It’s that nerve-wracking time of year in Bangkok: Mathayom 3 students are on the edge of their seats, pencils poised, as they face the daunting entrance exams to Mathayom 4 at one of the city’s most esteemed schools. The air is thick with anticipation this March, the palpable tension only broken by the steady scratch of pencil on paper and the soft clicks of calculators. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut) But behind the scenes of this academic rite of passage, a debate rages at the highest levels of Thai governance. With the disheartening dip in Thai students’ international test scores, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has publicly acknowledged that it’s time for all past administrations to look in the mirror. The premier, at the helm for just three months, has pledged to tackle this crisis head-on, aiming to catapult the Thai education system to its former glory. The thorn in the nation’s side?…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Welcome to the bewildering world of Thai politics, where intrigue and allegiances weave an ever-changing tapestry that would flummox even the savviest of political pundits. Here, the line between friend and foe is blurred to such an extent, it might as well be drawn in water. Take, for example, the curious case of the ruling Pheu Thai Party and their erstwhile adversaries, the Move Forward Party (MFP). Like star-crossed lovers, they parted ways amid a swirl of political maneuvers, only to ignite whispers of a budding re-alliance in the corridors of power. While the digital wallet scheme, which proposes to inject a cool 10,000 baht into the pockets of the populace, has been marred by controversy, the MFP seems uncharacteristically subdued. Is this a tactical ceasefire or something more? Could it be that their barbs are temporarily sheathed, waiting for an opportune moment to strike, or could whispers of a…
In the wee hours of a fateful Saturday, along the well-trodden expanse of Phetkasem Road, dread echoed through the calm as tragedy struck. There, under the hush of night, a van carrying vibrant souls from the colorful landscapes of India ended its journey in an abrupt and somber note. The roads of Chumphon province, often a passage for stories untold, bore witness to a somber tale as rescue workers, illuminated by the cold, artificial light, endeavored tirelessly to retrieve the earthly remains of two Indian passengers, their journey halted by a grievous rendezvous with a formidable truck. As a digital canvas captures the grim scene for sorrowful viewers on FM91 Trafficpro’s Facebook page, we are reminded of the precarious thread by which life hangs, even as adventurers chase the thrill of new horizons. The clock had barely ushered in 1 am when the van, a stalwart vessel for the intrepid…
Amid the simmering political drama that often characterizes Bangkok’s vibrant political scene, a momentous shift reverberated through the hallowed halls of the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel. It was there, in the Lak Si district, that Abhisit Vejjajiva, a name synonymous with Thailand’s Democrat Party, delivered an unexpected tremor to the assembly gathered to elect new party leadership. The scene was charged with anticipation as 260 party members, exceeding the quorum dictated by the party’s venerable rules, were poised to make history. Among them were titans of the party’s past, including the wise patriarch Chuan Leekpai and the outgoing leader Jurin Laksanawisit, who sought repentance in resignation following a bruising election defeat that saw the party’s parliamentary presence slashed. Signs aloft, bearing the moniker of Chalermchai Sri-on, signaled a changing guard. Nominated by a decisive faction within the party’s MP ensemble, Chalermchai’s path seemed clear, unchallenged by the five-year tenure rule…
In the quietude of the wee hours before dawn in Chiang Rai, a northern frontier where stories often weave through the lush tapestries of Thailand’s wild landscapes, the unsuspecting hum of a Chevrolet’s engine was overshadowed by the sharp vigilance of local authorities. What unfolded next was a narrative twist worthy of a cinematic thriller – the interception of a clandestine operation right at its inception. The vibrant hues of the morning had not yet unfurled in the sleepy province as officers at a checkpoint carried out their surveillance with eagle-eyed precision. These diligent sentinels of the law were acting on a nugget of intelligence—a whisper from the shadows that echoed through the ranks weeks prior on December 6th. The tip hinted at a cloak-and-dagger attempt to shuttle a cache of contraband via the arteries of the Chiang Rai bypass. Strategically stationed at the nexus of Road No 131 in…
Imagine the scene: it’s the dead of night in Pattaya, a beach town that never sleeps, pulsing with neon lights and the echo of waves against the shore. But within the sterile, fluorescent-lit corridors of Bang Lamung Hospital, a different kind of drama unfolds. At approximately 2 AM, amidst the hum of machines and the soft steps of nurses’ shoes, one patient is making a break for it—a dash for freedom that would rival any Hollywood blockbuster. Thananphat Mayod isn’t just any patient; he’s an inmate with a rather delicate problem. Picture this man, a resident of Pattaya Remand Prison, enduring a condition that’s both physically excruciating and, shall we say, exceedingly personal. Having received injections to enlarge his penis—an aspiration that veered off into a painful infection—Thananphat finds himself confined not just by bars but by bandages. Following his surgery on December 6, the expectation was rest, recovery, and…
As the vibrant sun shone upon the sleek architecture of Dubai, a symphony of concerned voices could be heard coming together in orchestrated passion. These activists, fueled by a desire for environmental justice, gathered to cast a spotlight on the urgent need for climate finance. Carrying banners that swirled with slogans of hope, they drew the eyes of the world to the COP28 talks—a stage set for change. One could feel the breeze of determination that swept through the crowd on that pivotal Saturday. The nation of Thailand, rising to the occasion amidst this global congregation, fervently voiced the need for heightened cooperation to unlock the door to our green future. With a $100 billion climate finance target fixed firmly in its sights, Thailand’s call to action echoed through the corridors of negotiation, bouncing off the walls of the COP28 venue like a clarion call for unity and purpose. There…
Imagine the bewilderment on a quiet morning in tambon Khao Mai Kaew, nestled in the fertile plains of Kabin Buri district, Prachin Buri, as a formidable parade of at least 100 wild elephants ambles its way into a vast expanse of sugar cane farms. As the gentle rays of dawn painted the horizon, this platoon of pachyderms, seemingly marching to a tune only they could hear, transformed a tranquil haven into a buzz of unexpected activity. Such was the spectacle that Manit Sanabboon captured on camera—a rare sight that would stir both awe and trepidation amongst the locals. (Photo supplied/Manit Sanabboon) In the backdrop of this bucolic tableau, an orchestrated maneuver unfolded as a league of 150 wild elephants—renowned denizens of the neighboring Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary—had veered off-course into an adventure amongst the sweet, verdant rows of towering sugar canes. Their foray into human dominions caused much…
Welcome to the Land of Smiles, where the tide is turning and the vistas of prosperity are unfolding once again! According to the latest Economic Survey of Thailand 2023 released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), there’s a shimmer of excitement stirring through the air, as the country’s economy teeters on the brink of a robust resurgence, all thanks to the heartwarming throngs of tourists gracing this tropical paradise. The global market may have caught a cold, and Thailand’s exports sneezed in response. But fear not, for the OECD’s forecast is as bright as the Thai sun, with tourist numbers blossoming like the beautiful lotus, reinvigorating the Thai economy with their zest for travel and exploration. Since mid-2022, international adventure-seekers and cultural aficionados have been flocking in, breathing new vivacity into the economic landscape. All eyes are on the bustling streets of Bangkok and the serene beaches…
Picture this: You’re leaning back in your chair, about to enjoy a nice, cold beverage, when you’re suddenly hit by the news—the cost of electricity is about to go up, and not just by a smidge. We’re talking a leap from 3.99 to 4.68 baht per unit! That’s right, my friends—the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) dropped this bombshell last month, declaring a need to align prices more closely with the rocketing fuel costs we’ve been seeing lately. But wait! Before you start screaming into your energy bills, there’s a twist in this electrified tale. Enter our protagonist: the prime minister. He slammed the brakes on the ERC’s proposed price hike, calling it “unacceptable.” Apparently, the premier has a sixth sense for when things are about to shock the populace, and he’s not having any of it. “Reconsider,” he says, with a decisive flick of the wrist. And it wasn’t just…