The U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is setting the stage for a major transformation with the construction of its second runway slated to kick off this year. According to Chula Sukmanop, the secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), efforts are underway to secure funding from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for this ambitious venture. Italian-Thai Development (ITD) has been selected as the project’s contractor, says Mr. Chula. What’s more, this monumental undertaking is set to unfold in collaboration with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), according to EEC’s deputy secretary-general, Tharit Issarayangyun. The new runway, stretching a whopping 3,505 metres, will be strategically situated 1,140 metres away from the current one. Designed to accommodate large aircraft and anticipated to manage at least 70 flights an hour, this addition is poised to significantly enhance the airport’s capacity. All in all, the project investment hovers around an impressive 15.2 billion baht, Mr.…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The Transport Ministry is setting the wheels in motion for a groundbreaking initiative to lighten the financial load of Bangkok’s daily commuters. The visionary 20-baht flat fee for all electric rail services in Bangkok is set to be financed by an annual budget of 8 billion baht, confirmed Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit on Tuesday. A dedicated working group will be formed to accelerate the policy’s implementation, aiming to cap the maximum fare at just 20 baht by September 2025, significantly reducing the cost of living for the public. Since October 16 of last year, the ministry has already test-driven the scheme on two key lines: the Red Line commuter trains running between Bang Sue and Rangsit, as well as Bang Sue and Taling Chan, alongside the MRT Purple Line stretching from Tao Poon to Bang Yai. Both routes have seen an encouraging surge in passenger numbers, Minister Suriya pointed out.…
Thamanat Prompow, who recently resigned as agriculture minister to sidestep further legal entanglements for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, made a notable appearance at Government House on August 27. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) Former agriculture minister Thamanat Prompow is now embroiled in legal battles, suing three prominent public figures for defamation. The controversy stems from accusations that he meddled in his successor’s duties. Thamanat has enlisted Thanadon Suwannarit as his legal representative to file defamation claims against legal scholar Jade Donavanik, former Bangkok MP and social media host Boonyod Sukthinthai, and Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom. Thanadon lodged the complaints with the Nang Loeng police in Bangkok on Tuesday. According to the lawyer, these three individuals made public comments suggesting Thamanat inappropriately interfered with Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat’s responsibilities during her recent flood inspection tour in Chai Nat and Ayutthaya. Photographs surfaced showing Thamanat attending a meeting with officials who briefed…
In a dramatic clampdown on illegal online gambling, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has set its sights on over 4,000 official Line accounts suspected of promoting unlawful betting platforms. With 54 million users, Line is Thailand’s most popular chat app and has, unfortunately, become a haven for such unsavory activities. Authorities, aided by Line Thailand, have been vigilantly watching these activities from February 24 to August 9, culminating in this recent wave of enforcement. The primary goal? To cut off gamblers’ easy access to these illicit websites, thereby putting a significant dent in the operators’ reach. Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong emphasized the troubling ease with which gambling site creators tap into Line’s extensive user base. “The Line app provides an ideal tool for gambling website owners to reach their target groups,” he stated. This makes it all too simple for those looking to engage in or promote illegal gambling.…
Former national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung and seven other defendants, indicted for assisting Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya in evading criminal charges following a notorious 2012 hit-and-run, made their entrance at the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases to face the music on Tuesday. This scene, captured by Nutthawat Wichieanbut, serves as a prelude to a highly anticipated trial that promises twists and turns worthy of a thriller novel. The court has set a compressed seven-month timeline for this trial, diverging from the usual year-long process. This decision underscores the colossal public interest swirling around the mishandling of the case. All eight defendants, including former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk, paraded in to declare their not guilty pleas, battling charges ranging from dereliction of duty to altering the recorded speed of the Ferrari involved in the accident. The latter shockingly led to the dismissal of reckless driving…
On Monday, people could be seen browsing a food bank in Bangkok’s Saphan Sung district, thanks to an initiative that has captured hearts and attention. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) The Bangkok Food Bank marked a significant milestone by launching its 50th center in Saphan Sung district. Since its inception, the initiative has served over two million meals to those grappling with hardship. The city’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, graced the opening ceremony, proudly announcing the project’s success in establishing a food bank in every district of Bangkok. As reported by the Bangkok Food Bank website, this remarkable initiative gathers surplus food and hands it out free of charge. It operates much like a minimart, allowing recipients to pick out the items they need, rather than receiving pre-packaged food. Governor Chadchart revealed that the project has already delivered over two million meals—equating to approximately 500,000 kilograms of food—to the vulnerable individuals registered in…
Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Zaki Baz, the dynamic Group CEO of Rembrandt Asset Management & CEO of Rembrandt Hotels Corporation, the company is on the verge of revolutionizing both hospitality and asset management realms. Armed with over two decades of extensive experience that spans local and international hotel management, Mr. Baz brings a treasure trove of expertise and a forward-thinking vision, particularly in strategic revenue management and advanced finance. His unwavering focus on quality, digital innovation, and delivering unmatched guest experiences is setting a sky-high benchmark for industry excellence. Rembrandt Asset Management stands tall as a premier company, overseeing a kaleidoscope of subsidiaries: Rembrandt Hotels Corporation: This powerhouse subsidiary is devoted to investing in and managing a diverse portfolio of hotel properties, from the seasoned and established to the budding and under-development. Its mission? To ensure top-tier service, supreme guest satisfaction, and stellar financial performance at every location.…
Rakesh Saxena, the infamous architect behind the Bangkok Bank of Commerce (BBC) collapse, made headlines once again as he arrived at the Bangkok South Criminal Court in June 2012, escorted by police. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard) Fresh out of prison, Saxena finds himself back in the hands of law enforcement. Police have apprehended the 72-year-old Indian national, notorious for his role in the BBC debacle, and have commenced arrangements for his deportation to India. The BBC’s downfall in 1995, triggered by colossal under-collateralized loans, is widely regarded as the precursor to the devastating Asian “Tom Yam” financial crisis. A source divulged that economic crime suppression police collected Saxena from the Medical Correctional Institution on Monday. To ensure his well-being, he was taken to Police General Hospital for medical care while concurrent efforts were made to coordinate his deportation with Indian authorities. Born in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Saxena’s journey from a bustling…
Worachai Wijitwongjaroen graciously accepted his prize at the exhilarating meatball-eating contest in Buri Ram last Sunday. The spectacle, immortalized through the lens of Surachai Piragsa, showcased a truly record-setting feat by the self-proclaimed “world champion.” With unmatched enthusiasm and gastrointestinal fortitude, Mr. Worachai devoured a staggering 65 sticks of deep-fried meatballs within a mere five minutes. This impressive feat eclipsed his previous record by two sticks, securing his throne in the seventh annual contest. The festivities were more than just a showcase of insatiable appetites. The primary objective was to bolster the travel industry and invigorate local businesses within the province. The vibrant series of events held over Sunday and Monday attracted over 100 contestants from across the country, each competing in various categories with fervor. The air buzzed with excitement, filled with the tantalizing aroma of countless meatballs sizzling to perfection. Deep-fried meatballs in Buri Ram have cemented their…
The usually lively and bustling Sai Lom Joy Market, which is situated on the border with Myanmar in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, found itself submerged under the relentless overflow from the rain-swollen Sai River on a challenging Tuesday. The picturesque market, a crucial economic hub, was shuttered as the exuberant Sai River spilled over its banks on Monday night. This came after incessant heavy rains battered the border since Sunday night, turning what is typically a vibrant marketplace into a watery chaos. According to reports from the public relations office in Chiang Rai, the devastation left local traders on edge. As the river’s waters surged with unprecedented speed, anxious vendors could be seen hurriedly locking up their shops and whisking away their precious merchandise to higher, safer grounds. Even on Tuesday, the water levels remained stubbornly high, reaching depths of up to one meter in several riverside places, a…