News

Thailand’s grassroots network has lashed out at the use of special powers to “fast track” mandatory environmental impact assessments for mega projects.  A network of 46 civic groups, including Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation and the Stop Global Warming Association, issued a statement on 9 March, calling on ...

Nearly 100,000 people have signed a petition organised by nationalist groups against the death penalty verdict given to two Rakhine State natives. Ko Zaw Linn and Ko Wai Phyo were convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of two British backpackers in Thailand in 2014. The ...

Thailand’s Finance Ministry plans to offer 70 billion baht in pre- and post-financing loans for its affordable housing scheme under the Pracha Rat (People’s State) initiative, finance permanent secretary Somchai Sujjapongse said. Of the total, 40 billion baht will be for post-financing and the remaining 30 billion ...

The Thai government is putting drinking water on the special price control list to protect consumers in the face of the drought. Wiboonlasana Ruamraksa, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said authorities were closely monitoring the impact of the drought, which has arrived earlier this year. Keep reading ...

Thailand has stressed its desire to be the manufacturing hub for eco and hybrid vehicles. During his meeting with top executives of Japanese auto makers on 7 March, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said that these cars would pave way for the manufacturing of high-technology electric ...

Far from the bustle of booming Chiang Mai, pockets of poppies are still being cultivated in the remote hills of this northern province, defying years of intensive efforts to eradicate them. Periodically, Thailand’s drug enforcement officials backed by foreign powers sweep through the area, but ...

Thailand’s Treasury Department estimates that investment in each low-rise condominium project with 500 units under the government’s cheap housing scheme will not exceed 250 million baht, its chief says. Each condo unit with a 23-24-square-metre space will cost 500,000 baht, said Chakkrit Parapuntakul, director-general of the Treasury ...

Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly has approved law that bans street beggars but will allow buskers provided they have a licence. The military-appointed assembly approved the Begging Control Act by 178 votes to two with seven abstentions. The law forbids all begging and sets out punishments for anyone who ...

The challenge to press freedom is still of concern this year, said the re-elected president of the Thai Journalists Association on 4 March. Keep reading ...

Brazil will challenge Thailand at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over “subsidies” for sugar producers that it says have dragged down global prices, the Trade Ministry said.  Brazil said the Thai government had given support to cane growers and sugar mills that was inconsistent with international trade ...