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THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Paetongtarn Shinawatra Becomes Thailand’s Prime Minister Amid Thaksin Influence Controversy – August 2024 Update

Thaksin Shinawatra, tirelessly supporting his family, held the hand of his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra just moments before she received the royal endorsement to become Thailand’s new prime minister. This touching moment took place at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in the bustling city of Bangkok on August 18. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) In the midst of what should be a celebratory moment, the head of Pheu Thai Party MPs, Wisuth Chainarun, found himself addressing a curious controversy. A critic’s request for the dissolution of the Pheu Thai Party, alleging undue influence by the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been making waves. Wisuth Chainarun, with unwavering confidence, made it clear that these allegations are both misinformed and erroneous. In his statement on Monday, Mr. Wisuth revealed he was aware that someone approached the Election Commission to request Pheu Thai’s dissolution via the Constitutional Court. The complaint suggests that Thaksin, while not…

Phumtham Wechayachai and Paetongtarn Shinawatra Poised to Reveal New Thai Cabinet: August 2024 Update

In a scene brimming with political gravitas, Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai escorted Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to the City Pillar Shrine in Bangkok on August 22. The event was not merely ceremonial; it marked a pivotal moment ahead of the anticipated unveiling of a new cabinet line-up. Phumtham, radiating a sense of urgency, declared that the new cabinet would be meticulously drawn up by week’s end. “The government,” he emphasized, “will hit the ground running right after its policy statement is presented to parliament next month.” This sense of urgency follows Phumtham’s sudden elevation to acting prime minister after Srettha Thavisin’s removal by the Constitutional Court. The Pheu Thai Party, determined to stabilize and invigorate the government, is striving to have the new cabinet configuration promptly readied. All eyes will be on the royal endorsement from His Majesty the King following its completion. This royal seal of approval…

Rescue Mission Unfolds in Nakhon Ratchasima Tunnel Collapse: A Daring Race Against Time

Amid the tranquil surroundings of Pak Chong district in Nakhon Ratchasima, a high-stakes rescue mission unfurled on an otherwise mundane Monday. With a backhoe’s relentless effort echoing through the dawn, the task to clear soil and rocks from the caved-in high-speed railway tunnel continued tirelessly. The objective? To save three stranded men whose fate had been hanging by a thread since the catastrophic collapse. The disaster struck on Saturday night, four kilometers into the planned eight-kilometer tunnel, located in tambon Chan Thuek. As the earth swallowed the passageway, a Chinese construction supervisor, a Chinese backhoe operator, and a Myanmar truck driver found themselves entombed within. Monday at 4am came a glimmer of hope: a scanner picked up faint traces of body heat and heartbeats, resounding like a heartbeat of optimism in the heavy air. This tunnel is a crucial segment of the ambitious Sino-Thai high-speed railway set to link Bangkok…

Ambassador Catherine Wong Highlights Singapore-Thailand Educational Synergy at Inaugural Bangkok Fair

Singapore is eagerly exploring fresh avenues to deepen its educational collaboration with Thailand, according to its ambassador. Speaking at the inaugural Singapore Education Fair in Bangkok, Singapore’s ambassador to Thailand, Catherine Wong, highlighted the multiple layers of cooperation between the two nations. She pointed to initiatives like the twin schools programme, the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Partnership (Step) Camp, and various dynamic cultural exchange programmes as stellar examples. Ambassador Wong noted that nearly 70 schools in Singapore are partnered with Thai educational institutions. Additionally, numerous Singaporean institutes of higher learning (IHLs) regularly engage in staff and student exchanges with Thai schools. These initiatives include not only internships but also robust joint research projects. “Every year, around 200 interns from Singapore embark on a six-month training stint in Thailand. The country offers a secure and nurturing environment for our students to gain hands-on experience and professional skills,” Ambassador Wong elaborated. Her passion for…

Why Thais Face Challenges in Forex Trading: A Comprehensive Guide – August 2024 Update

The dramatic financial events in Thailand’s history have left an indelible mark on the nation’s outlook and governance of forex trading. The term “forex” has come to evoke caution and skepticism among the Thai people. Adding to the complexities, the Bank of Thailand refrains from issuing licenses for foreign currency trading, which significantly curtails access for Thai citizens. This article delves into these restrictions and provides a comprehensive understanding of the forex market. What is Forex? Forex, or foreign exchange, involves the trading of currencies. This isn’t just confined to travelers exchanging money or businesses trading internationally; it expands into speculative trading where individuals aim to profit from currency value fluctuations. Given that currency values hinge on market dynamics of demand and supply, forex trading has burgeoned into a vital and expansive global market. The forex market is exceptionally dynamic, highly liquid, and swift to react to economic shifts. A…

Pol Maj Gen Phumphat Pattarasriwongchai Leads Crackdown on 70 Million Baht Investment Scam

The Cyber Crime Investigation Division 5 (CCID5) announced yesterday the arrest of four individuals involved in orchestrating a complex investment scam that swindled unsuspecting investors out of over 70 million baht. Pol Maj Gen Phumphat Pattarasriwongchai, the commander of CCID5, revealed the breakthrough came after a complaint exposed a scam promising high returns on foreign stock investments. The tip-off came from a victim who claimed to have been conned into investing 3.7 million baht. Since the initial complaint, the plot thickened when at least 26 more individuals reported being duped. The scam was cunningly orchestrated via Line chat, where the victims were lured by the prospect of lucrative investment opportunities. The mastermind orchestrated the scam by having victims transfer their money into various bank accounts under a slew of company names. Investigators became wary when they noticed these companies were not conducting any commercial activities that aligned with their supposed…

Ambassador Catherine Wong Champions Singapore-Thailand Educational Synergy at Samyan Mitrtown Fair

Catherine Wong, Singapore’s ambassador to Thailand, stood elegantly at the Singapore Education Fair held at the vibrant Samyan Mitrtown Hall on Sunday. Her presence alone set the tone for an event that promised to be more than just another education fair—it was a testament to the deep and growing educational ties between Singapore and Thailand. Speaking with a palpable enthusiasm, Ambassador Wong highlighted Singapore’s eager pursuit of new avenues to enhance its cooperation with Thailand in the education sector. This initiative is anything but superficial; it is rooted in a variety of collaborative efforts that have been nurtured over the years. Among these are the twin schools programme, the dynamic Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Partnership (Step) Camp, and a slew of energizing cultural exchange programmes. “About 70 schools in Singapore are currently in fruitful partnerships with their Thai counterparts,” Wong mused, her eyes sparkling with pride. It’s not just primary and secondary…

Chachoengsao Plane Crash: Investigation Underway After Tragic Loss of Nine Lives in Thailand

Rescue workers meticulously combed through the charred remnants of a small aircraft the day after its fateful crash, where all five tourists from China and four Thais, including the two pilots, were tragically presumed dead. The disaster occurred in the serene Bang Pakong area of Chachoengsao province, Thailand, on August 23, 2024. (Reuters photo) The Transport Ministry has swiftly moved into action, tasking the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) with an investigation into the cause of this calamity. Acting under the directive of Caretaker Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the CAAT is set to probe the unfortunate demise of flight TFT209, which claimed nine souls, including the pilot and co-pilot, on August 22. Disturbingly, the aircraft lacked a black box, depriving investigators of crucial evidence. TFT209, a flight managed by the Thai Flying Service Company, took to the skies from Suvarnabhumi Airport, bound for Koh Mai Si in Trat province. Sadly,…

Phumtham Wechayachai and Paetongtarn Shinawatra Navigate Coalition Concerns – August 2024 Update

On an eventful August 22, Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai accompanied Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the City Pillar Shrine in Bangkok. This momentous occasion, captured by Chanat Katanyu, set the stage for an intriguing political landscape. As the week draws to a close, all eyes are on the lineup of the new cabinet, which is expected to be finalized by the end of the week. Phumtham Wechayachai, who stepped in as acting prime minister following Srettha Thavisin’s dismissal by the Constitutional Court, has ensured that the government will hit the ground running. Once the policy statement is presented before parliament next month, the Pheu Thai Party aims to tackle the country’s pressing problems head-on. “We are doing everything in our power to have the new cabinet line-up ready by the end of the week,” Phumtham stated with confidence. Upon finalization, the list of new ministers will be submitted…

Mekong River Overflow Highlights Need for Yingluck Shinawatra’s 6 Trillion Baht Water Management Project

A recent tributary overflow from the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province has reignited discussions around a massive water management project originally initiated by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The ambitious project, now estimated to cost around six trillion baht, aims to address Thailand’s ongoing struggles with both flooding and drought, according to Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Mr. Phumtham stressed the importance of this project by saying, “The matter was first raised by the Yingluck government in 2011, and back then we allocated a budget of 2-3 trillion baht. Given the escalation in costs, the entire project is now expected to require 5-6 trillion baht.” Despite the eye-popping sum, he assured that it would be a worthwhile investment for Thailand’s future. These comments came during his visit to Nan province, where he was overseeing flood relief efforts and distributing essential supplies to flood victims. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra…