Imagine this: a versatile, multi-purpose juggernaut of a vehicle barreling down the road, it’s journey abruptly brought to a halt as it kisses a tree, the result of a sudden impact with a pickup whose driver, it seems, was visiting the land of nod. This rather cinematic incident unfolded in the Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri province on a Wednesday that certainly shook up the usual mid-week humdrum. (Snapped for posterity by the keen lens of Manit Sanubboon) Now, let’s weave into the tapestry of the holiday season, a period when joy is often tainted by the not-so-jolly statistics of traffic accidents. From December 29th to January 3rd, Thailand was an asphalt jungle of 2,083 traffic altercations. The tally was bleaker than any New Year’s hangover: 256 lives lost, 2,106 injured souls. The drama unfolded as Suthep Kaengsanthia, the unshakeable permanent secretary for education, delivered these grim figures from…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Picture the bustling scenes and the clinking sounds of the precinct, where the finest of Thailand’s protectors walk the corridors of power and justice. In a pivotal move that seems scripted for a riveting political thriller, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has taken his quill of authority, dipped it in the ink of decisiveness, and etched the name of Pol Gen Roy Inkhapairote into the annals of the kingdom’s history as the newly minted secretary-general of the mighty National Security Council (NSC). The corridors of power were abuzz with consensus as the decision rippled through the ranks. And at the heart of it all was the master coordinator, Dr Prommin Lertsuridej, the secretary-general to the prime minister, who bore witness that this appointment was the product of unity and collective nod. Notwithstanding this harmonious concurrence, the baton of office still awaits the sacred nod—royal approval. There’s a whiff of poetic drama…
Imagine ringing in the new year on the stunning shores of Bophut beach: the atmosphere is electric, the sky ablaze with fireworks, and the countdown reverberates through the throngs of revelers from all corners of the globe. This was the scene for Paul Davies, a British tourist, who was soaking up the festive spirit on the island paradise of Koh Samui. But amidst the euphoria, an unexpected turn of events unfolded – Paul’s wallet, brimming with about 30,000 baht in mixed currencies, credit cards, and his driving licence, went missing. It could have spelled disaster. However, this story takes a heartwarming twist, reflective of the very essence of Thai generosity. Enter Pakdee Trirat, a paragon of integrity and an employee at the Holiday Inn Samui. His eyes weren’t just set on the revelry; they were keenly observant, which is how he spotted the wallet forgotten on the beach that very…
As we scroll through the vibrant digital tapestries of social media, one Facebook revelation catches our eye, courtesy of the scholarly luminary from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, Associate Professor Thira Woratanarat. This isn’t your everyday status update, my dear readers—it’s a beacon of insight into the ghostly dance of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.86.xBA.5, which, just for a spot of added excitement, outstrips its viral ancestors in transmissibility. And with this insidious spread comes a rather unsettling uptick in cases of pneumonia, the kind with a COVID-19 calling card. Picture this: a four-month high, a literal breath-taking crescendo in the symphony of sickness. Now, let’s dive into some numbers of this unwanted holiday season from December’s frosty embrace (24th to 30th), shall we? At center stage in our numerical narrative, we have the hospitalized souls—594 of them, to be exact. This marks a 7% hike up the hill of the…
Picture this — the bustling streets of Thailand humming with life, but beneath the vibrancy, there’s a whisper of caution that permeates the air. The discerning folks at the Thai Chamber of Commerce have crunched the numbers and — oh dear — it seems our wallets are bracing for a bit of a squeeze come 2024. With interest rates on the rise, the lingering shadow of inflation, and a somewhat stubborn pandemic hangover, wallets are forecasted to shrink by 1.5%. It’s like planning a party only to realize you forgot to ice the drinks — a bit of a dampener. But don’t you fret! Like a trusty Swiss Army knife, some items are just non-negotiable. We’re talking about the bare essentials — the real MVPs of our shopping lists. Food and beverages, personal care troopers, the stalwarts of household products, and our trusty guardians in medicine cabinets. These categories are…
Imagine a routine evening in the hustle and bustle of Samut Prakan province when, out of the blue, an incident straight out of an action movie unfolds right on Thepharak Road. It’s approximately 6:30 PM—a time when the cityscape blends into a canvas of street lights and sunsets—and an unexpected visitor from the sky decides to make a dramatic entrance: a wayward wheel from a Yellow Line train inconspicuously detaches and strikes a taxi below. Fortunately, in this startling spectacle, we breathe a sigh of relief as reports confirm there were no injuries. Our metallic culprit was on its outbound journey, edging closer with each clacking of the tracks to the Si Thepha station, when suddenly, freedom called, and it decided to take the plunge. The local authorities, under the vigilant eyes of inspector Suriya, gathered posthaste to solve this puzzling event on Tuesday night. The evidence was pondered over,…
Picture this: you’re a Thai citizen with a sense of adventure and a longing to explore the tapestry of the world—and there’s good news! Your Thai passport is nothing short of a magical key to a treasure trove of destinations. Without the hassle of a visa application, you’re free to embark on a journey to a diverse array of countries where culture, cuisine, and captivating landscapes await. The Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry has rolled out a red carpet around the globe just for you, and here’s the grand tour of where you can go! Ever dreamt of tangoing in Buenos Aires or marveling at the majestic Iguazu Falls? Well, vibrant Argentina opens its arms to you for a whole 90 exhilarating days. And if your travel heartstrings tingle for Middle Eastern allure, you can set foot in Bahrain for up to 14 blissful days, soaking in…
Imagine packing your bags, feeling the excitement bubble up inside you as you’re about to embark on a thrilling journey, one where your Thai passport grants you the golden ticket to the vast, enchanting lands of China, without the hassle of a visa. This isn’t a far-off dream, but a glowing reality shimmering on the horizon, thanks to the vision of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the steadfast negotiations of Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. The seed of this groundbreaking initiative was planted during a historic meeting in Beijing’s corridors of power. No less a figure than China’s President Xi Jinping shook hands with Prime Minister Thavisin, promising to discuss a visa-free travel trailblazing a fresh path for explorers from both nations, keen to soak up the cultural splendors that each has to offer. It’s a brilliant move, woven into the fabric of the government’s grand plan to enhance the…
Envision a marketplace where the air we breathe and the energy we consume come with a hidden ‘tag’, one that assigns a value to the very emissions we’re striving to reduce. This is the intriguing world of carbon credit trading, and Thailand is in the midst of this high-stakes arena. With an impressive reserve of around 15 million tonnes of these ‘green’ badges, Thailand stands at a crossroads; the country finds itself grappling with a fascinating paradox—a surplus of credits, yet a market that’s more like an exclusive party than a bustling bazaar. Peeking into this green marketplace, one finds a curious state of affairs. Despite the abundance of carbon credits, Thai businesses are playing a strategic game of keep-away, opting to treasure these credits against their future emissions—a savvy move, but one that contributes to the scant trade volumes we’re witnessing today. It’s akin to holding onto a rare…
Imagine this: It’s a brisk Tuesday morning, and Srettha, the ever-efficient Finance Minister, shares his latest life hack for productivity with a touch of humour — he’s decided to transform his nightly routine into a strategic move! Starting January 7th, he’ll be saying goodbye to the daily grind of city traffic and tucking himself in at the iconic Government House. Yes, you heard that right; he’s swapping out his home address temporarily for the most prestigious one in town! But where exactly will the PM rest his head after those long hours of number-crunching and policy-making? Enter the enchanting Thai Khu Fah Building, a marvel of architecture that recently underwent a magical transformation. A cozy room within its walls has been crafted into a sanctuary that screams simplicity and sophistication – because who says you can’t mix business with comfort? Picture this: A spacious office seamlessly flows into a bedroom…