THE Thai tourism industry ended 2023 with 27.6 million visitors, just off the target of 30 million. It probably would have hit the target had it not been for incidents and events directly related to conflicts and violence, also known as “external shocks.” These were the Top Ten performing markets: In spite of irrefutable
Month: January 2024
All entertainment venues prohibited from making very loud noise
By Thai Newsroom Reporters ALL ENTERTAINMENT VENUES nationwide are warned to never make very loud noise which might otherwise disturb their neighbourhood or else they could probably be shut down by law, according to Sutthipong Chulcharoen, undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior. Operators of all entertainment spots throughout the country are officially cautioned to
Read moreYoung blind man gets help to go to Koh Larn
THAI netizens praised a Good Samaritan who took a young blind man on a trip to Koh Larn, off Pattaya, after he posted a message asking for help to go on a holiday there, Matichon newspaper said today (Jan 8). On Friday Jan. 5 Mr. Jukkapun Katudnon posted a message on a Facebook page
Read morePM says central bank rate hikes no good for economy
By Reuters and published by CNA PRIME MINISTER Minister Srettha Thavisin said the central bank’s rate increases have not been good at all for the economy, urging it to avoid moves that will adversely impact low-income families and small businesses. The government of Srettha, a real estate tycoon who took office in August, is
Read moreAutopsy shows toddler choked to death; sister faces charges
ALTHOUGH the autopsy result shows a toddler whose body was found stuff in a fridge did choke and suffocate to death as sticky rice was found in his upper trachea, police are still investigating this case and looking at prosecuting the adoptive father’s sister for involvment, Amarin TV said late last night (Jan. 7).
Read moreSrettha tipped to run country at least throughout this year: NIDA Poll
By Thai Newsroom Reporters PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin is believed to be able to run the country throughout this year, regardless of following years to say the least, according to a NIDA Poll released today (Jan.7). The NIDA Poll, conducted last month among a total of 1,310 people from all walks of life in
Read morePeople with illicit debt urged to get help with deadline now extended
By Thai Newsroom Reporters PEOPLE WHO MAY OWE illicit debt but hesitantly have not made official claims were today (Jan.7) reminded of the deadline which has been rescheduled for the end of next month. The Ministry of Interior’s undersecretary Sutthipong Chulcharoen said those who may be indebted to loan sharks but kept quiet or
Read more2 Thai Sang Thai executive members quit over MPs’ revolt
By Thai Newsroom Reporters A COUPLE OF THAI SANG THAI executive members have resigned over the weekend to take responsibility for Friday’s quiet revolt staged by a trio of Thai Sang Thai MPs. Deputy Thai Sang Thai leader Anudit Nakorntap confirmed today (Jan.7) Thai Sang Thai MP Thakorn Tanthasit has called it quits as
Read moreUSS Carl Vinson Group now on Philippine port visit
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE UNITED STATES CARRIER STRIKE Group One is currently paying a port visit in the Philippines following joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea. Sailors stationed aboard naval ships of the Carrier Strike Group One, led by Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), are spending a post-New Year
Read moreDead toddler’s dad fuming, paid couple 500 baht a day to take care of his son
THE real father of a two-year and two-month-old boy who a couple claiming to be his adoptive parents said choked to death while eating sticky rice and they then put his body in the refrigerator firmly stated that he did believe his son died from choking and that he sent 500 baht everyday to
Read moreMyanmar armed ethnic groups claim key northern town
By AFP and published by CNA AN ARMED alliance of ethnic minority groups in Myanmar claimed late Friday (Jan. 5) to have captured a northern town notorious for online scam operations in another blow to the embattled junta. The military is facing its biggest threat since seizing power in a 2021 coup after three
Read more3 Thai Sang Thai MPs being quizzed after breaking ranks to vote for budget bill
By Thai Newsroom Reporters A TRIO OF THAI SANG THAI MPs are going to be questioned by their opposition party for ironically casting yea votes for the Pheu Thai-led government’s 2024 budget bill. Thai Sang Thai leader Sudarat Keyurapan confirmed today (Jan.6) that the three “renegade” Thai Sang Thai MPs will be interrogated by
Read morePolice investigating death of toddler found stuffed in fridge
NONTHABURI police questioned the adoptive mother of a two-year-old boy found dead after being wrapped in a blanket then put in a cloth bag and stuffed in a refrigerator with the grandmother having alerted them, Naewna newspaper and Amarin TV said this morning (Jan. 6). The toddler, nicknamed Nong Nai, was found dead in
Read more2024 budget bill smoothly sails through House
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES today (Jan.5) cast an overwhelming approval in principle for the 2024 budget bill. After three long days of floor debate on the budget bill, 311 MPs cast yea votes for the bill whilst 177 others cast nay votes. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to put varied
Read moreOpposition bloc to vote against budget bill in first reading
MOVE Forward Party and opposition leader Chaithawat Tulathon said at press conference at 3 p.m. today (Jan. 5) that the opposition whips had resolved to not vote for the 2024 budget bill, totaling 3.48 trillion baht and accounting for a 9.3% increase from that of last fiscal year. He added that he was confident
Read moreAlmost 100 Myanmar migrant workers found crammed in a single townhouse
SENIOR officials and police in Samut Sakhon province were shocked to find 97 Myanmar migrant workers crammed in a single townhouse after being alerted by nearby residents that two tour buses had dropped off a large number of them this morning (Jan. 5) and all had gone into this small dwelling, Amarin TV said.
Read moreBetong customs officials strictly curbing petrol smuggling
AFTER A wave of criticism on Malaysian social media blasting Thais for crossing the border to buy subsidised petrol in their country, the customs checkpoint at Betong in Yala is now strictly inspecting all vehicles to stop this flow of cheaper oil across the border, Naewna newspaper said this afternoon (Jan. 5). This issue
Read moreWoman rescued after falling down elevator shaft
A WOMAN who fell down an elevator shaft at a building in Soi Sukhumvit 66/1 yesterday (Jan. 4) was safely rescued by Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers, Matichon newspaper said this morning (Jan. 5). A Facebook user had mentioned this accident in a post with accompanying photos. This foundation’s volunteers had rushed to the building with
Read moreMyanmar junta to free 9,652 prisoners on humanitarian grounds – state media
By Reuters and published by Swissinfo.ch MYANMAR’S military government will release 9,652 prisoners, including 114 foreigners, under an amnesty to mark the country’s independence day, state media reported on yesterday (Jan. 4). The Southeast Asian nation has been in turmoil since the military seized power in February 2021, reversing a decade-long democratic experiment, and
Read moreGovt urged to cancel Chinese submarine deal
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE PHEU THAI-LED GOVERNMENT was today (Jan.4) encouraged to cancel the navy’s Chinese submarine purchase deal since the Chinese shipbuilder has already failed to deliver it. During a second day of floor debate on the 2024 budget bill, Move Forward MP Chayapon Sathorndee suggested Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang to entirely
Read more