THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Hearts and minds: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made a heartwarming gesture during a group photo session with her cabinet ministers on the lawn of Government House on Saturday. The ministers had just been granted an audience with His Majesty the King for their swearing-in ceremony, during which the entire 35-member cabinet received the King’s approval. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has committed to fulfilling her full three-year term in office and has taken proactive measures by forming a team to address any legal complaints that may arise against her. Following a special cabinet meeting at Government House on Saturday, she outlined the government’s policy statement to be presented to parliament on September 12–13. The government is obligated to present its policy statement to parliament before it can commence its operations. As Ms. Paetongtarn expressed, “I am dedicated to carrying out my duties until I complete my three-year term,…

With the Social Security Fund (SSF) teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, the government’s inaction could spell disaster for millions who rely on it. The urgency of the situation demands swift and decisive measures, lest workers and retirees face unimaginable hardships in their golden years. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn recently proposed several remedies to stave off this impending catastrophe, but is it enough? Thailand is grappling with an ageing population, and the younger workforce that feeds the SSF is dwindling. As a result, the fund’s expenses—covering everything from old-age allowances to welfare support—are ballooning. Research suggests that in just a decade, expenditures could outstrip income, depleting reserves within 30 to 40 years if nothing is done. The time for action is now, not later. Established in 1990, the SSF has over 24 million contributors and assets totaling 2.6 trillion baht. However, financial sustainability has always been a concern. Numerous studies,…

Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, center, chairs a general meeting of the Palang Pracharath Party at its head office in Bangkok on Friday. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) The political stage in Thailand is nothing short of an intricate chessboard, where moves and countermoves are the order of the day. Despite being excluded from the new coalition government led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, General Prawit Wongsuwon and his Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) continue to be influential players, say political pundits. Down But Not Out Sathit Wongnongtoei, a former Democrat Party MP, remarked that the game is far from over for Gen Prawit. “Gen Prawit retains substantial political clout, thanks to his extensive network of politicians and members of independent organizations,” Sathit told the Bangkok Post. Sathit believes that Pheu Thai’s decision to exclude PPRP from the coalition wasn’t just a matter of political strategy but also a reaction against Gen Prawit. His alleged…

The Commerce Ministry, under the guidance of Minister Pichai Naripthaphan, has taken a resolute stand against the ongoing influx of Chinese products into Thailand. With a keen eye on public welfare, Pichai has announced a series of fast-tracked initiatives aimed at addressing the high cost of goods juxtaposed with the surge of low-cost Chinese imports, some of which have been flagged for failing to meet consumer safety benchmarks. Minister Pichai highlighted the imperative need for stricter enforcement of current laws, particularly those governing taxes such as value-added tax, corporate income tax, and customs fees. An integral part of this strategy involves a meticulous examination of the quality of imported goods to ensure they carry certifications from esteemed bodies like the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Furthermore, the ministry plans to fortify legal frameworks to uphold fair market competition and bolster consumer protection. One…

This year’s floods are likely to be far less catastrophic than the infamous ones that drenched the country in 2011, thanks to a smaller mass of water coming from the North and the nation’s improved disaster readiness, according to water expert Chawalit Chantararat. Chawalit, director of Team Consulting Engineering and Management Public Company Limited (Team Group), voiced his optimism in a recent interview with the Bangkok Post, explaining that this year’s rainfall should be manageable. Despite heavy rain drenching northern provinces like Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae, Sukhothai, and Phichit, Chawalit stressed that it hasn’t been sufficient to submerge the entire region. Offering some comparative numbers, he pointed out that the amount of water currently flowing past Muang district in Nakhon Sawan province stands at 15.6 billion cubic meters. This is significantly lower than the record 23.4 billion cubic meters measured on Sept 25, 2011. Chawalit explained that the enormous water…

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) yesterday issued a crucial advisory for 11 provinces in the Central region to brace for an increased water discharge rate from the Chao Phraya Dam. This measure aims to relieve the impact of the formidable super typhoon Yagi. Det Lekwichai, the acting director of RID, emphasized that the warning is directed at Bangkok, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Lop Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan. “We are going to ramp up the discharge rate at the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat from 300 cubic meters per second to a robust 1,500–1,700 cubic meters per second, given that a significant deluge is anticipated in the coming week,” Mr. Lekwichai announced. This decision is expected to elevate the water levels along the river by about 20–50 cm in low-lying zones, particularly in community areas near Phong Phaeng Canal in…

In the quaint province of Phrae, the peaceful day was dramatically interrupted as about 1,000 residents rallied against the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s contentious revival of the Kaeng Suea Ten Dam project in Song district. The air was thick with a unique blend of resistance and solemnity as locals converged at tambon Sa Lab, parading three coffins ominously marked with the names of Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, and former deputy prime minister Plodprasop Suraswadi. These prominent figures have found themselves at the heart of the controversy, accused of breathing new life into a project long buried by dissent. The protest was a direct response to Mr. Phumtham’s recent comments underscoring the government’s renewed interest in a colossal 200-billion-baht water management program. This ambitious agenda includes the controversial dam, touted as a solution to the perennial flooding in the Yom River basin.…

A health worker administers a measles vaccine to a student at a school in Narathiwat province on November 2, 2018. (Photo: Waedao Harai) Health authorities have launched an intensive vaccination campaign in response to a troubling outbreak of measles in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces. Five lives have been claimed by the highly contagious disease in recent weeks in Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani, with three of the victims being children under the age of 15. The other two victims were adults aged 32 and 43, according to Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, the director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC). He described the current situation as severe and “very worrisome.” From January 1 to September 2, a staggering 4,408 individuals were suspected of having contracted measles, with 2,371 of these cases confirmed by laboratory tests. Alarmingly, 371 of the infected individuals developed pneumonia as a complication. Dr. Thongchai emphasized that measles is…

In a breathtaking blend of cultural history and modern luxury, Siam Piwat Group and its esteemed global partner Hyundai Department Store hosted an exclusive soiree at the iconic Korea Furniture Museum in Seoul. This captivating event was designed to shower customers with invaluable experiences and exclusive privileges, transcending the ordinary. “Siam Piwat has always ventured into visionary realms to offer our customers and JAI by ONESIAM members extraordinary experiences. This exclusive evening is not just a significant milestone for connecting our esteemed communities beyond borders, but also a celebration of our shared values with global partners,” remarked Chadatip Chutrakul, CEO of Siam Piwat Group. Echoing this sentiment, Hyundai Department Store CEO Jeong Ji-young added, “Earlier this year, Siam Piwat Group and Hyundai Department Store inked a business agreement in person. Our goal is to leap beyond the domestic market and establish ourselves as leaders in the global retail sector.” He…

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau swooped into a clinic in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi district on Friday evening, homing in on an unexpected discovery—a former navy officer moonlighting as a doctor without a medical licence. Captured in the act, the 55-year-old man, identified only as Thanaboon, was ushered away in handcuffs. (Photo: Metropolitan Police Bureau IDMB Facebook) In a twist that could be straight out of a suspense novel, this rogue medic has been masquerading as a legitimate doctor for two whole decades! The arrest took place at a clinic nestled in Phetchaburi Soi 31, sparking a buzz across the neighborhood. The Metropolitan Police Bureau reported that Thanaboon, an anomaly in an otherwise tranquil clinic, had managed to fool both patients and authorities alike. The drama unfolded when a local resident raised the alarm about a suspicious bunch of “fake doctors” purportedly offering abortion services at clinics sprawled along Phetchaburi Road.…