“` Picture this: A sun-kissed paradise, where the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea gently lap against powdery white sands. A place where coconut palms sway lazily in the tropical breeze and vibrant street markets hum with activity. This is Phuket, Thailand’s sparkling gem, beloved by wanderlust souls from around the globe. Yet, beneath the surface of this island utopia, a less idyllic narrative unfolds, urging immediate attention and action. Enter Pol Gen Kitrat Panphet, the acting national police chief, a man on a mission to transform Phuket into a safer haven for both its residents and the international tourists it warmly welcomes each year. With an unwavering resolve, Pol Gen Kitrat is spearheading an initiative aiming to curtail the recent uptick in crimes associated with visitors, a challenge that’s been casting shadows over the island’s sunny disposition. In an innovative move that signifies the dawn of a new era…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In the sweltering heat of Nakhon Si Thammarat, where the sun kisses the land a little too fervently, an epic battle ensued between man and nature. As mercury levels soared to heights unknown, the humble railway tracks in Ron Phi Bun district could bear no more. Twisted and contorted under the relentless gaze of the sun, they became a testament to the might of nature. But fear not, for this tale isn’t one of defeat but resilience and ingenuity. It was a Tuesday, not unlike any other, save for the thermometer readings that seemed to mock the very limits of what one might consider ‘hot’. At precisely 2:20 pm, an observant soul noticed something amiss between the Ron Phi Bun and Khao Chum Thong stations. The railway tracks, those steadfast paths for travelers near and far, had succumbed to the sun’s embrace, warping into shapes that no locomotive could hope…
In a scene reminiscent of historical pageantry, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang, with a solemn bow, paid homage to the tradition and valor of the forces as he inspected a guard of honour, marking his inauguration into the esteemed office within the hallowed halls of the Ministry on a day steeped in significance last September 13. The tableau, elegantly captured by Nutthawat Wichieanbut, would symbolize the dawn of a tenure pledged to intricate challenges and novel aspirations in Thailand’s evolving defence narrative. On a Wednesday that buzzed with the undercurrents of political discourse, Minister Klungsang stepped into the limelight, not with a sword but with a pen, poised to redefine the landscape of military oversight in Thailand. His confident endorsement of a groundbreaking proposal suggested a strategic maneuver in the chess game of Thailand’s political arena—a proposition empowering the prime minister with the authority to sideline top brass deemed threats to…
In an intriguing twist that seems ripped straight from a political thriller, the Move Forward Party (MFP), Thailand’s beacon of opposition, finds itself in a race against time, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The scene heats up as former leader, the charismatic Pita Limjaroenrat, and his equally dynamic successor, Chaithawat Tulathon, stand united amidst a storm of political contention. On January 31, a defining moment unfurled as the Constitutional Court handed down a crucial ruling against the party’s bold campaign to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, a move that sent ripples through the corridors of power. Fast forward to a Wednesday that will be etched in the annals of Thai politics, when the Constitutional Court accorded the MFP a lifeline in the form of a 15-day extension to muster a robust written defence against the looming spectre of party dissolution. The revised deadline, now positioned at May…
In a twist that reads more like a blockbuster screenplay than a headline from Khon Kaen, Thailand, the city found itself under the international spotlight this past December 13, 2023. The central figure? Somluck Kamsing, a name that resonates with the weight of Olympic gold, now stepping into a ring far removed from the roars of adulation – the legal arena. With a palpable tension in the air, reminiscent of the moments before a fight, the celebrated athlete turned himself in to face charges, an image captured poignantly by Chakkrapan Natanri’s lens. The unfolding saga takes us to the heart of Khon Kaen, where the police, under the watchful eye of Pol Lt Col Suparerk Suwanraj, deputy chief investigator of Muang district, have meticulously pieced together the fabric of a case that has gripped the nation. It involves allegations of a nature so grave that they threaten to overshadow Somluck’s…
In the early hours of a bustling Saturday morning in Phuket, a picturesque scene turned sour when a British tourist, later known as Graham, found himself embroiled in a dispute that could easily be the plot of a gritty crime drama. The sun had barely crept over the horizon, painting the sky with strokes of orange and pink, when Graham and his companion, seeking adventures in the tropical paradise, hailed a taxi to transport them to their hotel in the serene tambon Karon. The journey, filled with the silent anticipation of the day ahead, ended on a discordant note when the matter of fare was brought into question. The driver, a 26-year-old local who knew the streets of Phuket like the back of his hand, requested a 400-baht fee for his services. However, the drama unfolded when, at their destination, the tourists provided only 100 baht—a mere quarter of the…
In an unprecedented turn of events that feels straight out of a blockbuster crime thriller, the highest echelons of Thailand’s police force find themselves ensnared in a scandal that blurs the lines between law enforcers and law breakers. At the heart of this riveting saga are National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol and his deputy, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, whose names have become synonymous with a high-stakes investigation into alleged ties with the notorious online gambling network known as “BNK Master.” The drama unfolded in a press conference on March 20, capturing the nation’s attention as two of its top cops stepped into the limelight, but not for reasons they’d hoped. The Royal Thai Police Association’s chairman, Pol Gen Winai Thongsong, a figure as stern as he is respected, announced that the world would soon learn the outcome of their interrogations. The anticipation is palpable, with promises of revelations…
In a riveting turn of events that could only befit the narrative of a country as dynamically rich in history and political intrigue as Thailand, Maris Sangiampongsa has emerged from the illustrious shadows of a retiring diplomat to assume the prestigious role of the Foreign Affairs Minister. This appointment, sanctified by none other than His Majesty the King and announced with all due ceremony in the Royal Gazette, marks a significant chapter in the annals of Thai diplomacy. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, in a move that has political aficionados buzzing, chose Maris, age 66, to fill the void left by Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. This change occurred in the wake of Parnpree’s resignation, which followed his loss of the Deputy Prime Minister position in a cabinet shuffle that has had all of Bangkok talking. In preparation for his new role, Mr. Maris untethered himself from any obligations that might distract from his…
In a stunning flurry of academic excellence and strategic foresight, Thammasat University has heralded in a new era with the appointment of Prof Supasawad Chardchawarn as its newest rector, sparking anticipations of innovative frontiers in education. This pivotal transition, which has the academic community buzzing with excitement, comes as Prof Supasawad steps into the venerable shoes left by Assoc Prof Gasinee Witoonchart, who has admirably captained the ship since 2018. According to the vibrant social media announcement from the Thammasat University Student Union (TUSU), this significant baton handover was cemented by the university council in their latest selection convocation, held at the crack of dawn at 9 a.m. yesterday. But, the journey doesn’t end here. The council’s decision embarks on a prestigious voyage, making its way to the Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation Ministry. From there, it will sail through the cabinet secretariat office, ultimately anchoring at the royal…
Imagine stepping into a world where your health is promised to be safeguarded for just 30 baht, yet you find yourself embroiled in a saga that’s more tangled than a medical drama. In the bustling city of Bangkok, where the vibrancy never dims, an astonishing number of over 3,700 grievances have bubbled up, targeting primary healthcare clinics. This uproar has caused the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to spring into action, crafting an investigative panel to delve deep into the heart of these allegations of misconduct. Under the magnifying glass of scrutiny since Monday, the NHSO has been forthright about its mobilization to address the burgeoning wave of discontent voiced by patients under the universally acclaimed 30 baht healthcare scheme. This surge in complaints was triggered post an audacious move by the NHSO to recalibrate the universal healthcare provision in Bangkok, aiming to decongest hospitals that have been swarmed beyond…