The sun barely peeks over the horizon, and already Bangkok is enveloped in a misty dance of tiny particles swirling through the air. On this Tuesday morning, all 50 districts of Thailand’s vibrant capital have donned an unfortunate cloak of “orange,” a dubious color that signals that the air quality isn’t just less than ideal; it’s teetering on the edge of affecting the very air we breathe and the health we hope to maintain. The steadfast Air Quality Information Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) rings out the call: Proceed with caution, dear city dwellers! As urbanites scurry about their morning routines, bleary-eyed but determined, they face an extra challenge today. The average PM2.5 concentration hovers at 51.2 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), defying the nation’s friendly recommendation of keeping it below the delicate threshold of 37.5 µg/m³ over an average span of three rushed hours, cleverly disguised as…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In a world where financial headlines often read like a thriller novel, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the dynamic deputy leader of the People’s Party, has set tongues wagging with his latest revelation. During a fiery opening salvo at the censure debate, he accused Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of dodging taxes to the tune of a whopping 218.7 million baht. But let’s put the scandal aside for a moment and delve into the intricate web of gift tax regulations that have us all curious. Strap in, folks, this financial rollercoaster is about to set off! You see, in the fascinating realm of the tax code, there exists a little-known creature called the gift tax. It’s the financial guardian meant to thwart any sly attempts at skirting inheritance tax. Introduced on the scene on February 1, 2016, this tax casts a watchful eye over assets whisked from one lucky individual to another, be it…
Imagine a Phuket and Samui free from traffic chaos—where exploring pristine beaches and alluring cultural landmarks isn’t marred by the unpredictable mess of island traffic. Thanks to the visionary efforts of the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat), this dream is moving closer to reality! Leading the charge, Exat governor Surachet Laopoolsuk recently shared with CU Radio of Chulalongkorn University his ambitious plan for new tollways that promise to alleviate traffic bottlenecks. The innovative solution for Phuket would significantly reduce accidents and ease traffic congestion, unfettering the island’s boundless potential. But let’s not get carried away; there are a few hurdles yet to clear. The proposed expressway still awaits the hallowed nod of cabinet approval. The go-ahead is anticipated later this year, primed for when pesky land issues with government entities have been ironed out. With these bureaucratic wrinkles smoothed, we can expect the ribbon cutting by 2030. Patience is a…
City streets can sometimes resemble a sort of vehicular graveyard, where cobweb-laden relics of old rides are left to gather dust beneath the buzzing rhythm of urban life. It’s a scene often forgotten, yet it’s one that Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is determined to change. Armed with the threat of fines and an unyielding commitment to city orderliness, the BMA has taken to the streets on a mission to evict these metal guests overstaying their welcome. The latest chapter in this endeavor unfolded yesterday in the bustling district of Bang Khen. Under the watchful eye of Deputy Governor Chakkapan Phewngam, city workers embarked on a tireless hunt for derelict cars, stirring sleepy streets and bringing attention to an often-overlooked issue. The clock was ticking and the world eager to see who would heed the call to tow away their wheeled burdens. Wind back to the scene in Soi Ram Intra…
In a perplexing case that’s bound to raise eyebrows and possibly tempers, a former girlfriend of a high-ranking police officer is not ready to let bygones be bygones. The 38-year-old woman, who deftly manages guest interactions as a hotel receptionist in the bustling precinct of Samut Prakan, has enlisted the legal prowess of attorney Nathatpong Boonkerd to help her secure justice. Her tale involves an alleged larceny to the tune of 500,000 baht by someone she once fondly called a partner—none other than a deputy superintendent stationed in the same locality. The enigma began unraveling in January 2022, when love was in the air, and the woman found herself smitten with the charming officer. Cupid appeared to have struck his arrow well, but alas, the relationship, initially blossoming with promises, took a sharp dive by the latter part of the year. She recounts how his demeanor slowly started to shift…
In a bid to fortify the future of waste management, a significant event unfurled at the Kasat Suek 2 Room on the 4th floor of The Twin Towers Hotel, nestled in the bustling Pathumwan district. This gathering was more than a mere meeting; it was a confluence of ideas, expertise, and a shared vision for a cleaner Bangkok. The Deputy Permanent Secretary took center stage, laying emphasis on the crucial role of the Environment Department in bolstering the prowess of personnel responsible for waste management. The aim? To elevate the efficiency of handling waste throughout all phases in Bangkok, with a keen eye on reducing potential impacts and enabling district offices to hit their waste management targets spot on. One cornerstone of the event was a cutting-edge training session designed to imbue BMA officials with insights from seasoned waste management virtuosos hailing from both Bangkok and the innovative city of…
In an inspiring blend of ambition and energy, the workshop buzzed with the vibrant promise of the future—the animated voices of the youth, keen and ready to embrace the call for leadership roles. Emphasizing the pivotal role youth hold in sculpting the social landscape, the workshop proved that encouraging leadership among young individuals is not just crucial; it’s the bedrock for fostering constructive transformation within communities and society at large. This dynamic workshop offered an enriching avenue for youth to delve into a reservoir of learning opportunities, equipping them with adept skills to amplify their leadership potential. It was more than just a gathering; it was a melting pot of collaboration with an array of sectors working in synergy to build a formidable network of young leaders. “I urge every participant to seize the breadth of this experience, turning it into a font of knowledge, sharing their experiences, and translating…
Gathered at an ambitious workshop in the vibrant heart of Bangkok, 105 enthusiastic staff members from 35 distinct schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) embarked on a journey toward educational innovation. Their mission? To delve into cutting-edge educational methodologies that concentrate on nurturing student competencies, arming them to deftly navigate a whirlwind of change—reflecting the essence of the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) framework. Sanon, exuding both gratitude and foresight, lauded the participating teachers for their commitment and readiness to embrace future challenges in stride. In an eloquent reminder, he spoke of the indispensable unity required among all sectors, especially education, to construct a city not just for the present, but for a shining future. In a passionate address, he revealed the heart of the initiative: embracing not only local children but also those of migrant workers from neighboring nations. “If we invite them into our ‘school system,’ which stands as…
The realm of digital oversight has seen vibrant activity over the past year as the Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DES) strives to wipe out illicit e-cigarette commerce online. A staggering figure of over 9,500 URLs, deeply entrenched in the world of e-cigarette sales, have been meticulously blocked by the government. Delving into this digital crusade, Deputy Government Spokeswoman Sasikarn Wattanachan unveiled the intricate web of online platforms being targeted in this cyber clampdown. From the bustling e-commerce corridors of March 2024 to the vigilant watch ending on March 19, 2025, the DES reported shutting down an imposing 9,515 URLs that dabbled in selling or importing e-cigarettes. This inclusive list is nothing short of a digital exodus, comprising 9,200 accounts on the platform X (formerly known as the artist Social Discord), a variety of websites numbering 235, a suite of 28 Facebook accounts, 12 visually tantalizing Instagram pages, and a…
The serene coast of Phra Samut Chedi district in Samut Prakan stands quietly as a testament to nature’s beauty, captured timelessly in the enchanting photographs of Somchai Poomlard. Yet, beyond the stillness of these images lies a narrative of gathering storm clouds—a tale that spans over 14,000 kilometers southward, where the world’s largest iceberg, A23a, is caught in a fervent dance with climate change. Picture this: an iceberg, sprawling over an expanse more than twice the size of Greater Bangkok, languidly grounded near the remote South Georgia Island, tiptoes on the precipice of a climatic cliffhanger. Having parted ways with Antarctica’s icy embrace back in 1986, this monumental slab of frozen history is now held hostage by the relentless crescendo of global temperatures, which have outpaced the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit we had once hoped to cage beneath radiating halos of international agreements. Sonthi Kotchawat, an esteemed oracle of environmental…