THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Train models are displayed at Asia Pacific Rail 2023 at Bitec Bangkok. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard) The State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) newly appointed director, Veeris Ammarapala, has been given a monumental task: completing the high-speed Sino-Thai railway project by the first quarter of next year. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced on Wednesday that Veeris will establish his policies for the SRT by early next month, now that the cabinet has greenlit his appointment. Veeris’s primary objectives are no small feats. One of his main goals is to clear the SRT’s staggering 230-billion-baht debt. Add to that the daunting task of transforming Thailand’s logistics landscape by shifting the primary mode of transportation from road to rail, a move that aligns with the government’s preference for rail transport. The Transport Ministry has also directed the SRT to swiftly find a private bidder to complete the second phase of the double-track railway project.…

The anticipation is palpable as this year’s military reshuffle looms closer, with candidates set to be finalized by the end of the week. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai tackled the swirling rumors head-on on Wednesday, ensuring transparency amidst the speculation that senior officers’ appointments were already set in stone. Intriguingly, inside sources revealed that Gen Sanitchanog Sangkachantra, the permanent secretary for defence, had just presented a comprehensive list of senior candidates to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Tuesday night. This crucial list had been meticulously reviewed by Mr Phumtham himself. Adding another layer to the reshuffle drama, navy chief, Adm Adung Phan-iam, made headlines on Monday. He stood firm on his controversial nomination of Adm Jirapol Wongwit, currently a special navy adviser, to ascend as the next navy chief. The twist? Adm Jirapol, who boasts impressive credentials from the Naval Academy Mürwik in Germany, faces opposition within…

An official inspected bags of narcotics in a government warehouse in Bangkok last month. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ramped up her narcotic suppression policy with a strong kickoff on Wednesday. She highlighted successful projects in Thawatchaburi district of Roi Et in the Northeast and Tha Wang Pha district of Nan in the North as key examples. This significant meeting of the Narcotics Control Board was held at Government House, with key figures like Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, and Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob in attendance, along with representatives from the Royal Thai Police, armed forces, and various government agencies. The Prime Minister acknowledged that tackling narcotics is vital for the nation’s wellbeing. “During my visits to various provinces, feedback on the drug problem is a recurring theme, whether from MPs or…

In the heart of Vientiane, Laos opened the doors to an urgent dialogue—one that crackled with the stakes higher than an overloaded dam. The “2nd Asean-MRC Water Security Dialogue” saw officials from Asean member states, Mekong River nations, and development partners converge to tackle the elephant in the room: water security in the face of relentless floods. Saleumxay Kommasith, Laos’ deputy PM and foreign minister, didn’t mince words as he painted a vivid picture of the Mekong River’s significance. This lifeline, coursing through mainland Southeast Asia, feeds the region in more ways than one. “The Mekong River is the bedrock of our livelihoods,” Saleumxay began fervently. From being a source of food production to energy generation and even resilient trade, the river’s bounty nourishes the population. Imagine 2.6 million tonnes of fish annually gracing dinner tables across the basin. That’s the kind of food security the Mekong River provides—a veritable…

Construction workers endured the scorching heat last year as they tirelessly worked on completing an inter-city motorway project in Nonthaburi province. It was an arduous task under the blazing sun, but their determination was unyielding. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) Fast forward to today, and Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is optimistic about a significant change on the horizon. He is confident that a new daily minimum wage increase to 400 baht nationwide could be rolled out on Oct 1, alongside measures designed to support businesses that might feel the strain. Speaking on Wednesday, the minister’s assurances come amid anticipation surrounding the upcoming meeting of the tripartite wage committee on Friday. It is here where the proposed 400-baht minimum wage will be debated. The wage committee, a blend of employees, employers, and government representatives, met on Monday to advance the government’s 400-baht minimum wage policy. However, five employer representatives were conspicuously absent, citing…

Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the steadfast leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has found himself at the epicenter of a legal whirlwind. This is following allegations involving the release of incriminating voice recordings made by TV host Danai Ekmahasawat and ex-Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit. The recordings, if proven to be illicit, could carry grave consequences. On the morning of September 6, Gen Prawit, fresh from being reelected as the party leader amidst eloquent accolades, must now brace himself for a legal battle that threatens to eclipse his recent triumphs. Party secretary-general Paiboon Nititawan unveiled the party’s retaliatory strike on Wednesday. Legal complaints will be filed with the Hua Mak police, accusing Danai and Prompong of wiretapping and illicit dissemination of said recordings. The maximum legal retribution for this offense stands at five years incarceration or a hefty fine stretching up to 500,000 baht. The recordings in question purportedly…

The opposition People’s Party has issued a stern warning to the government regarding its ambitious casino project following a series of revisions that some believe could open doors for dubious business practices. During a heated parliamentary session, Nont Pisarnlimjaroenkit, a People’s Party MP representing Nonthaburi, expressed his concerns about the government’s intentions. Spearheaded by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the initiative aims to generate new income streams by bringing underground enterprises into the formal tax system. This audacious plan includes an elaborate entertainment complex featuring a casino, a strategic move designed to combat illegal gambling activities and bolster the nation’s finances. Yet, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the project. The government remains tight-lipped about whether it envisions a dazzling mega-resort on par with Macau’s world-class casino hubs or a more modest establishment akin to those found in neighboring countries. “Even nations like Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines struggle to match…

In a turn of events that reads like a thriller novel, a Singaporean drug smuggler’s lavish escapade in Thailand has come to a dramatic end. Officials disclosed on Wednesday that Benny Kee Soon Chuan, the mastermind behind a sophisticated smuggling ring, will be extradited back to Singapore. There, he will face the stern hand of justice, likely culminating in the death penalty. Chuan’s illicit enterprise involved running a high-stakes operation, shuttling crystal meth, ketamine, and ecstasy from Thailand to Australia and Singapore. This revelation came to light courtesy of Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboonto, the secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). The plot thickens as further investigations uncovered Chuan’s murky past, linking him to not one, but two major smuggling cases from 2021. In these instances, narcotics were quietly slipped across borders to Singapore and Australia. Local sleuths, equipped with a knack for sniffing out trouble,…

King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital has reached a historic milestone, becoming the first hospital in Thailand to receive the prestigious American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines for Heart Failure (AHA GWTG HF) Gold Award. This accolade recognizes the hospital’s unwavering commitment to providing world-class cardiac care, particularly for patients with heart failure, by adhering to rigorous international standards. The award not only reflects the hospital’s dedication to elevating patient care but also establishes a new benchmark for excellence in cardiovascular health across the nation. Assistant Professor Dr. Yuwaree Pichitchok, Deputy Director, CEO, and Human Resources, noted that King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital has been honored with the AHA GWTG HF Gold Award for delivering exceptional care to heart disease patients, especially those suffering from heart failure. This achievement signifies a substantial enhancement in the quality of patient care in alignment with international standards. The hospital currently follows a comprehensive policy aimed…

The heartwarming saga of Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo and internet sensation, continues to charm people around the world. Nestled at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, Moo Deng has amassed a fanbase as colorful and dynamic as her playful personality. However, her newfound fame has also sparked concerns among her admirers regarding her wellbeing. Benz, more formally known as Auttapon Nundee, the loving zookeeper who takes care of Moo Deng, recently addressed these concerns in a heartfelt message on their Facebook page, “Khamoo and the Gang.” With a mixture of humor and sincerity, Benz sought to reassure fans that Moo Deng is thriving under his care. Intriguingly named Moo Deng, which translates to “bouncy pig,” this little hippo has captured hearts far and wide with her adorable antics. Yet, as videos of her playful shenanigans flooded the internet, some fans began to worry. They questioned whether…