Nearing completion of the groundbreaking “super app”, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has suggested that this all-encompassing mobile application will become operational to coincide with the initial distribution of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme in early next year. With the developers working round the clock, there’s eager anticipation about the potentially transformative app being ready for the February-March launch of the financial handout program. However, it’s worth noting that not all of the app’s functions will be operational on day one. Deployment, according to Deputy Minister Julapun, will be a gradual process, trickling down necessary features to the users as and when required. It’s already clear that some features will be ready for use when the registration process kicks off next month. The Deputy Minister further explains that vendors who are outside the formal tax system won’t be able to transform their digital wallet balance into hard cash. Nevertheless, this…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The splendour of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai never fails to mesmerise its visitors as they make three clockwise rounds of the pagoda. The scent of incense and candles fill the air as people from different cultures mingle and marvel at Thailand’s exquisite heritage. However, recent events have made hoteliers and tourism entrepreneurs voice out their concerns over the security measures in place. They are urgining the government to reconsider their approach to gun control in a bid to rekindle tourist confidence, particularly from China. On October 3, a tragic shooting took place at the popular Siam Paragon shopping mall, resulting in the loss of three lives. The incident, unfortunately, involved a Chinese tourist and has since caused around 60,000 Chinese tourists to cancel their trips to Thailand, impacting the economy. With China being a significant contributor to Thailand’s tourism sector, with around 11 million Chinese travellers…
Situated within Bangkok’s pulsating heart of Phra Nakhon district, you’ll find Khao San Road – an electrifying hotspot once the sun sets, teeming with a kaleidoscope of nightlife experiences. The compelling dynamic of this locale doesn’t go unnoticed by city helmsman, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. He is open to a novel proposal that could potentially transform Bangkok’s nightlife scene, turning up the volume and buzzing till dawn. With the Interior Ministry poised to give a nod of agreement, the governor anticipates a shift in the operating hours of bars and nightclubs, switching off the neon signs only at 4am instead of the standard 2am. However, this move is not without conditions. The seal of approval still hinges on the Cabinet’s endorsement, but Governor Chadchart assures that this new directive would be a shot in the arm for the tourism industry, provided safeguarding measures are firmly in place to curtail any adverse…
The tender embrace of a mother and her son echoed across Suvarnabhumi airport. The figure of her son, Saksit Wichitthongchai was one of the 244 fortunate Thai nationals to return safely from the conflict-ridden territories of Israel late on Monday evening. Each returnee bore their unique yet similar stories of survival and resilience in the face of uncertainty and danger, their experiences marked by the harrowing backdrop of warfare. Saksit, hailing from Khon Kaen, still carried the haunting semblance of fear that he lived with each day in the Israeli labour camp. Their lives were punctuated by the relentless strife of the Hamas insurgents. Saksit and his Thai compatriots navigated this tumultuous landscape, weapons in tow as they sought to protect themselves. “At night,” he shared, his voice trembling, “we would be encircled with crossfire, each of us carrying knives, our only means of protection.” His recollections became deeply personal…
“Striking that crucial equilibrium between humanity and our natural environment is essential,” declares Pol Col Wanpichit Wattanasakmonta, an officer involved in the formidable task of combating wildlife trafficking. “This is not merely about preserving wildlife. Our focus is to instill in everyone the importance of safeguarding our resources and the environment. With a sustainable ecosystem, we can coexist in peace with nature.” While this is a noble aspiration, the reality is that Pol Col Wanpichit’s day-to-day involves a relentless pursuit of criminals involved in a shockingly sizable yet illegal industry, with an estimated valuation of a staggering US$20 billion. This nefarious trade ranks fourth globally, trailing only drug, human, and arms trafficking. With its rich biodiversity, accounting for about 10% of all animal species globally, Thailand occupies a critical position in the world of wildlife trade. It serves as a source, destination, and transit point for trafficking activities. However, the…
In the bustling city of Nakhon Si Thammarat, a 19-year-old academic prodigy named Atiya met with an unexpected ending to her young life. After being duped into paying a hefty down payment of 20,000 baht for an iPhone that was never intended to materialize, Atiya was found lifeless, a tragic victim of her own desperation and online scam. Identified as a Grade 12 student, Atiya was discovered at her family residence in the pastoral area of tambon Koh Thuad in Pak Phanang district, succumbing to the immense stress imparted by cyber criminals. Following the tragic discovery, law enforcement swung into action, scouring for clues related to the elusive culprits, including a woman linked to a mule account through which the gang members funneled their illicit earnings. Probing Atiya’s close friends and a distressed aunt living in the same residence, police learned about Atiya’s connection with a purported cell phone shop…
The former mogul of Italian-Thai Development, Premchai Karnasuta, was granted an early release from Thong Pha Phum prison located in Kanchanaburi, seven weeks prior to the end of his sentence scheduled for Dec 7. The Department of Corrections announced that a meeting was convened on Monday to evaluate potential sentence commutations for 567 eligible prisoners. Of these, 484 received approval, of which 113, including Premchai, were sanctioned for release on Tuesday. The erstwhile chief of one of the largest construction companies in Thailand, Italian-Thai Development Plc, Premchai was incarcerated for illegal hunting activities. He was found guilty of shooting protected wildlife species, specifically a rare black panther, a kalij pheasant, and a barking deer, in the eminent Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in 2018. Premchai, being 69 years old and ailing from diabetes, met the criteria for a premature release, as stated by the Department of Corrections. Diabetes had led to…
On the cusp of his departure to Beijing, Srettha shed light on both concerning and unfolding situations in Israel. His forthcoming trip sets him on a path to the 3rd Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, an event drawing in distinguished attendees and soliciting attention worldwide across Tuesday and Wednesday. The premier’s grim update paints a stark picture of the ongoing dilemmas in Israel. Despite hopes to the contrary, the reports suggest a worsening scenario with no significant improvement. This bleak reality, Srettha explains, has shifted from bad to worse, escalating into a state of critical concern. Inquiring minds eager for some hint of progress or optimism amid the continuous hostage crisis were met with a candid response from the premier. Up to this moment, Srettha confirmed, there have been neither notable changes nor positive strides towards securing the release of the captives. He acknowledged the concerted efforts being made,…
Nestled within these locales, occupants are advised to adopt a sense of vigilance as torrential downpours accompanied by their subsequent accumulation could potentially give rise to instantaneous flooding and rapid deluges within forests, extending specifically to terrains located near water sources in hill areas. A notable mix of a formidable high-pressure system accompanied by a frigid air engulfing the upper northern and northeastern expanses is anticipated to persist. Concurrently, it’s predicted that the monsoon trough will traverse across the superior portion of the southern expanse, making a passage across the Gulf of Thailand, and advancing eastwards. This climatic trajectory is expected to infiltrate the domain occupied by the expressively low-pressure systems situated in the central quarters of the South China Sea. The interpretation of this weather model bears the likelihood of gravitating closer towards Vietnam’s coastal line. Integration with the southwestern monsoon looming over the inferior southern expanse and the…
The Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, has rescheduled this week’s customary cabinet meeting due to an impending state visit to China. This significant development was disclosed by the Transport Minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit. Among the topical issues sparked by this shift includes the public discourse revolving around a popular “Quick Win” campaign policy of the dominant Pheu Thai Party, scheduled for a crucial discussion. This policy involves a flat 20-baht fare rate, which was a pressing promise crafted to gain traction from the body of voters during the most recent election period. Historically, fare prices traversing the two pivotal lines have always been dependent on the journey’s length. It varied from rates as low as 14 baht to as high as 42 baht. This fare adjustment seeks to introduce a level fare rate system that is less chaotic and more financially manageable for passengers. The preliminary implementation of this 20-baht rate was…