THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

People eagerly lined up to receive their flu vaccinations at the bustling Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, a scene captured in an image from the Bangkok Post. Since the dawn of this year, influenza has claimed 14 lives and infected over 180,000 individuals across the nation, as reported by the Department of Disease Control (DDC). On a recent Saturday, Director-General Dr. Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn stepped forward to dispel widespread fears about severe flu strains. He reassured the public, emphasizing that influenza is a respiratory viral infection typically presenting with mild symptoms, which can be managed with appropriate treatment. However, he did caution that in some cases, patients could develop additional illnesses, increasing the risk of fatal outcomes. Dr. Thongchai shared that a specialized team from the Disease Control Office 5 in Ratchaburi has been collaborating with local public health offices to conduct an in-depth analysis of the flu patients. This…

The 3.75-trillion-baht budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year smoothly navigated its first reading in the House of Representatives on Friday night, garnering 311 votes in favor, 175 against, and two abstentions. A diverse 72-member special House committee has been formed to meticulously examine the bill. This committee includes 18 members from the cabinet and 54 from both government and opposition parties. Their first meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, and they have a tight 30-day deadline to complete their review. Representing the cabinet, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai extended his gratitude to the MPs for their enthusiastic contributions during the rigorous three-day debate. He emphasized the importance of the special House committee considering all the recommendations thoroughly as they delve into their work. Phumtham assured the public that the government is committed to ensuring the judicious use of the limited budget, meticulously planned to foster economic growth…

The Police Commission is set to convene on Wednesday to determine if the Royal Thai Police’s decision to dismiss deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn was legally unfounded, according to a well-placed source. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also serves as the Chairman of the Police Commission, will oversee the meeting, scheduled for 3 PM. Pol Gen Ek Angsananont, an esteemed member of the commission, pointed out that should Pol Gen Surachate be reinstated as deputy police chief, which many expect, it could open a can of worms. The disciplinary sub-panel that initially approved his dismissal might find itself in hot water for potential misconduct over its decision. The saga dates back to June 17, when the sub-panel, chaired by former deputy police chief Pol Gen Winai Thongson, took under advisement the Council of State’s legal interpretation regarding Pol Gen Surachate’s dismissal. The interpretation was solicited…

Imagine unearthing a hidden treasure from millions of years ago—a secret so tightly held by the earth that its discovery sends ripples of excitement across the scientific community. That’s exactly what happened recently in the northeastern province of Kalasin in Thailand! Fossilised teeth of a Basal Tyrannosauroid were discovered by a dedicated researcher from Kasetsart University, making history as Southeast Asia’s first such find. The intrepid explorer behind this groundbreaking discovery is Wongwech Chowchuvech, a graduate student from the Department of Earth Sciences under the Faculty of Science at Kasetsart University. This remarkable find was made under the careful supervision of a stellar team: Assistant Professor Chatchalerm Ketwetsuriya of Kasetsart University, Sita Manitkoon from Mahasarakham University, and Phornphen Chanthasit, the esteemed director of the Sirindhorn Museum. Now, let’s dive into the juicy details of this paleontological revelation. When the team scrutinized the fossilised teeth, their analysis revealed something extraordinary. These…

Containers are prepared for export at the Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri province. (File photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) The economy is currently at one of its bleakest points, but economic experts expect the situation to bottom out in the second half of the year now that the national budget has been rolled out. Things usually seem to be at their worst just before they get better, and the same can be said for the Thai economy, according to Nonarit Bisonyabut, an economist at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). Mr. Nonarit said the country’s economy has entered a dark patch in the short term due to several factors, chief among them the sluggish disbursement of the national budget and high domestic and international interest rates that discourage investments. Politics a potential drag However, he said the situation will improve as global interest rates fall. The European Central Bank recently…

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is poised to ignite Thailand’s economic engine in his inaugural “Khui Kap Srettha” (Talk to Srettha) monthly broadcast. Set against the grand backdrop of Government House on a serene Saturday morning, Srettha shared his vision of a thriving economy, likening it to a 12-cylinder Ferrari currently firing on only six or seven cylinders. But with determination, he believes the government can rev up Thailand’s engine to full throttle. The premier’s first address, aired on state-owned NBT Channel 11 and simultaneously streamed on the MCOT radio network and various social media platforms, was a stirring call to arms. Srettha was candid about the challenges that lie ahead. Despite the Pheu Thai Party’s tireless efforts, he acknowledged that progress might not be as swift as hoped due to a mélange of influencing factors. “Although we always work to the best of our ability, sometimes the work slows down…

On an overcast Saturday in Kunming, nestled in China’s southern Yunnan province, a critical meeting was underway. Decorated officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) and Chinese officials had convened to tackle dual concerns plaguing both nations: human trafficking and call centre scams. Leading the Thai delegation was Pol Maj Gen Sarut Kwaengsopha, the ATPD chief. His mission was clear—to join forces with Pol Maj Gen Kong Yiping, the deputy chief of the Kunming Immigration Office, and scrutinize the efficacy of local immigration police. What they observed was impressive: thanks to breakthroughs in technology, tasks that once bogged down the workforce had been streamlined by a staggering 80%, lifting spirits and productivity alike. Directive came from the top brass, with Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, the commissioner of Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau, orchestrating a country-wide crackdown on call centre scams. His vision extended beyond Thai borders, eyeing the notorious…

Representatives from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) recently found themselves amidst the bustling charm of Kunming, China. Their mission? To partner up with their Chinese counterparts and wage war against the meticulous menace of human trafficking and the insidious call centre scams spreading across the landscape. The sunny streets of Kunming provided a paradoxical backdrop to the serious deliberations taking place within closed doors, illustrated poignantly by the photograph of Pol Maj Gen Sarut Kwaengsopha conferring earnestly with Pol Maj Gen Kong Yiping, deputy chief of the Kunming Immigration Office. The keen-eyed Pol Maj Gen Sarut, spearheading the ATPD, observed an 80% reduction in workload thanks to cutting-edge technology. One can almost imagine the creaking bureaucratic wheels suddenly whirring into action with a fresh burst of efficiency. But the trail of call centre scams in Thailand still looms large over their proactive operations. Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, the…

Police recently interrogated Hoang Ngoc Cuong, 36, after uncovering nearly 60 protected birds inside his residence in Bangkok’s Klong Chan area. This discovery, illustrated by a supplied photo from Wassayos Ngamkham, marked a significant step in the crackdown on wildlife trafficking in the region. Hoang Ngoc Cuong, a Vietnamese national, was detained at a housing estate in the Bang Kapi district last Friday. Authorities seized a total of 58 red-whiskered bulbuls, locally known as nok parawd hua khoan. These birds, valued at approximately 174,000 baht, were intended for smuggling abroad, disclosed Pol Col Arun Wachirasrisukanya, the deputy commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division. This operation was a continuation of a prior raid on January 9, where police apprehended three Vietnamese nationals associated with a transnational wildlife trafficking ring. During that raid, authorities confiscated 21 red-whiskered bulbuls, 929 turtles, four chameleons, and six snakes. The gang typically…

In a dramatic turn of events, police officers recently conducted a meticulous raid on the residence of a 36-year-old man known as Chavalvit. The otherwise ordinary house in Nakhon Ratchasima became the focal point of a significant police operation targeting illegal online gambling activities. Chavalvit, the enigmatic owner of a massively popular Facebook page with over 2 million followers, has been arrested on charges that have sent shockwaves through his online community. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers, brandishing a court-sanctioned search warrant, swooped into action, apprehending Chavalvit at his home. The investigation led to the seizure of various items that were believed to be instrumental in the alleged crimes. These included high-tech gadgets such as an iPad Pro 3 tablet, two desktop computers, an iPhone 12 Pro Max, and even a bank passbook from Kasikornbank. What prompted this meticulous operation? The stakes were raised by an increase in online…