THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

The government is gearing up to rejuvenate a 200-billion-baht water management project aimed at combating severe flooding in the Yom River basin up North. In the midst of escalating calls to revisit the contentious Kaeng Sua Ten Dam plan, Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai shared the latest developments just yesterday. He was in Sukhothai province, distributing 200 relief bags to flood-stricken residents in a bid to provide immediate respite. Phumtham announced his intention to pitch this project to the cabinet on Tuesday, with hopes of making water management a national priority backed by a hefty budget of 200 billion baht. Originally rolling out under the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, the project hit a roadblock following a coup. Phumtham’s plan comes in the wake of recent heavy flooding that hammered Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phrae, unleashing torrents downstream toward provinces like Sukhothai and Phitsanulok. The Yom River, birthed…

Ramate Rattanachaweng, a former spokesman for the Democrat Party, sent waves through the political landscape yesterday by hitting back at Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Her remarks insinuated that she could never reconcile with the allegedly wrongful actions of some former Democrat executives against her party. Ramate countered pointedly, “Let me ask [her], has there been any former Democrat Party leader who was jailed for corruption? Have any of them fled the country to dodge a corruption sentence?” The prime minister’s comment came amid growing frustration from her political allies in the Pheu Thai Party, particularly the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). They were visibly upset over Pheu Thai’s decision to form an alliance with the Democrat Party. Ms. Paetongtarn clarified that despite the two parties joining forces in the new coalition government, Pheu Thai could never truly accept the perceived injustices perpetrated by the Democrats in the…

This year’s National Day festivities in Malaysia, also known as Merdeka Day, have brought a noticeable surge in tourists to Thailand’s southern region. The influx of visitors is anticipated to inject around 100 million baht into the local economy, a much-needed boost according to local officials and tourism experts. In a lively spectacle yesterday, over 13,000 Malaysian tourists were reported to have passed through Songkhla’s Sadao checkpoint, while another 5,000 made their way via the Betong checkpoint in Yala. To manage this wave of merry travelers, local authorities swiftly opened two additional lanes at the Sadao checkpoint to ensure smoother passage and reduce wait times. The checkpoints at Padang Besar and Prakob also witnessed a considerable flow of tourists crossing over from Malaysia, adding to the festive atmosphere. This spike in visitors from across the border is a hopeful sign for the local economy, expected to generate an impressive 100…

Imagine a perfect night where buildings in Tam Dao resort town, illuminated by brilliant lights, paint the sky in hues of wonder, inviting tourists from near and far to soak in their splendor. Nestled in the Vinh Phuc province, just northwest of Hanoi, this magical setting is more than just a pretty picture; it’s a gateway to a vibrant and dynamic region teeming with opportunities and adventures. Nguyen Dinh Bang, the chairman of the Vinh Phuc Provincial Journalist Association, has a compelling vision for this northern Vietnamese haven. He envisions a future where Thai businessmen and tourists alike find Vinh Phuc irresistible. Positioned strategically just an hour’s drive from Hanoi and the Noi Bai International Airport, Vinh Phuc sits at the heart of the Northern Key Economic Region, acting as a crucial connector between the Northwest provinces, Hanoi, and the Red River Delta. “With a population exceeding 1.1 million, Vinh…

The Thai government is gearing up to resurrect a substantial 200-billion-baht water management initiative to address the recurring issue of severe flooding in the Yom River basin in the North. This move comes amid a cacophony of voices both for and against the controversial Kaeng Sua Ten Dam plan. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, disclosed this ambitious step while distributing 200 relief bags to flood-affected residents in Sukhothai province. Phumtham revealed his intention to propose to the cabinet next Tuesday, making water management a national priority with a hefty budget of 200 billion baht. This blueprint was initially set in motion by the Yingluck Shinawatra administration but got sidelined due to a coup. Recent torrential downpours in Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phrae have dramatically increased water volumes flowing into downstream provinces like Sukhothai and Phitsanulok, exacerbating the urgency of this initiative. The Yom River, which originates…

Yesterday, the Royal Forest Department (RFD) took decisive action by seizing approximately 5 rai of land atop Nak Koet hill in Phuket’s Muang district. This area is believed to be linked to the tragic landslides on August 23 that claimed 13 lives. Sorasak Rananan, the director of Phuket’s Royal Forest Centre, revealed that the land is situated on the grounds of the Wat Phra Yai temple and is part of a reserve forest. An initial investigation unveiled that a car park had been constructed in the monastery’s area without any official permission. Mr. Sorasak indicated that the RFD has lodged a formal complaint with the Karon police station, and the land seizure has been officially declared. The Phra Ming Mongkul Satthra 45 Foundation, which operates the hilltop temple, now faces a land encroachment charge. Karon police chief Pol Col Khundet na Nongkhai stated that an investigation is underway to determine…

The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), under the astute leadership of Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, is gearing up to become an indomitable opposition force following its dismissal from the Pheu Thai-led government. Political analysts are abuzz, declaring this a seismic shift in Thailand’s political landscape. The straw that broke the camel’s back came last week when Pheu Thai, buoyed by support from its MPs, decisively chose to exclude the PPRP from the latest cabinet formation. According to Pheu Thai’s secretary-general, Sorawong Thienthong, the absence of Gen Prawit from two critical prime ministerial votes was a point of contention. This no-show occurred once during Srettha Thavisin’s appointment as prime minister a year ago and recently for Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s succession following Mr. Srettha’s removal by the Constitutional Court. With the PPRP out of the picture, Pheu Thai extended an olive branch to its erstwhile adversary, the Democrat Party, inviting them into the coalition government.…

A gentle, glimmering stream winds through the serene landscapes of Kaeng Sua Ten National Park, a natural haven that might soon face drastic changes due to the proposed Kaeng Sua Ten Dam. (Photo: Thiti Wannamontha) In an ambitious move to alleviate severe flooding in the Yom River basin in northern Thailand, the government plans to breathe life back into a massive 200-billion-baht water management project. With this revitalization effort, the contentious Kaeng Sua Ten dam comes back into the spotlight. On a brisk Saturday, Phumtham Wechayachai, the caretaker deputy prime minister, revealed plans to present this water improvement agenda to the national cabinet, requesting a budget of 200 billion baht. This grand plan, first envisioned by Yingluck Shinawatra’s administration more than a decade ago, was abruptly halted by the 2014 coup. The Yom River, originating from the majestic Phi Pan Nam Range in Phayao’s Pong district, meanders its way through…

Tourists saunter along a picturesque road in front of a hotel nestled in the serene environs of Vinh Phuc, Vietnam. (Photo: Anucha Charoenpo) VINH PHUC, Vietnam – Thai entrepreneurs are being strongly encouraged to turn their gaze towards investing in Vinh Phuc, a province where more Thai tourists are also likely to find joy in visiting, says a well-regarded local journalist. Situated just an hour’s drive from the bustling capital of Hanoi and Noi Bai International Airport, Vinh Phuc is a burgeoning hub for automobile and electronic engineering. “Vinh Phuc serves as a pivotal juncture linking the Northwest provinces, Hanoi, and the Red River Delta,” noted Nguyen Dinh Bang, chairman of the Vinh Phuc Provincial Journalists Association. “This province, with a population exceeding 1.1 million, is instrumental in propelling the economic strategy of the region and, by extension, Vietnam.” Investment in Vinh Phuc spans 19 countries and territories, with South…

On a bustling Saturday morning, a lively scene unfolded on Phlap Phla Chai Road in Bangkok. With a palpable sense of anticipation, crowds gathered as the Poh Teck Tung Foundation distributed essential items like rice, cooking oil, and dried food. Meanwhile, the government is set to roll out its phase-wise 10,000-baht handout aimed at benefiting the most needy. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) The new-look coalition government, eager to commence its policy implementations, has announced plans to kick-start its initiatives, including the much-talked-about digital money handout, within a fortnight. According to Phumtham Wechayachai, the caretaker deputy prime minister, the timeline for the revised cabinet to receive royal endorsement remains undisclosed. However, he assured that all coalition parties’ nominations have undergone meticulous scrutiny by the relevant organizations and are now with the Secretariat of the Cabinet and the Council of State, the legal eagles of the government, for final touches. Mr. Phumtham shared…