THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

In a twist of events that seems almost too dramatic to be true, Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, the once-revered abbot of Wat Rai Khing, now finds himself at the epicenter of a scandal that has rocked the serene province of Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. At 70 years young, the former spiritual leader, affectionately known as “Chao Khun Yaem,” has traded his saffron robes for a white cloth, marking his official disrobement in a ceremony as intense as it was somber. The cause? Alleged embezzlement of a staggering 300 million baht from the temple’s sacred funds to fuel an online gambling spree that would put a high-roller to shame. The drama unfolded like a scene from a thrilling crime novel. Just as Bangkok’s finest were gearing up to slap an arrest warrant on their prime suspect, Yaem Inkrungkao—Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat’s lay name—made the surprise move of turning himself in to the authorities. His…

In the mesmerizing city of Pattaya, renowned for its vibrant nightlife and bustling shores, an unexpected drama unfolded beneath the Naklua Bridge, igniting a series of events that captured both alarm and intrigue. On a seemingly ordinary afternoon, veiling serenity was disrupted by the unsettling haze of smoke winding its way through the neighborhood, triggering a cascade of reactions that transformed a typical day into a tale worthy of urban legend. It was May 15, when dawn had leisurely turned into an unassuming afternoon, and residents near the bustling Sukhumvit Road began sensing an ominous threat brewing underneath their feet. What initially appeared to be a run-of-the-mill urban smokefest quickly escalated into community-wide alertness as swirls of thick, relentless smoke belched forth, coupling with the unwelcoming scent of burning wires. This unsettling blend of sensory chaos prompted the neighborhood to sound the alarm, each resident’s mind flitting to worst-case scenarios—an…

In the bustling, lively expanse of Bangkok, those often trapped in the city’s notorious congestion may soon find a much-anticipated reprieve, thanks to an exciting collaboration that merges human ingenuity with technological prowess. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced its partnership with none other than the tech giant Google. Together, they’re embarking on a journey to transform the way the city’s traffic lights operate through an ambitious venture called ‘Project Green Light’. This initiative seeks to employ artificial intelligence to smoothen the labyrinthine traffic snarls that have long been a hallmark of Bangkok’s bustling streets. By optimizing the timing of traffic lights at critical junctions, the plan is to ease the flow of vehicles, thereby reducing both driver frustration and roadside emissions. It’s as if Bangkok is orchestrating a symphony of streetlights, with AI as the conductor. At the heart of this project lies a sophisticated blend of AI…

In an incredible display of courage and maternal instinct, a mother in Thailand’s Isaan province took bold action to protect her young daughter from a terrifying threat. The incident unfolded in Udon Thani, where a mother’s quick thinking and bravery ensured her child’s safety in the face of danger. The ordeal began when a 29-year-old man, identified as Preecha, lurked into the Ban Yang Bung community on his bicycle. His presence, however, was far from innocuous. With alleged drug-induced intentions, he approached a five-year-old girl playing innocently outside her home. Sensing peril, the child dashed into the sanctity of her house, but Preecha, unrelenting, followed. Once inside, he attempted to harm the young girl. But every hero has their moment, and for this courageous mother, it came in the form of a household appliance—a clothes iron. Confronted by her daughter’s cries, she did not hesitate. With a resolve that can…

Thailand is setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in its tourism narrative with the launch of direct flights linking its northeastern provinces to Vietnam. This strategic initiative, disclosed during Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to Vietnam, aims to foster stronger regional connections and facilitate travel between these neighboring countries. As the 38-year-old Thai PM articulated during her two-day stay, which winds down today, May 16, connecting northeastern Thai airports to Vietnamese locales is poised to supercharge tourism and reinforce regional transport networks. The anticipated routes, although still in the discussion phase, have a crystal clear goal—to streamline travel, making it a breeze for adventurers to whizz between the Thai Isaan region and vibrant Vietnamese cities like Hue, Danang, Dalat, and Sapa. These destinations have long been on the radar of Thai tourists, and the new flight paths promise to make these trips even more accessible. According to…

In an unfolding tale as intriguing as any modern epic, Premchai Karnasuta, the distinguished president of Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), once again finds himself in the glaring spotlight of public scrutiny. Recently released from a stint in Thong Pha Phum jail for his previous run-ins with the law, Premchai’s life appears to resemble more of a suspenseful thriller than that of a typical corporate titan. Just a stone’s throw away from Kanchanaburi province’s lush landscapes, Premchai has exchanged one kind of captivity for perhaps another of a metaphorical nature. On an otherwise mundane Friday, the 71-year-old magnate, notorious for his wheelchair-bound appearances, yet again had to navigate through the throngs of prying eyes and cameras. This time, his presence was necessitated not by a wildlife escapade but by a series of unfortunate, tragic events centered around a towering edifice in the heart of Bangkok. With all the finesse and drama…

In a serene corner of the picturesque Chalong neighborhood, where the whisper of the breeze usually harmonizes with the chirping of birds, a sudden outburst shattered the tranquil surroundings. On the afternoon of May 15, a rather unexpected commotion escalated when a 63-year-old gentleman named Songphon Thongluen, overtaken by the effects of excessive alcohol, decided that the sky needed a little more drama. His weapon of choice? Firearms. Unfortunately, he wasn’t predicting a meteor shower but instead orchestrated his own van-style fireworks by letting off more than 10 gunshots. The result? A swift spike in heart rates and a beeline of concerned calls to the police. As clocks struck 3:55 PM, officers of the law found themselves immediately mobilized to the scene on Village 3 in Soi Palai. Reports buzzed through the police radio with accounts from alarmed residents who feared that the initial pops might soon have more sinister…

In a heart-tugging narrative that reads more like a nail-biting thriller than reality, the family of Jakob Jensen, a 41-year-old Danish adventurer with the heart of a wanderer, find themselves plunged into the depths of uncertainty in the sprawling, sun-drenched landscapes of Thailand. Since his mysterious disappearance on March 21, 2025, whispers of his last whereabouts rustle like the gentle Thai breezes, leaving his family anchored in hope yet adrift in the vast unknown. Jakob’s adventure, one that absorbed him into the warmth of Thailand back in early February, now unfolds in the form of a desperate quest for answers. According to a recent plea rippling through the digital halls of Reddit, his concerned sibling, under the moniker AJenDK, has laid bare an emotional timeline under the striking caption “HELP! My little brother has gone missing!”. The narrative spins a compelling chronicle not just of a missing person, but of…

In a turn of events that reads more like a dramatic storyline than the everyday workings of the military, a conscript in the Royal Thai Air Force has accused a senior official of turning him into an unwilling ride-hailing driver. With claims reverberating throughout the country, this uniquely bizarre tale unfolds with no shortage of intriguing twists and turns. The tale begins with a young conscript under the command of a deputy battalion officer from Wing 23. According to the conscript, this officer employed a rather unconventional method in the name of “extra earning”. Allegedly, the officer compelled the conscript to moonlight as a ride-hailing driver—juggling both food deliveries and passenger services via a popular app. Disturbingly, 90% of these earnings were reportedly pocketed by the officer, leaving a mere 10% for the conscript himself. Though intended to sound like a win-win side gig under the guise of extra income,…

Twas a momentous week for Pattaya, as the city unfurled its finest red carpet to welcome a prestigious Chinese delegation, sending an unequivocal message to potential visitors: Thailand eagerly awaits the return of flocks of Chinese tourists with arms wide open and spirits high. The air was abuzz with excitement on the afternoon of May 15, as the Garden Cliff Hotel played host to an illustrious meeting. There, Pattaya’s dynamic Mayor, Poramet Ngampichet, and his ever-attentive secretary, Phumpipat Kamolnath, warmly greeted the influential Zhang Li Xin, Director of the Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Bureau of Pudong New Area, Shanghai, along with his distinguished entourage. This rendezvous marked a critical chapter in fortifying the tourism bridge between Thailand and China. The Chinese delegation arrived with a purpose, keen to exchange wisdom on tourism governance and sustainable stewardship. Why, you ask? Because Thailand is determined to reclaim its cherished status as the…