Imagine waking up to a skyline pierced by towering condominium buildings just above the serene Chatuchak Park in Bangkok. Now, visualize the potential shift in ownership dynamics, sparking both excitement and concern. The Thai government’s proposal to elevate the foreign ownership quota for condominiums to a remarkable 75% and extend land leasehold terms to an impressive 99 years has stirred the pot, leading to a whirlwind of public debate. While initial reactions have been mixed, the government, through its spokesperson Chai Wacharonke, is striving to alleviate worries regarding potential adverse impacts. Mr. Chai, on his Facebook page, assured that any forthcoming issues could be tackled with regulations designed to safeguard Thai interests. The blueprint proposes to bump up the foreign ownership ceiling in condominiums from the current 49% of usable space to a larger 75%. Moreover, the land lease term cap for foreigners would leap from 30 and 50 years…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
When Mongkutwattana Hospital was asked to shoulder the treatment costs for a severely injured worker, it wasn’t a decision taken lightly. According to the hospital’s director, the situation escalated after the employer flatly refused to cover the expenses. The Department of Employment swiftly responded by lodging a police complaint against the Thai employer. The worker in question was a migrant who had come into the country illegally, which compounded the already tense situation. This revelation surfaced when Maj Gen Dr. Rienthong Nanna, the esteemed director of Mongkutwattana Hospital, took to his Facebook page to shine a light on the injustice and to coax the employer into taking responsibility. In his compelling post, Dr. Rienthong shared a harrowing account of a migrant worker brought to their hospital, gravely injured. A sharp object had pierced through the worker’s left rib and diaphragm, coming dangerously close to the heart. It was a critical…
A startling turn of events unfolded outside the Chaiyapruek police station on Friday night when a man, caught red-handed filming women in a restroom, was compelled by his victims to obliterate his phone in a dramatic climax. This incident, laden with tension and frustration, has drawn ire from the public and raised questions about how authorities handle such cases. The man in question, identified only as Amnat, was apprehended for the brazen act of recording women in a public restroom in Nonthaburi. This distressing scene played out at a bustling restaurant on Chaiyapruek Road in the Pak Kret district. As police arrived, they found Amnat held securely by the restaurant’s vigilant staff, after being caught in the act. One of the victims, Pantharee, recounted the unsettling incident to investigators. She explained that while dining with six friends, they took turns to use the restroom. That’s when she noticed Amnat suspiciously…
A peaceful morning ride took an unexpected turn when a small tour bus carrying a group of European tourists found itself dramatically perched on its side in the Phunphin district of Surat Thani this past Saturday. The incident, which occurred on the often-circuitous Phunphin-Muang Road in tambon Tha Lon, left ten adventurers with minor injuries that surely added a twist to their travel tales. Pol Capt Pariwat Phetcharat, the deputy investigation chief at the Phunphin police station, was roused to action at around 6:30 in the morning with news of the mishap. Upon arrival, the scene was like a tableau from an action movie, with the minibus, owned by RP Transportation Co, lying helplessly on its side. Despite the dramatic overturn, the outcome was relatively fortunate with only minor injuries reported among the ten foreign passengers. Quick-acting rescue workers promptly whisked the injured to Phunphin Hospital, ensuring they received the…
In a gripping turn of events, the Tourist Police in the picturesque Koh Phangan district of Surat Thani made a significant breakthrough on Friday. Vigen Atoian, a 36-year-old Russian DJ, known for his electrifying beats and pulsating rhythms, found himself on the wrong side of the law. The scenic island, usually awash with vibrant parties and serene beaches, witnessed a rather dramatic arrest at a quiet house in tambon Ban Tai. Mr. Atoian, a name familiar in the bustling nightlife scenes across Thailand, became the center of attention for reasons far removed from his musical prowess. The Samui Provincial Court had issued an arrest warrant, holding him responsible for a reckless driving incident that left a motorcycle driver seriously injured and caused considerable property damage. This wasn’t just another night’s gig gone wrong; it was a matter of serious legal implications. The narrative began to unfold when Mr. Atoian, who…
Votes are meticulously counted at the bustling venue of the final round of the Senate election in Nonthaburi on June 26. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) The Election Commission (EC) is gearing up to announce the official results of the Senate poll next week, amidst rising calls for a delay due to suspected irregularities in the election process. According to insider sources, the EC had originally planned to reveal the results yesterday. However, the announcement has been postponed to address minor concerns, including thorough background checks on certain candidates. On Friday, an extravagant reception venue was set up by the Secretariat Office of the Senate on the ground floor of the Parliament Complex in Bangkok’s Dusit district. This location was intended to welcome the 200 newly-elected senators along with another 100 candidates from 20 various professions who are on the reserve list, according to an informed source. The source added that the…
The Election Commission (EC) is gearing up to announce the official Senate poll results next week, following a wave of calls to delay the announcement due to reports of election process irregularities. Initially, the EC intended to release the results yesterday, but minor concerns such as certain candidates’ background checks necessitated a brief postponement. A grand venue to welcome the newly-elected 200 senators, alongside another 100 reserve candidates from 20 professions, was set up by the Senate Secretariat Office on the ground floor of the Parliament Complex in Bangkok’s Dusit district. According to an inside source, this preparation underscores the importance of the occasion. The names of the new senators will be made public in the Royal Gazette. Once officially announced, the first Senate meeting will ensue, during which the senators will take their oaths of office, marking the commencement of their duties. This event will also feature an election…
Thaksin Shinawatra’s storied past seems to be catching up with him, and as his legal troubles resurface, the ramifications could profoundly impact Thailand’s conservative-bloc parties. The former premier, who once fled overseas to avoid a conviction over the Ratchadaphisek land deal, is now back in the limelight. Despite securing parole and what many saw as preferential treatment — including an immediate transfer to the Police General Hospital rather than serving time behind bars — he still faces new indictments. The timing of these legal affairs couldn’t be worse for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, whose influence over national politics Thaksin still appears to wield from the shadows. Thaksin returned to Thailand last August to serve a drastically reduced sentence — eight years cut to one, thanks to a royal pardon. However, his active political presence raises eyebrows, with critics suggesting that, despite formal imprisonment, he remains politically untouchable and continues…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is poised to amplify the triumph of the “Thacca Splash — Soft Power Forum 2024” by championing 11 soft power industries, aspiring to generate a staggering 4 trillion baht for Thailand within the next four years, as stated by government spokesman Chai Wacharonke. On Thursday, Mr. Chai revealed that the prime minister’s vision includes nurturing an ecosystem that fosters growth in Thai soft power industries and hones the skills of their workforce. This initiative takes its cue from the remarkable success of the Thacca Splash — Soft Power Forum 2024, which was recently held and garnered overwhelming acclaim. According to Mr. Chai, the forum served as an invaluable platform for sharing ideas, experiences, and activities, thereby guiding the government in shaping pivotal policies. The event’s enthusiastic reception by audiences and participants across all age groups marked a pivotal step in strategically promoting Thailand’s 11 creative industries…
The governor of Pattani, Pateemoh Sadeeyamu, has recently laid down some specific procedures that “Tadika” Islamic schools need to follow when organizing their events. This move comes in the wake of several schools conducting activities in support of Palestinians. In a bid to streamline the coordination, Governor Sadeeyamu has communicated these guidelines to every district chief, emphasizing the importance of sticking to protocol during the “Tadika Samphan” sports and academic competitions. According to the new directives, every school is now required to submit a detailed plan of their intended activities well in advance. This plan must gain initial approval from a district cultural committee before it moves up the chain of command to the district’s cultural council. The role of the cultural council is pivotal—they hold the authority to give the final thumbs-up or even postpone or cancel events that deviate from the approved plan. The announcement was met with…