AN INTERNATIONAL non-profit organisation has added Thailand to its watchlist of countries experiencing rapid declines in civic freedoms on alleged grounds of targeting of activists, critics and the opposition by the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Thailand is now among 50 countries rated “Repressed” by Civicus Monitor. This rating is typically given to
Month: July 2024
Move Forward urges people to judge whether senate ‘necessary’ any longer
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE MOVE FORWARD has repeatedly called on the people to consider and judge whether it may be “necessary” for Thailand to have the Senate any longer. Move Forward spokesperson/MP Parit Wacharasindhu today (July 9) suggested the people nationwide to decide for themselves whether it may be ultimately necessary for the
Read moreSix-year jail sentence upheld for bribe-seeking ex-Pheu Thai MP
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE SUPREME COURT today (July 9) upheld an earlier court verdict to sentence former Pheu Thai MP Anurak Tangpanithanon to six years in prison due to a five-million-baht payoff which he had unsuccessfully solicited from a senior government official. Supreme Court judges finally ruled the former Pheu Thai MP of
Read moreCentral bank head says 3% potential growth rate not high enough
By Reuters and published by CNA THAILAND needs stronger economic growth as the current potential growth rate of about 3 percent is not high enough to help the economy expand sustainably in the long term, the central bank governor said today (July 9). The potential growth rate can be raised by structural reforms, Bank
Read moreMarijuana demonstration in front of Govt House
A NETWORK opposing the Pheu Thai-led government’s move to relist marijuana as a narcotic by the end of this year held a demonstration in front of the Government House yesterday afternoon and submitted a proposal that a joint study be conducted on this step, Naewna newspaper said this morning (July 9). At 1.30 p.m.
Read moreSuthin cannot confirm if Chinese submarine deal will get cabinet green light soon
By Thai Newsroom Reporters DEFENCE MINISTER SUTHIN Khlangsang said today (July 8) he was uncertain whether the navy’s Chinese-built submarine purchase plan will pass final approval of the cabinet of ministers as soon as some time this month. According to the Pheu Thai-attached defence minister, whether the navy’s plan to purchase the Yuan-class S26T
Read moreMany hurt as trailer-truck slams into 10 vehicles at red light
A TRAILER-TRUCK running along a road in Chaiyaphum lost control after a sedan cut in front without giving a signal and slammed into 10 vehicles waiting at a red light on the other side injuring many people this afternoon (July 8), Naewna newspaper said. At 4.52 p.m. Pol. Lt. Col.Thitipat Khamransi, superintendent for investigation
Read moreWarning not to click Phuket shooting spam message
THE Facebook page “Phuket Info Center” posted a warning to not click a spam message that many people have been killed in a shooting incident on the tourist island, Naewna newspaper said this evening (July 8). The page operators warned that this urgent message is being spread to trick people into clicking the link
Read moreAdministrative Court asked to delay ratification of all 200 senators-designate
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE ADMINISTRATIVE COURT was today (July 8) petitioned to indefinitely delay an official ratification of all 200 senators-designate, pending a sought-after probe by the Election Commission into alleged bloc-vote riggings and electoral irregularities. Defeated senatorial contestant Chakrapong Khongpanya today submitted the complaint to the Administrative Court in pursuit of an
Read moreAerothai increasing capacity to receive 2 million fights a year by 2038
IN KEEPING with the goal of turning Thailand into an aviation hub and handle increased number of Chinese tourists Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd (Aerothai) is moving to double handling capacity as it is expected that there will be a huge jump to 2 million fights a year landing here by 2038, Thai Rath
Read moreFrench vote gives leftists most seats over far right, but leaves hung parliament and deadlock
By AP and published by Yahoo!News Paris – A coalition of the French left won the most seats in high-stakes legislative elections, according to final results early Monday (July 8), beating back a far-right surge but failing to win a majority. The outcome left France facing the stunning prospect of a hung parliament and
Read moreChopper joins hunt for Thai tourist missing on mountain
NEARLY a hundred national park officials and policemen who are searching for a Thai man missing on Phu Soi Dao mountain at Phu Soi Dao National Park, Uttaradit, since last Thursday (July 4) got help from helicopter sent by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in continuing to hunt for him, Naewna newspaper said
Read moreStill unclear where Chinatown fire started with 60 houses likely gutted
FORENSIC Police started investigating last night’s huge inferno at Trok Pho community on Yaowarat road but as yet are unable to determine exactly where it started amid difficult conditions with water still being sprayed at some spots to prevent the fire from reigniting, Thai Rath newspaper said this afternoon (July 7). It is as
Read moreHearsay of Chinese submarine being sold to Indonesia not Thailand refuted
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE THAI NAVY has categorically dismissed hearsay that China has finally planned to build and sell a troublesome submarine to Indonesia in lieu of Thailand. Assistant navy chief Adm Chonlathit Navanukroh confirmed over the weekend the Yuan-class S26T submarine currently manufactured by China’s Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co will undoubtedly
Read moreAll 200 senators-designate to be ratified in a week: Somchai
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE ELECTION COMMISSION will likely ratify all 200 senators-designate within a week from now, said former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn today (July 6). Somchai suggested the Election Commission to not drag their feet too long to delay an official ratification of the senators-designate as well as 100 others in reserve
Read moreWoman contested senatorial race in Buriram without signing her name: Nipit
By Thai Newsroom Reporters IN WHAT WAS SEEN as a sheer electoral irregularity, a woman farmer had been allegedly hired by a politically-associated wheeler-dealer to contest the senatorial election without signing her name on the application form and been elected at the district and provincial stages in Buriram. Former Democrat MP Nipit Intharasombat today
Read morePopular Russian DJ arrested on Koh Phangan for injuring motorcyclist in traffic accident
A WELL-KNOWN Russian DJ was arrested on Koh Phangan yesterday (July 5) on charges of seriously injuring a motorcyclist in a traffic accident on Koh Samui last year, Naewna newspaper said this morning. Pol. Gen. Saksira Phuek-am, chief of Tourist Police Bureau, ordered his team on Koh Phangan to arrested Mr. Vigen Atoyan, 36,
Read moreBig lot of meth pills laced with sodium cyanide seized at border
IN A shocking discovery it was found that over 400,000 methamphetamine pills seized by a Thai navy team supported by some soldiers had been mixed with sodium cyanide turning them lethal as people who take them either get addicted or die, Naewna newspaper said this morning (July 6). Sodium cyanide is a poisonous compound
Read morePolling agency urged to cancel senatorial race over alleged Buriram ploys
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE ELECTION COMMISSION was today (July 5) urged to declare last month’s senatorial election “null and void” primarily due to alleged preplanned electoral riggings which had seen as many as 14 Buriram-based contestants elected. Defeated senatorial contender Patrapong Supaksa filed a formal complaint to the Election Commission today, calling for
Read morePublic warned not to click scam message with PM’s photo attached
THE government urged the public to not click any scam text messages with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s photo attached asking them to check their rights and the conditions for obtaining the much-heralded, yet-delayed populist handout of 10,000 baht digital wallet because doing so will enable scammers to lock their mobile phones and drain all
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