In an ambitious move aimed at breathing life back into Thailand’s lagging economy, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan is spearheading a campaign to shift the country’s manufacturing sector towards high-tech innovation. With a vision of enhancing GDP growth by a solid 1% each year, Akanat is championing the development of cutting-edge products as the nation’s strategic play. It’s a call to arms against the triple threat posed by technological upheavals, international tensions, and the ominous specter of climate change. Since the pandemic, Thailand’s economy has been running on fumes, and there’s a palpable urgency to get it revved up again. However, a constraint hangs over the government’s efforts: a stringent state budget straining under the weight of public debt, which catapulted to a substantial 64% by October 2024, as per the Fiscal Policy Office’s reports. Akanat remains undeterred and sees hope in the rise of S-curve industries. Prominently perched at the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the tranquil southern province of Songkhla, a vibrant night out took a grim turn for a young woman named Tar. At the tender age of 24, Tar was swept into a whirlwind of chaos and misunderstanding at a bustling nightclub near Chalathat Beach—a place usually known for its lively atmosphere and spirited nightlife. It was a seemingly ordinary night on January 4th. Tar and her friends ventured out for an evening of fun and laughter, arriving at the nightclub as the clock struck ten. Little did they know, the night would unfurl into a scene plucked straight from a thriller movie, minus the glamour. As Tar was enjoying herself, an unexpected altercation erupted. A group of nearly ten women, congregating at a nearby table, accused her of an egregious faux pas—pouring water over their table. It seemed more like a petty incident suitable for a sitcom than real life,…
As the vibrant lanterns of the Lunar New Year begin to glow, excitement fills the air, especially at Central Food Retail Co. (CFR), the ingenious force propelling the beloved Tops grocery stores. Set against the backdrop of government stimulus efforts and a surge in tourism, they’re orchestrating a symphony of seasonal cheer to entice consumers into their aisles. At the helm of this retail renaissance is Chakkit Chatupanyachotikul, CFR’s marketing virtuoso. With a twinkle of optimism, he champions the promising benefits of the government’s Easy E-receipt tax deduction promo, painting it as a serendipitous boon timed perfectly from January 16 to February 28. This clever initiative coincides with the Chinese New Year and offers a springboard for a bustling first quarter. The optimism doesn’t stop there. The government’s forthcoming cash distributions to the elderly, set to roll out as January draws to a close, is another beacon of hope. “Tourism…
What happens when a powerful high-pressure system decides it’s time to cozy up to upper Thailand and the South China Sea? Well, brace yourselves for a chilly spectacle, my friends, because the weather is pulling a fast one on the Land of Smiles! According to the trustworthy folks over at the Thai Meteorological Department, we’re in for some major goosebumps and gusts, and it’s all thanks to this robust atmospheric visitor. The northern and northeastern realms have been caught in a cold hug, with temperatures dipping down to an eye-watering 9°C. Meanwhile, Bangkokians are waking up to a brisk 18°C to 20°C, trading their typical sunny selfies for shivering snapshots! But hold on, it’s not all about donning an extra layer. While the north is busy shivering, the southern belows – courtesy of a spirited northeastern monsoon – are getting a good dousing. Heavy rains are swooshing through, particularly in…
In a tragic incident off the scenic shores of Phuket, a Chinese tourist’s journey was cut short in a jet ski accident that has sent ripples of concern throughout the bustling tourist destination. The tranquil waters off Patong Beach turned into a scene of chaos when two friends, Liu Hong Chao, aged 33, and Lyu Zhifeng, 28, found themselves at the center of a tragic mishap. Amidst the sound of the crashing waves and the hum of jet skis, a day of fun quickly spiraled into a nightmare at around 2 p.m. on January 14. As the sun shone brightly over Kathu district, three Chinese tourists, including the ill-fated duo, embarked on what was intended to be an enjoyable adventure. However, when their allotted time drew to a close, the group had yet to return. Boy, the local jet ski rental operator whose lively exterior belied his rising anxiety, set…
In a peculiar and truly barking mad drug bust, police uncovered an ingenious yet outrageous scheme orchestrated by a Bangkok-based dealer, whose devoted pitbull companions unwittingly served a dual purpose—aiding him by unwittingly disguising the notorious scent of his methamphetamine operation with their own “aromatic” contributions. Yes, you heard that right! In an effort to hoodwink the keen senses of the local law enforcement, the canines’ contributions were not mere accidents of nature but rather a tactical shield designed to cloak the potent whiffs of a hefty meth stash strategically stashed right under their unsuspecting noses. On this fine day of January 15, a fortuitous tip-off led the diligent officers to an otherwise unremarkable wooden abode located deep within the alleys of Soi Krungthep Kreetha 7, Huamark. Armed with a search warrant straight from the Criminal Court’s vaults of justice, these gallant officers braced themselves for the imminent confrontation—and oh,…
In the bustling streets of Pattaya, an intriguing tale of deception unfolds, casting shadows over the sunny Thai paradise. Picture this: it’s a typical day, tourists meandering through vibrant markets, unwinding under palm trees, and little do they know, lurking among them are two Nepalese men weaving an intricate web of deceit with counterfeit US dollars. Enter Police Major General Natthakorn Prapaiyon, the astute Commander of Immigration Bureau Division 3, who steps into the scene with a determination to catch this ‘Black Money gang.’ Local whispers and tourist tales reach his office, all pointing fingers at a gang making waves with fake currency. Their modus operandi? To target both the unsuspecting locals and the wanderlust-driven tourists. With eyes peeled and ears to the ground, the authorities launch a thorough investigation. Time-ticking till January 14th, when they finally close in on their unsuspecting prey. The suspects? Two Nepalese men, Som and…
In the tranquil province of Narathiwat, a scene of unimaginable tragedy unfolded yesterday, sending ripples of sorrow through the community. On the seemingly uneventful Sri Sakhon-Lubo Yuering Road, two lives were brutally cut short in an attack that stunned the nation—a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by those who dedicate their lives to our safety. The victims, father and son duo, Police Lieutenant Colonel Suwit Chuaythewarit, aged 56, and his 35-year-old son, Police Sergeant Major Dome Chuaythewarit, were both cherished members of the Border Patrol Police force. This chilling episode began when an explosive device, ingeniously disguised as a mundane 20-kilogram gas cylinder, was detonated with devastating precision. The powerful blast targeted their pickup truck, which was left severely mangled and overturned in the roadway, painting a horrific picture of forethought and malice. The sequence of violence was far from over; as the dust settled, a barrage of gunfire…
In a gripping tale of crime spanning international borders, the arrest warrant for a Cambodian man in Thailand has emerged as a pivotal point in the alleged assassination of Lim Kimya, a former Cambodian-French opposition Member of Parliament. The shocking incident unfolded in bustling Bangkok, and as the pieces of this complex puzzle are slowly pieced together, it reads like a high-stakes thriller. The curtain lifts amid the neon-lit streets of Bangkok, where police swiftly moved to apprehend Ekkaluck “Em” Parenoi, the Thai gunman who admits to pulling the trigger. This dramatic capture took place in Cambodia’s quiet corners of Prey Veng province, transporting the once safe fugitive back to Thailand. A confession tumbles from Ekkaluck’s lips — he had been lured into the deadly act with the promise of 60,000 baht, half of which jingled in his pocket as a grim advance. His lips, however, remain sealed about his…
In the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, a pulse of music met the unyielding whirl of a household appliance, resulting in a tale both harrowing and cautionary. It was on a seemingly ordinary evening when 26-year-old Attapol, a spirited saxophonist, found himself embroiled in a battle with a domestic dynamo—the washing machine. While most might consider laundry a mundane task devoid of peril, for Attapol, this day spun a narrative quite contrary. It all began with an alarming clatter, the kind that sends a shiver down your spine. Attapol, upon hearing this cacophony from his mechanized companion, instinctively tried to halt the machine’s spin cycle. In a twist of fate, the drumming of the machine’s engine pulled his hand into its hungry maw, entwined with the treacherous fabric, leading to a grievous injury; his index finger suffered a severe mutilation. He was whisked away with urgency to Sung Noen Hospital. Under…