THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

In a move that reads like a corporate whodunit, Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has zeroed in on suspected nominee share-holding schemes in Samut Prakan—this time targeting several foreign-linked steel trading businesses accused of hiding behind Thai names. Leading the charge is Deputy Permanent Secretary Chakara Yodmanee, who heads the task force tackling illegal foreign operations, acting on directions from Deputy Commerce Minister Suchart Chomklin. What started as industry complaints has quickly ballooned into a coordinated, multi-agency probe that could reshape how the kingdom polices foreign investment. The tip-off and the raid The story began when the Thai Roofing Business Association flagged concerns about certain steel traders who may have been acting as nominees—Thai individuals listed as shareholders to mask foreign control. On August 19, 2025, officials from the Department of Business Development (DBD), Department of Internal Trade, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and Samut Prakan provincial teams descended on…

When a political rumour spreads faster than a Bangkok monsoon, someone’s bound to grab an umbrella — or, in this case, a megaphone. The Pheu Thai Party has emphatically stomped on whispers that it plans to name former coup leader and ex-prime minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha as its next candidate for premier. The party’s secretary-general, Sorawong Thienthong, told reporters bluntly that the speculation is pure fiction: “We’ve never considered Prayut for any role. This didn’t come from us.” A denial, not a detour The buzz about a political U-turn — an unlikely reconciliation between Pheu Thai and the Bhumjaithai Party, which once sat in coalition but now sits in opposition — was enough to set off alarm bells. Pheu Thai’s message, however, was crystal clear: no deal, no nomination, no reunion. Sorawong labelled the story fake news and made sure there was no ambiguity about the party’s stance. Backing their…

A routine trip to Silom turns dramatic when a glass door suddenly shatters What began as an ordinary family outing in Silom, Bangkok, took a terrifying turn on August 19 when a glass door at a shopping mall exploded into shards just as a mother, her daughter and her nephew were leaving. The mother later posted dashcam footage and photos to the popular Facebook page Drama-addict, turning a private scare into a widely viewed cautionary tale. “Hi, I have something to share. My family and I visited a shopping mall together, and the incident happened just as we were about to leave. The entire glass door broke, and the glass cut the children. Small pieces of glass also got into my husband’s shoes and clothes,” she wrote, alongside images of the aftermath. Dashcam drama: what the video shows The dashcam clip, reportedly given to the family by a passing driver…

Phone in the Forest: How a Lost Mobile Turned Into a Diplomatic Landmine What began as a routine landmine clearance in the tree-lined borderlands of Surin province quickly escalated into an international headache. On August 19, members of the Royal Thai Navy’s Humanitarian Mine Action Unit were combing the Phu Makhuea area when they stumbled over more than metal and mud: a mobile phone that, officials say, belonged to a Cambodian soldier. That single device, Thai authorities claim, held a trove of video and photographic evidence showing Cambodian troops handling and deploying PMN-2 anti-personnel mines — the very kind of blast that had already maimed three Thai soldiers patrolling the border, leaving some without legs. If the contents are genuine, Thailand says, the footage could demonstrate Cambodia’s breach of the Ottawa Treaty, which bans the use of anti-personnel mines. From Casual Clips to Cold Evidence According to the Royal Thai…

Bangkok’s famous “green lung” is getting a much-needed deep breath — and the credit goes to a bold reforestation push led by energy firm Bangchak. The Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (TNCC) has applauded the company’s hands-on work in Bang Kachao, Samut Prakan province, highlighting a project that pairs corporate firepower with grassroots energy to restore mangroves, protect wildlife and teach a new generation why nature matters. Planting hope — and rare mangroves At the heart of the campaign was a colourful community planting day at the Bangchak Fulfilling Societal Happiness Forest Park. Bangchak’s sustainability chief, Gloyta Nathalang, joined local residents, conservationists and even athletes to sink seedlings into the mud — not just any seedlings, but rare mangrove species chosen to strengthen the area’s natural flood barriers and boost biodiversity. “This is not just about planting trees. It’s about restoring ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and educating the next generation on why…

Thailand’s domestic travel scene is getting a welcome jolt of convenience and charm as Pattaya Airways prepares to take delivery of three new ATR72 turboprops this December. Think nimble planes, comfy cabins, and schedules tuned for hop-on, hop-off travel—perfect for anyone who’s dreamed of breakfast in Pattaya, a cultural afternoon in Chiang Mai, and a beachfront dinner in Phuket all in one weekend. Small planes, big impact The ATR72 isn’t just another aircraft model on the tarmac; it’s tailor-made for short-haul trips. Seating up to 72 passengers and boasting upgraded cabins, these turboprops are built for routes that bridge big-city airports and smaller regional strips. That means faster, more frequent links between Pattaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and a lineup of lesser-known gems popping up on domestic travel maps. “These new aircraft will help connect more destinations, reduce travel times, and support Thailand’s vision of balanced and sustainable tourism,” a…

Thailand’s culinary cosmos simmered into a public spat this month after a beloved street-food legend — Michelin-starred chef Jay Fai — was slapped with a fine over a pricey crab omelette that left a British Thai YouTuber scratching her head (and opening her wallet). On August 15, Pitchaya “Peachii” Chaychana, a well-known Thai YouTuber based in the UK, shared an eyebrow-raising experience on X: she and her friends paid 4,000 baht for Jay Fai’s famous crab omelette, even though the menu listed the dish at 1,500 baht. The servers later explained that the kitchen had used premium crab meat, bumping the price to 4,000 — a savory upgrade the diners say they never asked for and were never clearly offered. To be fair to the dish: Peachii praised the quality and taste, calling the food excellent. The complaint wasn’t about flavour — it was about transparency. She told followers she…

On August 19, Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor pulled out its brightest travel brochures and rolled out the red carpet — literally and figuratively — at the Nong Nooch Pattaya International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The EEC Travel Mart wasn’t just another industry meetup; it felt like a coming-of-age party for a region itching to be seen as more than industry maps and investment headlines. Hundreds of tourism heavyweights showed up, rolled up their sleeves and began plotting the EEC’s next chapter: a competitive, stylish and sustainable tourism playground in Southeast Asia. A who’s who of travel—and a few surprising stars Deputy Mayor Thitiphan Phettrakul and Deputy Governor Adirek Un-osot led the opening ceremony, setting the tone for a day of serious networking and high-energy deal-making. Adirek’s words were a neat mission statement: “The EEC Travel Mart serves as a vital platform to build confidence, enhance the region’s image, and elevate…

A shocking allegation out of Patong has put a spotlight on the darker side of Phuket’s tourism industry: a 36-year-old Thai masseuse has accused her former Egyptian employer of forcing her and several female colleagues to perform oral sex on him every day. The woman shared her story on the Phuket Times Facebook page — not to make headlines, she said, but to warn other women thinking about moving to Phuket for work. According to her account, the massage shop in question is located in Patong, one of Phuket’s busiest tourist hubs. The employer allegedly sought newly graduated students from a massage training school and personally recruited her. What started as a job offer, she claims, quickly turned into something else entirely. After a short time working at the shop, the employer allegedly demanded oral sex. The masseuse says she felt compelled to comply because she had an urgent responsibility:…

In the quiet pre-dawn hours at Sri Khun Mueang Temple (also known locally as Wat Ban Lao) in Udon Thani, an unwelcome disruption rattled the sanctity of morning prayers: someone broke into the living quarters of a 70-year-old monk, stole donation money and personal items, and left the small community shaken. The monk affected, Venerable Aphisit Khamin, who has served the temple for a decade, left for morning prayers with fellow monks at 4:50 a.m. He returned just 40 minutes later to find his front door forcibly opened and the lock and latch damaged. Inside, the room showed little disturbance—except for the missing 6,500 baht (about US$200) that had been kept in a storage compartment and intended for daily temple needs. Personal identification documents and other important papers were also taken. Nearby, another monk’s residence at the temple was targeted the same morning: a laptop was reported stolen. The timing…