Bangkok’s mercurial landscape is always buzzing with energy, forming a whirling maelstrom of excitement, color, and for some—unfortunately—pollution. So, here’s the latest endeavor from Bangkok’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, to help clear the air, literally! In an audacious move to tackle the mounting air quality crisis caused by the notorious fine particulate matter, PM2.5, Chadchart has rolled up his sleeves to tackle an age-old practice: rice field burning. Recently fired up in the district of Nong Chok, this initiative doesn’t just stop there—it plans to engulf 80,000 rai of rice paddies across 10 districts like Khlong Sam Wa and Lat Krabang, roping in about 4,000 farming households. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) hasn’t exactly been sitting on their hands! Their determined efforts over the past few years have already resulted in a jaw-dropping reduction of these fiery infernos. In 2022, 5,625 rai were charred post-harvest, but that number plummeted to 625…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Imagine walking into a bustling hub of activity, not soundtracked by the usual city noise, but by the relentless whirl of countless cooling fans combating the dizzying heat generated by an extensive illegal Bitcoin mining operation. Such was the backdrop of the dramatic raid conducted by the Thai police in Samut Sakhon on January 31. The mining malfeasance had surreptitiously simmered beneath the radar, draining untold kilowatts of electricity and racking up financial devastation exceeding 500 million baht over a three-year marathon of misappropriation. This clandestine crypto creation was laid bare thanks to a keen dose of sleuthing on the part of the discerning detectives of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). Acting on uncanny power consumption patterns reported by the eagle-eyed Provincial Electricity Authority, the DSI descended upon three unsuspecting warehouses—each a veiled vault of high-tech thievery. Here, stashed away like digital secret agents, were 1,788 crypto-mining machines. In…
In a world where technology reigns supreme and convenience takes center stage, ensuring the security of mobile banking is as vital as ever. Kasikornbank, well aware of this, has recently announced a crucial update that requires mobile banking customers to verify that their registered name is consistent with the name on their mobile SIM card. This adjustment, expected to be completed by April 30, seeks to bolster mobile banking security, offering customers an extra layer of protection in these digitally-driven times. The changes, as communicated through the bank’s vibrant Facebook page, KBank Live, outline two conditions to be met for compliance. First off, if you haven’t received an indication from the bank to act, breathe easy! There’s nothing you need to do. However, for those who do need to comply, the bank promises clear instructions starting from February 17, funneled through popular platforms like K PLUS, LINE BK, or MAKE…
In the quiet early hours of January 31st, the peace of Samkong Park Village was shattered by an unexpected calamity as a fierce blaze erupted in a two-storey home tucked away north of Phuket Town. The incident, which unfolded on Pracha Samakkee Road in Ratsada, left a 53-year-old local resident in absolute shock while unleashing extensive damage to the property. Responding promptly to the emergency call at approximately 12:20 am, the diligent Phuket City Police and firefighting teams rushed to the scene, embarking on a relentless hour-and-a-half battle to reign in the relentless flames. Witnessing her beloved sanctuary reduced to charred remnants, the homeowner, Chuleerat Saewong, was found in a state of shock. The immediate responders wasted no time in transporting her to Vachira Hospital to receive necessary medical care. Amidst the chaos, Chuleerat’s 23-year-old son, Patipol Phromma, shared his bewildering experience. He recounted how both he and his mother…
Oh, Pattaya! The sun-drenched haven on Thailand’s eastern coast is once again humming with the lively chatter of excited tourists, and if you tune in closely, you’re likely to hear a symphony of Russian and European accents. Yes, Pattaya has seen a remarkable surge in tourism this High Season, attracting globetrotters especially from Russia and across Europe. Led by Thanes Supharahasrangsi, the ever-enthusiastic president of the Chon Buri Tourism Association, Pattaya is clearly having a moment. On a recent report dated January 29, Mr. Supharahasrangsi shed light on the vibrant influx of foreign visitors roaming the sandy shores and bustling streets. It’s a sight for sore eyes, especially since many of these tourists are leaning towards extended stays, uplifting the local economy with more than just a splash of color and laughter. A survey by the tourism association revealed that accommodations that roll out the red carpet to Russian and…
When it comes to the tempestuous theater of Thai politics, nothing creates a fervor quite like Thaksin Shinawatra stepping into the limelight. A former premier with a penchant for stirring the pot, his mere involvement on the campaign trail is enough to turn seemingly ordinary events into spectacle. It’s much like adding jalapeños to your som tam – expect some heat! Currently, the Pheu Thai Party, venerated in Bangkok’s political circles as the orchestrators of a “super deal,” is navigating its precarious marriage with its formidable conservative coalition partners, Bhumjaithai and United Thai Nation (UTN) parties. Although the opposition is raring to unsheath its sharpest sword – a no-confidence motion – political prophets suggest that the coalition government, steered by the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration, won’t be sunk as easily as the Titanic. Thaksin, revered as the Pheu Thai puppet master, reportedly shook hands on a glittering deal in 2023 setting…
In what seems like a story ripped straight from a mystery novel, a British father has vanished into the bustling streets of Bangkok, Thailand, leaving family and friends back in Epping, Essex, in a state of heartbreak and confusion. James Sangwine, a 33-year-old British national, embarked on a journey to Bangkok on January 18 with hopes of catching up with a friend. However, since venturing out for a night of fun on January 20, he has inexplicably disappeared without a trace. For his partner, 38-year-old Katie Maybin, James’ absence loomed especially large as he missed his son’s seventh birthday, an event he would never ordinarily overlook. The family’s world was turned upside down when James failed to make his customary call—a habit he’d never broken before. Katie’s voice trembles as she clings to hope, saying, “He always calls, especially for our boy’s birthday, but this time, nothing.” What we do…
In the bustling heart of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, the rhythm of life continues as the weekend dawns—albeit shrouded in a mist not of mystique, but of concern. On Saturday morning, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Air Quality Information Centre flashed alarming updates across its screens: the city’s air quality had decided to dance well above the safety standard, leaving its residents to ponder the true cost of their morning breaths. Friday set the stage with a PM2.5 reading that averaged an eye-watering 60.2 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). For those unfamiliar with the numeric nuances, this figure might seem benign until one realizes that it’s appreciably beyond Thailand’s safety threshold of 37.5 µg/m3, calculated over a three-hour stretch especially from 5 AM to 7 AM. Just the day before, at the same early hour, the reading was slightly more reassuring at 48.7 µg/m3, heralding a further climb in air impurity. At…
The enchanting land of Thailand is serving up a mixed bag of weather today, February 1, courtesy of the ever-vigilant Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). So, fasten your scarves and pull out your windbreakers, as seemingly contradictory weather narratives unfold. Prepare for shivers and sunburns as the day progresses. In the mystical north and northeast, cold to chilly conditions prevail. Expect a frosty reception at mountain tops. Picture this: an exquisite blanket of frost making the peaks look like they’ve just emerged from a tourist postcard dream. However, this romantic vision comes with a practical caution—fire hazards abound due to the dry spell. Let’s keep those embers in check! Conversely, down south, things are getting a little splashy as monsoon winds stir up lively waves of high seas. Be you Jack Sparrow or just Jack on a cruiser, take heed! The subdued northeastern monsoon means peace-loving waves will mostly capitulate at…
The world of Thai politics is no more the one-man show it once was. Anutin Charnvirakul, the animated chief of the Bhumjaithai Party, recently threw a spirited jab at Thaksin Shinawatra’s rally cry for voters to put their eggs in the Pheu Thai Party’s basket during the upcoming elections. This ex-Prime Minister, who’s been living overseas for a hefty 17 years, seems to think he can step back in and lead voters down a single-party path to power. Anutin, though, the interior minister and deputy premier cozy in the halls of the Pheu Thai-led government, might beg to differ. In a scene right out of a dramatic political soap opera, Anutin pointed out on a fine Friday that old Thaksin might just be a tad disconnected with the local political pulse, tossing around notions of governance not quite attuned to the current chorus of a multi-party government. “Gone are the…