Nestled along the majestic curve of the Chao Phraya River, ICONSIAM once again prepares to illuminate the night sky with its highly anticipated Amazing Thailand Countdown 2025. This spectacular event, now in its fifth year, promises an unforgettable celebration that melds cultural splendor with eco-conscious ingenuity. Picture fireworks that stretch a breathtaking 1,400 meters, casting their glow for an audience spread across both banks, up to 5 kilometers away. Crafted with nature in mind, these radiant displays are the fruit of collaboration between the creative minds of Japanese award-winning fireworks designers and Thai visionaries. The Amazing Thailand Countdown is not just another firework show; it’s a dazzling testament to Thailand’s innovative spirit and commitment to sustainability. Pioneering the concept of eco-friendly fireworks, the event employs natural ingredients that minimize environmental footprints, guided by rigorous environmental management standards. So, when you look up and see those bursting colors, you’ll know they…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
So picture this: cruising down the bustling roads of Pattaya, a Russian driver, who’s clearly caught the holiday spirit, is bringing his own festive flair to the streets. Imagine a typical sedan, but with a twist — it’s swathed in sparkling Christmas lights. This delightful mobile decoration caught the attention of more than just the onlookers with its twinkling charm; it also snagged the notice of the local traffic police. On a routine patrol along Sukhumvit Road in Chon Buri, the traffic officers were probably taken aback by what they saw. It wasn’t just the usual glint of headlights in the evening rush, but rather a veritable light show worthy of a holiday parade. But alas, this wasn’t a parade. It was just Ivanov, a 25-year-old Russian motorist, bringing a dash of Yuletide charm to his drive, unaware he was road-tripping his way into a fine of 500 baht. When…
In a landmark development poised to make traveling to Thailand a breeze, the nation’s Foreign Minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, has unveiled a groundbreaking e-visa system. During a bustling press conference at the Foreign Ministry on a vibrant Tuesday morning, Minister Sangiampongsa enthusiastically shared this exciting innovation with the world. Set to go live on January 1, 2025, this initiative is destined to transform the visa application process for visitors to the Land of Smiles. From the beginning of the new year, the ambitious Thai e-visa system promises a seamless online application process accessible through all 94 Thai embassies and consulates scattered across the globe. No longer will eager travelers be required to endure long queues or wrestle with piles of paperwork. Instead, with a few clicks, they can apply for visas from the comfort of their home, office, or even the beach—courtesy of the user-friendly portal at www.thaievisa.go.th. At the heart…
As the first light of dawn gently caresses the peaks of Phu Kradueng, visitors flock to this beloved mountain in Loei, eager to soak in the mesmerizing sunrise. But soon, the beauty of this natural wonder will once again be accessible, as the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation unveils plans to reopen Phu Kradueng to adventurers starting next Monday, December 23. The closure, which began last Friday, was enacted in response to a tragic incident on December 11, when an elephant, roaming the park’s trails, fatally injured a visitor. In the wake of this unfortunate event, the park’s director-general, Attapon Charoenchansa, has outlined a comprehensive suite of new safety protocols aimed at safeguarding the well-being of the park’s visitors as they traverse this northeastern treasure. One of the foremost initiatives includes the creation of a digital lifeline—a LINE chat group—where tourists will be promptly registered and kept…
As the New Year chimes in, a new way to explore the Land of Smiles rings in too. Effective from January 1, 2025, Thailand is poised to make life a whole lot easier for eager travelers. The much-anticipated Thai E-Visa system will be seamlessly rolled out across a grand total of 94 Thai embassies and consulates worldwide. Announced by Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, this groundbreaking initiative is set to transform the visa application process, allowing adventurers to file their requests online without ever stepping foot into a consulate office. Sharing the excitement, Worawoot Pongprapapant, the ingenious mind steering the Department of Consular Affairs, revealed that with this digital leap, gone are the days of snaking queues and hefty paperwork. Travelers now possess the power to apply for their Thai visas with the click of a button, from the cozy confines of their homes, cafes, or wherever their wanderlust takes them,…
The Senate has decisively cast its vote, with a staggering majority of 153 to 24, to uphold the double majority rule for a charter amendment referendum. This decision was complemented by 13 abstentions, reinforcing the Senate’s alignment with a joint House-Senate committee’s earlier resolution in favor of this procedural standard. In a vivid display of unity, most senators voiced disagreement with the House of Representatives’ inclination towards adopting a single majority rule. The crux of the debate lies in the definition of “majority.” According to the approved double majority requirement, more than half of all eligible voters must partake in the referendum, and a majority of those votes must affirm the proposed amendment. By contrast, the single majority rule stipulates that any winning vote, regardless of its proportion, is valid. Those supporting the Senate’s stance argue that the gravity of charter amendments necessitates a higher threshold, emphasizing their national significance…
In a determined effort to curb the looming threat of narcotics smuggling along the Myanmar border, authorities have stepped up their anti-drug operations, uncovering a plethora of cunning tactics devised by traffickers to ensure their illicit cargo slips through the cracks. On a recent Tuesday, Lt. Gen. Somjing Koree, the Deputy Commander of the 35th Infantry Regiment, took a decisive step by reviewing the drug interdiction strategies in Tak and Mae Hong Son provinces. According to the commander, military units have intensified their vigilance, particularly focusing on hotspots like Mae Hong Son and certain areas in Chiang Mai. This enhanced scrutiny has pressured drug syndicates to alter their modus operandi, opting to reroute their treacherous efforts towards Fang and Mae Ai districts in Chiang Mai, and even pushing some operations to the border regions of Chiang Rai. Lt. Gen. Somjing Koree revealed that vast caches of illegal substances continue to…
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has drawn a line in the sand and is ready to pursue legal action against private companies and state enterprises caught in the act of illegally installing communication cables on their power poles. This announcement buzzed into the headlines after Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul upped the ante, urging the PEA to put the pedal to the metal in tackling these unruly installations. In the hot seat, PEA Deputy Governor Prasit Chanprasith shed some light on this electrifying issue that seems to keep coming back like a rogue boomerang. The unauthorized tangle of communication cables draping the PEA’s power poles isn’t new, but it’s become as stubborn as a weed in a well-tended garden. Mr. Prasit was quick to point out that the agency has already had a few diplomatic exchanges with various state agencies and firms, trying to untie this exceptionally…
In the bustling heart of Nonthaburi, a remarkable tale of high-stakes intrigue unfolded as law enforcement unveiled a sophisticated money-laundering operation with all the dramatic twists of a thrilling crime novel. Picture this: a Thai woman, Ms. Pattama, and her Malaysian husband, Mr. Kia Lim Hao, found themselves at the epicenter of a clandestine network, cleverly concealing illicit earnings from online gambling activities. This was no ordinary tale of crime and punishment—it was a high-tech cat-and-mouse game, unmasked by the determined efforts of the police. Leading this ambitious operation were the dynamic duo, Pol Lt Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, the astute deputy police commissioner, and Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewphan, the sharp-eyed acting chief of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). Their mission: to dismantle the laundering labyrinth constructed by the online gambling syndicates. On a thrilling Monday morning, the law enforcers executed a well-coordinated raid spanning five strategic locations in…
Escorted by an entourage of reporters, the 44-year-old high-profile lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd found himself in the spotlight again last month. But this time, it wasn’t the courtroom bravado that garnered attention; it was his entanglement in a sensational anti-fraud crackdown orchestrated by Thailand’s very own financial detectives—the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo). The air was thick with anticipation during the press conference as Amlo’s straight-laced secretary-general, Theppasu Bavornchotidara, flanked by his equally prestigious spokesperson, Witthaya Neetitham, laid bare the results of their relentless pursuit of justice following a definitive transaction committee meeting on Monday. The staggering numbers rolled off their tongues, painting a vivid portrait of crime, cunning, and colossal cash. The office had seized and frozen assets from 12 major criminal enterprises, spanning grand frauds, drug-related offenses, and online gambling syndicates, seizing over 234 items and profits valued at approximately 836 million baht! Mr. Sittra’s distinct saga of legal turmoil…