THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

A political storm is brewing in Pathum Thani, and it promises the kind of drama that would make even the most seasoned viewer of Thai politics sit up and take notice. The stage is set for the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) election on June 30, and the players involved are heavyweight champions in their own right. Picture the ruling Pheu Thai Party, licking its wounds after a crushing defeat by the Move Forward Party (MFP), now gearing up to reclaim its throne. Not to be outdone, coalition ally Bhumjaithai Party is gunning for more territory beyond its usual lower Northeast stronghold, possibly with a nudge and a wink from the MFP. This election is not just a local matter; it’s a barometer of national political maneuvering. Thaksin Shinawatra, the paroled former premier, made a dramatic entrance into the fray, rallying Pheu Thai’s core supporters—the red shirts—during a monk ordination ceremony…

Noppadon Pattama, a Pheu Thai list-MP and the diligent chairman of the House panel on foreign affairs, has taken a heartwarming initiative to ensure the safety and return of six Thai nationals who have been held hostage amid the tumultuous Hamas-Israel conflict. With a compassionate plea, he reached out to the United States, specifically through US Ambassador Robert F. Godec, during a critical meeting with the House committee where myriad aspects of Thai-US relations and cooperation were discussed. During this significant meeting, Mr. Godec conveyed heartfelt sympathies for the tragic loss of Thai workers and the unfortunate situation of those still in captivity since the conflict erupted last October. His empathetic response underscored the depth of the crisis and the urgent need for a resolution. Mr. Noppadon urged the US diplomat to leverage his influence and resources to facilitate the release of the remaining captives, with hopes pinned on their…

The new Senate election system has sparked concerns about potential manipulation by influential political families, according to Yingcheep Atchanont, the manager of the Internet Dialogue on Law Reform (iLaw). In a candid Facebook post on Friday, Yingcheep admitted his earlier misjudgment. He had initially believed that the political dynasties, often referred to as “Ban Yai” or “Big House,” were unable to significantly interfere with the election process. Initially, Yingcheep’s concern was limited to manipulations at the district level, where he thought political families could only impact elections by deploying hired individuals as proxy candidates. These individuals would support the “preferred” candidates, ensuring their advancement. However, he quickly realized that the situation was far more complex, particularly in districts where competition is scant. Yingcheep observed that many small districts lack competitiveness, with only a handful of candidates contesting the seats. This scarcity means that most candidates automatically progress to the provincial-level…

In the bustling halls of parliament last Friday, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang was seen deep in conversation with Pheu Thai Party MPs during a brief respite. The air was thick with anticipation as the opposition party, Move Forward Party (MFP), mounted a formidable challenge to the national defence budget. They argued that the proposed military expenditure did not address the evolving landscape of security threats. The photo, capturing this dynamic exchange by Chanat Katanyu, perfectly encapsulates the tension of the day. Leading the charge, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, an MFP list-MP, raised an eyebrow at the 2025 fiscal year’s defence budget. He questioned its potential to truly bolster national security and propel the much-needed reforms. From his viewpoint, the army’s apparent indifference to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was baffling. After all, these modern marvels play a crucial role in military operations, as well as combating drug smuggling and contraband trafficking. Highlighting a…

The buzzing corridors of political debate were charged with a fresh energy on Friday, as the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) set their sights on the nation’s defence budget. With a glint in his eye and fervor in his speech, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a prominent MFP list-MP, questioned the military’s fiscal foresight for 2025. His words echoed through the chambers, casting doubt on whether the planned military expenditure could truly fortify national security or propel the much-needed reforms into reality. Mr. Wiroj didn’t pull any punches when he lambasted the army’s seeming neglect of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—a cutting-edge technology that’s revolutionizing military operations globally. He painted a vivid picture of UAVs on the front lines, battling drug smugglers and contraband traffickers with silent precision. Yet, he said, the army seemed to have turned a blind eye to these airborne sentinels, evidenced by their questionable allocation of a 540-million-baht budget for…

An artist specializing in ‘Chang Sib Moo’ from the Fine Arts Department is meticulously painting the royal barge ‘Khrut Hoen Het,’ with the majestic ‘Suphannahong’ setting a scenic backdrop at the National Royal Barges Museum in Bangkok’s Noi district. This artistic endeavor is in anticipation of the grand royal barge procession to honor His Majesty the King’s birthday on July 28, which will take place in October. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) The restoration of an impressive fleet of 52 royal barges is set to be completed just in time for a royal kathin ceremony in October, part of a grand celebration marking the King’s 72nd birthday on July 28, according to the Culture Ministry. Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol announced on Friday that the finishing touches are being applied, with all work slated for completion by the end of this month. The Fine Arts Department (FAD) has received directives to prepare for the…

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin attended the final day of the spirited debate on the national budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill swiftly sailed through its first reading in the House of Representatives on Friday night. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) In a decisive move to inject life into the sluggish economy, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced on Friday that the government will unveil a series of additional measures next week. This announcement follows his comprehensive discussions with Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira on Thursday night, focusing on economic stimuli and the stock market. “A major announcement covering short-term, medium-term, and long-term economic measures will be made on June 24 or 25,” the prime minister revealed. When asked if this forthcoming news would be positive, Mr. Srettha playfully responded, “Let’s wait and see.” In a bid to address inflation concerns, Mr. Srettha disclosed that Finance Minister Pichai will also engage in…

It seems like the drama within the police force in Thailand is more thrilling than a primetime TV show, and everyone is tuning in for the latest twists and turns. Democrat MP Chaichana Detdecho, the chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, is certainly feeling the heat as the public demands more details about the tumultuous investigation into discord within the ranks. And who can blame them? The stakes are high when the conflict involves none other than national police chief Torsak Sukvimol and his fiery deputy, Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn. The saga took another dramatic turn on Thursday when Wissanu Krea-ngam, a legal adviser to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, announced Pol Gen Torsak’s reinstatement as chief. Yet, in true cliffhanger style, the announcement left out the juiciest details. When exactly will Pol Gen Torsak return to his duties? Nobody knows, and speculation is running wild! MP…

During an intense budget debate in the House of Representatives on Friday, Move Forward Member of Parliament, Pukkamon Nunarnan, made a compelling argument against the government’s significant allocation of funds to public relations (PR). Her scrutiny threw a spotlight on the nearly 3 billion baht set aside for PR activities, questioning the necessity and efficiency of such extensive spending. Pukkamon Nunarnan, a prominent party list-MP with the Move Forward Party, meticulously dissected the proposed outlay of 2.94 billion baht of taxpayer money earmarked for advertising and PR campaigns. Her analysis uncovered a troubling trend: a staggering 600 million baht worth of projects were redundant, particularly those focused on anti-drug campaigns. According to Pukkamon, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), and both the Defence and Interior ministries have overlapping initiatives. The MP expressed skepticism about whether these repetitive campaigns would offer real benefits to the public. She…

In a surprising turn of events, the Ministry of Transport is considering postponing a planned toll hike on the Don Muang Tollway, with the possibility of even reducing the current fees, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed on Friday. Originally, the toll rates were set to jump from 115 baht to 130 baht per trip this year. Mr. Suriya shared that he had instructed the Department of Highways, which granted the concession to operate the tollway, officially known as the Utraphimuk Expressway, to investigate ways to alleviate the financial burden on motorists. “We are committed to finding solutions that make life easier for motorists by cutting their costs,” he noted. The Utraphimuk Expressway, a vital 21-kilometre stretch, connects the bustling Din Daeng area of Bangkok to the serene National Memorial in Lam Luk Ka district of Pathum Thani. The operating concession, held by Don Muang Tollway Plc and valid through 2034,…