THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

Imagine the vibrant streets of Phuket’s Old Town, pulsating with the rhythmic beat of life and bursting with colors so vivid you’d swear they were straight out of an artist’s palette. This picturesque scene is just one of the many reasons tourists from every corner of the globe flock to this island paradise. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is riding high on optimism, projecting tourism revenues in Phuket to soar past the 400 billion baht mark this year, a testament to the island’s magnetic allure. The first quarter alone saw Phuket welcoming over 3.6 million guests, a staggering 30% increase from the previous year. This influx of visitors has injected a whopping 137 billion baht into the local economy, painting a picture of a booming tourism sector that’s only going up. Lerdchai Wangtrakoondee, the savvy director of Phuket’s provincial TAT office, spilled the beans on a Saturday, dishing out…

Imagine you’re cruising at 35,000 feet, nestled in your seat, perhaps sipping on a glass of wine or engrossed in the latest blockbuster on the seatback screen in front of you. You’re en route from the historic grandeur of London to the futuristic skyline of Singapore, aboard a majestic Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER. Then, without warning, the tranquility is shattered by a bout of extreme turbulence, transforming the cabin into a scene of chaos. This was the harrowing reality for passengers and crew onboard Flight SG321 last Thursday—a journey they are unlikely to forget. In the wake of this unexpected upheaval, a staggering forty-three souls found their journey taking an unplanned detour, not to the anticipated modern marvels of Singapore, but to the medical facilities of Bangkok. Here, amidst the warmth and care of Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital and its affiliates, these individuals continue to recover from their ordeal, four days…

In a tale that feels like it’s been lifted straight from the pages of a gripping novel, the mystery surrounding the disappearance of 32-year-old Nantiwa “Noon” Saejiw, a Thai national, has reached a heartwarming conclusion. For those who’ve been on the edge of their seats, following every update and clinging to hope, the news brings a collective sigh of relief. Nantiwa, who had seemingly vanished into thin air nearly a month ago during a trip to Switzerland, has been found alive and in good health. This information comes straight from the authorities at the Thai embassy in Bern, Switzerland – the very heart of this bewildering saga. The story of Nantiwa’s disappearance is as mesmerizing as it is daunting. Imagine, a vibrant 32-year-old setting off on an adventure to Switzerland with her American boyfriend, a journey that was meant to be a joyous exploration of love and new horizons. The…

On a rather ordinary Saturday, the tranquil skies of Chalerm Phrakiat district in Nakhon Ratchasima were pierced by the sleek silhouette of a private jet. But this was no ordinary arrival. The aircraft carried none other than Thaksin Shinawatra, the paroled former Prime Minister of Thailand, marking his first touchdown in the region in 17 years. This momentous occasion was met with an outpouring of elation from the sea of red-shirt supporters who had gathered, their cheers of “We love Thaksin” filling the air, a heartwarming welcome for a figure deeply etched in their hearts. The buzz at the Nakhon Ratchasima airport that Saturday morning was palpable. Thaksin, accompanied by a retinue including his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, his son Panthongtae, and key party allies, was not just here on a political pilgrimage but for a deeply personal reason. This visit was to pay final…

On an ill-fated Friday night in Muang district of Chon Buri, a quaint beach town known for its vibrant nightlife and serene beaches, tragedy struck in the most unexpected manner. In an event that seemed to blur the lines between a routine traffic stop and a scene from a heart-wrenching movie, a police officer’s life was claimed in the line of duty, under the shimmering glow of streetlights and the watchful eyes of the stars. The serene night air was pierced by the sound of a catastrophic collision when a white MG sedan, bearing the insignia of Bangkok through its licence plates, made a fatal decision. The driver, attempting to navigate through a checkpoint with a recklessness that could only be fuelled by sheer intoxication, crashed into Pol Sen Sgt Maj Thanakorn Intharasuwan with a force that was both relentless and tragic. As the clock struck 10:30 pm, the accident…

In a narrative that befits the most captivating of international mysteries, Nantiwa “Noon” Saejiw’s story unfolds across continents, encapsulating the anxious hope of a family and the relentless dedication of a community. The resolution to this enigma, thankfully, brings a sigh of relief to all involved. Imagine, if you will, the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland, where the tale of Noon, a 32-year-old Thai lady, began to tread into the realm of the unknown. It was early April when Noon, accompanied by her American beau, ventured into the land famed for its precision watches and breathtaking alpine vistas. An adventure, one might surmise, that promised romance and discovery in equal measure. However, as April winds whispered tales of spring’s bloom, Noon’s family found themselves ensnared in a silence that stretched on far too long. The last echo of communication faded away on the 27th of April, leaving behind a trail of…

Amid the vibrant hustle of Tokyo, amidst a gathering that was as diverse as it was dynamic, Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stood, poised and ready to share his vision—a vision not just for his country but for an entire continent teetering on the brink of a new era. The occasion was the 29th Nikkei Forum Future of Asia, a convening of minds and hearts under the expansive theme of ‘Asian Leadership in an Uncertain World’. The air was thick with anticipation as Srettha took the stage, his voice a beacon of hope in a time of global uncertainty. It was in this charged atmosphere that Srettha, with the poise of a seasoned diplomat and the fervor of a true leader, called upon the nations of Asia to band together like never before. Deputy government spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri, echoing the sentiment of the evening, painted a picture of Asia…

Imagine a tropical paradise that beckons with the allure of pristine beaches, vibrant cultures, and an endless array of adventures. This vision comes to life in Thailand, Asia’s premier jewel in the crown for European wanderlust, as per a fascinating reveal by Agoda. But the enchantment doesn’t halt there; the list gracefully unfolds to include Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines, each with its unique charm and appeal, according to this insightful online travel agency platform. Stepping into the spotlight, Pierre Honne, the esteemed Agoda’s Thailand Senior Country Director, shared an insider’s scoop last Friday. He highlighted that Phuket, with its sun-kissed beaches and lively nightlife, tops the chart for hotel searches among European tourists. Not far behind in this race for allure are Bangkok, with its mesmerizing blend of historic grandeur and modern buzz, and Krabi, a haven of natural beauty and serene beaches. These destinations, he notes, are…

In a captivating saga of power, politics, and purposed populism, Thailand finds itself at a narrative crossroads, embroiled in a gripping drama between the steadfast Bank of Thailand (BoT) and the ambitious Pheu Thai-led government. As the story unfolds, seven months into the governance of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Thailand teeters on the brink of implementing a digital wallet handout scheme—a financial odyssey promising to stir the nation from its economic slumber with a staggering half-a-trillion-baht stimulus. Yet, critics argue, the road to this digital dream is fraught with challenges, legal quandaries, and a choir of caution from the central bank. Amidst the tension, whispers of diverging paths echo through the halls of power, as coalition parties weigh the cost of alignment with a government forging ahead with its populist promise. Despite Prime Minister Srettha’s calls for unity, the plan has sparked a tempest of debate, with the central bank’s…

In the early hours of a seemingly ordinary day in Phuket, a serene Thai island known for its picturesque beaches and vibrant nightlife, tragedy unfolded on a quiet road. The incident, which occurred near the illustrious Heroines Monument roundabout—a site both steeped in history and etched with beauty—claimed the lives of two French nationals in an accident that seems as swift as it was devastating. The breaking dawn had barely begun to touch the sky with its pink hues at around 4.40 a.m. when a catastrophic event occurred, forever altering the course of several lives. In front of the unassuming facade of the Ban Phak Chi health station, nestled in the tranquil surroundings of tambon Pa Khok, an overturned black Yamaha TMAX lay in disarray, its journey abruptly ended by a fierce encounter with a road divider. An inspection of the scene revealed telling skid marks—a silent testament to the…