The windscreen of Pranee Rungsuksai’s car laid in shards across her dashboard, a gaping hole revealing the horrifying consequence of an encounter with a rogue steel plate. Under the dimming light of sunset, the Burapha Withi expressway, much like any other Sunday evening, was bustling with commuters heading towards the heart of Bangkok. However, for Pranee, the journey took a terrifying turn at the 19th kilometre marker. As the rush hour traffic pressed on, Pranee made her way through the elevated expressway in tambon Bang Chalong of Bangphli district. It was around 6pm when calamity struck. The ordinary humdrum of her drive was replaced by a sharp, unexpected impact—a big steely projectile had crashed through her windscreen. It targeted her with an uncanny precision, leaving deep wounds on her neck and cheek. Rescue workers and local police quickly responded to the scene. They discovered the visibly distressed Pranee parked on…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Four suspected members of a notorious loan shark gang turned themselves in on Saturday night, following accusations of brutally assaulting a 72-year-old woman over an unpaid 10,000-baht sum in Bangkok’s bustling Chok Chai area. The Metropolitan Police Division 4 commander, Pol Maj Gen Thanantorn Rattanapaksatid, identified the suspects only as Sophon, 27, Kenwit, 32, Natthawut, 27, and Sirisorn, 25. The four men surrendered at the Chok Chai police station, feeling the heat from relentless officers determined to bring justice. The elderly victim, Siripen Opastiangtham, faced this horrifying ordeal on July 21. Allegedly, the suspects slapped her face and kicked her legs so severely that she almost lost her eyesight. Pol Maj Gen Thanantorn mentioned that while Kenwit vehemently denied all accusations, the others confessed to the crime, albeit claiming it was a one-time incident due to her delayed debt payment for July 20. The suspects now face multiple charges, including…
Thailand has made a significant commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, pledging humanitarian aid worth 9 million baht. This important announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa during the 57th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and Post-Ministerial Conference in Vientiane, Laos. The pledge, equivalent to US$250,000, is directed towards the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management (AHA Centre). Minister Sangiampongsa underscored the critical role of the AHA Centre as the ASEAN mechanism responsible for delivering humanitarian aid. He emphasized that such assistance should be inclusive, ensuring that every resident of Myanmar can benefit from it. “The benefit [from humanitarian assistance] must truly be available to all the people of Myanmar,” he asserted. This pledge follows Thailand’s previous efforts on March 25, when they provided humanitarian aid to the Myanmar government for the construction of the Second Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Tak’s Mae Sot district. In…
Japan is extending an olive branch to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) with a pragmatic approach to sustainability: hybrid vehicles. During a riveting seminar titled “Economic Security and Supply Chains,” Professor Yasuyuki Todo from Waseda University’s Faculty of Political Science and Economics underscored a pivotal concern. Asean’s over-reliance on electric vehicles (EVs) might not be the silver bullet everyone hopes for, especially since the region predominantly uses fossil fuels for energy production. The irony? EVs, while promising on the surface, could still be indirectly guzzling those precious non-renewable resources. Prof Yasuyuki proposed a grounded alternative: hybrid cars. He argued that for Asean, including Thailand, hybrid vehicles might just be the golden ticket to cutting emissions more effectively. In his sharp yet insightful take, Thailand’s ambitions shouldn’t just revolve around becoming a manufacturing hub for cars. “It’s high time Thailand pivoted towards research and development,” he posited. With giants…
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa (photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Vientiane, the bustling capital of Laos, Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa delivered a compelling message at the 57th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Thursday. A key highlight of his address was the call for Asean to elevate its integration endeavors, aiming to adopt a collective digital economy system, champion sustainable development, and enhance regional security using existing frameworks and mechanisms. Minister Sangiampongsa shared that numerous countries and international organizations are showing a keen interest in strengthening their ties with Asean, information he received from his Lao counterpart, Saleumxay Kommasith. “Asean needs to come together and intensify economic and security integration among its members,” he emphasized. “Even though Asean members vary in governance, race, and ethnicity, these differences have built a strong foundation for our region. No other regional group boasts such unity in diversity as…
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira stood confidently at the glittering podium at Government House, delivering a speech on July 24th that has the whole nation buzzing. Photos snapped by Chanat Katanyu captured his poised demeanor as he elaborated on the ambitious digital wallet handout scheme—the Pheu Thai Party’s innovative flagship initiative designed to elevate the country’s economic prospects. Brimming with optimism, the Pheu Thai Party is betting big on a supplementary bill that’s crucial for funding this groundbreaking scheme. The party believes the bill will easily glide through the House’s second and third readings scheduled for Wednesday. Wisut Chainaroon, a Pheu Thai MP-list and the chief government whip, stated with unwavering confidence on Sunday that the bill’s passage is a given, asserting that the handout scheme has become a beacon of hope for countless citizens. The grand finale of the bill’s deliberation is expected to be a brisk affair, wrapping up…
The Senate is gearing up for a crucial transformation, aiming to trim down the number of its standing committees in response to a decreased number of senators. This move, while pragmatic, has raised eyebrows about whether it might impede the Senate’s effectiveness in governance. This pivotal issue is set to take the spotlight at the Senate’s second meeting on Friday. Newly elected Senate speaker Mongkol Surasajja, who stepped into the role during the Senate’s inaugural session on Saturday, announced that a motion will be discussed to align the number of committees with the current senator count. This step is also expected to entail a review of the committee memberships, sparking a widespread belief that the intention is to cut costs. Senator Sorachart Wichayasuwannaprom from the “blue” faction, a group linked to the Bhumjaithai Party, emphasized the necessity of this review. With the Senate’s ranks now standing at 200 senators, down…
Observers are in two minds about whether Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin should be ousted from office following his controversial decision to appoint former convict Pichit Chuenban as a Minister in the PM’s Office during the latest cabinet reshuffle. Former senator Wanchai Sornsiri remarked that the Constitutional Court is likely to dismiss the case against Mr. Srettha, as no court had previously ruled on the specific crime that would have disqualified Pichit from taking up the position. To rewind a bit, Pichit was embroiled in a bribery scandal back in 2008 while representing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a notorious land case. Although he did serve six months in jail—a fact many are quick to highlight—Mr. Wanchai pointed out that Pichit’s imprisonment was for contempt of court, not for attempted bribery. Mr. Srettha, in an effort to adhere to protocol, sought the Council of State’s opinion on the matter, according…
All eyes are set for the highly anticipated first meeting of the new Senate on July 23, a spectacle that promises to be a cornerstone event in the ongoing political drama unfolding in Thailand. With photo ops by Chanat Katanyu capturing the essence of the anticipation, this gathering will mark a key milestone for the Upper House, taking on a pivotal role in charter amendments and the intricate power dynamics among the coalition parties within the government. Political pundits are buzzing about the overwhelming dominance of senators rumored to have strong alliances with Bhumjaithai, the third-largest political party in Thailand. The recent election of the Senate Speaker and a Deputy Senate Speaker, both perceived to be affiliated with Bhumjaithai, solidifies this theory. This influential “blue” bloc, as it’s commonly referred to, is speculated to be the largest contingent within the Senate, heightening Bhumjaithai’s political influence like never before. Observers estimate…
Tourists wading through floodwaters after a dramatic rescue from a swiftly rising stream in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand’s Prachin Buri province, on Sunday. (Photo by Manit Sanubboon) This weekend, numerous travelers faced the fury of Mother Nature, finding themselves trapped by a sudden surge of water at Khao Yai National Park in Thailand’s Prachin Buri province. Simultaneously, nearby Trat province grappled with its worst flooding in three decades, painting a picture of a region under siege by relentless rains. In a nail-biting rescue operation, ten tourists were left stranded when a powerful runoff trapped them on one side of a stream connecting to the scenic Sao Noi waterfall in tambon Pho Ngam, Prachantakham district. With the stream’s water turning a menacing brown, it signaled imminent danger as it surged with unstoppable force. Rescue workers, showcasing their bravery and skill, managed to secure a robust rope across the volatile stream,…