As the sun sets over the bustling streets of Thailand, a remarkable story unfolds within the ranks of the Royal Thai Army (RTA). The year is 2025, and the military’s recruitment cycle has concluded with a voluntary enlistment rate that can only be described as unprecedented. Picture this: over half the army’s recruits marched into service by their own choice, a fact that has Major General Winthai Suvaree beaming with pride. From April 1st to 12th, a sea of 429,175 hopefuls washed over the selection venues, vying for a place amongst the disciplined defenders of their nation across the army, navy, and air force. Like fish to water, these men arrived, ready to dive into the challenge of military service. The army alone had a recruitment goal of 68,166, a number as intimidating as the task itself. But here’s where it gets interesting: 19,981 men took the plunge as volunteers,…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
As the date stands at April 18, 2025, an urgent chorus of voices echoes throughout Thailand’s northern provinces of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. From passionate civil society groups to dedicated academics, a collective plea ascends to the desk of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. At the heart of this fervent cry is the urgent need for sweeping governmental action to tackle the creeping catastrophe of pollution poisoning the Kok and Sai rivers—waterways entwined with the very lifelines of over 1.2 million residents. Flowing with ancient grace from Myanmar’s Shan State into Thailand, these rivers have become unwelcome conduits of sediment and heavy metal contaminants. With 2023’s alarming declaration from the Pollution Control Department identifying fourteen high-risk mining zones in Myanmar, five of which menace the waterways crossing into Thailand, the situation teeters on the edge of disaster. The evidence is as stark as it is chilling: satellite images reveal gaping…
Imagine waking up one morning, going about your daily routine, only to find yourself swept up in a whirlwind of accusations, false charges, and unjust imprisonment. This isn’t the script of a drama series but the harsh reality experienced by the 23-year-old Phuris Saitong from Nakhon Si Thammarat. Recently freed, he’s emerged from the shadows of a crime he did not commit, driven by a fervent quest for justice and accountability. Phuris’s emotional release from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Correctional Institution for Young Offenders brightened a rather bleak Wednesday. Overcome with raw emotion, he rushed into his mother’s arms and then dropped to his knees before his uncle, gratitude and relief flooding the moment. This poignant reunion, however, sparks the beginning of a new battle. He is set on seeking justice against the officers who, he argues, cast him into this maelstrom of falsehood. The gears of his ordeal began…
Stepping into the lush, verdant surrounds of Ban Bang Tao Cherng Talay in Phuket’s Thalang district, one is immediately captivated by the simple yet mesmerizing act of rubber tapping. Here, amidst the whispering foliage, visitors are given a glimpse into the lives of local farmers championing community-based tourism. Even as the skilled hands of a farmer delicately coax the precious sap from the rubber tree, whispers of an impending crisis cast a shadow over this tranquil scene. Throughout Thailand, rubber farmers are raising a collective cry for assistance as the once-vibrant market they’ve cultivated is hit by a sudden and jarring drop in rubber prices. Not long ago, prices hovered around a comfortable 70 baht per kilogram. Fast forward a few weeks, and the market has taken a nosedive, with prices dwindling to a mere 48-50 baht per kilogram. The price collapse is akin to a harsh monsoon, leaving its…
It was an afternoon hustle and bustle at the Ministry of Interior, where the atmosphere was warm with a sprinkle of anticipation. Deputy Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, stood with a smile and extended his hand in greeting to Kinzang Dorji, the Ambassador of Bhutan to Thailand. The pleasantries exchanged were more than diplomatic gestures as plans were laid out for an impending royal visit by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand to Bhutan, scheduled for April 25 to 28. Meanwhile, the spacious chambers of Thai politics are treading through turbulence as the ruling Pheu Thai Party navigates choppy waters with its coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party. Observers of the political scene, like Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, who helms the opposition People’s Party, predict a continued union, albeit strained, between the coalition’s two heavyweight parties. Numbers in Parliament dictate their dance of dependence as they aim…
In a scene reminiscent of a showdown in a dramatic Western film, scores of cattle farmers, donning sun-beaten hats and boots caked with mud, gathered at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on Thursday. With a fervor akin to a stampede, they voiced their staunch disapproval of a government proposal that might open the gates for a tide of US beef imports. The deal, an apparent strategy to balance trade deficits, isn’t sitting well with the local farmers who fear more for their livelihood than a calf during branding season. The Beef Cattle Association of Thailand, with over 60 allied groups in tow, charged ahead with a united front. Their banners, flapping like the wings of protesting eagles, screamed resistance to the idea of trading Thai integrity for imported cow flesh. Heading up this charge was Sitthiporn Boorananath, the articulate vice president of the association, who delivered a letter to…
Amidst the verdant landscapes and churning waters of Southeast Asia, a curious and intense chapter unfolded on the borders of Myanmar a few days ago. The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), a group known for its historical ebbs and flows, took center stage in a modern tableau that rivaled the best of heist movies. Except there were no suave criminals here—just a medley of foreign nationals caught in the web of technology and deceit, with the DKBA as unexpected brokers of justice. This past Friday, the streets of Myawaddy, a bustling border town, echoed with the rumble of engines and the murmurs of anticipation. A convoy of four formidable six-wheelers, reminiscent of a small army on the move, ferried 277 souls caught in the spider’s web of call center scams. Their destination? A sunlit sports stadium freshly rebranded as the nexus of accountability. Picture this: beneath the golden rays of…
In the heart of Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province, a tragic scene unfolded as officials and rescuers gathered around the remnants of a black sedan. The vehicle had met its untimely demise against a roadside power pole on Highway No. 401, claiming the life of its female driver. This incident marked yet another somber addition to the toll of the so-called “seven dangerous days” of Songkran, a time notorious for risky travel conditions. Concluding on a somber Thursday, these perilous road days came to an end, but not without leaving a grim statistic in their wake: a daunting total of 253 fatalities. The Road Safety Operation Centre released these figures on Friday, revealing that the final day alone witnessed 147 traffic mishaps, resulting in 145 individuals nursing injuries and tragically, 22 losing their lives. Spanning the period from April 11 to April 17, a staggering 1,538 accidents and 1,495 injuries were…
As you meander through the bustling site of World Expo 2025 in the vibrant city of Osaka, Japan, the Thailand Pavilion beckons with its promise of a cultural cornucopia. Yet, behind its striking façade lies an underlying hum of controversy that has captured the whispers of both local and global visitors. It’s an extravagant spectacle, but has it hit the right notes on the global stage? Set against the poignant theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the towering edifice of Thailand’s investment—an opulent 900 million baht—hides a curious paradox. While the world congregates in Osaka to envision future horizons, some visitors have found themselves wandering through lanes of nostalgia rather than insightful foresight within the Thai exhibit. The pulse of public opinion, both critical and candid, is now echoed across social media platforms. The catalyst? A candid commentary from Unchalin Punnipa, a prominent figure in the Thai corporate…
In the serene town of Phetchaburi, the tranquility of early morning hours was dramatically interrupted by an event straight out of an action movie. The silence was shattered when an ambulance, dashing through an intersection with its sirens wailing, was unceremoniously upended by a wayward sedan. The aftermath of this remarkable collision left two people injured and a tale worth retelling. It was just 20 minutes past the midnight mark when the police, accompanied by a zealous crew from the Sawang Sanphet Thammasathan Foundation, rushed to a scene that could easily double for an adrenaline-pumping cinema spectacle. What they discovered was nothing short of jarring—a white sedan looking forlorn with its front crumpled like used paper and an ambulance from Kaeng Krachan Hospital tipped precariously to one side, resembling a child’s toy caught in a fleeting breeze. The heroes of this unexpected turn were the vigilant driver and nurse from…