THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made a significant splash during his first monthly television address, where he laid out ambitious plans to tackle some of Thailand’s most pressing issues. Foremost on his agenda was the controversial move to legalize casinos and the introduction of a nuclear power plant to reduce soaring electricity costs. In a prerecorded statement, Mr. Srettha emphasized the dual benefits of these initiatives—bringing illegal gambling under governmental regulation and lowering energy bills through more cost-effective power generation. “We have to face the reality – underground gambling is rampant and should be addressed by bringing it into the light,” the Prime Minister remarked candidly. “Nuclear power, on the other hand, will require careful public education since many are wary of having such a plant in their neighborhoods.” The notion of legalizing casinos isn’t entirely new. In March, a majority of the 500-member House of Representatives supported a comprehensive study…

Picture this: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, fresh off a whirlwind of international diplomacy, landing in Italy amidst salutes and flashes from cameras, his cabinet ministers aligned in a perfectly coordinated display of unity. The month is May 2024, and Srettha’s agenda is as packed as the streets of Rome. As the leader of a diverse and dynamically evolving nation in Southeast Asia, Srettha Thavisin has faced his fair share of scrutiny—and he’s not shying away from it. In a televised address that aired on Saturday, he shed some light and a touch of humor on his first 10 months in office. For a guy who started as a real estate mogul and now finds himself navigating political waters as Thailand’s Prime Minister, it’s been a wild ride. And boy, has he been busy! The man has clocked 15 overseas trips since he took office in August of last year. That’s…

The budget allocation for the 2025 fiscal year won’t be enough to effectively address the issues afflicting the agricultural sector, according to Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow. Speaking during a parliamentary debate on the budget bill, he revealed that his ministry has been granted a budget of 125.8 billion baht to support more than 30 million farmers—translating to approximately 3,386 baht per person. “Given the current economic climate, this sum falls short. We must acknowledge that the budget assigned isn’t aligned with the ministry’s responsibilities, particularly those related to land and water management,” Capt Thamanat highlighted. Despite these financial constraints, he reassured that the ministry would maximize its limited resources to empower farmers through diverse marketing strategies and innovations. The ministry’s agenda includes measures like lowering production costs, promoting crops used as animal feed, and discouraging off-season rice farming in water-scarce areas, encouraging soybean growth instead. “These initiatives…

A political storm is brewing in Pathum Thani, and it promises the kind of drama that would make even the most seasoned viewer of Thai politics sit up and take notice. The stage is set for the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) election on June 30, and the players involved are heavyweight champions in their own right. Picture the ruling Pheu Thai Party, licking its wounds after a crushing defeat by the Move Forward Party (MFP), now gearing up to reclaim its throne. Not to be outdone, coalition ally Bhumjaithai Party is gunning for more territory beyond its usual lower Northeast stronghold, possibly with a nudge and a wink from the MFP. This election is not just a local matter; it’s a barometer of national political maneuvering. Thaksin Shinawatra, the paroled former premier, made a dramatic entrance into the fray, rallying Pheu Thai’s core supporters—the red shirts—during a monk ordination ceremony…

Noppadon Pattama, a Pheu Thai list-MP and the diligent chairman of the House panel on foreign affairs, has taken a heartwarming initiative to ensure the safety and return of six Thai nationals who have been held hostage amid the tumultuous Hamas-Israel conflict. With a compassionate plea, he reached out to the United States, specifically through US Ambassador Robert F. Godec, during a critical meeting with the House committee where myriad aspects of Thai-US relations and cooperation were discussed. During this significant meeting, Mr. Godec conveyed heartfelt sympathies for the tragic loss of Thai workers and the unfortunate situation of those still in captivity since the conflict erupted last October. His empathetic response underscored the depth of the crisis and the urgent need for a resolution. Mr. Noppadon urged the US diplomat to leverage his influence and resources to facilitate the release of the remaining captives, with hopes pinned on their…

The new Senate election system has sparked concerns about potential manipulation by influential political families, according to Yingcheep Atchanont, the manager of the Internet Dialogue on Law Reform (iLaw). In a candid Facebook post on Friday, Yingcheep admitted his earlier misjudgment. He had initially believed that the political dynasties, often referred to as “Ban Yai” or “Big House,” were unable to significantly interfere with the election process. Initially, Yingcheep’s concern was limited to manipulations at the district level, where he thought political families could only impact elections by deploying hired individuals as proxy candidates. These individuals would support the “preferred” candidates, ensuring their advancement. However, he quickly realized that the situation was far more complex, particularly in districts where competition is scant. Yingcheep observed that many small districts lack competitiveness, with only a handful of candidates contesting the seats. This scarcity means that most candidates automatically progress to the provincial-level…

In the bustling halls of parliament last Friday, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang was seen deep in conversation with Pheu Thai Party MPs during a brief respite. The air was thick with anticipation as the opposition party, Move Forward Party (MFP), mounted a formidable challenge to the national defence budget. They argued that the proposed military expenditure did not address the evolving landscape of security threats. The photo, capturing this dynamic exchange by Chanat Katanyu, perfectly encapsulates the tension of the day. Leading the charge, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, an MFP list-MP, raised an eyebrow at the 2025 fiscal year’s defence budget. He questioned its potential to truly bolster national security and propel the much-needed reforms. From his viewpoint, the army’s apparent indifference to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was baffling. After all, these modern marvels play a crucial role in military operations, as well as combating drug smuggling and contraband trafficking. Highlighting a…

The buzzing corridors of political debate were charged with a fresh energy on Friday, as the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) set their sights on the nation’s defence budget. With a glint in his eye and fervor in his speech, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a prominent MFP list-MP, questioned the military’s fiscal foresight for 2025. His words echoed through the chambers, casting doubt on whether the planned military expenditure could truly fortify national security or propel the much-needed reforms into reality. Mr. Wiroj didn’t pull any punches when he lambasted the army’s seeming neglect of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—a cutting-edge technology that’s revolutionizing military operations globally. He painted a vivid picture of UAVs on the front lines, battling drug smugglers and contraband traffickers with silent precision. Yet, he said, the army seemed to have turned a blind eye to these airborne sentinels, evidenced by their questionable allocation of a 540-million-baht budget for…

An artist specializing in ‘Chang Sib Moo’ from the Fine Arts Department is meticulously painting the royal barge ‘Khrut Hoen Het,’ with the majestic ‘Suphannahong’ setting a scenic backdrop at the National Royal Barges Museum in Bangkok’s Noi district. This artistic endeavor is in anticipation of the grand royal barge procession to honor His Majesty the King’s birthday on July 28, which will take place in October. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) The restoration of an impressive fleet of 52 royal barges is set to be completed just in time for a royal kathin ceremony in October, part of a grand celebration marking the King’s 72nd birthday on July 28, according to the Culture Ministry. Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol announced on Friday that the finishing touches are being applied, with all work slated for completion by the end of this month. The Fine Arts Department (FAD) has received directives to prepare for the…

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin attended the final day of the spirited debate on the national budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill swiftly sailed through its first reading in the House of Representatives on Friday night. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) In a decisive move to inject life into the sluggish economy, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced on Friday that the government will unveil a series of additional measures next week. This announcement follows his comprehensive discussions with Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira on Thursday night, focusing on economic stimuli and the stock market. “A major announcement covering short-term, medium-term, and long-term economic measures will be made on June 24 or 25,” the prime minister revealed. When asked if this forthcoming news would be positive, Mr. Srettha playfully responded, “Let’s wait and see.” In a bid to address inflation concerns, Mr. Srettha disclosed that Finance Minister Pichai will also engage in…