The enchanting land of smiles, known for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, finds its hospitality industry on tenterhooks as the Thai Hotels Association (THA) raises red flags over impending job cuts. Why? Well, strung in the air is the government’s proposal to lift the minimum daily wage to 400 baht. Suddenly, the paradise retreats in Thailand find themselves ensnared in a financial catch-22. With the rolling hills and temples of Chiang Mai already experiencing a hefty 14% surge in wages, the whispers of further increments are causing a collective eyebrow raise among hoteliers. La-iad Bungsrithong, the wise counsel to the THA, expressed her worries before the authorities – if last year’s changes were a gust, the new plans are a cyclone poised to stir up chaos, especially in the plush 5-star stays. Rumblings from the Labor Ministry indicate that from July 1, even more hospitable havens, those glistening 2-star…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In a whirlwind sequence of events on June 23, 2025, a sudden medical crisis sparked a remarkable display of international cooperation amid a sea of rising tensions. As the sun began its descent over the bustling Ban Khlong Luek crossing in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province, a 31-year-old Cambodian man named Dee Vanjan found himself in dire straits. Experiences a sudden heart condition in Poipet City, Banteay Meanchey province, the odds seemed stacked against him, with border restrictions looming ominously. Just as an hourglass counts down with seeming prescience, there was urgency in the air. The First Army Area commander was poised to close the very crossing Dee needed to traverse to seek urgent medical care. Amidst swirling diplomatic undercurrents, a commendable human spirit prevailed as Thai officials orchestrated a special border opening at the Ban Khlong Luek permanent crossing. It was, quite literally, a race against time at 6…
The Ministry of Transport in Thailand is hurtling forward with gusto, driving full throttle into the second phase of its visionary double-track railway expansion. This mammoth undertaking will stretch across an astonishing 1,249 kilometres, demanding a staggering 297.9 billion baht in investments. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit is championing this transformative project with promises that it will significantly overhaul the nation’s transportation backbone. Suriya is confident that this shiny new railway system will shave off up to 30% of travel time, thanks to a clever design that will obliterate the bottlenecks of trains waiting for others to pass. Punctuality will now be the new norm! But wait, there’s more to this railway marvel than speed. Suriya assures us that the project will not only amplify safety and minimize accidents but will also trim down logistical costs. This will usher in an era of more cost-effective, secure, and…
Under the grand arches of the Bangkok City Hall in Din Daeng, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation as Wirat Manassanitwong, the esteemed Deputy Permanent Secretary for the BMA, took the helm of the first 2025 assembly of the BMA Committee for the Promotion and Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The room was a tableau of cultural custodians, eager to embark on another year of vital preservation work this past Monday, June 23. The day’s agenda kicked off with a reflective glance at the cultural treasures designated in 2024, each a jewel in the cultural crown of Bangkok. The dashing and melodious performances from Ban Duriyapraneet School took center stage, showcasing the vibrancy of traditional performing arts. Meanwhile, cherished social rituals and festivals like Mon Songkran, celebrated with joyous water festivities at Ban Bang Kradi in Bang Khun Thian, and the spiritual Navaratri Festival in the bustling Bang Rak district…
Imagine the serene heart of Thailand, in the central province of Lop Buri, suddenly thrust into a whirlwind of mystery and suspense. On June 23, a disturbing discovery unfolded—one that reads like a tale spun for a crime novel, yet it starkly exists within our reality. A Thai woman, currently fighting for her life, emerged from this enigma, having been found submerged in a tank full of asphalt. The questions are as sticky as the substance that nearly claimed her life: Who is she, how did she end up there, and most importantly, why? The saga began with Chanon, a local 52-year-old, who was probably expecting a regular day when he stumbled upon an unusual sight beside the roadworks on Lam Laleng Road in the Khok Samrong district. This wasn’t just any sight—it was the kind that would flip his day upside down. There, within the confines of a 200-litre…
In a political drama that reads like a high-stakes thriller, Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has found herself at the center of a storm following the leak of a controversial audio clip. The said clip features a phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen, which has now prompted a thorough investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The stakes are high, with potential outcomes that could send ripples through the very fabric of Thailand’s political landscape. The NACC’s investigation is primarily focused on whether the call’s contents can be deemed a serious ethics violation. With whispers of sensitive issues discussed, concerning the ever-tense relationship between Thailand and Cambodia, the fallout has been swift and seismic. Political circles are abuzz as the NACC works tirelessly, readying themselves to present their findings within just a 10-day window. This investigation may hold the key to Paetongtarn’s political fate as it…
Picture this—a sunny morning in the tranquil Chae subdistrict of Khon Buri, when an unexpected drama was set in motion on an ordinary bathroom wall! Now, you must agree, this isn’t the usual place where tales of adventure unfold. But hey, welcome to Thailand, where even the mundane can transform into a spectacle of awe. Pira Pitaktrakul, a 53-year-old local, certainly didn’t expect to encounter this peculiar scene as he approached his bathroom this morning. With the morning sun glinting off the lush and vibrant greenery, his eyes caught a glint of emerald—and what a slithery spectacle it was! An over 1-meter-long green snake, apparently after a lavish feast, was attempting to defy gravity and wisdom in its bid to navigate a vertical bathroom wall. This audacious reptile wasn’t just any ordinary wall-climber; it was a snake with a bulging belly—wrapped not-so-neatly within was a 7-inch long gecko! Needless to…
The winds of change are sweeping across Sa Kaeo, as the Royal Thai Army has decisively shut the gates at all Thai-Cambodian border crossings. This stringent move, ordered by the RTA chiefs, echoes a tale of sovereignty breaches, escalating tensions, and a spike in cross-border crime that could rival any dramatized saga of international relations. On June 23, Lieutenant General Amorn Boonsuya, Commander of the 1st Army Area, issued an emergency order halting the passage of vehicles and travelers—both Thai and foreign—across the Sa Kaeo border, with an immediacy that left no room for dithering. The heart of this prohibitive measure stems from alarming reports of Cambodian troops allegedly stretching their shadow onto Thai soil, erecting strongholds, rearranging terrain, and staging audacious symbolic protests near the 2nd Army Region. It’s a soap opera of military posturing that has stoked fears for safety and destabilized the region. The curtain rose on…
Hold on to your hats, folks—we’re diving into the thrilling and sometimes perplexing world of Thai cannabis legislation! It’s a story filled with fiery debates, unexpected twists, and a cast of political characters that keep you on the edge of your seat. Our main character today? None other than the Bhumjaithai Party’s seniormost maestro, Supachai Jaisamut. Supachai Jaisamut, a leading figure in the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), has come out guns blazing, urging the prompt passage of a much-debated cannabis control bill. His frustration is primarily aimed at the Pheu Thai Party’s Ministry of Public Health, which he accuses of dragging its feet on the issue. His main gripe? The perceived inaction has allowed cannabis to flourish with wild abandon, leading to challenges galore. Supachai takes us on a trip down memory lane, reminding everyone that the BJT has been a staunch supporter of cannabis use, but, wait for it, only…
The skies over Thailand today seem to have consulted a Shakespearean playbook, pregnant with clouds ready to unleash a drama of monsoon madness across the nation. If ever there was a time to channel your inner rain enthusiast, now is it, as the next 24 hours promise a meteorological symphony of sorts, complete with thunderous crescendos and flashing floodlights. During this time, the Thai residents find themselves akin to sea captains braving tempestuous waves, advised to display prudence as they navigate through a landscape liable to flash floods, forest surges, and mischievous landslides. Hilly areas, lowlands, and any region cozying up to a watercourse would need to heed these warnings with extra vigilance. Welcome to Mother Nature’s show, influenced by a middling southwest monsoon playing tag with a low-pressure cyclone lounging over northern Laos and Vietnam—enough to make one wish for a more peacefully lazy Sunday afternoon! Meanwhile, on the…