THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

The vibrant city of Bangkok never ceases to bustle with life and activity, a fact that’s mirrored in its ever-evolving urban landscape. Recently, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) found itself in the spotlight with its plans concerning the elevated road on Rama IX. Originally slated to be sealed off from the public starting December 2nd this year, these plans have now been shelved until further notice—eliciting both relief and curiosity from the city’s residents. In an announcement made by the Department of Public Works, it was revealed that they had received public pleas to reconsider the extensive traffic disruptions that the planned road closures would entail. These closures were initially part of a grand renovation venture aimed at revamping the elevated road that stretches across several key junctions, including the Rama IX, Mcot, and Urban Planning Intersections. Nestled within the bustling districts of Din Daeng and Huai Khwang, this section…

The buzz is palpable in the corridors of political power as 14 bills, promising to tweak the 2017 constitution, await their grand entrance on the parliamentary stage. The House of Representatives, with its sleeves rolled up, is poised to tackle these legislative heavyweights when the session kicks off next month, said Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha this past Friday. Although there’s eager anticipation and solid backing from the House for these amendments, the million-dollar question lingers: will they ultimately transform into law? “You see,” Mr. Wan mused, “it’s quite the drama. These drafts aren’t just about waltzing through the House; they must tango with a host of other characters in this legislative play.” Notably, some of these bills are tangentially dancing with the referendum bill, still under the watchful eye of a House-Senate committee. The likelihood is that they’ll have to patiently await a synchronized nod between the Lower and…

Step into the vibrant world of the People’s Party (PP), a political force that seems to teeter on the delicate edge of potential triumph and ongoing challenges. As the electoral spotlight slowly shifts towards the next major polls set for 2027, the party’s historical roots and evolving dynamics weave a complex narrative worthy of attention. In the whirlwind of the last general election, the then-Move Forward Party (MFP) surmounted all odds to clinch victory, emerging as the top contender in the political battleground. With an impressive tally of 151 seats, they even upstaged the seemingly invincible Pheu Thai Party, a feat that spoke volumes about their strategic prowess. This electoral triumph, ironically enough, was facilitated by the very constitution that came into effect in April 2017 under the Prayut Chan-o-cha regime. The dual-ballot system, allowing voters to express preferences for both a candidate and a political party, played a pivotal…

The excitement buzzing around the hills of Chiang Rai is as palpable as a steaming cup of local Thai coffee, and it’s all thanks to an ambitious railway project that’s barreling down the tracks, eagerly chugging towards completion. With the steady determination of a seasoned train conductor, the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) is steering this innovative development forward, as described by none other than their director-general, Mr. Pichet Kunadhamraks. Spanning a spectacular 323 kilometers, this venture traces an alluring path from Den Chai district in Phrae, serenely cutting through the lush landscapes of Lampang and Phayao before reaching its anticipated crescendo in the picturesque Chiang Khong district. Now, imagine this: a double-track railway system meticulously woven across this route, promising to gift the region with not just convenience but also resilience against Mother Nature’s fiercer moods. The project, wrapped like a precious gift in three parts — Den Chai…

The winds of change are blowing through Thailand, stirring up more than just the leaves. In a potent cocktail of health alerts and policy debates, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) has sounded the alarm: formaldehyde, a toxic chemical notorious for its sinister cancerous whispers, has been spotted lurking within the clandestine corners of e-cigarette liquids sold illegally across the country. E-cigarettes, often cloaked in the enticing veils of flavored vapor, have found themselves at the epicenter of a heated discourse on public health, with young people unwittingly thrust into the crosshairs. DDC director-general Phanumat Yannawetsakun has stepped into the limelight, spotlighting the dire consequences of this low awareness among youth. The wager of flavorful allure versus hidden toxins is high, especially when formaldehyde – a villain in its own right – threatens like a shadow waiting to pounce. This chemical, when vaporized, doesn’t just play hide and seek with…

As the political stage sets its sights on the next national polls in 2027, the People’s Party (PP) finds itself at a crossroads with implications that stretch back to a constitution crafted under the Prayut Chan-o-cha regime in 2017. This constitution, ironically, could be seen as both an ally and an adversary. It once acted as the winning formula for the Move Forward Party (MFP), the past incarnation of PP, which captured the nation’s attention and parlors, seizing a whopping 151 seats, even surpassing the long-dominant Pheu Thai Party’s 141 tally. The unexpected triumph of the MFP was fueled by a savvy blend of youthful exuberance and social media wizardry, a stark contrast against the backdrop of seasoned political titans. Social media became their battlefield, where their compelling narratives and strategic campaigns won them constituencies long considered secure fortresses of established political figures. Central to this achievement was the reemergence…

The political climate is abuzz as a total of 14 bills are poised to take the spotlight when the House reconvenes, according to Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. With these bills in the air, it’s crucial to point out that they’re not just any bills—they’re proposed amendments to the 2017 constitution. And while the anticipation crackles in the air, the big question remains: Will they make it through the legislative gauntlet? Mr. Wan, ever the realist, reminds us, “It’s not like all drafts included on the House’s meeting agenda will be successful as passing them involves several more parties.” In other words, just because they’re on the agenda doesn’t mean they’re a done deal. Some of these bills, especially those tied to the charter referendum bill, are still playing the waiting game. They’re lingering in limbo until the House-Senate committee can sing in harmony and find a compromise on the…

In a bid to quell burgeoning concerns and simmering tensions, the government has urged citizens to resist the call to the streets regarding the contentious 2001 Thailand-Cambodia memorandum of understanding (MoU) over joint development endeavors in the Gulf of Thailand. The air was thick with rumor as speculations began to swirl about a potential swell of protests, orchestrated by Sondhi Limthongkul, the vociferous leader of the erstwhile People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD). The core of this unrest centers on the delicate matter of the MoU which deals with an overlapping claim area (OCA) and the hotspot of maritime boundary demarcation with neighboring Cambodia. Amid the echoing calls to revoke this 2001 MoU, initially hammered out by then-foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai under the tenure of the Thaksin government and Cambodia’s Sok An, the architect behind Cambodia’s energy sector, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stepped into the fray. With a steely resolve, she…

The skies are set for a delightful twist in the tale of Thailand’s aviation journey. Come February next year, direct flights between Thailand and the United States might just be a reality once more, thanks to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US Department of Transportation potentially upgrading Thailand’s aviation safety from Category 2 to the illustrious Category 1. This uplifting forecast stems from none other than the nation’s Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit. Minister Suriya, bubbling with enthusiasm, recently revealed the strides Thailand has made towards refining its aviation safety standards. This progress follows a crucial inspection conducted by the FAA between the 11th and 15th of November. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) emerged from this scrutiny with a gleaming report card. Although a few minor bumps are still on the radar, these are unlikely to dim the bright prospects of Thailand reclaiming…

In a vibrant burst of optimism and strategic foresight, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took center stage during Friday’s mobile cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai, painting a hopeful picture of recovery and rejuvenation for the flood-hit regions of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. With Government House busting at the seams with activity, the air was filled with anticipation as the government rolled out a whopping 19 billion baht plan aimed at revamping the beleaguered infrastructure and utilities crumbled by recent deluges. A beacon of governance, government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub, informed the eager media conveners about the cabinet’s green light on a far-reaching economic and social development blueprint. At the heart of this plan, skillfully proposed by the visionary National Economic and Social Development Council, lies a robust 19.28 billion baht—an arsenal ready to vanquish the woes besetting the residents of these provinces. With laser focus, the dispensation for Chiang Mai includes…