In a significant stride towards sustainable energy, the Chiang Mai Authority has thrown its weight behind an ambitious Thai-Chinese waste-to-energy power plant, marking a new era in the region’s waste management. This pioneering project, estimated at a whopping 2.3 billion baht, was cemented with a handshake between Cao Debiao, the sage CEO of China Tianying Inc, and the astute Bundit Dejruesi, Managing Director of Seven Sun 2514 Company. Witnessing this momentous occasion was none other than the affable Deputy Governor, Tosapol Phuanudom. With Mr. Cao steering the helm, the clock starts ticking on the power plant’s construction. His confident assertion that work will commence ‘immediately’ is music to green enthusiasts’ ears, with completion inked in the calendar for just two years from now. The plant, much like a modern-day alchemist, will transform 500 to 650 tonnes of Chiang Mai’s daily waste into a golden flow of 10 megawatts of electricity.…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The Pheu Thai Party, known for its knack for navigating political waters, is exploring the possibility of amending the constitution just in time for the next election. The catch? They need to strike a delicate balance with their political adversaries. At the helm of these constitutional considerations is Prime Minister’s Office Minister Chousak Sirinil, an erudite legal maestro within the party, who has outlined three intriguing scenarios for passing a revised constitution. Scenario one involves the parliament taking a strategic pause of 180 days, despite the lingering disagreements with the senators over the referendum law. Essentially, it’s a test of patience and persistence. Scenario two foresees differences being settled sans delay, like harmonizing an orchestra that’s been bickering over the tempo. And scenario three? Well, that’s the audacious route – amend the constitution without waiting for the law to clear its path. The conception of these scenarios came into sharper…
In the vibrant and bustling city of Bangkok, a delightful spectacle unfolds as an enthusiastic pet owner showcases her stylish canines at a pet exposition. The event, held amid colorful festivities, is a charming reminder of the deep bond between Bangkokians and their fur-covered companions. However, amidst all the fluffy adorableness, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has decided it’s time to roll out new regulations to manage the burgeoning population of domesticated cats and dogs in the city. As Surachit Phongsinghvithya, the eminent president of the Bangkok Council, announced with a flourish, the council has greenlit a significant amendment to its pet ownership regulations. This newly minted amendment is currently en route to the desk of Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who will ensure its publication in the illustrious Royal Gazette. Once announced, eager pet enthusiasts will have a total of 360 good ol’ days to prepare for the changes that…
Take a moment and imagine a scene of utter chaos—protesters clashing with police, emotions running high, and the tension palpable in the air. Now, transport yourself to Tak Bai, Narathiwat, on that fateful day of October 25, 2004. What transpired here ignited a firestorm that still lingers in the air today. Police dispersed a gathering around the Tak Bai police station, resulting in deep sorrow for many, as is often the case when justice seems elusive. Critics are not mincing words, expressing intense dissatisfaction with the justice system’s staggering inability to bring defendants to trial regarding the Tak Bai massacre, before the statue of limitations faded into oblivion. Their voices now echo louder than ever, demanding changes to the laws to bring efficiency to the justice system, proposing tweaks such as extending the statute of limitations for prosecuting criminal offenses. Painfully aware of the consequences, observers are waving red flags.…
It was just another overnight shift for the officers at the traffic checkpoint on Jomtien Road in the Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, until it turned into a chaotic scene. In the wee hours of Saturday morning, at precisely 2:20 a.m., tranquility was shattered by the roar of a high-powered engine and an impending high-speed disaster. Enter Christopher Maximilian Walther, a 30-year-old German national, living life on the edge – quite literally. Astride a sleek Honda CB 650, its Bangkok license plate gleaming under the streetlights, Walther chose this fateful moment to transform into a blur of defiance, ignoring the steadfast command of the authorities to halt for an alcohol check. Racing through the checkpoint with reckless abandon, Walther’s escapade took a grim turn when his bike collided forcefully with Pol Lt. Rapeephat Phrommint, a dedicated deputy inspector of traffic police. The unfortunate officer was violently knocked off his feet,…
As dawn breaks over the bustling streets of Bangkok, the city’s expansion takes on tangible new dimensions. With every ambitious project, there’s a blend of anticipation and logistical gymnastics. Cue the western extension of the MRT Orange Line—a project set to redefine transit in Thailand’s capital while posing a few challenges along the way. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has sounded the horns on the impending traffic adjustments. This Saturday’s bulletin has commuters bracing for change. Beginning at the end of this month, a significant development will close one traffic lane as crews hustle to lay the groundwork for a light rail dream spanning Bang Khun Non to Pratunam. The train tracks of transformation have already begun to roll out their blueprint. Venturing from Bang Khun Non towards the Thailand Cultural Centre, construction is locking its sights on the city’s pulse. Kittikorn Tanpao, the deputy governor of…
In a dramatic turn of events, a notorious figure in human trafficking, Somkiart Samphaothong, found himself at the wrong end of the law after an intensive police investigation culminated with his arrest in the picturesque terrains of Chanthaburi. This arrest, executed with cinematic precision by officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD), shed light on a heinous operation trafficking Rohingya migrants through the perilous routes of southern Thailand. Somkiart, a 30-year-old with a historically checkered past, was apprehended alongside his cohorts, the youthful yet conspiring Natthawut Niamthong and Phongphitsanu Samphaothong, both aged 20. The trio had been on the lam, dodging the judicial gavel ever since the Lang Suan court issued warrants for their arrest back in late October. Their crime? Colluding to illegally usher migrants into Thailand, bypassing international borders with a brazen disregard for human life and safety. The wheels of this duplicitous scheme were set in…
With climate change becoming an increasingly pressing global issue, Thailand is taking significant strides to bolster its defenses against its potentially devastating impacts. Enter an ambitious collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) known as the “Increasing Resilience to Climate Change Impacts in Marine and Coastal Areas along the Gulf of Thailand” project. This initiative is bolstered by a generous financial boost—a $3 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (equivalent to about 101.2 million baht)—to power its efforts. Launched in the thick of the pandemic in August 2020, this four-year odyssey seeks to uncover and implement innovative solutions to mitigate Thailand’s climate vulnerabilities. Serving as the proving ground for these initiatives are the picturesque provinces of Rayong, Phetchaburi, Surat Thani, and Songkhla. Weaving their expertise into this grand endeavor are notable entities like the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE) and the Department of Marine and Coastal…
In an unprecedented move, the Ministry of Justice, nestled in the heart of Satun province, grants new identification cards to the members of the spirited Sakai community. This initiative marks a significant milestone, ushering in a fresh wave of identity and recognition for those who have long resided in the shadows of society. The air buzzes with anticipation and hope as locals gather to celebrate this monumental occasion. (photo credit: Tawatchai Kemgumnerd) Meanwhile, the government stands firm in its resolve to deny citizenship to foreigners entangled in unsavory affairs, despite rolling out an ambitious plan to confer Thai citizenship upon over 480,000 ethnic individuals. On a lively Friday afternoon, Jirayu Houngsub, the eloquent spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, divulged that the cabinet had granted the green light to the National Security Council’s (NSC) daring proposal aimed at expediting the citizenship process for these individuals. Imagine a plan designed to…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra seems to have developed a rather fascinating relationship with her trusty iPad. Wherever the winds of duty may blow her, her digital companion remains firmly by her side. More than just a trendy gadget, the iPad has become a symbol of her unique approach to leadership—sometimes cheekily dubbed “iPad diplomacy.” But what does all this mean for the youngest prime minister in Thailand’s history as she navigates through the turbulent waters of governance? Paetongtarn’s entourage isn’t just technological; she also benefits from insights provided by seasoned advisors from her father’s era—Thaksin Shinawatra’s leadership between 2001 and 2006. Even as critics scratch their heads over how she balances the counsel from her advisors with the digital wisdom of her iPad without relinquishing control over crucial decisions, Paetongtarn strides onward, etching her path in modern governance. As she stepped into office, Paetongtarn was met with a dramatic welcome:…