Heavy downpours dumping over 130mm of rain across Phuket yesterday triggered flooding, toppled trees and traffic chaos, with authorities working to clear debris and restore drainage systems.
PHUKET: Heavy rain across Phuket caused minor flooding, fallen trees and traffic disruption in several areas yesterday (May 20), with officials continuing cleanup and drainage operations after rainfall totals exceeded 130 millimetres in some parts of the island.
Parliament has approved consideration of a bill to repeal the 1991 Dishonored Checks Act, which currently criminalizes bounced checks and has been criticized for imprisoning people unable to pay debts in violation of Thailand's constitution
On May 21, 2025, Deputy Police General Tawee Sodsong, list MP and leader of the Prachathai Party, announced that Parliament approved on May 20 the consideration of a bill to repeal the Dishonored Checks Act of 1991, establishing an ad hoc committee in its first reading. The law had been pending consideration before the previous parliament was dissolved.
As former Justice Minister, Tawee had proposed the repeal to the Cabinet, which then presented it to Parliament, viewing it as establishing a justice system consistent with Thailand's Constitution, international principles, and economic reality. The core argument is that the 1991 law inappropriately criminalizes civil payment defaults, violating Article 77 of the Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Thailand ratified. The ICCPR explicitly prohibits imprisoning individuals solely for inability to pay contractual debts.
Additionally, the Debt Collection Act of 2015 already penalizes creditors who coerce debtors into writing bad checks, making the 1991 law redundant. Criminologists classify bounced check offenses as mala prohibita (crimes because law forbids them) rather than mala in se (inherently evil crimes), and the current law fails to distinguish between struggling business operators and intentional fraudsters, unfairly criminalizing honest entrepreneurs facing temporary cash flow problems.
The bill includes a transitional provision allowing the Department of Corrections to immediately release inmates convicted solely of bounced check offenses without awaiting court orders, with notification to courts.
Phetchaburi City of GastronomyThe Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phetchaburi Office invites you to experience the charm of the City of Three Flavors—Sour, Salty, and Sweet—a unique culinary a...
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Thailand's commerce minister will attend China's APEC trade meeting in May to advance open trade, digital innovation, and sustainable economic cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Sutheepanthu will participate in the 2025 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting in the People's Republic of China, the host economy for this year's APEC forum, held May 22-23, 2025 in Suzhou, Zhejiang Province, under the theme 'Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.'
Supachee stated that China will host the APEC MRT meeting, a ministerial-level platform within the APEC framework, to drive concrete outcomes across three priorities: 'Openness' to promote transparent, predictable open trade and economic systems at both regional and multilateral levels; 'Innovation' to create trade and investment cooperation mechanisms driven by modern technology and innovation; and 'Cooperation' to strengthen collaboration among APEC economies in tackling economic challenges sustainably.
The 2025 APEC MRT meeting will be a crucial opportunity for Thailand to present its vision and exchange perspectives to advance open, sustainable economic and trade cooperation responsive to new global economic dynamics. Thailand will also present its commitment to digital economic transformation under the National AI Strategy and support trusted cross-border data flows.
During the APEC MRT meeting, discussions will address promoting environment-friendly economics and trade, developing implementable AI governance frameworks, and strengthening capacity of developing economies and MSMEs to support future economic transition. A joint lunch between APEC commerce ministers and Chinese business representatives will provide opportunities to exchange views on digital economy and green energy.
Supachee revealed that Thailand will hold bilateral discussions with key economies including the People's Republic of China and Singapore to advance economic, trade, and investment cooperation, while affirming Thailand's role in supporting open trade systems and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Thailand aims to promote trade facilitation, digital transformation, sustainable trade, and supply chain resilience to enhance economic efficiency and investor confidence under the APEC framework.
APEC comprises 21 member economies: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam. In 2024, Thailand's trade with APEC economies was valued at $494.65 billion, representing 72.24% of Thailand's total trade, with exports worth $237.58 billion and imports worth $257.06 billion.
NAN CREATIVE FLAVORS 2026May 29–31, 2026Phakong Road (In front of Nan National Museum) Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM Discover an incredible selection of food and beverages from over 50 local vendors ac...
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Loy Krathong, Burning Candles, and Playing with Fire Festival in Sukhothai15 Nov - 24 Nov 2026at Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai Don't miss it! The highlight of the Loy Krathong, Burning C...
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People born before 1992 should get blood tests for hepatitis B, a Thai doctor warns, since Thailand's nationwide infant vaccination program only began around that year and many may carry the dormant virus unknowingly. Early detection can pr
On May 21, 2026, Dr. Thatchapong Jongcharoenyannont, a pediatric specialist in respiratory diseases and critical care, posted a warning through his medical education page alerting people born before 1992 to undergo hepatitis B virus blood screening, emphasizing that early detection can help prevent liver cancer.
Dr. Thatchapong explained that Thailand only began implementing nationwide hepatitis B vaccination for newborns seriously around 1992, meaning many people born before that year may never have received the vaccine as infants and could have been infected without knowing it. The critical concern is that hepatitis B virus can remain dormant in the body for decades without any symptoms, with many people only discovering their infection when cirrhosis or liver cancer has already developed.
For anyone born before 1992, particularly those uncertain about their vaccination history or who have never been screened, the doctor recommends getting a blood test screening. Those who test positive can access several effective antiviral medications that help suppress the virus and significantly reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. For those testing negative, hepatitis B vaccination is recommended, as it remains one of the few vaccines worldwide that also helps prevent cancer.
BANGKOK: Nearly three months after a majority of voters endorsed the idea of a new constitution, the political establishment remains divided over how - or whether - genuine constitutional reform should proceed.
BANGKOK: Nearly three months after a majority of voters endorsed the idea of a new constitution, the political establishment remains divided over how - or whether - genuine constitutional reform should proceed.