The scene outside the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) was a blend of fervent determination and rising frustration, as the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and a forceful cadre of Bangkok community representatives showed up to make their voices heard. The protesters, numbering over 100 and encompassing representatives from 28 vigorous communities, handed a letter to Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, sounding a collective alarm against the proposed city planning blueprint. (Photo: Supoj Wancharoen) The TCC, led by the spirited Secretary-General Saree Aungsomwang, minced no words in their opposition to the current trajectory of the BMA’s city planning initiative. There was a clarion call to halt the ongoing public hearings. Saree and her allies are ready to elevate the matter to the Administrative Court should their objections be ignored. The blueprint, according to them, flouts the fundamental tenets of the City Planning Act and violates Section 72 of the Thai constitution. Saree articulated that…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In an enlightening exchange at the 2024 Global News Forum, co-organized by the esteemed Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and Thai PBS, panelist and National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) member, Pirongrong Ramasoota, delivered eye-opening insights on a pressing issue that teeters the balance of modern journalism. Prominent and trustworthy news agencies find themselves grappling for recognition among the cacophony of digital platforms and mobile apps. Ms. Pirongrong passionately urged governments and civil society to join forces, advocating for a collaborative effort to champion credibility in the news domain. The enigma of our age—the internet—has facilitated a rampant surge of disinformation, clickbait, and sensationalism, Ms. Pirongrong observed. “Today’s platforms rely heavily on algorithms engineered by data. News quality plays second fiddle to user interaction, driving a wedge between authenticity and engagement,” she lamented. As digital migration becomes inevitable, news agencies find their prominence dictated not by journalistic ethics but by insidious algorithms,…
On January 21, 2024, with the bustling streets of Bangkok as their stage, motorcycle taxi drivers united in a spirited campaign against drugs, putting the city’s safety and welfare at the forefront. Captured by the lens of photographer Varuth Hirunyatheb, this commendable effort sheds light on a significant issue gripping the metropolis. In a stride towards modernization and enhanced public service, Viput Srivaurai, a dedicated city council member representing Bang Rak district, has called upon the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to leverage technology for an innovative transformation of motorcycle taxi services. Emphasizing the use of cutting-edge applications, Srivaurai envisions a future where passenger safety and fare transparency are paramount. Spearheading this tech-savvy approach, Srivaurai envisions a sophisticated data management system that would streamline the motorcycle taxi industry. This proposed system would encapsulate a myriad of crucial details, including driver credentials and vehicle specifics, ensuring that passengers have full visibility and…
In a dramatic series of events that unfolded across Nonthaburi and Chon Buri, four Colombian nationals were apprehended for their purported involvement in a spate of residential burglaries that had been plaguing Bangkok and its neighboring provinces. The sophisticated sting operation that led to their arrest was a collaborative effort between immigration officers and police, which culminated in the capture of three suspects at a condominium in Muang district, Nonthaburi, and the fourth at a hotel in South Pattaya, Chon Buri, this past Thursday, as confirmed by Pol Maj Gen Panthana Nuchanart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau. Charged with theft in collusion, the quartet was found in possession of an array of incriminating items that included screwdrivers and assorted burglary tools, as well as rented motorcycles they reportedly used for their illicit activities. The treasure trove of stolen goods seized from the suspects was staggering—125 items of stolen valuables…
In a collaborative effort between the Thai Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), thirty luxury cars that had been smuggled into Thailand are now back on British soil. This cross-border mission underscores the importance of international crime-fighting partnerships. The vehicles, worth over £2.4 million (approximately 100 million baht), were part of an operation triggered by the UK’s request under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to recover 35 high-end cars stolen between 2016 and 2017, as revealed by the DSI’s acting director, Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam. Known as “Operation Titanium,” the special task force kicked off in 2017 with an ambition to crack down on this luxury car smuggling racket. They executed raids at nine locations across Bangkok, recovering 30 out of the 35 stolen vehicles. Among the treasures discovered were eight Mercedes Benzes, five BMW M4s, five Porsches, three Nissan GT-Rs, a Lamborghini…
A lively coalition of 36 self-proclaimed independent senators has thrown its weight behind Boonsong Noisopon, a distinguished former judge, for the esteemed position of Deputy Senate Speaker. This decision comes hot on the heels of a spirited meeting held on July 18, where the cohort delved into the nitty-gritty of the impending selection of the Senate Speaker and two deputies. According to Nikhom Makrungchang, a prominent voice among the senators, Boonsong’s credentials were simply too outstanding to ignore. Boonsong boasts an illustrious legal career, having held significant roles in the Courts of Justice. His resume reads like a legal thriller, featuring stints as President of the Court of Appeal Region 7 and a judge at the Supreme Court. Adding a feather to his cap, he is also a former member of the Election Commission. With such a decorated background, it’s no wonder the senators are rallying behind him. Nikhom revealed…
In an extraordinary collaboration between the Thai Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), thirty stolen luxury cars have been triumphantly returned to the United Kingdom. This dazzling operation underscores the seamless international cooperation under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam, the acting director of the DSI, recently disclosed the eye-popping details of this captivating saga. Picture this: Between 2016 and 2017, a staggering 35 opulent vehicles mysteriously disappeared from England, boasting a combined worth of over £2.4 million, or more than 100 million baht. The orchestrators behind this thrilling heist? A cunning syndicate spearheaded by a Thai national known as Intharasak, alias Boy Unity. Enter “Operation Titanium”—a special task force launched in 2017 that swooped into action, raiding nine locations across Bangkok. The outcome? A glittering treasure trove of 30 high-end automobiles, including eight Mercedes Benzes, five BMW M4s, five…
In a recent development within the Senate, a coalition of 36 self-proclaimed independent senators has come together to back Boonsong Noisopon for the pivotal post of Deputy Senate Speaker. This support isn’t arbitrary; it’s founded on Mr. Noisopon’s impressive legal credentials and extensive experience. The group’s consensus was achieved during a meeting on July 18, as revealed by Nikhom Makrungchang, one of the group’s active members. Mr. Boonsong’s resume is nothing short of stellar. Having served in various significant positions within the Courts of Justice, including President of the Court of Appeal Region 7 and a judge at the Supreme Court, he brings a wealth of legal acumen to the table. Additionally, his tenure as a member of the Election Commission adds another layer to his already impressive portfolio. In a bid to consolidate support for Mr. Boonsong’s candidacy for the role of Second Deputy Senate Speaker, the group plans…
Steering through the bustling streets of Bangkok, motorcycle taxi drivers have banded together not just to zip through traffic but to accelerate a campaign against drugs, marking an important milestone on January 21, 2024. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) In a significant move towards enhancing urban mobility, Viput Srivaurai, the dedicated Bangkok councillor for the Bang Rak district, called on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to rev up their approach to ensuring safer and more affordable motorcycle taxi rides. At a recent Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) meeting, Viput pushed forward a proposal to bring technology and user-friendly innovation into the mix. Viput’s vision is clear: he urged the BMA to develop a cutting-edge application aimed at reorganizing the motorcycle taxi landscape. This app wouldn’t just be a ride-booking tool; it would be a comprehensive data management platform providing crucial information about the drivers and their vehicles. By leveraging technology, the goal is…
Imagine navigating through a flooded road in Muang district of Khon Kaen, watching as pickup trucks bravely wade through the water in the aftermath of torrential rains. Such scenes played out on Thursday as heavy rainfall besieged this northeastern province, creating dramatic challenges for residents and authorities alike. This weather havoc isn’t confined to Khon Kaen alone. Satellite images from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) paint a daunting picture of widespread flooding across Phetchabun, Chaiyaphum, Phitsanulok, and Khon Kaen provinces. Captured by COSMO-SkyMed-2 on Thursday evening, these visuals reveal over 118,000 rai of land submerged under water, with more than 2,800 rai being crucial rice farms. In Maha Sarakham, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is on high alert, ramping up water discharge rates from two reservoirs in Muang and Borabue districts. These reservoirs, stressed to their limits by relentless rains, are brimming beyond safe capacity. To mitigate…