Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently stepped up to defend the ambitious 3.75-trillion-baht budget bill for Thailand’s 2025 fiscal year, designed to revitalize the country’s lethargic economy. As the House of Representatives launched into a trio of debate days, Mr. Srettha eloquently described how this hefty budget is poised to unlock Thailand’s full economic potential. Ever the optimist, Mr. Srettha projected a sprightly economic growth of 2.5% to 3.5% by 2025, with inflation kept in check between 0.7% and 1.7%. He touted the government’s “Ignite Thailand” vision, a strategic roadmap to morph Thailand into a regional powerhouse across eight pivotal sectors: aviation, tourism, wellness and medical, agriculture and food, logistics, future mobility, digital economy, and finance. This well-rounded vision is the compass guiding the allocation of the 2025 budget. However, Mr. Srettha was candid about potential hurdles, such as geopolitical tensions and trade protectionism, which could pose a threat to global…
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A nimble young boxer launches a powerful kick at a punching bag at Atchara Muay Thai Gym, a renowned boxing school in Bangkok. (Bangkok Post file photo) The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to pack a punch by introducing Muay Thai as an elective course in 437 of its schools. The initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve Thailand’s cultural heritage while teaching young people the values of discipline and resilience, according to city council president Surajit Pongsingwitthaya. The boxing classes will be offered as a segment of the health science and physical education curriculum, announced in a meeting with Thanakorn Chaisri, director of the BMA’s Department of Education. This exciting addition to the school system is expected to create quite a buzz among students. The BMA’s move aims to bolster Thailand’s presence in the international sporting community, reinforcing what is popularly known as the country’s “soft…
People stroll along the vibrant Walking Street in Pattaya, a bustling hub attracting both foreigners and local tourists, especially known for its electrifying nightlife. A government panel stands firm on its decision against extending alcohol sales hours, citing an uptick in casualties and road accidents. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin pointed out that the ministry’s alcoholic beverage control committee considered statistics on road accidents and the accompanying legal ramifications, given the widespread impact of the issue. While the committee does not support longer sales hours, this is not the final word on the matter. Five draft laws related to alcoholic beverages are still pending parliamentary review, said the minister. Mr. Somsak shared these insights following a meeting of the panel at the ministry on Tuesday. Presently, the sale of alcoholic beverages in stores is permitted between 11am and 2pm, and 5pm until midnight, totaling 10 hours per day. Bars, restaurants,…
In the bustling city of Bangkok, Senate candidates made their way to the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre on June 16 for a pivotal provincial-level election (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb). The scene was abuzz with anticipation and intrigue as major political parties, including the vocal opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), prepared for a heated contest. Outgoing Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai shared his predictions, fueling the excitement even further. Pornpetch confidently asserted that a substantial number of representatives and allies from significant political factions, especially the MFP, were poised to secure seats in the final round of the Senate election. He emphasized that the results, set to be announced on July 2 following the national-level vote scheduled for next Wednesday, could see an influx of diverse new senators. “We truly face an uncertain outcome,” Pornpetch remarked, the sparkle of political chess evident in his eyes. “However, it’s my educated…
In the bustling capital of Thailand, Bangkok, candidates vying for Senate seats showcased their civic duty at the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre. This serene yet significant event on June 16 was captured in a photo by Varuth Hirunyatheb, depicting the subtle excitement in the air as individuals cast their votes in the provincial-level election. As we approach the final round of the Senate election, anticipation bubbles among major political parties, including the robust Move Forward Party (MFP). Outgoing Senate Speaker, Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, confidently predicted on Wednesday that these formidable groups are likely to see an impressive success rate amongst their candidates. The election results, set to be announced on July 2, following the national-level vote next Wednesday, will reveal the future landscape of Thai politics. “As you know, we don’t really know who will win,” said Wichitcholchai with a twinkle of expectancy in his eyes. “But…
The mellow hum of anticipation surrounds the potential for increased investment from Japan in Thailand, a promising hint towards robust economic recovery. In recent discussions with Jetro Bangkok President Kuroda Jun, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit shared some hopeful news: Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro) is poised to bolster its financial stakes in Thailand, riding the anticipated wave of a tourism and business resurgence in the latter half of the year. This buzz followed an insightful meeting with key executives from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Thailand. The dialogue pivoted around a comprehensive Jetro report that scrutinized the business sentiment among Japanese corporations in Thailand for the first six months of the year. There were promises to ramp up collaboration, especially in the transportation sector. According to the report, the business sentiment had plateaued initially but is forecasted to ascend in the next half-year. This optimism is rooted in the…
Bangkok residents, under the universal health-care coverage scheme—affectionately known as the 30-baht scheme—are in for a treat! Imagine strolling into any of the contracted clinics or pharmacies to seek basic health services with just a flash of your national ID card. Now, that dream is a reality for Bangkok, making it the latest and greatest addition to the 46 provinces already part of this groundbreaking program. Treechada Srithada, the ever-enthusiastic spokeswoman for the Ministry of Public Health, shared with gusto that this initiative aims to ramp up convenience for the 76% of the population—or roughly 47 million people—currently under the healthcare scheme. And let’s talk details! Other provinces like Roi Et, Phetchaburi, Narathiwat, and Nakhon Ratchasima are already riding this wave of change. So what does this mean for the everyday person? Glad you asked! Folks in these provinces can now waltz into any healthcare unit that’s joined the scheme.…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin took center stage on Wednesday as he presented the highly anticipated 2025 Budget Bill to parliament. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, but not all of it was positive. Opposition leaders, notably Chaithawat Tulathon of the Move Forward Party, raised eyebrows and concerns about the government’s hefty borrowing plan. With a proposed budget of 3.75 trillion baht and an eye-popping 865 billion baht in loans, Chaithawat minced no words. “The government’s borrowing is inching dangerously close to the ceiling. We’re talking about just a 5 billion baht cushion if things go south,” he warned. Chaithawat pointed out that this planned borrowing marked a 7.8% increase from the previous year—a surge not seen in a decade. “The repayment burden will weigh heavily on future finances, squeezing the government’s flexibility for any urgent payments or large-scale investments,” he elaborated. A specific point of contention was the digital wallet handout—a…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin presented the much-anticipated 2025 Budget Bill to parliament on Wednesday, sparking a lively debate graced by both fervent support and cautioned dissent. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) The day was charged with fervor as lawmakers dissected the implications of the proposed budget. The opposition did not hold back, vocally warning the government about the perilous financial straits tied to excessive borrowing. Their concerns stemmed largely from the highly contentious 500 billion baht digital cash handout, a cornerstone of the fiscal 2025 plan. Leading the charge, Move Forward Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon criticized the 3.75-trillion-baht budget presented by the Prime Minister, highlighting that it encompasses 865-billion-baht in borrowing. According to Mr. Chaithawat, this figure perilously nudges the government close to its borrowing ceiling. The wiggle room left for additional borrowing stands at a precarious 5 billion baht, making any further fiscal maneuvering nearly impossible. Moreover, Mr. Chaithawat drew attention…
A flying drone carrying 5kg of water sprayed the bustling streets of downtown Bangkok on January 31, 2019, aiming to ease the dust pollution that had been choking the air. However, imagine how unsettling it could be if such an innocent device was repurposed for more nefarious activities. It’s a stark reality that authorities in Thailand are now grappling with. In a decisive and urgent move, security agencies have imposed a blanket ban on the flying of drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), across the three southernmost border provinces and parts of Songkhla province. This clampdown comes in the wake of disturbing reports suggesting that insurgents are being trained to use these flying gadgets for bombing military outposts. The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4 has officially declared a total ban on the use of “aircraft using external flight control,” better known to the public as drones.…