In an effort to bolster the integrity of the tourism industry, a new nationwide joint task force has been launched to eliminate the scourge of illegal tour operators and unlicensed tour guides. This initiative, revealed by Deputy Government Spokeswoman Sasikarn Watthanachan, comes amid growing concerns regarding the impact of rogue elements on the country’s tourism economy. The formidable task force, a coalition comprising five key agencies— the Tourism Ministry, the Business Development Department, the Department of Special Investigation, the Tourism Police Bureau, and the Immigration Bureau—is armed with the mandate to ensure that tour operations comply with the laws governing Thailand’s cherished tourist trade. Laser-focused on key tourist magnets across the nation, the authorities have their sights set on rooting out unlawful practices. From the pristine beaches of Phuket to the historic grandeur of Chiang Mai, the task force’s presence spells significant change. By October of last year, extending through…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In an unfolding political drama, the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand, helmed by its stalwart chairman, Ittiporn Boonpracong, has taken center stage with its recent maneuvers. A cloud of suspicion envelops six senators, out of a pool of 53, as they find themselves entangled in allegations of vote-rigging during the last Senate election. As heavy as these accusations might sound, Mr. Ittiporn insists that the EC wields robust evidence to proceed with its charges. Saturday witnessed Mr. Ittiporn bolstering the EC’s stance, asserting that the issuance of summonses isn’t just a bureaucratic tick box, but rather a beacon of opportunity. An avenue, if you will, for the accused senators to lay bare their evidence and present a resolute defense of their actions. The wheels of justice, however, are well oiled but predictably slow. Once the senators present their case, this intricate investigation will transition into a new phase, taking a…
The veil of mystery and heartache that shrouded the disappearance of 17-year-old “Nong Namtan” has, with profound sorrow, been lifted. This past Saturday, the family of Namtan, whose real name is Napassorn, shattered by grief, confirmed the young girl’s tragic passing. Hailing from Udon Thani, Namtan’s last known steps were traced from her apartment in the bustling Rangsit area of Pathum Thani on May 1, leaving her family anxious when all contact ceased at the stroke of midnight. Her distraught father wasted no time in filing a missing person report with the local police the following day. As detectives pieced together the puzzling case, it emerged that Namtan had called a taxi via a mobile app, traversed the urban sprawl to Rama III Road, and then embarked on another cab journey to Pattaya’s iconic Walking Street. Her fleeting escapade to Pattaya only added to the intrigue, as she returned to…
April 28 saw the tranquil streets of Than To district in Yala disrupted by a road bomb explosion, leaving a gaping crater as a stark reminder of the ongoing turmoil. The southernmost provinces of Thailand have been gripped by a resurgence of violence, underscored by over 20 reported attacks in just three months, amidst stalled peace dialogues with insurgent factions. While the reasons behind this uptick in hostility from February to April remain elusive, there are whispers that the government’s unsympathetic stance towards negotiations may be fueling the flames. The recent escalation has been marked by no less than 10 bombings and six shootings, tragically impacting civilians, including children and the elderly. This has prompted renewed calls for the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration to reinitiate dialogues aimed at restoring calm to the volatile region. In a quest for insight, the Bangkok Post engaged with experts, peace advocates, and politicians from both…
There’s a certain warmth in familiarity, isn’t there? The Interior Ministry in Thailand seems to be wrestling with this charming conundrum, as reflected in the recent buzz about how civil servants should address the public. According to Traisulee Taisaranakul, a spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry, there’s still leeway for these public servants to adopt terms of address that align with local community standards. This hubbub began when some civil servants, engaged under the aegis of the Ministry, received nudges to low-key revolutionize their everyday language. The focus of this gentle reformation was on abandoning the endearing “uncle” and “auntie” terms, traditionally imprinted with cultural affection, when addressing individuals seeking government services. Instead, a more formal approach was suggested by the Department of Provincial Administration following a strongly worded letter to the Prime Minister’s office. This correspondence from a concerned citizen raised eyebrows over the use of informal titles like “Pa”…
Picture this: Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan and Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Angela Macdonald, sporting gleeful expressions as they gathered for a memorable group snap in the bustling city of Bangkok. The backdrop of this gathering? A mission to solidify sustainable and stable regional trade between Thailand and Australia. The primary goal on their diplomatic agenda was to magnify the value of automotive exports while ensuring Thailand retained its cherished crown as the top supplier of pickup trucks to the Land Down Under. Minister Pichai shared these insights with a twinkle of determination in his eyes after his meeting with the esteemed Australian Ambassador at her elegant residence this week. Among the buzzing topics of their discussion was Australia’s rather snazzy New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). This avant-garde framework is all about ushering in a new era of clean and green transportation, championing the movement towards vehicles that sip fuel sparingly…
Picture this: a dazzling ferry gliding down the Chao Phraya River, its decks teeming with students and other passengers, their faces adorned with masks, peering out at the scenic views of Bangkok. It’s January 15, and while life bustles on, the presence of Covid-19 is still felt throughout Thailand. In a recent announcement, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin took to public platforms to quell the bubbling fears surrounding a Covid-19 resurgence in the nation. His message was clear and firm: do not panic! The disease, while still prevalent, has been officially classified as endemic, akin to the common cold in terms of severity. It’s here to stay, but it’s not the fearsome adversary it once was. Now let’s delve into the numbers that have everyone talking. Since the start of the year up until today, May 10, Thailand has recorded a total of 53,676 Covid-19 cases with 16 associated deaths.…
In the heart of Pathum Thani province, a peculiar and unsettling discovery has captivated both locals and the online community. Imagine this: while meandering along a dusty roadside near an irrigation canal, you suddenly stumble across a sight as bizarre as it is alarming — two formidable heaps of cow heads, each pile exuding a stench potent enough to make your nose scrunch involuntarily. Flies buzz around like tiny helicopters, adding insult to olfactory injury and driving home the gravity of this grim situation. This real-life horror show unfolded in the Khlong Luang district, leaving its residents and authorities in a dizzying swirl of shock and speculation. An intriguing video made its way online one fateful Saturday, offering a close-up of the scene complete with the unsettling question: “So many animal parts, who brought them here?” The rhetorical nature of the inquiry only adds a layer of mystery, a riddle…
On a usual relaxed afternoon at the Khon Kaen railway station building, the atmosphere was abuzz with election fever. A group of poll staff busied themselves with meticulous checks on ballot papers, boxes, and other paraphernalia, promising a seamless election day for the municipal mayors and council members occurring nationwide this Sunday. With a predicated voter turnout of 70%, up from 60% in 2021, excitement was afoot. In the grand theatre of Thailand’s local governance, the stage was set across 2,463 municipalities. These civic battlegrounds include 33 cities, 213 Muang municipalities, and 2,217 subdistricts or tambons, where the political contenders were gearing up. A total of 4,558 dynamic candidates were vying for mayoral posts, while an impressive 60,515 hopefuls competed for 31,218 council seats. Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Pattaya are under the spotlight as the stakes reach sky-high levels amidst fierce competition. As the nation prepares for a grand…
Amidst the sea of steel and concrete that makes up the sprawling cityscape of Bangkok, the sight of backhoes steadily clearing away the debris at what was once the grand State Audit Office building in Chatuchak district adds a somber note to the busy rhythm of the metropolis. The hum of machinery fills the air, an ever-present reminder of the tragic events that unfolded when a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, spreading its devastating impact across borders and causing the collapse of this majestic 2.1-billion-baht edifice. With the sky a brilliant canvas of blues and whites, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration publicly announced this Saturday that rescue efforts at the site have officially concluded. These efforts, characterized by dogged determination and fueled by hopes of finding survivors, culminated in the final inspection of a precarious lift shaft beneath the basement level. Here, the city’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation…