Top National Thailand Stories From the Past Week: Yaowarat Fire and More

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, Monday, July 1st, to Sunday, July 7th, 2024.

They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.

  1. Pol. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn submitted documentation to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to clarify money laundering allegations related to the Tao Poon Police Station and filed a complaint against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin regarding the allegedly unlawful appointment of Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukvimol as the National Police Chief, citing violations under Section 157.

Pol. General Surachate Hakparn Submits Documentation to NACC, Files Complaint Against Thai Prime Minister Over Police Chief Appointment

2. Thai Government spokesperson Chai Watcharong announced the successful outcome of the government’s efforts to boost tourism in the first half of 2024, with over 17.5 million international tourists visiting Thailand and generating more than 825 billion baht in tourism revenue.

Six months roughly remain in 2024.

Thailand Welcomes Over 17.5 Million International Tourists in First Half of 2024

The top five international tourists came from China, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia.

3. Mr. Teera Watcharapranee, the manager of the Stop-Drink Network Thailand, voiced strong concerns regarding the recent approval of the sale of alcoholic beverages on Thai religious holidays at major international airports.

Stop-Drink Network Criticizes Alcohol Sales Approval on Major Religious Holidays at Airports

He emphasized that such measures increase the risk of accidents and fatalities, a concern supported by studies from Dr. Kamnuan Ungchusak, the Chair of the Working Group under the Alcohol Beverage Control Committee, showing a correlation between extended bar hours and higher accident rates.

Tpn Media notes however that people drinking at airports are usually in transit and not operating motor vehicles.

4. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul responded to the Narcotics Control Board’s proposal to reclassify cannabis and hemp as narcotics.

Thai Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul Questions Legal Implications of Cannabis Reclassification, Calls for Clarification

Anutin expressed concerns about the legal implications for community-level cannabis growers and questioned how the Thai government would address the thousands released for cannabis-related offenses in 2022.

5. Phlapphla Chai 2 police received a report of a fire in Soi Yaowarat, Samphanthawong, Bangkok.

Police Investigate Cause of Major Yaowarat Fire, No Injuries

Luckily, there were no injuries.

Thank you and see you next week!

The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The TPN National News, owned by our parent company TPN media.

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Goongnang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for many years and has worked with The Pattaya News for five years. Specializes primarily in local news for Phuket, Pattaya, and also some national news, with emphasis on translation between Thai to English and working as an intermediary between reporters and English-speaking writers. Originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but lives in Phuket and Krabi except when commuting between the three.