THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Picture this: Nonthaburi Green Market in 2023, awash with the vivid greens of cannabis plants, their potential for unlocking natural healing hanging tantalizingly in the air. However, beneath this verdant display lies an undercurrent of discontent, bubbling up from Thailand’s ardent cannabis advocates. They find themselves at odds with the latest Public Health Ministry mandate, a move that demands all cannabis users procure medical certificates before indulging in what many view as nature’s gift for easing life’s ailments. Among the voices echoing their disappointment is that of Daycha Siripatra, a revered traditional medicine practitioner, who highlighted the plight to the Bangkok Post. “It’s as if the policy writers have forgotten that people have something to say,” Daycha admitted with a sigh. To him, and many others, the ministry’s actions resemble a ship steering unilaterally, its course potentially causing an uproar reminiscent of a democracy missed. Daycha wasn’t alone in sounding…

Imagine the bustling streets of London set as the backdrop for an event brimming with the tantalizing flavors and aromas of Thai cuisine. This colorful spectacle unfolded as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra orchestrated the grand initiation of the revamped Thai SELECT certification. As a highlight, she introduced the ‘miang kham,’ a symphony of tastes packaged into a traditional Thai snack, to captivate and entice UK influencers and media. (Photo: Government House) Amidst the flavorful festivities, Prime Minister Shinawatra wasn’t only on a culinary mission; her visit marks a poignant bridge-building effort between the Thai and UK economies. With aspirations to invigorate trade, kickstart a comprehensive free trade agreement, and create more job opportunities for Thai nationals, she set an ambitious agenda. The meeting, which synchronized with UK time on Thursday, delved into strategies to escalate the trade value of Thailand’s agricultural and food sector, and to widen the import avenues…

On a lively Friday afternoon under the sun’s bright gaze, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit found himself amidst the hustle and bustle of a construction site, standing against the dynamic backdrop of Motorway Route 82, which appeared to be sprouting like a mighty steel phoenix amidst the chaotic traffic nest of Rama II Road. Known colloquially as M82, this ambitious infrastructure marvel is not just another stretch of tarmac; it’s a 25km artery of innovation winding its way through the cityscape, promising new life to weary commuters and beleaguered travelers alike. The scene was abuzz with anticipation as Mr. Suriya, an emblem of determination clad in a crisp business suit, surveyed the ongoing work. With remarkable verve, he declared that the project is now remarkably 82% complete—not just a numerical coincidence but a symbol of progress coursing through the veins of this burgeoning thoroughfare. It was a day of affirmation, and…

On March 27, anti-gambling protesters congregated at Government House with fervor, just as the cabinet gave its nod to a bill permitting entertainment complexes to include casinos. Captured vividly by Apichart Jinakul, this protest was a significant public response to the cabinet’s decision—an event that’s sure to be at the top of the agenda when parliament reconvenes in July, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Mr. Julapun underscored this anticipated legislation, designed to legalize and regulate entertainment complexes across Thailand, depicting it as a legislative priority. Over the last fortnight, the country’s potential as a burgeoning casino hub has not gone unnoticed. Big players like Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts, both titans in the realm of global casino and entertainment business, have already had powwows with the Deputy Finance Minister, signaling strong interest to stake claims in Thailand’s terrain. “Thailand is rapidly becoming the apple of the world’s eye…

In an extraordinary demonstration of advancing international collaboration in health and wellness, the Royal Thai Embassy in Riyadh recently hosted a spectacular seminar entitled “Wellness Hub Thailand: The Future of Global Wellness.” This prestigious event, graced under the aegis of H.E. Mr. Darm Boontham, Ambassador of Thailand to Saudi Arabia, underscored Thailand’s burgeoning stature as a global pioneer in wellness, perfectly resonating with the Vision 2030 blueprint of Saudi Arabia. Leading this event was the charismatic Tanupol Virunhagarun, M.D., affectionately dubbed “Dr. Amp,” who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort—a jewel in the crown of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (BDMS). With his intellectual prowess, Dr. Tanupol captivated attendees by unveiling Thailand’s profound expertise in holistic healthcare, a strategy deeply rooted in the philosophy of Scientific Wellness. This approach marks a significant shift from traditional reactive healthcare to a more…

In the bustling realm of Thailand’s digital landscape, a sudden cloud loomed large over the typically seamless world of mobile connectivity. Last Thursday, millions across the nation experienced an interruption in service that rippled through the lives of countless individuals and businesses. True Corp, a key player in the Thai telecommunications industry, stumbled upon an acute outage, and in its wake, a flurry of discussions and debates regarding the health of the industry itself ensued. Caused by an unexpected power system failure at one of True’s core network centers, the blackout laid bare the infrastructure vulnerabilities impacting Thailand’s telecom ecosystem. The mechanics of modern-day communication are intricate, and as True’s engineering team scrambled to rectify the problem by migrating users to an alternate network, the incident highlighted significant structural concerns. The outage not only left users disgruntled but prompted more profound questions about competition and resilience in Thailand’s telecom sector.…

In a world where voices often get hushed and truths remain unsaid, one man’s fight against silent oppression echoes louder than many. Arnon Nampa, a Thai lawyer with an indomitable spirit, has been rightly honored with the highly esteemed 2024 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk. This accolade, revered globally, has been bestowed upon Arnon for his dauntless battle for free expression and democracy — a battle that has come at a grave personal cost. At 40, Arnon Nampa stands as the first Thai trailblazer to clinch this commendable recognition. Behind bars, he serves a hefty 22-year sentence under Thailand’s draconian lèse-majesté law, which brutally curtails freedom of speech by criminalizing critiques of the monarchy. Thanks to additional related charges, Arnon’s plight is a poignant testament to the oppressive legal snares awaiting those who dare dissent. His representation, the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), hailed…

In the early dawn of a seemingly tranquil morning in northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai province, the serenity was shattered by a crime that has left the community reeling. A 33-year-old man, known simply as Liser, was found fatally shot by the roadside in the Mae Mor community, located within the picturesque Mae Fah Luang district. As the news broke, it stirred a hornet’s nest of intrigue and suspicion, plucking at the threads of everyday life in this quaint locale. Liser, a member of a minority group legally residing in Thailand, had woven himself into the fabric of the local community. His death, however, was anything but ordinary. The grim scene revealed six gunshot wounds to his body and two precise shots to the chest, painting a chilling picture of intent. Adding to the mystery were the bruises and scratches that marked his skin, along with a notable laceration on his…

Last evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, locals in the Isaan province of Kalasin were confronted with a sight that sent shivers down their spines. Onlookers witnessed what some dubbed the “haunted truck”—a six-wheeled behemoth mysteriously moving in circles, sans driver, on the Kalasin-Kamalasai Road. As officers from Mueang Kalasin Police Station arrived, the truck continued its phantom-like dance for a full ten minutes, endlessly pirouetting around a streetlight before finally coming to rest. Not far from this spectral spectacle, a more corporeal drama unfolded. A battered black sedan lay crumpled, its lone driver, 43-year-old Piyaratch Keopanya, nursing minor injuries from the crash. The scene painted a picture of chaos, yet the cause was surprisingly mundane. The truck belonged to a diligent road marking crew, diametrically parked along the lane to allow workers to paint fresh lines on the asphalt. However, in the dimming evening light, Piyaratch seemed…

In a scene straight out of an adventure movie, the tranquil atmosphere of the Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict in East Pattaya was abruptly interrupted by a colossal king cobra measuring an awe-inspiring 4.5 meters, making an unexpected and rather unwelcome splash in a local garden pond. Imagine the amazement, the unease—like stepping into a wild, living documentary—when residents in Soi Por Or Chieb stumbled across this formidable serpent cozily curled in house number 186’s pond. The homeowner, one moment peacefully tending their garden, was suddenly confronted with the sight of the imposing reptile. The immediate reaction was terror—the kind that gets your heart racing and your feet moving—and a quick call went out to Jamnien Keetipakul, the Chief Executive of the Khao Mai Kaew Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO). Not one to dally when a serpent, especially one of this caliber, makes an appearance, Jamnien promptly dispatched Deputy Chief Buncha Udong…