THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Prime Minister and Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrives at Shinawatra Tower 3 to attend a meeting with party MPs on Aug 20. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattanasill) Thailand’s political landscape recently got a bit more interesting as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the newly minted Prime Minister and Pheu Thai Party leader, found herself in the crosshairs of prolific petitioner Ruangkrai Leekitwattana. On August 20, at Shinawatra Tower 3, Ms. Paetongtarn stepped into a whirlwind of controversy that could threaten her premiership. Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, never one to shy away from stirring the political pot, has requested the Election Commission (EC) to scrutinize Paetongtarn’s eligibility to hold office. The bone of contention? The exact date she vacated her roles in a whopping 21 companies within her family’s sprawling business empire. Mr. Ruangkrai made headlines on Wednesday when he dispatched his petition via express mail service, hoping to set off a chain reaction that could…

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In the bustling district of Bang Bon, Bangkok, an illegal liquor production facility was dramatically raided by excise officials and police back in 2016. This notorious incident marked a turning point in the city’s history, particularly due to its tragic consequences. (File photo: Chanat Katanyu) The toll of Bangkok’s methanol-laced moonshine scare has sadly risen by two, pushing the fatalities to a grim count of six. As investigators delve deeper beyond the northern suburbs, they strive to unearth and dismantle the sinister network responsible for producing and distributing this lethal rotgut. On a somber note, Dr. Pairoj Surattanawanich, deputy director-general of the Department of Medical Services, revealed that two more individuals succumbed to methanol intoxication on Tuesday. One victim tragically passed away in the hospital after a valiant but ultimately futile resuscitation attempt, while the other was found lifeless at home. Disturbingly, a total of 22 individuals who had unwittingly…

In the wake of relentless rain on Wednesday morning, the serene island of Phuket found itself grappling with nature’s unpredictable fury. The Muang district bore the brunt of this torrential downpour, which triggered a landslide, leaving nine homes battered though, fortunately, no injuries were reported. As the clock struck one in the morning, the heavens unleashed their watery wrath, upending trees and turning roads into rivers. Flash floods swept through several areas, obstructing traffic and heightening the sense of urgency among residents and officials alike. Particularly in tambon Choeng Thale in Thalang district, ominous cracks and ground subsidence marred the road stretching between Khok Tanot and Layan beach. Authorities swiftly erected caution signs to ward off potential accidents, recognizing the perilous state of the thoroughfare. Meanwhile, in tambon Talat Yai, Muang district, a 2-meter high wall succumbed to the downpour, collapsing behind a house amidst a thunderous storm. The clangor…

Prime Minister and Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra was recently seen arriving at Shinawatra Tower 3 on August 20 to engage in discussions with party MPs. The photograph capturing her arrival was taken by Pattarapong Chatpattanasill. Notorious petitioner Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has stirred the political waters once again by urging the Election Commission (EC) to scrutinize the legitimacy of Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s prime ministerial role. His primary concern revolves around the exact date she resigned from a slew of positions in the Shinawatra family’s sprawling business empire. Mr. Ruangkrai, with his usual fervor, revealed on Wednesday that he had dispatched his latest petition to the EC via express mail service (EMS). According to Mr. Ruangkrai, Ms. Paetongtarn was officially elected as the prime minister by the House of Representatives on August 16. However, he questioned whether she had indeed stepped down from all her executive roles within the family’s companies by…

Rescuers are painstakingly advancing through the collapsed railway tunnel in Nakhon Ratchasima, inching closer to rescuing three trapped workers. The painstaking efforts are almost poetic, as these unsung heroes persist, maneuvering delicate terrain with an unwavering focus. On Tuesday, there was a palpable sense of cautious optimism as rescuers carefully moved into the unstable, earth-packed abyss, driven by the flickering hope represented by the faint life signs of the workers detected by scanners. As dawn broke on Wednesday morning, provincial governor Chaiwat Chuenkosum painted a picture of both intricate challenges and resilience. The men are so close now—only a meter away from one, a slim four meters from another, and a more daunting eight meters from the third. Their path, alas, is strewn with falling debris that constantly threatens both the rescuers and those stranded below. Every cautious movement feels laden with the weight of potential hazards, yet the rescuers…

One Bangkok, an ambitious and holistic urban development in the heart of Thailand’s bustling capital, is seamlessly integrating art and culture into the daily lives of its residents and visitors. Set for a grand opening at the end of October 2024, this project will unveil its “Art Loop,” a vibrant 2-kilometre route showcasing an eclectic array of artworks and creative programs. In a move that promises to elevate the local and international art scene, One Bangkok will feature stirring pieces from globally recognized artists, including the legendary Anish Kapoor. Kapoor, celebrated as one of the most innovative sculptors of our time, is the creative genius behind the “Cloud Gate” sculpture in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Revered worldwide as “The Bean”, this mirrored masterpiece captures the city’s dynamic skyline and invites viewers into its reflective embrace. Another of Kapoor’s remarkable works is “Dismembermeant Site I” in Kaipara Bay, New Zealand – a…

The Senate has come to an agreement in principle on the referendum bill that the House of Representatives recently passed. However, this consent didn’t come without its share of debates and disagreements. The main point of contention was the bill’s pivotal change: replacing the double majority requirement with a single majority, essentially needing just over half of the votes cast to pass. By the end of the extensive Tuesday deliberation in the Upper House, the Senate voted 179 to 5, with three senators opting to abstain, to pass the bill in its first reading. A notable voice of dissent was Senator Phisit Aphiwatthanaphong, who was particularly vocal about his opposition to dropping the double majority requirement for the charter referendum. To shed some light, the double majority refers to an important condition enshrined in the Referendum Act. This stipulation requires two key criteria to be fulfilled for a referendum result…

Local administrative organizations (LAOs) hold the notorious distinction of being the worst offenders when it comes to personal data breaches among all state agencies, says the Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DES). The ministry conducted sweeps across 31,561 state-operated units to gauge the extent of personal information leakage from last November until July 31. They found a staggering 6,086 cases of data breaches. Fortunately, 6,081 units and agencies were promptly informed and advised on how to plug their security gaps, according to DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. This operation was led by the Personal Data Protection Commission’s (PDPC) “Eagle Eye” center, a specialized team tasked with keeping a sharp lookout for abuse and misuse of personal data. Mr. Prasert pointed out that the trend of data leakage has seen significant improvement. From a ghastly 31% data leakage rate per month in November, the number has plummeted to a comparatively modest 1.6%…

In February, a group of passionate activists congregated at the Ministry of Public Health in Nonthaburi to voice their opposition against extending alcohol-selling hours. The gathering, which drew significant media attention, was captured in a striking photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill. Amidst the heated debate, an intriguing voice has emerged from Thammasat University, advocating for more liberal alcohol regulations. Enter Suthikorn Kingkaew, an assistant professor at Thammasat University’s Research & Consultancy Institute. With an array of persuasive arguments, Suthikorn is championing measures to ease alcohol restrictions, a stance that’s sparking conversations among restaurateurs, hoteliers, and tourists alike. Recently, he outlined a compelling case for revising the existing laws: longer alcohol-selling hours, lifting the total ban on alcohol advertisements, shedding light on the import tariffs, and restructuring the excise tax, all while lending a hand to small- and medium-sized enterprises in the alcohol industry. “With the dynamism in tourism needs, a flexible…