Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, seen front-right, and his fellow MPs from the now-dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP) gathered in an atmosphere brimming with anticipation at Thai Summit Tower on New Phetchaburi Road in Bangkok this past Friday. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) The transition was marked by a pivotal rebranding, as the former opposition party’s Facebook page morphed into the official digital domain of the People’s Party. Natthaphong, the freshly minted leader, preceded by his influential colleagues, has set the stage for a fresh political chapter. This dynamic get-together was merely the prelude to an official announcement scheduled to unveil the party’s new identity and their ambitious agenda. The dawn of Thursday night came with the exhilarating news that the trusted and seasoned MPs of Move Forward had placed their faith in Natthapong. The former list MP and deputy secretary-general’s ascension to the leadership circle brought with it waves of optimism. Natthapong’s academic foundation…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has called upon Thai nationals to stay vigilant and keep an eye on news updates following an urgent tsunami advisory issued by Japanese authorities. This alert follows a massive earthquake that shook the southern coast of Japan yesterday. The Prime Minister expressed his concern for the safety of Thai citizens after learning about the quake, which registered a formidable 7.1 magnitude. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke conveyed Mr. Srettha’s worries, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The earthquake’s epicenter was located off the eastern coast of Japan’s southern main island, Kyushu, at an estimated depth of about 30 kilometers. The tremor occurred at approximately 4.43 pm, according to Japan’s Meteorological Agency. The immediate aftermath saw a tsunami warning being issued for several prefectures, including Miyazaki, Kochi, Ehime, Oita, and Kagoshima, which span the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku. Given the potential danger, Mr. Chai advised Thai nationals…
As a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, Bridgestone proudly lends unwavering support to the Thai Paralympian team, known as Team Bridgestone Thailand Para-Athletes. These athletes are not just exceptional sportsmen but also dedicated employees of Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd. Among them are Mr. Anusorn Chaichamnan, an ace in shooting, Mr. Worawut Saengampa, a master in boccia, and Mr. Chaiwat Rattana, a powerhouse in wheelchair racing. United by a shared dream, they are gearing up for the much-anticipated Paralympic Games Paris 2024, slated to take place from August 28 to September 8, 2024, in the City of Light, Paris. Bridgestone extends an open invitation to all Thais, urging them to rally behind these exceptional athletes. Your support and encouragement could be the wind beneath their wings as they strive to overcome obstacles and clinch victory at the Games. This initiative isn’t just a fleeting gesture but a continuation of Bridgestone’s commitment…
“Vitafoods Asia 2024,” Asia’s premier nutraceutical extravaganza, is all set to send ripples of excitement through the ever-evolving nutraceutical industry. Fueled by a steadfast health trend worldwide, this event promises a blend of innovations, cutting-edge technology, health products, and potent ingredients. Orchestrated by Informa Markets (Thailand), this grand showcase unfolds from the 18th to the 20th of September 2024 at the sprawling Hall 1-3, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. As Thailand’s nutraceutical sector rockets towards a projected worth of 239 billion baht by 2026, Vitafoods Asia 2024 is set to be a key player in this exponential growth, attracting over 10,000 attendees this year alone. Ms. Rungphech Chitanuwat, the adept Regional Portfolio Director – ASEAN at Informa Markets, emphasized the significant expansion of the Asian nutraceutical market. Thailand, which stood robust at a value of 190 million baht in 2022, finds itself on a…
Envision a bustling hub of aviation excellence—this is what the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development project promises. On a warm Wednesday, a robust government delegation, spearheaded by the esteemed Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, embarked on a comprehensive tour to witness firsthand the strides taken and the hurdles yet to be overcome. Accompanying him were none other than Vice Minister for the Office of the Prime Minister Nahathai Tiwphaingam and the passionate Rayong governor, Traipob Wongtrairat. Enter Tharit Issarayangyun, the deputy secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with pivotal updates. This project isn’t just about building an airport; it’s about setting unprecedented standards for Thailand’s aviation industry, aligning perfectly with governmental ambitions to magnetize investments into the EEC. Tharit outlined the project’s dual-progress trajectory, highlighting both civil and private sector advancements. On the civil side, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) stands at the helm, steering through the…
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) recently announced that the much-anticipated Asean Troika Plus meeting, aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, is likely to take place after this year’s Asean Summit. Bolbongse Vangphaen, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asean Affairs, revealed that Laos, serving as the Asean chairman this year, has embraced Thailand’s proposal for this crucial meeting. This proposal was initially discussed during the 57th Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held last month in Vientiane. “We’re currently coordinating with this year’s Asean chair to finalize the timeline for the meeting,” Vangphaen explained. “The expectation is that the Troika Plus meeting will occur after the main Asean Summit scheduled for this October.” Mr. Bolbongse was speaking at an event celebrating Asean Day 2024, which marks the 57-year milestone of Asean’s establishment. During his address, he highlighted the collaborative efforts of Asean member states, including Thailand, in assisting…
The operators of the Yellow and Pink monorail systems have announced a crucial safety upgrade: reinforcing the guidewheels on every train. This move, unveiled by BTS Group Holdings’ CEO Surapong Laoha-unya, aims to bolster public confidence in both monorail lines, ensuring the safety of commuters and motorists below. Surapong Laoha-unya, who also serves as the director of Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co (EBM) and Northern Bangkok Monorail (NBM), emphasized the need for heightened safety measures following a January 2 incident. On that day, a guidewheel from a Yellow Line monorail train detached and struck a taxi traveling below on Theparak Road. Understandably, this event sparked concerns about the safety protocols in place. To address these concerns, EBM conducted an exhaustive review with Alstom Thailand—the manufacturer of the train—and replaced all parts deemed necessary to assure passenger safety. But they didn’t stop there. To prevent any future incidents, Alstom will introduce a…
Pita Limjaroenrat, the charismatic chief adviser to the Move Forward Party, waved enthusiastically to supporters as he made his way to the party’s bustling headquarters in Bangkok on Wednesday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) In a dramatic turn of events, a thorough investigation is now underway into the ethical conduct of 44 politicians from the recently dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP). These politicians threw their support behind a controversial bill aiming to revise the country’s lese majeste law. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) confirmed on Thursday that there are sufficient grounds to proceed, launching an inquiry into these members of parliament. NACC Secretary-General Niwatchai Kasemmongkol unveiled that the commission has initiated this probe following a petition from February. The petition, submitted by lawyer Theerayut Suwankesorn, urged the Constitutional Court to halt all MFP campaign activities related to their efforts to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code. This appeal was grounded in…
During a pivotal House of Representatives session on July 31, Padipat Suntiphada found himself in the limelight, albeit for unfortunate reasons. A Constitutional Court ruling not only dissolved the Move Forward Party but also stripped Padipat of his MP status, along with banning 11 executives. This has set the stage for a new election for the first deputy House Speaker to replace him, as indicated by the government’s chief whip, Wisut Chainaroon. Wisut, a prominent MP from the Pheu Thai Party, emphasized the urgency of filling this position with someone from the current governing coalition. Discussions among coalition partners are imminent. Bhumjaithai, the coalition’s second-largest party, has made it clear that they’re eyeing the position. Nonetheless, Wisut pointed out that there are many variables in play. “Let’s wait and see. We’ll have the new first deputy House Speaker by next week,” Wisut assured on Thursday. The criteria for the new…
A counter-demonstrator holds a sign ahead of an anti-immigration protest in Derby, England on Wednesday. (Photo: Reuters) The Royal Thai Embassy in London has issued a cautionary advisory to Thais planning to travel to the United Kingdom or currently residing there. The advisory urges them to avoid anti-racism rallies across England and Northern Ireland. This warning comes in light of a tumultuous week marked by near-nightly riots, where mosques and migrant-related facilities became targets of anti-immigrant mobs. The embassy specifically addressed anti-racism counter-demonstrations scheduled for Wednesday, amid British authorities’ concerns that such events could spark violent reactions from far-right groups. However, thanks to a robust police presence in various English towns and cities, these rallies transpired almost entirely peacefully. The police made it emphatically clear that any violence instigated by suspected far-right agitators would not be tolerated. Earlier incidents of violence were reportedly triggered by misinformation circulating on social media…