Rights groups petition Supreme Court for bail reform
Eight human rights and democracy organisations submitted an open letter to the president of the Supreme Court on Thursday asking it to release detained political activists and to review court regulations on bail conditions.
Frenchman claiming police ties nabbed for extortion
A French fugitive has been arrested after allegedly claiming close connections with senior police officers to extort money from many expats in Pattaya.
Online lotto chief charged with overpricing
The embattled chief executive of the Kong Salak Plus online lottery platform reported to police on Thursday to acknowledge charges of selling tickets at more than face value. He denied all charges and accused police of intimidating his clients.
Court issues arrest warrant for ex-DSI chief
The Supreme Court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for Tarit Pengdith, the former head of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), believing he intended to tactically delay court proceedings in a malfeasance case brought against him and three other parties.
Diesel price to fall to B34.50 per litre
Local diesel prices will fall to 34.50 baht a litre later this month as global oil prices ease, but drivers still benefit from a 5-baht excise tax waiver.
No vaping for smokers, no bail for 'extortion' police
Bail denied for six policemen accused of extorting tourists caught with vaping devices, as police crack down on illegal e-cigarettes after learning they’re easy to obtain.
Hong Kong offers 500,000 free flights
Hong Kong is ready to welcome the world back, its leader said on Thursday, as he pitched an offer of 500,000 free flights and positive publicity to resurrect the once-vibrant global hub after three years of Covid-enforced isolation.
SRT to call bids for land near new rail hub
The Transport Ministry expects that bids for the commercial development of land around Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal will be completed this year.
Adani losses top $100bn after fraud claims
MUMBAI: The business empire of under-fire Indian tycoon Gautam Adani has lost more than $100 billion in value over the past week as shares in several firms plunged again on Thursday, a day after the group cancelled a multi-billion-dollar public offering.
Phuket cabbies protest against unregistered competitors
PHUKET: Operators of registered taxis and public transport vehicles on Thursday flexed their muscles to protest against unregistered taxis and outside vehicles providing services on the resort island.
Malaysian graftbusters freeze opposition party’s accounts
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian anti-graft authorities have frozen the bank accounts of an opposition party led by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin amid an investigation that the pro-Malay group said was an attempt to destroy its credibility.
'Extortion' principal: It's not my money
Bangkok school director suspended for allegedly extorting more than 300,000 baht from a supplier of student lunches, while insisting the cash found in his office belonged to someone else.
Russia strikes Ukraine residential building, new offensive warning
KYIV: Rescuers searched for survivors in the rubble of an apartment building in eastern Ukraine on Thursday after a Russian strike destroyed it, as Kyiv said it expected a major offensive on the first anniversary of Moscow's invasion.
Policemen who stopped Taiwanese actress face bribery charges
Six policemen at Huai Khwang station face charges of taking bribes in connection with alleged extortion of a Taiwanese actress’s group at a checkpoint on Jan 4.
Bombs damage two power poles in Pattani
PATTANI: Bombs exploded at two locations in Khok Pho district of this southern border province in the early hours of Thursday, damaging two high-voltage power poles. No casualties were reported.
China lifts SE Asia factories as Europe downturn softens
Asia’s manufacturers are improving at the start of the year as the region becomes more optimistic about the boost from China’s reopening, while activity in the euro area shows the downturn is softening as cost pressures ease.
Late Australian cardinal's funeral sparks Sydney protests
SYDNEY: Protestors confronted mourners with chants of "shame" outside the funeral of controversial top Vatican cardinal George Pell in Sydney on Thursday.
Bitcoin jumps to highest since August in post-fed crypto rally
Bitcoin hit the highest since August as investors interpreted Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments about progress on inflation as a sign that a less harsh monetary policy backdrop lies ahead.
Harmful dust levels in 52 provinces, including Bangkok
Fifty-two out of 76 provinces across Thailand, including Bangkok and its suburbs, were found with harmful levels of PM2.5 dust above the safe limit of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre (mcg/m3), on Thursday morning, the Pollution Control Department (PCD) said.
Rubber farmer income plan gets approval
The government has approved a 7.64-billion-baht income guarantee scheme for rubber farmers for the 2022-23 season, which is operating for the fourth consecutive year.
