Amid the bustling scene at a Government Pharmaceutical Organization outlet on Rama VI Road in Bangkok’s vibrant Ratchathewi district, a serious debate is brewing, much to the chagrin of shoppers. It’s a classic case of a civil society group pitted against a medical authority. The bone of contention? The Medical Council of Thailand’s decision to take legal action against the National Health Security Office (NHSO)’s policy of providing free medicine for 16 common ailments under the universal healthcare scheme. Saree Aongsomwang, the charismatic secretary-general of the Thailand Consumer Council (TCC), made waves on Saturday. She voiced her concerns about the ongoing dispute, which transcends mere bureaucratic wrangling to touch the very nerve of patient welfare. The Supreme Administrative Court had just agreed to hear the Medical Council’s complaint, marking a potential turning point. This issue wrestles with free access to medicine at pharmacies, tackling everyday symptoms like headaches, joint pain,…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Political pundits are abuzz with speculation, all eyes turned towards the imminent return of Yingluck Shinawatra, a name once synonymous with Thailand’s bustling political scene. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck’s brother, recently stirred the pot with hints of her impending return in April next year, coinciding with the vibrant Songkran festival. His comments, shared during a campaign stop in Udon Thani, have reignited public fascination with her story. Yingluck, aged 57, has been living as a fugitive since August 2017 after she failed to appear in court for a case concerning her alleged misconduct related to the rice-pledging program—a venture that resulted in massive financial losses. The court sentenced her to a five-year prison term, and an arrest warrant looms over her from the shadows of this unresolved case. However, legal tides may be shifting in her favor. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court halted a high-stakes case involving…
Nestled on the border between Thailand and Myanmar, the town of Mae Sot in Tak province has garnered notoriety as a hotbed of cross-border human trafficking and transnational organized crime. These operations primarily stem from Chinese mafia syndicates, weaving a web of crime and corruption that spans borders. Yet, despite the gravity of the situation, governmental response has been palpably inadequate. During a recent visit aimed at ramping up anti-human trafficking operations, Pol Lt Gen Prachuab Wongsuk, acting deputy national police chief, flagged Mae Sot as Thailand’s leading hotspot for cross-border human trafficking, online scams, gambling, and other illicit activities. A disheartening acknowledgment, yet not an unexpected one. Annually, Mae Sot becomes the conduit for thousands of victims lured by spurious promises of lucrative job offers in Thailand, only to be seamlessly funneled to Myawaddy, the Myanmar town just across the border, to unwittingly become cogs in Chinese scam operations.…
As the sun rose over the stunning scenery of Thailand’s Surat Thani province on what seemed to be an ordinary Saturday, tranquility shifted to crisis when a tour boat carrying a group of French tourists encountered treacherous waters. In the serene yet sprawling environs of the Rajjaprabha Dam in Ban Ta Khun district, a sudden squall wreaked havoc, turning a pleasant excursion into a race against time. Among the dozen travelers was Rene Mary Corre, an elder whose age remains undisclosed, embarking on what promised to be a delightful journey across the majestic reservoir. This group of ten French adventurers, accompanied by a dedicated tour guide, a vigilant caregiver, and a seasoned boat operator, set forth from the pier with the anticipation of picturesque landscapes and unforgettable experiences. Yet, as they approached the scenic beauty of Khao Sam Kloe, nature had other plans. The winds picked up with violent force,…
Once upon a time, in the bustling backdrop of Thailand’s thriving healthcare industry, the celebrated figure of Dr. Boon Vanasin loomed large. As the founder and esteemed chairman of Thonburi Healthcare Group, Dr. Boon was once revered for his contributions to the medical sector. However, today’s headlines have spun a vastly different tale, painting a grim picture of alleged deceit and skulduggery. Dr. Boon, aged 86, is currently at the heart of a legal maelstrom, his name emblazoned on an arrest warrant that reads like a seasoned criminal’s résumé: public fraud, money laundering, and a cornucopia of related offenses. Reports suggest this once-respected healthcare mogul has fled the Thai shores, purportedly landing in the expansive arms of China. While Dr. Boon basks in a haze of uncertainty across international borders, his wife, Jaruwan Vanasin, 79, and their daughter, Nalin, 51, have taken a more straightforward path—they’ve turned themselves over to…
In a flurry of election activity, the serene district of Ban Phue in Udon Thani played host to an important visitor this past weekend. None other than the diligent Election Commission secretary-general, Sawang Boonmee, made an appearance to inspect the preparedness of polling units ahead of the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) elections. His visit was all captured through lenses and lenses – quite literally, by the ever-watchful eyes of the Udon Thani Provincial Administration Organisation, no less. The political atmosphere is nothing short of electrifying as the PAO chairman elections in Udon Thani, as well as in Phetchaburi and Nakhon Si Thammarat, approach. According to the seasoned folks of the Election Commission, everything’s been set up meticulously to ensure smooth proceedings, hopefully without any unexpected political thunderstorms. During Mr. Sawang’s visit to the vibrant Udon Thani, where he scrutinized the transfer of ballot papers and the arrangement of equipment, he…
In a twist that sounds like a plot from an animal documentary, Plai Sak Surin, the majestic 31-year-old elephant, finds himself in the spotlight not for his grand diplomatic tales, but for his unusually hefty tusks that have turned troublesome. Picture the scene at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang, where Plai Sak Surin is camped out, his tranquility disrupted by the too-long tusks, giving him the elephantine version of a stiff neck. This saga began years ago, with Plai Sak Surin’s journey from Thailand to Sri Lanka back in 2001. As an adorable seven-year-old, he was gifted to Sri Lanka, where he served as a goodwill ambassador, charms intact. Fast forward to 2023, the charming diplomat found his way back to Thailand, but this time, not on a mission, but for medical care. The Thai Elephant Conservation Center, speaking on behalf of our tusked protagonist, has proposed a…
It seems that the tropical allure of Koh Kut is set to make a splash this season, as the local arm of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) rolls out an enticing campaign aimed at showcasing its often-overlooked beaches. From now up until April, this hidden gem is basking in the limelight, luring visitors to discover its tranquil shores and untouched landscapes. Mind you, the journey begins from mainland Trat with daily ferry services operating between 10 AM to 4 PM, when the vivid tapestry of teal seas, sun-kissed beaches, azure skies, and verdant forests is at its most breathtaking. Perched on the eastern edge of Thailand’s maritime realm, Koh Kut holds the limelight not just for its natural beauty, but also courtesy of a longstanding yet controversial memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cambodia dating back to 2001. Rest assured, the Thai government stands firm that its sovereignty over this…
In the quaint and often serene village of Umphang in Tak province, a palpable tension had taken root on an otherwise ordinary Saturday. The air was thick with a shared sense of purpose as more than 50 of the village’s residents congregated at the stoic facade of the local police station. Their mission? An unwavering demand for justice following a tragic incident that had shaken their tight-knit community to its core. The tragic narrative that unfolded began on a grim Friday night under the dim glow of inadequate roadside lighting. Three vibrant lives, embodied by friends, Ekapop and Worakan, both 17, and the youthful Kanida, 16, were tragically marked when their motorcycle tragically crossed paths with an ominous black Toyota pickup truck. The truck was piloted by none other than Pimnara, a woman of note, serving as a deputy district chief. In a cruel twist of fate, Ekapop’s life was…
In a dramatic scene that could be ripped straight from a suspense thriller, 29 Myanmar nationals found themselves tightly packed like sardines in a box, nestled in the bed of a pickup truck. This rather uncomfortable situation came to a head one cloudy Saturday in the Sai Buri district of Pattani, Thailand, as law enforcement officers decided that their vehicle needed a closer inspection. All the signs pointed to a smuggling attempt gone wrong. Along for this bumpy ride was the Thai driver, whose day certainly took a turn for the unexpected when the police showed up. The apprehension of these weary travelers wasn’t merely the product of intuition; it was the result of a well-timed and coordinated police operation. The Thai authorities had their ears to the ground and picked up intelligence that suggested something shady was traveling on Highway 42 – a route connecting the serene landscapes of…