THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

The market was buzzing with excitement on a typical Sunday afternoon in the eastern province of Sa Kaeo, a place where the sounds of haggling vendors and cheerful laughter intermingle. Amidst this lively scene at Wong Wiang market in tambon Phra Phloeng of Khao Chakan district, the air was charged with a hint of adventure. It was shortly after 4 PM when what began as a quaint cultural ritual turned into a brief, heart-pounding spectacle. Among the bustling stalls and the aroma of street food, a couple had set up a unique attraction involving their gentle giant, an elephant whose presence loomed amicably over curious onlookers. The tradition they were harking back to involved passing beneath the mighty belly of an elephant – an act believed to usher in luck and prosperity, and one that many tradition-loving Thais hold dear. A video from a nearby security camera captured the moment…

It’s a typical Monday morning in Bangkok, but there’s something more than the usual hustle and bustle in the air – it’s the invisible menace of ultrafine dust shrouding the city. Across this bustling metropolis and 66 of Thailand’s 76 provinces, the air quality has reached alarming levels, painting a grim picture for residents as they start their week. Of particular concern is Sing Buri, where the air quality took a deep dive, registering the highest levels of particulate matter PM2.5. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) sounded the alarm at 9 AM, revealing PM2.5 levels – those pesky particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, small enough to slip into our lungs unnoticed. Sing Buri led the pack with a staggering 85.6 micrograms per cubic meter of air, surpassing the government’s safe threshold of 37.5 µg/m³ by leaps and bounds. Not far behind, Nakhon Phanom measured an unsettling 83.9…

Siam Motors Group, an indomitable force in investment arenas, is steered confidently into uncharted waters by spearheading an opulent hotel venture in the bustling heart of Bangkok. This earnest endeavor is realized through strategic collaboration with the renowned Pan Pacific Hotel Group, culminating in the ambitious transformation of the Siam Motors Building into the illustrious Siam Pan Pacific. Set to unveil as a hallmark of luxury in 2027, this metamorphosed landmark promises a sumptuous haven for high-end travelers. This visionary venture marks the unprecedented confluence of Siam Motors Company Limited, a stalwart with a legacy spanning over 72 years in Thailand, and the prestigious Pan Pacific Hotels Group from Singapore, a bastion of hospitality excellence with revered properties sprouting in over 30 cities worldwide, stretching across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. This collaboration is set to transmutate the venerable Siam Motors Building—an 18-storey fixture of Bangkok’s skyline for over…

In the bustling streets of Bangkok, where the aroma of street food mingles with the hum of traffic, the political chatter is as spicy as the famous Tom Yum soup. The topic du jour? The tenure of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Prime Minister. According to a recent poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), a significant portion of Thais have pegged their bets on her political stamina. A survey orchestrated by Nida Poll from December 16 to December 18 encapsulated the voices of 1,310 participants, each with their unique pulse on the nation’s political heartbeat. When questioned about the fate of the Paetongtarn administration for the coming year, a decisive 51.22% of the respondents expressed confidence that she would remain at the helm for the entire year. This sentiment resonates like a classic Bollywood plot twist, where perseverance triumphs against all odds, giving rise to a saga of…

In the vibrant political landscape of Thailand, whispers of anticipation fill the air as the people’s verdict unfolds, painting a picture of what lies ahead for the nation’s leadership. A recent survey by the esteemed National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) captures the pulse of the people, shedding light on the possible trajectory of Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s tenure. Conducted over three eventful days in December, this comprehensive poll drew insights from 1,310 participants, casting a wide net to understand the nation’s sentiment. The results are in, and they reveal a country poised at the brink of continuity and change. Over half of those surveyed—51.22% to be precise—express confidence that Paetongtarn will steer the ship of state through the entire calendar year. This sense of stability resonates among many, yet it’s not without its counternotes. A significant portion, 21.60%, brace themselves for a reshuffle within the cabinet, a political shuffle that might…

In an admirable display of corporate social responsibility, Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd. recently made a significant contribution to aid communities suffering from the overwhelming floods in southern Thailand. Under the leadership of Pornsuree Konanta, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, the company donated a commendable sum of 666,806 baht to the Thai Red Cross Society. This generous donation was graciously accepted by Janprapa Vichitcholchai, Deputy Director of the Fund-Raising Bureau, as part of an initiative to bolster the ongoing flood relief efforts. The relentless downpours since November 2024 have wreaked havoc across the region, particularly in the provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, leaving vast areas inundated and communities in distress. This gesture is a reflection of Chevron’s longstanding “Chevron Humankind” project, which has been actively engaging its employees in philanthropy for over a decade. The project is designed to motivate Chevron’s workforce to…

In the ever-persistent world of Thai politics, where the drama doesn’t take a back seat, the Pheu Thai Party MPs are gearing up for an intriguing decision. Scheduled for this Tuesday, they will deliberate over whether to table their own version of a charter amendment bill. This move aims to set in motion the establishment of a Charter Drafting Assembly (CDA), a fundamental step towards penning an entirely new constitution. It’s Pheu Thai list-MP and chief government whip, Wisut Chainarun, leading this initiative, claiming that this iteration varies significantly from the opposition People’s Party’s proposal. The focal point of Pheu Thai’s approach lies in its strategic avoidance of amending the sensitive Chapters 1 and 2 of the current charter. These chapters presently entrench the royal powers and touch upon issues that could ignite potential discord. By steering clear of these, the party endeavors to sidestep controversy and concentrate on modifications…

The House Committee on Police Affairs is diving headfirst into the murky waters of the “volunteer police” training program for Chinese nationals. Allegations have surfaced, sparking a whirlwind of interest, and prompting a full-scale investigation into this controversial initiative. This Thursday, the chiefs from Metropolitan Bureau Police (MBP), Metropolitan Police Division (MPD) 3, Phasi Charoen Police, along with the president of Siam University, are set to be hauled into the limelight to present evidence and clarify their roles in this unfolding drama. So, what’s got everyone’s knickers in a twist? It appears that a privately-run university is at the heart of a storm over a peculiar program where Chinese nationals allegedly handed over 38,000 baht each, ostensibly to be trained as volunteer police officers. What’s more, participants reportedly waltzed away with certificates and badges flaunting the Royal Thai Police insignia. It’s a tantalizing tale of mystery that could very well…

As we gear up for an exhilarating electoral face-off on February 1, get ready to witness some fierce political sparring in the Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) presidential elections across 47 provinces. The stage is set between three heavyweight contenders: Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai, and the People’s Party (PP). It’s the classic storyline many love—a race to fill the shoes left by early-departing PAO presidents, and the stakes are higher than a June afternoon. The clock started ticking back on December 19, 2024, when several PAO chiefs decided to call it quits before their terms officially ended. The resulting domino effect means these elections had to be scheduled within a brisk 60-day window. And here we are, headed for a riveting match of political strategy and grassroots charm in local Thai elections—comparable to a game of chess where every move counts. Now, let’s hit rewind to December 20, 2020. That was a…

The corridors of power in Thailand are no stranger to rumors and speculation, and the latest gossip reveals a supposed shakeup in the nation’s cabinet that has piqued public interest. At the heart of these swirling narratives is the alleged ousting of Thailand’s Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, a topic that has everyone from political pundits to the everyday citizen buzzing with curiosity. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, often whispered to be the shadowy maestro behind the Pheu Thai Party’s orchestra, stepped into the limelight on a sunny Sunday afternoon to quash these rumors. Standing amidst the hustle and bustle of Chiang Rai, where political rally cries blend with everyday banter, Thaksin dismissed the notion of Pirapan’s imminent departure with the ease of swatting away a pesky mosquito. “No. We’ve talked and understood. There’s nothing [wrong] between us. I’ve known Mr. Pirapan for a long time. He has great determination and…