The winds of change are blowing through Thailand as the Cabinet green-lights a transformative amendment to the Alcohol Beverage Control Act. This decision is perhaps the most monumental and liberating move for businesses dealing with alcohol in the country’s recent history. As of yesterday, March 19, after the Cabinet’s meeting, a landslide vote of 365 Parliament members in favor effectively paved the way for a more modern approach to alcohol advertising and social sharing. Previously, the icy grip of Section 32 held individuals and businesses in a bind, forbidding them from advertising, or even indirectly mentioning the delights of their alcoholic offerings. Even a cheeky boast or a candid review could result in a swift and punishing financial slap on the wrist, echoing throughout the land. The consequences for any rebellious inclination to share such pleasures were clear: a hefty fine of 5,000 baht. In this new era, however, entrepreneurs…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The economic landscape in Thailand seems to be embroiled in a touch of financial turbulence, akin to a rowdy jug band trying to find its rhythm. The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is raising some eyebrows and, quite frankly, sounding the sirens over declining asset quality among wealthier borrowers. This shadow is something already witnessed among middle- and low-income groups as Thailand’s economy barely shuffles along at a snail’s pace. Moments tucked away in the more serious scribbles of the recent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting spill thoughts of rising anxiety. The worries are palpable; they’re harping on about loan quality backpedaling across the financial spectrum. Banks are clamming up more than usual, especially when it comes to mortgages and hire-purchase loans. Financial institutions have been raising the drawbridge on high-value mortgage approvals, their gazes fixed and watchful, like hawks over a desert landscape. There’s a whisper of comfort in the…
As the vibrant city of Bangkok finds itself under a brisk wind spell, residents are beginning to feel the chill that echoes the cooler climates up north and in the northeastern parts of Thailand. Meanwhile, the southern regions continue to contend with persistent downpours. The ever-watchful Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) attributes this atmospheric shift to a high-pressure system or a cool air mass infiltrating from upper Thailand. This has heralded a notable drop in temperature paired with vigorous gales, and the northern areas aren’t spared from anticipatory thunderclouds that loom overhead. Up in the north, mornings have become refreshingly cool, occasionally disrupted by thundery outbursts in about 10% of the landscape. This meteorological mayhem is largely affecting the picturesque provinces of Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Tak, where temperatures gracefully oscillate from a cozy 16 to 23 degrees Celsius in the crisp morning moisture to a balmy 25 to…
In the bustling arena of the Thai automotive market, an unexpected lull in pickup truck production has stirred quite the conversation. SAIC Motor-CP, the collaborative venture between China and Thailand renowned for rolling out those versatile MG vehicles, is pressing pause on its local pickup truck manufacturing. While this might seem like a speed bump in the automotive landscape, the company assures it’s only a temporary halt, awaiting smoother roads ahead. Pongsak Lertruedeewattanavong, the articulate Vice-President of MG Sales (Thailand), offers a reassuring voice amidst the uncertainty. “Pickups aren’t our primary focus, so the impact is minimal. Production will resume when market conditions improve.” These words echo a strategic foresight, considering the challenging terrain the Thai car market has been negotiating since 2023. Potential buyers, who once navigated auto loans with relative ease, are now finding themselves in rough waters due to tightened lending criteria over rising household debts and…
In an eerie twist of fate that sounds more like a plot from a suspense novel, a housekeeper stumbled upon a perplexing tragedy in Thon Buri district, Bangkok. The protagonist of this grim tale is a 38-year-old Indian national, who had been quietly residing in a rented townhouse for roughly two months. He had become a spectral presence, vanishing from the radar of his eager-to-connect relatives, which stirred concern and propelled the property owner to seek further investigation. The stage for this drama was set at 2 PM on the heels of March 19, when the unsung hero, Police Lieutenant Satha Duang-Iad, a diligent Deputy Inspector from the Samre Police Station, responded to a mysterious call. The report heralded the grim discovery of a lifeless body at a quaint residence, snuggled comfortably near Wat Santithanmaram. With officials from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, an on-call doctor, and an assembly of forensic officers,…
As the bustling city of Bangkok was greeted by the first light of Thursday, an air of anticipation filled the atmosphere. The much-awaited reopening of the inbound Dao Khanong toll plaza for the Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressway finally took place at the crack of dawn, precisely at 6 a.m. Motorists, relieved to see the debris from last Saturday’s unfortunate expressway bridge collapse cleared away, eagerly traversed the now unobstructed pathways. Workers had toiled tirelessly, not just in the removal of debris, but also in restoring the tarmac and repainting lane markings to ensure a smooth reopening. The excitement, however, was tinged with a necessity for caution. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) announced that the exuberance of daytime access would be replaceable with a temporary void each night. From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., the inbound toll plaza would succumb to closure to make way for the ambitious construction endeavor…
The unfolding tale of the Mountain B nightclub fire casts a long, haunting shadow over the glittering nightlife scene of 2022. It all started on a typical night of revelry, which quickly spiraled into an unimaginable catastrophe, etched into the annals of history as one of the year’s most harrowing events. Located in the heart of a bustling district, Mountain B was the undisputed jewel of the night, until the clock struck 12:45 a.m. on August 5, 2022, and everything changed in an infernal instant. As the electrifying beats of live music pulsed through the venue, igniting energy among the hundred plus partygoers and staff, a silent menace lurked above. Flammable acoustic foam, unbeknownst as the night’s villain, shamelessly caught fire above the stage, commencing a fast-spreading blaze that would consume much more than one could fathom. The fire, aggressive and unyielding, turned a night of celebration into a desperate…
The bustling city of Tokyo witnessed a culinary conquest at the FOODEX Japan 2025, where the Ministry of Commerce pulled off an impressive feat, facilitating Thai food exports worth over 2 billion baht. The secret sauce? A splendid showcase of Thailand’s rich culinary heritage and product diversity, crafted under the orchestration of Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, the esteemed Director General of the Department of International Trade Promotion. With the collaboration of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Office of Commercial Affairs in Tokyo, this foodie jamboree transformed into a gateway for 59 Thai enterprises to dazzle the global market. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Tokyo Big Sight from March 11 to 14, the Thailand Pavilion embodied the visionary policy of Commerce Minister Phichai Naripthaphan. The pavilion was a gastronomic wonderland aimed at transferring the delights of Thai cuisine and fruit to a global stage, resulting in a cash cow of…
In the heart of Ban Huai Yang, a tranquil village nestled along the bustling Phetkasem Road in Thailand, an unexpected and tragic event sent ripples across the community. March 18th marked a day when the usual calm was shattered by an out-of-control pickup truck that collided with a car and crashed into the local fried chicken shop—a vibrant hub of delicious aromas and neighborly chatter. Amid the chaotic aftermath, an 87-year-old woman lovingly known as Pa Sri lost her life, while her 80-year-old companion, Cha-on, was left nursing injuries, now receiving treatment at Phatthalung Hospital. Despite the driver’s heartfelt apologies, the reason behind this peculiar crash remained wrapped in silence, leaving the townsfolk with questions that lingered in the air as heavily as the scent of fried chicken. With the incident swiftly reported by a concerned citizen, the local law enforcement, led by Police Lieutenant Kriangkrai Limwongsakul of Mueang Phatthalung…
Raise your glasses, folks! The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) in Thailand is toasting a bold new policy that might just change the way we experience the great outdoors. Yes, soon you might be able to enjoy a little tipple under the starlit skies, but only in specific designated areas, and with the right permissions in place. DNP chief, Attapol Charoenchansa, unveiled after much public consultation, a potential revision of regulations that could let campers and nature enthusiasts alike indulge in an occasional drink while enjoying the country’s stunning national parks. The existing no-alcohol rule, as reported by the Bangkok Post, was originally intended to maintain tranquility and we can all agree that peace and quiet is a cherished element of any camping trip. “The public hearing process has concluded, and we’re moving to the next step to submit these changes for final approval,” said Attapol.…