As the general election approaches in Thailand, political dynasties continue to hold significant influence, with the Thienthong family being a prime example. With five members from this prominent family running for office in the upcoming election for two different parties, their name can be seen plastered on campaign posters throughout the rural province of Sa Kaeo. The Thienthong family, along with others like the Shinawatras, have managed to build successful businesses and maintain power in the region since the 1970s, with politics and family affairs often intertwining. Families such as these are an integral part of Thai politics and offer voters a measure of stability and influence in a country that has experienced 12 coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. In a system where there was no rule of law, rich and powerful families like the Thienthongs flourished through their relationships with the military, police, and influential…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
On a fateful Friday night in Surat Thani, a serene evening was disrupted by a violent gunfight that left two men dead and two women injured. The incident took place at the car park of Bunjongburi Hotel on Liang Muang Road in tambon Makham Tia. The air of celebration after a wedding party quickly turned to dread when gunshots echoed in the parking lot. The victims were identified as Panuphong Suwannasin, 35, a well-known amulet expert, and Wirat Sudphakdee, 39, a pub owner. The injured women were Kansiri Suwannasin, wife of the amulet expert, and Thanaithorn Luetheng. The crime scene was littered with spent bullets, a pistol, and the lifeless bodies of the two men, cruelly marked with multiple gunshot wounds. Panuphong, also known as “Khunphaen Surat,” hailed from Surat Thani’s Tha Chang district, where he had gained prominence and respect as an amulet expert. He had been shot in…
Over 20 samples have been collected from the vehicle of the alleged murderer Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn. Cyanide traces were discovered in samples collected from the driver’s side dashboard, according to Assoc Prof Weerachai Phutdhawong of Kasetsart University’s Department of Chemistry. Weerachai plans to conduct additional tests on a suspicious substance package confiscated at the suspect’s residence. Weerachai is a chemistry expert that works closely with the Office of Police Forensic Science in examining chemical samples. The police have put together a list of 19 individuals they suspect may have been poisoned by Sararat. Police claim that 18 of these victims perished under questionable circumstances. Only one person, Kantima Paesaard, aged 36, managed to survive after allegedly being poisoned by the suspect. The two were acquainted for over six years, with Kantima having lent Sararat 250,000 baht before being poisoned in September last year. Deputy national police chief General Surachate Hakparn,…
Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Jantararuangtong recently expressed concern regarding the number of ballot papers printed for the upcoming general election on May 14. According to Prasert, the Election Commission (EC) has printed approximately 7.3 million more ballot papers than the actual eligible voters, totaling to about 57 million ballot papers. At a press conference centered around the appointment of a legal working group focused on preventing electoral fraud, Prasert called on the EC to ensure that any additional ballot papers are returned if they go unused. Furthermore, he requested clarification on the measures in place to manage the excess ballot papers. Prasert also urged the EC to execute its responsibilities with diligence and accuracy, citing some errors in documents involving Pheu Thai candidates. He fears that such mistakes could potentially confuse voters. In addition to addressing these concerns, Prasert revealed that Pheu Thai will be writing to the EC to…
During a recent police operation in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district, authorities arrested a Chinese man on a tourist visa and 23 unregistered Myanmar migrant workers at a construction site. The raid was initiated following a report indicating the employment of illegal workers near a bridge over the Paed canal. As law enforcement officers arrived on the scene, many workers attempted to escape, but a total of 23 individuals were caught, all of whom were Myanmar nationals with no work permits. The operation was led by Pol Col Chinnawut Tangwonglert, the superintendent of the Samut Prakan immigration office. During the on-site investigation, the officers questioned a man, seemingly of Thai-Chinese descent, who was supervising the construction project in order to obtain information about the workers. The man’s evasive behavior raised suspicion, and after further investigation, it was revealed that he was a Chinese national named Nibg Shoshi, who had entered…
The first group of 78 Thai evacuees, including 40 women and 38 men, from conflict-stricken Sudan arrived at Bangkok’s Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base on Thursday night. They were greeted by caretaker Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Defense Forces Chief Gen Chalermpol Srisawat, Air Force Commander ACM Alongkorn Wannarot, Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai, Prime Minister’s secretary-general Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, and other high-ranking officials. Gen Prayut expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all agencies involved in the successful evacuation and thanked Saudi Arabia and Egypt for their valuable assistance in evacuating and accommodating the Thai citizens. A second batch of evacuees was set to arrive on Saturday, and the prime minister conveyed his hope that the situation in Sudan would not escalate further. Many of the evacuees were visibly exhausted from their arduous journey home, which involved taking a bus, a ship, and a plane and lasted nearly…
In a chilling incident, two men employed as brokers for a migrant labor smuggling gang were discovered brutally murdered in Nonthaburi, Thailand. Their bodies, bearing multiple stab wounds, were found concealed in dense grass near Suan Ngam village in tambon Ratniyom of Sai Noi district. The gruesome discovery was made after the victims had been reported missing from a house in Samut Prakan the previous week. Local police were alerted to the location of the deceased, identified as 24-year-old Phanphisit Sukdolphat and 23-year-old Mongkhol Isaman, at around 4 pm on Thursday. Both victims had been brutally attacked, with Phanphisit stabbed thrice in the chest, and Mongkhol suffering knife wounds on his back. Their legs and arms had been bound with electrical wire before being wrapped in blankets and discarded in the bush. Following the filing of missing person reports by their relatives, police had tried to locate the two victims…
The picturesque Koh Kradan in Trang province has recently experienced a surge in tourism, thanks to its recognition as the number one beach on Earth, according to the UK’s World Beach Guide. As a result, officials are now working to develop the island into a major tourist destination while preserving its stunning natural environment. This month, daily arrivals on Koh Kradan increased from 300 to 2,000 on average, sparking hopes of a tourism revival after three years of COVID-19-related decline. However, concerns have also arisen that the small island, which covers only 2.4 square kilometers in the Andaman Sea, may suffer severe damage due to the sudden tourist influx. Notably situated within Hat Chao Mai National Park, a mere 10 kilometers from the mainland, Koh Kradan boasts pristine white sands and vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. In light of the growing interest in the island, the governor has…
As the influential Deputy Prime Minister overseeing the Finance Ministry, Supattanapong finds himself in a unique position to reshape the production expenses of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), according to Korn. “Supattanapong has the ability to assist with Egat’s cost structure, instead of transferring the weight of the problem to the general public,” Korn explained. Once a prominent Democrat figure, Korn has since transitioned into the role of Chart Pattana Kla Party leader and subsequently their prime ministerial nominee. Previously, Supattanapong had challenged Korn’s proposal to decrease the fuel tariff (FT) involved in the calculation of electricity expenses from the current rate of 0.93 baht per unit to zero during the three-month hot season. Supattanapong contended that the FT is representative of the fuel expenses in power production. He further clarified that the government is concentrating on supporting at-risk populations due to the overwhelming expenses associated with subsidizing…
After a four-year hiatus due to Covid-19, Thaifex-Anuga Asia is set to return stronger than ever, with an impressive lineup of around 3,000 exhibitors from 43 countries and an expected 60,000 visitors, buyers, and decision-makers from over 120 territories. Organized by prestigious entities such as the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), and Koelnmesse, this remarkable event promises to be an international hotspot for networking, innovation, and marketing opportunities. Spanning 130,000 square meters across 11 exhibition halls, Thaifex-Anuga Asia will feature over 5,500 booths showcasing the best of global food trends and breakthroughs. In addition to solidifying Thailand’s reputation as a top-tier food producer and exporter, the event will host special activities like chef competitions, informative seminars, and themed zones focusing on halal food, future food innovations, and more. Exhibitions on Thai fruits, trade information, and various food-related organizations will also be available for…