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Bangkok Taxi Driver Arrested for Robbing Drunk Passengers
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Quake Hits Bangkok Condo Market: Sales to Plummet to 15-Year Low
Bangkok. File photo for reference only In Bangkok, high-rise buildings are feeling the aftershock of a recent earthquake, with condo buyers' confidence shaken to its core. Damages found in many condos have homeowners worried, causing experts to predict a slump in condo sales and transfers to levels not seen since 2010. Industry professionals are bracing for the worst quarter for condo activity in over a decade. Phattarachai Taweewong from Colliers Thailand reports that potential buyers and existing condo owners are hesitant, impacting sales for high-rise units. Buyers with pending transfers are expected to delay as they assess the post-earthquake safety of buildings. New condo sales in April-June 2025 could hit a new low, following the previous low of 19 billion baht in mid-2024. Looking at supply, 31.4 billion baht worth of condos in Greater Bangkok are scheduled for transfer by mid-2025. This compares to a 33 billion baht transfer scheduled in early 2025, with both numbers well below the peak of 85.9 billion baht seen in late 2024. With a substantial unsold inventory of 458.4 billion baht, the market is flooded with options for wary buyers. However, the silver lining lies in the low-rise housing market. These homes, seen as safer investments, are predicted to see stable or increased sales. Surachet Kongcheep from Cushman & Wakefield notes that confidence in condos will take time to rebuild, and developers are urged to focus on safety reassurances. Comprehensive safety inspections and certifications are critical to restoring trust. Developers may face a wave of cancellations, especially for new transfers. Many are delaying new project launches and marketing efforts until the market stabilises. As the property market navigates these uncertain times, the emphasis remains on building safety and consumer confidence. Based on a story by Bangkok Post -- 2025-04-01 -
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Thailand's Solar Power Leap: Cutting Red Tape for Factory Roofs
File photo courtesy of Wikipedia Thailand's solar scene is heating up as a new government initiative speeds up solar panel installations on factory rooftops. A one-stop service centre aims to eliminate bureaucracy, paving the way for more than 72,000 factories to jump on the solar bandwagon. This collaboration between the Energy, Interior, and Industry ministries, approved on March 27, promises to streamline the permit process, possibly revolutionizing the sector. Naruechon Dhumrongpiyawut, of Gunkul Engineering Plc, claims this could dramatically boost the photovoltaic market and sales of battery energy storage systems (BESS). BESS enables factories to store surplus solar energy, providing power even during low-sunlight hours or selling excess energy, pending approval. The current process requires navigating six state agencies, often delaying solar panel approvals for six months or more. Treerat Sirichantaropas, CEO of New Energy Plus Solutions Co, is optimistic, envisioning more factories leaving behind costly grid power. He foresees increased revenues for his company, following last year's earnings of 200 million baht. Meanwhile, Pattaya City is pushing its green agenda, aiming to become a low-carbon tourism hub. Pattaya's mayor, Poramet Ngampichet, supports solar power and clean energy solutions to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With these forward-thinking initiatives, Thailand may be on the brink of a renewable energy boom, boosting its clean energy profile one factory rooftop at a time. The implications for factories are profound, as they could soon swiftly transition to renewable energy sources, enhancing sustainability across the nation. Based on a story by The Thaiger -- 2025-04-01 -
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Thailand's Earthquake Alert Failure: Senate Slams Govt
Duria, who is searching for his relatives, talks on the phone after reading the sign board of number of people dead and missing after an under-construction high-rise building collapsed in an earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, March, 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) In the wake of Friday's Myanmar earthquake, Thailand's government faces sharp criticism from the Senate for its sluggish response that saw strong tremors barrel through the country. Senator Romsit Wiriyasan catalysed the debate, highlighting the chaos of evacuations, traffic jams obstructing rescue workers, and delayed warning messages as evidence of weak crisis management. His urgent motion aims to prompt a comprehensive Upper House discussion, with recommendations set to follow for governmental and agency improvements. Pol Gen Maj Romsit aired grievances over the absence of a decisive government leader during the crisis. Senator Wutthipong Pongsuwan emphasised the lack of progress in emergency planning since the 2004 tsunami, urging for more regular disaster drills. Furthermore, the senator stressed the necessity of accelerating the 'cell broadcast service' for warning dissemination via mobile phones—improvements seen as crucial to managing future crises. Senator Nantana Nantavaropas drew comparisons to past calamities, bemoaning the repetitive inadequacy of government communication. The collapse of the State Audit Office's new building highlighted structural issues demanding investigation—a point underscored by Sen Premsak Piayura, questioning accountability within state agencies. Following these criticisms, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra convened a crisis meeting on Monday, pulling in major telecom operators like Advanced Info Service and True Corporation. Discussions centered on SMS alerts, exploring their viability as part of a proactive disaster response program. Despite SMS not being a primary alert channel, the PM pushed for improved message reach, with True Corporation's Chakkrit Urairat explaining current dissemination challenges. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation's initial text alert, sent over an hour after the quake, triggered further scrutiny. This message, dispensed to millions in multiple batches, elicited demands for swifter delivery. Looking ahead, PM Paetongtarn called for expanded alert capacity well beyond the current 200,000-user limitation, expecting future solutions to include nationwide cell broadcast advancements by mid-2024. Ultimately, while steps towards refining Thailand’s disaster alert infrastructure are underway, the stir in the Senate underscores national calls for rapid reform and enhanced readiness—a sentiment resonating beyond this latest seismic episode in Myanmar. Based on a story by Bangkok Post -- 2025-04-01 -
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Bangkok Tower Collapse: Watchdog Warned of Sub-Standard Steel
Rescuers work at the site of an under-construction high-rise building that collapsed after an earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, March, 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) In the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, a Bangkok skyscraper has tragically collapsed, claiming at least 11 lives. An anti-corruption watchdog had previously highlighted irregularities in its construction. The Thai government swiftly launched a probe into whether sub-standard materials, particularly steel, were used. Last week's 7.7 magnitude quake, centred in Myanmar, shook neighbouring countries, with the skyscraper, designed for Thailand's State Audit Office, being the sole casualty in Bangkok. Rescuers are urgently searching for 76 individuals feared trapped under the debris of the unfinished 30-storey structure, whose construction began in 2020. The project, a collaboration between Italian Thai Development PCL and China's China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd, faced serious delays. It was originally due for completion by 2026 but was only 30% complete. The watchdog's site inspections during its construction flagged potential corner-cutting, worker shortages, and severe delays, leading the government to consider canceling the contract earlier this year. Finance Minister Akanat Promphan, overseeing the investigation, raised concerns about possible use of sub-standard steel, a suspicion currently under scrutiny. An extensive examination of materials is underway, with initial results expected shortly. In a recent crackdown, the ministry shut down seven steel factories, seizing assets worth approximately 360 million baht. China's Ambassador to Thailand affirmed China's cooperation with the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, experts from Thailand's council of engineers speculated that the disaster might be due to either poor material quality or inadequate planning. The collapse notably contrasts with the stability of other structures in the region, highlighting a significant mystery. The official inquiry into the incident's root cause is expected to deliver findings within a week, as authorities work urgently to understand this architectural tragedy. Based on a story by Bangkok Post -- 2025-04-01 -
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Paetongtarn's asset woes: Scandal plagues PM with new allegations
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra finds herself embroiled in another scandal as allegations surface concerning her spouse’s reported failure to declare all assets. The controversy centres on the failure to report a hefty 1.6 million baht cash profit from corporate shares sold by husband Pitaka Suksawat. This omission could lead to possible legal actions and has already sparked intense media scrutiny. The potential fallout could be severe. A formal petition might soon be lodged with the Constitutional Court to impeach Paetongtarn if these allegations hold water. This echoes the fate of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, who was dethroned due to similar indiscretions. Being the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, her political ties invite additional attention to her administration and its moral standing. Further complicating matters, Paetongtarn faces questioning over an eye-watering 218 million baht in allegedly evaded tax. This figure relates to 4.4 billion baht in corporate share profits supposedly linked to promissory transactions with her family. People’s MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn has urged Thailand's Revenue Department to dive deeper, considering accusations of potential tax evasion strategies attributed to her leadership. As the dust settles, the saga around Paetongtarn’s alleged asset concealments could have larger implications for her political career and public perception. Whether these charges materialise into formal sanctions remains to be seen, yet the ripple effect has undeniably intensified scrutiny over her and her administration. How this impacts her premiership and future leadership credibility will be closely observed by political analysts and the public alike. Based on a story by Thai Newsroom -- 2025-04-01 -
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Marine Le Pen’s Political Future in doubt, verdict rocks French far right
It's a thing for certain politicians in Europe yes, depending on their politics and how much of a threat they are to the establishment. I presume that you are fine with Christine Lagarde facing no punishment at all for a far more significant criminal act than simply mis-assigning aides time to work on party business rather than EU business? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/christine-lagarde-convicted-imf-head-found-guilty-of-negligence-in-fraud-trial-a7484586.html Christine Lagarde convicted: IMF head found guilty of criminal charges over massive government payout But former French finance minister, who faced potentially one year in jail, will not face any punishment
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