THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

In a striking turn of events, Thailand is inching closer to the legalization of casinos as part of a grand entertainment complex project. This news, announced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, has sent ripples across the nation. He revealed that a public hearing indicated a substantial 80% approval from the attendees, a promising sign that the project has public backing. The hearing was a dynamic affair, organized to gather insights and opinions on the proposed bill by the Ministry of Finance. Mr. Julapun, a key figure in the Pheu Thai Party, mentioned that the discussions were fruitful and the draft bill would be refined based on the feedback received. The much-anticipated revised bill is slated for submission to the cabinet where coalition parties will determine its fate. With their support, the bill will proceed to the Council of State for meticulous scrutiny before it makes its way to the…

Deloitte has unveiled an insightful new report shedding light on the transformation of micro multinational companies (micro-MNCs) in Asia Pacific (APAC) as they increasingly embrace digital technologies and ramp up investments in branding. The buoyant outlook on cross-border e-commerce and digital trade radiates optimism amidst the global economic turbulence. The comprehensive report, titled “Going-Global: Seizing the Next Great Opportunity in Digital Trade”, crafted with WorldFirst, underscores the robust role of APAC in driving global economic momentum. Despite geopolitical tensions and rising protectionism, the region continues to be a powerhouse, contributing around 40% to the global trade in goods. A mammoth leap from $13.7 trillion in 2013 to nearly $18 trillion attests to the region’s unwavering dynamism. WorldFirst, renowned for its integrated digital payment and financial services tailored for global businesses, particularly SMEs, co-authored this revelatory study. A striking 71% of the surveyed micro-MNCs — those engaged in cross-border e-commerce and…

On the vibrant morning of August 1, 2024, excitement filled the air as a man eagerly signed up for the digital wallet scheme on its very first day. This initiative is a key component of the grand vision laid out in the 2025 budget, which includes a special provision to partially finance this innovative program. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) With a resounding sense of purpose, the House of Representatives has triumphantly passed a colossal 3.75 trillion baht budget for the fiscal year starting in October. This robust financial plan empowers the newly-appointed Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to bolster state spending and inject much-needed momentum into the budding economic recovery. The budget bill, championing a 4.2% increase in government spending compared to the current year’s revised outlay, garnered immense support from 309 lawmakers in its conclusive third reading in the 500-member House late Thursday. However, 155 lawmakers offered a dissenting vote after…

Yesterday, a significant legal move was made in the picturesque province of Samut Songkhram. A collective of local fishermen, standing together like an emblem of unity, walked into the hallowed halls of the Bangkok South Civil Court. Their purpose? To seek justice and hold Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) accountable for environmental damage that spanned over the years—damage allegedly caused by the rampant spread of the blackchin tilapia. Panya Tokthong, an ardent environmental advocate and a prominent figure within both the Upper Gulf of Thailand Preservation Network and the Mae Klong Community Lovers Network, spearheaded this movement. This wasn’t just a personal mission; Panya was the voice for 1,400 local fishermen from the districts of Amphawa, Bang Khonthi, and Muang. The roots of this controversy trace back to 2010, when CPF imported blackchin tilapia from Ghana, intended for breeding research at their development centre in Amphawa. It seemed innocent enough—just another…

The Thai government’s ambitious plan to launch a mega entertainment complex, featuring casinos, is moving forward, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. On Thursday, he announced that public hearings had shown overwhelming support, with 80% of participants backing the initiative. Julapun, a significant figure in the coalition-core Pheu Thai Party, emphasized that these hearings served as a platform for inclusive discussions on the entertainment complex bill, crafted by the Ministry of Finance. As it stands, the proposed legislation will legalize the creation of entertainment complexes, including casinos as an integral part. The deputy minister added that the bill would be fine-tuned to incorporate valuable insights and suggestions from the public hearings. Once revised, the bill will face the cabinet’s scrutiny to determine coalition parties’ support. Should the cabinet give its nod, the proposal will advance to the Council of State for thorough examination before making its way to the…

Capt Thamanat Prompow, a notable figure within the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has made the pivotal decision to step down from his role as the party’s secretary-general. Notably, he is not alone in this venture; five other members from his faction have also resigned from their executive posts within the party. This collective resignation was formally submitted to the Election Commission (EC) earlier, marking a significant upheaval within the PPRP just ahead of a crucial party board meeting chaired by Gen Prawit Wongsuwon. Interestingly, while Capt Thamanat and his cohort have resigned from their executive roles, they have strategically retained their PPRP memberships to avoid jeopardizing their status as Members of Parliament (MPs). This move demonstrates a calculated effort to maintain their political foothold while expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s current trajectory. The faction comprises roughly half of the PPRP’s 40 MPs, establishing a formidable bloc within the party. Meanwhile,…

Big news is coming for railway enthusiasts and travelers in Thailand! Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote has announced that nine major railway projects, including the highly anticipated 357-kilometre second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train system, are set to be proposed for cabinet approval next month. All in all, these projects will demand a significant investment of 661 billion baht. Out of these nine projects, six will focus on double-track rail routes requiring a combined budget of 298 billion baht. The routes in question are a mix of vital links across the nation: the 285km Paknam Pho-Den Chai route, the 168km Chumphon-Surat Thani route, the 189km Surat Thani-Hat Yai route, the 308km Thanon Chira Junction-Ubon Ratchathani route, the 45km Hat Yai Junction-Padang Besar route, and the 189km Denchai-Chiang Mai route. Each of these will significantly enhance connectivity across Thailand, making travel swifter and more efficient. Further expanding Bangkok’s metropolitan rail…

In a dramatic turn of events yesterday, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders handed down a three-year, four-month prison sentence to Somying Buabut, a former Member of Parliament from the Pheu Thai Party. The charge? Corruption linked to the construction of a futsal field at a school in Amnat Charoen. Fortunately for Somying, the court decided to suspend her jail sentence for three years, giving her a temporary reprieve. This ruling stems from a lawsuit initiated by the attorney general back in September 2022. The legal action pointed fingers at Somying, then an MP for Amnat Charoen, alongside 11 others. The allegations revolved around the dubious allocation of the 2012 fiscal year budget to the Office of the Educational Service Area in this northeastern province. The fraudulent activities happened between 2011 and 2013, a time when dreams were traded for profit. The core of the scandal involved…

The Royal Thai Army has firmly denied the explosive allegations hurled by the opposition People’s Party (PP) during the high-stakes parliamentary scrutiny of the national budget expenditure bill. At the crux of the controversy is the purchase of approximately 10,000 mess trays at allegedly exorbitant prices. During the recent budget review session, PP, spearheaded by outspoken MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, accused the army of spending an unjustifiably large portion of its budget on these mess trays. The claim is that the trays were procured at prices significantly higher than the market norm. Stepping up to the podium to defend the army, Col Richa Suksuwanon, the army’s deputy spokesman, insisted the food trays purchased were of an exceptional standard. These were no ordinary trays – they were made of SUS 304 food-grade stainless steel, each 0.8 millimeters thick, crafted for longevity and used thrice daily. The e-bidding process, which saw the army…

When Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister who just recently found freedom on parole, took the stage on August 22, you could almost hear the nation’s breath being held. A staggering 1,400 business titans and influencers crowded into the venue, all eager to hear his “vision” for Thailand. Among these high-profile attendees were multibillionaires Dhanin Chearavanont from the CP Group and Sarath Ratanavadi of Gulf Energy Development. (Photo: Reuters) The air was thick with anticipation and curiosity. During a captivating forum in Bangkok, it was revealed that the economic strategies of the Pheu Thai-led government are skewed toward benefiting large corporations rather than the general populace. An economics lecturer from Thammasat University illuminated the problem, noting that Thailand’s governments have long been cozy with big business. According to him, these big corporations leverage their government connections to rake in benefits. However, monopolies are toxic for the economy as they stifle…