As the sun brims with exuberance, eager to share its radiant warmth, Thailand braces itself for what can only be described as a scorching symphony. Today, the Thai Meteorological Department has issued an urgent weather alert, indicating temperatures that seem keen on breaking their highest record by touching the 40 degrees Celsius mark. This intense heatwave predominantly engulfs the northern, northeastern, and central parts of the country. It’s the kind of heat that makes your favorite popsicle yearn for an air-conditioned shelter. Residents across these sizzling territories are wisely advised to arm themselves with hats, sunglasses, and a healthy dose of hydration. Avoiding prolonged outdoor endeavors might just be the smartest decision second only to finding shade under a generous tree. Meanwhile, the capricious southern and southeast winds have other plans for lower northern, northeastern, central, and eastern areas, ushering thunderstorms and whisking gusty winds as if to challenge the…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
As we set our calendars towards the dazzling year of 2025, a whisper carries across the coconuts of Thailand – a tidbit of news that holds the potential to reshape your vacation fund ever so slightly. Thailand, an irresistible siren call of sun-kissed beaches and cultural wonders, is preparing to add a modest flair to its famous hospitality. Starting just in time to catch the crest of the year’s peak travel season, a 300 baht tourism fee will greet all foreign visitors eager to explore the Land of Smiles. Sorry in advance, wallets. This novel notion jingles down from none other than Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. It might sound like a plot twist from a Southeast Asian drama, but stay seated – this new levy spins a tale far deeper than a mere means of collecting pennies. Rather, it’s envisioned as a safety net, woven out of financial…
The dazzling coastal city of Pattaya is set to become the epicenter of martial arts excitement as it plays host to the thrilling 6th World Muay Thai Championship from March 9 to 17. This prestigious event, backed by the Thai and Traditional Boxing Sports Association in collaboration with the dynamic Father Ray Foundation, promises a spectacular spectacle of athletic prowess that will captivate participants and spectators alike. Mark your calendars – the action kicks off on March 9 with the intense weigh-in, laying the groundwork for an exhilarating series of qualification rounds taking place from March 10 to 12. Every contender will unleash their skills and determination to emerge victorious, making these rounds a gripping prelude to what’s to come. As the dust settles, the adrenaline will surge once more during the semi-finals on March 13 and 14, running parallel with the captivating Muay Krading battles. Muay Krading offers a…
Imagine an electrifying tango between tradition and technology, set against the vibrant backdrop of Thailand’s ever-evolving economy! That’s precisely the dynamic dance experts believe Thailand must master to keep up with the powerhouse technological advancements pulsating from both sides of the Pacific. The pressure is on as the globalisation beat, driven by the United States and China, accelerates in an intricate choreography requiring nimble footwork and strategic foresight. In a lively seminar whimsically titled “Trump 2.0: Crisis or Opportunity for Thailand’s Science, Research and Innovation sectors?” luminaries gathered to illuminate how the encore of Donald Trump’s presidency might play a starring role in Thailand’s grand journey through the tech-savvy century. The spotlight is firmly on how the Kingdom can craft its moves to ensure it’s not left in the shadows. Bank Ngamarunchot, the charismatic director at the Science Technology and Innovation Policy Institute of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi,…
The sun peeked through the tropical canopy as Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the esteemed public health permanent secretary, smiled with satisfaction. The air buzzed with renewed vigor in Thailand’s public health sector, thanks to the reinstatement of cooperative health projects with the United States. Yes, the good news was finally here—the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had lifted the suspension of health initiatives that had been momentarily paused. With this, Thailand was once more ready to fortify its health battlements against diseases, making strides in communicable disease control, developing robust health systems, and enhancing the skills of its medical personnel. Now, picture this: a bustling hive of healthcare warriors working tirelessly across the country. For this fiscal year, thirty-one projects strong—all non-research in nature—are underway under this revived cooperation, each penny turning into a valuable asset, part of a generous budget amounting to a whopping 279.1 million baht.…
The Social Security Office (SSO) recently found itself amidst a whirlwind of online chatter when an internal memo made its way onto social media. This wasn’t just any memo; it was a directive from Maitree Khunthong, the SSO’s director of legal affairs, emphasizing the importance of keeping internal information and official documents close to the vest. Now, while some eyebrows were raised, the SSO insists this wasn’t a ploy to thwart the opposition’s attempts to probe into the intricacies—or may we say irregularities—surrounding their notorious web app development. As the saga unfolds, People’s Party MP for Bangkok, Rakchanok Srinok, couldn’t help but delve deeper, seeking transparency over the SSO’s ambitious digital endeavor, a venture that reportedly gulped down over 850 million baht and kept everyone waiting for over half a year. Is the wait worth every baht spent? Rakchanok certainly wants to find out. Meanwhile, the ever-vigilant SSO spokeswoman, Niyada…
In the usually serene Bannang Sata district of Yala, a powerful explosion erupted on the night of February 22nd, leaving the community and the explosive ordnance disposal units scrambling to piece together the harrowing events. The desperate need for peace has never been more apparent, as tensions simmer in Thailand’s deep South—a region characterized by its persistent confrontations and attempts to find lasting resolution. Amidst this backdrop, peace advocates rally behind Paetongtarn Shinawatra, urging the Prime Minister’s administration to hastily form a committee dedicated to renewing peace negotiations with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Patani (BRN), an Islamist separatist group. “The government must set up a new panel to oversee peace negotiations in the deep South,” compellingly stated Anchana Heemmina, a human rights preservationist and pioneer of the Duay Jai Group, renowned for assisting torture victims in the region. This call for action was amplified at a recent forum uniting…
In the vibrant tapestry of Thai politics, intrigue and power plays never fail to capture attention. The political landscape is currently being shaped by tensions weaving between the ruling Pheu Thai Party and its coalition partner, Bhumjaithai. With a history of discord stemming from former prime minister Srettha Thavisin’s tenure, these two parties have found themselves at odds more than once. The rift began with Pheu Thai’s attempts to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, a move poised to overturn Bhumjaithai’s breakthrough decriminalization policy. Tension further escalated over pivotal legislative issues like proposed amendments to the charter and the ambitions to establish a casino-entertainment complex. Both parties have also been embroiled in disputes involving significant land interests—from the Alpine Golf and Sports Club linked to the Shinawatra family, to prime real estate in Buri Ram and Nakhon Ratchasima, tied to Bhumjaithai’s leader, Anutin Charnvirakul. Recently, whispers of an investigation by the…
In an unexpected unraveling of transnational intrigue, authorities in Thailand are fervently sifting through the tangled web of circumstances surrounding 119 Thai nationals, hot on the heels of their deportation from Cambodia. These individuals, freed from notorious scam call centers, now find themselves under the intense scrutiny of Thailand’s legal system. The aim is to untangle the threads of human trafficking victimage from the tapestry of willing participation in criminal enterprises. Steering this intricate course of justice is Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewphan, the astute commissioner of Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). On a brisk Sunday, he underscored that the authorities are mapping out their strategies via the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a well-charted path for navigating cases of suspected human trafficking and forced labor. The Cambodian authorities, however, threw a spanner in the works by suggesting a different narrative. They insinuated that all of those deported had wended…
In the whirlwind of political maneuvers and parliamentary whispers, the spotlight recently beamed down upon Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra as she graced the halls of parliament last Thursday, donning an air of composed determination. Captured by the lens of Pornprom Satrabhaya, this image of leadership was, however, juxtaposed with the rumblings of political strategy brewing behind closed doors. A no-confidence motion—an intriguing tool in the political arsenal—has been set in motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn. It promises to unfurl the drama within the walls of the House of Representatives. The stage is set by Pol Sub Lt Arpath Sukhanunth, the seasoned secretary-general, who confirmed on Sunday the completion of the verification process. A probing odyssey into signatures and the motion’s content has paved the way for this motion to make its ceremonial march towards the desk of House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. As the strategic plates shift, whispers from…