In the world of Thai politics, the air is thick with speculation and whispers circulating corridors of power and beyond. Yet, amidst all the rumors, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stands as a bastion of clarity, refuting any connection between the recent parole of former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and the potential return of ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra from her overseas exile. “It’s purely about the Department of Corrections’ regulations,” Paetongtarn asserted with unwavering confidence. She made it abundantly clear during Tuesday’s press engagement that Boonsong’s release after more than six arduous years behind bars was the result of a straightforward application of existing DoC rules. As for Yingluck, her aunt, the Prime Minister was resolute—there’d been no contact about a potential homecoming. So why the hubbub? Political pundits, conspiracy theorists, and casual onlookers alike have been swept up in a fervor of anticipation post-Boonsong’s release—a release that was meticulously orchestrated by…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
On a rather uneventful Tuesday evening in the scenic district of Kanchanaburi, a routine patrol turned into a scene straight out of a crime thriller. Nestled within the lush green surroundings of Muang district’s Ban Kao area, law enforcement officers, who were on their regular patrol duty, stumbled upon a mystery that could very well be the plotline of a Tinseltown blockbuster! The sun was just dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows over the Ban Kao-Huai Nam Khao Road, when the officers’ attention was drawn to a group lurking suspiciously by the roadside. The figures, though appearing harmless at first glance, were soon revealed to be men of interest with more than just a travel story to tell. As the officers approached, it was their silence and lack of papers that painted a rather incriminating picture – illegal migrants from Myanmar without documentation, seeking refuge under the cloak of…
On a bright day in November, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham, with an air of assertiveness, stood shoulder to shoulder with the Royal Thai Navy’s Koh Kut task force on the picturesque island, reinforcing the message that the waters surrounding this island remain unmistakably Thai. There have been whispers suggesting that the infamous 2001 Memorandum of Understanding with neighboring Cambodia might unwittingly hand over a slice of Thailand’s treasure trove, but Mr. Phumtham, supported by fellow ministers, reassures everyone that such concerns are much ado about nothing. But not everyone is reclining on the sandy beaches of reassurance. Enter the opposition People’s Party, trumpeting a call for transparency and crystal-clear clarity in the thorny issue of maritime negotiations. At the heart of this diplomatic ballet is the appointment of a Joint Technical Committee, or JTC for those acronym enthusiasts out there. Their task? To artfully negotiate with Cambodia over sections of…
In the bustling corridors of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, there’s a fresh buzz of excitement and optimism, all thanks to Deputy Minister Itthi Sirilathayakorn. Enthusiastically, he addresses pilots on the inaugural day of the royal rainmaking operation, ushering in a venture hoped to clear the smog-choked skies of Bangkok and its neighboring provinces. This ambitious operation, spearheaded by the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA), aims to tackle the notorious PM2.5 particles—fine dust that hangs in the air like an invisible, menacing shroud. On Tuesday, as propellers whirred into action, hopes were high that this innovative approach would bring cleaner air to the tens of thousands of people affected by the pollution. Royal Rainmaking Operation Units in both Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district and Kanchanaburi province set off on their lofty mission. The strategy was as fascinating as it was unorthodox, involving the cooling of…
Picture this: You’re peacefully enjoying your morning coffee, scrolling through your favorite news site, when BAM! A headline catches your eye—a high-profile investment scam involving Dr. Boon Vanasin, the founder of the well-known Thonburi Healthcare Group. The shocking part? Over 300 people have reportedly been duped out of a staggering 9.16 billion baht. It reads like the plot of a gripping thriller, doesn’t it? But let’s pause for a moment and dive a little deeper into this real-life drama. As it unfolds, the accusations point towards Dr. Boon, an 86-year-old veteran in the hospital industry. Authorities claim he extravagantly traded on this prestige to hook unwitting investors into five fanciful medical-related projects. And just like a magician with a disappearing act, Dr. Boon is now believed to have slipped away to China, leaving a trail of empty wallets and broken dreams behind. In the middle of this enthralling drama, the…
Picture this: the sky over the picturesque resort island of Koh Chang, off the coast of Trat, painted with plumes of thick black smoke. Amidst the serene beauty of the island, a fiery spectacle unfolded on a fateful Tuesday. This was no ordinary fire; it was the blazing finale of a storied relic, an abandoned floating hotel affectionately dubbed the “ghost ship.” (Photo: Jakkrit Waewkraithong) Long untethered to its former glory, the ghost ship had become a staple of tales and snapshots, attracting tourists and serving as a backdrop for cinematic escapades. But on this particular day, it wasn’t the allure of its past grandeur drawing attention, but the voracious flames consuming it with fierce abandon. As the sun climbed higher, traffic police and JS 100 traffic radios buzzed with reports of the blaze emanating from the grounds of Koh Chang Grand Lagoona. It was just minutes to noon when…
In the bustling district of Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, a woman deftly sorts through a rainbow of lottery tickets, each one adorned with her cherished numbers, seeking a touch of fortune. This picturesque scene, captured by the keen eye of Apichart Jinakul, unwittingly heralds a new chapter in the grand tale of Thai lotteries – the inception of the intriguing “retirement lotto.” In a bid to intertwine chance with financial wisdom, the cabinet has given its nod to a draft law designed to establish this novel concept of a “retirement lotto.” Spearheading this initiative, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul divulged on a bustling Tuesday that this legislative proposal is making its way through the corridors of power. Next stop: scrutiny by the Council of State, the venerable legal advisory of the government, before it finds its way into the parliamentary limelight. The genius of this scheme lies in its promise: no…
In a dramatic sting operation that could easily rival the plot of a Hollywood thriller, a creative undercover plan executed by the Bangkok police culminated in the arrest of Su Xing Rui, a 33-year-old Chinese national with a disturbing penchant for sexual exploitation. The operation unfolded amid the vibrant, bustling backdrop of the Thai capital, resulting in the apprehension of a suspect whose actions had left a young university student’s life in tatters. It was a seemingly ordinary evening on November 19 when the unsuspecting victim, an 18-year-old student eager to practice her Mandarin, encountered Su Xing Rui at the iconic MBK Centre in Bangkok’s Pathum Wan district. Su, posing with the innocent demeanor of a curious tourist, engaged her in conversation before persuading her to accompany him back to a hotel on Petchaburi Road. Once there, the scenario took a dark turn. Trapped and coerced, the young woman was…
In the bustling world of academia, where dreams are forged and ambitions soar, parents are casting their sights on creating a brighter future for their children by equipping them through top-tier education. The stakes are high, with elite universities like the Ivy League schools in the United States or the illustrious Oxford and Cambridge in the United Kingdom setting a prestigious academic bar. In a world where securing a golden ticket to these renowned institutions requires more than sheer luck, families are strategizing with military precision. They’re beginning this educational journey early, particularly during the formative years when their children are between the youthful ages of 11 and 14 – a crucial window for skill development and foundation building. It’s the age when young minds begin to dance with dreams, explore new interests, and start shaping visions of their future selves. Amidst this academic race, Crimson Education hosted a compelling…
Stirring the city of Bangkok like a whirlwind of change, a protest led by Amnesty Thailand swept down the historical Ratchadamnoen Avenue. The throngs were unified in their resolute plea to halt the prosecutions of human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa. Their vibrant chants reverberated through the bustling street on that fateful day of February 5, 2024. The photograph, snapped masterfully by Chanat Katanyu, captured a moment brewing with both hope and determination. The spotlight, however, shifted to a solemn courtroom scene where the weight of the law came crashing down on Arnon Nampa. Known for his fierce advocacy for human rights, Arnon was convicted by the Criminal Court for lese-majeste and computer crime offenses, landing him a two-year prison sentence. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), this ruling racks up his cumulative sentencing to a staggering 16 years and 2 months. This latest conviction—the fifth among a daunting…