Take a moment and imagine a scene of utter chaos—protesters clashing with police, emotions running high, and the tension palpable in the air. Now, transport yourself to Tak Bai, Narathiwat, on that fateful day of October 25, 2004. What transpired here ignited a firestorm that still lingers in the air today. Police dispersed a gathering around the Tak Bai police station, resulting in deep sorrow for many, as is often the case when justice seems elusive. Critics are not mincing words, expressing intense dissatisfaction with the justice system’s staggering inability to bring defendants to trial regarding the Tak Bai massacre, before the statue of limitations faded into oblivion. Their voices now echo louder than ever, demanding changes to the laws to bring efficiency to the justice system, proposing tweaks such as extending the statute of limitations for prosecuting criminal offenses. Painfully aware of the consequences, observers are waving red flags.…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
It was just another overnight shift for the officers at the traffic checkpoint on Jomtien Road in the Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, until it turned into a chaotic scene. In the wee hours of Saturday morning, at precisely 2:20 a.m., tranquility was shattered by the roar of a high-powered engine and an impending high-speed disaster. Enter Christopher Maximilian Walther, a 30-year-old German national, living life on the edge – quite literally. Astride a sleek Honda CB 650, its Bangkok license plate gleaming under the streetlights, Walther chose this fateful moment to transform into a blur of defiance, ignoring the steadfast command of the authorities to halt for an alcohol check. Racing through the checkpoint with reckless abandon, Walther’s escapade took a grim turn when his bike collided forcefully with Pol Lt. Rapeephat Phrommint, a dedicated deputy inspector of traffic police. The unfortunate officer was violently knocked off his feet,…
As dawn breaks over the bustling streets of Bangkok, the city’s expansion takes on tangible new dimensions. With every ambitious project, there’s a blend of anticipation and logistical gymnastics. Cue the western extension of the MRT Orange Line—a project set to redefine transit in Thailand’s capital while posing a few challenges along the way. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has sounded the horns on the impending traffic adjustments. This Saturday’s bulletin has commuters bracing for change. Beginning at the end of this month, a significant development will close one traffic lane as crews hustle to lay the groundwork for a light rail dream spanning Bang Khun Non to Pratunam. The train tracks of transformation have already begun to roll out their blueprint. Venturing from Bang Khun Non towards the Thailand Cultural Centre, construction is locking its sights on the city’s pulse. Kittikorn Tanpao, the deputy governor of…
In a dramatic turn of events, a notorious figure in human trafficking, Somkiart Samphaothong, found himself at the wrong end of the law after an intensive police investigation culminated with his arrest in the picturesque terrains of Chanthaburi. This arrest, executed with cinematic precision by officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD), shed light on a heinous operation trafficking Rohingya migrants through the perilous routes of southern Thailand. Somkiart, a 30-year-old with a historically checkered past, was apprehended alongside his cohorts, the youthful yet conspiring Natthawut Niamthong and Phongphitsanu Samphaothong, both aged 20. The trio had been on the lam, dodging the judicial gavel ever since the Lang Suan court issued warrants for their arrest back in late October. Their crime? Colluding to illegally usher migrants into Thailand, bypassing international borders with a brazen disregard for human life and safety. The wheels of this duplicitous scheme were set in…
With climate change becoming an increasingly pressing global issue, Thailand is taking significant strides to bolster its defenses against its potentially devastating impacts. Enter an ambitious collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) known as the “Increasing Resilience to Climate Change Impacts in Marine and Coastal Areas along the Gulf of Thailand” project. This initiative is bolstered by a generous financial boost—a $3 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (equivalent to about 101.2 million baht)—to power its efforts. Launched in the thick of the pandemic in August 2020, this four-year odyssey seeks to uncover and implement innovative solutions to mitigate Thailand’s climate vulnerabilities. Serving as the proving ground for these initiatives are the picturesque provinces of Rayong, Phetchaburi, Surat Thani, and Songkhla. Weaving their expertise into this grand endeavor are notable entities like the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE) and the Department of Marine and Coastal…
In an unprecedented move, the Ministry of Justice, nestled in the heart of Satun province, grants new identification cards to the members of the spirited Sakai community. This initiative marks a significant milestone, ushering in a fresh wave of identity and recognition for those who have long resided in the shadows of society. The air buzzes with anticipation and hope as locals gather to celebrate this monumental occasion. (photo credit: Tawatchai Kemgumnerd) Meanwhile, the government stands firm in its resolve to deny citizenship to foreigners entangled in unsavory affairs, despite rolling out an ambitious plan to confer Thai citizenship upon over 480,000 ethnic individuals. On a lively Friday afternoon, Jirayu Houngsub, the eloquent spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, divulged that the cabinet had granted the green light to the National Security Council’s (NSC) daring proposal aimed at expediting the citizenship process for these individuals. Imagine a plan designed to…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra seems to have developed a rather fascinating relationship with her trusty iPad. Wherever the winds of duty may blow her, her digital companion remains firmly by her side. More than just a trendy gadget, the iPad has become a symbol of her unique approach to leadership—sometimes cheekily dubbed “iPad diplomacy.” But what does all this mean for the youngest prime minister in Thailand’s history as she navigates through the turbulent waters of governance? Paetongtarn’s entourage isn’t just technological; she also benefits from insights provided by seasoned advisors from her father’s era—Thaksin Shinawatra’s leadership between 2001 and 2006. Even as critics scratch their heads over how she balances the counsel from her advisors with the digital wisdom of her iPad without relinquishing control over crucial decisions, Paetongtarn strides onward, etching her path in modern governance. As she stepped into office, Paetongtarn was met with a dramatic welcome:…
In the latest chapter of regional geopolitics, the picturesque Koh Kut island, nestled in the emerald waters of the Gulf of Thailand, has become the epicenter of a heated debate. Allegations have surfaced claiming that Thailand’s grasp on this tranquil isle is slipping away. However, Noppadon Pattama, the Pheu Thai Party list MP, is having none of it. “Koh Kut still belongs to Thailand. That’s a fact,” declares Mr. Noppadon with unwavering determination. The former foreign minister is quick to squash rumors suggesting that under a memorandum signed with Cambodia in 2001, Thailand ceded this treasured island jewel. He dismisses these claims, emphasizing that “no one has ceded the island to Cambodia,” and firmly warns against the spread of such “blatant falsehoods”. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) in question, inked by then-foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai, was intended to provide a diplomatic framework for negotiations over disputed maritime areas in the…
In a regal celebration fit for royalty, Her Majesty the Queen is set to lead a highly anticipated Thai army parade on December 3rd at the Royal Plaza, located in the historic Dusit Palace. This grand event is a tribute to honor His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday, a milestone reached this past July. According to Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) spokesman, Major General Vithai Laithomya, this parade isn’t just any ordinary assembly of troops. It promises to be a grandiose military spectacle coupled with a solemn oath-taking ceremony, all in reverence to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua. The event will commence with Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana at the helm, orchestrating the Royal Guard’s parade with the grace and command of a skilled leader. As the Commander of the Royal Guard’s Combined Forces, Queen Suthida will undoubtedly infuse the ceremony with her dignified presence and poise. Adding…
The Thai government has made a firm stand against granting citizenship to foreigners involved in unsavory businesses, even as it gears up to bestow Thai nationality upon over 480,000 ethnic people. As part of this new initiative, Jirayu Houngsub, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, recently announced that the cabinet had endorsed the National Security Council’s (NSC) proposal to simplify the process for awarding Thai citizenship to approximately 483,000 individuals. The focus of this plan is crystal clear: the aim is to facilitate those applicants who have been part of the state’s database for over three decades, instead of extending citizenship to foreigners entangled in dubious enterprises or transnational criminal activities. Over the span between 1992 and 2023, approximately 825,000 individuals applied for Thai citizenship. Among these applicants, 324,000 received citizenship, but a substantial number—about 483,000—found themselves waiting indefinitely, while many, tragically, passed away during the lengthy security verification process.…