The authorities are contemplating a fresh expansion of the fuel cost subsidy scheme for motorbike-taxi operators, an initiative aiming to alleviate operating costs within the realm of public transportation. This project for the subsidization of energy costs, orchestrated by the Department of Energy Business, has been put forward to the Ministry of Energy for assessment. Mr. Prasert Sinsukprasert, the Permanent Secretary for Energy, made this statement recently. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin alongside the Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga holds the autonomy to approve the necessary budget projected around 600 million baht, bypassing the cabinet’s validation. Mr. Prasert brought this to light. The particulars relating to the projected scheme will be unveiled post its complete finalization by the ministry, he added. The inaugural stage of the project in the past saw over 106,655 motorcycle-taxi drivers, rightly licensed by the Department of Land Transport as of 22nd March the previous year, garnering a…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In the aftermath of the latest Israel-Hamas conflict, four additional Thai nationals have tragically lost their lives. This brings the total number of Thai casualties to 28, with another 16 injured and 17 others listed as hostages according to reports from the Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin. Addressing the issue in a Rapid Response Centre meeting at the Foreign Ministry, the Prime Minister conveyed that the current situation remains unpredictable. He expressed that the government’s priority is to repatriate all Thai workers by the end of the month. Navigating the complexities of increasing the number of repatriations flights, Thavisin mentioned arrangements for 32 flights by commercial airlines that can accommodate approximately 5,700 individuals returning to their homeland. Although this measure is in place, it’s considered inadequate due to over 7,000 registered evacuees and the number is expected to surge as the chaos continues. With sea and road routes blocked, the only…
A heart-wrenching tale unfolds from Chiang Rai, where a desperate woman is making a plea for the safe return of her husband, allegedly kidnapped amid a hostile strike by Palestinian militia Hamas on 7th of October in Israel. Suntree Saelee, a 28-year-old Hmong woman hails from the modest village of Ban Kio Kan nestled in tambon Rim Khong of the picturesque Chiang Khong district. In a grave turn of events, she lost communication with her husband, Kong Saelao, aged just 26, during the said attack. Suntree narrated that a comrade of her husband had informed her about how, on that fateful day, Hamas insurgents brazenly attacked a labourers’ camp nestled within an avocado plantation in Khirbet Mador, a mere 3 kilometres from the troubled Gaza Strip that is a Palestinian-run area. Her husband along with three other Thai labourers were at the ill-fated campsite. The co-worker managed to elude capture…
In the midst of the bustling city of Bangkok, a thick murmur of despair resides, particularly in the Klong Toey slum, where 73-year-old Chusri Kaewkhio shares a life of struggle with her 75-year-old husband, Suchart. Their plea to the government is simple – they need more support as the cost of living continues to skyrocket. It’s a seemingly straightforward appeal, but their story is a stark representation of a nationwide issue that is more complex than meets the eye. Chusri’s dreary days get started under the blazing sun, queuing for a free meal – a far cry from the food she once enjoyed at home. The meager government pension that mirrors about 82 US cents a day gives rise to bleak repasts, often just bread and ketchup from 7-Eleven. She shared with AFP reporters at a meal delivery tent run by the Bangkok Community Help Foundation, admitting, “If it’s too…
There is a growing concern in the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) about the rising popularity of the red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) among notorious yet unregistered breeders. This charming bird belonging to the protected wildlife species, precisely No 550 as noted under the 2003 ministerial regulation, is both a darling to passionate pet owners and a prey with notorious hunters who seek it illegally. The red-whiskered bulbul doesn’t only charm with its entrancing melody but is also a spectacle with its impressive aesthetic features, something that undoubtedly contributes to its increasing popularity. The red-whiskered bulbul, aptly named for the contrasting scarlet red patches around its face, is an exquisite bird measuring approximately 20 centimeters in length. Its enticing natural ensemble consists of earthy brown upper parts which ripple down to blend with its whitish underparts. These are further characterized by buff flanks and a distinguished dark…
Wading through the treacherous waters of flawed legal records is a common cause of unnecessary distress, particularly in the politically charged region of the deep South. With the case in point being the bomb explosion in Si Sakhon district, Narathiwat province, which took the lives of two bomb disposal officers and gravely injured another, the gravity of the issue is all too real. In this light, the Prachachat Party steps up to the plate to correct the course of justice. Propelled by their spokesman and Narathiwat representative, Kamonsak Leewamoh, the party sets its sights on two human rights issues. The first is to clear “erroneous criminal records” that unjustly taint the lives of certain individuals, with a particular focus on those struggling in the deep South. The second is to push for the end of the emergency decree enforced across major regions of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. With the Justice…
The meteorological dynamics over certain northern and northeastern regions of our beloved nation, in conjunction with the vast expanse of the Gulf of Thailand, are presently undergoing notable alterations. The potent cool air mass that has permeated these areas, an environmental manifestation of high-pressure zones, is now witnessing a weakening phase. These atmospheric changes have led to the migration of the monsoon trough. Rather than resting in their usual place, it has decided to go on a bit of a journey across the central parts and upward to the southern and eastern territories. This coincides with the strengthening phase of the southwest monsoon, a temperamental force that swathes the lower southern region and the lower areas of the Gulf of Thailand. As nature has often shown us, such weather pattern shifts rarely come gently. Alas, they are forecasted to bear the burdensome offspring of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. These meteorological…
Exciting news for commuters in Thailand! The Transport Ministry is all set to propose a groundbreaking change to the cabinet come Monday. This proposal, set against the backdrop of the Thai government’s policies, will directly affect travel costs on the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) lines. If the plan sails through, travelers will experience an immediate reduction in fare. This policy is pinned to shape journeys on the Purple Line stretching from Bang Sue to Klong Bang Phai and the Red Line extending from Bang Sue to Rangsit, not to mention the section from Bang Sue to Taling Chan. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has reassured the public that relevant agencies were thoroughly consulted regarding the 20 baht fare policy. He also confirmed that the necessary equipment to facilitate these changes has been installed on both MRT lines. In the event that the proposal secures approval on Monday, travelers should anticipate…
Through the revealing eye of satellite technology, it was unveiled that a staggering 160,947 hectares are bearing the immense weight of inundations. The regions helpless under the torrential wrath include pockets of Ayutthaya, Phichit, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Suphanburi, Phetchabun, Lopburi, Ang Thong, Saraburi, Uttaradit, Singburi, and Chai Nat provinces. The floodwaves wreaked havoc predominantly on vast stretches of agricultural lands, spanning 67,972 hectares. Our primary granaries, lined in the lower terrains along major and subsidiary waterways, bore the brunt of this retribution of nature. Not just fields of green, but the floods also targeted residential neighbourhoods and disrupted crucial transportation routes. The surveillance eye-in-the-sky, Cosmo-SkyMed-4 satellite, captured this grim reality on October 14. The GISTDA, or Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, looked over this satellite inspection. The captured images and data aid the relevant authorities painting a comprehensive portrait of the calamity, allowing for the better orchestration of…
The skies burst open, emptying a deluge that drowned several thoroughfares in Pattaya City, situated in the Bang Lamung district of the scenic Chonburi province. The rainwater rapidly advanced, laying claim to the asphalt as it climbed to a shocking depth of nearly three meters in some places, converting the otherwise bustling city thoroughfares into a repository for rain. The relentless downpour held no favorites, with its waters soaking through some of the most vital roads in the city. Sukhumvit Road, situated in southern Pattaya, did not escape the beating. Pattaya Beach Road, usually frequented by visitors sporting colorful umbrella drinks, also stood waterlogged. Pattaya Sai Sam Road and a smaller local road which connects the busy Soi Khao Talo to the serene sanctum that is Wat Tham Thueng Samakkhi, both felt the brunt of this unprecedented deluge. The tempest ensured that some parts of these routes were plunged under…