In recent times, Thailand has become something of a grim hotspot for dangerously high PM 2.5 levels, with IQAir’s latest reports painting an alarming picture of the air quality. As of the wee hours of January 23, the global watchdog revealed real-time data, chartering the ten most polluted districts and cities across the country. Topping this list of troubled areas is the Mueang Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality, boasting a US Air Quality Index (AQI) of a staggering 199. Close behind are Khlong Luang and Lam Luk Ka Districts in Pathum Thani, recording US AQIs of 187 and 186, respectively, followed by Nakhon Chai Si District in Nakhon Pathom and Rayong Province, sharing a US AQI of 185. Moving further down the list, Pattaya in Chon Buri clocks a US AQI of 182, as reported by KhaoSod. Adding to the mix of areas grappling with substantial pollution are Khon Kaen…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The exhilarating winds of change are sweeping through the maritime corridors of Thailand! In a bold move towards future-ready infrastructure, the cabinet has given its enthusiastic nod to the revamped Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) bill. As relayed by the buoyant Deputy Transport Minister, Manaporn Charoensri, this legislative evolution is set to turbocharge the nation’s port development strategy with unprecedented vigor. Diving into the nitty-gritty, this bill ushers in transformative amendments to the stalwart PAT Act of 1951. The goal? To catapult PAT into a new epoch of possibilities, bestowing it with the agility to initiate subsidiaries both on home turf and on distant shores. The narrative is clear: bolster port-related industries intensively, dovetailing neatly with the Ministry of Transport’s mission to forge a resilient and dynamic future for Thailand’s ports. Pivotal to this transformation are two zones of strategic importance: the bustling Bangkok Port nestled in the vibrant Klong…
Embrace the thrill and euphoria of a fresh year at the captivating launch of the AIKONNIC MOMENTS by Maurice Lacroix, among the crisp breezes of a late winter’s evening in the enchanting city of Chiang Mai. It was on the memorable night of January 16, 2025, that the esteemed Moment’s Notice Jazz Club became the epicenter of an illustrious gathering as the Swiss luxury timepiece brand, Maurice Lacroix, celebrated a landmark occasion by presenting their latest watch model for the very first time in Chiang Mai. Dedicated wholeheartedly to the aficionados and cherished customers in the north of Thailand, the event resonated with the company’s cherished philosophy—Maurice Lacroix Family—striving to treat each enthusiast as an integral part of the watchful family circle. The selection of Chiang Mai as the launch location for the newest Maurice Lacroix AIKON Skeleton, showcasing fresh and vibrant color selections along with sleek case sizes of…
In the heart of Southeast Asia, along the sweeping curves of the Mekong River, a new controversy is brewing. Picture this: a bustling forum where concerned voices echo through the halls, spotlighting the proposed Sanakham hydropower project. It’s a plan to construct a run-of-river dam that has the potential to ripple through Thai communities downstream, casting a shadow over the otherwise serene Mekong. The crux of the concern lies in the 12 mighty turbines poised to disrupt the flow of this ancient river. A representative from the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS) shared startling insights: mathematical models project dramatic changes in water levels—rising by 1.2 meters and plummeting by 1.5 meters in a day’s time. That’s an astonishing 2.7 meters of fluctuation daily! Imagine the impact on local life. This ebb and flow aren’t just numbers; they threaten the natural dance of sediment that sustains the river’s ecosystem. It’s a…
As the first rays of dawn streaked across the bustling streets, commuters braved the early morning traffic on Srinagarindra Road in the vibrant province of Samut Prakan. Thursday morning began with a startling reality check – the air across a staggering 44 out of 77 provinces reached hazardous, asthma-inducing levels, red-flagged for health risks. The vigilant Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) had their eyes in the sky and their instruments on the ground, providing an intricate map of air quality. Their latest reports made it clear: particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5), a stealthy pollutant, loomed large. In 44 provinces, the air turned a worrisome shade of red, while 27 others teetered on the brink with an orange hue, signifying an increasing health threat. Among these provinces, nineteen were shrouded in a dense cloud where PM2.5 soared into three-digit red levels. The officially sanctioned safe…
Bangkok awoke this Wednesday morning to a cloak of thick smog, suffocating the city in an unwelcome embrace. As citizens coughed and cursed the invisible invader, a verbal tussle of epic proportions erupted on Thailand’s political stage. On one side, the government; on the other, opposition parties, each trading barbs over the increasingly dire microdust crisis expected to hang around until Friday. The drama began when Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, opposition leader and chief provocateur, took to Facebook with a post dripping with sarcasm. His target? Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The message was clear: “While our esteemed PM is taking deep breaths of pristine Swiss air at the World Economic Forum in Davos, millions of Thais are inhaling a toxic cocktail right here at home.” Natthaphong, who also guides the opposition People’s Party (PP), didn’t stop there. He probed whether Ms. Paetongtarn’s government had any realistic intentions—or a coherent plan—to tackle the…
Picture this: a bustling Suvarnabhumi Airport, teeming with international travelers as the vibrant spirals of Chinese New Year celebrations unfurl across Thailand. As we look back on the previous year’s festivities, the excitement is palpable, with predictions of an even larger flurry of visitors to grace the tier-two cities this year. According to government announcements on a recent Wednesday, passenger numbers are set to skyrocket by a staggering 14.3% compared to last year’s figures, ramping up for a colorful spectacle throughout the nation. Leading the charge in keeping this influx smoothly orchestrated is the Department of Airport (DoA). Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri is at the helm, ensuring every airport under her watch meets the highest standards of service and safety. The quick-thinking ministry has mapped out efficient strategies to cope with the boundless energy and zest the Lunar New Year brings, ensuring everything rolls out seamlessly. Get ready to…
In a vibrant symphony of business acumen and global camaraderie, the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos saw Thailand strategically positioning itself on the international stage. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with a vision as clear as the Swiss alpine air, met with high-caliber executives from global titans like Coca-Cola, Bayer, and Nestle, garnering interest in potentially lucrative ventures in Thailand. Jirayu Houngsub, the government spokesperson, painted a picture of bustling meetings where the Prime Minister engaged with some of the world’s foremost leaders at the prestigious 55th WEF held in the serene township of Davos, Switzerland. One stalwart of the corporate world who graced these meetings was none other than Stefan Oelrich, a key figure on Bayer AG’s board of management as the head of its pharmaceuticals division. Ms. Paetongtarn artfully laid out Thailand’s roadmap towards the modernization of agriculture and public healthcare. With a forward-thinking mindset, she highlighted avenues…
In a spirited debate over the Sanakham hydropower project—a run-of-river dam—concerns bubbled up like a geyser at a recent forum. Its potential impact on Thai communities downstream is about as welcome as a flat tire in a marathon. Participants worried that this colossal undertaking could wreak havoc on local ecosystems and communities nestled along the Mekong River. At the heart of the controversy are the dam’s 12 turbines, which have been predicted to send the water levels on a rollercoaster ride of 1.2 meters up and 1.5 meters down. That’s right—a staggering 2.7 meters of daily fluctuation! This isn’t just a mathematical model’s way of flexing its computational muscles; these projections were presented by the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS) to highlight the volatility impact on the downstream areas. The ramifications of such fluctuations are serious. They threaten the natural sediment accumulation process crucial to the Mekong, putting at risk…
In an invigorating stride toward progress, the cabinet has waved the green flag for the new Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) bill, an exciting development that grants PAT the ability to establish subsidiaries as part of its ambitious port development agenda. This exhilarating announcement was made by none other than Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri yesterday, setting the stage for what promises to be a transformative era for Thailand’s ports. The newly minted bill marks a substantial amendment to the venerable PAT Act of 1951, thus empowering the PAT to engage in a variety of activities that align seamlessly with its overarching objectives. Minister Manaporn, with a hint of anticipation, described this legislative shift as a key enabler for PAT to dive into the creation of limited or public limited companies, whether on home soil or internationally. These efforts, she emphasized, mesh brilliantly with the Ministry of Transport’s mission to…