Concerns have arisen over Thailand’s aspiration to join BRICS, the coalition comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Masafumi Ishii, a renowned international relations expert and special adjunct professor with the Faculty of Law at Gakushuin University—and former Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia—expressed caution about Thailand’s potential inclusion in BRICS, suggesting it could become a divisive issue for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Ishii’s concerns are quite pointed. He notes that other Southeast Asian nations like Cambodia and Laos might follow Thailand’s lead, potentially creating a split within ASEAN. “Right now, two members—Thailand and Malaysia—have expressed interest in joining BRICS to boost their economies,” he explains. “Should Cambodia and Laos join as well, having four out of ten ASEAN members in BRICS could be significant.” He adds that ASEAN, traditionally non-interfering in the domestic and foreign policies of its members, might find it hard to maintain its…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The heart-wrenching tale of an elderly woman tragically mauled by her neighbor’s pit bull in Pathum Thani last week is a poignant reminder of the dangers posed by aggressive dog breeds. Sadly, this is unlikely to be the last such incident, but it has certainly reignited calls for stricter regulations and more proactive measures from state agencies to safeguard lives. The victim, a 67-year-old woman, was biking past her neighbor’s house when the pit bull attacked. She was later found in a horrifying state, lying in a pool of blood on the street with severe bite marks covering her body and her right leg nearly torn off. Despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at the hospital. Her tragic death is among several horrific cases this year alone. In July, a 70-year-old man lost his life in Khon Kaen after being attacked by his neighbor’s pit bulls while…
The tense atmosphere of political intrigue in Thailand reached another crescendo as the Office of the Election Commission (EC) dismissed two out of more than ten complaints aimed at dissolving certain political parties and removing top-tier officials, including Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and several cabinet members. Sawaeng Boonmee, the secretary-general of the EC, announced these rejections, citing insufficient information to support the claims. Sawaeng was notably tight-lipped about the specifics, perhaps not recalling the minutiae of these dismissed cases. However, he did disclose that the complaints primarily focused on calling for the dissolution of political entities and the ousting of Prime Minister Paetongtarn and her cabinet. The official stance was clear: the two complaints that faced rejection did not meet the necessary criteria for valid accusations. Instead, they seemed more like casual queries directed at the EC, rather than formal complaints with substantive allegations. “For a complaint to be credible,…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Sunday expressed heartfelt thanks to the public for their unwavering support after topping a quarterly poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida). Garnering an impressive 31.35% of the vote, respondents were quick to praise Ms. Paetongtarn’s exemplary leadership and relentless efforts in tackling the nation’s hardships. Jirayu Huangsab, an adviser to the prime minister, conveyed Ms. Paetongtarn’s gratitude and emphasized that this achievement was the result of substantial teamwork between various government agencies. The poll results are seen not just as a testament to the Prime Minister’s leadership but also as a reflection of the government’s positive reception among the populace. However, Ms. Paetongtarn issued a call to action, urging all government bodies to continue making tangible progress in their promises to eradicate poverty and uplift the country. Meanwhile, People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, who secured the third spot in the Nida…
Last week, workers and soldiers united in a Herculean effort to clear the relentless mud that had encroached upon the streets and homes of Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai. The floodwaters may have receded, but the aftermath left countless challenges. The Disaster Response Association of Thailand captured the resilience and grit of the community in action. In the midst of these efforts, a storm of a different nature brewed within the political ranks: the Interior Ministry has decided to launch a meticulous disciplinary probe against the outgoing Chiang Rai governor, Puttipong Sirimart. His repetitive absences during crucial relief operations have stirred a potent mix of outrage and disappointment. This controversial move was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, on Sunday—a mere day before Puttipong’s scheduled retirement. The scene played out like a political thriller. In late August, Mr. Anutin initially ordered an investigation into Mr.…
A raft-based eatery met an untimely demise amid the rapid currents of the Nan River in Phitsanulok, leaving the northern province waterlogged on Saturday. (Photo: Chinnawat Singha) As residents surveyed the damage, authorities ramped up warnings about looming thunderstorms and fierce winds poised to lash all northern provinces, the Northeast, Central Plain—including bustling Bangkok—and even the southern stretch of Chumphon until Thursday. Chaiwat Jultirapong, the vigilant director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, didn’t mince words on Sunday. He commanded his regional deputies to brace for the wrath of unpredictable weather patterns forewarned by the Meteorological Department. The department’s director-general, Kornravee Sitthichivapak, shed light on the brewing tempest. A formidable high-pressure front from China is set to sweep across the eastern North, Northeast, and South China Sea, while a stubborn monsoon trough will drench the lower North, lower Northeast, and Central Plain. Here’s the stormy rundown: On Sunday:…
A backhoe loads mud onto a truck in the Mae Sai district of Thailand’s picturesque Chiang Rai province on a calm late September day. The scene, captured on September 22, shows a determined effort to restore normalcy amidst nature’s aftermath. (Photo: Public Relations Department) In the wake of devastating floods, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has ordered the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) to take stringent action against unscrupulous backhoe operators who have been exploiting the situation by inflating mud removal charges. Minister Pichai, after his weekend visit to the beleaguered regions of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, was inundated with grievances from distressed residents. Reports indicated that certain operators were taking undue advantage of the crisis to charge exorbitant fees for clearing mud from homes and properties. Determined to bring relief to the embattled residents, Mr. Pichai mandated the DIT and provincial commerce offices to vigilantly monitor the situation, ensuring…
The Maeklong railway market, nestled in the bustling province of Samut Songkhram, is fondly known as Talad Rom Hub, or the Flicked Umbrellas Market. This unique marketplace is renowned for the way vendors swiftly retract their awnings and umbrellas as trains rattle through, creating a mesmerizing blend of commerce and rail traffic. (File photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) However, recent events have cast a temporary shadow over this vibrant locale. In the picturesque Mae Klong district, a coffee shop owner from Talad Rom Hub has been slapped with a 30-day closure following an unfortunate incident involving a Spanish tourist. The incident, which unfolded on a bustling Thursday, was quickly captured on video and shared widely across social media platforms, igniting a wave of public outcry. The hubbub began when the vendor, known locally as Jame, was seen pushing and yelling at the tourist in the clip. The backlash was swift and uncompromising,…
In the early hours of Sunday, a harrowing sight emerged beneath an unfinished flyover in Bangkok. A heavily-damaged Isuzu pickup truck lay mangled on Lat Krabang Road, a testament to a tragic accident that befell a family of three. The accident unfolded around 2 a.m., on the Lat Krabang-Onnut flyover under construction near the Suk Saman intersection in Lat Krabang district. The flyover, still skeletal in its build, lacked the safety barriers that might have prevented the incident. Authorities arrived swiftly on the scene, where the pickup truck had found its unintended resting place near a stationary 22-wheeled truck. Registered in Ayutthaya province, the pickup had apparently nosedived from the lofty, 10-meter height of the half-finished bridge, striking the massive truck before settling on the asphalt below. Rescue workers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were quick to extract the beleaguered family: a 33-year-old man, his 31-year-old wife, and their one-year-old daughter.…
Amid the bustling corridors of Thai politics, there lies a serene moment of reverence—Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her senior advisory team solemnly walked to pay homage at the revered shrine at Baan Phitsanulok, right before their first momentous meeting on Thursday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the dynamic leader of the Pheu Thai Party, is riding a crest of popularity, positioning her as the prime contender for the coveted role of prime minister. Meanwhile, the People’s Party is steadily capturing the public’s affection, holding the mantle as the preeminent political party according to a survey conducted in the 3rd quarter of 2024 by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll. The comprehensive poll, meticulously carried out between September 16 and 23, reached 2,000 respondents across diverse demographics through telephone interviews. The respondents, aged 18 and over, represented various levels of education, occupations, and incomes from across the…