The Ministry of Public Health is bustling with anticipation as it ramps up efforts to fast-track the long-awaited construction of Pluak Daeng 2 Hospital. Dormant for two whole years, this crucial facility promises to be a haven for the burgeoning population within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Leading this ambitious charge is Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, who heralds the project as a groundbreaking Public-Private Partnership (PPP) — a maiden voyage for the ministry in Rayong province. Fresh from a strategic assembly with ministry executives, Mr. Somsak couldn’t contain his excitement about the surge of interest from no less than four private firms keen on this collaborative endeavor. As the conversation bustles with optimism, insiders hint that the race for contractor bids might just kick off under the summer sun of next year. The narrative behind the delay is a classic tale of the ministry’s inexperience in navigating the labyrinthine…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In a dramatic turn of events, four men have found themselves in the spotlight following the tragic loss of a 19-year-old named Ratthaphum in the vibrant Bang Kae district. Late Saturday evening, a fatal incident turned this lively area into the setting of a heart-wrenching case, echoing through the corridors of the Phetkasem police station. The suspects, whose identities remain under wraps, were swiftly apprehended on Sunday. This quick arrest is credited to the tireless law enforcement team who meticulously combed through surveillance footage that led them right to the doorstep of a residence nestled in Bang Kae. Here, they discovered three individuals intimately linked to the night’s fateful events. Facing the intensity of the investigation room, the trio admitted their presence at Ratthaphum’s final moments. Yet, they each fervently denied plunging the metaphorical dagger into the situation, asserting their innocence in the young man’s untimely demise. Their tales hinted…
In a turn of events that stirred quite a buzz in the political corridors of Thailand, three former MPs from the Bhumjaithai Party, who had been carrying the weight of an ethical debacle upon their shoulders, were granted parole this past Sunday. The release marks the conclusion of a tumultuous chapter that began in the summer with a nine-month prison sentence hanging over their heads. The story unfolded like a political drama with public intrigue and courtroom suspense that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Among the trio, there was Natee Ratchakitprakarn, a name familiar not just as a political persona but also as the wife of Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Her journey out of the Central Women’s Correctional Institution was a sight to behold, a moment symbolizing freedom and perhaps, a new beginning. Meanwhile, Chalong Thoetwiraphong and Phumsit Khongmi, both deep-rooted politicians from the scenic province of…
In a dynamic move to bridge international business terrain, Azalina Othman Said, esteemed Minister in the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Department, is championing an enhanced synergy between Thailand’s arbitration center and its Malaysian counterpart. This orchestrated approach, she asserts, promises to cultivate thriving business relations between the two nations. Amidst her vibrant digital presence, Azalina takes to Facebook to share her forward-thinking visions, enticing a wide audience. With Malaysia at the helm as the 2025 Asean chair, Azalina is laser-focused on injecting fresh vigor into business law reforms. The goal? To fortify legal shields for enterprises traversing the diverse landscape of Asean member states. During a dynamic sojourn to Bangkok, Azalina engaged in a robust roadshow aimed at harnessing a unified consensus and amplifying legal cooperation. She reiterated the imperative need for collective reforms, with a particular spotlight on international business regulations. Azalina articulated a vision of harmonized business laws as…
In a sunlit village nestled somewhere amidst the rich tapestry of Thailand, there lived two ambitious young men. The first, whose path seemed predestined, was the son of a courageous police officer who had laid down his life serving during the southern insurgency. Following his father’s valorous footsteps seemed only natural, and with determination vaulted by loss, he aced the police entrance exams. The other young man, a dreamer with wanderlust in his veins, yearned to travel the world. At the vibrant age of 27, he set his sights on becoming a flight attendant, the kind of job that opened horizons and emblazoned the soul with stories of distant lands. He too excelled in his examinations, igniting a spark that promised a life of discovery. But life, as they both discovered, had a different tale to tell. The plans were abruptly halted, dreams crashing down like sandcastles against an incoming…
Amidst the bustling tapestry that is Thailand, Mother Nature has unveiled her dual-edged sword, and it’s not a pretty sight. This year alone, devastating floods have wreaked havoc across the nation, claiming over 50 lives in the North earlier, and leaving another 25 dead in the southern reaches more recently. While climate change stands accused as a primary villain, the real story, according to the Southeast Asia programme director of International Rivers, Pianporn “Pai” Deetes, tells of a more human touch to this catastrophe. Appearing on Bangkok Post’s “Deeper Dive” vodcast, Pai pulls back the curtain on the triad of human activities responsible for exacerbating these natural calamities: deforestation, the proliferation of dams, and unscrupulous encroachment. As she paints the scene, an irony emerges—deforestation, a key player in causing floods, is also directly linked to the PM2.5 haze notorious in the northern part of the country. The relentless felling of…
As anticipation builds for Thursday, all eyes are set on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is poised to take the stage and deliver a major public address that promises to shine a light on her cabinet’s achievements over the past three months. This address—enticingly titled “2025 Empowering Thais: A Real Possibility”—is not just a simple speech but a clarion call for the initiatives and policies that the government plans to champion in the coming year. With promises including a thrilling digital money handout scheme, initiatives strengthening the village fund, and various economic stimulus measures, the speech is expected to stir up quite the buzz. The stage is set for 10 a.m. on NBT2HD, with the address also streaming on the state-run TV channel’s Facebook page, acting as a modern twist on reaching the nation. With the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand’s headquarters on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road as the venue, an…
In the enchanting province of Nonthaburi, Thailand, where lush rice fields stretch as far as the eye can see, an all-too-familiar scene recently unfolded. A plume of smoke rose skyward, the aftermath of a rice field set ablaze to clear away dry rice straws post-harvest. This traditional method, however, has its consequences, contributing to the notorious PM2.5 dust pollution that plagues lowland areas during certain times of the year. As Thailand confronts this environmental challenge, there’s a concerted effort to revolutionize farming practices and turn the tide on agricultural burning. In a progressive move, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, in collaboration with a consortium of international organizations, has launched the “Friends of Thai Agriculture” alliance. This collective is committed to steering the transition toward climate-smart farming, aiming to not only curb carbon emissions but also elevate the livelihoods of cherished Thai farmers. At a recent conference titled “Reduction…
In the picturesque southern Thai province of Songkhla, the city of Hat Yai found its buzzing streets serenaded not by the usual chorus of bustling shoppers and melodic chatter but by the gentle lap of water encroaching from its boundaries. Last month, two major canals, seemingly conspiring with the heavens above, overflowed, infusing parts of the city outskirts with an uninvited aquatic display. Miraculously, Hat Yai’s central business district emerged mostly unscathed, like a skilled tightrope walker navigating a torrential tightrope. The cost of the province’s watery visitor, however, is staggering, with damages estimated beyond four billion baht. Yet, while the tangible costs tower high, the intangible losses, entrenched in disrupted trade, are shadowy figures yet to be calculated, as remarked by the candid Mr. Songpol Chansiriwathanathamrong, the perceptive president of Songkhla’s chamber of commerce. With water-induced chaos permeating across 533 villages and affecting the lives of over 540,000 people,…
Amid whispers of conflict and unverified claims swirling like wildfire, Myanmar’s United Wa State Army (UWSA), affectionately dubbed the Red Wa Army, stepped up to put rumors to rest this Sunday. Accusations have been flying—and who doesn’t love a good story of intrigue at the border?—suggesting a looming showdown with Thailand. However, the UWSA firmly dismissed such tall tales, urging folks to keep their cool and avoid leaping onto the sensationalist bandwagon. And who can blame them? No one enjoys a scandal built on thin air and thickened with mischief. In a clear and unwavering statement, the UWSA brushed aside notions of any confrontation with Thai forces along the twisted, unpredictable borders winding through Pai district in Mae Hong Son province’s northern reaches. The headline-grabbing idea of a Thai military blitz on Wa State isn’t just unlikely; it’s downright mythological, the UWSA argues. Apparently, the buzz only serves to fan…