THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Thailand is setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in its tourism narrative with the launch of direct flights linking its northeastern provinces to Vietnam. This strategic initiative, disclosed during Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to Vietnam, aims to foster stronger regional connections and facilitate travel between these neighboring countries. As the 38-year-old Thai PM articulated during her two-day stay, which winds down today, May 16, connecting northeastern Thai airports to Vietnamese locales is poised to supercharge tourism and reinforce regional transport networks. The anticipated routes, although still in the discussion phase, have a crystal clear goal—to streamline travel, making it a breeze for adventurers to whizz between the Thai Isaan region and vibrant Vietnamese cities like Hue, Danang, Dalat, and Sapa. These destinations have long been on the radar of Thai tourists, and the new flight paths promise to make these trips even more accessible. According to…

In an unfolding tale as intriguing as any modern epic, Premchai Karnasuta, the distinguished president of Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), once again finds himself in the glaring spotlight of public scrutiny. Recently released from a stint in Thong Pha Phum jail for his previous run-ins with the law, Premchai’s life appears to resemble more of a suspenseful thriller than that of a typical corporate titan. Just a stone’s throw away from Kanchanaburi province’s lush landscapes, Premchai has exchanged one kind of captivity for perhaps another of a metaphorical nature. On an otherwise mundane Friday, the 71-year-old magnate, notorious for his wheelchair-bound appearances, yet again had to navigate through the throngs of prying eyes and cameras. This time, his presence was necessitated not by a wildlife escapade but by a series of unfortunate, tragic events centered around a towering edifice in the heart of Bangkok. With all the finesse and drama…

In a serene corner of the picturesque Chalong neighborhood, where the whisper of the breeze usually harmonizes with the chirping of birds, a sudden outburst shattered the tranquil surroundings. On the afternoon of May 15, a rather unexpected commotion escalated when a 63-year-old gentleman named Songphon Thongluen, overtaken by the effects of excessive alcohol, decided that the sky needed a little more drama. His weapon of choice? Firearms. Unfortunately, he wasn’t predicting a meteor shower but instead orchestrated his own van-style fireworks by letting off more than 10 gunshots. The result? A swift spike in heart rates and a beeline of concerned calls to the police. As clocks struck 3:55 PM, officers of the law found themselves immediately mobilized to the scene on Village 3 in Soi Palai. Reports buzzed through the police radio with accounts from alarmed residents who feared that the initial pops might soon have more sinister…

In a heart-tugging narrative that reads more like a nail-biting thriller than reality, the family of Jakob Jensen, a 41-year-old Danish adventurer with the heart of a wanderer, find themselves plunged into the depths of uncertainty in the sprawling, sun-drenched landscapes of Thailand. Since his mysterious disappearance on March 21, 2025, whispers of his last whereabouts rustle like the gentle Thai breezes, leaving his family anchored in hope yet adrift in the vast unknown. Jakob’s adventure, one that absorbed him into the warmth of Thailand back in early February, now unfolds in the form of a desperate quest for answers. According to a recent plea rippling through the digital halls of Reddit, his concerned sibling, under the moniker AJenDK, has laid bare an emotional timeline under the striking caption “HELP! My little brother has gone missing!”. The narrative spins a compelling chronicle not just of a missing person, but of…

In a turn of events that reads more like a dramatic storyline than the everyday workings of the military, a conscript in the Royal Thai Air Force has accused a senior official of turning him into an unwilling ride-hailing driver. With claims reverberating throughout the country, this uniquely bizarre tale unfolds with no shortage of intriguing twists and turns. The tale begins with a young conscript under the command of a deputy battalion officer from Wing 23. According to the conscript, this officer employed a rather unconventional method in the name of “extra earning”. Allegedly, the officer compelled the conscript to moonlight as a ride-hailing driver—juggling both food deliveries and passenger services via a popular app. Disturbingly, 90% of these earnings were reportedly pocketed by the officer, leaving a mere 10% for the conscript himself. Though intended to sound like a win-win side gig under the guise of extra income,…

Twas a momentous week for Pattaya, as the city unfurled its finest red carpet to welcome a prestigious Chinese delegation, sending an unequivocal message to potential visitors: Thailand eagerly awaits the return of flocks of Chinese tourists with arms wide open and spirits high. The air was abuzz with excitement on the afternoon of May 15, as the Garden Cliff Hotel played host to an illustrious meeting. There, Pattaya’s dynamic Mayor, Poramet Ngampichet, and his ever-attentive secretary, Phumpipat Kamolnath, warmly greeted the influential Zhang Li Xin, Director of the Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Bureau of Pudong New Area, Shanghai, along with his distinguished entourage. This rendezvous marked a critical chapter in fortifying the tourism bridge between Thailand and China. The Chinese delegation arrived with a purpose, keen to exchange wisdom on tourism governance and sustainable stewardship. Why, you ask? Because Thailand is determined to reclaim its cherished status as the…

The serene ambiance of Wat Rak Khing in Thailand’s Nakhon Pathom province was shattered when its revered abbot, Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, was escorted down a pathway of disgrace under the accusing eyes of the Thai media. At the heart of this sensational unmasking was the troubling revelation that the 70-year-old spiritual leader, known affectionately among followers as “Chao Khun Yaem,” was embroiled in a scandal involving the alleged embezzlement of a staggering 300 million baht. This money, which belonged to the temple, had reportedly been funneled into the underworld of online gambling, leaving the local community in shock. In an unprecedented move, Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat was ceremoniously disrobed at precisely 8:42 PM on a fateful Thursday evening, his spiritual vestments replaced by a stark white cloth. He stepped down in front of a sacred Buddhist statue—a solemn acknowledgment of the severity of his alleged transgressions. The peculiar quiet inside Wat…

In a drama that intertwines faith, fortune, and the shadowy world of online gambling, Thailand finds itself gripped by a scandal as law enforcement agencies unravel a complex web reaching from hallowed temple halls to the bustling streets of Pattaya. This gripping tale of betrayal and bad bets surfaced when a young woman was apprehended inside a posh condo, unwittingly drawing the lens of scrutiny toward the powerful yet precarious lives of those in spiritual authority. The time was 4:30 PM, the date marked just yesterday, May 15th, when officers from the Central Investigation Bureau’s Anti-Corruption Division converged upon a high-rise on Pattaya’s Second Road. Aranyawan Wangthaphan, a vibrant 28-year-old broker, found herself ensnared in this saga. She allegedly served as the financial conduit, channeling temple funds from a revered monk into the murky depths of online baccarat. This arrest paints a vivid picture of how far the wealthy could…

In the bustling town of Phitsanulok, an alarming incident has left locals in shock and disbelief. At the center of this drama is a conscript, Krittakorn Sakwatchara, who made headlines for the wrong reasons. Armed with accusations and alleged misdeeds, he confronted his ex-girlfriend, the 19-year-old Sasipim, in a situation that quickly escalated. The normally serene surroundings of a local noodle factory turned into a scene straight out of an action movie last Wednesday, May 14, when Sasipim was shockingly attacked while diligently packing noodles. It was a day like any other until the monotony was shattered when Krittakorn, aged 21 and dressed in an air of desperation, was caught on CCTV breaching the factory’s defenses like a scene-stealer from a blockbuster. He climbed over the wall with the stealth of a cat burglar but the fury of a jilted lover, heading directly for Sasipim. Nakarin, a colleague turned unintentional…

In an illuminating policy briefing on May 15, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira took center stage, urging state-owned financial institutions to rally a robust defense for Thailand’s export businesses and supply chain networks. Pichai, in his astute assessment, warned of the formidable challenge posed by the United States’ reciprocal tariffs, foreseeing a two-year uphill battle for local businesses immersed in the art of exports. With the determination of a seasoned chess player contemplating his next move, Pichai implored the financial institutions to accelerate the rollout of support measures for exporters particularly grappling with the labyrinthine US market. His call was not limited to these frontiers alone, as he pressed for effective aid to shield Thai enterprises against the tidal wave of competition from Chinese imports. But Pichai’s vision transcended borders, dipping into the domestic realms of housing and tourism. He beckoned the state banks to extend their supporting hands to the…