The political landscape in Thailand is nothing short of a tantalizing drama, complete with unexpected twists and turns that could rival any soap opera. At the heart of this whirlwind is none other than the open sparring between the governing Pheu Thai Party and its chief coalition ally, Bhumjaithai. This simmering tension has sent observers into a tizzy, closely watching what seems to be an unravelling partnership fraught with disputes over policy, influence, and power. Picture this: after more than two years of working together, Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai find themselves in a relationship crisis that has all the hallmarks of a celebrity breakup. It’s not just this season’s hiccups; these two have navigated choppy waters before. Remember the cannabis legalization brouhaha initiated by Bhumjaithai that Pheu Thai tried to curb without much success during Srettha Thavisin’s reign? Or how about the fiery debates regarding changes to the referendum law…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Batten down the hatches and brace yourselves, as Thailand faces an impending downpour that may just redefine the term “wet season.” The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) has sounded the alarm, highlighting the risk of heavy rains and potential flash floods across 12 provinces. With landslides and forest runoffs lurking in the shadows, vigilance has become the order of the day, particularly in North Thailand, the central region, the northeast, and the South. Yesterday, a ripple of urgency coursed through the corridors of the Geohazard Operations Centre under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Tasked with keeping calamities at bay, the Centre rallied its network of volunteers, urging them to be on high alert. This weather vigilance isn’t some casual affair; it’s laser-focused on several provinces: Tak, Phetchabun, and Sukhothai in North Thailand; Lopburi in Central Thailand; Chaiyaphum, Loei, Nong Khai, and Udon Thani in the Northeast; and Chumphon, Phang…
As the sun dipped below the horizon on a drizzly Friday evening, Bang Na-Trat Road in Samut Prakan transformed into a sea of static taillights. A cacophony of honking horns filled the damp air as motorists found themselves trapped in a daunting traffic quagmire that seemed more like a parking lot than a passageway. The scene was almost cinematic—tens of kilometers long and photographed from above by a drone, it resembled a glittering serpent snaking through the urban landscape. In reality, however, it was a nerve-wracking gridlock caused by relentless rain, striking right in the heart of rush hour around 5pm. The chaos unfolded near the infamous kilometre marker 19, where Theparat Road once thrived, in the bustling district of Bang Phli. The drone’s eye in the sky, capturing both city-bound and outbound cringe-worthy tangles of vehicles, revealed the magnitude of the snarl. Even minor roads feeding into this highway…
In the charming city of Saraburi, nestled within Thailand’s central province, a most unusual scandal has erupted, leaving both locals and social media audiences bewildered. It all began with the highly inconvenient—and highly inappropriate—actions of an unidentified man outside a well-regarded diamond store. Owner Thanongsak, a respected 50-year-old entrepreneur, found himself in the middle of a bizarre saga that no jeweler should have to endure. On what seemed like an ordinary Monday, May 12, Thanongsak arrived at his gem-laden store, only to be greeted by two unsavory piles of human excrement. The shock quickly transformed into a need for action, as Thanongsak took to the digital streets, sharing his ordeal with the local Facebook group aptly named “Saraburi.” His intention was clear—catch the culprit and address an act he deemed a slap in the face of civic decency. Dodging the morning traffic, the surveillance footage revealed a curious sight. A…
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board recently gave the green light for an extension on the civil engineering contract tied to the construction of the Muak Lek-Lam Takhong tunnel, a vital segment of the Sino-Thai high-speed rail project. This 181-day extension pushes the deadline from June 7 to December 5. Interestingly, despite the extended timeline, the contractor won’t be seeing any extra compensation, as clarified by the SRT. This tunnel is a significant piece of the puzzle in the larger Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section of the Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed rail project—a massive collaboration between the Thai and Chinese governments. The project, as ambitious as it is, is not without its delays, currently running approximately five years behind its original schedule. Costing an impressive 4.28 billion baht, the tunnel project encompasses a 12.3-kilometer stretch. This includes 8 kilometers of tunnel, 3.3 kilometers of ground-level rail embankment, and a kilometer of elevated…
Picture this: a nostalgic slice of Japan now making its way through the heart of Thailand. It’s not a culinary fusion or a cultural exchange program, but a Japanese KiHa train, beloved for its service in Japan, now given a second life on Thai tracks. Visualize that gleaming marvel, standing majestic in dusky Makkasan depot, all set for a makeover that will soon see it whisking Thai commuters along bustling suburban routes. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT), with the zeal of a collector unveiling new treasures, is readying the KiHa 40 and 48 diesel trains for an imminent debut. According to SRT governor Veeris Ammarapala, these second-hand trains are a gift from Japan and are about to redefine suburban travel with their unique charm. Lovingly upgraded to fit Thailand’s narrow-gauge tracks, these classic beauties are more than mere vehicles; they are ambassadors of nostalgia and practicality, set to roll…
As the morning mist lifts off the lush landscapes of Phu Kradueng, a conversation that’s been stirring for over three decades now reaches another crescendo. The talk? A cable car project, one that promises to redefine the contours of accessibility and conservation at this iconic destination. In the thick of these discussions is Saran Timsuwan, a dedicated MP from Loei’s Constituency 3, who’s now addressing a curious mix of interest and skepticism amongst the public. The proposed cable car isn’t merely a ticket to boost tourism, Saran emphasizes with a steady voice. “We’re not trying to paint the mountain with neon lights,” he chortles, his metaphorical brushstrokes instead crafting an image of a project that’s equally about safeguarding nature and enhancing emergency responsiveness. In a world where nature and progress often find themselves in discord, he’s advocating for a symbiotic dance. A robust budget of 25.7 million baht sits at…
On the bustling island of Phuket, where azure waters meet bustling markets, an unusual story captured the attention of locals and tourists alike. As Thai taxi driver controversies go, this one involving a grey hatchback certainly turned a few heads. The Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต, which can be translated to “Phuket is so brutal,” set the scene by sharing a video that left viewers both bemused and intrigued. Imagine this: A hatchback, not quite the vehicle you’d expect for a taxi service, pulls up to cater to eager foreign tourists. But there’s a catch – it’s already cozy with the driver’s wife perched upfront. What follows is almost like watching a live puzzle as she vacates her seat and squeezes herself into the rear storage compartment, making room for not one, but three passengers. The tourists, slightly bewildered by this peculiar switcheroo, eventually hop in, setting off an online frenzy.…
In a heart-stopping, nail-biting event that could rival any action-packed thriller, Thai police stormed in to rescue two helpless baby orangutans from the clutches of black marketeers—just in the nick of time. Imagine a bustling petrol station on Prasert Manukit Road in Bangkok’s lively Lat Phrao district, and there, under the bright neon lights and the buzzing of daily life, played out a clandestine operation to thwart a cruel handover of these precious creatures. The date was May 15, 2025, a day marked by daring heroics and the triumph of law over the vile underbelly of wildlife trafficking. The saga began with an anonymous tip-off, the kind that makes your heart race a little faster, from international wildlife agencies. A monumental collaboration involving Thailand’s Environmental Crime Suppression Division (ECSD) and the fastidious Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), backed by astute insights from the US Fish and…
In an unexpected twist in Thailand’s financial landscape, the government has embarked on a daring new initiative to roll out a digital currency dubbed the Government Token, or G-Token, sparking a robust debate across the country’s economic corridors. This innovative strategy, meant to redefine fundraising alternatives, received a nod of approval from the Cabinet on a fine Tuesday, May 13. However, it’s not being hailed as a financial game-changer by everyone. Economic experts nationwide are voicing sharp criticisms, likening this move to treading on a financial tightrope sketched with legal grey areas and potential misinterpretations for the public. The intention behind the G-Token is to offer retail investors a more enticing option than the conventional bonds or bank savings, promising returns that eclipse the usual bank deposit interest rates. It’s a brave new world of finance indeed! Amidst the clamor, one voice rising above the rest is that of Thirachai…