Bangkok Riverside

16/01/2025

𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲

On January 14, 2025, Mr. Boonyuen, 66, and his 15-year-old daughter, Ms. Bee (a pseudonym), visited the Justice Recovery Foundation on Chaeng Watthana Road, Nonthaburi. They sought assistance from Lt. Raphatsit Phattarasirichaisin, Deputy Chairman of the Foundation, and Ms. Chadaporn Pongthongmuang, an advisor, after Ms. Bee reported being sexually assaulted by a relative, Mr. Jek, 35, at his residence in Laksi District, Bangkok.

A father and his daughter seek help from a justice foundation after reporting repeated assaults by a relative, highlighting issues in law enforcement response.

16/01/2025

𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is investigating delays surrounding the relocation and modification of 20 Japanese diesel railcars, initially gifted by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). These Kiha 40 and Kiha 48 models, delivered to Thailand in June 2024, remain unused and exposed to the elements at Laem Chabang Station in Chonburi Province. Issues with contract terms have stalled their conversion to fit Thai rail specifications.

15/01/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has announced plans to increase the budget for Thailand’s Universal Healthcare Coverage Scheme (UCS) to 272.58 billion baht for the upcoming fiscal year. This represents a 19.51% rise compared to the current fiscal year’s allocation of 235.84 billion baht, which ends on September 30. The proposed increase aims to support expanded coverage and new policies, but concerns over the scheme’s long-term sustainability and management challenges continue to grow.

Thailand’s Universal Healthcare Scheme plans a 19.51% budget increase to 272.58 billion baht, addressing management challenges, sustainability concerns, and migrant workers' healthcare needs.

15/01/2025

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄𝗶 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗥𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗱

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has announced plans to begin dismantling the Ratchathewi overpass on January 17, 2025, as part of the Orange Line MRT extension project between Bang Khunnon and the Thailand Cultural Centre. The construction, set to take place 24/7 until April 30, 2028, aims to facilitate the new Ratchathewi underground station (OR08) at the intersection of Phetchaburi and Phaya Thai Roads.

Bangkok's Ratchathewi overpass will be dismantled from January 2025 to April 2028 for the MRT Orange Line extension, with traffic management plans in place.

15/01/2025

𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗣𝗠𝟮.𝟱 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀

Schools in Thailand may shift to online classes as PM2.5 fine dust pollution worsens across the country, including in Bangkok, according to the Education Ministry. Teachers have been instructed to monitor students' health closely as air quality deteriorates.

Thailand’s Education Ministry urges online classes and limits outdoor school activities as PM2.5 air pollution worsens in Bangkok and other provinces.

15/01/2025

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗼𝗸 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀

A new cable-stayed bridge spanning the Chao Phraya River, named Thotsamarachan (Rama 10), has temporarily opened to pedestrians, providing an elevated vantage point of Bangkok’s skyline. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views and urban landscape until next Sunday.

Explore Bangkok’s skyline from the Thotsamarachan Bridge, open for pedestrians with food and entertainment until January 28, ahead of its traffic debut.

14/01/2025

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀

Hotels and airlines across Thailand are grappling with mass cancellations from Chinese tour groups ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday. Independent tourist bookings are also slowing, as concerns over safety continue to dampen enthusiasm for travel to the country.

Mass cancellations from Chinese tour groups hit Thailand's tourism and aviation sectors ahead of Chinese New Year due to safety concerns and recent incidents.

14/01/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀

Thailand is taking steps to prepare for the adoption of nuclear power technology as part of its Power Development Plan (PDP) for 2024–2037. The plan, which includes the introduction of small modular reactors (SMRs), is currently delayed due to disagreements among energy experts and concerns raised during a public hearing.

Thailand's energy plan includes nuclear power with SMRs and clean energy goals, but delays arise amid debates over feasibility and carbon reduction targets.

14/01/2025

𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗵𝘂𝗸𝗲𝘁; 𝟯𝟴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲𝗱

On January 13, 2025, a catamaran named "AMERAY 888" began sinking off the coast of Phuket during a day trip to Racha Island. The vessel encountered trouble approximately 1.6 nautical miles north of Koh Racha Yai when a starboard window failed, allowing water to flood the boat.

14/01/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅

The Thai cabinet has granted initial approval for a draft bill to establish an "integrated entertainment complex," as proposed by the Finance Ministry. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the decision, stating the project aims to attract investment, address illegal gambling, and promote sustainable tourism with a focus on societal benefits.

Thailand's cabinet approves a draft bill for an entertainment complex to boost investment and tourism while addressing illegal gambling.

13/01/2025

𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿

Coastal regions of Surat Thani province in southern Thailand are grappling with severe weather conditions, including strong winds and high waves, leading to significant disruptions and damage. In response, local authorities have implemented evacuation plans for residents in high-risk areas.

https://riverside.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/13/surat-thani-coastal-areas-hit-by-severe-weather/

13/01/2025

𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗼𝗸'𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟱%

Bangkok has achieved a significant reduction in traffic congestion, with travel times decreasing by 25% in some of the city's busiest areas over the past two years.

https://riverside.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/13/bangkoks-traffic-congestion-reduced-by-25/

13/01/2025

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀

Firefighters are actively battling wildfires in Khao Kho National Park, Phetchabun province, which have already consumed approximately 1.6 hectares of forest as of January 13, 2025. The fires continue to spread, posing a significant threat to the park's ecosystem.

https://riverside.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/13/firefighters-battle-wildfires-in-thai-national-parks/

13/01/2025

𝗘𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝟱𝟬𝟬𝗸𝗺 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲

A 62-year-old man named Phon embarked on a 500-kilometer journey on foot after being expelled from his residence in Satuek District, Buriram Province, by his wife and stepson. His destination was his hometown in Phon Phisai District, Nong Khai Province.

https://riverside.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/13/elderly-man-walks-500km-after-family-dispute

13/01/2025

𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶: 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀

Severe weather conditions have struck coastal areas in Surat Thani province, with powerful waves causing damage and disruption. In response to the ongoing threats, the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM) and local authorities have put evacuation plans in place for residents in high-risk zones if the conditions worsen.

https://riverside.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/13/severe-weather-hits-surat-thani-coastal-areas-affected-by-strong-winds-and-waves/(opens in a new tab)

13/01/2025

𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗼𝗸 𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗶 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝗴𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

On January 11, a heated argument between a taxi driver and a passenger turned violent in Bangkok’s Silom district, leaving the passenger with a severe facial injury. The altercation escalated when the driver reportedly used a knife to slash the passenger’s face, resulting in a wound over 10 centimeters long, requiring 32 stitches.

https://riverside.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/13/bangkok-taxi-driver-allegedly-attacks-passenger-with-knife-during-argument/(opens in a new tab)

10/01/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻

The Thai government has announced an ambitious infrastructure development plan for 2025-2026, aiming to establish the nation as a regional transport hub. Themed "Driving Transport Policy for Thailand’s Opportunities," the initiative outlines 223 projects for 2025 with a budget allocation of 136.49 billion baht, and 64 projects for 2026 costing 116.96 billion baht. The plan emphasizes improvements in connectivity, safety, and sustainability across various transportation modes.

https://riverside.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/10/thailand-unveils-2025-2026-infrastructure-development-plan/(opens in a new tab)

Thailand announces a 2025-2026 infrastructure plan with 287 projects totaling over 253 billion baht, aiming to become a regional transport hub.

08/01/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀

The recent disappearance of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Thailand has prompted the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to closely monitor its potential impact on the upcoming Chinese New Year travel period. With concerns over tourist safety and organized crime, private operators are urging the government to take swift action to address these issues and ensure the safety of international visitors.

https://riverside.bangkoklocal.info/2025/01/08/thailand-reacts-to-actors-disappearance-amid-chinese-tourism-concerns/(opens in a new tab)

The recent disappearance of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Thailand has prompted the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to closely monitor its potential impact on the upcoming Chinese New Year travel period. With concerns over tourist safety and organized crime, private operators are urging the governm...