In the heart of a bustling cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, surrounded by ministers from the dominant Pheu Thai Party, made a spirited announcement. The cabinet had sanctioned a substantial 620 million baht from the central fund to combat the perennial menace of forest fires and the PM2.5 dust haze that stubbornly blankets many regions across Thailand. The atmosphere was one of determination as the Prime Minister underscored the prudent use of these funds, a proposal passionately advocated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The weekly cabinet assembly buzzed with discussions on innovative strategies aimed at managing the persistent PM2.5 pollution. Prime Minister Shinawatra stressed the importance of the Ministry of Interior’s call to action, instructing provincial governors to proactively address this environmental calamity. A notable emphasis was placed on extinguishing the scourge of crop trash burning across farmlands, a move designed to drastically reduce hazardous air…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Mark your calendars and pack your bags with a digital twist — starting May 1, jetsetting to Thailand demands a little more tech-savvy prep. As the enchanting Land of Smiles beckons to international wanderers, one big change rolls out: the debut of a mandatory digital TM6 immigration form. For those accustomed to scribbling their travel details on the plane, the times, they are a-changin’. Out with the crumpled paper forms and in with a sleek digital system, courtesy of Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Permanent Secretary Natthriya Thaweevong enthuses that the online form isn’t just about convenience; it’s a pivotal piece in beefing up safety measures, ensuring that Thailand remains a sanctuary for its sun-seeking guests. In essence, this digital pivot is Thailand’s way of giving its tourism image a modern facelift, ensuring travelers feel securely welcomed with open arms. Bidding farewell to the paper-based TM6 process, which took…
Representatives from the Dan Khun Thot Conservation Group have taken their fervent protest to the doorstep of the Ministry of Industry, fueled by a conviction that Bangchak Plc’s recent investment is straying from the energy giant’s green ideals. The investment in question? A stake in a potash mining enterprise, which has the community jittering with concern over its ecological implications. Voices rise with the crackling urgency of dry leaves underfoot, as critics of potash mining in Nakhon Ratchasima call for accountability and transparency from Bangchak Plc—the heavyweight with the largest stake in the potash mining company, Thai Kali Co. On Tuesday, determined to make their presence felt, the group congregated at the Ministry’s gates, urging the Department of Primary Industries and Mines to rescind Thai Kali’s mining concession. The hotly contested land is perilously close to local neighborhoods, stirring fears of environmental fallout. Thai Kali, holding a formidable 25-year concession,…
A recent tale from the bustling city of Bangkok paints a rather harrowing picture of a young woman’s night out gone terribly wrong. On the evening of January 26th, amid the vibrant nightlife of Ratchaprasong, a seemingly ordinary taxi ride home turned into every passenger’s nightmare. The protagonist, a woman simply seeking to return to her condo after an evening of cocktails with friends, reportedly awoke to find herself in more than a precarious situation. The woman, possibly intoxicated from four cocktails, as she later recalled, decided to call it a night and hailed a taxi. Her choice of taxi that night was driven by Thanawat, a 60-year-old who would soon become the central figure in an unsettling sequence of events. Waking up in an unfamiliar room and finding oneself in dire circumstances is unsettling enough, but adding the fact that the woman, startled from her disorientation, discovered the driver…
In a jaw-dropping revelation, Chinese authorities have uncovered the staggering extent of international call scam operations. With 36 major gangs employing over 100,000 callers, these fraudulent networks have successfully fleeced victims worldwide out of their hard-earned money. The disclosure was made during a high-profile meeting between China’s Assistant Minister of Public Security, Liu Zhongyi, and Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) in Nonthaburi. Leading a Chinese delegation, Liu implored Thailand to join forces in dismantling these criminal syndicates, many of which are believed to operate from Myanmar’s Myawaddy region, close to Thailand’s Tak province. The gangs have reportedly duped Chinese nationals into crossing the border into Myanmar, under various false pretenses, only to be trapped in grueling work at scam centers where conditions are notoriously harsh. “Many victims have been assaulted, and some have tragically lost their lives,” Liu revealed with genuine concern. A poignant example is the case of…
In a vibrant display of sportsmanship and camaraderie, the Hylife Group, alongside its dynamic partners, recently brought to life the inaugural “Hylife Football Cup 2025”. This friendly football tournament, a mélange of professionalism and amateur spirit, took place at the bustling Weerachon 41 Football Field nestled in the scenic city of Chiang Mai. It’s here that the audible cheers of excited spectators intertwined with the resounding roars of players on the field, creating an enticing atmosphere for everyone involved. The zest of the tournament was further amplified by a spectacular roster of cheerleaders who were flown in especially from South Korea, infusing an extra zest of excitement into the thrilling matches. The stands were brimming with fans who, with each wave of applause, etched the first edition of this football fiesta into a roaring success. Amidst this wave of enthusiasm, Mr. Shubhodeep Das, the spirited CEO of the Hylife Group,…
If you were to voyage back in time more than a millennium, tucked in the serene landscapes of Nakhon Si Thammarat, you’d find the awe-inspiring Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan. Fast forward to today, and this centuries-old gem is once again at the forefront of attention. Just last Tuesday, the cabinet ushered in a wave of rejoice among the locals with its decision to endorse the application of this revered temple as a Unesco World Heritage Site. This decisive move comes a whopping twelve years after Wat Phra Mahathat was first given a hopeful nod by being placed on the tentative list in 2013. Enter the articulate Chaichana Dechdecho, an enthusiastic MP of the southern province, who with visible elation deemed this decision a long-overdue triumph for the community. It’s a collective sigh of relief and a jubilant nod to a rich past, as the Democrat Party’s deputy leader pointed out.…
In a rather spicy turn of events, an intriguing incident unfolded at a South Korean restaurant nestled in Thailand’s enchanting Isaan province. It all started on a Sunday evening, January 26, when a lively group of Chinese nationals, with kids in tow, decided to indulge in a delicious feast at this popular dining spot in Udon Thani. The stage was set for what was supposed to be a delightful evening filled with delectable dishes and merry chatter. But, oh, how things took a curious twist! The restaurant’s young manager, just 27, was left feeling more than a little steamed when the night ended with a hefty bill of 9,480 baht unpaid and a dozen diners vanished. According to the manager’s recounting, which seemed straight out of a restaurant-dramedy sitcom, the hungry patrons had indulged in a spread fit for royalty. Their ensemble of orders included choice items like beef loin,…
In a scene that can only be described as chaotic, Pattaya Beach Road became the epicenter of a dramatic incident when a restaurant worker suffered a shocking encounter of the electric kind. The venue? A popular eatery near Soi 13/3, usually bustling with the sounds of clinking glasses and lively chatter, was instead filled with gasps of concern and the hustle of rescue teams. The injured man, identified as Chatmongkol, a 34-year-old working diligently to renovate the establishment, found himself in dire straits, having endured severe electrical burns. The burns were inflicted on both palms, leaving him painfully aware of the unseen hazards lurking above. As he bled heavily, first responders moved quickly, working with the urgency reminiscent of a well-oiled machine, to provide first aid before whisking him off to Pattaya Patmakhun Hospital. Chatmongkol, however, remained the main star in this dramatic tale. His colleague and comrade in renovation,…
In a meeting that promised to strengthen diplomatic ties amidst swirling concerns, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra found herself in the bustling city of Lima, Peru, for the 31st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Here, she met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a greeting marked by a firm handshake and cordial smiles. Fast forward to the present, and the Prime Minister is gearing up for yet another significant engagement—this time, directly on Chinese soil from February 5th through 8th. As she preps for her China visit, it’s not just state secrets tucked under her sleeve—there’s a bigger picture. The agenda? Addressing the rising safety concerns troubling prospective Chinese tourists thinking about visiting the sun-kissed shores of Thailand. Lately, there have been whispers and worse—cancellations. Why? It all traces back to a high-profile trafficking incident involving a Chinese actor that unfolded unsettlingly close to the Thai-Myanmar border. A blip of negativity that Ms.…