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THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

2025 World Muay Thai Championship in Pattaya: Get Ready for Martial Arts Action

The dazzling coastal city of Pattaya is set to become the epicenter of martial arts excitement as it plays host to the thrilling 6th World Muay Thai Championship from March 9 to 17. This prestigious event, backed by the Thai and Traditional Boxing Sports Association in collaboration with the dynamic Father Ray Foundation, promises a spectacular spectacle of athletic prowess that will captivate participants and spectators alike. Mark your calendars – the action kicks off on March 9 with the intense weigh-in, laying the groundwork for an exhilarating series of qualification rounds taking place from March 10 to 12. Every contender will unleash their skills and determination to emerge victorious, making these rounds a gripping prelude to what’s to come. As the dust settles, the adrenaline will surge once more during the semi-finals on March 13 and 14, running parallel with the captivating Muay Krading battles. Muay Krading offers a…

Thailand’s Tech Tango: Navigating Global Shifts in the Era of Trump 2.0

Imagine an electrifying tango between tradition and technology, set against the vibrant backdrop of Thailand’s ever-evolving economy! That’s precisely the dynamic dance experts believe Thailand must master to keep up with the powerhouse technological advancements pulsating from both sides of the Pacific. The pressure is on as the globalisation beat, driven by the United States and China, accelerates in an intricate choreography requiring nimble footwork and strategic foresight. In a lively seminar whimsically titled “Trump 2.0: Crisis or Opportunity for Thailand’s Science, Research and Innovation sectors?” luminaries gathered to illuminate how the encore of Donald Trump’s presidency might play a starring role in Thailand’s grand journey through the tech-savvy century. The spotlight is firmly on how the Kingdom can craft its moves to ensure it’s not left in the shadows. Bank Ngamarunchot, the charismatic director at the Science Technology and Innovation Policy Institute of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi,…

Thailand’s Health Revival: Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong and the US CDC’s Renewed Alliance in 2025

The sun peeked through the tropical canopy as Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the esteemed public health permanent secretary, smiled with satisfaction. The air buzzed with renewed vigor in Thailand’s public health sector, thanks to the reinstatement of cooperative health projects with the United States. Yes, the good news was finally here—the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had lifted the suspension of health initiatives that had been momentarily paused. With this, Thailand was once more ready to fortify its health battlements against diseases, making strides in communicable disease control, developing robust health systems, and enhancing the skills of its medical personnel. Now, picture this: a bustling hive of healthcare warriors working tirelessly across the country. For this fiscal year, thirty-one projects strong—all non-research in nature—are underway under this revived cooperation, each penny turning into a valuable asset, part of a generous budget amounting to a whopping 279.1 million baht.…

Maitree Khunthong’s Memo Sparks Debate: Unveiling SSO’s 850 Million Baht Web App Mystery

The Social Security Office (SSO) recently found itself amidst a whirlwind of online chatter when an internal memo made its way onto social media. This wasn’t just any memo; it was a directive from Maitree Khunthong, the SSO’s director of legal affairs, emphasizing the importance of keeping internal information and official documents close to the vest. Now, while some eyebrows were raised, the SSO insists this wasn’t a ploy to thwart the opposition’s attempts to probe into the intricacies—or may we say irregularities—surrounding their notorious web app development. As the saga unfolds, People’s Party MP for Bangkok, Rakchanok Srinok, couldn’t help but delve deeper, seeking transparency over the SSO’s ambitious digital endeavor, a venture that reportedly gulped down over 850 million baht and kept everyone waiting for over half a year. Is the wait worth every baht spent? Rakchanok certainly wants to find out. Meanwhile, the ever-vigilant SSO spokeswoman, Niyada…

Paetongtarn Shinawatra Urged to Lead Renewed Peace Talks in Thailand’s Deep South

In the usually serene Bannang Sata district of Yala, a powerful explosion erupted on the night of February 22nd, leaving the community and the explosive ordnance disposal units scrambling to piece together the harrowing events. The desperate need for peace has never been more apparent, as tensions simmer in Thailand’s deep South—a region characterized by its persistent confrontations and attempts to find lasting resolution. Amidst this backdrop, peace advocates rally behind Paetongtarn Shinawatra, urging the Prime Minister’s administration to hastily form a committee dedicated to renewing peace negotiations with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Patani (BRN), an Islamist separatist group. “The government must set up a new panel to oversee peace negotiations in the deep South,” compellingly stated Anchana Heemmina, a human rights preservationist and pioneer of the Duay Jai Group, renowned for assisting torture victims in the region. This call for action was amplified at a recent forum uniting…

Pheu Thai Coalition Crisis: Bhumjaithai Tensions Threaten Thai Political Stability

In the vibrant tapestry of Thai politics, intrigue and power plays never fail to capture attention. The political landscape is currently being shaped by tensions weaving between the ruling Pheu Thai Party and its coalition partner, Bhumjaithai. With a history of discord stemming from former prime minister Srettha Thavisin’s tenure, these two parties have found themselves at odds more than once. The rift began with Pheu Thai’s attempts to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, a move poised to overturn Bhumjaithai’s breakthrough decriminalization policy. Tension further escalated over pivotal legislative issues like proposed amendments to the charter and the ambitions to establish a casino-entertainment complex. Both parties have also been embroiled in disputes involving significant land interests—from the Alpine Golf and Sports Club linked to the Shinawatra family, to prime real estate in Buri Ram and Nakhon Ratchasima, tied to Bhumjaithai’s leader, Anutin Charnvirakul. Recently, whispers of an investigation by the…

Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation: Unraveling the Cambodian Deportation Mystery 2025

In an unexpected unraveling of transnational intrigue, authorities in Thailand are fervently sifting through the tangled web of circumstances surrounding 119 Thai nationals, hot on the heels of their deportation from Cambodia. These individuals, freed from notorious scam call centers, now find themselves under the intense scrutiny of Thailand’s legal system. The aim is to untangle the threads of human trafficking victimage from the tapestry of willing participation in criminal enterprises. Steering this intricate course of justice is Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewphan, the astute commissioner of Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). On a brisk Sunday, he underscored that the authorities are mapping out their strategies via the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a well-charted path for navigating cases of suspected human trafficking and forced labor. The Cambodian authorities, however, threw a spanner in the works by suggesting a different narrative. They insinuated that all of those deported had wended…

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Faces Critical No-Confidence Motion Amidst Political Tensions

In the whirlwind of political maneuvers and parliamentary whispers, the spotlight recently beamed down upon Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra as she graced the halls of parliament last Thursday, donning an air of composed determination. Captured by the lens of Pornprom Satrabhaya, this image of leadership was, however, juxtaposed with the rumblings of political strategy brewing behind closed doors. A no-confidence motion—an intriguing tool in the political arsenal—has been set in motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn. It promises to unfurl the drama within the walls of the House of Representatives. The stage is set by Pol Sub Lt Arpath Sukhanunth, the seasoned secretary-general, who confirmed on Sunday the completion of the verification process. A probing odyssey into signatures and the motion’s content has paved the way for this motion to make its ceremonial march towards the desk of House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. As the strategic plates shift, whispers from…

Controversial Uyghur Repatriation: China’s Defense Amidst International Criticism March 2025

In a recent turn of events, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand shared a heartwarming image depicting a Uyghur gentleman being joyfully reunited with his family upon arriving in Xinjiang on February 27. The photograph, released by the Chinese mission in Bangkok, tells a tale of reunion, but the story behind it has stirred quite a buzz internationally. The hotly debated repatriation of 40 Uyghurs from Thailand is being defended by the Chinese embassy as part of a routine cooperative effort between China and Thailand to tackle illegal immigration. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters worldwide, with many viewing it through the lens of human rights and the ongoing struggles of the Uyghur minority group. In the face of international uproar, the embassy’s official statement on social media clarified that these individuals were not asylum seekers but rather illegal migrants who had unlawfully crossed into Thailand. The…

Justice Delayed in Kata Landslide Tragedy: Lt. Col. Ekkasak’s Pursuit for Answers in March 2025

In the idyllic coastal town of Kata, an investigation continues into the tragic landslide that claimed 13 lives and left numerous others injured last August. This heart-wrenching catastrophe disrupted the serene ambiance of the region, and yet, as we stand in March 2025, resolution remains elusive. The wheels of justice, it seems, are turning slowly, largely owing to the complex nature of the extensive damage caused. Leading the charge for answers is Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekkasak Kwanwan, the seasoned Senior Inspector (Investigation) at Karon Police. Determined to leave no stone unturned, Lt. Col. Ekkasak has arranged for a critical set of interviews slated for March 5. These interviews aim to pull together myriad accounts from both victims and witnesses to paint a clearer picture of the events. As the lieutenant explains, “This case is highly sensitive. We are dedicated to ensuring all testimonies align accurately with the allegations put forth.“…