It’s a regular bustling day on Phaya Thai Road in Bangkok’s vivid Ratchathewi district. The vibrant streets echo with the usual hum of engines and the soft flicker of speed limit signs, now indicating a maximum speed of 60 km/h. A new traffic regulation, effective for over a month, is reshaping the city’s roadways, and while the signs are up, the much-anticipated AI security cameras designed to enforce this rule are still conspicuously absent. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had previously declared this speed adjustment on December 23, nudging most roads in the city to this new limit, with a slightly more subdued 50 km/h cap around the storied Grand Palace. The city’s intricate network of streets stands divided by this new regulation. Thirteen primary roads, lifelines of urban mobility, escape this decree: Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Bang Na-Trat Road, Srinakarin Road, and others debate in the company of swifter speeds.…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Imagine navigating through the bustling expanse of Pak Nam market in Samut Prakan province, a place where the locals jovially meander through knee-deep tides as if it were part of the daily commute. Amidst such scenes, a debate rages on regarding the possible relocation of Thailand’s capital—a notion as captivating as it is controversial. Recently, an intriguing proposal emerged from a Pheu Thai Party lawmaker, suggesting that the capital be moved to the vibrant province of Nakhon Ratchasima. But this proposition, ambitious as it may be, has encountered a fair share of challenges. The House, armed with practicality, contests the idea, labeling it as budget-intensive and arguing that such a colossal decision would necessitate a referendum. The Interior Ministry, tasked with forming a committee to investigate this proposition, has underscored the need for a thorough impact assessment and a substantial financial plan to bring such an idea to fruition. Perched…
Imagine standing at a bus stop, only to find yourself basking in the glow of innovation. Well, not too far into the future, this could be your reality in Bangkok. Picture this: a smart bus shelter nestled in the bustling streets of Bang Phlat district, a haven for weary commuters seeking both comfort and convenience. On a fine day in early February, something fascinating caught the eye of passersby near Soi Charansanitwong 94, stirring conversations louder than Bangkok’s legendary traffic jams. Bangkok’s governor, the dynamic Chadchart Sittipunt, has been defending what many consider a red-eyed endeavor. We’re talking about replacing approximately 3,000 bus shelters scattered promiscuously across the city. Why all the fuss? You might ask. It’s all about design and, perhaps, a splash of pizzazz, aimed at making these shelters not only smart but incredibly pedestrian-friendly, too. The initiative, masterminded by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), has faced its…
Amidst the breathtaking vistas of Antarctica’s icy expanses, a Thai research team embarks on a crucial expedition, facing the stark realities of climate change. Under the esteemed royal initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and supported by her patronage through the Information Technology Foundation, this mission aims to uncover the profound impact of global warming on this fragile ecosystem. Leading this adventurous pursuit into the heart of the icy continent is the eminent Prof Suchana Chavanich, a celebrated lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Marine Science Department. In keeping with grave expectations, the team witnesses a disheartening truth—they are greeted by stark stretches of barren land, where once thick blankets of ice and snow reigned supreme. Prof Suchana reflects with dismay, “We were taken aback by the extent of ice and snow disappearance in several areas. Even during brief snowfalls, the snow vanished almost as soon as it touched…
The enigmatic saga of Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand’s fugitive former Prime Minister, continues to capture headlines and spark intrigue across the nation. In an ongoing effort to navigate the complex political landscape, Yingluck’s brother, the equally renowned Thaksin Shinawatra, has committed to bringing her back to the country. However, as with any great drama, there are numerous plot twists and turns yet to unfold. Thaksin made bold promises to reunite his sister with her homeland in a high-profile interview with Nikkei Japan back in November of last year. With a hopeful eye on the Songkran festival as a potential homecoming backdrop, he expressed confidence that the path was clear for Yingluck’s return, contingent only on the right timing and opportunities presenting themselves. Fast forward to now, and Thaksin remains steadfast in his pledge. In a recent encounter with the media, he assured the public that nothing had derailed the plan, although…
In an impassioned plea that echoes across borders, former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has called on communities in Myanmar to rally behind efforts to dismantle call-center scam networks that have anchored themselves along the shared frontier. With a pledge that resonates with hope, Thaksin declared that the glimpse of normalcy, in the form of resumed power and internet supply from Thailand, awaits Myanmar—once these criminal cobwebs are swept away. The picturesque landscapes of Myanmar, while breathtaking, have been marred by the scars of ongoing armed conflicts and intense ethnic tensions. These tumultuous undercurrents have found unlikely funders in the call-center gangs and drug trafficking networks that lurk in the shadows. “The discord won’t vanish unless we dig out its root cause,” Thaksin sharply noted, pointing a finger at the scam operations that infest the Myanmar-Thai border regions. It’s high time, he urged, for local communities to “realize they should…
In a tale replete with audacity and astonishing survival, a courageous Kenyan man navigated the treacherous Thai-Myanmar border, arriving at last in the sanctuary of Phop Phra district. With his body baring the brutal marks of a heinous predicament, he stumbled into a local shop on a modest Sunday morning, pleading for the shopkeeper to ferry him to the police. The poignant photograph of the tortured man at the Phop Phra police station, captured by Assawin Pinitwong, speaks volumes of his harrowing journey. This 30-year-old brave soul was one of an estimated thousand individuals ensnared by a ruthless Chinese-led scam syndicate. Rather than yield to their vicious coercion, he chose an unimaginable escape over grim subjugation. The man shared anecdotes of his daunting trek, having fled a notorious “scammer town” in Myawaddy, traversing over miles of grueling terrain, and crossing mountains to reach what he hoped would be salvation on…
In a surprising twist of events, the island paradise of Phuket is not just basking in the tropical sun but is also under the intense gaze of a corruption watchdog. The National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) Phuket office has come forward to shed light on the alleged misconduct at Phuket International Airport, a hub usually associated with holiday excitement and not legal intrigue. Despite whispers of corruption echoing through the hallways of power, the NACC has clarified that there is currently no formal investigation underway into four Airports of Thailand (AoT) management personnel at the airport. Although the organization has acknowledged the corrupt conduct, the official stance is still in the “evidence-collection” phase. This means that for now, the four persons of interest continue to perform their duties at this bustling air gateway. In an intriguing sojourn to Phuket, central NACC representatives from Bangkok made an appearance in late November of…
In a heartwarming scene at Suvarnabhumi Airport today, February 9, as the clock struck 7:35 am, the arrival hall was filled with tears of joy and relieved laughter. Five Thai citizens, previously held hostage by Hamas, finally set foot on home soil and were welcomed back with open arms. The atmosphere was electric as Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sengiamphong stood front and center to greet these brave individuals, alongside the overjoyed families eagerly waiting to reunite with their loved ones. The family members had waited long—too long—for this day, and their disbelief was palpable. Many clutched flowers, their eyes shimmering with unshed tears as they embraced the returnees. Maris, watching this poignant reunion unfold, expressed his profound joy and satisfaction. “Witnessing such heartfelt reunions, seeing the smiles on the faces of families who have endured so much, is beyond rewarding,” he stated, highlighting the relentless collaboration between the Foreign Affairs…
In a dramatic turn of events in Suphan Buri, local authorities swooped in on illegal pharmacies masquerading as cannabis shops, only to uncover a shocking trade of dangerous drugs. Armed with determination, local administrative and public health officials embarked on a mission to cleanse the streets of these fraudulent operations. Their primary target was the sale of Tramadol—a sneaky little pill with too much power for its own good—to unsuspecting youths and the public. On the fateful day of February 8, Chaiyathat Jessadapakkorn, the no-nonsense chief of the drug suppression and social order task force in Mueang Suphan Buri district, made his move. In cahoots with a nimble special operations unit and the vigilant provincial public health office, they marched under the cover of concern to inspect a supposedly innocent cannabis shop on Phan Kham Road in Tha Phi Liang subdistrict. Months of whispered complaints from anxious citizens culminated in…