If politics were like a game of cards, then it seems the players are holding some intriguing hands in Thailand. At the heart of this political chessboard is Sirikanya Tansakun, a dynamic list MP and deputy leader of the People’s Party (PP), who has stirred the pot by contemplating a twist in financial maneuvers. Her intention to back the Finance Ministry’s potential decision to stretch borrowing limits might seem bold but has evoked cautionary tones from seasoned politician, Korn Chatikavanij. Imagine a poker table where seasoned players warn novices not to show their hand too early. That’s precisely how Korn sees it. Formerly the finance minister during Abhisit Vejjajiva’s tenure, he now advises Sirikanya not to be too eager or agreeable with fiscal policies. As Sirikanya prepares for a role possibly as the country’s finance minister, she’s already canvassing strategies for the national expenditure bill looming ahead. Meanwhile, Korn has…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In a spirited push towards peace and collaboration, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took to the social sphere last Thursday with a message of unity. Her post, bursting with optimism, highlighted the vital alliance between Thailand and Malaysia as they gear up to tackle the unrest in Thailand’s poignant deep South. The vibrant exchange with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim wasn’t just another diplomatic gesture; it was a beacon of hope. Together, they envisioned the upcoming inauguration of the new transborder road that seamlessly stitches Thailand and Malaysia via the Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoints. This is more than just infrastructure; it’s a symbolic bridge of cooperation, with a joint cabinet meeting slated to set the roadmap later this year. The phone call served as an echo of the region’s need for tranquility, underlining the pressing necessity for both nations to harmonize efforts on border development and peace. As tensions simmered and…
The tranquil hustle and bustle of Bangkok has been a little less vibrant since the sudden collapse of the under-construction State Audit Office (SAO) building. As the clock ticked past 6:00 PM on May 9, 2025, the city had a somber air as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) released an update to a weary populace: 109 souls directly affected, 89 lives tragically ended, four found breathing a second chance, nine nursing injuries, and seven still fluttering somewhere between hope and despair. It was the evening of March 28 that fate had its say, when an 8.2-magnitude earthquake rippled across the earth near Mandalay, Myanmar. The tremors proved too much for the 30-storey structure standing tall on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, as the building buckled under the seismic whisper of nature, taking with it the lives of over a hundred workers caught in its grasp. Tavida Kamolvej, blessed with the daunting…
Chatree Ladalalitsakul, a revered National Artist and the mastermind architect behind the monumental new parliament building, has found himself amidst the fray, passionately contesting numerous renovation plans. His resolute voice echoes the sentiment that this architectural masterpiece stands as a vital piece of national art, deserving untouched reverence unless the original creators give their authentic nod. For a grueling decade, Chatree maintained a dignified silence, absorbing a storm of criticisms and defamation. “This parliament is a crowning achievement of our architectural panorama in the past century,” he defended, his voice tinged with the weariness of a decade-long battle. Reluctantly stepping back after handing over the project, Chatree admits, “I was urged to stay mum, but my frustrations have burgeoned beyond containment.” His Thursday visit to the parliament carried more than just words—it was an urgent plea delivered to the Senate subcommittee on creative arts, urging restraint on alterations. Contributing to…
As the sun beams its glow upon the Chao Phraya River, the scene inside Bangkok’s majestic new parliament complex is not as serene. With the humdrum of political discussions overshadowed by a whirlwind of issues, it’s the grandeur of architecture rather than the affairs of state that recently stole the spotlight. Leading the charge into the depths of governmental transparency is Parit Wacharasindhu, the dynamic MP from the People’s Party, whose mission is to dissect the details of five particular renovation projects drawing particular attention from the public purse. The densest cloud of contention hangs over a proposed car park building set to inflate parliamentary budgets to the tune of 4.6 billion baht over three years. Picture this: a sprawling underground lot potentially housing 6,500 vehicles beneath the lawns of parliamentary grandeur. Aligning this vision with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s requirements, which call for a less extravagant 3,500 spaces, strains credulity.…
Something’s cooking in the political landscape of Thailand, where the scent of high drama and intrigue hangs heavily in the air. At the heart of it all, buzzing like a bee in a bonnet, is an investigation concerning former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s stint at the Police General Hospital (PGH) – a saga that’s got tongues wagging and gavel-holders frowning. Ah, the sweet aroma of scandal! The Supreme Court’s esteemed Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions has turned its beady eye onto Thaksin’s cozy hospital stay, with whispers ricocheting around corridors of power that perhaps the ex-leader’s prison sentence hasn’t been enforced with enough vigor. As if on cue, the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) then commenced an act of theatrical discipline, targeting three doctors involved. One got a proverbial slap on the wrist with a formal warning, while his colleagues saw their medical licenses unceremoniously suspended for conjuring…
The enigmatic case gripping the heart of Kanchanaburi revolves around the tragic demise of a 28-year-old party entertainer named Mark, whose lifeless body was fished out from the Khwae Noi River on a fateful day, February 28. The picture painted by his untimely death is mysterious, casting shadows over the vibrant riverside accommodation where Mark was last seen performing his mesmerizing acts. Mark was a young Thai man, full of life and known for bringing sparkle to parties. Little did anyone know that his last journey to this picturesque floating accommodation would be shadowed by grave suspicions and sorrow. Mark and his jovial entourage, comprising a gay man named Rin and a fellow entertainer named Mew, checked into this riverside haven on February 26. Together, they were to break the monotony with music and laughter, a job Mark had been hired to do. However, the morning of February 28 dawned…
The solar rooftop market in Thailand is hurtling towards an electrifying future, with fierce competition brewing amidst the falling prices and an ever-expanding supply from enthusiastic manufacturers. This charge towards renewable energy has been sparked by a series of innovative governmental pushes. Among the frontrunners is EnergyLIB, a nimble solar energy solutions provider that has proudly unveiled a snazzy new solar system tailored for townhouses. Not to be left out of this sunlit race, a powerhouse consortium has risen, comprised of the esteemed German cable manufacturer Lapp Holding Asia, the dynamic Hong Kong conglomerate Jebsen and Jessen Group, and the charismatic Chinese solar panel virtuosos, Deye. JJ-Lapp’s general manager, Chatchai Wajakiet, wagers that as prices tumble and the Thai government graciously relaxes regulations around solar installations, the demand for solar rooftop panels will soar to new heights. The enterprising trendsetters leading the charge are, unsurprisingly, the office owners and factory…
In a plot worthy of a movie script, an Australian man has been dramatically apprehended in Pattaya over his alleged involvement in a series of high-stakes robberies in Thailand’s sun-kissed locales of Phuket and Koh Samui. The twist? His lavish hideout was shared with two majestic lions pacing the grounds, seemingly guarding the secrets of this brazen tale of theft and intrigue. The suspect, known as Vasilios, but often referred to by his alias “Billy,” was scooped up by a joint operation led by the officers from Provincial Police Region 8 and Chon Buri’s finest. These forces descended upon a sprawling luxury villa nestled in the Bang Lamung district. The setting was dramatic—a compound encompassing two rai of land, with its opulence punctuated by the presence of Vasilios’s unusual pets. These were no ordinary pets. Vasilios, who flaunted body art that spoke of histories untold, boasted about acquiring the lions.…
It was a typical Friday in bustling Bangkok when a group of stern-faced officials moved through the city like a well-rehearsed flash mob, delivering summonses that had the potential to send ripples through the Senate itself. These summonses were crafted by the Election Commission (EC) and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to address the murky allegations of vote-rigging in last year’s Senate election. Among the bedlam and the buzz, six senators found themselves in the storm’s eye, encircled by suspicion and scrutiny. The names on the lips of every political junkie in town were Alongkot Vorakee, Chokchai Kittithanesuan, Jirasak Chookhwamdee, Pibulat Haruehanprakan, Wuttichart Kalyanamitra, and Phisut Rattanawong. They were the chosen half-dozen, the political focus of relentless eyeballs and accusatory whispers. It was a mix of high politics and low intrigue, with posters slapped on gates and under surrounding gazes. When DSI officers stopped by Sen Jirasak’s abode in…