THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Photo: Disaster Response Association of Thailand As the rains poured heavily, transforming the scenic landscapes of Chiang Rai into a waterlogged venture, the government has stepped up its game to address the distress of flood victims. Late last month, the serene town of Mae Sai found itself grappling with severe flooding, leaving many households in distress. In a bid to alleviate the pain brought about by nature’s wrath, the cabinet has decided on a revised compensation plan that promises a flat rate of 9,000 baht per affected household, a significant increase from the previously inconsiderate range of 5,000 to 9,000 baht. In a statement released on Tuesday following a crucial cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stressed upon the gravity of the situation and the necessity for uniform financial aid. “The government decided that all affected households will each receive 9,000 baht due to the severity of the flood situation,”…

The Labour Ministry has made a reassuring announcement that the 400-baht minimum wage will be implemented nationwide by the end of the year, according to Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. However, some necessary procedural steps need to be taken first, including waiting for the official appointment of two replacement members from the tripartite wage committee. These positions are the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and the Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW), whose previous incumbents retired at the end of September. Just yesterday, Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyuth was named the new Permanent Secretary, while the nomination for the new Director-General of the DLPW is set to be submitted to the cabinet for approval next week, Minister Phiphat disclosed. As for the representative from the Bank of Thailand (BoT), the ministry still awaits a decision on whether this member, who retired from the BoT last year but remains…

The opposition People’s Party (PP) is calling on the coalition to reconsider its decision made on Monday to indefinitely delay the House’s review of a new amnesty bill. The bill, proposed to heal the aftermath of previous political conflicts among various factions, is seen as crucial by many. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the PP, questioned the rationale behind shelving the scheduled review of the study’s findings, which was supposed to happen tomorrow. Natthaphong emphasized that the study’s findings were merely opinions on how the new amnesty bill should be crafted and would carry no legal weight. “More importantly,” he noted, “those entangled in legal battles due to their past political activities deserve and are eagerly awaiting legal remedies.” On Monday, in a twist, PM’s Office Minister Chousak Sirinil, who chairs the House’s special committee on the matter, announced that the coalition had agreed to pause the House review. This would…

Join us for an exhilarating three-in-one digital printing technology extravaganza, all convened under one roof! The Bangkok Ad & Sign Expo 2024, the Bangkok Digital Textile Print Expo 2024, and the Bangkok Pack & Label Expo 2024 will make waves this year, hosted by the illustrious Grand Master Exhibition Company Limited in collaboration with the Thai Advertising Business Development Association (TABDA) and the Thai Garment Manufacturers Association (TGMA). This year’s theme, “Ignite Your Ideas,” promises a spark of innovation from November 7 to 10 at Hall 6-7, Impact, Muang Thong Thani. Spreading out over an impressive 10,000 square meters of exhibition heaven, you’ll find 80 leading distributors from Thailand and across the globe, notably China and Japan, showcasing more than 250 booths filled to the brim with cutting-edge digital printing technology. Expect to marvel at the 2025 models from big names like Epson, HP, Roland, and Canon, and witness the…

A furor is brewing in the plush Siam area, where a woman is demanding an immediate investigation into a well-known cosmetic doctor after she and her family were allegedly left disfigured by facial filler injections. The discontent comes from Ketsarin Chatsunthorn, a 42-year-old dentist, who recently lodged a formal complaint with the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD). Ms. Ketsarin recounted that she, along with her mother and sister, had consulted a doctor purported to be a dermatologist and an expert in regenerative medicine. The doctor runs three high-profile cosmetic clinics that are reportedly popular among celebrities and influencers. With such a reputation preceding him, Ms. Ketsarin and her family felt confident in seeking his services. According to Ms. Ketsarin, she opted for a 15 cc filler injection, her sister for 11 cc, and her mother for 30 cc. However, they were stunned to discover later that the doctor had administered…

Water discharges from major dams are being meticulously regulated to reduce the impact of floods and water overflow in downstream provinces, according to the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR). The adjustments are in effect at the dams on the Ping, Wang, and Nan rivers—three vital tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. Paitoon Kengkarnchang, ONWR’s deputy secretary-general, explained the critical need for these measures. Mr. Paitoon emphasized the delicate balance dams must maintain between water inflow and outflow. Releasing too much water too quickly could exacerbate the flooding in downstream areas, while insufficient releases could deplete water reserves needed for the dry season. The strategy is to strike just the right balance. Specifically, the Bhumibol Dam on the Ping River has adjusted its water discharge to one million cubic metres (m³) per day. This calculated reduction aims to manage downstream water levels more effectively while storing enough for future needs.…

The political landscape is heating up as the opposition People’s Party (PP) vehemently urges the coalition government to rethink its decision to indefinitely defer the House’s examination of a new amnesty bill. Made on Monday, this contentious choice has created ripples, for the bill aims to heal the wounds of past political clashes among various factions. At the helm of this vociferous call to action is Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the dynamic leader of the PP, who declared that there’s simply no valid reason to delay the review set for tomorrow as per the coalition’s suggestion. “These study findings are mere opinions on how the new amnesty bill should be, devoid of any legal obligation,” Natthaphong asserted. Highlighting the urgency of the matter, he stressed that those entangled in legal prosecutions due to their past political involvements are not only deserving but are also anxiously awaiting legal remedies. On the other side…

The Labour Ministry has officially promised that by the end of the year, a nationwide minimum wage of 400-baht will be implemented, confirmed by Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. However, the tripartite wage committee is currently in a holding pattern, waiting for the official appointment of two crucial members. Both the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and the Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) retired in late September. Just yesterday, the ministry took a step forward by appointing Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyuth as the new permanent secretary. The name of the new director-general of the DLPW will be submitted to the cabinet for approval next week, Mr. Phiphat stated. In addition, there’s a question mark hanging over the representative from the Bank of Thailand (BoT). This individual retired last year but is eligible to stay on the wage committee until March next year. The new permanent secretary…

One of Thailand’s most acclaimed scholars has brought forth a compelling argument: the government should amp up its financial support for academic research. This, according to Prof. Phadungsak Rattanadecho, is the missing piece that could propel the nation into the realm of groundbreaking innovations and cutting-edge technologies. His thoughtful insights were shared during an engrossing seminar co-hosted by Thammasat University and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, held at the lively Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. Prof. Phadungsak, who wears many prestigious hats as a senior research scholar at the Thailand Research Fund and the director of the Centre of Excellence in Electromagnetic Energy Utilisation in Engineering at Thammasat University, delved deep into Thailand’s hurdles in technological advancement. He painted a clear picture: the nation is teetering on the brink of innovation but lacks the robust foundation of high-quality research to push it over the edge. During this riveting seminar, Thailand’s top…

The bustling metropolis of Bangkok never ceases to amaze with its blend of modernity and history. In an exciting new initiative, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has embarked on a journey to breathe new life into the rich cultural tapestry of Thon Buri. As part of this ambitious mission, the BMA has meticulously assessed historical sites with an eye toward propelling tourism and enhancing the city’s development blueprint. Leading this charge is Thaiwut Khankaew, the dynamic director of the BMA’s City Planning and Development Department. Recently, Khankaew and his team, accompanied by the savvy consultants from A-Seven Corporation, made a whirlwind tour of Thon Buri’s iconic landmarks. The goal? To harness the district’s untapped potential and galvanize the local economy. Their journey took them through the bustling Khlong San district, where they marveled at the serenity of Wat Anongkharam, the historical majesty of Goowatin Islam Mosque—also charmingly known as the…