Two motorcycle taxi drivers took a moment to register for the much-anticipated digital wallet scheme as they awaited passengers on bustling Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok on August 1st. The image speaks volumes, captured perfectly by Apichart Jinakul. The digital wallet initiative saw an overwhelming response, with at least 20 million eager individuals registering within the first two days. Government spokesperson Chai Watcharonke expressed the administration’s delight at the enthusiastic reception of this flagship policy. By 1pm on Friday, a staggering 20.1 million people had signed up. “It was remarkable,” Chai noted, highlighting that over two million registrations flooded in within just the first hour on Thursday. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin took a moment to applaud the Commerce Ministry for their stellar effort in rolling out the handout scheme. He also praised related economic stimulation policies that promise to invigorate the economy. Security measures for Tang Rat, the scheme’s backbone application,…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra is set to officially complete his one-year prison term on August 31, as confirmed by the Department of Corrections (DoC). This news comes despite his confinement of choice being the Police General Hospital instead of a jail cell. DoC director-general Sahakarn Petchnarin clarified on Friday that August 31 marks Thaksin’s release date because the term was calculated from the day a royal pardon was received, not from his initial imprisonment. Thaksin applied for a royal pardon on August 31, which was granted on September 1. Following this, officials will issue him a certificate of innocence, symbolizing the official end of his sentence. Mr. Sahakarn assured the public that the DoC is prepared to address claims of providing special privileges to Thaksin, especially after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) announced plans to lodge a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The NHRC claims that the…
Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul recently dispelled rumors suggesting he might step into the role of the next prime minister if Srettha Thavisin is ousted by the Constitutional Court. The court’s ruling is expected on August 14 over the contentious appointment of Pichit Chuenban, an ex-convict, as a PM’s Office Minister during the last cabinet reshuffle. Mr. Anutin, who currently serves as both deputy prime minister and interior minister, remarked on Friday that the speculation regarding his potential ascension to premiership stems from a hypothetical worst-case scenario—one he finds highly improbable. The rumors intensified after images circulated of a weekend retreat in Khao Yai, featuring the paroled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra—alleged to be the unofficial head of the ruling Pheu Thai Party—and his family alongside Anutin. This meeting sparked whispers of a possible political deal between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai. Furthermore, Mr. Srettha recently made concessions to Mr. Anutin on the…
The Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living ASEAN (popularly known as HILL ASEAN) has unveiled intriguing insights on the ever-evolving dynamics of ASEAN consumers, particularly focusing on the theme “The ASEAN Family.” During the much-anticipated “ASEAN Life Study 2024” forum in the vibrant city of Jakarta, Indonesia, HILL ASEAN shared findings that reflect significant changes over the past decade. Yes, it’s been a decade since HILL ASEAN first embarked on its insightful journey in 2014, shining a spotlight on ASEAN families who adeptly embraced real-time communication, thanks to technological leaps and the rapid social media surge. Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves revisiting these families to understand how they have navigated the tides of change over the years. To paint a comprehensive picture, HILL ASEAN conducted extensive quantitative and home visit surveys across six dynamic ASEAN nations—Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. The findings? While the…
In the bustling alleyways of Bangkok, amid the tantalizing aromas of street food, there’s a small but significant revolution quietly taking place. On January 9, 2019, a vendor fries chicken in what might look like ordinary cooking oil, but it’s part of a monumental shift driven by the “Thailand is Free of iFTA” campaign. Initiated in 2019, this campaign targets the removal of foods containing oils that have undergone partial hydrogenation, or in simpler terms, those pesky trans fats. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya) Fast forward to now, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has crowned Thailand as one of the top five nations to have successfully scrubbed industrial trans fats from its food industry. This accolade celebrates Thailand’s robust efforts in outlawing industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) since their 2019 ban. Lertchai Lertwut, the deputy secretary-general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), shared that rigorous scientific research irrefutably links trans…
Motorcycle taxi riders paraded in Lan Khon Muang Square in Bangkok, promoting road safety by encouraging helmet use, on March 9, 2023. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) Authorities in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district are unraveling an intriguing complaint regarding a motorcycle taxi driver who allegedly did not appear to be Thai. This case has piqued interest because, under Thai law, only Thais are permitted to hold these jobs. The driver in question is believed to be Vietnamese. However, to add a twist, a fellow rider claims he is from the Akha ethnic group and indeed holds a Thai ID card. The confusion commenced when a woman, after hiring the motorcycle taxi from Huai Khwang MRT station to a nearby restaurant, became suspicious. Despite the short three-kilometer journey, the rider—wearing vest No.7—took an illogical half-hour detour, eventually confessing he did not know the route. She noted his peculiar Thai accent and his alarming…
The warm and inviting welcome sign to Malaysia can be seen as you cross the Thai-Malaysian bridge from the Thai side in Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat, setting the tone for an upcoming milestone meeting. (Photo: Narathiwat public relations office) This Saturday, expect a significant dialogue between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim. The high-profile meeting aims to foster peace and spur development across Thailand’s southern border provinces and Malaysia’s northern states, according to government spokesman Chai Wacharonke. The agenda, packed with mutually beneficial plans, will have the leaders visiting Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat and Rantau Panjang in Malaysia’s Kelantan state. Here, they will delve into strategies to boost trade, increase investment, and attract more tourists to both regions. An essential part of these discussions will center on enhancing cross-border connectivity, particularly focusing on upgrading the bridge linking Sungai Kolok and Rantau Panjang. Chai Wacharonke emphasized…
The picturesque Mekong River is set to host a new marvel as construction continues on a bridge that will elegantly arch between Thailand’s Bung Kan province and Laos’ Bolikhamxay province. Capturing the serene beauty of these regions, this much-anticipated infrastructure project is now eyeing a mid-2025 completion date, a slight delay from the original timeline which had promised a grand opening this year. According to Sarawut Songsivilai, the director-general of the Highways Department, this breathtaking bridge is over 90% complete—a promising figure that has the regional communities eagerly anticipating its arrival. Originally, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was penciled in for this year, following a prominent groundbreaking event in 2023 that drew attention and excitement. Dignitaries such as Thailand’s then-Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, and Laos’ then-Prime Minister, Phankham Viphavanh, graced the ceremony, symbolizing the monumental collaboration between these two neighboring nations. This bridge is no small feat. Spanning an impressive 16 kilometers,…
Wilas Chaloeysat, Governor of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), proudly announced, “In celebration of MEA’s 66th anniversary on August 1, 2024, we hosted the ’66th Year: To be Sustainable Energy Utility’ event to champion decarbonisation.” Embracing an eco-friendly ethos, the venue was adorned with waste-free materials, and an exhibition zone showcased the harmony of “good soil and unspoiled water to a happy life with sustainability.” The event also had a charitable aspect, raising 328,700 baht for the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation and 378,800 baht for the Foundation of the Welfare of the Cripple under the Royal Patronage of HRH the Princess. Additionally, participants supported the cause by purchasing products from the Mae Fah Luang Foundation. MEA drives its operations with a deep consciousness of societal and environmental impacts, adhering to a sustainable development framework focusing on Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG). The MEA GO (Green Organisation) campaign is an exemplar initiative,…
In a dramatic scene on Thursday, police officers stormed a series of supermarkets in Bangkok, unmasking a trove of Chinese-made products that were missing the crucial stamp of approval from Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) orchestrated the sweeping raids, responding to a chorus of consumer complaints about the shady shelves in these Chinese supermarkets. The operation uncovered a staggering array of over 70 different product lines, amassing a total of 1,878 items that were being hawked illegally. As shoppers continued their daily routines, clueless about the behind-the-scenes drama, the police meticulously seized these unauthorized goods. It didn’t take long for the news to spread, shaking the local community to its core. Legal repercussions are imminent as the supermarket owners brace themselves for prosecution under the stringent Consumer Protection Act. The scandal has ignited a fiery debate about consumer safety, particularly concerning the unchecked…