In a dramatic twist worthy of a maritime melodrama, the saga of the missing oil-smuggling ships has gripped the nation. Picture this: a marine police boat valiantly escorting three elusive vessels back to the Port of Songkhla after they vanished into thin air earlier this week. Yes, according to Assawin Pakkawan, the ships, brimming with a whopping 330,000 liters of contraband oil, had briefly evaded capture. The plot thickens with an ongoing investigation that reads like a crime thriller. A leaked chat has unveiled unsavory connections between some police officers and the sly mastermind of this oil-smuggling operation. The three errant ships, seized on March 19, had been idling at the marine police pier in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district with two other seized vessels, waiting for justice to catch up with them. On the day of the seizure, 28 crew members were apprehended, charged with smuggling, and then released on…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community, a couple from Buri Ram has been handed severe prison sentences for their heinous attack on a high school student. The perpetrators, 21-year-old Jetsadaporn and his 25-year-old wife, Angkana, will spend 35 and 25 years in prison respectively for their roles in a vicious acid attack that nearly claimed the life of 18-year-old Natthikarn “Aum” Khairum. The harrowing incident unfolded on the evening of August 27 last year as Natthikarn was enjoying a meal with her family in a restaurant located in Buri Ram’s Nang Rong district. Without warning, the young couple doused her with a horrifying, acidic liquid, causing life-altering injuries. Natthikarn lost her left ear and came perilously close to losing sight in her left eye, requiring four months of intense medical treatment. This violent eruption of rage did not spare the innocent bystanders; Natthikarn’s grandmother and uncle,…
The Art Institute of Chicago has taken a commendable step by deciding to return a 900-year-old artifact to its rightful home from where it was once taken. The ancient relic, originating from the Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buri Ram, will soon be back under the stewardship of Thailand’s Fine Arts Department (FAD). Imagine discovering that an ancient piece of history, thought lost, is finally on its way back home. A director-general of the FAD, Phanombut Chantarachot, shared this exciting news on Wednesday, revealing that the US institute has expressed its deep intention to return a precious fragment of a pilaster. This artifact, which wonderfully depicts the Hindu deity Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana, dates all the way back to the 12th-century. The fragment’s storied journey began long before its trip to the United States. Research conducted by the Office of National Museums concluded that this piece was originally part of…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently stepped up to defend the ambitious 3.75-trillion-baht budget bill for Thailand’s 2025 fiscal year, designed to revitalize the country’s lethargic economy. As the House of Representatives launched into a trio of debate days, Mr. Srettha eloquently described how this hefty budget is poised to unlock Thailand’s full economic potential. Ever the optimist, Mr. Srettha projected a sprightly economic growth of 2.5% to 3.5% by 2025, with inflation kept in check between 0.7% and 1.7%. He touted the government’s “Ignite Thailand” vision, a strategic roadmap to morph Thailand into a regional powerhouse across eight pivotal sectors: aviation, tourism, wellness and medical, agriculture and food, logistics, future mobility, digital economy, and finance. This well-rounded vision is the compass guiding the allocation of the 2025 budget. However, Mr. Srettha was candid about potential hurdles, such as geopolitical tensions and trade protectionism, which could pose a threat to global…
A nimble young boxer launches a powerful kick at a punching bag at Atchara Muay Thai Gym, a renowned boxing school in Bangkok. (Bangkok Post file photo) The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to pack a punch by introducing Muay Thai as an elective course in 437 of its schools. The initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve Thailand’s cultural heritage while teaching young people the values of discipline and resilience, according to city council president Surajit Pongsingwitthaya. The boxing classes will be offered as a segment of the health science and physical education curriculum, announced in a meeting with Thanakorn Chaisri, director of the BMA’s Department of Education. This exciting addition to the school system is expected to create quite a buzz among students. The BMA’s move aims to bolster Thailand’s presence in the international sporting community, reinforcing what is popularly known as the country’s “soft…
People stroll along the vibrant Walking Street in Pattaya, a bustling hub attracting both foreigners and local tourists, especially known for its electrifying nightlife. A government panel stands firm on its decision against extending alcohol sales hours, citing an uptick in casualties and road accidents. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin pointed out that the ministry’s alcoholic beverage control committee considered statistics on road accidents and the accompanying legal ramifications, given the widespread impact of the issue. While the committee does not support longer sales hours, this is not the final word on the matter. Five draft laws related to alcoholic beverages are still pending parliamentary review, said the minister. Mr. Somsak shared these insights following a meeting of the panel at the ministry on Tuesday. Presently, the sale of alcoholic beverages in stores is permitted between 11am and 2pm, and 5pm until midnight, totaling 10 hours per day. Bars, restaurants,…
In the bustling city of Bangkok, Senate candidates made their way to the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre on June 16 for a pivotal provincial-level election (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb). The scene was abuzz with anticipation and intrigue as major political parties, including the vocal opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), prepared for a heated contest. Outgoing Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai shared his predictions, fueling the excitement even further. Pornpetch confidently asserted that a substantial number of representatives and allies from significant political factions, especially the MFP, were poised to secure seats in the final round of the Senate election. He emphasized that the results, set to be announced on July 2 following the national-level vote scheduled for next Wednesday, could see an influx of diverse new senators. “We truly face an uncertain outcome,” Pornpetch remarked, the sparkle of political chess evident in his eyes. “However, it’s my educated…
In the bustling capital of Thailand, Bangkok, candidates vying for Senate seats showcased their civic duty at the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre. This serene yet significant event on June 16 was captured in a photo by Varuth Hirunyatheb, depicting the subtle excitement in the air as individuals cast their votes in the provincial-level election. As we approach the final round of the Senate election, anticipation bubbles among major political parties, including the robust Move Forward Party (MFP). Outgoing Senate Speaker, Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, confidently predicted on Wednesday that these formidable groups are likely to see an impressive success rate amongst their candidates. The election results, set to be announced on July 2, following the national-level vote next Wednesday, will reveal the future landscape of Thai politics. “As you know, we don’t really know who will win,” said Wichitcholchai with a twinkle of expectancy in his eyes. “But…
The mellow hum of anticipation surrounds the potential for increased investment from Japan in Thailand, a promising hint towards robust economic recovery. In recent discussions with Jetro Bangkok President Kuroda Jun, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit shared some hopeful news: Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro) is poised to bolster its financial stakes in Thailand, riding the anticipated wave of a tourism and business resurgence in the latter half of the year. This buzz followed an insightful meeting with key executives from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Thailand. The dialogue pivoted around a comprehensive Jetro report that scrutinized the business sentiment among Japanese corporations in Thailand for the first six months of the year. There were promises to ramp up collaboration, especially in the transportation sector. According to the report, the business sentiment had plateaued initially but is forecasted to ascend in the next half-year. This optimism is rooted in the…
Bangkok residents, under the universal health-care coverage scheme—affectionately known as the 30-baht scheme—are in for a treat! Imagine strolling into any of the contracted clinics or pharmacies to seek basic health services with just a flash of your national ID card. Now, that dream is a reality for Bangkok, making it the latest and greatest addition to the 46 provinces already part of this groundbreaking program. Treechada Srithada, the ever-enthusiastic spokeswoman for the Ministry of Public Health, shared with gusto that this initiative aims to ramp up convenience for the 76% of the population—or roughly 47 million people—currently under the healthcare scheme. And let’s talk details! Other provinces like Roi Et, Phetchaburi, Narathiwat, and Nakhon Ratchasima are already riding this wave of change. So what does this mean for the everyday person? Glad you asked! Folks in these provinces can now waltz into any healthcare unit that’s joined the scheme.…