THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Step right up, folks, and hear the tale of Thailand’s political carousel, where former Prime Ministers are treated with a blend of controversy and compassion, surrounded by a whirlwind of opinions faster than a Thai tuk-tuk navigating through Bangkok’s rush hour. It’s a story that unfolds with the theatrics of a prime-time drama, starring none other than Mr. Phumtham, the enigmatic Commerce Minister and theater director of this political stage. Amidst the roar of critics and media spotlights, Phumtham took center stage to clarify that the recent regulations for home detention of inmates are not as fresh as morning jasmine rice. No, they’re not tailored for Thaksin Shinawatra, the prince of Pheu Thai Party and a patriarch in his own right. These rules, he says, have been part of the playbook for years, collecting dust on the bureaucratic bookshelves. Let’s rewind to August 22, shall we? After a 15-year wanderlust…

Imagine a sun-soaked runway at Bangkok’s bustling Suvarnabhumi Airport, a hub of life not just for people but, on this special day, for a trio of captivating orangutans. It was no ordinary Tuesday at the airport as Deputy Prime Minister Natural Resources and Environment Minister Patcharawat Wongsuwan stood, a picture of pride and solemn duty, overlooking the repatriation ceremony of these three endearing primates. Cameras flashed, and a palpable sense of anticipation hummed through the air. This was their moment, a time of homecoming. The heartwarming ceremony was dignified, with the stately presence of Indonesia’s Ambassador to Thailand, Rachmat Budiman, and a delegation of Thailand’s environmental custodians, including Jatuporn Buruspat and Attaporn Charoenchansa of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Their collective purpose? To witness the culmination of a rescue mission that gripped the hearts of many. Our intrepid orangutans – the playful and inquisitive Brian, aged…

Picture this: Soft sands under your feet, an expanse of turquoise waters ahead, and the tropical sun playing hide and seek with the clouds. You’ve just landed in Thailand, ready to explore its vibrant cities, tranquil beaches, and delectable cuisine. Smile, because the Land of Smiles just made your trip a tad sweeter! The proposed tourist tax, a hot topic that had travelers talking, has been pushed back to the joy of wanderlust hearts worldwide. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the effervescent Tourism and Sports Minister, with a name just as magnificent as the country’s islands, made an announcement that sent waves of relief across the globe. “Folks, pack your bags without worry, the tourist tax is on hold!” she could have said. The plan to add a little extra to your travel budget is not gone for good, just postponed, like a monsoon season for fees. It’s a breezy reprieve for your…

Imagine being at the center of a whirlwind of controversy, where every click and view brings with it a torrent of public outcry. This was the tumultuous reality for Aniwat Prathumthin, known in the digital cosmos as Nara Crepe Katoey. Her blend of humor and bravado in an advertising skit something went beyond what many would dare. However, in a stunning courtroom crescendo, the gavel came down echoing her innocence. The court, stepping into the modern Colosseum of public opinion, cleared Aniwat of charges that threatened to upend her colorful world. Painting the scene of that infamous skit, one could almost picture the satirical portrayal that set the digital stage ablaze—an enactment featuring regal attire, not unlike a Royal family member, coupled with the juxtaposition of a character wheelchair-bound— leading to a punchline that landed Aniwat in hot water. It was a promotional gambit for Lazada’s 5.5 discount campaign, beamed…

Imagine whisking past the relentless snarl-up of vehicles, the endless sea of brake lights on a conventional highway. Now, open your eyes – because things are about to get a whole lot smoother for motorists navigating the pulse of Nakhon Ratchasima. There’s a new hero in town, and it’s the slice of tarmac bliss named the M6 motorway, stretching its asphalt limbs from the rural calm of Tambon Nong Sarai in Pak Chong district all the way to the urban bustle of Muang district. It’s the kind of upgrade that car commercials are made of – think sleek vehicles cruising down open roads, wind running through their grilles. And why is this slice of vehicular heaven suddenly our reality? Well, let’s tip our hats to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who looked at the congested veins leading from Bangkok to the North and Northeast and said, “Not on my watch.” With…

Imagine stepping off the bustling streets of Bangkok and onto the sleek platform of a BTS Skytrain station. You’re greeted not by the hassle of fumbling for coins or worrying about exchange rates, but by the seamless convenience of WeChat Pay, now welcoming you at every turnstile of the BTS Dark and Light Green Lines’ 68 shimmering stations, and let’s not forget the gleaming stops along the Gold Line. That’s right, WeChat Pay has descended upon Bangkok’s Skytrain system, and the city’s heart beats with a new digital rhythm, thanks to Bangkok Mass Transit System Pcl. Just tap and go with the futuristic “Rabbit Gateway,” the brainchild of Rabbit LINE Pay—a marriage of technology and transit that feels like stepping into tomorrow. And what was the buzz at the grand unveiling? Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol couldn’t help but beam with pride, spiriting us away with tales…

Amidst a whirlwind of speculation and intrigue, the corridors of Thai politics echoed with the statement that no special favors were granted in the case of the controversial ex-premier’s hospital stay. Laying down the gauntlet, the justice minister proclaimed on a bustling Thursday that regulations were being upheld with no exceptions. The saga unfurled with Thaksin Shinawatra’s dramatic homecoming on August 22, ending a 15-year whirlwind of globetrotting exile. Embracing Thailand’s warm bosom, Thaksin faced a confetti of corruption convictions that punctuated his reign from February 2001 to September 2006. As Bangkok’s city lights flickered, that fateful return night witnessed Thaksin whisked away from the steely bars of Bangkok Remand Prison to the plush care of the Police General Hospital. Rumor has it he set up camp on a luxurious suite perched on the 14th floor, sporting panoramic views of the lush Royal Bangkok Sports Club—an enclosure fit for a…

Oh, the buzz and the flurry that ensues when the latest report cards roll out on a global scale! The world turns its analytical gaze to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), where nations are perched on the edge of their seats, eager (or perhaps, a touch anxious) to see how their future leaders and innovators are faring. And this time, we’re casting a spotlight on Thailand—land of smiles, aromatic street food, and a rich tapestry of culture—a nation finding itself at an academic crossroads, as declinations spill across the pages of PISA 2022’s revelations. The ink has dried, and the numbers speak volumes: with a collective gasp, we behold the plunge of Thai students’ scores. In the arithmetic arenas, the digits hover at a modest 394, while the scientific sphere scores 409, and the literary landscape languishes at 379. Alas, these are the lowest numbers witnessed in two…

Imagine a city that never sleeps, where the vibrant hum of the metropolis buzzes with energy through the night, especially as the calendar page turns to welcome a shiny New Year! As the CEO of the Thai Smile Group, Kulpornphat Wongmacharpinya ensures that the night will not only be illuminated by fireworks but also by the gleaming services of Thai Smile Bus Co, which promises to keep the city connected even as the clock chimes into the wee hours of the morning. Thai Smile Group, a beacon of connectivity in the bustling city, has two offshoots under its banner: the Thai Smile Bus and Thai Smile Boat, each of them a lifeline in their own right. And when it comes to New Year’s Eve, you won’t find a pumpkin nor a striking clock signalling the end of your night out. Instead, you’ll find buses and boats gallantly extending their services…

As the final seconds of the year tick away, a serene hush falls over the crowd, an electric anticipation cloaked in serenity. It’s not your typical New Year’s Eve extravaganza with fireworks blazing across the sky – oh no. This is “Suad mon kham pee,” a gentle, rhythmic heartbeat echoing the countdown to a new beginning, steeped in Thai tradition and spiritual introspection. There’s something captivating, almost magnetic about bidding adieu to the year gone by amidst the softly lit ambiance of your local temple. More and more, we see spiritual seekers and cultural enthusiasts alike flocking to these sacred spaces, seeking solace and celebration that doesn’t involve confetti or a champagne cork pop. Embraced by the tranquil folds of the night, ensconced within ancient temple walls, the faithful gather in earnest prayer. This revered ritual is far from a simple alternative to customary New Year’s revelry; it is a…