Envision a bustling hub of aviation excellence—this is what the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development project promises. On a warm Wednesday, a robust government delegation, spearheaded by the esteemed Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, embarked on a comprehensive tour to witness firsthand the strides taken and the hurdles yet to be overcome. Accompanying him were none other than Vice Minister for the Office of the Prime Minister Nahathai Tiwphaingam and the passionate Rayong governor, Traipob Wongtrairat. Enter Tharit Issarayangyun, the deputy secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with pivotal updates. This project isn’t just about building an airport; it’s about setting unprecedented standards for Thailand’s aviation industry, aligning perfectly with governmental ambitions to magnetize investments into the EEC. Tharit outlined the project’s dual-progress trajectory, highlighting both civil and private sector advancements. On the civil side, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) stands at the helm, steering through the…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) recently announced that the much-anticipated Asean Troika Plus meeting, aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, is likely to take place after this year’s Asean Summit. Bolbongse Vangphaen, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asean Affairs, revealed that Laos, serving as the Asean chairman this year, has embraced Thailand’s proposal for this crucial meeting. This proposal was initially discussed during the 57th Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held last month in Vientiane. “We’re currently coordinating with this year’s Asean chair to finalize the timeline for the meeting,” Vangphaen explained. “The expectation is that the Troika Plus meeting will occur after the main Asean Summit scheduled for this October.” Mr. Bolbongse was speaking at an event celebrating Asean Day 2024, which marks the 57-year milestone of Asean’s establishment. During his address, he highlighted the collaborative efforts of Asean member states, including Thailand, in assisting…
The operators of the Yellow and Pink monorail systems have announced a crucial safety upgrade: reinforcing the guidewheels on every train. This move, unveiled by BTS Group Holdings’ CEO Surapong Laoha-unya, aims to bolster public confidence in both monorail lines, ensuring the safety of commuters and motorists below. Surapong Laoha-unya, who also serves as the director of Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co (EBM) and Northern Bangkok Monorail (NBM), emphasized the need for heightened safety measures following a January 2 incident. On that day, a guidewheel from a Yellow Line monorail train detached and struck a taxi traveling below on Theparak Road. Understandably, this event sparked concerns about the safety protocols in place. To address these concerns, EBM conducted an exhaustive review with Alstom Thailand—the manufacturer of the train—and replaced all parts deemed necessary to assure passenger safety. But they didn’t stop there. To prevent any future incidents, Alstom will introduce a…
Pita Limjaroenrat, the charismatic chief adviser to the Move Forward Party, waved enthusiastically to supporters as he made his way to the party’s bustling headquarters in Bangkok on Wednesday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) In a dramatic turn of events, a thorough investigation is now underway into the ethical conduct of 44 politicians from the recently dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP). These politicians threw their support behind a controversial bill aiming to revise the country’s lese majeste law. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) confirmed on Thursday that there are sufficient grounds to proceed, launching an inquiry into these members of parliament. NACC Secretary-General Niwatchai Kasemmongkol unveiled that the commission has initiated this probe following a petition from February. The petition, submitted by lawyer Theerayut Suwankesorn, urged the Constitutional Court to halt all MFP campaign activities related to their efforts to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code. This appeal was grounded in…
During a pivotal House of Representatives session on July 31, Padipat Suntiphada found himself in the limelight, albeit for unfortunate reasons. A Constitutional Court ruling not only dissolved the Move Forward Party but also stripped Padipat of his MP status, along with banning 11 executives. This has set the stage for a new election for the first deputy House Speaker to replace him, as indicated by the government’s chief whip, Wisut Chainaroon. Wisut, a prominent MP from the Pheu Thai Party, emphasized the urgency of filling this position with someone from the current governing coalition. Discussions among coalition partners are imminent. Bhumjaithai, the coalition’s second-largest party, has made it clear that they’re eyeing the position. Nonetheless, Wisut pointed out that there are many variables in play. “Let’s wait and see. We’ll have the new first deputy House Speaker by next week,” Wisut assured on Thursday. The criteria for the new…
A counter-demonstrator holds a sign ahead of an anti-immigration protest in Derby, England on Wednesday. (Photo: Reuters) The Royal Thai Embassy in London has issued a cautionary advisory to Thais planning to travel to the United Kingdom or currently residing there. The advisory urges them to avoid anti-racism rallies across England and Northern Ireland. This warning comes in light of a tumultuous week marked by near-nightly riots, where mosques and migrant-related facilities became targets of anti-immigrant mobs. The embassy specifically addressed anti-racism counter-demonstrations scheduled for Wednesday, amid British authorities’ concerns that such events could spark violent reactions from far-right groups. However, thanks to a robust police presence in various English towns and cities, these rallies transpired almost entirely peacefully. The police made it emphatically clear that any violence instigated by suspected far-right agitators would not be tolerated. Earlier incidents of violence were reportedly triggered by misinformation circulating on social media…
A troubling scene has emerged from a military compound in Chiang Mai, where an army officer was filmed subjecting a private to grueling humiliation—forcing him to crawl naked on the harsh cement. This incident, brought to light by the Sai Mai Tong Rot Facebook page, has ignited a fiery call for justice against such abusive practices within the military ranks. At the forefront of this crusade is Ekkaphop Luangprasert, who recently filed a petition with the House committee on military affairs, urging the Ministry of Defence to take decisive action. The spark that ignited this movement was a heartrending account from the younger sister of one of the privates based in Chiang Mai. She recounted the horrific maltreatment her brother and other soldiers endured—they were not only beaten but also forced to stand naked in the pouring rain for over five grueling hours. This disturbing incident took place in March…
The water level in the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province surged dramatically to 9.5 meters on Thursday, hovering just three meters shy of the critical threshold after days of relentless rain. (Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai) The Thai Meteorological Department has confirmed that the La Nina climate pattern is now influencing the local weather, bringing a mixture of heavy rainfall and the threat of insufficient water in reservoirs for the upcoming dry season, which spans from November to April. This climatic phenomenon, which began impacting Thailand in July, is projected to persist until early next year. Consequently, the country should brace for increased rainfall and potential tropical storms in August and September. According to weather forecasters, the cumulative rainfall from May 20 to August 1 was up by an impressive 15% compared to the previous year, resulting in flooding across 37 provinces. Currently, parts of 12 provinces are submerged, with the…
Move Forward MPs prominently displayed the three-finger salute in parliament on Wednesday, a symbolic act following the Constitutional Court’s directive to dissolve the party. As it stands, all 143 of Move Forward’s MPs are set to migrate to a newly established party to be announced on Friday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) In light of the party’s dissolution, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin addressed growing international concerns on Thursday. While acknowledging the apprehensions from other nations, he reassured that Thailand remains a sovereign and democratic country, independent of foreign sway. Addressing queries about the US State Department’s recent statement following the court’s decision, he unwaveringly insisted, “Thailand is fully capable of managing its own affairs without any external influence,” Mr. Srettha asserted with conviction. He emphasized, “I am certain that all Thai people understand we will not allow a foreign nation to interfere with our sovereignty.” While adopting a diplomatic tone, he added,…
Sirikanya Tansakun, deputy leader of the recently dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP), is anticipated to spearhead a newly formed political entity that will be officially unveiled this Friday. (Photo: @MFPThailand on X) All 143 Members of Parliament from the disbanded MFP have signed up for membership in the new party, a reassuring sign that there will be no “cobras” – a term referring to defectors within political ranks. In a tweet on their official X account, the party announced, “Move Forward is moving to a new party — all 143 of our parliamentarians are coming with us,” emphasizing their unity and promising no defections. The history of the party is marred with similar upheavals; when the MFP’s predecessor, Future Forward, was dissolved by a court order in 2020, 10 out of its 81 MPs switched loyalties to military-aligned factions. However, these defectors faced electoral defeat in 2023, a move that…