Rescue workers meticulously combed through the charred remnants of a small aircraft the day after its fateful crash, where all five tourists from China and four Thais, including the two pilots, were tragically presumed dead. The disaster occurred in the serene Bang Pakong area of Chachoengsao province, Thailand, on August 23, 2024. (Reuters photo) The Transport Ministry has swiftly moved into action, tasking the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) with an investigation into the cause of this calamity. Acting under the directive of Caretaker Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the CAAT is set to probe the unfortunate demise of flight TFT209, which claimed nine souls, including the pilot and co-pilot, on August 22. Disturbingly, the aircraft lacked a black box, depriving investigators of crucial evidence. TFT209, a flight managed by the Thai Flying Service Company, took to the skies from Suvarnabhumi Airport, bound for Koh Mai Si in Trat province. Sadly,…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
On an eventful August 22, Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai accompanied Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the City Pillar Shrine in Bangkok. This momentous occasion, captured by Chanat Katanyu, set the stage for an intriguing political landscape. As the week draws to a close, all eyes are on the lineup of the new cabinet, which is expected to be finalized by the end of the week. Phumtham Wechayachai, who stepped in as acting prime minister following Srettha Thavisin’s dismissal by the Constitutional Court, has ensured that the government will hit the ground running. Once the policy statement is presented before parliament next month, the Pheu Thai Party aims to tackle the country’s pressing problems head-on. “We are doing everything in our power to have the new cabinet line-up ready by the end of the week,” Phumtham stated with confidence. Upon finalization, the list of new ministers will be submitted…
A recent tributary overflow from the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province has reignited discussions around a massive water management project originally initiated by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The ambitious project, now estimated to cost around six trillion baht, aims to address Thailand’s ongoing struggles with both flooding and drought, according to Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Mr. Phumtham stressed the importance of this project by saying, “The matter was first raised by the Yingluck government in 2011, and back then we allocated a budget of 2-3 trillion baht. Given the escalation in costs, the entire project is now expected to require 5-6 trillion baht.” Despite the eye-popping sum, he assured that it would be a worthwhile investment for Thailand’s future. These comments came during his visit to Nan province, where he was overseeing flood relief efforts and distributing essential supplies to flood victims. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra…
In a small corner of northeastern Thailand, tensions are rising as authorities grapple with an alarming trend: minors getting entangled in the perilous world of drug trafficking. The serene province of Buri Ram has become the latest battleground in this unsettling saga with the recent arrests of two teenagers, triggering concerns about a burgeoning network of young drug dealers. On a seemingly ordinary Sunday, a coordinated effort by police, military, and the Department of Provincial Administration unearthed a disconcerting discovery in the Muang district’s tambon Isan. The focal point? Two adolescents—a mere 16 and 17 years old—caught in the act of distributing illicit substances. As they were placed under arrest, the teens revealed a grim reality: they were pawns, executing orders for a more seasoned dealer who had fled to Laos, evading drug charges. Their apprehension led to an even more significant find. The young suspects guided authorities to a…
Health professionals at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital in Bangkok’s Kannayao district were intensely focused on treating victims on Saturday, as seen in the photo provided by the Department of Medical Services. The unexpected crackdown came swiftly: authorities ordered the closure of 18 moonshine shops scattered across six districts following a tragic incident. One man lost his life, and 20 more were rushed to hospitals with symptoms of methanol poisoning after a night out in Min Buri district turned disastrous. As reports surfaced on Sunday from Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, it became clear that a total of 21 patients had fallen ill after consuming the dangerous brew. The hospital in Kannayao district has been a hive of activity, with patients suffering from a range of symptoms including dizziness, stomach aches, vomiting, impaired vision, and seizures. Dr. Amporn Benjaponpitak, director-general of the Department of Medical Services (DMS), detailed the gravity of the situation during…
In an alarming turn of events in Buri Ram, two minors have been taken into custody under suspicions of becoming the newest members of the nefarious world of drug dealing. This unsettling revelation is sparking concerns about the rising involvement of young people in drug-related crimes in this northeastern province. On a seemingly quiet Sunday, authorities that spanned the police, military, and the Department of Provincial Administration, made a significant arrest in tambon Isan within Muang district. The individuals in question? A 16-year-old and a 17-year-old who shockingly owned up to distributing yaba pills, a dangerous concoction of methamphetamine and caffeine. This wasn’t a rogue operation; they were allegedly under the orders of an elusive older dealer who had reportedly fled to Laos to sidestep drug charges, authorities disclosed. The gravity of the situation deepened when these teenagers directed the authorities to a clandestine hideout. What awaited them there was…
Health professionals were seen diligently attending to victims at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, Kannayao district, Bangkok, as emergency measures were put into action Saturday night. The grim scene unfolded after a distressing episode of methanol intoxication spiraled out of control in the Min Buri district. The illicit consumption of moonshine led to one tragic death and 20 others were rushed to various hospitals, suffering from severe symptoms. Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital reported on Sunday that 21 individuals had been admitted after ingesting the contaminated brew, setting off a cascade of medical crises. According to Dr. Amporn Benjaponpitak, the director-general of the Department of Medical Services (DMS), the patients were treated for an alarming array of symptoms, including dizziness, severe stomach pain, relentless vomiting, impaired vision, and even seizures. “Symptoms generally manifest between 16 to 24 hours post-consumption of such moonshine,” Dr. Amporn elaborated, shedding light on the daunting reality of methanol poisoning.…
Officials waded through thick mud in Muang district, Phuket province, Thailand, last Saturday, following a devastating landslide that shook the community. (Photo: Achadthaya Cheunniran) PHUKET: In the vibrant southern tourist island of Phuket, authorities have begun the rehabilitation process in the landslide-stricken areas of Muang district, following the discovery of all 13 missing victims. Phuket’s Governor, Sophon Suwannarat, called off the search on Saturday afternoon after the final three victims were found, confirming a tragic death toll of 13. Those who perished were either hardworking laborers or visitors from outside Phuket. The catastrophic landslide ravaged three sub-districts in Muang district: Chalong, Karon, and Rawai. In total, the disaster impacted 209 families across nine villages. In addition to the fatalities, 19 individuals sustained injuries, with three still receiving medical care as of Sunday. The victims comprised a mix of ethnicities and nationalities. Tragically, nine Myanmar workers—four men and five women—lost their…
People watched anxiously as water levels rose in the Mae Sai district of Thailand’s Chiang Rai province on August 19. The picturesque northern region, known for its lush landscapes and rich history, found itself grappling with an unforgiving force of nature. Chiang Rai was one of five northern provinces still inundated by flooding, as confirmed by Thailand’s Public Relations Department. Despite a partly sunny sky, the scene was anything but bright for the five stricken provinces – Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, and Phrae. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that between August 16 and 22, severe floods hit 22 northern provinces, leading to 22 tragic fatalities. The disaster extended its reach, affecting 30,807 families. Chiang Rai, resplendent in its beauty, remained submerged along with parts of Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, and Phrae. Even as the floodwater appeared to recede in some places, nine additional deaths were reported, underscoring…
In the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, a tense ordeal unfolded late Saturday night as rescue workers scrambled to reach three individuals trapped beneath tons of rubble. The incident took place in Pak Chong district, where a high-speed railway tunnel, still under construction, partially collapsed in the dead of night. Prasit Tangprasert captured the gravity of the situation through his poignant lens. Imagine this: A peaceful night, devoid of rain or the usual cacophony of nature, suddenly shattered by the deafening rumble of collapsing earth. At exactly 11:30 p.m., two diligent workers were maneuvering a backhoe and a truck, meticulously digging through the earth to create a marvel of modern engineering. As if scripted in a movie, a foreman drove up to the tunnel entrance, only to find himself a part of this unfolding drama. In seconds, the tunnel’s structural integrity gave way, swallowing these men—a Chinese foreman, a Chinese backhoe…