Yesterday, the Royal Forest Department (RFD) took decisive action by seizing approximately 5 rai of land atop Nak Koet hill in Phuket’s Muang district. This area is believed to be linked to the tragic landslides on August 23 that claimed 13 lives. Sorasak Rananan, the director of Phuket’s Royal Forest Centre, revealed that the land is situated on the grounds of the Wat Phra Yai temple and is part of a reserve forest. An initial investigation unveiled that a car park had been constructed in the monastery’s area without any official permission. Mr. Sorasak indicated that the RFD has lodged a formal complaint with the Karon police station, and the land seizure has been officially declared. The Phra Ming Mongkul Satthra 45 Foundation, which operates the hilltop temple, now faces a land encroachment charge. Karon police chief Pol Col Khundet na Nongkhai stated that an investigation is underway to determine…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), under the astute leadership of Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, is gearing up to become an indomitable opposition force following its dismissal from the Pheu Thai-led government. Political analysts are abuzz, declaring this a seismic shift in Thailand’s political landscape. The straw that broke the camel’s back came last week when Pheu Thai, buoyed by support from its MPs, decisively chose to exclude the PPRP from the latest cabinet formation. According to Pheu Thai’s secretary-general, Sorawong Thienthong, the absence of Gen Prawit from two critical prime ministerial votes was a point of contention. This no-show occurred once during Srettha Thavisin’s appointment as prime minister a year ago and recently for Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s succession following Mr. Srettha’s removal by the Constitutional Court. With the PPRP out of the picture, Pheu Thai extended an olive branch to its erstwhile adversary, the Democrat Party, inviting them into the coalition government.…
A gentle, glimmering stream winds through the serene landscapes of Kaeng Sua Ten National Park, a natural haven that might soon face drastic changes due to the proposed Kaeng Sua Ten Dam. (Photo: Thiti Wannamontha) In an ambitious move to alleviate severe flooding in the Yom River basin in northern Thailand, the government plans to breathe life back into a massive 200-billion-baht water management project. With this revitalization effort, the contentious Kaeng Sua Ten dam comes back into the spotlight. On a brisk Saturday, Phumtham Wechayachai, the caretaker deputy prime minister, revealed plans to present this water improvement agenda to the national cabinet, requesting a budget of 200 billion baht. This grand plan, first envisioned by Yingluck Shinawatra’s administration more than a decade ago, was abruptly halted by the 2014 coup. The Yom River, originating from the majestic Phi Pan Nam Range in Phayao’s Pong district, meanders its way through…
Tourists saunter along a picturesque road in front of a hotel nestled in the serene environs of Vinh Phuc, Vietnam. (Photo: Anucha Charoenpo) VINH PHUC, Vietnam – Thai entrepreneurs are being strongly encouraged to turn their gaze towards investing in Vinh Phuc, a province where more Thai tourists are also likely to find joy in visiting, says a well-regarded local journalist. Situated just an hour’s drive from the bustling capital of Hanoi and Noi Bai International Airport, Vinh Phuc is a burgeoning hub for automobile and electronic engineering. “Vinh Phuc serves as a pivotal juncture linking the Northwest provinces, Hanoi, and the Red River Delta,” noted Nguyen Dinh Bang, chairman of the Vinh Phuc Provincial Journalists Association. “This province, with a population exceeding 1.1 million, is instrumental in propelling the economic strategy of the region and, by extension, Vietnam.” Investment in Vinh Phuc spans 19 countries and territories, with South…
On a bustling Saturday morning, a lively scene unfolded on Phlap Phla Chai Road in Bangkok. With a palpable sense of anticipation, crowds gathered as the Poh Teck Tung Foundation distributed essential items like rice, cooking oil, and dried food. Meanwhile, the government is set to roll out its phase-wise 10,000-baht handout aimed at benefiting the most needy. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) The new-look coalition government, eager to commence its policy implementations, has announced plans to kick-start its initiatives, including the much-talked-about digital money handout, within a fortnight. According to Phumtham Wechayachai, the caretaker deputy prime minister, the timeline for the revised cabinet to receive royal endorsement remains undisclosed. However, he assured that all coalition parties’ nominations have undergone meticulous scrutiny by the relevant organizations and are now with the Secretariat of the Cabinet and the Council of State, the legal eagles of the government, for final touches. Mr. Phumtham shared…
The border checkpoint at Sadao in Songkhla was bustling with energy on Saturday as a wave of Malaysian tourists took advantage of their Merdeka Day long weekend to savor the sights and sounds of southern Thailand. As many as 13,000 eager travelers streamed through the border, while another 5,000 chose the serene route via Betong in Yala, all set to revel in the National Day break on Thai soil. It’s a celebration that’s expected to inject roughly 100 million baht into the local economy, according to astute local officials. To manage the delightful chaos, the Sadao checkpoint added two extra lanes, ensuring the travelers’ wait time was kept to a minimum. However, this wasn’t the only entry point witnessing a surge; tourists also poured into Thailand from Padang Besar and Prakob, painting a vivid picture of international camaraderie for the long weekend. Songchai Mungprasitthichai, the visionary chairman of the Songkhla…
In a significant step toward making healthcare more accessible for Thai nationals living abroad, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) has now extended its telemedicine services to this community. Since its launch in January, this initiative has ensured that Thais residing outside the country can access primary healthcare services from afar. Dr. Atthaporn Limpanyalert, deputy secretary-general of the NHSO, proudly shared these developments during a recent visit to the Thai embassy in Singapore. The NHSO’s mission to reach expatriates saw a warm welcome during their briefing for the 20,000-strong Thai community in Singapore. The community was abuzz with excitement as Dr. Atthaporn outlined how the telemedicine service could ease their access to healthcare, cut down medical costs, and save the time traditionally spent traveling to hospitals. This modern approach is a lifeline for many, especially those facing barriers to conventional healthcare. During this two-day visit on August 17-18, NHSO officials…
On a bustling Friday afternoon at Tha Ratchaworadit Pier in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, City Hall workers were meticulously preparing sandbags and deploying hydro-fence flood barriers. The scene was a flurry of determined activity, with everyone focused on safeguarding the city from the looming threat of floods. The Thai Meteorological Department has announced that a formidable storm is taking shape to the east of the Philippines. As it evolves, meteorologists predict heavy rainfall sweeping across multiple regions of Thailand from Sunday through Tuesday. This brewing weather event, currently identified as a robust low-pressure area, commands vigilant monitoring. Forecasters indicate it will affect the lower northern, the lower northeastern, and the central regions, including Bangkok and its neighboring provinces, as well as the eastern territories from September 1 to 3. Prior floodwaters and runoff, which began impacting the nation on August 16, have already left a mark on 23 provinces, notably…
A stretch of Highway 1195, nestled between kilometre markers 12+725 and 13+600 in the Sawankhalok district of Sukhothai province, faced Mother Nature’s wrath on Saturday and had to be closed to traffic. (Photo: Sukhothai Highways Office) Following days of relentless downpour, the floods showed no mercy, washing away a substantial portion of the road. As such, people planning to travel this route need to be aware that it’s now impassable. Sitthichok Leemingsawat, the director of the Office of Highways 4, confirmed the unfortunate news and urged caution for those traversing the area. For drivers in need of real-time updates on road conditions and traffic, assistance is just a phone call away. The local highways offices are at their disposal, or alternatively, the Department of Highways’ 1586 hotline is operational 24/7 to provide the latest information. On that eventful Saturday, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stepped up to the plate,…
A spitting cobra slithering up a trainer’s leg is exposed as a colleague carefully lowers the man’s pants during a snake awareness session at a school in Bueng Kan. (Screenshot from Nick Wildlife YouTube) In what could have easily turned into a nightmare, a wildlife volunteer had an exceptionally close brush with danger while teaching young students about reptiles at a school in Bueng Kan province. Nirut Chom-ngam, the head of the Asorapit Wittaya (serpentology) group, recounted the spine-tingling moment when a staff member inadvertently released a spitting cobra during the informative session. Like an escape artist, the cobra swiftly slithered its way up the trainer’s ankle and mischievously disappeared into his pants. Showing nerves of steel, the trainer managed to keep calm under an incredible amount of pressure. He gingerly removed his pants to avoid alarming the venomous intruder, transforming what should have been a standard educational exercise into…