The tropical breezes of the Gulf of Thailand carry tales of adventure and intrigue, but none quite as captivating as the saga that unfurled last month. Picture a crisp marine police boat gliding through the waves, escorting not one, not two, but three oil-smuggling ships that had mysteriously vanished. These elusive vessels, spotted skirting dangerously close to Malaysian waters, were finally returning to the bustling Port of Songkhla. And just like that, the first chapter of this nautical mystery came to a dramatic close. Yet, the story behind the scenes was even more complex. Three marine police officers are now staring down the barrel of severe disciplinary action after failing to keep tabs on the impounded oil smugglers’ vessels. June 11 was a fateful day at the marine police pier in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district, where the ships pulled a vanishing act worthy of a Houdini encore. Pol Maj Gen…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The fighting in Myanmar resumed this week after a fragile five-month ceasefire brokered by China between the junta forces and ethnic minority insurgents apparently unraveled. Ironically, the renewed strife erupted mere days after the global community marked World Refugee Day last Thursday. By the end of 2023, there were a staggering 117.3 million forcibly displaced people globally, according to the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Of these, an estimated 47 million (40%) were children under 18. Moreover, between 2018 and 2023, 2 million children were born into refugee status, with an average of 339,000 refugee births annually. Thailand, sharing its longest border with Myanmar, has been a sanctuary for refugees. The escalating conflict in Myawaddy since 2024 has driven tens of thousands, primarily women and children, to seek refuge in Thailand. Given the dire and unwavering situation in Myanmar, these refugees are poised to remain in Thailand for months, if…
The Ministry of Education is engineering an ambitious revamp of the core curriculum, a move that heralds shorter school hours and the rise of non-classroom learning. At the forefront of this transformative initiative is the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec). They’ve proposed to the ministry to approve the appointment of a dedicated panel tasked with overseeing a comprehensive review of the basic studies curriculum, which has remained unchanged since 2008, according to Thanu Wongjinda, Obec’s secretary-general. This overhaul aims to drag the nation’s foundational education into the modern age. The office has already tweaked individual courses to stay in step with global advancements, peppering in more technology-driven subjects. Yet, the upcoming changes represent a giant leap for the country’s education system. Thanu emphasized that if the approval for the revision panel comes through, they’ll waste no time getting down to business. The panel’s primary mission will be to…
In the bustling region of Nakhon Ratchasima, a palpable tension is brewing. It stems from an outcry by the Northeast’s truckers’ association that has decided it’s time to hit the road—in protest. The rising cost of diesel fuel has tipped the scales, compelling them to form a convoy of trucks, demanding the government cap the diesel price at 30 baht per litre. Leading the charge is Somkid Kingkrodklang, a stalwart in the transport sector and the head honcho of the Land Transport Federation of Thailand in the Northeast. On a recent Wednesday, he vocalized the struggles plaguing transport businesses, bound tightly to their dependence on diesel fuel. With B7 diesel hovering at 32.94 baht per litre, the pinch is evident. “It’s still brutally high,” Somkid lamented, emphasizing the urgent need for the government to regulate the price at 30 baht. For many in the business, this adjustment is a necessity…
Ratchaburi’s serene landscape was shattered by the discovery of a covert bitcoin mining operation in the heart of Photharam district. The dramatic turn of events unfolded on a seemingly regular Wednesday, when the local Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) office zeroed in on a peculiar pattern of electricity consumption emanating from a certain spot in tambon Chet Samian. The odd fluctuations hinted at something lurking beneath the surface—and led authorities to uncover a clandestine tech haven. The clandestine operation spiraled into the spotlight with the arrest of Wirapon Kattiya, a 41-year-old from Loei, marking a significant bust for the local law enforcement. The Wednesday raid on Minor Union Co’s office did more than just nab a suspect; it unveiled a treasure trove of 59 sophisticated bitcoin mining rigs. These high-tech devices, seized in the swoop, have now become prime specimens for in-depth inspection, as shared by Photaram police station’s…
In a shocking revelation that has stirred the community, a music teacher at a prominent public school in Bangkok has confessed to sexually abusing a 15-year-old student for nearly two years. The alarm was raised after more than 100 video clips showcasing the heinous acts were discovered on his phone. Ekapop Luengprasert, an adviser to the interior minister and the mastermind behind the Sai Mai Tong Rod Facebook page, took swift action by escorting the victim and his mother to Thong Lor police station to formally press charges against the teacher. The mother, visibly distraught, recounted the nightmare that began unraveling last Thursday when her son confided in her about his prolonged ordeal. According to her, the abuse by the music teacher had commenced almost two years ago. The predator exerted a chilling grip over the boy, resorting to threats to ensure his silence. The depth of the mother’s trust…
With the evening sun dipping beneath the horizon, a wave of candidates who didn’t make the final cut for the Senate election ambled out of the polling place. The venue, Impact Muang Thong Thani, was abuzz on Wednesday night, culminating the search for 200 fresh faces in the Senate—a quest clouded by allegations of electoral misconduct. Official results? They’re set to be unveiled next Tuesday, and the Election Commission (EC) promises thorough investigations into the brewing storm of fraud accusations. The grand final saw 2,989 candidates who had triumphed in the previous provincial elections vie for a coveted spot, all under the same intra- and inter-group voting system, held at Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi. Beyond the chosen 200 senators, an additional 100 were put on standby, ready to step up in the event of disqualifications or other unforeseen circumstances. These 200 successful candidates hail from 20 diverse professional groups,…
Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn is making headlines once again, this time by promoting his new website, hakparn.com, aimed at rallying support to impeach certain members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The reason? Allegations of corruption and unexplained wealth that seem to plague these officials. This initiative gained momentum on May 16, as captured in a striking photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya. On the following Wednesday, the Police Commission, comprised of twelve members and chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, voted unanimously to back the decision of the acting national police chief to dismiss Pol Gen Surachate. The decision followed accusations linking the high-profile deputy chief to an online gambling syndicate. The commission spent a grueling three hours dissecting the situation before reaching the verdict. Pol Gen Surachate, known for his flamboyant self-promotion, has been at the center of several controversies. Recently, he and four of his subordinates were accused of money…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Bhutanese counterpart Dasho Tshering Tobgay marked an auspicious occasion at Government House on Wednesday, celebrating the signing of not one, but two memoranda of understanding that signal a deepened cooperation between Thailand and Bhutan. The first memorandum focused on academic collaboration, paving the way for a symbiotic relationship between the Department of Medical Services at Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and Bhutan’s Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences. The second memorandum, a beacon for tourism, spotlighted the shared intent to enhance this vital economic sector for both nations. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke quoted Mr. Srettha, who expressed his profound honor at hosting Mr. Tobgay. The timing of this official visit is particularly significant, as it coincides with the 35th anniversary of Thailand-Bhutan diplomatic relations, solidifying the bond between the two countries witnessed by dignitaries and officials. “The two memoranda of understanding will serve as…
In a groundbreaking alliance, Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare powerhouse, has teamed up with Nanyang, a prestigious Thai footwear manufacturer, and the Thai Haemophilia Patient Club to launch the pioneering “EquiStep” initiative. This multifaceted collaboration is set to revolutionize awareness, care access, and inclusivity for individuals living with haemophilia across Thailand. Haemophilia, a rare genetic bleeding disorder, affects approximately 320,000 individuals worldwide, according to the World Federation of Haemophilia. While Thailand is estimated to have around 5,750 cases, only 2,138—or 37%—are officially registered in the Thailand Haemophilia Registry. This under-registration leaves 62% of patients, particularly those with mild to moderate symptoms, without adequate care and effective treatments. Dr. Pantep Angchaisuksiri, Professor of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, and President of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), sheds light on the intricate challenges haemophilia patients face: “Haemophilia is a genetic disorder that hinders blood clotting due to deficient…