In an exclusive discussion with Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC)’s respected chairman, Chaichan Chareonsuk, he posited the paradoxical situation the Thai economy is currently navigating. Yes, the weakened baht has intuitively made Thai exports more affordable in the global market, but it’s not all smooth sailing. There’s a flip side to this coin, and it’s significantly raising the stakes for the Thai economy. This stems from the heightened costs of importing crucial goods and raw materials, an unavoidable necessity for sustainable production. The frail baht’s impact is rippling through the economic milieu, amplifying the production costs and consequently the market prices of Thai products. This escalation in costs unintentionally erodes the competitive edge Gaussianed from the previously advantageous export prices. The situation is laden with complexity and fraught with risks for the Thai economy. Adding to this convoluted economic plight, the weakened baht indirectly fuels a surge in costs to…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In October of the coming year, Russia has the honor to host the illustrious BRICS Summit. Six fresh members are set to join the ranks of the association, namely Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Ethiopia. As it stands today, BRICS is a five-member coalition of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa on a mission to foster cooperation and mutual assistance. Real interest is not lacking when it comes to courting the favor of BRICS, with around 40 countries vying for a seat at the table, according to Russia’s Ambassador Tomikhin. As he phrases it, “These countries are desirous of a closer kinship with BRICS and look forward for consultations on urgent domestic as well as global matters.” What’s on the menu for prospective members? Tomikhin provides a few tantalizing tidbits, teasing of possible all-out membership or perhaps an intimate alliance with the BRICS. He also…
Every year on October 17, we commemorate National Police Day, a day dedicated to honouring the dedication and sacrifices of our law enforcement officials. In the past, the force was firmly regulated, particularly in terms of their physical appearance. Policemen were expected to have a specific haircut style that strongly emphasized a clean and disciplined look. This precise haircut demanded the sides and back of the head to be closely shorn, so much so that the “white” of the scalp was visible. On top of it, the hair couldn’t be more than 3 centimetres long. However, changes are on the horizon as a new rule is set to take effect this coming Tuesday. The new regulation adjusts the strict guidelines concerning haircuts, allowing for up to 1cm of hair on the sides and back of the head, and hair on the top can now be as long as 5cm. This…
A dramatic encounter recently unfolded at a Nonthaburi hospital, becoming the focal point of a prominent ethical inquiry regarding the treatment, care and respect received by patients from their medical professionals. The incident wasn’t reported by conventional means, but via a social media post on TikTok, by a user with the tag Lamduanbah. The incident observation quickly caught fire on the internet via a video post captioned, “Ethics is hard to find these days”. This bold declaration sparked an intense online debate focused on topics such as professional ethics and patient care within Thailand. The contested event happened deep within the bustling Bang Bua Thong market area at a local hospital. Lamduan, a youthful 28 year-old producer, had dutifully accompanied her 75 year-old grandmother to the hospital’s after-hours clinic for a pre-scheduled appointment. But, the atmosphere soon became electric upon the hospital’s misplacement of the grandmother’s medical records. The inability…
It was a heartwarming scene of joy and relief at the bustling Suvarnabhumi Airport where groups of eager relatives waited in anticipation for their loved ones. A total of 244 Thai nationals, returned home from the sandy terrains of Israel. The returnees, which also included a group of eager academic explorers from Princess of Naradhiwas University, had their flights touch down at the Bangkok-based airport at precisely 10pm on the evening of October 16. The welcoming group added a formal touch to the joyous homecoming, featuring some notable individuals such as Bunyawee Khwaiphan, who holds the pivotal role of Deputy Director at the Department of Employment, and Sombat Phothiwat, the abled Director of the Central Employment and Labour Protection Registry. They were joined by Thipawan Thongsi, the acting Director of the much lauded Department of Labour Abroad. The Suvarnabhumi airport staff, remembered for their tireless and dedicated service, were also…
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today sent out a substantial rain warning for a staggering 32 provinces, as the southern region is predicted to witness hefty rainfall covering an extensive 70% of its geography. Thai locals in the affected regions are being sternly advised to stay alert for probable heavy water accumulation, an event that could trigger unexpected floods. The most recent 24-hour forecast from the TMD points towards a continuous covering of high-pressure cold air mass over the upper northern and northeastern areas of Thailand. At the same time, a trough is currently moving across the upper southern region, the Gulf of Thailand, and the eastern territories, marking its entry into a low-pressure zone within the South China Sea. These meteorological phenomena, paired with the southwestern monsoon blanketing the lower southern regions, the Gulf of Thailand, and the Andaman Sea, result in ongoing thunderstorms across the length and breadth…
Recently, a total of 33 Thai students who found themselves ensnared in the escalating conflict fueled by the Hamas militant group in Israel finally set foot on Thai soil again. Extracted from the fervor of the battlefront, these students were flown back in dedicated charter flights on Monday evening. The Israeli-based El Al flight brought back 244 Thai returnees, with the students intertwined in the mix. It lifted off from Ben Gurion Airport located at Tel Aviv at approximately 6:20 am, within the Israeli time zone. This charter flight, bearing the weary souls from the land of blood and dust, made its awaited landing at Suvarnabhumi airport at exactly 7:05 pm, as per Thai local time. These evacuated students comprised 30 individuals from the Princess of Naradhiwas University (PNU) and the rest from Sakonnakhon Rajabhat University. It was these enthusiastic blossoms that had set sail for Israel to participate in…
Gracing the Asia-Pacific headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bangkok was none other than Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Acting as the FAO’s Special Goodwill Ambassador for the Asia-Pacific, her mission was simple: fuel a fire beneath the current efforts to mitigate water scarcity and to push for enhanced water management schemes throughout the region. This gathering of minds took place on Monday, marking the Asia-Pacific World Food Day Observances. In a world where nearly a third of its population resides in areas plagued by water stress, the need for action is urgent and immediate. “Freshwater is becoming scarce, intensifying the contention for this invaluable resource. This, in turn, threatens our ability to cater to the escalating food demands of our increasingly populated region,” remarked the Princess. Her message was underlined by a compelling sense of resolve. “We can no longer sit idly…
Located in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a city of wondrous beauty and cultural wealth, often graced by the aroma of incense offered by visitors at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. With seasoned hospitality players and a lively entrepreneurial scene, Chiang Mai has witnessed a surge in popularity among international tourists, including visitors from China – our biggest international market before the devastating pandemic struck. Recent however, incidents like the unfortunate shooting episode in Siam Paragon shopping mall on October 3 have considerably dented the confidence of travellers, particularly from China. The repercussions can be seen in the form of approximately 60,000 cancellations from Chinese tourists amid security concerns. This aspect was highlighted in Airports of Thailand data that reported a drop in Chinese arrivals by 9.2% from a previous 650,000 to 590,000 visitors. With Chiang Mai being a preferred destination for Chinese visitors, this dip in tourism has been…
Athwart the country’s crisscrossing iron distant horizons, the railway police, affectionately known as the “train marshals”, have been an unwavering presence for seven decades and a bit. These silent guardians, whose duty originated following the advent of the contemporary Thai railway system during King Chulalongkorn’s reign, have been faithfully ensuring the safety of tireless trains and their passengers. However, the dawn of Tuesday will lower the curtains on these unsung heroes following an extensive reorganization of the Royal Thai Police (RTP). The imminent redeployment springs from the ambitious restructuring scheme envisaged under the National Police Act 2022. As per this transformative initiative, the railway police will join the ranks of their fellow colleagues positioned in different RTP departments. Their early origins can be traced back to their role as a “rail track patrol squad”, established in response to an escalating number of onboard criminal incidents. In the year 2005, this…