Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, in a particularly animated moment, addressed a room brimming with enthusiasm at a press conference on July 24, held at the venerable Government House. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) The air crackles with optimism as the Pheu Thai Party stands firm in its belief that the supplementary bill, integral to its trailblazing digital wallet handout initiative, will successfully navigate through the House’s second and third readings this Wednesday. Beaming with confidence, Wisut Chainaroon, a Pheu Thai MP-list and the dynamic chief government whip, emphasized on Sunday that the bill’s passage will breathe new life into public aspirations. “The final deliberation of the bill is expected to wrap up in four hours. Only 20 MPs have raised questions about the scheme’s budget,” Wisut announced, projecting reassured certainty. The bill itself, a substantial endeavor aiming to augment the budget for the current fiscal cycle by a whopping 122 billion baht,…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Bangkok is abuzz with anticipation as the new Senate gears up for its inaugural meeting on July 23. With its key role in charter amendments and the political chess game among coalition parties in the government, all eyes are locked on this power-packed assembly. Political analysts are already murmuring about the slippery power dynamics, particularly spotlighting the Bhumjaithai Party’s sway over the proceedings. Whispers in the corridors suggest that the new Upper House is brimming with senators who wield blue banners—Bhumjaithai’s colors. The newly appointed Senate Speaker and a deputy are reportedly linked to this very party, adding a swirl of intrigue to the political landscape. The “blue” bloc, as it’s cheekily referred to, is rumored to be the mightiest of the three factions and boasts a robust roster of at least 150 senators. Armed with this influence, Bhumjaithai holds the reins in boosting its political leverage and extending its…
In a daring twist of covert operations, a pair of suspected fuel smugglers, hailing from Thailand, found themselves in hot water over the weekend. Caught red-handed by Malaysian authorities, the thrill-seeking duo reportedly attempted to sneak cheap petrol across the border into Thailand, utilizing vehicles registered in Malaysia. The escapade ended rather unceremoniously at a roadside checkpoint in Kota Putra, Kedah state, on a seemingly ordinary Saturday, as reported by the Malaysian news agency, Bernama. Spoiler alert: the caper didn’t end well for our two protagonists. They were promptly arrested by vigilant officials from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in Kedah. After a brief and undoubtedly thrilling roadside inspection, our hapless adventurers were handed over to the Malaysian police, where their fate now hangs in the balance. For now, both are under the meticulous scrutiny of Malaysian investigators, as confirmed by Bernama. Our anonymous stars have only…
The calm of an otherwise ordinary Sunday drive was abruptly shattered on a Bangkok-bound expressway in Samut Prakan, where the tranquility was pierced by a rogue steel plate with catastrophic precision. The windshield of a car succumbed to the ferocity of the flying metal, sitting mere moments later as a testament to the bizarre and dangerous unpredictability of the open road. (Photos: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan) On this fateful day, the normally sedate Burapha Withi (Bang Na-Bang Pakong) expressway, specifically near the 19th kilometer marker in tambon Bang Chalong of Bangphli district, became the scene of an ordeal for one unsuspecting driver. At around 6 PM, Ms. Pranee Rungsuksai, a 52-year-old woman with a mission to pick up her daughter in bustling Bangkok, was thrust into an emergency none could have predicted. As authorities and rescue workers converged on the scene, they found Ms. Pranee in a distressing state – her neck…
The windscreen of Pranee Rungsuksai’s car laid in shards across her dashboard, a gaping hole revealing the horrifying consequence of an encounter with a rogue steel plate. Under the dimming light of sunset, the Burapha Withi expressway, much like any other Sunday evening, was bustling with commuters heading towards the heart of Bangkok. However, for Pranee, the journey took a terrifying turn at the 19th kilometre marker. As the rush hour traffic pressed on, Pranee made her way through the elevated expressway in tambon Bang Chalong of Bangphli district. It was around 6pm when calamity struck. The ordinary humdrum of her drive was replaced by a sharp, unexpected impact—a big steely projectile had crashed through her windscreen. It targeted her with an uncanny precision, leaving deep wounds on her neck and cheek. Rescue workers and local police quickly responded to the scene. They discovered the visibly distressed Pranee parked on…
Four suspected members of a notorious loan shark gang turned themselves in on Saturday night, following accusations of brutally assaulting a 72-year-old woman over an unpaid 10,000-baht sum in Bangkok’s bustling Chok Chai area. The Metropolitan Police Division 4 commander, Pol Maj Gen Thanantorn Rattanapaksatid, identified the suspects only as Sophon, 27, Kenwit, 32, Natthawut, 27, and Sirisorn, 25. The four men surrendered at the Chok Chai police station, feeling the heat from relentless officers determined to bring justice. The elderly victim, Siripen Opastiangtham, faced this horrifying ordeal on July 21. Allegedly, the suspects slapped her face and kicked her legs so severely that she almost lost her eyesight. Pol Maj Gen Thanantorn mentioned that while Kenwit vehemently denied all accusations, the others confessed to the crime, albeit claiming it was a one-time incident due to her delayed debt payment for July 20. The suspects now face multiple charges, including…
Thailand has made a significant commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, pledging humanitarian aid worth 9 million baht. This important announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa during the 57th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and Post-Ministerial Conference in Vientiane, Laos. The pledge, equivalent to US$250,000, is directed towards the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management (AHA Centre). Minister Sangiampongsa underscored the critical role of the AHA Centre as the ASEAN mechanism responsible for delivering humanitarian aid. He emphasized that such assistance should be inclusive, ensuring that every resident of Myanmar can benefit from it. “The benefit [from humanitarian assistance] must truly be available to all the people of Myanmar,” he asserted. This pledge follows Thailand’s previous efforts on March 25, when they provided humanitarian aid to the Myanmar government for the construction of the Second Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Tak’s Mae Sot district. In…
Japan is extending an olive branch to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) with a pragmatic approach to sustainability: hybrid vehicles. During a riveting seminar titled “Economic Security and Supply Chains,” Professor Yasuyuki Todo from Waseda University’s Faculty of Political Science and Economics underscored a pivotal concern. Asean’s over-reliance on electric vehicles (EVs) might not be the silver bullet everyone hopes for, especially since the region predominantly uses fossil fuels for energy production. The irony? EVs, while promising on the surface, could still be indirectly guzzling those precious non-renewable resources. Prof Yasuyuki proposed a grounded alternative: hybrid cars. He argued that for Asean, including Thailand, hybrid vehicles might just be the golden ticket to cutting emissions more effectively. In his sharp yet insightful take, Thailand’s ambitions shouldn’t just revolve around becoming a manufacturing hub for cars. “It’s high time Thailand pivoted towards research and development,” he posited. With giants…
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa (photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Vientiane, the bustling capital of Laos, Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa delivered a compelling message at the 57th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Thursday. A key highlight of his address was the call for Asean to elevate its integration endeavors, aiming to adopt a collective digital economy system, champion sustainable development, and enhance regional security using existing frameworks and mechanisms. Minister Sangiampongsa shared that numerous countries and international organizations are showing a keen interest in strengthening their ties with Asean, information he received from his Lao counterpart, Saleumxay Kommasith. “Asean needs to come together and intensify economic and security integration among its members,” he emphasized. “Even though Asean members vary in governance, race, and ethnicity, these differences have built a strong foundation for our region. No other regional group boasts such unity in diversity as…
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira stood confidently at the glittering podium at Government House, delivering a speech on July 24th that has the whole nation buzzing. Photos snapped by Chanat Katanyu captured his poised demeanor as he elaborated on the ambitious digital wallet handout scheme—the Pheu Thai Party’s innovative flagship initiative designed to elevate the country’s economic prospects. Brimming with optimism, the Pheu Thai Party is betting big on a supplementary bill that’s crucial for funding this groundbreaking scheme. The party believes the bill will easily glide through the House’s second and third readings scheduled for Wednesday. Wisut Chainaroon, a Pheu Thai MP-list and the chief government whip, stated with unwavering confidence on Sunday that the bill’s passage is a given, asserting that the handout scheme has become a beacon of hope for countless citizens. The grand finale of the bill’s deliberation is expected to be a brisk affair, wrapping up…