THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Residents in Khon Kaen proudly display their state welfare cards, each face telling a story of resilience and hope. (Photo: Chakkrapan Natanri) As chatter fills the bustling Municipal Fresh Market 1 in Khon Kaen, vendors from all walks of life share a unified plea to the government: keep the financial faucets flowing. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration is contemplating a significant policy shift. The much-anticipated 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme might transform into a good old-fashioned 10,000-baht cash handout. The proposed change has ignited optimism among local vendors, who believe cold, hard cash can revitalize the local economy more effectively than its digital counterpart. Tukta Sriaphai, a spirited 57-year-old fish vendor, shares her thoughts amid the market’s symphony of haggling and laughter. Confiding in the Bangkok Post, Tukta explains how a cash handout would be a lifeline, enabling her to tackle her utility bills and school fees for her children. Her…

On a radiant Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra sought divine blessings at Bangkok’s revered City Pillar shrine, marking her 38th birthday in a serenely spiritual manner. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) Meanwhile, in the political arena, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has promptly addressed apprehensions regarding a potential power vacuum during the interim period of forming a new government. “There is no power vacuum. All coalition parties are working together to address the problems facing the country,” he assured on Thursday. Mr. Phumtham’s remarks were in response to mounting pressure from the private sector for a swift establishment of a new government, ensuring the continuity of economic stimulus measures. He confidently stated that, as the acting prime minister, he holds comprehensive powers to transfer officials, dissolve the House, and even declare martial law. “But I will not exercise such powers. I only focus on tackling people’s problems,” he emphasized. When asked…

Imagine an aerial view of Tha Wang Pha district in Nan, where rivers of murky floodwater intertwine among the rooftops and streets, painting almost an apocalyptic scene across this residential zone in the northern province of Thailand. This breathtaking view, captured vividly by the Disaster Response Association of Thailand, offers a stark reminder of nature’s ruthless force. Yet, amid this watery chaos, hope flows steadily from the government’s assurances. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confidently announced that Bangkok and other downstream provinces would remain untouched by this northern turmoil. His words were a beacon of relief as he described the administration’s control over the situation. On Thursday, Mr. Phumtham detailed the government’s tireless efforts. Resources have been rallied to battle the floodwaters inundating Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai. Drawing from the wisdom of the Meteorological and Royal Irrigation Departments, he clarified that the devastation wasn’t spawned by extreme…

Hua Hin Soi 80 is renowned for its vibrant and energetic nightlife. The Royal Thai Army has taken a significant step by appointing a military lawyer to oversee the police investigation into the tragic shooting of one of its intelligence officers at a Hua Hin bar. The bar in question remained open past the legal closing hours. Jakkrit Worakul, aged 34, is accused of fatally shooting SM1 Rojchanaphon Rojchanapanich inside a pub in the bustling nightlife area of Soi 80, just off Phetkasem Road in Hua Hin. The tragic incident left three others injured. SM1 Rojchanaphon, an intelligence officer at the Infantry Regiment Centre in Pran Buri district of Prachuap Kiri Khan, was deeply respected, according to Lt Gen Arnuphab Sirimonthon, an army spokesperson. Witnesses recounted a chilling narrative to police—one saw the military officer reach for a drink offered by a friend and, in the process, accidentally bump into…

Excitement is soaring at Suvarnabhumi Airport as the much-anticipated third runway is set to kick off operations by the end of the year. Airports of Thailand (AoT) is gearing up for a significant boost in aircraft handling capacity, jumping from a current 68 planes per hour to an impressive 94. This leap is not just a number but a monumental stride towards positioning Suvarnabhumi as a leader among global airports. Last Thursday marked a pivotal moment with a comprehensive trial of the new runway. Heavyweights in the aviation industry, including Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai), Thai Airways International, and Bangkok Flight Services, were in attendance. Kittipong Kittikachorn, the ever-vigilant general manager of the airport, beamed with pride as a civilian aircraft majestically took off and then gracefully landed on the polished new stretch of asphalt. “The trial was meticulous,” Mr. Kittipong remarked. “We left no stone unturned, examining every physical…

Police were busy collecting evidence on Wednesday night at a rental office building along Ekamai Soi 3 Road in Bangkok, where a rather intriguing scene was unfolding. (Police photo) In a dramatic turn of events, eight South Korean nationals, all aged between 26 and 31, found themselves in hot water. They were arrested for allegedly operating what appears to be a dubious call centre scam right in the heart of Bangkok. The arrests followed a tip-off received by the Immigration Bureau about a group of Korean men renting a room in an office building on Ekamai Soi 3. According to Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nutchanart, the bureau’s deputy chief, things took a rather suspicious turn from there. Inside the fourth-floor room, which bore the innocuous sign “Content Factory. Korea & Thai,” authorities discovered a veritable treasure trove of technology: 20 desktop computers, 40 monitors, 17 mobile phones, and four tablet…

In the dense, tangled embrace of a mangrove forest in Bang Pakong district of Chachoengsao, the remnants of a small plane lie scattered, partially submerged in the thick mud. The scene, uncovered on Thursday afternoon, appears hauntingly surreal. Among the debris, colorful women’s clothing contrasts sharply against the somber surroundings, fluttering like forlorn flags in the still air. The poignancy of the scene is deepened by the discovery of a photograph showing three foreign women, their smiles frozen in a moment before tragedy struck. As the sun dipped lower, casting an eerie glow over the mangroves, a full-scale search and rescue operation swiftly unfolded. The initial reports paint a grave picture: the plane carried seven passengers and two crew members when it plummeted from the sky. However, the exact number of individuals still missing remains shrouded in uncertainty, adding a layer of urgency to the rescue efforts. The incident, marking…

On a typical Tuesday night in Prakhon Chai district of Buri Ram, the humdrum of daily life was interrupted by a dramatic twist. An illegal karaoke bar, Phop Rak, turned into the scene of a police investigation. Officers from the Anti Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) swooped in, their mission clear and urgent. As the neon lights flickered and the karaoke machines hummed, the officers made a shocking discovery. Tucked away within Phop Rak’s lively ambiance were victims of human trafficking. These were not just any victims, but young girls, heartbreakingly under the age of 18, coerced into providing sexual services to male patrons. Among them was a girl not even 15, thrust into a dark world far beyond her innocent years. But the drama didn’t end there. Another hotspot, Muean Fan, found itself under the same scrutinizing gaze of law enforcement. Though no direct evidence of human trafficking was…

In a recent twist that set Thailand’s political landscape ablaze, Constitutional Court Judge Udom Sittiwirattham found himself at the center of controversy following remarks that critics claim undermine his judicial impartiality. The backlash erupted after Udom appeared to take credit for the court’s decision to dissolve the Move Forward Party earlier this month. This decision, which left the party’s supporters disheartened, was a major shake-up in Thailand’s political arena, disbanding the election-winning party on August 7 and causing its MPs to regroup under the People’s Party (PP) banner. As the judicial firestorm continued, Udom defended his stance at a seminar in Surat Thani on August 15, ironically noting that MPs from the disbanded Move Forward Party should actually thank him. His argument? The dissolution allowed them to amass millions of baht in donations in mere days, a windfall since reforming as the People’s Party. Critics quickly pounced, highlighting that dissolving…

PTT Public Company Limited has made an impressive mark in the first half of 2024, boasting a net profit of a staggering 64.437 billion baht. This feat not only underscores the company’s commitment to financial excellence but also its unwavering pursuit of becoming a globally sustainable organization. A deep dive into the revenue streams reveals that a robust 92% came from its Hydrocarbon business, leaving an 8% contribution from Non-Hydrocarbon sectors—which, though smaller, signals a diversification effort in the right direction. The company’s ability to generate such substantial returns has likewise translated into direct benefits for shareholders. The board has sanctioned an interim dividend payout of 0.80 baht per share for H1 2024. This is great news for investors who have seen the fruits of their investments materialize, quite literally, in bahts and cents. But PTT’s contributions go beyond just rewarding shareholders. When you tally up the tax contributions from…