Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) market is on the brink of a seismic shift, as a leading player from China is gearing up to revolutionize the local scene. Geely, one of China’s foremost EV brands, is gearing up to infuse Thailand’s roads with a spark of innovation and ambition. At the heart of this venture is Thonburi Neustern Co, Geely’s local distributor, whose chief executive, Narong Sritalayon, has unveiled an electrifying blueprint aimed at capturing the hearts of Thai drivers. The starting point for this charge is the construction of a brand-new auto parts center. This facility is envisioned as a cornerstone to nurture trust and bolster confidence among Thai consumers, while setting the stage for even bolder investments. “We’re working closely with Geely Auto Group to set up a local parts distribution and warehousing hub. This will form part of our short-term strategy to reassure customers and support the brand’s…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Thailand is set to make a colossal leap forward in digital banking, as three new virtual banks are poised to receive the official nod by June 19, according to the Finance Ministry. In an audacious drive to revolutionize the banking sector and enhance financial inclusivity, the Bank of Thailand has whittled down five heavyweight consortia to just three candidates. Now, these potential operators await the final verdict from the Finance Ministry, which is meticulously reviewing their qualifications, shared Chayawadee Chai-anant, the Assistant Governor at the central bank. “This inaugural phase will witness the issuance of licenses to three virtual banks. This decision mirrors our supervisory capabilities and our dedication to safeguarding consumers,” remarked Chayawadee with confidence. Upon receiving approval, the chosen consortia will embark on a twelve-month preparatory period before launching their services, which are anticipated to go live in 2026. The competition is fierce, with industry titans vying for…
The winds of change have begun to swirl around the Bank of Thailand (BoT), as the Ministry of Finance kicks off the hunt for a new governor to helm the country’s central bank. The clock is ticking as Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput’s eventful five-year stint heads towards its September 30 conclusion. A selection posse—led by the very capable Sathit Limpongpan, former Finance Permanent Secretary—prepares to rendezvous and hash out requirements for aspiring governors, so says government spokesperson Pornchai Thiraveja. Under the watchful eye of Thai law, this said committee must present a duo of candidates to the finance minister at least three months before Sethaput hangs up his banking hat. Who will fill these shoes of governance? Names bandied about in the chatter of local media include Roong Mallikamas, who currently rolls up her sleeves as BoT’s deputy governor; Sutapa Amornvivat, a former IMF brainiac and orchestrator at SCB X’s fintech, Abacus…
In a shocking incident unfolding in the serene province of Ratchaburi, the tide of domestic tranquility was abruptly disrupted by an alarming episode involving a 19-year-old woman and her infant daughter. The narrative, reminiscent of a disturbing domestic drama, was shared partially by Esor News on April 17th, revealing the heart-wrenching abuse of a 10-month-old baby girl by her mother using an electric wire. The incident, sparked by what appears to be a commonplace disagreement over household chores, has left the community in a state of disbelief. The terse description accompanying the video read ominously, “This woman strangled her child after her boyfriend refused to help her clean baby bottles. Ratchaburi province.” However, to avoid unsettling viewers and ensure compliance with community guidelines, only a fragment of the video was shared. Within the alarming clip, the young mother is heard muttering through clenched teeth, “You put pressure on me. You…
In the enchanting city of Chiang Mai, a captivating chapter unfolded during the recent Songkran holiday. The city’s hotels, despite offering surprisingly reduced room rates compared to previous years, managed a commendable performance. This strategic pricing maneuver was designed with last-minute domestic travelers in mind, who found their confidence dampened by the recent earthquake that trembled through Thailand and Myanmar. As a result, bookings were somewhat slow to spike this year, casting a shadow over the bustling holiday spirit. Paisarn Sukjarean, the astute President of the Thai Hotels Association’s upper northern chapter, highlighted the lingering unease among locals. He noted that many Thais continued to feel unsettled following the quake, resulting in a modestly cautious approach to holiday booking. However, like a phoenix rising, hotels in Chiang Mai maintained an impressive occupancy rate of 85% throughout April 12-16, equal to last year’s flourishing figures. It’s a testament to the resilience…
In a surprising turn of events, a young man from Nakhon Si Thammarat has declared his intention to take legal action against the local police after his unnecessary and distressing imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. Phuris Saitong, a 23-year-old from the region, found himself trapped in a nightmare when he was mistakenly detained for attempted murder. His unjust ordeal concluded when he was released on Wednesday, April 16, from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Correctional Institution for Young Offenders, following the police’s admission of error in his arrest. The moment Phuris set foot outside the correctional institution, he was overcome with a flood of emotions. He wrapped his arms around his mother in a heartfelt embrace and then humbly knelt before his uncle in an expression of deep gratitude mixed with lingering anguish. “I have endured a great deal of suffering and immense stress,” Phuris shared, his voice…
In a truly heart-wrenching tale of trust, compassion, and unforeseen peril, a devoted animal lover found herself in a terrifying brush with death, courtesy of a rescue dog she had welcomed into her life. The scene of this gripping drama was set in the serene yet unsuspecting surroundings of Suphan Buri, specifically behind the Wat Kai Tia temple in the Wang Yang subdistrict. Here, at approximately 10:30 AM on April 17, a vicious attack unfolded, leaving the community in shock. The protagonist of this unfortunate saga is Sutharat, a 40-year-old woman with an unyielding affection for animals. Her undeniable love for creatures big and small compelled her to adopt Copper, a muscular pit bull and American Bully mix, from a local shelter. Copper’s history was marred by behavioral warnings, yet Sutharat saw potential for redemption and love within him. Tragically, those good intentions were overshadowed by a savage outburst that…
Is the bustling city of Bangkok on the verge of a much-needed transformation? The city that never sleeps is gearing up for a major facelift, as local authorities plan to overhaul the longstanding legislation that has governed the metropolis for decades. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has unveiled ambitious plans to revamp the BMA Act of 1985—a statute that many city leaders believe is no longer fitting for a 21st-century urban hub. Aekwaranyu Amrapal, the BMA’s astute spokesperson, announced on April 17 that the proposed changes are designed to “boost efficiency in line with the hurdles of managing a modern city.” After diligently laboring for nearly three years and collecting feedback from diverse communities, the consensus is clear: Bangkok is wrestling with deep-rooted structural headaches. From the tiresome repetitiveness of pavement excavation to the gridlock traffic, not to mention the waste of potential under expressways and those unsightly overhead spaghetti…
In a gripping turn of events that has gripped public attention, the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building during last month’s quake has opened a proverbial can of worms. A structural imbalance, particularly within its lift shaft, is emerging as a prime suspect. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Interior Minister and a man bearing many hats, including that of deputy prime minister, proudly takes center stage as he reveals the initial findings. Anutin’s announcement follows the astute observations made by renowned engineering guru, Worasak Kanok-Nukulchai, who had previously theorized about the enigmatic asymmetrical lift shaft. Fresh on the public stage, Anutin spotlighted the shaft’s precarious stance, vulnerable to a pesky nemesis—torsion—when the earth decided to shuffle a little too vigorously. However, Anutin won’t let amateurs tinker with this high-stakes mission. He insisted that engineering calculations need to be rock solid, sound as a bell, and especially unassailable, so the truth…
The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) has received a promising assurance from the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) that a previously shelved measure targeting money-laundering politicians is on the brink of revival. This dramatic turn of events was confirmed by the agency’s leader, Mr. Mana Nimitmongkol, amid swirling hopes at the ACT. Just this week, a fervent ACT petition soared through the corridors of power, imploring the anti-money laundering and narcotics committee connected to the House of Representative’s secretariat to reactivate the PEP (Politically Exposed Persons) policy. With a rallying cry, the committee clasped the petition close, urging Amlo to reconsider. Intriguingly, Amlo disclosed that this potent measure was initially thrust into action in 2013, only to be tucked away silently in 2020. The shroud of mystery surrounding its sudden annulment left many speculating, yet a gleam of hope shines again as Amlo pledges to rekindle the PEP by mid-year following…