THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

In a momentous nod to its historical significance, Bangkok’s majestic Victory Monument has been officially declared an ancient site by the Fine Arts Department. This momentous decision, announced in the Royal Gazette on March 12, marks a significant step in preserving Thailand’s rich past, ensuring that this iconic landmark remains a testament to the country’s heroic legacy for generations to come. Embracing the mantle of historical preservation under the Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums Act of 1961, the monument now enjoys full protection over an area spanning approximately 3 rai and 31 square wa in the bustling Ratchathewi district. Originally erected to honor 59 brave souls—comprising Thai soldiers, police officers, and civilians—who perished during the Indochina conflict against France, the Victory Monument stands as a poignant reminder of patriotism and sacrifice. The cornerstone of this towering emblem was laid with great respect by General Phraya Phahon…

In the quiet streets of the Si Racha district, an unsettling conflict unfolded, weaving a narrative straight out of a soap opera with a note of gravity. Emerging from the bustling streets of Sriracha-Nong Kho Road, a tale of intrigue, inebriation, and investigation took the center stage on March 12. The protagonists? Kanokwan, a spirited woman of 36, and Pat, a worldly man of 48. Both caught in a whirlwind of events that led to unexpected injuries and the inevitable scramble for truth. Kanokwan, clearly the night’s heroine, bore an unfortunate mark of the evening’s proceedings, a deep wound to her forehead. As she sat there, nursing her injuries yet managing to converse with the concerned emergency responders, her condition was apparent—she had been swimming in spirits of a different kind. On the other side, sat Pat, the accused and perhaps enthused, equally under the influence, with his version of…

In an unexpected display of nature’s raw power, the villagers across Surin, Yasothon, and Nong Bua Lamphu found themselves at the mercy of a vicious hailstorm on March 12. This tempest seemed determined to leave a scar on the landscape, mercilessly pummeling the area with golf ball-sized hailstones and fierce winds that felt as if Zeus himself had taken up his thunderbolts to wreak havoc. “Woe to our humble abodes!” cried the locals as roofs were snatched away, rice barns disintegrated like sandcastles, and animal shelters crumbled in surrender. This storm, they declare, is unmatched in its ferocity by any seen in recent years. In Surin’s Sri Narong district, resilience was tested as over 36 homes were damaged, leaving hapless families grappling with the immediate aftermath. Trees surrendered to the wind, and billboards succumbed to gravity, taking a tumble in the gale. Though Lady Luck kept injuries at bay, livelihoods…

In a bid to transform the healthcare funding landscape, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced yesterday a government push to overhaul the current systems. The ambitious plan aims to boost efficiency and tackle enduring inequalities across the four major healthcare frameworks: the universal healthcare scheme popularly known as the gold card, the Social Security Fund (SSF), the medical benefits for civil servants, and the health services provided by the Department of Local Administration (DLA). The revelation emerged as Mr. Pichai detailed the outcomes of the inaugural committee meeting tasked with revamping the country’s healthcare welfare system. Held at the behest of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who handpicked the committee on January 27, the 22-member group gathered for a lively two-hour session. Their agenda: to dissect the state of healthcare amid soaring costs that are scaling new heights faster than the country’s GDP could keep up with. The…

In a twist of fate that seems straight out of a crime thriller, a police inspector in Sakon Nakhon province has found himself on the wrong side of the law. Pol Lt Col Nanmanas Phosri, who was once busy piecing together crime puzzles, is now embroiled in a dark murder conspiracy that shocked the serene northeastern landscape of Thailand. A scheme masked under the tragic guise of a fatal car accident is alleged to have been orchestrated by none other than this very officer, alongside four other nefarious agents, all with eyes set on a tantalizing bounty – a whopping 14 million baht in insurance payouts. The tense scene unfolded at Wanon Niwat station where the inspector, responsible for conducting investigations, arrived on a somber Wednesday. He came ostensibly to surrender himself, a scene befitting a Hollywood blockbuster, only this was reality. Investigators promptly apprehended him, armed with an arrest…

The winds of change are blowing through the corridors of Thailand’s healthcare system as the government prepares for a transformative overhaul, with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira leading the charge. In a candid revelation, Mr. Pichai announced the government’s ambitious plans to revamp healthcare funding with a spotlight on enhancing efficiencies and bridging gaps within the four cardinal pillars of healthcare services: the universal healthcare scheme, affectionately known as the gold card, the Social Security Fund (SSF), medical benefits for the diligent civil servants, and the Department of Local Administration’s (DLA) invaluable health services. What set the stage for this revelation was the maiden committee meeting dedicated to the state of Thailand’s healthcare welfare system—a gathering orchestrated by none other than Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who commissioned the panel on January 27th. Guided by Mr. Pichai at the helm, the 22-member committee delved into a two-hour deep…

In the bustling world of politics, where every decision can ripple waves across the nation, the nomination of cabinet ministers in Thailand has found itself under a perhaps unnecessary magnifying glass. Minister Chousak Sirinil from the Prime Minister’s Office, caught in the whirlwind of political standards, recently shared his concerns after the Constitutional Court’s decision to turn down a petition that sought to untangle the ambiguity around the requirement of “clear honesty” for cabinet positions. The court’s refusal to shed light on the seemingly straightforward term has left Chousak pondering the future landscape of ministerial appointments. He imagines a scenario, where quite literally, someone’s minor offense like parking on a double yellow line might be deemed dishonesty, thereby barring them from assuming a cabinet position. Honestly, how fun would it be for many of us to navigate under such scrutiny? Chousak believes this vague requirement could become a potential pitfall…

Picture this: a bustling Tuesday morning at the Social Security Office, abuzz with chatter and anticipation. There, amid the hustle and bustle, stands the indefatigable People’s Party MP, Rukchanok Srinork, eager to glean the latest from the office’s much-discussed new pension calculation method. This revamped approach promises to enhance pension payouts for the majority of its subscribers starting January, a ray of hope glistening through the financial forecast. However, underneath this optimistic surface, MP Rukchanok finds herself wrestling with concerns simmering beneath the surface—concerns involving the Social Security Fund’s (SSF) newfound enthusiasm for dramatically ramping up off-market investments. According to her revelations and insights as a distinguished member of the Bangkok legislative body, the SSF aims to catapult its off-market investment portfolio from a modest 10 billion baht to a whopping 130 billion, a leap that’s turning heads faster than a roller coaster during peak hours. But why this sudden…

In the heart of bustling Nonthaburi province, high-ranking officials with gravitas gathered in the esteemed confines of the Buntarik Meeting Room (A601), poised on the sixth floor of the regal NIEM headquarters. This particular assembly boasted an illustrious lineup of BMA executives—the crème de la crème of Bangkok’s administration. Among them was the erudite Assoc. Prof. Tavida Kamolvej, whose role as Deputy Governor of Bangkok is emblematic of her commitment to the city’s welfare. Alongside her, Pol. Gen. Adis Ngamchitsuksri, a venerable Adviser to the Governor, lent his seasoned perspective to the discussions, while Dr. Petchpong Kamjikakarn, wielding the mantle of Deputy Director-General of the Medical Service Department, infused the meeting with his profound medical insight. Additionally, critical representatives from the Traffic and Transportation Department and the City Law Enforcement Department punctuated the assembly with their vital strategic viewpoints. Presiding over this confluence of minds was the ever-diplomatic NIEM Secretary-General,…

Amidst the flurry of protests and vocal dissent that echo across the bustling streets of Bangkok, a contentious draft law is causing quite the stir. Just a couple of days ago, a large crowd of determined protesters gathered outside Government House, passionately rallying against the government’s proposal to establish casino entertainment complexes. The scene was a mixture of placards waving in the air and fervent chants calling for change, all under the watchful eyes of passersby and media personnel, reminiscent of a scene pulled straight from a socio-political drama. The focal point of this fervor is the special committee steering the entertainment complex project. At the helm is Vice-Chairman Nikom Boonwiset, a prominent figure within the ruling Pheu Thai Party. He recently disclosed in a lively press statement that four glittering tourist hotspots are being earmarked to host these grandiose complexes: the ever-thriving Bangkok, the bustling shores of Chon Buri,…