THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Picture this: Wat Pha Sukaram, a serene temple nestled in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai, finds itself engulfed in floodwaters as early as September. Its abbot, in a plea for help, turns to the temple’s Facebook page, reaching out to the good Samaritans for aid, as people stranded in their homes nearby hope for a lifeline. This surreal scene, captured in a photo from the Wat Pha Sukaram Facebook page, tells only part of the story of Thailand’s recent battle with the elements. This year, flooding has wreaked havoc across Thailand. In the devastating wake left behind, more than 50 souls in the north and at least 25 in the south have tragically lost their lives. Climate change plays a role, but it’s not the sole culprit. According to Pianporn “Pai” Deetes, the Southeast Asia programme director for the NGO International Rivers, several man-made issues are aggravating this crisis, which she…

The tranquil waves of the sea between Pattaya and Koh Lan held an unexpected tale on Sunday morning, when Pracharat Satsuk, a seasoned speedboat driver, stumbled upon a scene straight out of a maritime thriller. As he skillfully navigated his boat to ferry around 20 eager tourists to the picturesque island of Koh Lan, he spotted something unusual bobbing atop the gentle sea swell. Amid the expanse of blue, a figure emerged—the unusual sight of a naked man floating in the water, calling desperately for help. This wasn’t a typical day at sea for Pracharat, whose primary focus was ensuring his passengers enjoyed the sun-drenched beauty of Thailand’s coastal treasures. Yet here was a mission of a different nature, tugging at the very seams of humanity. With quick reflexes honed from years of experience, Pracharat flung a life buoy overboard, providing the much-needed lifeline that potentially saved the man’s life.…

In an unexpected turn of events that has stirred the waters of the Andaman Sea, a group of spirited local fishermen has resolved to gather at Ranong Provincial Hall. Their mission is clear: to advocate for the swift repatriation of four Thai fishermen who are currently held in Myanmar, caught up in a maritime incident that’s the talk of the Grand Thai Seaside. The drama unfolded last week, right in the contentious waters off Ranong’s stunning coastline. Picture this: the mighty trawler Sor Charoenchai 8, carrying a robust crew of 31, including our Thai heroes and 27 of their Myanmar comrades, was making headway about 12 nautical miles—translate that to a brisk 22 kilometers—from the sandy shores of Koh Phayam. Just when they thought it was business as usual, enter the Myanmar navy vessel, executing an ambush that would make any plot twist look tame. The trawler was taken, and…

In a gesture anticipated to bolster the economic landscape, Thailand and the United Kingdom are currently engaged in promising discussions to escalate trade and investment between their nations through a looming Free Trade Agreement (FTA). On December 4, the cordial deliberations took place between Thailand’s Commerce Minister, Pichai Naripthaphan, and Mark Gooding, the adept British Ambassador to Thailand, where the primary focus revolved around advancing economic cooperation and enriching trade relations. “The Thai-UK FTA holds immense potential for enhancing bilateral trade and investments, aligning brilliantly with our overarching policy to solidify economic ties,” divulged Mr. Pichai, radiating optimism about the potential collaboration. The talks not only echoed mutual commitment but also outlined plans to nurture trade and investment ties via the prestigious Joint Economic and Trade Committee (Jetco) at a ministerial echelon. Diving deeper into the objectives, Mr. Pichai elucidated that the Thai-UK Jetco mechanism is primarily designed to promote…

The Ministry of Public Health is bustling with anticipation as it ramps up efforts to fast-track the long-awaited construction of Pluak Daeng 2 Hospital. Dormant for two whole years, this crucial facility promises to be a haven for the burgeoning population within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Leading this ambitious charge is Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, who heralds the project as a groundbreaking Public-Private Partnership (PPP) — a maiden voyage for the ministry in Rayong province. Fresh from a strategic assembly with ministry executives, Mr. Somsak couldn’t contain his excitement about the surge of interest from no less than four private firms keen on this collaborative endeavor. As the conversation bustles with optimism, insiders hint that the race for contractor bids might just kick off under the summer sun of next year. The narrative behind the delay is a classic tale of the ministry’s inexperience in navigating the labyrinthine…

In a dramatic turn of events, four men have found themselves in the spotlight following the tragic loss of a 19-year-old named Ratthaphum in the vibrant Bang Kae district. Late Saturday evening, a fatal incident turned this lively area into the setting of a heart-wrenching case, echoing through the corridors of the Phetkasem police station. The suspects, whose identities remain under wraps, were swiftly apprehended on Sunday. This quick arrest is credited to the tireless law enforcement team who meticulously combed through surveillance footage that led them right to the doorstep of a residence nestled in Bang Kae. Here, they discovered three individuals intimately linked to the night’s fateful events. Facing the intensity of the investigation room, the trio admitted their presence at Ratthaphum’s final moments. Yet, they each fervently denied plunging the metaphorical dagger into the situation, asserting their innocence in the young man’s untimely demise. Their tales hinted…

In a turn of events that stirred quite a buzz in the political corridors of Thailand, three former MPs from the Bhumjaithai Party, who had been carrying the weight of an ethical debacle upon their shoulders, were granted parole this past Sunday. The release marks the conclusion of a tumultuous chapter that began in the summer with a nine-month prison sentence hanging over their heads. The story unfolded like a political drama with public intrigue and courtroom suspense that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Among the trio, there was Natee Ratchakitprakarn, a name familiar not just as a political persona but also as the wife of Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Her journey out of the Central Women’s Correctional Institution was a sight to behold, a moment symbolizing freedom and perhaps, a new beginning. Meanwhile, Chalong Thoetwiraphong and Phumsit Khongmi, both deep-rooted politicians from the scenic province of…

In a dynamic move to bridge international business terrain, Azalina Othman Said, esteemed Minister in the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Department, is championing an enhanced synergy between Thailand’s arbitration center and its Malaysian counterpart. This orchestrated approach, she asserts, promises to cultivate thriving business relations between the two nations. Amidst her vibrant digital presence, Azalina takes to Facebook to share her forward-thinking visions, enticing a wide audience. With Malaysia at the helm as the 2025 Asean chair, Azalina is laser-focused on injecting fresh vigor into business law reforms. The goal? To fortify legal shields for enterprises traversing the diverse landscape of Asean member states. During a dynamic sojourn to Bangkok, Azalina engaged in a robust roadshow aimed at harnessing a unified consensus and amplifying legal cooperation. She reiterated the imperative need for collective reforms, with a particular spotlight on international business regulations. Azalina articulated a vision of harmonized business laws as…

In a sunlit village nestled somewhere amidst the rich tapestry of Thailand, there lived two ambitious young men. The first, whose path seemed predestined, was the son of a courageous police officer who had laid down his life serving during the southern insurgency. Following his father’s valorous footsteps seemed only natural, and with determination vaulted by loss, he aced the police entrance exams. The other young man, a dreamer with wanderlust in his veins, yearned to travel the world. At the vibrant age of 27, he set his sights on becoming a flight attendant, the kind of job that opened horizons and emblazoned the soul with stories of distant lands. He too excelled in his examinations, igniting a spark that promised a life of discovery. But life, as they both discovered, had a different tale to tell. The plans were abruptly halted, dreams crashing down like sandcastles against an incoming…

Amidst the bustling tapestry that is Thailand, Mother Nature has unveiled her dual-edged sword, and it’s not a pretty sight. This year alone, devastating floods have wreaked havoc across the nation, claiming over 50 lives in the North earlier, and leaving another 25 dead in the southern reaches more recently. While climate change stands accused as a primary villain, the real story, according to the Southeast Asia programme director of International Rivers, Pianporn “Pai” Deetes, tells of a more human touch to this catastrophe. Appearing on Bangkok Post’s “Deeper Dive” vodcast, Pai pulls back the curtain on the triad of human activities responsible for exacerbating these natural calamities: deforestation, the proliferation of dams, and unscrupulous encroachment. As she paints the scene, an irony emerges—deforestation, a key player in causing floods, is also directly linked to the PM2.5 haze notorious in the northern part of the country. The relentless felling of…