Water surged dramatically out of the spillways at Mae Ngat Somboon Chon reservoir in Chiang Mai this past Sunday, pouring forth at an impressive rate of 110 cubic metres per second. This marked a significant event, as it was the first time in 13 years that such a release has occurred. (Photo: Irrigation Office 1 Chiang Mai) The residents along the Mae Ngat and Ping rivers are now bracing for possible floods due to this water discharge. The decision to release the excess water came after 13 years of holding steady, commencing on Monday. Local authorities announced that the release, which sees 110 cubic meters of water gushing out per second, will conclude by 5 PM. As water levels rose, people living near the riverbanks were advised to stay alert for sudden influxes from upstream. The Royal Irrigation Department also broadcasted warnings on its Facebook page, highlighting a forecast from…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa took the spotlight at the 2024 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, passionately advocating for Thailand’s bid to join the BRICS consortium—a prestigious group uniting Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. During his address at the 79th Session of UNGA, from Sept 24 until Tuesday, Mr. Maris underscored the government’s dedication to policies that center around the populace and prioritize sustainable economic development. Amid the bustling corridors of international diplomacy, Minister Maris made a compelling case for the necessity of reforms within the United Nations. His call to action was clear: the world must unite to tackle global challenges and fortify peace and security to resolve conflicts. Turning his attention to a poignant regional issue, Maris spoke about Myanmar, highlighting Thailand’s ongoing humanitarian efforts and the country’s push for peaceful resolutions. But Maris didn’t stop there. He passionately emphasized Thailand’s ambition to…
Hold onto your seats, political enthusiasts, because the governmental drama is heating up! The Lower and Upper Houses are currently at odds over the required majority to pass an essential referendum on the 2017 constitution rewrite. While the House of Representatives already gave a thumbs-up to the charter referendum bill, the Senate will take the spotlight during its second and third readings come Monday. In an unexpected twist, the Senate committee, which initially seemed on board with a simple majority passed by the House, is now leaning back towards a double majority. Talk about a political plot twist! Pheu Thai Party list-MP Wisut Chainarun, serving as the government’s chief whip, played it cool on Sunday, opting to remain tight-lipped about the Senate committee’s last-minute flip-flop. “And if the Senate finally backs its committee’s decision on the double majority rule in the charter referendum bill, the two Houses will have to…
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…
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…