THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Thailand’s economy has found itself in a quagmire, and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva believes that a simple injection of funds, such as the current government’s 500-billion-baht digital money handout scheme, won’t be the panacea it hopes to be. In a riveting interview with the Bangkok Post, Abhisit stresses the necessity of restructuring laws that obstruct the development of modern, green businesses—a strategy he deems essential for revitalizing the sluggish economy. Legal challenges are major roadblocks for Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s endeavors to lure top-tier international companies to Thailand. Abhisit isn’t shy about critiquing Srettha’s performance. Despite Srettha’s global business meetings, the tangible outcomes have fallen short of expectations. International investors are antsy about Thailand’s absence of essential laws, regulations, and technologies needed for modern business ventures. According to Abhisit, the government has yet to articulate a clear business direction, and the administration’s focus on low-growth sectors isn’t helping. Coupled…

Surat Thani: In a curious turn of events on the sun-soaked island of Koh Phangan, a French national found himself in hot water, legally speaking. The individual, identified as Evariste Douabou Koudoukouho, 39, who purportedly took on the mantle of a religious leader, was apprehended this past Sunday. His crime? Staying in Thailand way past the expiration date of his visa. The saga unfolded with police receiving reports about a foreigner loitering around a mosque in tambon Ban Tai. The man wasn’t just loitering; he was allegedly inviting locals to partake in religious activities, perhaps preaching devotion with a rather expired 30-day tourist visa in his back pocket. The tourism police, tasked with investigating the situation, soon found themselves face-to-face with Koudoukouho, a man who perfectly matched the description provided in the complaint. When officers requested to see his passport, things quickly took a turn for the comical yet grave.…

TRANG: The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) has launched a thorough investigation into a tragic incident involving a 14-year-old boy who succumbed to an electric shock from a water dispenser at a school in Kantang district. The fateful event unfolded around noon on Friday, coinciding with the school’s sports day. The young victim has been identified as Grade 8 student, Wayu. The local media outlet Trang Today reported that the incident occurred amidst heavy rainfall when a teacher instructed Wayu to power down the water dispenser. However, school authorities later contradicted this, claiming the dispenser had been out of use. A witness recounts that Wayu and a friend were walking near the water dispenser when Wayu suddenly collapsed. The friend, in a brave attempt to assist, also received a shock but managed to recover and alerted the teachers for help. Tragically, attempts to save him were futile, despite efforts…

The legal whirlwind surrounding Chanin Yensudchai, a pivotal figure in the startling Stark Corporation embezzlement scandal, took an intriguing turn on Sunday. His lawyer, Ruangsak Suksiangsri, firmly dismissed swirling rumors that Chanin had funneled over 8 billion baht abroad. This revelation follows Chanin’s unexpected return to Thailand from the United Arab Emirates after an eight-month absence. Mr. Ruangsak clarified that his client was not apprehended upon his arrival. Instead, it was Chanin, the erstwhile CEO of Stark, who proactively reached out to Thai authorities to facilitate his return and confront the allegations head-on. The lawyer highlighted that the sudden return had left them unprepared for a bail application, raising concerns about potential denial, given the history of similar cases involving other suspects. Adding a layer of intrigue, Mr. Ruangsak cited Mr. Chanin’s family, who claimed he fled out of fear for his life. Yet, the details of these supposed threats…

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, with a keen eye and a determined stride, leaned in to absorb every detail during a briefing on the development of U-Tapao airport. This airport is a critical node in the ambitious high-speed railway project set to unify three premier airports. The briefing took place in the picturesque Rayong province, a sunny Sunday backdrop adding a touch of charm. (Photo: Government House) Fasten your seatbelts, folks! RAYONG is the name on everyone’s lips. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is gearing up to champion a high-speed railway project that promises to link the region’s essential airports. His mission? To transform the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) from a promising blueprint into a pulsating engine of economic activity. Expect some good news about the railway project next month, as he hopes to breathe life into this long-overdue venture. During his visit to the aviation hub of U-Tapao airport in Ban…

One of the more heartwarming and intriguing stories recently shared on the Reddit social network revolves around a user’s endeavor to reunite his father with a long-lost love. This tale takes us back to the tumultuous era of the Vietnam War, and more specifically, to the serene yet remote northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom in Thailand. Last week, a Reddit user detailed how his father, an American, spent time near Nakhon Phanom between 1968 and 1971. He shared that during this period, his father had a romantic relationship with a Thai woman endearingly referred to as “Oi.” The user’s heartfelt post hinted at a tale of love interrupted by circumstances beyond their control, and it painted a vivid picture of a young American soldier deeply smitten by his Thai companion. The user nostalgically described growing up in a home where his father’s poignant memories of Oi were ever-present. “My dad…

A wrecked pickup truck was dramatically pulled away from a pole it had collided with in the quiet district of Tha Muang, Kanchanaburi early Sunday morning, painting a poignant picture of a life abruptly halted. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen) KANCHANABURI: In a tragic turn of events, a local restauranteur and his girlfriend met a devastating end when their pickup truck crashed violently into a roadside power pole. The collision was so intense that the vehicle’s engine was forcibly ejected, landing meters away, while the truck itself became gruesomely enmeshed around the pole. The accident took place on Highway 324 (Kanchanaburi-Uthong), specifically in Ban Huai Talung village of tambon Nong Khao in the Tha Muang district, just past midnight at 12:23 am on Sunday. Upon arriving at the site, police were met with the sight of a severely mangled silver Isuzu D-Max, partially entwined with a high-power pole. Adding to the devastation,…

In the quiet early hours of Sunday morning, a heart-wrenching accident unfolded in Tha Muang district, Kanchanaburi. As the first rays of dawn kissed the earth, a tow truck worked diligently to pull away the remnants of a wrecked pickup truck that had violently met its end against a sturdy roadside power pole. On the notorious Highway 324, connecting Kanchanaburi and Uthong, amidst the sleepy ambiance of Ban Huai Talung village in tambon Nong Khao, tragedy struck at 12:23 am. The casualties were not just statistics but real people: Sitthipong Boonkerd, a 28-year-old restauranteur known for his cozy eatery, Krua Ban Ban, alongside his 26-year-old girlfriend, Arisa Nakpinpat. Both hailed from Tha Muang district, their lives tragically cut short. The scene police encountered was nothing short of catastrophic. The silver Isuzu D-Max, the once proud chariot of its owners, lay ravaged, almost unrecognizable, entwined around the power pole that had…

Tension fills the air as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin gears up for his inaugural national televised programme. The pre-recorded show, Talking to Srettha, made its much-anticipated debut on Saturday, with viewers eagerly tuning in. (Photo: @Thavisin X account) The big question on everyone’s mind: Will Srettha remain in the prime ministerial post, or will tumultuous changes sweep through the top tiers of government? The anxiety stems from an impending court ruling on Srettha’s ethical conduct, specifically concerning his controversial appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a lawyer with strong ties to Thaksin Shinawatra, to his cabinet. A survey conducted by the National Institution of Development and Administration (NIDA) released on Sunday reveals a nation divided. Out of 1,310 respondents from across all regions, 28% assert that they see no impending change in leadership, while another 28% hold a tentative belief in the continuation of Srettha’s tenure. The NIDA poll, which took place…

People eagerly lined up to receive their flu vaccinations at the bustling Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, a scene captured in an image from the Bangkok Post. Since the dawn of this year, influenza has claimed 14 lives and infected over 180,000 individuals across the nation, as reported by the Department of Disease Control (DDC). On a recent Saturday, Director-General Dr. Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn stepped forward to dispel widespread fears about severe flu strains. He reassured the public, emphasizing that influenza is a respiratory viral infection typically presenting with mild symptoms, which can be managed with appropriate treatment. However, he did caution that in some cases, patients could develop additional illnesses, increasing the risk of fatal outcomes. Dr. Thongchai shared that a specialized team from the Disease Control Office 5 in Ratchaburi has been collaborating with local public health offices to conduct an in-depth analysis of the flu patients. This…