The cabinet on Tuesday scrapped a plan to create additional holidays next year to promote tourism in Thailand, as ministers fretted about disruption of economic activity.

Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Zarum has reassured Thai business operators that the ban on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm will be lifted in time for the New Year holiday.

Former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn stands by his claim that police make up the largest criminal organisation and rejects the national police office’s defamation complaint against him.

Thick smog reached seriously harmful (red) levels in Bangkok and 12 provinces in the Central Plains and the East on Tuesday morning when most parts of Thailand were shrouded with unsafe levels of air pollution.

The government planning unit is crafting a comprehensive strategy for the "silver economy", a market valued at 2.45 trillion baht and projected to grow significantly as the nation transitions to an aged society.

The Bank of Thailand has proposed the Finance Ministry raise the limit for foreign income repatriation to Thailand, aiming to ease pressure on the baht.

Japanese automakers Isuzu and Toyota have vowed to maintain pickup manufacturing capacity in Thailand and continue purchasing auto parts, despite a sharp decline in domestic sales, aiming to shield parts suppliers from financial strain.

Deadly flooding in the South has had a limited impact on the national economy, with the Bank of Thailand estimating it will reduce national GDP growth by no more than 0.2%.

Phuket is looking to strengthen its standing as a high-quality destination, with projected tourist revenue expected to surpass 500 billion baht this year, says Thanet Tantipiriyakit, president of the Phuket Tourist Association.

Growing discrepancies between the official flood death toll and claims from rescue volunteers have intensified public concern over the true scale of the Hat Yai disaster.