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THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Selangor International Business Summit 2024: A Grand Economic Extravaganza

Invest Selangor Berhad has set the stage for an extraordinary business extravaganza by launching the much-anticipated Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2024 on June 25 at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya. Scheduled to transform the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre into a buzzing hub of economic activity, this annual event kicks off in July, championed by the Selangor State Government and meticulously orchestrated by Invest Selangor Berhad. It has steadily grown into one of the region’s premier marketplaces and networking arenas for exhibitors, investors, and industry heavyweights across Southeast Asia. SIBS 2024 promises a two-series spectacle: Series One: 25 – 27 July 2024 The first series is set to illuminate key investment themes through two marquee events: Selangor ASEAN Business Conference (SABC): This regional forum is a crucible for tackling investment challenges and unearthing opportunities within Southeast Asia. Featuring lauded speakers such as YAB Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor and high-profile…

AIA Healthiest Schools Awards: Tessaban Schools Lead Thailand’s Charge for Healthier Education

On a vibrant June 25th morning, the SF World Cinema in CentralWorld, Bangkok, was bustling with excitement as AIA Thailand hosted the much-anticipated “AIA Healthiest Schools Award Ceremony” for the second consecutive year. Dignitaries, esteemed educators, and key representatives from the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) gathered to celebrate this unique initiative. Among the notable attendees was Police General Permpoon Chidchob, the Minister of Education, who presided over the event alongside Dr. Jakknit Kananurak, Vice President of the Digital Manpower Development Promotion Department. In its second year, the competition saw an impressive engagement, with over 600 schools participating. From this pool, 26 schools emerged victorious, celebrated for their commitment to promoting a healthier and more sustainable environment for students. This year’s program continues to focus on providing valuable learning materials centered on healthy eating, active lifestyles, mental wellbeing, and sustainability. Police General Permpoon Chidchob expressed his enthusiasm stating, “I am…

Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin’s Push to Reclassify Cannabis Ignites National Debate

Under the watchful eyes of law enforcers, passionate cannabis advocates gathered at Government House in a spirited protest against the proposed reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic. The scene on June 10 was both vibrant and tense, with palpable passion in the air. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) On a recent Wednesday, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin announced a rather eye-opening revelation. A comprehensive survey involving about 100,000 participants revealed an overwhelming majority’s desire to see cannabis recriminalised. Somsak, looking determined, didn’t shy away from stating that he would honor this public sentiment. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) dutifully conducted this extensive survey for the Public Health Ministry over a fortnight, from June 11 to June 25. An impressive sample size of nearly 100,000 respondents lent their voices to this crucial matter. And the numbers spoke volumes—about 80% supported cannabis’ return to the list of controlled substances. Somsak emphasised that although…

Thaksin Shinawatra’s Surprise Visit to Pheu Thai HQ Sparks Political Buzz

The vibrant energy at Pheu Thai headquarters took an unexpected turn last Tuesday when former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a surprise visit. As he entered, bathed in enthusiastic cheers and admiration, the day’s session with the party’s young MPs took on a new dimension of excitement. Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was conducting the session, quickly addressed the buzz around Thaksin’s arrival. She jested that her father had lightened the mood with a playful remark about becoming her assistant, adding a dash of humor to the proceedings. “He was just joking,” Ms. Paetongtarn reassured the reporters with a smile. The room filled with laughter when Thaksin casually mentioned his willingness to be her assistant, a suggestion that naturally drew attention from political analysts and enthusiasts alike. Paetongtarn laughed it off, emphasizing, “He has too many other ambitions and projects to focus on.” Yet, she left no room for…

UN Report by Tom Andrews Exposes Thailand’s Role in Myanmar’s Military Escalation

A fiery chaos erupted in Pazigyi village, nestled in Myanmar’s Sagaing Region, when an aerial attack by the Myanmar military tragically ended the lives of about 160 individuals, including 40 innocent children, in April 2023. Fast forward to the 2023-24 fiscal year, the value of weapons and related materials exported from Thailand to Myanmar soared to an astounding $120 million, doubling from the previous year, according to a report spearheaded by Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar. His report, titled “Death Trade: How Banks and Governments Enable the Military Junta in Myanmar,” paints a vivid picture of how international efforts to cut off Myanmar’s ruling junta have seen mixed results. Although there have been significant strides in reducing shipments from Singapore-based companies, thanks to stringent measures from the city-state’s government, businesses in Thailand have filled in the void with alarming efficiency. Mr. Andrews spotlighted 16…

Swiss Barber Oliver Ehrat Arrested in Koh Phangan: A Legal Twist in a Tropical Paradise

Swiss national Oliver Ehrat, 51, found himself at the center of a legal whirlwind when tourist police walked into his barber shop, Oliver Twist Hair, on the picturesque island of Koh Phangan in Surat Thani. The moment was both surreal and indisputable; a foreigner meticulously styling hair, who’d been living out his hairstyling dream in a land famous for its enchantingly pristine beaches and vibrant nightlife. The picturesque island, known for its Full Moon Party and idyllic beauty, provided the perfect backdrop for Oliver Ehrat’s nine-year-long run as a beloved hair stylist. Nestled within the island’s hub, in tambon Ban Tai, Oliver’s shop didn’t just promise a haircut; it offered an experience. From locals to globetrotters, the “Oliver Twist Hair salon” had become a reputed name. However, destiny had other plans. One sunny Tuesday afternoon, tourist police, accompanied by local authorities, entered the cozy sanctum of Oliver Twist Hair. Their…

Historic ADB Loan Boosts Ngern Tid Lor’s Support for Rural MSMEs in Thailand

Ngern Tid Lor Public Company Limited (TIDLOR), a prominent player in the non-banking financial institution (NBFI) sector, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first entity in the financial realm to secure funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This capital injection is earmarked to support Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) located in rural Thailand, with a particular focus on those helmed by women and those embedded in the country’s agricultural value chain. In a notable event, Mr. Piyasak Ukritnukun, the astute Managing Director of TIDLOR, and Ms. Suzanne Gaboury, ADB’s dedicated Director General for Private Sector Operations, came together to put pen to paper on this groundbreaking loan agreement. The accord locks in a hefty $150 million (around 5.5 billion baht) to be funneled into MSMEs led by women and agricultural entrepreneurs in Thailand’s bucolic locales. These segments frequently encounter immense challenges in securing the working capital…

PWA’s Clean Water Initiative to Honor King Rama X’s 72nd Birthday: Over 740 Schools to Benefit Nationwide

The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) has launched a heartwarming initiative titled “United Hearts to Provide Clean Water to Schools Honouring His Majesty the King on the Auspicious Occasion of His 72nd Birthday Anniversary on 28 July 2024.” This commendable project involves inspecting and analyzing the water quality in over 740 schools across the nation, aiming to enhance both the quality of life and hygiene for students through the provision of clean drinking water. Chakapong Kamchan, the Deputy Governor (Operations 2) and Acting Governor of PWA, shed light on the inspiration behind this initiative. He recounted the timeless wisdom of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, who once said, “Water is life.” His Majesty emphasized that drinking water, water for use, and water for cultivation are crucial, as life depends on water. “If there is water, people can live. Without water, people cannot live. Without electricity, people can still live.…

Innovative Medical Materials: IRPC and Mae Fah Luang University Forge Sustainable Partnership

In a promising stride towards sustainable advancement in medical material research, IRPC Public Company Limited, under the leadership of Mr. Anucha Somjitchob, Executive Vice President of the IRPC Innovation Center, and Mae Fah Luang University, represented by the esteemed Prof. Dr. Sujitra Wongkasemjit, Vice President, have inked a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration is a beacon of innovation, aiming to decipher and develop robust materials pivotal to the medical industry’s evolution. This groundbreaking agreement is not just a pact; it’s a pledge to propel the medical sector into a new echelon of specialty products and futuristic medical advancements. Both entities envision this collaboration as an emblem of innovation and sustainability. It’s a harmonious blend of academia and industry working in tandem to sculpt a future that’s not only technologically advanced but also grounded in sustainable practices. Mr. Anucha Somjitchob, with his wealth of experience and visionary leadership, envisages…

Nonthaburi Senate Elections 2023: Ittiporn Boonpracong Leads the Charge

Senate candidates made their grand entrance at the Impact Forum in Nonthaburi on Wednesday morning, setting the stage for an electrifying final round of the Senate election. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) In the picturesque locale of Nonthaburi, the day dawned with great anticipation as the last leg of the Senate election commenced. Heading the event was the chairman of the Election Commission, who was confident that by the evening, the names of all 200 newly elected senators would be unveiled. The buzz was palpable as the 2,995 candidates, who had secured their positions at the provincial level, gathered at the esteemed Impact Forum by 9am sharp. However, in every race, there are those who lag behind—six candidates couldn’t beat the clock, leaving 2,989 to fight it out in the national-level election. The crucial votes would happen in two pivotal rounds throughout the day, one in the morning and another in the…