The streets of Bangkok bustled with an extraordinary sense of joy and solidarity as over 300,000 people marched with pride and purpose, making their way to centralwOrld. The occasion? A landmark Pride Parade that resonated with a profoundly historic undertone, marking the first time Thailand strutted its colorful stuff with full-fledged liberty under the new Marriage Equality Law. For the LGBTQIAN+ community, both at home and abroad, this wasn’t just another parade but a monumental celebration of love in every hue imaginable. Under this year’s spirited theme, “Born This Way,” the Bangkok Pride Parade was a kaleidoscope of cultures, bringing people from all walks of life to the bustling heart of the city. As marchers reached centralwOrld, they were greeted by a magnificent array of vibrant colors, infectious smiles, and an electrifying sense of acceptance and inclusion. The venue had transformed into a beacon of pride and unity, setting the…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In a dramatic revelation, a notorious puppet master of the illegal hazardous waste trade has been apprehended. This individual was masterminding the operations of not one, not two, but three companies caught red-handed in the processing and export of toxic industrial dust, brazenly flouting numerous laws. The Ministry of Industry dropped the bombshell just yesterday. Stepping up to the plate, the Minister of Industry, Akanat Promphan, unveiled a special task force, spearheaded by the intrepid Thitipas Choddaechachainun. Their mission: to delve into the murky dealings of 11 steel factories employing induction furnace (IF) technology nestled in the scenic Rayong. This scrutiny followed the ignominious shutdown of Sin Ke Yuan Steel and NFMR Co Ltd, nestled in the same province. These rogue players had been caught red-handed, spinning a web of deceit with forged hazardous waste transport documents and falsified waste reporting. The steel factories, far from being ironclad bastions of…
The allure of untamed nature often carries with it the thrill of discovery, and the newest chapter in this saga unfolds with the revelation of a fascinating new species: Tharathum, also known by its scientific name, Sageraea multiovulata. Nestled within the ylang-ylang family (Annonaceae), this intriguing tree has emerged from the verdant depths of Surat Thani, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Botanical Garden Organisation (BGO). With a name that should roll off your tongue, “Tharathum” delicately fuses elements of Thai language: “thara” for water and “thum” for tree, vividly encapsulating its essence. The find was celebrated in the illustrious pages of Volume 311 of the international journal Plant Systematics and Evolution, thus marking May 1st as a significant date in botanical chronicles. Spearheading this remarkable expedition is BGO’s seasoned taxonomist Chattida Wiya, who alongside an ensemble cast of botanical wizards including Tanawat Chaowasku from Chiang Mai University, and…
Picture this: at Huai Khwang Market, mangoes are now being practically given away at the astonishing price of just 20 baht per kilogram. This isn’t a nostalgic reminiscence or a figment of imagination. Pikul, a seasoned vendor who has called this market her home for decades, confesses that she can’t recall a time the prices dipped this low. She exclaims, “I’ve never seen prices so low. This situation is really hurting farmers. Mango growers are in trouble — I feel for them.” Pikul’s produce arrives fresh every morning from the bustling Simummuang wholesale market. Yet, as the day wanes, she’s cornered into a relentless battle against time, forced to sell overripe mangoes at nearly laughable prices, or face the heartbreak of sending them to waste. Just a stall away, 26-year-old Tú echoes the disheartening melody. She shares that wholesalers, who draw directly from the lush orchards, are perhaps in even…
In a heartwarming move to elevate inclusivity and communication, the Trans Health Access Thailand event orchestrated a vibrant workshop on April 1, 2025. This was no ordinary gathering but a groundbreaking sign language glossary workshop tailored for deaf LGBTI individuals. Held amidst an atmosphere bustling with enthusiasm, this initiative forms a part of a broader mission to bridge communication gaps and empower the deaf community in the country. Stepping up to this noble cause, the Social Development and Human Security Ministry has announced plans to significantly expand the cohort of sign language interpreters across the nation. “With a generous dash of hope and forward-thinking,” Minister Varawut Silpa-archa passionately shared, “we’re gearing up to bolster support for the estimated 400,000 hearing-impaired individuals living in Thailand.” These interpreters are poised to offer crucial assistance in various walks of life – from healthcare settings and workplaces to legal arenas – breathing life into…
Get ready to fasten your seatbelts as Bangkok gears up for an exciting urban transformation! The bustling heart of Thailand, renowned for its spirited street life and cultural landmarks, is expecting a significant facelift by 2027. That’s right, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced that the much-anticipated city plan update, which was originally a brainchild from back in 2013, is finally inching closer to reality. After a series of detours and prolonged reviews by the Ministry of Interior concerning water and environmental zoning, an era of new developments is on the horizon. Deputy Bangkok Governor, Wisanu Subsompon, recently let us in on some thrilling news: the fourth makeover of the city plan is striding ahead, now approximately 70% completed. Later this month, the draft will make its way to the desks of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT), as the DPT gently nudged that…
Amid a sizzling atmosphere like a scene from a political thriller, we’re bearing witness to an intense strategic chess game unfolding at the Thai-Cambodian border. On the slopes of tumultuous international relations, it seems Cambodia has taken center stage, grasping the mic from Thailand’s somewhat lackluster defense symphony. The intrigue thickens as Assoc Prof Panitan Wattanayagorn offers his illuminating insights into this complex narrative. In a tête-à-tête with the Bangkok Post, Dr. Panitan portrayed Thailand’s current security setup as not only sluggish and fragmented but akin to an orchestra without a conductor. This has offered Cambodia the perfect vantage point to engage with a three-pronged strategy, executing moves that are as bold as they are cunning. Seekers of political drama, buckle up! First on Cambodia’s agenda is an impressive show of symbolic leadership. Picture a scene where Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen stands firm, waving the flag of sovereignty like…
Former Democrat MP, Chanchai Issarasenarak, is raising the stakes in a heated debate involving Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin. In an unexpected twist, Mr. Somsak vetoed a resolution from the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT), sparking allegations of authority abuse aimed at shielding former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. This decision has set off sparks, with accusations that the minister swerved to protect powerful figures, leaving public trust in jeopardy. The resolution in question, issued last month by the council, recommended the suspension of two senior doctors from the Police General Hospital. The doctors were blamed for allegedly exaggerating Thaksin’s medical condition to justify his detention at the hospital instead of behind bars. Additionally, a doctor from the Corrections Department Hospital faced warnings for allegedly easing Thaksin’s transfer from prison. However, an interesting twist in this ongoing saga is that for the resolution to gain legal traction, it had to receive…
The political arena is as vibrant as ever in Thailand, with hourly developments creating a buzz that keeps the citizens riveted. Recently, amidst the swirling cyclone of rumors about a potential seismic shift in the nation’s coalition government, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took center stage to extinguish the flames of speculation. It was just another action-packed episode of her weekly spectacle, “Thailand’s Opportunities with PM Paetongtarn,” which aired this past Sunday. There was a lot of noise surrounding the Pheu Thai Party—could they clinch the coveted Interior Ministry, casting the Bhumjaithai Party to the coalition sidelines? Amid the echo of whispers suggesting an impending coup within the high echelons of government, Prime Minister Paetongtarn confidently took to the airwaves to set the record straight. “There’s no rift, none at all,” she declared with a clarity as sharp as a finely honed blade. The cliff-hanger of an episode drew to a…
Imagine a quaint little town, nestled snugly against the craggy cliffs and serene vistas of the north, bustling with life and bordered by its neighbor, Myanmar. This picturesque locale, Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai province, often greeted by the sun’s warm morning embrace, now finds itself beleaguered by nature’s wrath as the torrents of September’s swollen deluges continue to haunt its memory. Like an unwelcomed ghost revisiting, this vivid painting of sunshine is smeared with streaks of muddy waters flowing from the notoriously temperamental Sai River. A river that once whispered gently between its banks now roars with defiance, invading Mae Sai like an unrelenting siege. The events caused more than dampened spirits for the 20,000 souls residing here; they brought along a financial tempest, churning out millions in economic loss. In a bittersweet deja vu, May this year witnessed the town being twice submerged beneath the river’s unrestrained…