In an impressive display of athleticism, Prime Minister candidate General Prayut of the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, took to Lumpini Park in downtown Bangkok to engage in a spirited game of rattan ball. The 69-year-old politician energetically participated in the match for about 10 minutes, alongside PM Office Minister Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana and local joggers, leaving the crowd in awe of his vigor. Lumpini Park, located in the bustling district of Pathum Wan, is a popular destination for Bangkok residents looking to stay active and fit. Seizing the opportunity to socialize, General Prayut and UTN members conversed with exercising park-goers after the lively sporting session. Seeking a third term in office after initially gaining power through his 2014 coup, General Prayut’s energetic appearances may aid in boosting his popularity among the citizens. Paddling across Lumpini pond in a pedalboat, the prime minister continued to greet park attendees on the opposite…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
On April 21, 1782, King Rama I, the inaugural sovereign of the Chakri dynasty, founded the Rattanakosin Kingdom and shifted the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok. To commemorate the establishment of the city, a shrine and city pillar, or lak muang, was erected in the present-day Phra Nakhon district. In a recent ceremony, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha paid tribute to the city pillar, accompanied by acting Deputy Defence Minister General Chaichan Changmongkol and Defence Permanent Secretary General Sanitchanok Sangkhachan. The Prime Minister also paid homage to numerous sacred items surrounding the shrine, including a revered Buddha statue. The religious proceedings were led by nine monks, with Somdet Phra Maha Weerawong, secretary of the Supreme Patriarch, at the helm. Following the ceremony, Prayut informed the media of his wish for a peaceful Thailand when inquired about his solemn demeanor during the event. The Prime Minister attributed his somber appearance to the…
A wildfire was observed blazing along the mountain slopes situated behind the renowned military academy in Muang district, with the first signs of it becoming apparent around 6pm on Thursday evening. It was a mere three weeks ago that soldiers and officials undertook a relentless fight to secure the safety of the military facility from a substantial forest fire, which was ignited by a lightning strike. On the following day, Friday, powerful gusts of wind exacerbated the fire situation on Khao Tabaek mountain, which looms over the academy grounds. These adverse weather conditions posed a great challenge for the firefighters, soldiers, and officials attempting to get the situation under control. As of this time, no injuries or damage to any properties have been reported, thankfully. Not only that, but water trucks have also been dispatched to nearby communities in an urgent effort to stop the wildfire from spreading any further.…
The 480-kilometer railway is set to connect economic zones in Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon, Ubon Ratchathani, Nong Khai, and Nong Bua Lamphu provinces with U-Tapao International Airport in Rayong province, according to Palang Pracharath leader and deputy prime minister General Prawit Wongsuwan during a press conference at the party headquarters. “Once elected to form the new government, this project can commence immediately, as we have been planning it for several years,” announced Prawit, who is also the party’s prime ministerial candidate. The railway is an integral component of the party’s “Isaan Pracharath” initiative, focusing on expediting economic development in the Northeast, colloquially known as “Isaan” in Thai. Approximately one-third of Thailand’s population resides in this drought-prone region, where inadequate irrigation and infrastructure constraints have hampered the growth of its predominantly agriculture-based economy. The region is a stronghold of the opposition Pheu Thai Party. Prawit divulged that the railway’s…
Thailand’s renowned green papaya salad, known as Som Tam, has secured its place as the 6th best salad in the world, while another Thai dish, Pla Goong, has also managed to enter the top 10. TasteAtlas, a website that specializes in global food rankings, recently published its “10 Best Rated SALADS in the World” list, taking into account reviews from food enthusiasts across the globe. Som Tam successfully clinched the title of the world’s sixth favorite salad, while the spicy and tangy shrimp salad, Pla Goong, impressed food fanatics as well and was placed 9th in the worldwide rankings. The Dakos salad from Greece topped the list, renowned for its delicious combination of crunchy barley rusk, crumbled myzithra cheese, chopped ripe tomatoes, olives, capers, fresh oregano, and high-quality olive oil. Other noteworthy entries on this list include Tunisia’s Mechouia, a tomato and onion salad standing tall at the third position,…
Abhisit Vejjajiva, former Democrat Party leader, recently met with residents during a campaign walkabout in Bangkok’s Constituency 1, covering the Bang Rak district. He was there to promote the party’s candidate, Jermmas Juenglertsiri. The Democrat Party has introduced a new plan to bring economic prosperity to the southern region of Thailand by developing four mega-projects, with the city of Songkhla’s Hat Yai as the potential transportation center. First on the agenda is a 13-kilometer monorail system designed to address traffic congestion in Hat Yai during peak hours. With an investment of THB16 billion, this monorail line will feature 15 stations, initially connecting Khuan Lang to Ban Phru via Hat Yai railway junction, Kim Yong market, and Prince of Songkla University. The mass-transit system will later be expanded to Lop Buri Ramet Road and Hat Yai Park. Next, a double-track railway for electric trains is proposed to link Hat Yai and…
Thailand has recently reported 27 cases of the Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16, leading authorities to closely monitor its transmission speed and potential for evading the immunity people have developed over months of vaccines and herd immunity. The Ministry of Public Health is urging people, particularly seniors and those with underlying conditions, to receive booster shots in light of the concerns about new outbreaks. Let’s discuss the details of the XBB.1.16 sub-variant. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified XBB.1.16 as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) on March 30 after it was initially detected in January in India. It originates from a combination of Omicron’s BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 sub-variants, and its mutation has been found within the spike proteins E180V, F486P, and K478R. This particular mutation on the 478 spots of the spike protein has led to increased transmission speed. Lab tests reveal XBB.1.16 can be transmitted more efficiently than XBB.1 and XBB.1.5,…
Indian Ambassador Nagesh Singh has urged Thailand and India to strengthen their economic alliance and bilateral ties, as India continues to lead the international economic landscape. Despite Thailand currently ranking as ASEAN’s second-largest economy, it is only India’s fifth-largest trading partner within the bloc. To enhance this relationship, more trade and investment between the two countries is required, particularly in thriving areas such as automobiles, food products and electronic goods, Mr. Singh stated. Recognizing India’s booming market, the ambassador encouraged Thailand to increase their investments in India. For instance, Apple’s smartphone investment in India generated $6 billion in revenue despite holding a relatively small market share. The close geographical proximity between India and Thailand, located on either side of the Bay of Bengal, presents ample opportunities for greater connectivity and financial cooperation. As India currently accounts for 40% of global digital payments, Mr. Singh suggested that a collaboration between India’s…
The Bhumjaithai Party has proposed an innovative solution to make commuting more affordable for residents of Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. The party’s plan is to offer a 40-baht daily transport pass, giving holders unlimited rides on the city’s electric rail network for a 24-hour period. This move would reduce the cost of commuting to approximately 800-1,000 baht per month, encouraging more people to use electric trains and help decrease fine dust pollution. This one-day-pass election pledge stems from collaborative efforts by transport experts and the party’s new generation of politicians, according to the party’s election director for Bangkok, Buddhipongse Punnakanta. Despite the development of electric rail lines to enhance commuting affordability, fares for the city’s skytrain lines and subway networks remain inaccessible for some residents, particularly when traveling across multiple rail lines. In addition to the daily transport pass proposal, the Chartpattanakla Party has highlighted four crucial issues impacting…
In a recent crackdown on illegal online lottery operations, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has brought money laundering and gambling charges against Panthawat “Nott” Nakwisut, former CEO of the now-defunct Kong Salak Plus platform, and 16 other individuals. The suspects are part of a larger group of 41 individuals, with some currently imprisoned and others eluding arrest warrants. DSI investigators submitted their report to prosecutors at the Attorney-General’s Office in Bangkok, detailing the defendants who are allegedly involved in the Kong Salak Plus scheme that was closed in February 2023. Panthawat, also known as “Nott Kong Salak Plus,” is accused of turning in winning lottery tickets to a man named “Foey” to collect cash prizes totaling 53 million baht. These funds were later deposited into his bank account, with the other 16 suspects accused of facilitating the creation of bank accounts and cash withdrawals. These charges will be supported…