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THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Rare Marbled Cat Sighting Highlights Kaeng Krachan National Park’s Biodiversity Riches

In the lush embrace of Kaeng Krachan National Park, nestled within Phetchaburi province, a rare and enigmatic marbled cat has made a stunning appearance. This picturesque forest, adorned with nature’s bounty, is now celebrating the sighting of an exquisite marbled cat, an animal that ranks 12th on Thailand’s list of protected wild creatures. The spotting was confirmed by Thanaset Chaemthem from the Kaeng Krachan National Park protection unit 4, Ban Krang. Mongkol Chaipakdee, the vigilant park chief, couldn’t hide his excitement as he shared the news. It was during a routine patrol, a casual day on the wild side, around the 12-kilometer marker of the park’s winding roads that the park officials’ keen eyes caught sight of the marbled marvel. Officially known as Pardofelis marmorata, this fascinating feline stands vulnerable in the eyes of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), adding an extra layer of significance to its…

Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi Champions Local Economic Growth at Sustainability Expo 2024

Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, the dynamic president and CEO of Thai Beverage Plc, was all smiles as he joined in the festivities for the pha khao ma promotion project, a remarkable initiative that’s part of a grand local economic development programme. This event took place at the Sustainability Expo 2024, nestled in the impressive Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, last Saturday. It was a day brimming with promise and progress, brilliantly captured by photographer Apichart Jinakul. Local development initiatives are not just flourishing—they are blossoming into a full-fledged success story. Backed by the unwavering support of Thai Beverage Plc, these projects have achieved the astonishing feat of generating 2.6 billion baht in revenue for 136,000 households across Thailand over the past nine years. Thapana, the visionary at the helm, shared insights on these extraordinary achievements and the ambitious goals yet to be reached during a crucial meeting of the private…

Moo Deng Phenomenon: Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s Viral Baby Hippo Sparks Controversy and Record Visitors

The Moo Deng craze has taken the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri by storm, drawing an unprecedented number of visitors. This surge in interest has proved a lucrative boon for the zoo, as revenues from admissions have skyrocketed. Additionally, the sale of Moo Deng-themed merchandise is flourishing. According to zoo officials, these financial gains are earmarked for improving the living conditions of all their animals, ensuring that the entire zoo benefits from Moo Deng’s newfound fame. However, this wave of popularity hasn’t been without its critics. The wildlife activism group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), has accused the zoo of exploiting the baby pygmy hippo, Moo Deng. They’ve made a compelling case that she belongs in the wild rather than being paraded as a spectacle. A post dated September 23 on PETA’s Facebook page pulls no punches: “TikTok turned Moo Deng into a celebrity, but…

Tragic End of Police Officer Nattaphon Amid Wife’s Fraud Scandal in Nakhon Ratchasima

In the early hours of Saturday morning, the serene streets of Chokchai district in Nakhon Ratchasima were jolted awake by a tragic and puzzling incident. A pickup truck, driven by an on-duty police officer, had collided with a barrier in front of a local bank. This seemingly straightforward traffic accident took a grim turn when responders found the officer, slumped over in the driver’s seat with a fatal gunshot wound to his head. The officer, later identified as 42-year-old Nattaphon, had a 9-millimetre pistol lying suspiciously close by. Efforts to save him were immediate, but ultimately in vain, as Nattaphon succumbed to his injuries shortly after being rushed to Chokchai Hospital. But what could have driven a dedicated officer to such a desperate end? Investigators soon turned their attention to Nattaphon’s personal life, uncovering a complex web of deceit and desperation. His wife, a woman named Wilasinee, had come under…

Padungkriat Suksamran Leads Heroic Rescue Efforts Amid Lampang Floods

Imagine the scene: a fluffy dog stranded, shivering atop a floating piece of furniture, trapped in a home rapidly filling with water. This was the reality in Thoen district of Lampang province on a fateful Saturday, an image captured in a heart-wrenching screenshot that circulated widely. The calamity unfolded when floodwaters in Ban Nong Sang village swelled from depths of 50 centimeters up to a staggering 2 meters, all triggered by the relentless overflow of the Wang River. As the waters rose, urgency mounted. With no time to lose, student volunteers from Srisoontornsrilawisut School and compassionate monks from Pa Thoen Buri temple sprang into action. They waded through the murky deluge, armed not with capes but with courage and concern, distributing essential supplies and aiding residents in salvaging their belongings from the invading floodwaters. Their destination: tambon Thoen Buri, a community grappling with the watery onslaught. The situation was dire.…

Chao Phraya River Floods: Urgent Measures in Ang Thong and Ayutthaya to Combat Rising Waters

The Chao Phraya River, a lifeline for many, continues its dramatic rise as it flows through tambon Phong Pheng in the Pa Mok district of Ang Thong and tambons Ban Kum and Bang Chanee in the Bang Ban district of Ayutthaya. This Saturday, the river’s waters crept ever higher, causing rising anxiety among the local residents. (Photo: Nakhon Sawan Public Relations Office) Nature’s fury was on full display as the Chao Phraya Dam was overwhelmed, bursting its banks and unleashing a torrent of water. The deluge played havoc with low-lying areas outside the protective flood embankments in Pa Mok district, situated in Ang Thong province. Three villages in tambon Phong Pheng bore the brunt of the floodwaters. Over 20 houses were submerged under a formidable 40 to 50 centimeters of water, transforming serene homesteads into submerged islands. Montri Torsillapakit, the dedicated chairman of the Phong Pheng tambon administration organization, rolled…

Gen Prawit Wongsuwon Reelected Amid Absence Controversy: House Ethics Probe Launched

In a whirlwind of political drama, General Prawit Wongsuwon of the Palang Pracharath Party found himself under the glaring spotlight as he was reelected as the party leader during a bustling general assembly on September 6. This grand event saw the selection of a fresh 24-member executive board and the reaffirmation of Gen Prawit’s leadership. However, his victory was quickly overshadowed by a pressing issue: his notable absences from parliamentary sessions. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha didn’t waste any time, giving the green light for the House Ethics Committee to delve into the mystery of Gen Prawit’s frequent absences. This move was spurred by a petition from Prompong Nopparit, a former spokesman for the Pheu Thai Party, submitted earlier this week. Prompong’s demand was clear: Investigate the recurring no-shows of Gen Prawit in parliament, a situation that has raised several eyebrows. The numbers weren’t exactly in Gen Prawit’s favor.…

Anutin Charnvirakul: Bhumjaithai’s Path to Unseat Pheu Thai and Shape Thai Politics

Amid Thailand’s political labyrinth, one name increasingly stands out: Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party. With a shrewd blend of political acumen and strategic maneuvering, Bhumjaithai is carving out a substantial niche, aiming to unseat the dominant Pheu Thai Party. Yet, Anutin’s rise to prime ministerial potential is anything but straightforward. Bhumjaithai, currently the third-largest party in the Thai parliament and the second most significant in government, is making notable strides. Observers have lauded their political craftsmanship and astuteness, noting a quiet competition with Pheu Thai, despite being allied for now. This rivalry seeds a fascinating drama as both parties bolster their strongholds, eyeing the next election three years away, provided the current Paetongtarn administration endures. Pheu Thai is pouring efforts into rejuvenating its base after a near decade of governance under Prayut Chan-o-cha. With Thaksin Shinawatra’s behind-the-scenes influence, Pheu Thai is rekindling ties with regional powerhouses to reclaim…

Paetongtarn Shinawatra Leads Flood Relief Efforts in Chiang Rai Amid Nationwide Flood Alerts

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took center stage on Friday, addressing a meeting dedicated to a relief plan for flood victims in Chiang Rai. The gathering saw the government stepping forward to deliver solace to the affected, underscoring the nation’s commitment to its citizens. The magnanimous endeavor comes with the first compensation batch reaching over 3,600 households besieged by relentless floodwaters. Interior Ministry spokeswoman, Traisulee Taisaranakul, revealed that the cabinet greenlit a robust budget allocation of 3.04 billion baht on Sept 17 to extend financial aid to flood victims across the country. The Interior Ministry took the reins, tasked with the critical job of distributing these payouts efficiently and promptly. According to Chaiwat Junthiraphong, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation under the Interior Ministry, the compensation reached the bank accounts of 3,623 flood-hit households in three districts of Chiang Rai on Friday. Breaking it down, 3,305 households in…

Ruangkrai Leekitwattana Demands EC Probe into Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s Ministerial Appointments

In an unexpected twist, political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has called on the Election Commission (EC) for an in-depth investigation into Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s ethical conduct revolving around her rather contentious appointment of Somsak Thepsutin as Public Health Minister and Pol Col Tawee Sodsong as Justice Minister. According to Ruangkrai, these appointments might not be as innocent as they appear on the surface. In his fervent petition to the EC, Mr. Ruangkrai has claimed that the Prime Minister’s choices might just be in violation of Section 160 of the Constitution or Article 8 of the ethical standards. It’s a serious allegation that, if proven, could not only end the ministerial positions of all three individuals but also shake the very foundation of the current administration under Sections 170 and 160. Ruangkrai’s claims aren’t baseless. He references a pivotal report from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) dated July 30, pinpointing…