National police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, left, and his deputy, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, share a light-hearted moment after they were ordered by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to be transferred to the PM’s Office on March 20, 2024. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol has been reinstated as national police chief following the completion of an investigation into a much-publicized conflict, according to Wissanu Krea-ngam, an advisor to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Mr. Wissanu on Thursday revealed the investigation results after the prime minister established a fact-finding committee, chaired by Chatchai Promlert, to look into the conflict between Pol Gen Torsak and his deputy Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn. The four-month-long investigation unveiled extensive conflicts and disorder within the Royal Thai Police across various hierarchies. However, it remains ambiguous whether these issues sprang from a singular cause or multiple sources, said Mr. Wissanu. The findings implicated both Pol Gen…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In a rather unexpected twist, a suspect in the much-debated land reform scandal was apprehended during what seemed like a routine morning exercise session at the Suranaree University of Technology, situated in Muang district, Nakhon Ratchasima, on a seemingly ordinary Thursday. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert) Four land reform officials found themselves in hot water as they were accused of illicitly issuing title deeds for an extensive 600 rai (a hefty 960,000 square meters) of land. This land, unfortunately, became infamous due to a factory’s illegal wastewater discharge in Nakhon Ratchasima. The arrests weren’t by chance; they were a result of meticulously planned raids that swept through 13 locations encompassing Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Udon Thani, all in the early hours of Thursday. All individuals caught in this debacle had ties to the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Land Reform Office. The caught officials were identified as the seasoned 56-year-old land reform official Akaradet…
Informa Markets is gearing up to make CPHI South East Asia 2024 the cornerstone of Thailand’s ambitions to become a leading medical hub in the region. Set to take place from July 10-12, 2024, this pivotal event will be held at the prestigious Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. It promises to be a gathering of industry experts, including top-tier manufacturers, scientists, researchers, pharmacists, and distributors, representing 21 countries. Ms. Rungphech Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director for ASEAN at Informa Markets and Country General Manager for the Philippines, shared candid insights with Thansettakij about the burgeoning trends in both the global and Southeast Asian pharmaceutical markets. According to her, several key factors are contributing to this positive outlook. The aging population, the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, and favorable policies promoting medical tourism are among the primary growth drivers. Healthcare systems across Southeast Asia are…
In an eagerly anticipated event, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, accompanied by his wife, is set to embark on an official visit to Thailand from June 25 to 28. This trip, invited by Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, marks Mr. Tobgay’s first visit to Thailand since reclaiming the premiership in January. Intriguingly, this visit coincides with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two predominantly Buddhist nations—a milestone underscoring the deep-rooted bonds and mutual respect shared by both countries. This official sojourn is meticulously crafted to fortify the partnership between Bhutan and Thailand across multiple dimensions, encompassing trade, investment, tourism, education, clean energy, and the development of human resources, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Indeed, it seems the foundation is set for both nations to expand their collaborative horizons, nurturing a relationship that will propel both forward on the global stage. Among the various high-profile discussions,…
Two elusive black panthers were sighted in the dense wilderness of Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi, captured in a remarkable photograph taken by an unsuspecting tourist from inside her car. The fortunate woman, named Amy, stumbled upon these enigmatic creatures while making her way to Khao Phanoen Thung, an imposing forested mountain within the park. In an unexpected twist of fate, Amy’s keen eyes spotted the rare sight, prompting her to halt her vehicle and seize the moment with her camera. An impromptu stop turned into an extraordinary opportunity as Amy managed to take both pictures and videos of the two majestic panthers. Her car seemed to have no effect on the bold felines, as they exhibited no fear and continued to roam around before stealthily vanishing into the thick foliage. The story quickly caught wind, with Mr. Somjate Jantana, the director of the Protected Areas Regional Office 3,…
In a dramatic twist worthy of a maritime melodrama, the saga of the missing oil-smuggling ships has gripped the nation. Picture this: a marine police boat valiantly escorting three elusive vessels back to the Port of Songkhla after they vanished into thin air earlier this week. Yes, according to Assawin Pakkawan, the ships, brimming with a whopping 330,000 liters of contraband oil, had briefly evaded capture. The plot thickens with an ongoing investigation that reads like a crime thriller. A leaked chat has unveiled unsavory connections between some police officers and the sly mastermind of this oil-smuggling operation. The three errant ships, seized on March 19, had been idling at the marine police pier in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district with two other seized vessels, waiting for justice to catch up with them. On the day of the seizure, 28 crew members were apprehended, charged with smuggling, and then released on…
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community, a couple from Buri Ram has been handed severe prison sentences for their heinous attack on a high school student. The perpetrators, 21-year-old Jetsadaporn and his 25-year-old wife, Angkana, will spend 35 and 25 years in prison respectively for their roles in a vicious acid attack that nearly claimed the life of 18-year-old Natthikarn “Aum” Khairum. The harrowing incident unfolded on the evening of August 27 last year as Natthikarn was enjoying a meal with her family in a restaurant located in Buri Ram’s Nang Rong district. Without warning, the young couple doused her with a horrifying, acidic liquid, causing life-altering injuries. Natthikarn lost her left ear and came perilously close to losing sight in her left eye, requiring four months of intense medical treatment. This violent eruption of rage did not spare the innocent bystanders; Natthikarn’s grandmother and uncle,…
The Art Institute of Chicago has taken a commendable step by deciding to return a 900-year-old artifact to its rightful home from where it was once taken. The ancient relic, originating from the Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buri Ram, will soon be back under the stewardship of Thailand’s Fine Arts Department (FAD). Imagine discovering that an ancient piece of history, thought lost, is finally on its way back home. A director-general of the FAD, Phanombut Chantarachot, shared this exciting news on Wednesday, revealing that the US institute has expressed its deep intention to return a precious fragment of a pilaster. This artifact, which wonderfully depicts the Hindu deity Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana, dates all the way back to the 12th-century. The fragment’s storied journey began long before its trip to the United States. Research conducted by the Office of National Museums concluded that this piece was originally part of…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently stepped up to defend the ambitious 3.75-trillion-baht budget bill for Thailand’s 2025 fiscal year, designed to revitalize the country’s lethargic economy. As the House of Representatives launched into a trio of debate days, Mr. Srettha eloquently described how this hefty budget is poised to unlock Thailand’s full economic potential. Ever the optimist, Mr. Srettha projected a sprightly economic growth of 2.5% to 3.5% by 2025, with inflation kept in check between 0.7% and 1.7%. He touted the government’s “Ignite Thailand” vision, a strategic roadmap to morph Thailand into a regional powerhouse across eight pivotal sectors: aviation, tourism, wellness and medical, agriculture and food, logistics, future mobility, digital economy, and finance. This well-rounded vision is the compass guiding the allocation of the 2025 budget. However, Mr. Srettha was candid about potential hurdles, such as geopolitical tensions and trade protectionism, which could pose a threat to global…
A nimble young boxer launches a powerful kick at a punching bag at Atchara Muay Thai Gym, a renowned boxing school in Bangkok. (Bangkok Post file photo) The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to pack a punch by introducing Muay Thai as an elective course in 437 of its schools. The initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve Thailand’s cultural heritage while teaching young people the values of discipline and resilience, according to city council president Surajit Pongsingwitthaya. The boxing classes will be offered as a segment of the health science and physical education curriculum, announced in a meeting with Thanakorn Chaisri, director of the BMA’s Department of Education. This exciting addition to the school system is expected to create quite a buzz among students. The BMA’s move aims to bolster Thailand’s presence in the international sporting community, reinforcing what is popularly known as the country’s “soft…