Stories from Bangkok · Thailand

Law enforcement authorities have frozen $580 million in cryptocurrency linked to scam networks operating in Southeast Asia.

Thai authorities arrested six suspects in connection with a corruption and fraud investigation. The arrests were carried out following warrants issued by relevant agencies.

A bank has launched support for Thailand's national Thai-QR system to facilitate payments for Russian tourists. This allows travelers to make purchases directly via smartphone using QR codes.

The Thai government has tasked agencies to finalize a new electricity pricing design for residential solar rooftop users by June. The policy aims to promote efficient and economical electricity use from solar energy. The design must comply with existing energy business laws and policies. Officials will present the study results to the Energy Regulatory Commission soon. The mandate includes a mechanism for the state to purchase excess electricity generated by these systems. This measure aims to support the expansion of solar energy usage among households. This decision follows a resolution to facilitate the sale of surplus power back to the grid. The measure aims to support renewable energy production and fundamental energy stability.

A major software upgrade to One UI 8.5 is expected to be released early next month. The update will reportedly include several new features similar to the recent S26 release. The announcement was made during a broadcast in Thailand.

A Buddhist temple in central Thailand was defrocked after testing positive for methamphetamine. Police recovered more than 4 million methamphetamine pills from a car and a monastery.

The Thai government will kick off a nationwide program on May 1 to help citizens access affordable products. The program aims to distribute goods through approximately 946 established points across Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian, with over 100 points already operational. This initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Finance and the National Development Bureau, focusing on distributing goods and supporting producers to ensure timely, quality, and sufficient product supply nationwide. The program aims to make goods accessible near residents' homes, with a focus on consumer products. Producers are encouraged to supply timely, quality, and sufficient quantities of goods. Approximately 946 distribution points have been established across Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian provinces, with over 100 more points being activated.

Thailand is adjusting electricity tariffs due to rising costs of imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) driven by Middle East instability. This initiative is part of a national energy agenda discussed during a cabinet meeting. The plan also includes promoting solar energy usage. The measure covers 23 million households and aims to manage costs for various consumer groups. The adjustment includes a reduction of up to 3 baht for certain segments. The initiative aims to support various social groups during the current period. The price decrease is reported to be up to 20%, with rates not exceeding 3 baht for certain segments. The reduction is intended to alleviate the burden of high electricity costs for citizens. The government is also managing a 200 billion baht budget related to energy and subsidies. The announcement follows information released by the Thai government.

The Thai government is evaluating the development of a new western port to facilitate cargo exports. This project aims to reduce congestion and pressure on the existing Laem Chabang port. Officials noted that establishing this western port would provide benefits to the country's logistics and trade capabilities. The move is intended to streamline the movement of goods out of the Laem Chabang area. The potential benefits of the new port include increased industrial capacity and improved economic efficiency for the country.

Diesel costs in Thailand have risen above 50 baht per liter, which is approximately 1.41 USD. This price represents nearly double the cost paid by many trawlers at the start of the year. Each fishing trip consumes up to 1,000 liters of fuel. Larger trawlers traveling hundreds of kilometers offshore often stay at sea for weeks. Reportedly, trawlers are not allowed to travel to sea half of the time. Diesel prices for fishing trawlers in Thailand have nearly doubled compared to the start of the year, reaching approximately 27 Thai baht per liter. The price surge follows the start of the war in Iran. Rising fuel prices are impacting the entire supply chain of Thailand's multi-billion dollar fishery industry.