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THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Central Restaurants Group Wins Prestigious Award for Promoting Disability Inclusion in Thailand

Central Restaurants Group, a beacon in Thailand’s bustling restaurant scene, recently snagged the prestigious “Organisation Contributing to the Welfare of People with Disabilities” award. This notable accolade was bestowed upon them at a magnificent ceremony organized by the Social Development and Children, Youth, Women, Elderly, Disabled, and Underprivileged Commission of the Senate, where the crème de la crème of contributors to social welfare gather to be honoured. Wearing a broad smile, Ms. Jaruwan Ngampisutpaisan, the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, gracefully accepted the certificate of honour on behalf of the company. With the primary aim of the ceremony being to spotlight and celebrate organisations making tangible differences in society, it sets the benchmark for others aspiring to foster inclusivity and empowerment. This gala event also amplified the stories of those commitment to promoting the well-being of disabled individuals, showcasing their contributions far and wide, inspiring sectors across society to…

Japanese Executive Hiroshi Kasamatsu Freed After Myanmar Conviction: A Closer Look

An Aeon Orange supermarket in Yangon, Myanmar. (Photo: Kyodo) In an unexpected turn of events, Hiroshi Kasamatsu, a prominent figure in the Japanese supermarket landscape, has returned to freedom. Kasamatsu, serving as the merchandise division chief of Aeon Orange Co., a joint venture of the Japanese supermarket chain Aeon Company in Myanmar, was released after being convicted of breaching rice pricing regulations enforced by Myanmar’s military government. Diplomatic sources confirmed this development on Tuesday. The 53-year-old executive made a swift exit from Yangon and touched down safely in Bangkok on the same day, reportedly in good health. While the exact details surrounding his release remain murky, sources suggest that a return to Japan is imminent for Kasamatsu. His initial detainment began on June 30, with formal charges levied against him on July 11, 2024. His ordeal culminated on Monday with a conviction, a one-year prison sentence, and a fine. This…

Upcoming SIAL Shenzhen 2024 and SIAL Paris: A Golden Opportunity for Thai Food Entrepreneurs

Following the roaring success of SIAL Shanghai from May 28-30, 2014, which magnetically drew in over 5,000 exhibitors from 75 countries and 175,739 visitors from 110 countries, the Comexposium Group—a veritable titan in the global event organization scene, orchestrating over 170 B2C and B2B events across 11 sectors—is setting the stage for two spellbinding food and beverage exhibitions for Thai entrepreneurs. Buckle up because these exhibitions aren’t just any run-of-the-mill events; they’re your ticket to the heart of the food and beverage universe! First up, we’ve got SIAL Shenzhen, the gateway to the burgeoning food and beverage market in Southern China. The Chinese government has grand plans to pivot Shenzhen into a hubbub of international food industry investments, an epicenter dubbed the “International Food Valley.” This event, scheduled from September 2-4, 2024, promises a whirlwind of high-stakes business matchmaking and spectacular returns on investment. The venue? The cosmically vast Shenzhen…

Primus Group Unveils ZEEKR PRIMUS Showroom and Exclusive EV Deals in Thailand

Primus Group has unveiled an exciting expansion of its automobile division, with a focus on the luxury brand ZEEKR under the newly minted entity, ZEEKR PRIMUS. This grand venture kicks off with a premium showroom in the bustling Ratchaphruek area, designed to offer top-tier services aimed at delivering unparalleled experiences. Alongside the showroom, the ZEEKR PRIMUS POP-UP STORE promises to be a highlight, inviting car enthusiasts to discover and test drive the new ZEEKR X. Exclusive deals await at The Mall Lifestore Bang Khae starting from 1 August 2024. According to Nattavuth Tangkaravakoon, President of Primus Group, the last two years have provided a golden opportunity within Thailand’s burgeoning automobile sector, especially in the Electric Vehicle (EV) market. Numerous new brands from China are eyeing Thailand as a potential hub. With this foresight, Primus Group is seizing the chance to expand into the automobile distribution sector. Building on their success…

Minister Varawut Silpa-archa Launches Campaign to Address Thailand’s Growing Beggar Crisis

The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is set to roll out an intriguing and vital campaign, urging the public to rethink their generosity towards beggars. This initiative comes on the heels of a nationwide survey revealing a concerning increase in the number of beggars. Minister Varawut Silpa-archa has scheduled the campaign launch for Friday at the bustling Bangkok Art and Culture Centre in Pathumwan district. This ambitious campaign will see the collaboration of numerous related sectors such as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), the Immigration Bureau, the Mirror Foundation, and a host of networks dedicated to addressing the beggar crisis. The event promises to be a confluence of dedicated efforts aimed at mitigating this social issue. One of the highlights of the campaign will involve the distribution of informative pamphlets. These pamphlets, painstakingly translated into Thai, English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Cambodian, will…

Senate Repeals NCPO Orders to Empower Southern Thai Communities in New Legislative Move

In a decisive move, the Senate accomplished a rare legislative trifecta yesterday by passing a bill aiming to dismantle orders left by past coup-makers that allegedly curtailed public engagement in the administration of the tumultuous South. In a resounding show of unity, 187 senators voted without a single objection to annul orders issued in April 2016 by the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). This legislative sweep signals a clear-cut intention to revive local governance and public participation in the southern regions. The NCPO orders had wreaked havoc by partially invalidating the Southern Border Administration Act and stalling the operations of the advisory council on Southern Border Administration and Development. Critics assailed these directives for eroding community involvement in initiatives aimed at mitigating the longstanding violence in the far South. The orders also came under fire for bolstering the Internal Security Operation Command’s influence over the Southern Border…

Bangkok’s Bold Plan: Kittipong Ruayfupan Leads Effort to Relocate Key Port for a Greener City

Imagine a city where the iconic buzz and hustle are no longer gridlocked by mammoth containers and freight traffic. That’s exactly what Bangkok’s energetic policymakers envisage as they embark on an ambitious plan to relocate the capital’s port, currently lodged in the heart of the city. And guess what? The citizens, policymakers, and the Transport Ministry are all on board. Recently, five hardworking city councillors, led by the enthusiastic Kittipong Ruayfupan, Bangkok councillor for the Thung Khru district, took a proactive step. They submitted a compelling letter to the Transport Ministry, urging a swift action plan for moving Bangkok’s bustling port out of the city. Deputy Transport Minister, Manaporn Charoensri, acknowledged receiving the support and underscored the necessity to fast-track this gigantic logistical move. Kittipong summarized the crux of the issue succinctly: moving the port could substantially tackle the notorious Bangkok traffic congestion, especially during the chaotic peak hours. Imagine…

DLT Reassures Public Amidst Surge in Chinese Takeovers of Thai Transport Businesses

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has recently addressed circulating media reports alleging an overpowering surge of Chinese companies buying out struggling Thai transport businesses. They steadfastly reassured the public that licenses granted to one business are non-transferable, even in the case of a takeover. Additionally, they emphasized, “More importantly, only Thai legal entities registered and headquartered in Thailand are eligible to hold the licenses.” To ensure that Thai businesses remain protected, the DLT highlighted that at least 51% of a business’s shareholders must be Thai nationals to legally operate within the country. This rule is a cornerstone of maintaining local control over the transport business, and there’s mounting concern that some Thai citizens may be financially incentivized to hold shares as a workaround to this regulation. In light of these developments, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance plan to convene next week to strategize on tightening…

Chaichanok Chidchob Spearheads Opposition to Thailand’s Controversial Casino Bill

In March, a dramatic raid on a casino in Nonthaburi led to the seizure of a large cache of gambling chips – a snapshot of the larger battle over gambling regulation in Thailand. (Photo: Department of Provincial Administration) The government’s proposed entertainment complex bill is under fire from both coalition and opposition members, with strong arguments that the potential benefits do not outweigh the negative consequences. Leading the charge from the Bhumjaithai Party is Chaichanok Chidchob, the party’s secretary-general. Following a crucial meeting with other coalition members on Tuesday, Chaichanok voiced the party’s firm disapproval of the bill, highlighting four major concerns. First on the list is the unresolved issue of illegal gambling. Chaichanok emphasized that legalizing gambling would only exacerbate existing problems, spilling over into both the sanctioned and underground markets. Simply put, it could create new avenues for gambling without curtailing the underbelly of illicit activities. Chaichanok’s second…

Mae Hong Son Landslides Leave 400 Stranded Residents Desperate for Aid

A rapid surge of floodwater coursed through a storm-battered village in Mae Hong Son on Sunday, wreaking havoc with a string of landslides that severed road access. By Tuesday, the situation had become desperate for over 400 hillside residents in Khun Yuam district, who were anxiously awaiting evacuation after landslides rendered the main road impassable. Among those asking for urgent aid was Phachat Chomchopdi, a local resident, who reached out to authorities on Tuesday. He reported that while villagers had miraculously escaped injury during the deluge following two days of heavy rainfall, they now faced a critical shortage of food and potable water. To make matters worse, the landslides had obliterated mobile phone signals in Mae Ko Pi, cutting off most of the village’s communication channels. Numerous houses lay in ruins, and the local school bore significant damage. To send distress calls, some villagers had to scale nearby hills in…