Stepping into the lush, verdant surrounds of Ban Bang Tao Cherng Talay in Phuket’s Thalang district, one is immediately captivated by the simple yet mesmerizing act of rubber tapping. Here, amidst the whispering foliage, visitors are given a glimpse into the lives of local farmers championing community-based tourism. Even as the skilled hands of a farmer delicately coax the precious sap from the rubber tree, whispers of an impending crisis cast a shadow over this tranquil scene. Throughout Thailand, rubber farmers are raising a collective cry for assistance as the once-vibrant market they’ve cultivated is hit by a sudden and jarring drop in rubber prices. Not long ago, prices hovered around a comfortable 70 baht per kilogram. Fast forward a few weeks, and the market has taken a nosedive, with prices dwindling to a mere 48-50 baht per kilogram. The price collapse is akin to a harsh monsoon, leaving its…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
It was an afternoon hustle and bustle at the Ministry of Interior, where the atmosphere was warm with a sprinkle of anticipation. Deputy Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, stood with a smile and extended his hand in greeting to Kinzang Dorji, the Ambassador of Bhutan to Thailand. The pleasantries exchanged were more than diplomatic gestures as plans were laid out for an impending royal visit by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand to Bhutan, scheduled for April 25 to 28. Meanwhile, the spacious chambers of Thai politics are treading through turbulence as the ruling Pheu Thai Party navigates choppy waters with its coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party. Observers of the political scene, like Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, who helms the opposition People’s Party, predict a continued union, albeit strained, between the coalition’s two heavyweight parties. Numbers in Parliament dictate their dance of dependence as they aim…
In a scene reminiscent of a showdown in a dramatic Western film, scores of cattle farmers, donning sun-beaten hats and boots caked with mud, gathered at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on Thursday. With a fervor akin to a stampede, they voiced their staunch disapproval of a government proposal that might open the gates for a tide of US beef imports. The deal, an apparent strategy to balance trade deficits, isn’t sitting well with the local farmers who fear more for their livelihood than a calf during branding season. The Beef Cattle Association of Thailand, with over 60 allied groups in tow, charged ahead with a united front. Their banners, flapping like the wings of protesting eagles, screamed resistance to the idea of trading Thai integrity for imported cow flesh. Heading up this charge was Sitthiporn Boorananath, the articulate vice president of the association, who delivered a letter to…
Amidst the verdant landscapes and churning waters of Southeast Asia, a curious and intense chapter unfolded on the borders of Myanmar a few days ago. The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), a group known for its historical ebbs and flows, took center stage in a modern tableau that rivaled the best of heist movies. Except there were no suave criminals here—just a medley of foreign nationals caught in the web of technology and deceit, with the DKBA as unexpected brokers of justice. This past Friday, the streets of Myawaddy, a bustling border town, echoed with the rumble of engines and the murmurs of anticipation. A convoy of four formidable six-wheelers, reminiscent of a small army on the move, ferried 277 souls caught in the spider’s web of call center scams. Their destination? A sunlit sports stadium freshly rebranded as the nexus of accountability. Picture this: beneath the golden rays of…
In the heart of Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province, a tragic scene unfolded as officials and rescuers gathered around the remnants of a black sedan. The vehicle had met its untimely demise against a roadside power pole on Highway No. 401, claiming the life of its female driver. This incident marked yet another somber addition to the toll of the so-called “seven dangerous days” of Songkran, a time notorious for risky travel conditions. Concluding on a somber Thursday, these perilous road days came to an end, but not without leaving a grim statistic in their wake: a daunting total of 253 fatalities. The Road Safety Operation Centre released these figures on Friday, revealing that the final day alone witnessed 147 traffic mishaps, resulting in 145 individuals nursing injuries and tragically, 22 losing their lives. Spanning the period from April 11 to April 17, a staggering 1,538 accidents and 1,495 injuries were…
As you meander through the bustling site of World Expo 2025 in the vibrant city of Osaka, Japan, the Thailand Pavilion beckons with its promise of a cultural cornucopia. Yet, behind its striking façade lies an underlying hum of controversy that has captured the whispers of both local and global visitors. It’s an extravagant spectacle, but has it hit the right notes on the global stage? Set against the poignant theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the towering edifice of Thailand’s investment—an opulent 900 million baht—hides a curious paradox. While the world congregates in Osaka to envision future horizons, some visitors have found themselves wandering through lanes of nostalgia rather than insightful foresight within the Thai exhibit. The pulse of public opinion, both critical and candid, is now echoed across social media platforms. The catalyst? A candid commentary from Unchalin Punnipa, a prominent figure in the Thai corporate…
In the serene town of Phetchaburi, the tranquility of early morning hours was dramatically interrupted by an event straight out of an action movie. The silence was shattered when an ambulance, dashing through an intersection with its sirens wailing, was unceremoniously upended by a wayward sedan. The aftermath of this remarkable collision left two people injured and a tale worth retelling. It was just 20 minutes past the midnight mark when the police, accompanied by a zealous crew from the Sawang Sanphet Thammasathan Foundation, rushed to a scene that could easily double for an adrenaline-pumping cinema spectacle. What they discovered was nothing short of jarring—a white sedan looking forlorn with its front crumpled like used paper and an ambulance from Kaeng Krachan Hospital tipped precariously to one side, resembling a child’s toy caught in a fleeting breeze. The heroes of this unexpected turn were the vigilant driver and nurse from…
Amidst the vibrant celebrations of Songkran, the Thai New Year, the city of Bangkok transformed into a welcoming hub for countless travelers looking to reconnect with their roots. On Friday, the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal buzzed with lively chatter and the cheerful focus of passengers both arriving and departing for the festive period. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) indeed had its tracks full, but this year, any potential travel chaos was effortlessly averted, revealing a harmonious image of seamless transportation coordination. The SRT was quite prepared for the influx, as evidenced by the impressive statistic of over 570,000 optimistic spirits taking to the rails to visit their home provinces during the week-long celebration from April 11 to 17. SRT’s governor, Veeris Ammarapala, shared on Friday that despite the veritable sea of travelers, not a single passenger found themselves stranded or adrift at the country’s train stations, a testament…
In a scene reminiscent of a dramatic television series, Mancha Khiri Hospital in the bustling city of Khon Kaen has found itself in the spotlight, but not for reasons anyone would wish for. The usually serene corridors of the hospital’s intensive care unit were disrupted on a seemingly ordinary Monday night, catching the attention of not just local residents, but the entire internet community. Trouble began when Anucha Chuenjai, a 45-year-old man, stormed into the ICU like a tempest, angered and frustrated over what he perceived as inadequate care for his ailing mother. His emotional outburst did not just stay confined to the four walls of the hospital. Thanks to the ever-curious smartphone cameras and hyper-active social media platforms, the entire world watched as Mr. Anucha declared the hospital a “slaughterhouse” in a moment of peak frustration. This verbal backlash against the hospital staff was captured on video, leading Mancha…
In an exciting development for Thailand’s hospitality industry, a new initiative is underway with the potential to revolutionize online accommodations. The initiative, spearheaded by the House Committee on Consumer Protection, urges state agencies to team up with online travel platforms to ensure that only legally registered hotels and accommodation providers can be booked online. This move comes in response to the rampant issue of unauthorized rental of condominium units, a violation of the Hotel Act of 2004. Chanin Rungtanakiat, a proactive 32-year-old Pheu Thai Party list-MP and committee member, emphasizes the role online booking platforms play in these unlawful transactions. “Their involvement in these transactions is akin to facilitating the sale of illegal goods,” he remarked, not mincing words about the seriousness of the issue. Under the current law, violators face a fine of up to 20,000 baht (approximately US$600), with an additional daily fine of 10,000 baht (around US$300)…