Who doesn’t love a cool, environmentally-friendly ride, right? Electric vehicles are the talk of the town, hailed as the champions of the environment. But, it seems, they’re not just saving the planet; they’re also revving up some sneaky moves in Thailand. Imagine heading into work and plugging your shiny new EV into a charger at your office… for free! Sounds like a dream for civil servants and state enterprise staff, but the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is here to slam on the brakes. Our story unfolds in Thailand, where the NACC has raised a mighty eyebrow at electric vehicle chargers stationed at government offices. You’ve got to love a good mystery, and the NACC plays detective like a pro. They’re on a quest to unravel the mystery of whether state assets are being stealthily used for private thrills. Picture this: chargers meant to juice up government-owned electric vehicles, suddenly doubling…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Tucked away in the heart of Bangkok, the venerable Wat Samphanthawong is home to a historic Buddha statue hailing from the illustrious Ayutthaya period. But this sacred haven recently found itself at the center of a gripping saga shrouded in scandal and intrigue. In an unexpected twist, the tale of the fugitive monk, Phra Phrom Methee, has taken a new turn. At the venerable age of 84, this once-revered former assistant abbot, known by his lay name, Chamnong Iamintra, has made a dramatic return to Thai soil after years in exile. Leaving behind the comforts of Germany, he surrendered himself at dawn at Suvarnabhumi airport, adding a climactic chapter to the temple fund embezzlement saga that had gripped the nation seven years ago. Picture this scene: Phra Phrom Methee, brought in on a wheelchair, flanked by a fluttering symphony of whispers and cameras clicking. As daylight unfurled, he was whisked…
Stroll down any bustling street in Thailand, and you might find yourself pleasantly surprised by an unexpected calmness on the roads. Picture this: amidst the notorious traffic snarl-ups, the incessant blare of car horns is but a rare creature. For a nation known for its clogged highways and bustling byways, the serenity of its roadways is nothing short of fascinating. So, what’s the secret behind this surprising tranquillity? Strap in, because we’re about to take you on a ride through Thailand’s unique road culture, where patience trumps pandemonium. Cultural whispers suggest a deep-seated belief that echoes across the Land of Smiles: that honking a horn is akin to unleashing a verbal tirade. In Thai society, the blare of a horn can feel as caustic as a verbal assault, sparking emotions hotter than a summer day in Bangkok. It’s not just a honk; it’s a call to arms, potentially igniting road…
The financial maestros within Thailand’s Ministry of Finance have drawn up a master plan that has the potential to rock the global tourism landscape to its core. They’re betting big on the pulsating allure of entertainment complexes, which they aim to leverage as an economic powerhouse, anticipated to pull in investments measuring up to hundreds of billions of baht. Picture this: according to the dynamic Deputy Finance Minister, Chulaphan Amornvivat, within a mere five to ten years, Thailand could position itself as the third-largest entertainment complex hotspot, trailing the bright lights of Las Vegas and the opulence of Macau. Now, Thailand has been a siren call for tourists for years, ranked among the top global destinations. Though the rough seas of the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily dampened its allure, it has recently reclaimed its spot within the global top 10. Yet, here’s the kicker: tourist spending hasn’t mirrored the influx of…
During a typical day in a Bangkok condominium, what appeared to be an innocuous, dusty speck caught the eye of an unsuspecting resident. Intrigued and a bit baffled by the strange oversight, they took to the digital world for answers. The result? A revelation that the curious speck was none other than a plaster bagworm—a harmless inhabitant of dusty environments—but with a story to tell! Now, the plaster bagworm isn’t some modern-day menace to fear. These peculiar creatures belong to the Tineidae family, and while their name might conjure up images of spooky insects, the truth is far more fascinating than any horror film could depict! These moth larvae are truly the domestic fashionistas of the insect world, as they cleverly stitch together protective cocoons using a curated selection of household debris. Imagine their little, brown segmented bodies working tirelessly, weaving homes out of pet hair, fabric fibers, and an…
Sawadee, savvy traveler! Anticipating a journey to the Land of Smiles? You’re in for an extraordinary escapade featuring majestic golden temples, tantalizing street treats, mesmerizing island sunsets, and the thrilling chaos of tuk-tuk rides. To savor every moment like a connoisseur — distinguishing your som tam from your satay — your smartphone’s got to be armed with the right arsenal. Despite Thailand serving as the epitome of convenience, it’s often the local wisdom that unveils the genuine treasures. In the spirit of the Thai proverb, “khao nai naa, klai taa mai hen,” which means the best things can be hiding right under your nose, we introduce you to three indispensable apps. These digital companions promise to enhance your dining, lounging, and roaming experiences, ensuring your financial and mental peace are preserved on this exotic adventure. Get ready to navigate Thailand like a local with these top 3 apps. They’ll elevate…
The enchanting island of Phuket, known for its lustrous beaches and pulsating nightlife, is currently embroiled in a public health quandary that is as bewildering as it is alarming. An unexpected surge of syphilis cases has been reported, casting an enigmatic shadow over the sunny paradise. Infectious whispers have spread across all three districts, echoing a rising concern among health officials who are imploring the populace not to brush off their warnings. The timing of this outbreak is ironically synchronous with the island’s post-pandemic renaissance as a top tourist destination. Sectors have sprung back to life with vigor, but not without consequence. As social interactions reignite in places like the vibrant Patong, so too have the incidents of riskier sexual escapades, a factor that’s fueling the syphilis surge. Dr. Kusuma Sawangphan, the eloquent head of the Communicable Disease Control Group at the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO), voices her…
In the heart of Prachin Buri, an unexpected and thrilling evening unraveled as a family found themselves entangled in a serpentine situation. It was just after dusk on June 4, when tranquil domesticity was shattered by the alarm of slithering intruders. The household, located at 242 Moo 1, Lat Takian subdistrict, Kabin Buri district, was suddenly the setting for a ‘Who’s Who’ in snake encounters. The Sajja Phuttham Dharma Foundation rescue unit was swiftly called to the scene, accompanied by the officers from Sra Bua Police Station. What they discovered was both fascinating and frightful: five unidentified green snakes had nestled into the rafters on the lower floor of the two-story wooden house, presenting a puzzle wrapped in scales. In the process of extracting their slippery antagonists, the rescue team engaged in a spirited game of hide-and-seek. The snakes, oblivious to the commotion they caused, cleverly ensconced themselves in metal…
The bustling city of Bangkok, known for its vibrant culture and towering skyscrapers, now finds itself ensnared in a saga of alleged corruption and tragedy, centered around the ill-fated State Audit Office (SAO) building. As the details unravel, nearly 70 government officials have been thrust into the spotlight, implicated in a collusion scandal that has rocked the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). This tangled web of deceit involves both past and present SAO executives and a myriad of committee members who played pivotal roles in the building’s design, construction, and inspection phases. It appears everyone had a part to play in this tragic drama. The tale took a harrowing turn on March 28 when a massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake, originating in Myanmar, shook the foundations of Bangkok, bringing the 2.1-billion-baht, 30-storey SAO building crashing down. It was the only high-rise in the city to suffer such a fate, leading to the…
In a robust move towards international economic integration, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa recently announced an exciting milestone on the country’s journey to join the prestigious Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This December, Thailand is poised to submit its Initial Memorandum, a crucial step on the path to membership that started with an invitation extended to the Southeast Asian nation back in June 2024. The roadmap is set with eyes on full accession by 2030, reflecting Thailand’s strategic ambition to align more deeply with global economic standards. Taking a front-row seat on the world stage, Mr. Maris represented Thailand at the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) in Paris, marking the country’s debut as an OECD Accession Country. The 2025 MCM unfolded under the banner “Leading the way toward resilient, inclusive, and sustainable prosperity through rules-based trade, investment, and innovation,” with the spirited Costa Rica steering the discussions as…