THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Wandering through the lively maze of the Phitsanulok market, one can’t help but notice the surprising buzz around the banana stalls. The once modestly priced namwa bananas now demand a princely sum, with further price hikes lurking on the horizon, according to seasoned wholesalers. Ms. Suchada Kongpunt, a 38-year-old banana wholesaler with a discerning eye for quality, shared her concerns over the surge. “A bunch of namwa, our beloved variety, is now flying off shelves at 50-60 baht. That’s nearly double what it was just a few months ago!” she exclaimed, balancing a radiant smile with a hint of worry. But what has driven this fruity favorite to such heights? The culprit, it appears, is April’s merciless summer. With searing heat waves and a stubbornly absent rain cloud reducing young banana trees to mere memories, the market is grappling with an acute shortage. As Ms. Suchada pointed out, “We’re really…

Hovering under the high ceiling of Thailand’s political arena, a dramatic shake-up was unfolding within the ranks of the Thai Sang Thai Party. On June 21, 2023, within the storied halls of parliament, Khunying Sudarat Keyurapan stood resolute, a commanding presence in the fiery tapestry of Thai politics. With a solemn but firm demeanor, Sudarat, leader of the opposition Thai Sang Thai Party (TST), was flanked by the party’s MPs as they reported to the hallowed halls of the legislature. Little did the public know, the tranquility was a veneer, barely concealing the turbulent waters roiling beneath the surface. Fast forward to a hot Wednesday in August, and the steely gaze of the party’s ethics committee pierced through the air. Its members, led by the formidable Pokin Polakul, had deliberated, debated, and ultimately decided. A grim determination hung over their decision to expel one of their own—Ms. Supaporn Salapsri, a…

On a typical sun-soaked Wednesday in the vibrant paradise of Koh Phangan, a twist of intrigue emerged amidst the idyllic surroundings of this popular tourist haven. Law enforcement officers, alongside immigration and local police, orchestrated a meticulous raid that uncovered a deep web of clandestine commerce within a seemingly unassuming grocery store. This grocery, inconspicuously managed by a 36-year-old Myanmar woman named Aye Ae Khaing Oo, quickly became the epicenter of a scandal that’s setting tongues wagging and sparking widespread interest. The raid, executed with the precision of a blockbuster heist, revealed a treasure trove of contraband goods. Shelves teemed with items that, at first glance, suggested a typical corner store: instant noodles, canned fish, and coffee. However, the eagle-eyed officials identified these as smuggled goods, including a stash of foreign cigarettes that some say, if you squint, gleamed with a hint of international intrigue. Each item, every packet, now…

In a rousing development on the vibrant island of Koh Phangan, a raid led to the arrest of a Myanmar woman operating an illicit grocery store. This bustling island in Surat Thani, known for its stunning beaches and full-moon parties, became the scene of a dramatic police operation on a seemingly ordinary Wednesday. Local officials, in tandem with immigration authorities and local police, swooped in on the unsuspecting shop, uncovering a hidden trove of contraband goods. The owner, Aye Ae Khaing Oo, a spirited 36-year-old, was taken into custody amidst the sea of prohibited items. Lurking among the store shelves were a variety of concealed products, including instant noodles, canned fish, coffee, and an assortment of foreign cigarettes. The authorities scrutinized each item, unraveling the threads of a contraband network stitched into the fabric of this quaint grocery. Aye Ae Khaing Oo faced charges for conducting business unlawfully as a…

Shinji Maeda, a 51-year-old Japanese garment exporter, stands defiant as he holds up his formal complaint submitted to the Crime Suppression Division. He’s accusing a shadowy Thai “fixer” of swindling him out of a whopping 300,000 baht, promising—but never delivering—a permanent visa. To add insult to injury, Shinji claims a cybercrime police officer extorted an additional 10,000 baht from him under the guise of helping him recover his money. (Photo supplied by Wassayos Ngamkham) Maeda’s story reads like an international thriller, full of promises, deception, and dead-ends. Accompanied by social media activist Thamanat Taengtim and his secretary Namtan Phetphatcharaprasit, Maeda filed his complaint on a sticky Wednesday, determined to see some justice. He’s no rookie to the land of smiles; his company has been successfully exporting clothes to Japan from the bustling Bo Bae and Pratunam wholesale markets. The fraudulent saga began back in 2019 when Maeda first dreamt of…

IRPC Public Company Limited recently marked a watershed moment with the grand inauguration of its cutting-edge Innovation Center in Rayong. The event gathered an illustrious assembly of industry leaders, executives, and strategic partners, all of whom bore witness to this pivotal step forward in the company’s technological advancement initiatives. Steering the event was Prof. Dr. Bundit Euaarporn, Chairman of IRPC, alongside Mr. Kris Imsang, President and Chief Executive Officer, and influential figures from the PTT Group. The occasion signified the dawning of a new chapter in innovation, one that zeroes in on sustainability and global competitiveness. The highlight of the launch event was an insightful lecture titled “From Frontier Technology to Sustainable Innovation” delivered by Prof. Dr. Jumrus Limtrakul, the President of VISTEC. His discourse delved deep into the intricate relationship between technological development and groundbreaking innovation, emphasizing their critical role in global R&D endeavors. According to Dr. Limtrakul, these…

Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn shared insights into what could potentially be Thailand’s first case of the Clade 1b strain of mpox at the Department of Disease Control in Nonthaburi province this Wednesday afternoon. The Department of Disease Control made an announcement that Thailand might have encountered its first case of a novel and more contagious strain of mpox. The patient, who had recently arrived from Africa, prompted health officials to closely monitor the health of 43 passengers who were seated nearby on the plane. DDC Director-General Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn revealed that the patient is a 66-year-old European man with a residence in Thailand. He works in Africa, where mpox is known to be endemic. The patient landed in Thailand on August 14 at 6 PM after a connecting flight from the Middle East. Just the next morning, the unfortunate Thursday, he experienced a fever and observed numerous small rashes on his skin.…

In the vibrant landscape of Southeast Asian entrepreneurship, Vi Wellness recently convened an exhilarating seminar designed to stir the pot of business collaboration. This event drew together energetic and forward-thinking entrepreneurs from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, each bringing their unique flair and innovative spirit to the table. The mastermind orchestrating this grand symphony of ASEAN-level cooperation? None other than the illustrious Dr. Wong Jeh Shyan, whose guidance promises to pave new avenues of synergy and growth. The seminar buzzed with the electric energy of possibility, as attendees eagerly exchanged ideas, strategies, and visions for the future. With Dr. Wong Jeh Shyan at the helm, the focus was on forging strong inter-country partnerships that could transcend borders and elevate the entire region’s business landscape. It’s not just about networking; it’s about creating a tapestry of interconnected ventures that support and elevate one another. As the seminar unfolded, it became…

Food enthusiasts in the capital have a thrilling new reason to celebrate. Starting August 17, 2024, the JW Marriott Bangkok is bringing forth an epic Japanese culinary adventure. Tsu Japanese Restaurant and Nami Teppanyaki Steakhouse are set to inaugurate their “Tsu & Nami Endless Lunch” promotion, turning your Saturdays into a gastronomic fairy tale every other weekend. This exquisite fortnightly feast is the masterpiece of Japanese Head Chef Atsushi Yoshida, promising a delightful array of premium dishes that represent the zenith of Japanese cuisine. From 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, diners are invited to plunge headfirst into an endless buffet that reads like a love letter to food lovers—featuring the finest sashimi, creative sushi rolls, and teppanyaki specialties prepared with artistic precision. The highlights of this epic buffet are sure to capture the heart of every seafood aficionado. Dive into sustainable seafood options like salmon, tuna, and hamachi, alongside a…

The News Broadcasting Council of Thailand and the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association made waves on Wednesday when they requested House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha to open an ethics investigation into Palang Pracharath Party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon’s eyebrow-raising conduct last Friday. NBCT president Supan Rakchuea expressed serious concern as a troubling video surfaced showing Gen Prawit in a moment of frustration, allegedly threatening, and then shockingly slapping a reporter. The footage paints a dramatic scene as Gen Prawit, currently serving as a caretaker deputy prime minister, is seen using his right hand to slap the reporter on the head. The reporter’s ‘offense’? A probing question about the House’s recent election of Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the new prime minister. “This is not an isolated incident for this politician… We need to discuss ethics and the imperative role of the mass media, which must be safeguarded,” emphasized…