THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

As December unfolds, setting the stage for the much-anticipated New Year festivities, the Transport Ministry in Bangkok has taken critical measures to ease travel during this bustling time. An official directive has been issued to pause all construction activities along the bustling Rama II Road corridor beginning from December 26th to January 2nd. It’s an eight-day hiatus aimed at ensuring a smoother flow for the revelers keen on traveling to the South, as articulated by Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. He emphasized, “We’ve instructed the restoration of the road surface as extensively as possible to aid travelers.” He also advised prospective travelers to familiarize themselves with alternative routes to circumvent potential traffic snarls during the festive period. The move comes in the wake of a dramatic mishap — a crane catastrophe on Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon. On the cool, pre-dawn hours of November 29th, tragedy struck at the construction…

As the sun peeks over the horizon in the southern realms of Thailand, a glimmer of hope begins to twinkle amidst the waterlogs. Floodwaters, stubbornly clinging to the land, are finally making a retreat in certain pockets of the South. The news comes as a breath of fresh air from Sasikarn Wattanachan, the deputy spokeswoman of the Prime Minister’s Office. Yet, even as she doles out some encouragement, five provinces remain locked in wet combat as of yesterday—specifically, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, and Narathiwat. The optimism doesn’t escape Pattani, where a few areas are no longer reticent about showing improvement. In Narathiwat, a trio of major rivers—the gushing veins of the province—finally appear to be relaxing their water levels, a sight as welcome as a cool breeze on a hot day. But vigilance remains the operational word, especially by the Bang Nara and Kolok rivers, where the rain’s…

In the bustling heart of Thailand’s capital, a poignant farewell is unfolding for a revered figure in the world of sports journalism. Wanchai Rujawongsanti, a name synonymous with passion, integrity, and dedication in the Thai sports arena, has sadly passed away at the age of 61. Having valiantly fought lung cancer, Wanchai’s journey on this earth concluded on a serene Wednesday morning, marking the end of an era in the sphere of sports reporting. For over two decades, Wanchai was a stalwart at the Bangkok Post, not only leading its sports section with distinction but also shaping its narrative with deft proficiency and an unyielding zeal for local sports. His retirement at the close of 2023 marked the culmination of a career embedded with countless stories, told with an unmatched fervor and clarity that only a seasoned journalist of his caliber could muster. Beyond the pages of the Bangkok Post,…

The whispers of controversy are bustling through the idyllic terrains of Saraburi, as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) sharpens its investigative prowess, poised to uncover any shadows of state involvement in an alleged land encroachment scandal. At the heart of this unfolding drama is the charming, yet controversially situated Phu Nub Dao Cafe & Farm. Nestled amid verdant hills in Muak Lek district, the cafe’s enchanting setting might just hide more than its breathtaking views. NACC acting chairman, the diligent and ever-watchful Witthaya Arkhompitak, stands ready to peel back the layers of this unfolding mystery. His target? The Phu Nub Dao Cafe & Farm, which is under scrutiny for allegedly constructing its charming edifices within the confines of Sor Por Kor land—a space meant strictly for agricultural reform. But here’s the plot twist: This story isn’t just about illegal structures rising amidst the bucolic backdrop; it’s about potential governmental actors…

In a twist that could only be concocted in the ever-dramatic world of politics and business scandals, the tale of Apichart Jansakulporn—more famously known as Sia Piang—has taken yet another unexpected turn. Apichart, once a key player in the rice-pledging saga who found himself buried beneath a 48-year prison sentence for corruption, has seen the prison bars part after serving a mere seven years. The Department of Corrections (DoC) verified his release on October 9, pointing to severe health issues that apparently necessitated his freedom. Now, he’s trading the confines of prison for the sterile walls of Ramathibodi Hospital, with nary an electronic monitor in sight. Initially put behind bars in 2015, Apichart’s case revolved around a fiasco concerning government-to-government rice sale deals laden with corruption. His daunting sentence was whittled down to just over 12 years thanks to multiple royal pardons—a gesture that undoubtedly adds a juicy layer of…

It’s a sunny day in the corridors of power, and the buzz is all about an impending “cooling off” period that threatens to put the brakes on a high-stakes political ballet: the quest to revamp the referendum bill. The air’s thick with anticipation as the clock ticks away on the current government’s tenure, and Nikorn Chamnong, the articulate secretary of the Senate-MP joint committee, steps up to the podium with news that could sizzle or fizzle. In a press conference that had more attendees than a blockbuster movie premiere, Mr. Nikorn, like a seasoned maestro, shared the resolution of the joint panel—a diplomatic enclave designed to smooth out the rough edges between the House and Senate on the thorny issue of referendum rules. It’s a debate as divisive as pineapple on pizza, with the House championing a single-majority rule while the Senate clutches its double-majority pearls like a worried mother.…

In the vibrant coastal paradise of Phuket, excitement reaches a fever pitch as Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana steps aboard to join the spirited Vayu team for the 36th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. The local populace of this island gem eagerly anticipates her arrival, thrilled to witness the Queen lending her regal presence to this prestigious international sailing competition. Marking her second consecutive year of participation, Her Majesty’s involvement signals a royal endorsement of both the sport and the cultural significance of this maritime gathering. As the regatta unfolds from November 30th to December 6th, an impressive flotilla of nearly 200 boats sets the stage, painting Phuket’s picturesque coastline with sails and the echoes of nautical fervor. This grand event, rooted in a tribute to commemorate His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s 60th birthday back in 1987, has matured into Asia’s premier sailing spectacle. Not only does it celebrate…

In a world increasingly fraught with the untamed forces of climate change, nations must rally together, particularly those like Thailand, which find themselves at the mercy of shifting tides and temperature spikes. At the helm of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, Mr. Phirun Saiyasitpanich has called for a more vigorous campaign to seize financial aid, specifically through the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). This initiative, championed by economically robust nations, is designed to aid poorer or developing countries embroiled in the climate crisis. During the recent UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, held in Azerbaijan, world leaders with enlightened persistence proposed an increase in the funds developed nations are urged to contribute. This proposal is truly revolutionary, urging contributions of at least US$300 billion annually to developing countries by 2035, a stark rise from the $100 billion annual target set for 2025. Mr. Phirun underscores that…

In a bustling Bangkok bank, a teller counts crisp Thai banknotes, emblematic of an economy poised on the verge of a potential tax overhaul. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra finds herself amidst a whirlwind of criticism and concern, as the Finance Ministry toys with the notion of doubling the nation’s value-added tax (VAT) from its long-standing rate of 7%. A murmured proposal of a 15% hike has stirred significant public unrest, prompting the Prime Minister to express, “I understand the plight of the people if VAT were to be raised.” Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, who also carries the responsibilities of a deputy prime minister, assured that more details would soon emerge regarding the proposal. On an ordinary Wednesday, Mr. Pichai stated, “We are merely studying the possibility, considering global tax trends, and weighing potential pros and cons to ensure public favor.” VAT, since its inception in 1992, has steadfastly remained at…

For fifty years, the vision of harnessing nuclear power in this region has been more of a persistent dream than an actionable reality. But hold on to your hats, folks, because we’re teetering on the brink of a nuclear-powered breakthrough like never before! This month is poised to be a seminal moment as the Energy Regulatory Committee (ERC), our national energy watchdog, is gearing up to strike an MOU (that’s Memorandum of Understanding for us non-bureaucrats) with the Office of Atoms for Peace. Their mission? To figure out the nuts and bolts of regulations essential for kickstarting a nuclear power project. Forget those monstrous old-school reactors; this plan revolves around sleek, high-tech small modular reactors (SMRs). You know what they say about small packages and great things, right? The mighty SMRs are the centerpiece of the “Power Development Plan 2024”, a visionary strategy to weave atomic energy into our energy…