All the latest news from Thailand and around the world.
Thailand’s defense budget for fiscal year 2025 shows no initiatives towards military reform and modernization due to the high spending on personnel, which leaves insufficient funding for defense technology, according to members of Parliament who took part in a budget debate over the past week. The Defense Ministry had requested a budget of 200.9 billion
In the heart of Suphan Buri, amidst the emerald rice paddies, a symbol of resilience and tradition stands tall—the towering bamboo fish trap. Following its unexpected collapse in 2021, this iconic structure has now been resurrected, reclaiming its status as a beloved local landmark and a draw for tourists. Restored to its original location, the
On November 7, 2003, the United National Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the Indonesian shadow puppet theatre wayang as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”. Itincludes the flat leather shadow puppet (wayang kulit), the flat wooden puppet (wayang klitik), and the three-dimensional wooden puppet (wayang golek). While the designation
The House of Representatives passed the 3.75 trillion baht budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year in its first reading late Friday night, with 311 votes for, 175 against and two abstentions. The Lower House then formed a 72-member committee to scrutinise the bill. The committee comprises 18 members representing the cabinet and 54 from
A documentary chronicling the short, two-year life of Future Forward Party as a new era for Thai democracy is competing with Hollywood blockbusters and local horror films for cinemagoers’ attention. “Breaking the Cycle” portrays party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit as a democracy hero, aiming to disrupt the vicious circle forged by Thailand’s 13 military coups and the resulting
The first 200 Thais to return to work in Israel’s agricultural sector will leave on Tuesday, Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said yesterday. They are some of about 5,000 who will go to work in the country over the next two or three months, Pipat said. Tel Aviv is seeking to recruit 10,000 foreign workers for
Children under 2, people over 65, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic heart disease, asthma or other lung diseases are urged to get vaccinated against influenza, to reduce the severity of an infection and possibly life-threatening complications. Dr Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director general of the Disease Control Department, said today that, although most influenza cases
Seven universities from Thailand presented an honorary doctorate degree to His Majesty The King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in a ceremony held at the Dungkar Dzong Royal Palace in Paro, Bhutan on June 19. According to local media, Kuensel, the universities’ delegates travelled to Bhutan to present the honorary degree. HM King Jigme Khesar Namgyel
Gelsenkirchen, Germany – Spain secured a spot in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Italy in their heavyweight clash on Thursday, after England struggled to show its credentials in a 1-1 draw with Denmark. Three-time champion Spain got the better of reigning champion Italy at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen
The cabinet has approved a ministerial regulation making the first 600,000 baht of compensation paid to laid-off workers not subject to taxation, increasing the threshold from 300,000, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said today.He said that the revised regulation is in line with the Labour Protection Act and in response to the demands of workers. According
New York, United States – The original watercolor illustration for the first edition of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” — the book that introduced the world to the young bespectacled wizard — will go up for auction in New York on Wednesday. The work by Thomas Taylor, who was just 23 years old in 1997 when
Defying his advanced years, exile and legal status, 87-year-old fugitive former deputy interior minister Vatana Asavahame is still playing an influential role in Thai politics. “The Asavahame family is still a political clan in Thailand,” Vatana declared earlier this month, as the charismatic patriarch urged former deputy agriculture and cooperatives minister Sunthorn Pansaengthong to run
Some companies are starting to hire the elderly. They see the unique strengths these workers have that younger generations might not, and they’re using this valuable experience to help their businesses grow. At the recent “O-Lunla Market #2” event, company representatives offered job opportunities specifically targeted at seniors. All companies recognise the strengths that the
The Interior Ministry has been assigned by the Cabinet to amend the Condominium Act, to increase the foreign ownership limit in a development from 49% to 75%, and to amend the Land Act, to allow foreigners to lease land in Thailand for 99 years, up from the current 50. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on
The prime minister is set to make his debut as a TV host in a show called “Talk with Srettha” this Saturday (June 22) – 10 months after he assumed office in late August. However, Srettha Thavisin is far from the first Thai leader to address the nation in their own television show – a
Yangon – Detained Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is in “good health”, a junta spokesman told AFP on Thursday, a day after the Nobel laureate turned 79 in military custody. Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained by the military since it toppled her government and seized power in 2021, plunging the Southeast
