THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News

In a groundbreaking move to redefine the wealth management landscape in Thailand, SCB WEALTH has joined forces with BlackRock, the unrivaled global powerhouse in asset management. This strategic alliance is set to propel SCB WEALTH to the pinnacle of the industry by opening doors to international investments and equipping clients with the best tools to navigate the ever-evolving economic terrain. The heart of this partnership lies in providing comprehensive investment analysis and insights to shape future-ready strategies. Together, SCB WEALTH and BlackRock will scour the financial universe for innovative opportunities tailored to the aspirations of Thai investors, focusing on long-term returns. But that’s not all; they’re rolling up their sleeves to revamp training programs for Relationship Managers, honing their skills to meet global standards while instilling world-class advisory capabilities. With these collaborative efforts, SCB WEALTH aims to be the crème de la crème of wealth management choices. Their ambition? To…

In the serene setting of Lop Buri province, where the horizon often gleams with the gentle smile of Buddha’s blessings, an unexpected event turned a typical morning at King Narai Hospital into a scene resembling a suspenseful drama. It was not just any day, nor was it a commonplace incident. This day witnessed an unusual disruption that stirred both the community and social media platforms across Thailand. The serenity of the hospital halls was shattered by a rather jarring encounter when a monk, respected for their calm demeanor, suddenly became the central character of a gripping event. The monk in question, a 49-year-old named Thanitthorn, arrived at the hospital for a follow-up appointment concerning his epilepsy, a condition nagging him from his youth. Initially, Thanitthorn displayed the expected composure often observed in those donning the saffron robes. However, this tranquility deceivingly masked the storm brewing just beneath the surface. Without…

In a heart-wrenching twist of events in Thailand’s Samut Prakan province, a domestic incident took a tragic turn, leaving a 34-year-old woman, Rattiya, lifeless and shrouded in a veil of heartbreak and unanswered questions. In an unsettling act of violence, her estranged husband, 43-year-old Chaiwat, pulled the trigger, taking her life in front of their horrified children and Rattiya’s distressed mother. This grim visage of domestic turmoil unfolded as the first rays of today, March 13, barely pierced the dawn sky. In the early hours of the morning, the serenity of Bang Pla Kot subdistrict was shattered as officers from Phra Samut Chedi Police Station raced against time upon receiving the alarming report of a shooting. The scene that greeted them spoke of a violent tempest—the ground floor of the family’s townhouse had become both a silent witness and a grave site. Rattiya lay there, two gunshot wounds marking her…

In a scene that could easily rival a gripping thriller, five Chinese nationals found themselves in the back seat of a pickup truck, under the hot sun of Bang Pa-in district, Ayutthaya. Their adventure, however, took an unexpected turn when local law enforcement swooped in, apprehending them for the clandestine voyage they undertook from Myanmar into Thailand. It was like any other day on Highway 32, traffic humming with life, until something seemed amiss. Pol Maj Gen Kongkrit Lertsitthikul and his team, ever vigilant and with senses finely attuned to the unusual, were on duty. Little did they know that this particular patrol would lead to the capture of five Chinese men who orchestrated an audacious entry into the Kingdom of Thailand. Their choice of crossing? The less-trodden paths of Tak province, evading the watchful eyes of border control. Rewind a bit to Tak’s natural border crossings. These are not…

The whirlwind of discussions around Thailand’s proposed 400 baht minimum wage adjustment appears to be a puzzle yet to be fully pieced together. On this sunny 13th of March, 2025, with the wage board’s tenure wrapping up, Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, the Labour Ministry’s permanent secretary, brings a blend of calm and urgency to a pivotal conversation. His assurances are like comforting balm, promising aims to hit the May 1st target laid down by the labour minister. Yet, for now, that magic number isn’t on today’s list of ‘things to debate’. As the curtain closes on the current wage board’s term, only twelve out of fifteen took their seats at the Labour Ministry yesterday. The absence of three significant members, including two government reps—Akkarut Sontayanon from Finance and Poonpong Nainapakorn from Commerce—and one employer representative, Natthakit Khetrakan, painted the room with missing colors and raised eyebrows. Boonsong, a man with a plan,…

In a remarkable twist of fate, an elderly British couple, who found themselves entangled in a perplexing legal ordeal in Thailand, have narrowly avoided an ominous prison sentence. Instead, they’ve been bestowed with a 9,000 baht fine (£200), providing them a glimmer of hope as they eagerly anticipate their triumphant return to the UK. Their story begins in 2020, amidst the sun-drenched allure of Thailand’s enchanting Thai Riviera, where Des and Mary Byrne had envisioned a tranquil and serene retirement. The couple, originally from Middlesbrough, envisioned a life of blissful retirement in their dream villa, a place they had invested their life savings into. Instead, their idyllic dreams unraveled into a nightmarish saga, as last December, an unexpected ruckus shattered their peace. Des, aged 77, and Mary, 69, discovered their neighbors – a British man and his Thai partner, both adept Thai boxing practitioners – ravaging their garden. Mary’s brother,…

In a sequence that unfolded like a scene straight out of a quirky action-comedy, the usually bustling Bangla Road of Phuket became the backdrop for an unexpected drama. It was the early hours of March 12, when the neon-lit streets of Patong, in Thailand’s Kathu district, were still teeming with tourists and locals soaking up the nightlife. The tale of the night? A brazen dine-and-dash event that escalated into a wild street skirmish, shaking the cobblestones of one of Thailand’s most vibrant locations. Picture this: A tourist, perhaps emboldened by the island’s notorious party vibe, decided to skip out on his meal bill. His vision of an unsolicited free dinner was abruptly halted as a group of local ladyboys, annoyed by his disrespectful behavior, confronted him head-on. It didn’t take long before the cheery street atmosphere turned turbulent. Tourists gathered like moths to a flame, watching as a heated argument…

In a quaint corner of Thailand, nestled in the scenic Ang Thong province, a fascinating tale has emerged that intertwines the somber artistry of casket-making with the hopeful flutter of lottery tickets. In the Saeng Ha district, at a funeral service shop located at house number 173, Village 7, the serendipitous allure of luck manifests itself in an unlikely place—on the lids of exquisitely decorated caskets. Over the years, locals curious about the numbers etched on these sombre pieces have been drawn in like moths to a flame. The heart of this enchanting tale beats inside the shop of Janram Yindee, a spirited 39-year-old whose craft has garnered both reverence and intrigue. Janram, with a warmth in her voice and a twinkle in her eye, shares a curious phenomenon—residents frequently strike lottery gold by using the two and three-digit numbers from the very casket lids she lovingly decorates. These numbers,…

Bangtao Beach in scenic Phuket is known for its golden sands, clear waters, and, recently, some controversy over land use. Recently, hospitality operators received a firm mandate to dismantle any establishments encroaching on the public land, marking a decisive move to preserve the beach’s natural allure and accessibility. A diligent team, spearheaded by the local branch of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), swung into action this past Tuesday. With a mission to reclaim and cleanse public beaches of any unauthorized developments, their efforts were anything but arbitrary. They arrived as part of a unique coalition, which included STRONG Anti-Corruption Network, NACC Region 8, and a handful of other influential bodies like the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), the Phuket Marine Office, the Thalang district office, and the Choeng Thale tambon administrative organisation (TAO). Indeed, a formidable force for what is becoming a much-needed intervention. The operation followed a tip-off from…