The Tropical Storm Warning Centre, a division under the Thai Meteorological Department, triggered an alarm for upcoming stormy weather, a move that will affect 42 counties in the northern and southern sections of Thailand. The announcement is expected to stay in effect until dawn tomorrow, cautioning locals of an impending 60% chance of heavy downpours which could trigger disastrous flash floods and sudden water surges. The south-westerly monsoon has settled over the Andaman Sea, spreading to Thailand and blanketing parts of the Gulf of Thailand. Parallelly, an easterly and south-easterly gust is being experienced in the lower northeastern region. These atmospheric conditions have birthed storms in the northern sections of the country, posing an imminent danger to residents in stormy locales. Accumulated rainwater could unpredictably spark sudden flash floods or rapid runoff, especially in elevated landscapes near water bodies and low-lying regions. Motorists traversing these weather-beaten routes are advised to…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In a series of punishing weather events, Loei, a northeastern province in Thailand, has been battling substantial flooding as a result of unyielding rainfall over the past several days. The devastating floodwaters have left in their wake submerged homes, inundated agricultural lands, and damaged government buildings, in addition to turning a central sports field into a virtual lake. The extraordinary volume of continuous rainfall has caused numerous tributaries to exceed their capacity with the mightily roaring Loei River, the principal aqua-jugular vein of the province, spilling over its banks. Although recent reports indicate a receding of water levels in the Loei River in specific regions such as Phu Luang, Wang Saphung districts, and the municipal district of Loei, floodwaters continue to wreak havoc, more so in low-lying areas swept by torrential flows neighboring the river banks, primarily in the Chaiyaphruek region in the central Loei district. Communities such as Kaeng…
In light of the recent resolution allowing Chinese travellers to enter without visa prerequisites, the Tourism Department is expressing apprehension around potential risks involving illegal tours and unauthorized tour guides. The root of this distress lies in the department’s incapacity to authenticate the legitimacy of tour operators during visa exemptions. Head of the Tourism Department, Jaturon Phakdeewanit, brought this issue into light following the acceptance of the exemption plan by the Minister for Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol. This plan allows Chinese and Kazakh tourists to explore without visa from September 25 till February 29, 2024. In an attempt to ensure streamlined communication in the tourism sector, the Tourism Department, the Consular Affairs Department, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) came together earlier this month. They signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) related to synchronizing inbound tourist data. As a result, the Consular Affairs Department was able to accelerate…
Recently, discussions have been sparked across the digital landscape about a matrimonial tussle involving a soon-to-be bride grappling with the controversial issue of her wedding dowry. The contemplative bride-to-be stirred up an insightful conversation detailing a recent family gathering that ended in an unexpected turn of events. The initial agreement granted by both her family and her soon-to-be spouse’s family was fixed at a dowry of 300,000 baht along with 2 baht of gold. Following a thorough fact-check of its feasibility from her family’s end, her spouse’s family had given their affirmation. However, during their subsequent gathering, her soon-to-be husband invited numerous relatives from diverse provinces to consent to the agreement. All was going well until they broached the dowry topic. Suddenly, the relatives seemed eager to change the rules of the game. Our resolute bride-to-be stood her ground, staying faithful to the original concord. The funds were to be…
The Government Savings Bank (GSB) is stepping up to the plate with a new lifeline in the form of a loan scheme. This financial aid is meticulously crafted with the small-scale self-employed individual in mind. These are your taxi drivers, motorcycle riders, and online sellers who have been dealt a heavy blow by the increasing cost of living, leading to dwindling income and financial distress. GSB’s hope is that these loans, which can reach up to a staggering 100,000 baht and come with an eight-year repayment timeline, will help alleviate these financial burdens and breathe some life back into an otherwise strenuous economic landscape. GSB’s director, Witthaya Rattanakorn, shared the big news of this financial scheme launching, explaining that it was born out of the governational directive aimed at helping taxi drivers, public transport workers, and self-employed individuals who are treading water due to the biting economic climate. This loan…
Envisaging a surge in tourist footfall from China and Kazakhstan as a result of the new visa-free policy coming into effect next week, the Immigration Bureau (IB) is gearing up by bolstering its officer count at the bustling Suvarnabhumi International Airport. This more accessible entry for nationals of the mentioned countries, announced in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday and given a green light on Sept 13, will be in operation from Monday till Feb 29 of the following year. Deputy police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot took the initiative to meet with officers from Immigration Division 2 stationed at the airport on Tuesday. The purpose of this meeting was to delve into the preparations put in place to accommodate and greet the incoming influx of tourists expected during the tourist high season. According to Pol Lt Gen Thatchai, the airport is predicted to witness a large increase in traffic…
In the recent uproar over the travel expenses of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s chartered flight to the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Natreeya Thaweewong, the PM’s deputy secretary, came forward with clarifications. The trip, held between Sept 18-24, reportedly cost a staggering 30-million-baht, raising eyebrows and leading to calls for investigation by political activist, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn. The PM’s travel involved chartering a Thai Airways International (THAI) flight, which flew from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the Big Apple with a layover in Tokyo. In Responding to these inquiries, Ms. Natreeya, who organized the travel details, explained that an e-bidding process was in place to ensure a fair price. Initially, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) had proposed 32 million baht for a charter flight service, whereas Thai Airways had asked for 25 million. However, the final cost with Thai Airways rose to 30 million baht owing to an increase…
Drifting gently in the emerald green waves off the coast of Chon Buri, a small army of mussels cling desperately to their maritime farms. These industrious molluscs, the foundation of the local fishermen’s livelihoods, are under siege. A formidable foe in the form of a dense bloom of plankton is turning the ocean into an aquatic Death Valley. Marine researchers have reported instances where concentrations of plankton in the Gulf of Thailand have surged tenfold, transforming the water into a vibrant, yet deadly, canvas of jade and lime. The abnormally high plankton levels have, in fact, metamorphosed the water body into a wasteland, devoid of marine life. Tanuspong Pokavanich, a respected marine scientist, has painted an ominous portrait of the grim scenario saying, “I’ve never seen it be this bad. It’s exceptionally severe.” Though plankton blooms typically make their yearly appearance once or twice, and for a duration of mere…
In a strategic alliance to bolster cybersecurity education and awareness, the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) is joining forces with Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd. to launch the ‘Thailand Cyber Top Talent 2023’. Scheduled to unfold in a popular game show – Jeopardy – styled competition, Capture the Flag (CTF), the contest is intended to spur passion among young talent and the general public in the challenging realm of cybersecurity. The initiative is more than just a competition; it offers a platform to learn, refine, and amplify cybersecurity expertise to prepare the aspiring workforce for future opportunities while enhancing the country’s resilience against cyber threats. In his keynote address, Air Vice Marshal Amorn Chomchoey, Secretary General of the National Cyber Security Agency, emphasized, “We take great pride, alongside Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd., to announce our third installment of Thailand Cyber Top Talent. Bigger and more comprehensive than its predecessor,…
As the sun sets over the bustling Chalong Rat expressway toll plaza, the heart of Bangkok’s thriving transportation, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) gears up for a major proposal. Exat, a beacon of Thailand’s infrastructural growth, plans to table four distinct expressway projects worth a staggering 8 billion baht to the cabinet by the year’s close. This piece of news was made official by the Authority’s governor, Surachet Laophulsuk. According to the governor, Exat is diligently working on a total of 14 project proposals set to be presented to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit within the month. Four of these well-thought-out projects are fully prepared for immediate bids and construction, aiming for the groundwork to commence within a year. These projects combined come with a projected budget reaching an impressive 89.7 billion baht and are all planned to be proposed to the cabinet within a swift three-month window. The first…