrease Thailand’s dependence on imported fuels. He emphasized the necessity of developing a more efficient and sustainable battery system for the storage and distribution of renewable energy generated from solar and wind sources. As the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Varawut stressed that the new government must work on streamlining regulations, making it easier for the public to sell surplus electricity back to the government. He acknowledged the current regulations as being overly complicated, with too many conditions and an excessively long application process. The country’s reliance on imported fuels to produce electricity accounts for 70% of the current electricity cost. By shifting towards renewable energy solutions, it is likely that not only will the country’s energy independence increase, but electricity costs for consumers may also decrease. In addition to the focus on…
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened a meeting on Thursday with relevant agencies at the Department of Consular Affairs to discuss plans for evacuating Thai citizens affected by the escalating violence in Sudan, according to the ministry’s spokesperson, Kanchana Patarachoke. Among the organizations participating in the discussion were the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, the Thai Embassy in Cairo (which also has jurisdiction over Sudan), the Royal Thai Army, and the Royal Thai Air Force. Sudan, Africa’s third-largest country, is witnessing heavy gunfire and explosions in its capital Khartoum, as well as other locations, resulting from intense fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to news agencies on Thursday, citing Sudan’s health ministry, the conflict has claimed at least 270 lives and injured over 2,600 people. Many of the casualties are civilians caught in the crossfire. The…
The charismatic Halle Lynn Bailey, a 23-year-old American singer-songwriter and actress, has recently taken the time to enjoy some of the most exciting experiences that Thailand has to offer. As one half of the Grammy-nominated musical duo Chloe x Halle, Bailey’s adventures in Bangkok and Pattaya caught the attention of her adoring fan base, thanks to an Instagram post that has amassed over 100,000 likes. During her trip, Bailey indulged in a variety of activities that showcased the rich culture and thrilling attractions of Thailand. Among the highlights were participating in water splashing festivities, exploring the bustling Yaowarat Road, admiring the breathtaking beauty of Wat Pho, and engaging in unforgettable encounters with tiger cubs, orangutans, and elephants. While Bailey’s journey to Thailand was not officially announced beforehand, eagle-eyed fans spotted her drinking from a Thai-labelled water bottle in an Instagram post dated April 15th. Speculation arose that the singer was…
Dr. Manus Phothaporn, the deputy director-general of the Medical Services Department, and Dr. Sarayut Boonchaipanitwatana, the director of the Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment, have issued a stern warning for consumers regarding liquid collagen and instant coffee brands being sold on social media. These products have not received proper approval from the Food and Drug Administration and have been found to contain dangerous ingredients. According to the experts, the department conducted tests on several collagen drinks and instant coffees sold through social media platforms. The results were alarming, as most unlicensed brands were found to be laced with a dangerous cocktail of ecstasy, crystal meth, ketamine, and nimetazepam, which is a chemical typically used in sleeping pills. Shockingly, most of these unlicensed collagen drinks also contained caffeine. Dr. Manus emphasized the grave danger that comes with consuming these drugs, particularly in large quantities, as it could lead…
In light of the escalating issue of PM2.5 pollution in Thailand, a collaboration between EGAT researchers and inventors has led to the development of an innovative air purification tower specifically designed for use in communities. Boonyanit Wongrukmit, EGAT governor, revealed that this cutting-edge machine is capable of capturing more than 80% of PM2.5 and can purify a staggering 30,000 cubic meters of air per hour, covering an area within 250 meters. Initially, these air purification towers are being installed in EGAT-controlled areas, allowing the agency to further enhance their efficacy. Boonyanit mentioned that in the future, these innovative machines will be deployed to other regions, particularly in Northern Thailand, where PM2.5 pollution is a pressing concern. Standing at six meters tall and weighing in at six tonnes, this groundbreaking invention combines plasma generation techniques with electric charge generation to effectively capture PM2.5 particles. Boonyanit also highlighted the additional benefits of…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have selected Bangkok as the host city for their prestigious annual joint meeting in 2026, according to Minister of Finance Arkhom Tempittayapaisith. This significant event will also include the annual meetings of the boards of governors of both the World Bank Group and the IMF. This gathering is anticipated to attract approximately 12,000 attendees from across the globe, featuring finance ministers from the World Bank’s 189 member countries and central bank governors from the IMF’s 190 member countries. Additionally, executives from various international financial institutions and organizations, representing both the public and private sectors, will also be present at the meeting. Thailand was one of 10 countries vying for the opportunity to host this esteemed event. Last December, a team from the World Bank visited Bangkok to evaluate the city’s preparedness for hosting the 2026 meeting. Ultimately, Bangkok was chosen as…
The Move Forward Party, currently gaining momentum in opinion polls leading up to the May 14 election, is eager to recover from the “lost decade” under a military-backed rule. It aims to implement comprehensive reforms to reinvigorate Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. Pita Limjaroenrat, the 42-year-old Harvard Kennedy School of Government graduate and party leader, is advocating for spreading economic activity beyond Bangkok, dismantling business monopolies, and reducing the armed forces’ political influence. “In terms of policies, we need to do three things: de-militarise, de-monopolise, and decentralise,” said Mr. Pita during a Bloomberg TV interview. “That’s very much my 100-day agenda.” The upcoming general election presents a struggle between the ruling military-backed coalition’s pro-establishment parties, which have controlled the country since the 2014 coup, and the pro-democracy opposition, including the Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties. One major focus is reviving the once-thriving economy that experienced the slowest regional growth last…