PHUKET: Phuket will host a three-day sustainable tourism festival next week as part of a wider initiative to connect the five Andaman provinces and promote tourism linked to conservation and local communities.
PHUKET: Phuket will host a three-day sustainable tourism festival next week as part of a wider initiative to connect the five Andaman provinces and promote tourism linked to conservation and local communities.
A probe into a local government exam cheating scandal has implicated lower-ranking officials and some politicians, with investigators tracing a financial trail of approximately 9 billion baht through witness statements.
On August 21, Asapol Sannittripath, Sisaket House member and chair of the anti-corruption committee, revealed that a committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nillpraphand has examined the local government exam cheating scandal. The National Anti-Corruption Commission reported that preliminary findings implicate officials at rank 10 and below, with no involvement above that level. At director-general level, involvement traces back to the drafting stage of the terms of reference. Among politicians, only local government officials are implicated so far.
Based on witness statements from over 500 of some 5,000 people questioned, investigators identified a financial trail of approximately 9 billion baht. Asapol confirmed that former director-general Narucha Kotsawilaichit and another former director-general before Thirot Suphavibul of the Department of Local Administration are named. Regarding politicians, Asapol said no specific names were provided and the committee would need to request details directly from Pakorn.
Asapol also clarified the Burapha University case from 2564, where a local administrator arrest led to cancellation of the original terms of reference. When the university was asked to draft new terms, it claimed unfamiliarity and failed to submit a bid. He noted the fraud connects to the 2565 local administrator exam at Kasetsart University, where five of eleven candidates from Bang Yai were implicated in cheating. Regarding Sisaket province, Asapol confirmed DSI has already filed 19 cases where payment was made but funds could not be recovered.
Thailand's trade department met with major livestock and poultry producers to balance rising pork, chicken, and egg prices with consumer affordability. Pork prices have climbed to 72-74 baht per kilogram due to lower output, while broiler c
The Department of Internal Trade held discussions with national pig, broiler chicken, and layer chicken farmers' associations—including the National Swine Raisers Association, Broiler Chicken Raisers Association, Broiler Chicken Producers Association for Export, Layer Chicken Raisers Association, Southern Layer Chicken Raisers Association, Central Small-Scale Layer Chicken Traders Association, and egg-farming cooperatives in Chachoengsao, the Mae Khlong River basin, and Chiang Mai-Lampang—along with major producers CPF, Betagro, Thai Foods, Suroboonthaifarm, Cargill Meats, VCF Group, and SPM to monitor production and trade conditions and discuss price-management strategies that balance producers' interests without harming consumers.
Farm-gate pork prices have risen to 72–74 baht per kilogram, up from the previous month due to slightly lower output. Prices are 1–2 baht above production costs, allowing farmers viable income. Pork prices are expected to hold steady until mid-September, after which they may soften as October brings vegetarian festival season, when pork demand traditionally drops.
Broiler chicken production, which declined due to weather damage and reduced capacity from higher production costs, is beginning to recover. Damage is lessening and farmers are increasing stocking rates, so output is expected to return to normal by mid-September. Layer chicken egg supply is currently adequate and steady, with plans to boost supply after extending the productive lifespan of laying hens.
Rescue teams recovered a male body floating in floodwaters in Tha Wang Pha District, Nan Province on August 21; the unidentified victim, estimated between 40 and 50 years old, was swept away by flood currents.
A male body has been recovered floating in floodwaters in Tha Wang Pha District, Nan Province. On August 21, 2025, the Petchkesum Foundation posted an update on Facebook regarding the flooding situation in Nan Province, confirming the discovery of a male body in the district. Following reports from residents to the Petchkesum Foundation's disaster response team, water rescue personnel investigated and successfully recovered the body from the river. The deceased is a male estimated to be between 40 and 50 years old who was swept along by floodwaters in Tha Wang Pha District. Rescue teams are currently coordinating with police and on-duty medical examiners to conduct an autopsy for identification and to locate the victim's relatives. The Petchkesum Foundation expressed its deepest condolences.
PHUKET: Young musicians from Phuket are making their mark on the international stage, with a 5-year-old rock singer winning an Asian championship in Tokyo and a 12-year-old drummer earning a place in a continental competition in Taiwan.
PHUKET: Young musicians from Phuket are making their mark on the international stage, with a 5-year-old rock singer winning an Asian championship in Tokyo and a 12-year-old drummer earning a place in a continental competition in Taiwan.
Thai hotels face a double crisis as foreign visitor numbers dropped 7.2 percent in 2024 while banks tightened credit, leaving many operators unable to expand or refinance. Industry leaders recommend low-cost operational improvements like re
Ray Matsuda, CEO of Coco Global Hospitality, warns that Thai hotels face simultaneous pressure from sluggish tourist arrivals and stricter credit access, making it impossible for operators to rely on market recovery alone. Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported 32.9 million foreign visitors in 2024, a 7.2 percent decline from 2023 and still below pre-pandemic levels, with Q1 2025 showing a 2.4 percent drop year-on-year. On the financing side, commercial bank lending for property development projects fell roughly 20 percent by year-end 2024, with financial institutions focusing on large established operators, making access to credit harder for new and independent hotel owners.
The 2026 Thailand Hotel Investment Guide, prepared jointly by C9 Hotelworks and Watson Farley & Williams, shows current lending criteria set loan-to-value ratios at 50-60 percent and debt service coverage ratios of 1.2 times for new projects and 1.4-1.5 times for operating properties, constraining expansion and capital raising for many operators. Matsuda reframes the crisis: the key question is not "when will the market recover" but "what can operators do while waiting." He draws on the Matsushita Electric (now Panasonic) example from the 1929 Great Depression, when founder Konosuke Matsushita maintained full wages, cut production in half, and had workers clear inventory within two months instead of laying anyone off.
Matsuda proposes three no-capex strategies for Thai hotel operators: (1) sophisticated revenue management tailored to day-of-week, season, local events, and competitor moves—not just price cuts; (2) boosting online review scores; and (3) daily Kaizen continuous improvement. These require no major capital outlay and can be implemented immediately to strengthen operations during the downturn.
PHUKET: Phuket authorities have inspected construction projects and reviewed land and waterway issues following complaints and permit applications across the province.
PHUKET: Phuket authorities have inspected construction projects and reviewed land and waterway issues following complaints and permit applications across the province.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over the fourth SME Provincial Champions Awards ceremony, honoring 77 entrepreneurs from all provinces for advancing micro-enterprise development and strengthening Thailand's grassroots economy th
Prince of Songkhla University and the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion are advancing micro-enterprise development nationwide through the fourth SME Provincial Champions Awards program, designed to identify and elevate promising entrepreneurs from all 77 provinces into management and business development exemplars that strengthen grassroots economy sustainably.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over the fourth SME Provincial Champions Awards ceremony, held as part of the 18th National SME Awards at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok, with Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthammaphand also in attendance.
The fourth SME Provincial Champions Awards is a joint initiative between the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion and Prince of Songkhla University to expand development opportunities for promising micro-enterprises at the provincial level, raising management standards, strengthening competitive capacity, and preparing businesses for global changes emphasizing sustainable growth, digital transformation, and market expansion.
This year, 77 entrepreneurs won the SME Provincial Champions Awards, representing all 77 provinces nationwide, reflecting the program's commitment to distributing development opportunities broadly across regions. An additional 12 special awards were presented, including the Seven Pillars of Excellence recognizing excellence in seven areas, and Sectoral Grand Champions across four industry groups: manufacturing, services, retail and commerce, and agriculture.
The program extends beyond award selection to establish systematic business development processes. Participating entrepreneurs receive business health checks, management training, in-depth consulting, peer learning from successful exemplars, study visits to thriving enterprises, e-catalog development, and networking with partners. This approach identifies business strengths and limitations, then charts efficiency improvements and growth to enable genuine competitive advantage, particularly for micro-enterprises at provincial level that drive local job creation, income generation, and economic circulation.
Ten selected participants will also have opportunities for international business exposure visits, applying knowledge and experience to business development while opening pathways to global market connections.
Prime Minister Anutin stated that SMEs are critical to Thailand's economic foundation, creating jobs, generating income, and distributing economic opportunities across the country. Amid global economic shifts, digital technology, changing business models, and sustainability challenges, entrepreneurs must boost productivity, add value, innovate, and improve market and capital access.
The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion aims to make the National SME Awards and Provincial SME Champions Awards catalysts for driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Thailand and New Zealand elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership, aiming to triple bilateral trade to $7.5 billion by 2045 and restore direct flights between Bangkok and Auckland by March 2027.
Thailand and New Zealand have elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership, setting a target to triple bilateral trade to US$7.5 billion by 2045 and supporting plans to restore direct flights between Bangkok and Auckland in March 2027.
Government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made the announcement after full bilateral talks at Government House in Wellington, held during Anutin's official visit marking 70 years of diplomatic relations.
The two leaders signed a Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership, raising Thailand-New Zealand ties to a higher level. They also agreed on the Thailand-New Zealand Joint Plan of Action 2026-2030 as a framework for implementing the partnership.
The plan focuses on four pillars: political and security cooperation, including action against transnational crime, online scams and human trafficking; economic, trade and innovation cooperation with priorities in innovation, food and energy security, the green economy, sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation; education, culture and people-to-people ties including skills development and capacity-building; and regional and multilateral cooperation through Mekong frameworks, ASEAN-led mechanisms, APEC and other international forums.
Both sides aim to triple bilateral trade to US$7.5 billion by 2045 and plan to develop a Closer Economic Partnership to create new opportunities for businesses and people in both countries. Anutin noted that senior Thai business representatives joined the visit and met with New Zealand officials and businesses, opening cooperation opportunities in new sectors.
Following the joint press conference, the two leaders witnessed the signing of four cooperation documents: a cultural cooperation agreement; a memorandum of understanding between Thailand's Office of the Civil Service Commission and Education New Zealand; an information-sharing and partnership agreement between the Royal Thai Police and New Zealand Police; and a private-sector memorandum between Chata Instruments Company Limited and Aeroqual Limited.
Anutin also sought New Zealand's support for Thailand's bid to join the OECD, which Luxon said New Zealand would fully support. Thai Airways is planning to resume direct Bangkok-Auckland services in March 2027, with Anutin saying he would seek to bring forward the target date to support tourism, trade, investment, education and people-to-people exchanges.
A deputy mayor and her husband were found dead from gunshot wounds in their Phetchabun home early Thursday, with police investigating whether it was a murder-suicide or related to personal disputes.
A deputy mayor of a subdistrict administrative organisation and her husband were found dead from gunshot wounds in their bedroom in Lom Sak district early on Thursday, with police investigating the circumstances.
At about 02:00 on 21 August, police were notified of a shooting that left two people dead at a house in Pak Chong Subdistrict, Lom Sak district. Police and an on-duty doctor from Lom Sak Hospital attended the scene.
The two-storey wooden house had the incident on the first floor, where the bedroom was located. Police found the body of Sudjai, 44, lying dead on a folding chair. Nearby, her husband Yongyut, 47, was found dead on the bedroom floor. A semi-automatic handgun was found near the scene.
Police initially suspected that Yongyut may have shot Sudjai before using the firearm on himself. However, investigators will collect physical and forensic evidence to establish the exact circumstances and cause of death.
Sudjai was serving as deputy mayor of Pak Chong Subdistrict Administrative Organisation in Lom Sak district. She had also been acting as the organisation's mayor while Mayor Siriyaphorn Mee Saeng was suspended from duty by the Election Commission.
Police said they had so far found no indication that the deaths were connected to local political issues. A personal matter was considered a possible motive, but investigators will question witnesses and examine surrounding evidence to determine what happened and why.
PHUKET: Phuket authorities have inspected at least four shooting ranges since ordering province-wide checks following a fatal shooting at a range in Nonthaburi, but have yet to publicly report any infringements or irregularities.
PHUKET: Phuket authorities have inspected at least four shooting ranges since ordering province-wide checks following a fatal shooting at a range in Nonthaburi, but have yet to publicly report any infringements or irregularities.