Standing side by side, a distinguished assembly gathered at the break of dawn, their silhouettes cast in somber relief against the early light. Jonathan Kings and Angela Macdonald, ambassadors of New Zealand and Australia respectively, stood shoulder to shoulder with Admiral David Johnston, the chief of the Australian Defence Force, amongst representatives from militaries far and wide. They had all converged on the sacred ground of Hellfire Pass to honor the fallen heroes, marking yet another poignant ANZAC Day commemoration. This year, the chords of remembrance intertwined with notes of future camaraderie as Thailand prepared to participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre, the grand spectacle of military collaboration set to unfold in Australia come mid-July. Announced amidst the solemn surroundings, this venture marks a momentous chapter in international defense cooperation. The dawn service, echoing silence interrupted only by heartfelt tributes, commemorated the valiant Australian and New Zealand soldiers who laid down…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Picture this: hundreds of people standing in line, eagerly waiting outside the Government Savings Bank. It’s the dawn of a new scheme, a financial lifeline, or as it is more formally known, the first phase of the 10,000-baht cash handout that kicked off spectacularly last year on October 1. But this grand governmental gesture has suddenly found itself at the heart of controversy—a hefty 35-billion-baht controversy, no less. This surprising twist has all the elements of a political thriller. On the afternoon of April 26, 2025, a fresh legal storm brewed over the corridors of power when a petition challenging the cash handout was dropped onto the doorstep of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The stars of this unfolding drama include current cabinet ministers and some blasts from the past, all of whom played a role in the Srettha Thavisin Administration. Alongside them stand MPs and senators who once waved…
Imagine walking into a vibrant mall in Thailand, weaving through a lively crowd, and hearing the excited chatter of families and friends echoing around the high ceilings. Among the colorful shops and bustling food courts, one attraction stands out—a sea of claw machines glistening under the mall lights. While these machines may seem like harmless fun, authorities are now taking a serious stand, citing concerns about their connection to youth gambling. It all began when the government, prompted by numerous public complaints, decided to take a sharp look at the issues surrounding claw machines. Under the watchful eye of the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), authorities are now actively monitoring these machines. They’ve taken to scouring social media platforms and other communication networks to catch any ill-effects claw machines might have on the population. Recently, police initiated a series of bold crackdowns across Thailand, honing in on these…
The serene and modern halls of the Apostolic Nunciature in Thailand were abuzz with grace and diplomatic charm as His Excellency Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells welcomed Mr. Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, CEO of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, along with a coterie of distinguished guests including Professor Dr. Apinan Poshyananda, Mr. Dusit Khemasakchai, Mr. Nitikorn Kraivixien, Mr. Wirat Meksamphan, and Mr. Patrick Horatanachai. This esteemed gathering was in tribute to none other than His Holiness Pope Francis, the beloved pontiff whose spirit resonated across borders and hearts. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in the bustling city of Buenos Aires on 17 December 1936, ascended to new heights when he became the 266th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013. With firsts sprinkled across his papal journey—being the first Jesuit Pope, the first South American, and the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere since the 8th century—it seemed destiny had…
The air was thick with anticipation as the House committee on national security and border affairs geared up for their upcoming expedition to Rayong. The mission was clear: delve into the swirling cloud of accusations surrounding the Xin Ke Yuan Steel Co’s factory operations, investigate its alleged environmental missteps, and, hopefully, unravel the mystery behind the contentious construction. This caper was bound to uncover something noteworthy—or at the least, offer some twists and turns worthy of a daytime thriller. Chutipong Pipobpinyo, the lively chairman of the committee and a leading voice from the People’s Party (PP) in Rayong, was saddling up his task force, ready for the scheduled visit on May 6. Aided by Industry Minister Akanat Promphan, this merry band was poised to dig into the affairs of the erstwhile steel titan, Xin Ke Yuan. According to Chutipong, despite a suspension decree, whispers among the populace suggested that the…
Diving into the intricate world of local government operations often uncovers tales of strategy, innovation, and power struggles, and nowhere is this truer than in the sphere of Thai politics. Newin Chidchob, the co-founder of the Bhumjaithai Party, stands as a testament to visionary leadership in the arena of local administrative reforms. This charismatic figure has carefully choreographed an ascent to political prowess by nurturing provincial administrative organizations (PAOs) as nurturing grounds for lasting political influence. Newin, a mastermind in mobilizing political machinery, recently took center stage at a prominent forum to offer his insights on streamlining PAOs to better serve local communities. His suggestions were underscored with a success story straight out of Buri Ram, the epicenter of Bhumjaithai’s operations, where the meticulous engineering of PAO relationships has yielded fruitful results. Provoking a sense of actionable inspiration are local leaders, provincial governors, and PAO chairs who left the forum…
It was the kind of explosive confrontation that seemed torn straight from an action film, but for two men in Phuket, this was anything but fiction. The world got a front-row seat to a dramatic road rage incident last Friday, thanks to a pickup driver who decided to livestream his own pursuit and assault sequence, stirring up a viral frenzy online. The bizarre and unsettling episode burst onto the internet scene around 4 p.m., captivating social media users with its raw, unfiltered chaos. Imagine following a white pickup truck on its adrenaline-charged chase of a nimble silver sedan, both of which zigzagged their way through Phuket’s Suan Sripoovanat and Suan Chao Luang Fah areas. The chase came to a spectacular halt as the pickup collided with the sedan, sending the car skidding off the road like a toy kicked in a fit of rage. Emerging from his vehicle like a…
In the heart of Chiang Mai, a scene unfolded that was as picturesque as it was politically charged. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to his hometown, welcomed like a rock star by a plethora of enthusiastic red-shirt supporters. The date was a sunny Saturday, and the air was thick with anticipation as the clock ticked towards the vibrant May 11 mayoral election. Thaksin, donning a crisp suit that hinted at both formality and flair, embarked on his journey from Bangkok’s bustling Don Mueang Airport at precisely 10:10 am. Accompanying him was an entourage worthy of a historical drama, featuring his illustrious brother-in-law and fellow former prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat. The Pheu Thai list MPs Khattiya Sawatdiphol and Danuporn Punnakanta were also part of this political cavalcade, alongside the savvy adviser to the current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Natthawut Saikuar. The reception at Chiang Mai Airport was nothing short of…
Imagine a sun-drenched day on the azure waters off Phi Phi Island, a day meant for relaxation and enjoyment. However, for a brief moment, paradise was stirred into a whirlpool of controversy, thanks to a video that caused quite the uproar on social media. The clip, which was shared on the Facebook page ‘Hod Jung Changwat Phuket’, better known as Brutal Phuket, captured foreign tourists allegedly throwing caution—and common sense—to the wind as they engaged in merry-making, complete with smoking cigarettes and sipping on beer amidst the open seas. In the video, a group of tourists, both men and women, appeared to be having the time of their lives, while also raising eyebrows and public disapproval. This wasn’t the typical vacation memory, as they splashed around the emerald waters believed to be right off the coast of the famed Phi Phi Island, each with a cigarette in one hand and…
In a sun-drenched corner of Thailand’s paradise that is Krabi province, where azure waters beckon and pristine beaches dazzle, an unforeseen stir has erupted. Picture this: tourists, basking under the tropical sun, engaging in a convivial gathering atop the luxurious sway of the Andaman Sea. However, their idyllic escapade took a nosedive into public scrutiny when a video circulated online, capturing them amidst clouds of cigarette smoke and clinking beer cans, mere whispers away from Phi Phi Island. The video, a snippet of holiday indulgence splashed onto the Facebook page Hod Jung Changwat Phuket, has ignited the fervor of netizens. Known colloquially as Brutal Phuket, the page showcased the seaside revelry of this group, who, far from sipping innocuously on cocktails, appeared to flaunt care for neither conservation nor custom. It didn’t take long for the digital community to demand accountability, questioning why the ever-watchful eyes of their guides seemed…