THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Overcoming Challenges: How Prayut’s Leadership Led Thailand Out of the Covid-19 Crisis In a 1.09-minute video clip shared on the United Thai Nation Party (UTNP)’s official Facebook page, viewers are taken on a journey from the dark times of the global Covid-19 pandemic to the vibrant and restriction-free Songkran celebrations happening this week. The video (www.facebook.com/unitedthaination/videos/770634717721070) highlights the tremendous progress Thailand has made under General Prayut’s leadership, who is credited with the country’s successful handling of the pandemic and the impressive economic recovery that has followed. Young People Desperate for Change The video begins with scenes from three years earlier, showcasing the frustration and disappointment of young people who were forced to remain at home due to Covid-19 restrictions. With vaccine acquisitions moving at a slow pace, the “stupid leader” and “lousy country” are blamed for their predicament. These somber scenes stand in stark contrast to the jubilant Songkran water-splashing…

Transport Company Executive Arrested in Bangkok for Multimillion-Dollar Fraud A German-American transport company executive, sought by the United States for alleged involvement in a multimillion-dollar fraud, has been apprehended in Bangkok, Thailand. His arrest came after the suspect allegedly fled the U.S. to avoid authorities. Collaboration between Thai and U.S. Authorities Pol Maj Gen Montree Thesakhan, commander of the Crime Suppression Division, confirmed the arrest, stating that the individual was taken into custody at a condominium on Lat Phrao 10 Road, Chatuchak district, on Thursday. The arrest followed a valuable tip-off from U.S. authorities. The suspect was identified solely as “Lars” by Pol Maj Gen Thesakhan. He further stated that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had named ten people suspected of embezzling approximately $52 million (1.7 billion baht) from the transport company over a ten-year period. Escape to Thailand and Extradition Nine of the ten suspects were quickly apprehended,…

Addressing Concerns About the Purple Line Extension and Historical Sites The Fine Arts Department has recently expressed its concerns over the potential impact of the new Purple Line extension on historical sites located in Bangkok’s Rattanakosin Island old town area. In response, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has assured that they will work closely with the department to mitigate any potential damage to these sites during the construction of the BTS line. Progress and Design of the Purple Line Extension The 101-billion-baht Southern Purple Line (Tao Pun-Rat Burana) is currently 8% complete and is scheduled to be operational in 2027. The 23.6-kilometer extension features 17 stations, with seven being overland and ten underground. However, the proposed locations for four underground stations – Bang Khun Phrom, Phan Fa, Sam Yot, and Saphan Phut – are causing concerns, as they reside within the Rattanakosin Island area. The Fine Arts…

Fighting Electoral Corruption with Rewards and Technology The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand has introduced a reward system offering up to one million baht for those who provide evidence of electoral corruption, such as vote buying or exchanging gifts for votes. The EC has launched a new online service through its Ta Sapparot (pineapple eyes) mobile app for Android and iOS devices, enabling the public to anonymously report suspected fraud or vote buying. Additional Reporting Channels Apart from the app, the EC has created other channels for individuals to submit complaints. These include phone numbers 02-141-8860, 02-141-8579, and 02-141-8858, as well as the EC’s 1444 hotline number. Cash rewards for tip-offs range from 100,000 baht to 1 million baht, depending on the evidence’s significance for securing a conviction. Overseas Ballot Distribution Election Commission secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee recently oversaw the transfer of ballots and equipment to 66 countries for advance voting…

Concerns Over Democrat Party’s Popularity The Democrat Party’s declining approval rating has left its patriarch, Chuan Leekpai, feeling uneasy. During a rally at Constituency 3 in Krabi, a southern province of Thailand, Chuan expressed his worry over the party’s dwindling popularity as it falls behind in opinion polls. Chuan is expected to help regain support in the southern region, the party’s traditional stronghold. Despite his concerns, he remains optimistic that the Democrats will secure more party-list seats in the May 14 polls. The former Democrat leader also voiced unease about widespread vote-buying before election day and urged voters to choose politicians with clean records. Democrat Party’s Policies Chuan detailed the party’s plans, which include a school milk project, education loans, and farmer income guarantees. Additionally, they hope to implement several other programs to win voter support. Pheu Thai’s Candidate Visits Hua Hin Srettha Thavisin, prime ministerial candidate for the Pheu…

Revolutionizing Healthcare Services with Facial Recognition Technology Eye and facial recognition technology will be utilized in an innovative pilot project aimed at enhancing healthcare services for migrant workers, refugees, and ethnic individuals. The Department of Disease Control is collaborating with partners like the Thai Red Cross Society and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec) to create this cutting-edge solution. Addressing Identity Challenges for Improved Patient Care The main goal of the project is to collect patient data for individuals lacking the necessary documents to prove their identity. This groundbreaking facial recognition initiative will be implemented in Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Tak, and Chon Buri provinces. Following the promising results of a smaller-scale pilot project conducted last year, which successfully collected the identities of 60,000 individuals, the department is now expanding the project to cover five provinces. In preparation, they are organizing documents, equipment, and training courses…

TikTok Star Enters Election Race in Songkhla Popular TikTok influencer Jury Numkaew has joined the political landscape in southern Thailand. He is running as an MP candidate for Songkhla under the Chartpattanakla Party. Since the 2019 victories by the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and Bhumjaithai Party, many parties have been vying for House seats in Songkhla’s constituencies this year. Upcoming Election and Constituencies The election is set for May 14 with Songkhla divided into nine constituencies. Constituency 2, where Mr. Jury is a candidate, has grabbed attention because of his entry into the race. Known for TikTok videos featuring a unique southern Thai dialect, Mr. Jury has a platform centered on improving local economies, reducing nepotism, and eradicating vote-buying in the region. From TikTok Star to Political Candidate With over a million followers, Jury Numkaew gained fame on TikTok as Auntie Jury. He aims to raise living standards in Hat…

An Unsettling Series of Shootings and Bombings in Southern Thailand The tranquil final day of Ramadan was disrupted by a series of bomb and shooting attacks across three southern border provinces of Thailand. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The coordinated attacks targeted six different locations in Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces, carried out by an unknown number of armed assailants. Investigations into these incidents are still ongoing. Overview of the Simultaneous Attacks The series of attacks transpired as follows: A bomb exploded on a bridge over a railway track in tambon Sateng Nok, Muang district of Yala. An outpost of a special operations unit in Rueso district, Narathiwat, was attacked, leading to a firefight between security forces and the gunmen. Two men on a motorcycle fired upon a special operations unit’s outpost at Wat Chang railway station, located in tambon Thung Phla, Khok Pho district of Pattani. Assailants targeted police…

Consequences of Songkran Celebrations: A Grim Road Safety Update The Songkran festival, marking the Thai New Year, has taken a tragic turn as the death toll reaches 158 within the first four days of the holiday. The latest road safety data shows a decrease of 14 deaths compared to the same period in the previous year. The total number of reported road accidents across Thailand is 1,422, resulting in 1,433 injuries from April 11-14. Songkran’s “Seven Dangerous Days” Despite the decrease in fatalities, the situation is still alarming with 44 people killed and 368 injured in accidents on Friday alone, the fourth day of the holiday’s “seven dangerous days.” In comparison, there were only 1,207 accidents and 1,188 injuries during the same time frame last year due to certain Covid-19 restrictions still in place, leading to fewer trips. Causes and Statistics Speeding remains the leading cause of these road accidents,…