THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) have successfully shut down a store involved in the sale of illegal mobile phone SIM cards in Nong Khai province. These illicit SIM cards were linked to fraudulent call centers and their operations. Led by CCIB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Worawat Watnakornbancha, the operation took place in Muang district, in accordance with the Technology Crime Prevention and Suppression Act. Authorities were able to pinpoint the store’s location by monitoring online comments left by purchasers of the illegal SIM cards. The store conducted its operations through a web-based front, falsely claiming to sell registered SIM cards that are ready for immediate use. This deceitful practice garnered numerous positive reviews, which eventually led the police to the store’s whereabouts. With the information obtained from these reviews, a sting operation was set up, targeting Kitipat Telecom, a physical store identified as part of the larger…

Amid rising Covid-19 cases, Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital has reported that it cannot accept any more patients, as all beds in the intensive care unit (ICU) and inpatient department (IPD) are currently occupied. On its Facebook page, the hospital announced, “As well, the emergency department also has Covid-19 patients who are awaiting referral. Thus, the hospital cannot accommodate more Covid-19 patients. We apologize for this inconvenience.” The situation has raised concerns about healthcare capacity in Bangkok, with governor Chadchart Sittipunt describing the bed situation as worrying but not yet critical. Situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the 345-bed private hospital neighbors the highly-regarded Siriraj Hospital, which also felt compelled to issue a clarification in light of the news. Contrary to some claims, the public hospital stated that its bed situation for Covid-19 patients was still controllable and normal. It added that it had not increased the number…

A high-profile arrest has taken place in Wiang Sa district, Surat Thani province, where a 36-year-old man, identified as Suriyong, was detained on suspicion of murder. The chilling incident unfolded as Suriyong allegedly took the life of a 47-year-old man, Sayan Lathawanit, whom he believed to be pursuing a romantic relationship with his recently widowed mother. Following the violent act, Suriyong attempted to conceal the victim’s body. Authorities were alerted to the crime by local residents who discovered a pickup truck cap discarded in Suriyong’s yard. Upon further investigation, the bloodstained, wrapped body of the victim was found beneath the cap with a severe head wound. Not long after, the suspect was apprehended at the scene. In the course of the investigation, it was revealed that Suriyong had grown increasingly unhappy with Sayan’s constant visits to his mother’s home, prompting him to lie in wait near an outdoor bathroom to…

Sak Surin, a cherished Thai elephant, was one of three elephants gifted to Sri Lanka as a symbol of friendship between the two nations in 2001. As this ageing and ailing elephant prepares for a journey back home to Thailand, a highly skilled team of veterinarians and experts are scheduled to visit Sri Lanka next month to ensure his well-being and readiness for the trip. The team, set to visit from June 6-9, will be focusing on the health and safety aspects of Sak Surin’s departure and ultimate reunion with Thailand. Jatuporn Burutphat, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, revealed that the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) will be tackling several matters, including the necessary paperwork to ensure full compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Moreover, they plan to construct a specialized…

The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) recently alerted Thai industries that the implementation of the European Union’s new green reform policy, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), may put certain industries at risk, particularly those involved with iron and aluminum. As a result, businesses in these sectors must rapidly adapt their production processes to avoid bearing the brunt of the carbon tax that could significantly impact their production costs. Warawan Chitaroon, the Director General of the Office of Industrial Economics, explained that the CBAM is the EU’s attempt to prevent carbon leakage, as well as to reduce competitive disadvantages faced by foreign producers that are subject to less strict greenhouse gas emission regulations. Specifically, the CBAM will directly affect industries known for high carbon leakage, such as steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, plastic, and hydrogen, with Thailand’s plastic, steel, and aluminum industries facing the greatest risks. In 2022, the total value…

The United States has reportedly advised the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to consider upgrading its aging fleet of F-16 fighter jets to next-generation F-16s or F-15s. This procurement would be faster than waiting to purchase the highly advanced supersonic stealth F-35A fighter jet, the US has suggested. However, the US has also expressed its intention to discuss any necessary preparations with Thai authorities for providing F-35A jets to the RTAF in the future. According to a spokesperson, US Ambassador Robert Godec met with the RTAF commander-in-chief to discuss Thailand’s request to acquire F-35A fighters. The RTAF had sent a letter of request for price and availability information regarding F-35A procurement to the Joint United States Military Advisory Group in Thailand (Jusmagthai). The spokesperson indicated that the RTAF needs to replace its current fleet of F-16s which are due to be decommissioned soon. “A replacement fleet is necessary to maintain…

Excitement is in the air as the Yellow Line is on the brink of becoming operational – a first of its kind monorail mass-transit system set to transform transportation in Thailand. Spanning from Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district to the Samrong area in Samut Prakan, this eagerly anticipated project is currently 99% complete. This includes the construction of tracks and stations as well as the installation of mechanical and electrical systems. Anucha, a government spokesperson, revealed that the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is currently conducting thorough tests on the Yellow Line’s systems to ensure unrivaled safety for commuters. Once this process is complete, the general public can expect to be informed about the trial runs and eagerly awaited launch of commercial services later this year. But that’s not all! The Pink Line – another groundbreaking monorail mass-transit system connecting Bangkok’s Minburi district to Nonthaburi’s Khae Rai area –…

Initiated in 2022 by the Diabetes Association of Thailand and Merck Thailand, the Diabetes-Free Thais initiative seeks to heighten public consciousness of pre-diabetic conditions, which, if identified and addressed promptly, can decelerate the progress of diabetes. BMA deputy governor Tavida Kamolvej disclosed that, of the 7,500 individuals tested during the previous year’s undertaking, a staggering 73% were found to be at a heightened risk of succumbing to diabetes. Thus, the association approached the BMA for assistance in increasing awareness among Bangkok’s residents about the health hazards posed by diabetes, Tavida mentioned at Wednesday’s initiative commencement. “Public health data demonstrates that the bulk of the over 5 million diabetes sufferers reside in large urban centers such as Bangkok,” she stated. “The urban lifestyle contributes significantly to the onset of diabetes because people are preoccupied and have limited opportunities to work out and maintain their well-being.” Elderly individuals face a greater likelihood…

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has expressed its intention to appoint Pita Limjaroenrat, the 42-year-old leader of the Move Forward party, as a tourism ambassador to attract more tourists to the country. Pita’s popularity among younger generations, particularly those from China, South Korea, and Japan, could prove beneficial in drawing more visitors to the Land of Smiles, according to TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn. As the leader of Move Forward—an eight-party coalition vying for the position of Thailand’s next prime minister—Pita appeals to younger demographics, making him an ideal candidate for promoting the nation’s tourism sector. Yuthasak described Pita as a “key opinion leader,” a marketing term referring to an influential figure with celebrity or expert appeal who can generate interest in a brand. Move Forward Deputy Leader Sirikanya Tansakul has revealed the party’s plans to collaborate with tourism agencies but hasn’t explicitly confirmed whether Pita is considering the role…

In the wake of Thailand’s May 14 general election, many Malaysian entrepreneurs have adopted a cautious, wait-and-see stance regarding potential shifts in government policy. This observation comes from Sitthiphong Sitthiphatprapha, President of the Hat Yai Songkhla Hotels Association. The Sadao border checkpoint, located in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla, has reportedly experienced a downturn in border trade as well as a drop in the number of Malaysian tourists according to Sitthiphong. This decline seems largely connected to uncertainty surrounding Thailand’s new government and its potential impact on bilateral border trade. In a recent statement made on Thursday, Sitthiphong mentioned that the Malaysian businesspeople he had spoken with are eager to see what changes Thailand’s new government will implement, particularly relating to policies surrounding border trade. They are specifically interested in more clarity regarding the proposed tourist tax. Furthermore, these Malaysian entrepreneurs are also awaiting clear-cut Thai policies on tourism and…