The 480-kilometer railway is set to connect economic zones in Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon, Ubon Ratchathani, Nong Khai, and Nong Bua Lamphu provinces with U-Tapao International Airport in Rayong province, according to Palang Pracharath leader and deputy prime minister General Prawit Wongsuwan during a press conference at the party headquarters. “Once elected to form the new government, this project can commence immediately, as we have been planning it for several years,” announced Prawit, who is also the party’s prime ministerial candidate. The railway is an integral component of the party’s “Isaan Pracharath” initiative, focusing on expediting economic development in the Northeast, colloquially known as “Isaan” in Thai. Approximately one-third of Thailand’s population resides in this drought-prone region, where inadequate irrigation and infrastructure constraints have hampered the growth of its predominantly agriculture-based economy. The region is a stronghold of the opposition Pheu Thai Party. Prawit divulged that the railway’s…
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Thailand’s renowned green papaya salad, known as Som Tam, has secured its place as the 6th best salad in the world, while another Thai dish, Pla Goong, has also managed to enter the top 10. TasteAtlas, a website that specializes in global food rankings, recently published its “10 Best Rated SALADS in the World” list, taking into account reviews from food enthusiasts across the globe. Som Tam successfully clinched the title of the world’s sixth favorite salad, while the spicy and tangy shrimp salad, Pla Goong, impressed food fanatics as well and was placed 9th in the worldwide rankings. The Dakos salad from Greece topped the list, renowned for its delicious combination of crunchy barley rusk, crumbled myzithra cheese, chopped ripe tomatoes, olives, capers, fresh oregano, and high-quality olive oil. Other noteworthy entries on this list include Tunisia’s Mechouia, a tomato and onion salad standing tall at the third position,…
Abhisit Vejjajiva, former Democrat Party leader, recently met with residents during a campaign walkabout in Bangkok’s Constituency 1, covering the Bang Rak district. He was there to promote the party’s candidate, Jermmas Juenglertsiri. The Democrat Party has introduced a new plan to bring economic prosperity to the southern region of Thailand by developing four mega-projects, with the city of Songkhla’s Hat Yai as the potential transportation center. First on the agenda is a 13-kilometer monorail system designed to address traffic congestion in Hat Yai during peak hours. With an investment of THB16 billion, this monorail line will feature 15 stations, initially connecting Khuan Lang to Ban Phru via Hat Yai railway junction, Kim Yong market, and Prince of Songkla University. The mass-transit system will later be expanded to Lop Buri Ramet Road and Hat Yai Park. Next, a double-track railway for electric trains is proposed to link Hat Yai and…
Thailand has recently reported 27 cases of the Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16, leading authorities to closely monitor its transmission speed and potential for evading the immunity people have developed over months of vaccines and herd immunity. The Ministry of Public Health is urging people, particularly seniors and those with underlying conditions, to receive booster shots in light of the concerns about new outbreaks. Let’s discuss the details of the XBB.1.16 sub-variant. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified XBB.1.16 as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) on March 30 after it was initially detected in January in India. It originates from a combination of Omicron’s BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 sub-variants, and its mutation has been found within the spike proteins E180V, F486P, and K478R. This particular mutation on the 478 spots of the spike protein has led to increased transmission speed. Lab tests reveal XBB.1.16 can be transmitted more efficiently than XBB.1 and XBB.1.5,…
Indian Ambassador Nagesh Singh has urged Thailand and India to strengthen their economic alliance and bilateral ties, as India continues to lead the international economic landscape. Despite Thailand currently ranking as ASEAN’s second-largest economy, it is only India’s fifth-largest trading partner within the bloc. To enhance this relationship, more trade and investment between the two countries is required, particularly in thriving areas such as automobiles, food products and electronic goods, Mr. Singh stated. Recognizing India’s booming market, the ambassador encouraged Thailand to increase their investments in India. For instance, Apple’s smartphone investment in India generated $6 billion in revenue despite holding a relatively small market share. The close geographical proximity between India and Thailand, located on either side of the Bay of Bengal, presents ample opportunities for greater connectivity and financial cooperation. As India currently accounts for 40% of global digital payments, Mr. Singh suggested that a collaboration between India’s…
The Bhumjaithai Party has proposed an innovative solution to make commuting more affordable for residents of Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. The party’s plan is to offer a 40-baht daily transport pass, giving holders unlimited rides on the city’s electric rail network for a 24-hour period. This move would reduce the cost of commuting to approximately 800-1,000 baht per month, encouraging more people to use electric trains and help decrease fine dust pollution. This one-day-pass election pledge stems from collaborative efforts by transport experts and the party’s new generation of politicians, according to the party’s election director for Bangkok, Buddhipongse Punnakanta. Despite the development of electric rail lines to enhance commuting affordability, fares for the city’s skytrain lines and subway networks remain inaccessible for some residents, particularly when traveling across multiple rail lines. In addition to the daily transport pass proposal, the Chartpattanakla Party has highlighted four crucial issues impacting…
In a recent crackdown on illegal online lottery operations, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has brought money laundering and gambling charges against Panthawat “Nott” Nakwisut, former CEO of the now-defunct Kong Salak Plus platform, and 16 other individuals. The suspects are part of a larger group of 41 individuals, with some currently imprisoned and others eluding arrest warrants. DSI investigators submitted their report to prosecutors at the Attorney-General’s Office in Bangkok, detailing the defendants who are allegedly involved in the Kong Salak Plus scheme that was closed in February 2023. Panthawat, also known as “Nott Kong Salak Plus,” is accused of turning in winning lottery tickets to a man named “Foey” to collect cash prizes totaling 53 million baht. These funds were later deposited into his bank account, with the other 16 suspects accused of facilitating the creation of bank accounts and cash withdrawals. These charges will be supported…
During a recent election campaign, Varawut Silpa-archa highlighted the importance of embracing renewable energy solutions to decrease Thailand’s dependence on imported fuels. He emphasized the necessity of developing a more efficient and sustainable battery system for the storage and distribution of renewable energy generated from solar and wind sources. As the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Varawut stressed that the new government must work on streamlining regulations, making it easier for the public to sell surplus electricity back to the government. He acknowledged the current regulations as being overly complicated, with too many conditions and an excessively long application process. The country’s reliance on imported fuels to produce electricity accounts for 70% of the current electricity cost. By shifting towards renewable energy solutions, it is likely that not only will the country’s energy independence increase, but electricity costs for consumers may also decrease. In addition to the focus on…
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened a meeting on Thursday with relevant agencies at the Department of Consular Affairs to discuss plans for evacuating Thai citizens affected by the escalating violence in Sudan, according to the ministry’s spokesperson, Kanchana Patarachoke. Among the organizations participating in the discussion were the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, the Thai Embassy in Cairo (which also has jurisdiction over Sudan), the Royal Thai Army, and the Royal Thai Air Force. Sudan, Africa’s third-largest country, is witnessing heavy gunfire and explosions in its capital Khartoum, as well as other locations, resulting from intense fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to news agencies on Thursday, citing Sudan’s health ministry, the conflict has claimed at least 270 lives and injured over 2,600 people. Many of the casualties are civilians caught in the crossfire. The…
The charismatic Halle Lynn Bailey, a 23-year-old American singer-songwriter and actress, has recently taken the time to enjoy some of the most exciting experiences that Thailand has to offer. As one half of the Grammy-nominated musical duo Chloe x Halle, Bailey’s adventures in Bangkok and Pattaya caught the attention of her adoring fan base, thanks to an Instagram post that has amassed over 100,000 likes. During her trip, Bailey indulged in a variety of activities that showcased the rich culture and thrilling attractions of Thailand. Among the highlights were participating in water splashing festivities, exploring the bustling Yaowarat Road, admiring the breathtaking beauty of Wat Pho, and engaging in unforgettable encounters with tiger cubs, orangutans, and elephants. While Bailey’s journey to Thailand was not officially announced beforehand, eagle-eyed fans spotted her drinking from a Thai-labelled water bottle in an Instagram post dated April 15th. Speculation arose that the singer was…