Picture the scene: Nasa Club in Chon Buri’s Muang district, packed to the brim with partygoers dancing the night away. It was early Saturday, and the beats were electrifying until the unexpected happened. A powerful force of 150, comprising police officers and officials from the Department of Provincial Administration, stormed the club at about 1:30 AM, instantly transforming the vibrant energy into a chaotic scramble. Patrons, around 400 in number, found their wild night interrupted. In a frenzied attempt to evade capture, some tried to dispose of sachets of illicit substances while others dashed for the restrooms in a vain bid to flush their woes away. The officials weren’t having it, though. Every single customer was asked to undergo urine tests, which revealed a startling revelation. Initially, officials stated that out of the crowd, 105 people—61 men and 44 women—had tested positive for drug use. As the events unfurled further…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
In the early hours of Saturday, a flydubai Airbus A319 navigating its way from Dubai to the Philippines faced a dramatic challenge, making an unplanned yet safe landing at U-Tapao Airport in Rayong. The hiccup? The landing gear failed to deploy, leaving the crew with no choice but to request an emergency landing. The captain, demonstrating exceptional poise, sought permission to touch down at the navy-operated airport in Ban Chang district just past midnight. The airport authorities, showcasing their prowess, sprang into action, enlisting over 30 ambulances, medics, and rescue squads from Rayong and the neighboring province of Chon Buri. At approximately 1:05 AM, the Airbus A319-115 (CJ) gracefully touched down, as confirmed by FM91 Trafficpro. This successful landing was not just a testament to the crew’s skill but also to the swift, coordinated response from all involved agencies. Once the plane’s systems were thoroughly vetted, the aircraft resumed its…
Is the animosity an act? It has been noted that the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) has taken an empathetic approach to the ruling Pheu Thai Party of late, leading to accusations the antagonism between them may have been staged. Two developments were observed in recent weeks, which suggest the two largest parties may have already kissed and made up after Pheu Thai was criticised by MFP for reneging on their post-election promise to form a government together. Pheu Thai instead hooked up with the conservative camp when it invited the Bhumjaithai, Palang Pracharath, and United Thai Nation parties to join the coalition, leaving MFP out in the cold. The MFP had the chance of nominating its then leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, to become premier with the support of Pheu Thai. Mr. Pita’s bid was rejected outright by the Senate. As the dust was settling over the coalition formation, an…
In a groundbreaking move, the government announced its intention to roll out a co-payment scheme designed to aid over 4 million rice-farming households, specifically targeting fertiliser costs. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, speaking after the national rice management policy committee meeting, shared some optimistic news: this year’s rice prices are taking a positive turn compared to last year. This encouraging trend has paved the way for new initiatives to support farmers. Traditionally, the government has extended generous subsidies to farmers, prompting them to seek better production techniques to slash costs. Recently, they’ve introduced an ambitious fertiliser project, with the government committing to cover half of the expenses. The implementation of this initiative will be facilitated by the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives through a specialized mobile app, ensuring that every farmer can access it. To address concerns over recent fertiliser price hikes, suppliers will be invited to join the program,…
In the quest for a more promising tomorrow, simply adhering to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles may not suffice, according to Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre. Speaking at a riveting conference in Bangkok this week, Peshawaria argued that the decades-old ESG framework is showing its limitations despite its widespread adoption. Peshawaria pointed out that many businesses hide behind the façade of greenwashing to sidestep scrutiny, while regulatory frameworks enforce just the bare minimum level of responsible behavior. “Regulations may minimize harm, but they do not maximize good,” he proclaimed, highlighting the fundamental flaw in the current system. A troubling trend has emerged where businesses are exploiting challenges for profit rather than devising profitable solutions to these very challenges, Peshawaria noted. He proposed a paradigm shift from ESG to ESL—where “L” stands for “steward leadership.” This concept embodies an earnest commitment to forging a better future for stakeholders,…
The buzzing anticipation filled the air as Senate candidates converged at Bang Kapi School in Bangkok, all set to cast their votes on June 9. Amidst the chaos, the Election Commission (EC) remained steadfast, ready to push forward with the provincial-level voting for the Senate election, despite murmurings about inefficiencies among poll officials failing to disqualify ineligible candidates. (Photo: Vruth Hirunyatheb) As Sunday looms, the EC calls upon the public to keep a watchful eye on both provincial and national-level voting. This call for vigilance aims to bolster public participation and transparency, even though there isn’t a public vote. For those intrigued by the electoral process, there’s an invitation to submit requests to the provincial election offices and the Office of the Election Commission. Across 77 provinces, a massive 23,645 candidates, having triumphed in the district-level selection on June 9, will be narrowing down to 3,080 hopefuls come Sunday. From…
Suvarnabhumi Airport bustled with an influx of tourists on February 6, creating a vibrant, energetic scene that marked the return of international travelers. Amid this surge, the Department of Disease Control assured the public: Thailand remains free of bird flu cases in humans. However, vigilance is still the order of the day for those returning from regions grappling with H5N2 outbreaks. Authorities recommend that these individuals self-monitor for irregular respiratory symptoms for 14 days post-arrival, and seek immediate medical attention if such symptoms appear. Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, the vigilant chief of Disease Control, emphasized that Thailand has maintained its bird flu-free status among humans since 2006. But this doesn’t mean the country is resting on its laurels. A joint effort involving agencies like the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and the Department of Livestock ensures close monitoring of potential outbreaks among animals. Quick-response measures are firmly in…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, faced with swirling rumors of a premature exit, stepped into the limelight at Government House on May 31, denying any plans of resigning or dissolving the House of Representatives ahead of a critical Constitutional Court ruling. This ruling is tied to his controversial appointment of Pichit Chuenban as a PM’s Office minister, a move that has sparked significant debate. “Resignation or dissolving the House has never crossed my mind. We should let the legal procedure unfold naturally. Running away is simply not an option,” Mr. Srettha asserted firmly on Friday. “When questioned by the judges, it is my obligation to explain matters clearly and to respect their decision.” He noted that his legal team has already submitted a list of additional witnesses to the court. The complications arise from a petition filed by 40 senators back in May, requesting the Constitutional Court’s ruling on whether Prime…
Conscripts were seen withdrawing cash from ATMs in droves, fueling a whirlwind of rumors and speculation. Over recent weeks, a series of explosive documents made their rounds on social media, drawing the public’s eye to the deductions from soldiers’ already meager pay for WiFi and other unexpected charges. This unexpected revelation led Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang to take swift action, ordering an investigation into salary deductions across all military units. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) The public was already on edge when yet another incriminating document surfaced. This time, it detailed a 1,200-baht WiFi service fee being deducted from conscripts’ salaries. This revelation followed closely on the heels of a report about another 500-baht deduction for septic tank pumping—just one in a baffling series of deductions that ended up swallowing a staggering 60% of a conscript’s salary. According to Jirayu Houngsub, the ministry’s spokesperson for political affairs, Defence Minister Sutin acted promptly,…
Amid rising tensions and political drama, the arrest of Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap in Bangkok this week has caused a wave of concern among human rights organizations and activists worldwide. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Thailand has now stepped in, imploring the government to shield Bdap from deportation due to mounting fears for his safety. Y Quynh Bdap, a 32-year-old Christian from the Montagnard ethnic group in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, co-founded Montagnards Stand for Justice. This organization relentlessly advocates for religious freedom, a contentious issue that has placed him at odds with the Vietnamese government. The Montagnards, particularly those affiliated with independent house churches, have faced relentless persecution, making Bdap’s mission perilous. Since 2018, Bdap has resided in Thailand and earned refugee status from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). However, after the deadly riots in Vietnam’s Dak Lak province last June, the Vietnamese government…