On a vibrant National Labour Day in Bangkok, representatives of workers’ organisations proudly marched, filling the streets with their demands for fair treatment and acknowledgement. Yet, behind the scenes, a pivotal decision hung in the balance. The much-anticipated nationwide wage hike faced another setback as the crucial vote by the tripartite wage committee hit a stalemate. Originally scheduled for Friday, the vote on the 400-baht wage increase proposal was postponed due to an insufficient number of attendees. The meeting was rescheduled for Tuesday, but the hurdles seemed far from over. To proceed, at least 10 members of the 15-member committee must be present, but this quorum was not met. A source revealed that only nine members turned up for the meeting; notably absent were six members, including four government representatives and two from the employee side. All five employer reps were remarkably present, a sign of readiness from that quarter.…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
Picture this: the vibrant, spirited tradition of “Um Phra Dam Nam,” which translates to “the bathing of a Buddha image,” is set to cast its mesmerizing spell over Phetchabun once more. Come October 2, the picturesque Pa Sak River adjacent to Wat Bot Chanamarn will be the stage for an event steeped in history and reverence (Photo: SOONTHORN KONGWARAKHOM). This annual spectacle, unique to Phetchabun, is anticipated to lure about 200,000 visitors, pouring approximately 80 million baht into the local economy over its 10-day run. Kicking off on the first new moon of the 10th lunar month, this year, it aligns perfectly with the dawn of October 2, shared by Mr. Seksan Niyompeng, the dynamic mayor of Muang Phetchabun municipality. Tradition dictates that the provincial governor extends an invitation to the sacred image of Phra Phuttha Maha Dhamma Racha from Wat Tri Phum to join in the ceremony. This is…
Khao Kheow Open Zoo has become a whirlwind of excitement, all thanks to its latest star, Moo Deng. This adorable two-month-old baby pygmy hippo has captured hearts worldwide, leading the zoo to initiate live streaming sessions dedicated entirely to her. From September 1st to 19th alone, the zoo experienced an overwhelming influx of visitors, raking in over 12 million baht. The zoo’s director, Narongwit Chodchoy, projects that this interest will skyrocket their annual earnings to a staggering 200 million baht, with an expected one million visitors by the end of their fiscal year this month. Mr. Narongwit revealed that the public’s obsession with Moo Deng has caused a remarkable 50% rise in zoo attendance. Between September 1st and 19th, a whopping 81,786 people visited Khao Kheow Open Zoo, contributing to the phenomenal 12.97 million baht in ticket sales. With forecasts setting high expectations, the zoo is set to welcome over…
Opposition is swelling against a move by the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the main opposition People’s Party (PP) to tweak parts of the 2017 constitution, focusing especially on the ethical standards mandated for political office-holders. The Bhumjaithai Party, a senator, and coalition partner, has thrown its weight behind the growing clamor to preserve these charter provisions. The Pheu Thai Party had submitted its partial charter amendment bill to the House last Wednesday. This came hot on the heels of a similar proposal by the PP the previous week. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha announced that the House’s deliberation on these bills would likely commence around mid-October. He reassured that there would be no delays beyond this month. The contentious provisions targeted for amendment include Section 160, which outlines the prerequisites for aspiring cabinet ministers. This section demands that candidates must be evidently honest and have not committed severe…
Parliamentarians are set to lock horns on Thursday over a highly anticipated debate: Should an amnesty bill extend to offenders under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly known as the lese majeste law? Nikorn Chamnong, the secretary of the special House committee tasked with studying the amnesty bill, recently revealed that the bill has been ready for over a month. However, given the jam-packed parliament meeting agenda, lawmakers will only get their chance to debate the bill’s coverage on September 26th. Nikorn noted that a special panel has meticulously prepared answers to a plethora of questions regarding the report. These questions range from the bill’s controversial points to the composition of the committee that will be responsible for designing the final version of the legislation. Despite the extensive preparation, the special committee remains divided on whether the amnesty should extend to Section 112 offenders. This 35-member panel was established…
In a remarkable blend of modern engineering and historical significance, the Italian multipurpose combat ship, the ‘Raimondo Montecuccoli,’ is set to make a grand entrance at Laem Chabang in Chon Buri this coming Monday. Fresh from her recent docking ventures in Japan and South Korea, where she played an instrumental role in monitoring and surveillance against illicit maritime activities, the ship is ready to showcase her impressive capabilities. This maritime marvel, the Raimondo Montecuccoli, proudly hails from Italy and exemplifies sophisticated design and functionality. Equipped with advanced “dual use” features, this ship is a force to be reckoned with on multiple fronts. On the military side, she excels in tasks such as patrol missions, logistics transport, and surface combat operations. But her versatility doesn’t end there—she’s also adept at performing disaster relief activities, thus playing a crucial role in aiding civilians during emergencies. As the third of seven multipurpose combat…
Representatives of workers’ organizations marched vigorously through the bustling streets of Bangkok on May 1, celebrating National Labour Day with fervor and a touch of defiance. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) In a tale that seems riddled with bureaucratic twists and turns, a nationwide wage hike has faced yet another delay. The much-anticipated vote on a proposed 400-baht increase hit a roadblock, spiraling into a stalemate after it came to light that a crucial tripartite wage committee member might be losing his seat. This vote, scheduled for a decisive moment on Friday, was abruptly adjourned due to an insufficient quorum, pushing the next meeting to Tuesday. Of the 15-member committee, a minimum of ten must be present to cast any binding vote, but this bar wasn’t met. Count them: only nine members showed up on Friday, leaving the crucial quorum short by one. On the absentee list were six notable figures—four government…
Parliamentarians are gearing up for a crucial debate this Thursday to determine the extent of an amnesty bill, particularly whether it should encompass offenders of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly referred to as the lese majeste law. Nikorn Chamnong, the diligent secretary of the special House committee, revealed that the bill had been finalized over a month ago. Given the jam-packed agenda of the parliamentary meetings, the discussion on the committee’s comprehensive report concerning the bill’s scope has been slated for September 26th. This delay has only intensified the anticipation surrounding the debate. A special panel has assiduously prepared answers to a myriad of probing questions relating to the report. These span contentious points within the bill to the intricate workings of the proposed committee that will craft the final incarnation of the legislation. Interestingly, Mr. Nikorn admitted that the special committee had reached no definitive conclusion on…
In a move set to radically shift how authorities handle suspected cases of drunk driving, police now have the power to take urine or blood samples from drivers who refuse to blow into breathalyzer devices, thanks to a new regulation. This announcement was published in the Royal Gazette last Friday, supplanting the older regulations from 1994 and 2017 that relied heavily on breathalyzers as the primary means of testing for intoxicated drivers. The updated regulation aims to better align the alcohol testing procedures with modern-day scenarios while enhancing the effectiveness of legal measures designed to curb drunk driving. However, the real impact of this change, including how many additional offenders will be ensnared, remains to be seen. Under this new rule, if a driver refuses a breathalyzer test, police are now authorized to collect urine samples or escort the driver to a hospital for a blood test. For urine collection,…
Wet worship: A photo captures the mesmerizing ‘Um Phra Dam Nam’ ceremony, set to begin on Oct 2 in the Pa Sak River, at the pier of Wat Bot Chanamarn in Phetchabun’s Muang district. (Photo: SOONTHORN KONGWARAKHOM) The age-old tradition of “Um Phra Dam Nam,” translating to “the bathing of a Buddha image,” in Phetchabun is poised to draw a staggering 200,000 visitors. This event, spanning a delightful 10-day period, is estimated to generate an impressive 80 million baht. The festivity kicks off this Friday, on a new moon night, falling on Oct 2 this year according to the 10th lunar month, shared Mr. Seksan Niyompeng, the spirited mayor of Muang Phetchabun municipality. In keeping with tradition, the provincial governor ceremoniously invites the image of Phra Phuttha Maha Dhamma Racha from Wat Tri Phum in Muang district. Transported by boat, this revered Buddha image is then ceremonially plunged into the…