THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

PHUKET: Old Phuket town, renowned for its quaint streets and vibrant atmosphere, finds itself among 49 locations flagged as vulnerable to flash floods or landslides, as revealed by the Mineral Resources Department on Tuesday. This stunning tourist gem is getting ready to face another bout of adverse weather. The department’s risk assessment includes the historic old quarter and the bustling Chartered Bank community, both nestled in Muang district. Leveraging a complex mathematical model and in-depth geographic data, the agency meticulously identified villages and communities facing the highest risks. Just a few weeks ago, on August 23, relentless rainfall triggered devastating landslides, claiming 13 lives, injuring 19, and inflicting damage on over 50 homes. Officials traced the catastrophe back to deforestation on Nak Koet hilltop, where clearance was undertaken to erect the colossal Big Buddha statue. With ominous forecasts predicting more torrential rains and turbulent seas continuing through Saturday, Phuket’s governor,…

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra lit up the room during a spirited press conference at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters just moments after the royal endorsement ceremony on August 18. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) Drumroll, please! The highly anticipated lineup for Thailand’s new cabinet is expected to land on the desk of His Majesty the King for royal endorsement this Wednesday. According to inside sources within the Pheu Thai Party, the wait is nearly over. The Council of State, the government’s own team of legal eagles, has meticulously vetted the qualifications of each candidate vying for a cabinet position. The list is now back in the hands of the cabinet’s secretariat, awaiting a final nod from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra before it gets the royal green light. Once the new cabinet ministers take their solemn oath of office in front of His Majesty the King, the freshly minted government will swing into…

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivered a riveting address at the Pheu Thai party headquarters following the royal endorsement ceremony on August 18. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) Excitement buzzes as the Pheu Thai Party insiders reveal the impending submission of the new cabinet line-up for royal endorsement, expected this Wednesday. These highly anticipated appointments have already been scrutinized by the Council of State, the government’s legal arm, ensuring that every candidate meets the necessary qualifications. With the final list back in the hands of the cabinet secretariat, all eyes now turn to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for a final review before seeking royal approval. Once the new ministers take their solemn oaths of office before His Majesty the King, the new cabinet is slated for its debut meeting, aiming to iron out a comprehensive policy statement set for announcement between September 11-13. Ms. Paetongtarn confirmed on Tuesday that the cabinet list is…

Thai Airways International (THAI) stands firm amidst recent disruptions affecting other airlines, particularly Cathay Pacific. The president of THAI, Chai Eamsiri, confidently announced that their fleet of Airbus A350s continues to soar high without any engine troubles. In light of Cathay Pacific’s recent flight cancellations due to engine issues, Mr. Chai assured everyone that not a smidge of engine fault has been detected in THAI’s aircraft. This reassurance is built on a foundation of meticulous inspections and stringent maintenance routines, ensuring smooth and reliable operations. This steady performance by THAI comes at a time when passengers across Asia are facing a slew of cancelled flights. Cathay Pacific, according to Bloomberg News, faced a significant operational hiccup when they had to cancel nearly all their scheduled flights from Hong Kong to Singapore. The discovery of a defective engine component forced them to put several services on hold. Yesterday alone, Cathay Pacific…

In the ever-buzzing halls of parliament, Sirikanya Tansakun, a list MP from the opposition People’s Party, recently voiced her apprehensions regarding the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s latest endeavor—the digital wallet scheme. With an air of caution and a dash of skepticism, she posed crucial questions about how exactly this ambitious initiative will be funded. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) One of the prime concerns spotlighted by the opposition revolves around the involvement of five state-run banks. Ms. Sirikanya highlighted that the government’s plan to tap into funds from these banks—totaling a colossal 35 billion baht—lacks a clear framework for repayment. This move has set off alarm bells, with critics wary that these financial institutions may never see their money again. Let’s put the spotlight on the five banks in question: the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand, the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, the…

As Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai strode into the resplendent halls of Government House in Bangkok on Tuesday, a slew of cameras flashed, capturing a pivotal moment. Arriving for a crucial cabinet meeting, Mr. Phumtham found himself at the center of a heated debate, one that catapulted him back to the tumultuous era of the 1970s. To the astonishment of some, Mr. Phumtham, who had temporarily stepped into the prime ministerial shoes after Srettha Thavisin’s dismissal by the Constitutional Court, faced allegations questioning his suitability for the role of defence minister. His detractors pointed fingers at his association with the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) during the turbulent ’70s. Among them, former senator Gen Somjate Boonthanom voiced his concerns, creating ripples across social media platforms. “The government is poised to appoint a ‘big comrade,’ who retreated into the forests in October 1976, as defence minister overseeing military personnel,” Gen…

As the shimmering sun kissed the tarmac, a Thai Airways International (THAI) Airbus A350 stood magnificently, symbolizing more than just a marvel of modern aviation, but also the epitome of reliability. This beacon of impeccable engineering joyful relief to passengers who may have been alarmed by recent headlines about aviation turbulence—thanks to a competitor’s woes. With president Chai Eamsiri at the helm, THAI assured passengers that its fleet of Airbus A350s is airborne without a hitch. Unlike the dark clouds hovering over Cathay Pacific, forcing them to ground flights due to faulty engines, Thai Airways’ birds of the sky continue to soar gracefully and safely. Mr. Chai confidently elaborated that THAI’s Airbus A350s undergo rigorous inspections and meticulous maintenance. The diligent efforts of their ground crew and engineers have paid off, as no engine snafus have been detected. For now, passengers can rest easy knowing their magical journeys to far-off…

In an unexpected twist of events, on Tuesday, the Kwaeng Court cleared Swiss national Urs Fehr of all charges related to an alleged altercation with a young doctor on a scenic Phuket beach. The judge, citing a lack of concrete evidence, chose to give Fehr, aged 45, the benefit of the doubt, leaving many details of the deliberation shrouded in mystery. Fehr found himself in hot water after accusations surfaced of kicking Dr. Thandao Chandam, 26, while she and a friend were peacefully enjoying the full moon on Yamu Beach near Thalang district. The incident, which supposedly occurred on February 24, drew immediate media attention and public outrage as it unraveled. According to witness accounts, the Swiss expatriate and his Thai wife, Khanuengnit, mistakenly believed the doctor was trespassing on their rented villa property. In the chaos that ensued, Fehr claimed he had inadvertently slipped on the steps leading to…

“` During a recent press conference at the Phuket provincial hall on March 1, Urs Fehr and his wife Khanuengnit addressed the media regarding the controversial incident that had consumed local and social media alike. PHUKET: On Tuesday, the Kwaeng Court acquitted Swiss national Urs Fehr of charges stemming from an altercation involving him and a woman doctor on a beach outside his rented villa back in February. Details are scarce, but the court decided to give the benefit of doubt to Fehr, 45, according to insider information. The incident in question involved Dr. Thandao Chandam, a 26-year-old physician who claimed Fehr kicked her in the back while she and a friend sat on steps leading down to Yamu Beach to enjoy the full moon on the evening of February 24. The steps, it turned out, weren’t part of Fehr’s rented property but had been illegally constructed. Not long after…

Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, exchanged stern words with Noppadon Saen-ngai, 57, the head of the Department of Highways spot check special unit, as he placed him under arrest for charges of demanding and receiving bribes from operators of overloaded trucks. In a bold move against corruption, officers from the Counter Corruption Division (CCD) and representatives from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) carried out a series of raids on Tuesday morning. The authorities targeted 11 locations across seven provinces, namely Ayutthaya, Chaiyaphum, Phetchabun, Nakhon Pathom, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok. The operation led to the apprehension of notable figures: Noppadon Saen-ngai, who headed the Ubon Ratchathani weighing station; Anek Khamchom, 59, leader of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Dan Khun Thot weighing station; and Thongchai Temfom, 38, a civilian suspected of acting as a middleman. The arrest warrants, issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption…