Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong PATTAYA – A city famed for its vibrant nightlife and stunning beaches faced an unexpected visitor on Monday night: torrential rain. For over three relentless hours, heavy downpours turned the streets of Pattaya into rivers, leaving motorists stranded and cars stalled in the middle of flooded roadways. From central Pattaya to the neighboring Bang Lamung district in Chon Buri, no corner was spared; even parts of the crucial Sukhumvit Road, which connects Pattaya to other provinces, felt the fury of the deluge. As dawn broke on Tuesday, the city began to breathe a sigh of relief. The floodwaters, as quickly as they came, began to recede. By morning, a semblance of normalcy returned, although subtle hints of the night’s havoc lingered in scattered pockets of water across the city. People slogged through the mess, while businesses reopened their doors, determined to shrug off the previous night’s chaos.…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The upcoming fiscal landscape is set to witness the smooth sailing of the 2025 budget bill, according to chief government whip Wisut Chainarun. The House of Representatives has lined up a three-day debate starting Tuesday to sift through the nuances of the 3.75-trillion-baht budget plan. This budget bill, already given the nod during its first reading on June 21, is on the trajectory to secure broad approval. Wisut Chainarun appeared notably confident on Monday, stating, “The bill should pass the House comfortably. It is expected to receive the support of at least 320 MPs from the coalition parties.” He emphasized that the caretaker government is well-prepared to address any challenges posed by the opposition, especially concerning the much-discussed digital wallet handout scheme. Backing this sentiment, Sorawong Thienthong, secretary-general of the Pheu Thai Party, articulated his expectation that MPs from the Democrat Party, now allies in the Pheu Thai-led coalition, will…
Amid the bustling streets and neon-lit markets of Bangkok’s Bang Bon district, an undercurrent of secretive activity was brought to light. In 2016, soldiers conducted a daring raid on an illegal liquor production facility, seizing a staggering 24,080 litres of illicit moonshine. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) Fast forward to today, and the shadow of dubious distillation looms large once more as a House committee delves into the serious, consequential problem of unregulated herbal moonshine, colloquially known as “ya dong.” This wake-up call was tragically underscored by the death of six individuals and over 30 hospitalizations after consuming ya dong contaminated with methyl alcohol. The scrutiny of the alcoholic beverages control bill is being spearheaded by Wisarn Techathirawat, chairman of the panel. He stressed the grave public health hazard posed by the widespread and unregulated production of herbal moonshine, an issue made more perilous by consumers’ lack of awareness about the potential…
An aerial view of the devastation paints a poignant picture of the aftermath, as a fire ravaged the warehouse of Win Process in Ban Khai district, Rayong, this past April. The image, courtesy of the Disaster Response Association, illustrates the dire consequences of hazardous waste mismanagement. In a landmark decision, the Rayong Provincial Court has mandated the waste recycling company, Win Process Co., to shell out a colossal 1.74 billion baht in compensation. This ruling came after the court found the company culpable of causing severe environmental pollution in the Nong Pawa community. The verdict stemmed from an intensive investigation carried out by the Department of Pollution Control, which unveiled disturbing levels of hazardous chemicals in soil and water samples from the region. Rewind to 2022, the court had previously directed Win Process to disburse 20.82 million baht to 15 distressed residents affected by the plant’s operations. Yet, the company…
Nestled atop Phuket’s majestic Nak Koet Hill, the revered Buddha statue – a symbol of tranquility and spiritual solace – now faces a precarious fate. The tranquil ambiance has been jolted by recent natural calamities, prompting urgent action from Phuket’s Royal Forest Centre. This striking landmark, an emblem of serene devotion, has been compromised by the geological unrest that resulted in tragic consequences on August 23, leading to the loss of 13 lives. Sorasak Rananan, the vigilant director of Phuket’s Royal Forest Centre, disclosed the gravity of the situation this past Monday. An inspection conducted around the Buddha statue on the previous Tuesday unveiled unsettling findings: the statue stands on approximately 20 rai of land, yet, alarmingly, 5 rai of this land extends beyond the authorized boundaries. This miscalculation placed this monumental structure, whose base was meant to be on solid footing, in a perilous position. Wat Kittisankaram, home to…
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has made a firm decision not to prolong the public hearing for its fourth city plan revision. Despite fervent appeals from various quarters, BMA asserts that Bangkok’s residents from all six district groups have already voiced their opinions. The revised plan is slated to come into effect towards the end of next year. The proposed fourth draft of BMA’s Bangkok City Plan has garnered significant criticism from numerous civil society organizations. Critics argue that the plan falls woefully short in addressing the capital’s enduring problems, including the perennial traffic jams, inadequate water management, and the dearth of affordable living spaces. Furthermore, they claim that public consultation has been sorely lacking throughout the process. Deputy Bangkok Governor Wisanu Subsompon has highlighted that the primary concerns raised by Bangkokians revolve around changes to the city’s color-coded zoning, rules surrounding land expropriation, and the insufficient provision of open…
The corridors of power buzzed with anticipation as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, newly elected prime minister, announced on Monday that the line-up for the new cabinet had been finalized. With a thorough vetting process ensuring the qualifications of all 35 candidates, she confidently shared that the finalized list would be submitted for royal endorsement by the end of the week. Ms Shinawatra was elected by the House of Representatives on Aug 16, marking a dynamic change in leadership. This came after the dramatic exit of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, who faced dismissal by the Constitutional Court over a “gross ethics violation” concerning his controversial appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a former convict, as a minister in the PM’s Office. With Ms. Shinawatra at the helm, the political landscape is poised for transformation. In a seamless blend of tradition and renewal, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed that if the line-up receives royal…
The resplendent Thi Lo Su waterfall in Thailand’s Tak province recently reopened its doors to nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. After a two-month respite to allow Mother Nature her due time to recover, this breathtaking haven welcomed its first group of tourists on Sunday. At the helm of the reopening ceremony was Manot Poniam, the diligent chief of Umphang district. With a flourish, he sent off eager tourists aboard inflatable rafts, their eyes wide with anticipation as they embarked on a journey through the heart of the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. Amid the joyous festivities, a word of caution came from Amnat Fongchai, the astute director of Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. Due to the rugged terrain and the delicate dance of the soft soil along the 25-kilometre route, only four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed to navigate the treacherous path to the falls. Details on how far other vehicles may venture into this…
In a recent turn of events, a motion in the Senate, which aimed to probe a Constitutional Court judge over his controversial remarks about the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP), was effectively dismissed on Monday. The motion, originally introduced by Senator Nanthana Nanthawarophas, focused on a comment made by Constitutional Court Judge Udom Sittiwirattham during a seminar last week. The judge’s remarks pertained to the disbanded Move Forward Party and its newly emerged counterpart, the People’s Party (PP). During the seminar, Judge Udom half-jokingly suggested that the MFP’s dissolution might not necessarily spell doom, considering the recent, highly successful fundraising efforts by its successor, the PP. In just a few days, the new faction managed to amass millions of baht, a fact that the judge highlighted. Nonetheless, this lighthearted comment did not sit well with Sen Nanthana. She argued that the judge’s remarks were mockingly inappropriate and called…
After a refreshing two-month hiatus, the beloved Thi Lo Su waterfall in Tak has once again opened its arms to eager visitors. This closure allowed the breathtaking natural wonder to rejuvenate and restore its untouched beauty. Leading the opening ceremony, Manot Poniam, the chief of Umphang district, proudly waved off the first batch of tourists who embarked towards the renowned falls via inflatable boats, setting off an adventure in the heart of the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. In a move to safeguard the pristine environment and ensure visitor safety, Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary’s director, Amnat Fongchai, announced that only four-wheel-drive vehicles will be permitted to tackle the rugged, 25-kilometer journey to the waterfall. The challenging route, characterized by its soft soil, demands vehicles equipped to handle tough terrains. He reassured that further guidelines regarding the access of other vehicles would soon follow, ensuring that all plans prioritize the preservation of the sanctuary.…