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Posts published by “Editorial Team”

Invasive Blackchin Tilapia Crisis: BioThai Foundation Demands Accountability from CPF

In a fervent call to action, civil society groups are urging the government to immediately pinpoint those responsible for the proliferation of blackchin tilapia—a ravenous invasive species wreaking havoc on indigenous aquatic life. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Withoon Lienchamroon, director of the BioThai Foundation, criticized the authorities’ inaction during a seminar titled “Natural Disaster from Blackchin Tilapia,” organized by the foundation and its partners. Withoon recounted a pivotal moment back in 2010 when Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) imported 2,000 blackchin tilapia from Ghana for research and development at their breeding center in tambon Yisan of Amphawa district, Samut Songkhram province. Although CPF assured that all imported fish had perished within three weeks, sightings of these fish were reported just two years later in Khlong Don Chan, Khlong Luang, and Khlong Somboon, near the breeding center. Now, the voracious blackchin tilapia has spread its fins across 17 provinces, from…

Unpaid Wage Crisis at Thai Oil Refinery: Sinopec Owes Workers 134 Million Baht

The Labour Ministry has stepped in, urging a swift resolution to the unpaid wage crisis that has driven hundreds of workers to the streets in front of Thai Oil’s refinery in Chon Buri since Wednesday. The protest, led by employees of Sinopec Engineering Group (Thailand) Co Ltd, comes after a grueling wait since May for their overdue salaries. In a scene that has rattled the local authorities, officials from a slew of agencies in Chon Buri, including the Department of Provincial Administration office in Sri Racha district, Laem Chabang Police Station, the Labour Protection and Welfare Office, and the Provincial Social Security Office are keeping a close watch. Labour Ministry spokesman Phumiphat Mueanchan disclosed that Sinopec owes a staggering 134 million baht to its 1,000 beleaguered employees, attributing the delay to missed payments from its multinational unincorporated joint venture (UJV) partners, Petrofac, Saipem, and Samsung. The plot thickens as the…

Controversial Senate Poll Highlights Political Affiliations and Election Commission Challenges in Thailand

The three-tier Senate poll has emerged as one of the most intricate and problem-laden races in recent memory, drawing a slew of complaints against both the candidates and the Election Commission (EC). The election, which spanned different days and progressively transitioned from district to provincial and national rounds, was mired in controversy from the get-go. Analysts had long predicted this chaos, and they were not disappointed. The country’s inaugural experiment with intra- and inter-professional group Senate polls exposed numerous technical loopholes, careless mistakes, and rampant abuses. Political affiliation stood as one of the core issues driving the wave of complaints lodged with the EC. The notion of political parties covertly lobbying and maneuvering to secure upper House seats was no mere speculation. In reality, many candidates, whether victorious or not, had affiliations with political parties or groups. Post-election reports indicated that numerous winners could not genuinely claim independence as required…

Thailand Champions Dialogue at 57th Asean Ministerial Meeting to Address Myanmar Crisis

In an increasingly interconnected Southeast Asian landscape, Thailand has firmly reiterated its commitment to mitigating the crisis in Myanmar. During the 57th Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM), held from July 23 to 27 in the bustling city of Vientiane, Laos, Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, eloquently expressed the nation’s readiness to facilitate constructive dialogues among stakeholders. Addressing a myriad of regional leaders and diplomats, Mr. Maris emphasized that integrated efforts—marked by open and constructive talks—are paramount in tackling the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. He made a compelling case for discussions that encompass all key stakeholders, especially those nations sharing borders with Myanmar. Furthermore, he advocated for the inclusion of the Asean Troika, Asean Troika Plus, and special envoys in these dialogues. “We believe that through integration and inclusive dialogue, various parties can gain a better understanding of each other’s limitations and expectations,” Mr. Maris noted. “This harmonized approach is…

Chiang Rai Police Crack Down on Labubu-Shaped Ecstasy Pills at Karaoke Bar

In a bizarre twist in the world of illicit drugs, a new generation of ecstasy pills featuring the whimsical Labubu cartoon character has hit the streets of Chiang Rai, giving law enforcement a run for their money. The saga unfolded when police officers raided a karaoke bar on Sanambin Road in tambon Bandu, located in Chiang Rai’s Muang district, after it was found operating beyond the legal hours on Thursday night. As the officers descended upon the scene, they discovered six men lounging around with four teenage girls, none of whom were over the age of 18. But the real shocker came when they found two of the men in possession of a variety of illicit substances, including five ecstasy pills marked with the image of the popular Labubu toy, looking deceptively like candies. The suspects, wide-eyed and perhaps feeling the effects of their stash, revealed they had paid 800…

Anticipation Builds for Phu Phra Bat Historical Park’s Unesco World Heritage Status

A tourist eagerly snaps photos of the mesmerizing Hor Nang Usa rock formation in the Phu Phra Bat Historical Park, located in the captivating province of Udon Thani. Anticipation is high as the park stands on the brink of becoming a Unesco World Heritage site this Saturday, as hinted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. All eyes and hopes are on this stunning historical treasure. According to Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, the Phu Phra Bat Historical Park is expected to be inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage site in the cultural category. Minister Phatcharavat, leading the national committee for world heritage protection, revealed that the Thai delegation attending the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in India had indicated a positive decision could be imminent. Representatives from the Fine Arts Department are part of this crucial session, which continues through Wednesday. “I’m urging the Thai public…

New Anti-Bribery Bill by Wissanu Krea-ngam Aims to Revolutionize Thai Public Services

(Photo by Kiwiev via Wikimedia Commons) A groundbreaking new bill is in the pipeline, aimed at streamlining licensing and establishing robust standards for government services. This promising legislative instrument is touted to significantly curb bribery and graft within the public sector, according to Wissanu Krea-ngam, the prime minister’s astute legal adviser. During a special lecture on the importance of preventing corruption in the public sector amidst the era of digital disruption, Mr. Wissanu revealed thrilling insights into this visionary bill. This new bill is essentially an upgraded version of the 2015 Licensing Facilitation Act (LFA), which previously focused solely on the licence application and approval process. Intriguingly, this latest iteration, currently under the sharp scrutiny of the Council of State, widens its scope to encompass the application processes for essential public utilities such as electricity and water services. In a sweeping move towards transparency, state agencies will be mandated to…

Top 10 Most Popular Stocks of All Time: A Guide for Investors

In today’s dynamic stock market landscape, some names have become pillars, consistently attracting the interest of both investors and traders. These companies are not just leaders in their respective industries but have also become synonymous with the concept of investing itself. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or just starting to learn the stock market, understanding what makes a stock “popular” and knowing which ones have stood the test of time can be invaluable. In this article, we’ll explore the most popular stocks of all time, from tech giants like AAPL and TSLA to market staples such as AMZN and MSFT. Defining Popular Stocks Popular stocks are those that exhibit high liquidity, consistent investor interest, and a significant impact on their respective sectors and the overall market. These stocks often belong to companies with strong fundamentals, innovative products or services, and a solid growth trajectory. They’re not just the most traded…

House Committee Divided Over Inclusion of Lese-Majeste Offences in Amnesty Bill: Pheu Thai’s Chusak Sirinil Reports

The House committee tasked with studying the amnesty bill has completed its review without reaching a consensus on whether to include offences covered under Section 112, the lese-majeste law, and Section 110 of the Criminal Code. Pheu Thai MP and committee chairman, Chusak Sirinil, announced that the panel has endorsed a report which will be submitted to the House for further deliberation. The committee arrived at resolutions on three significant issues related to the amnesty proposal, according to him. To start, the committee concurred that the amnesty bill would encompass cases involving politically motivated offences committed from 2005 onwards. A dedicated committee will be established to scrutinize the cases, and a list of qualifying offences will be curated for their review. “The essence of the matter is that the cases must be politically driven, and we’ll compile a list of such cases that qualify,” Chusak explained. Moreover, the committee determined…

Social Activist Gun Jompalang Aids Abuse Survivor Kong in Nakhon Ratchasima

Activist Guntouch “Gun Jompalang” Pongpaiboonwet (right) accompanies the abuse victim to file a complaint against his employers at the Non Thai district police station in Nakhon Ratchasima on Friday. (Photo: Gun Chompalang Facebook) In the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, a tale of torment and resilience emerged, as a man, identified only as Kong, 38, was finally rescued after enduring two years of harrowing abuse at the hands of his employers. The duo, a husband and wife, made Kong’s life a living nightmare simply for failing to meet their demanding sales targets. On Friday, a beacon of hope shone on Kong’s path as social media crusader, Guntouch Pongpaiboonwet, famously known as Gun Jompalang, escorted him to the Non Thai district police station to make a stand against his tormentors. The sight of Kong was heart-wrenching; injuries marred his body, but it was the welts on his buttocks, now infected, that revealed…