Imagine a world where majestic ships no longer queue up impatiently at the bustling Strait of Malacca, but instead glide effortlessly through a new maritime marvel—a land bridge merging the serene Gulf of Thailand with the mysterious Andaman Sea. This is the vision that Prime Minister Srettha cast before an eagerly listening parliament during a spirited debate on the fiscal 2024 budget bill—a vision of innovation, of untangling the current maritime maze that 60% of the world’s seaborne petrol transport navigates through. In a tone rich with foresight, PM Srettha was not merely answering questions from the opposition, but painting the picture of a transformed global trade landscape. “With the Strait of Malacca clogging up like an old drain, we have to swift-foot our way to a solution, and the land bridge project is a symphony of strategy and shrewdness,” he asserted with confidence. The prime minister went on to…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
Welcome to the digital frontier of Thailand, where a thrilling initiative is set to raise the shields against cyber threats. The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), under the shrewd guidance of Amorn Chomchoey, has embarked upon an ambitious crusade to fortify the country’s cyber battlements. Imagine a scene where over 20 universities, a blend of ivy-draped halls and modern institutions, unite for a singular cause. This formidable alliance is the latest scoop in the tech realm, where academia and government agencies mesh gears to educate and arm a new breed of cyber guardians. Picture a ceremony where ink meets paper, binding the NCSA’s commitment with vibrant hubs of learning and leading cybersecurity firms. The air buzzes with potential as this memorandum of understanding signifies a new dawn for graduate students, a chance to plunge into the depths of online security. The mission: to tackle an alarming shortage of cyber savvy…
As the gavel struck the stand in Chiang Mai, signaling the unraveling of the budget bill debate, Move Forward’s very own MP, Phattarapong Leelaphat, was audibly flustered—and for good reason. He laid out, with palpable disappointment, how the current administration under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had hoisted the PM2.5 crisis onto the national stage, yet when the curtains were drawn back, the allocated budget was, to put it mildly, underwhelming. Let’s consider the facts: the Public Health Ministry seemed to have put forward a rather minuscule budget for combating respiratory diseases linked to the insidious PM2.5. Out of the 298.3 million baht floating in the pool for pollution and environmental efforts, a staggering 292 million baht was earmarked for polishing the green and clean image of public hospitals. I ask you, dear reader, where does that leave PM2.5? Well, it seems to be on the bench, watching as only a…
Amidst the tranquil beauty of Thailand’s southern vistas, a clandestine tale worthy of a thriller novel unfolds. What do you get when you mix the bustling byways of Bangladesh, ayearning for new horizons in Malaysia, and the intricate waterways of Thailand? The answer, dear readers, is far from a leisurely travel tale, as the grizzled Pol Lt Gen Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai—head of the revered Immigration Bureau—recently unveiled in a gripping press announcement. Picture this: a man whose identity seemed wrapped in shadows, known merely as Loh in whispers, stands captured amidst a crackdown that would send shivers down the spine of any crime syndicate. It was in the quaint district of Nong Chik, nestled within the sleepy province of Pattani, that Loh’s pretense crumbled, his facade of anonymity stripped away by the relentless pursuit of the Immigration Bureau’s finest. The man of the hour, Loh, age 56, found himself accused of…
Imagine stepping off the sleek carriage of a Red Line electric train, the heart of Bangkok buzzing with energy, as you arrive at the magnificent hub of urban travel, the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Chatuchak district. This scene, captured beautifully in a recent photograph, heralds a new era for transit in this vibrant city. At the helm of transformation, The Ministry of Transport, led by the visionary Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, is on the brink of catapulting the city’s infrastructure into the future. This month, the ministry is poised to set the ball rolling on an ambitious slate of seven cutting-edge transport development projects, representing a staggering investment of 133 billion baht—a testament to the government’s commitment to propelling the nation forward. The inaugural project ready to make a splash is the eagerly anticipated extension of the Red Line electric rail system. This expansion isn’t just any stretch…
Amidst the quietude of Ban Chang district lay a scene that could almost be mistaken for a poignant sculpture—a mother and daughter, forever entwined in an eternal embrace, yet tragically still, their lives cut short by their own hands. It was on a fateful Wednesday that their lifeless bodies were discovered, victims of an apparent self-induced cyanide tragedy within the walls of their own home. The mother, a revered veterinarian of 41 years, whose identity remains a tender secret, was the heart of a local pet clinic, well-known and fondly respected. It is a chilling thought that her caring hands, which once soothed innumerable creatures, would come to orchestrate such a somber finale to her own story and the story of her young daughter, a mere 12 years of life’s chapters written. The unsettling quiet was shattered when a colleague, sensing the void left by her unexplained absence at work,…
As the festivities of the New Year ceased, a more sober reflection began on the roads of Thailand. The period, meant for jubilation, was marred by the somber tally of road accidents that unfolded. From December 29 to January 2, a series of unfortunate events on the asphalt stage claimed the lives of 212 individuals and left a staggering 1,860 injured—a narrative detailed by the ever-diligent Chakree Bamrungwong, adviser to the Department of Land Transport. The bustling metropolis of Bangkok recorded the highest number of drawn curtains with 15 souls departing, whilst Kanchanaburi province unfurled a tragic epic of its own with 69 accidents and 73 injuries, topping the charts in both categories. Yet, in the midst of this grim recounting, a sliver of hope emerged. According to the Royal Thai Police, the overall road toll had witnessed a downturn from the previous year. The pace of the fatal dance…
Welcome, dear readers, to a tale wrought with intrigue, political theater, and the undying echoes of the past reverberating into the present. It’s a story drawn from the vibrant and tumultuous tapestry of Thai politics, featuring none other than the charismatic and controversial figure, the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Picture the scene: a crowd buzzes with anticipation at Don Muang Airport on an August morning in 2023. They’ve gathered to witness a moment many thought improbable, as Thaksin returns to Thai soil after a decade and a half, only to be ushered promptly to his state-issued accommodations behind bars. The plot thickens, as we delve into the ongoing saga that has kept the nation at the edge of their seats. Imagine Thaksin, once a titan of power, confined to the clinical surroundings of the Police General Hospital. Rumors swirl and public suspicion mounts around the Department of Corrections’ tender-hearted…
Imagine cruising through the bustling streets of Bangkok, the vibrant energy of the city pulsing around you, when suddenly, out of the blue, drama unfolds—a wheel from the Yellow Line monorail makes a bid for freedom, and not in an uneventful manner. This is what happened one fine Tuesday evening when a guide wheel decided to part ways with its train, taking a little adventure of its own down Thepharak Road and fancying a tap-dance on a taxi, no less! The aftermath caught the eye of Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who, on a bright Wednesday, addressed the gathered media with a tone of accountability. According to him, a preliminary examination pointed the finger at the right side of the train as the culprit of this escapade. It seems even the bright and shiny newness of the train could not prevent what was likely a game of ball-bearing roulette gone terribly…
Twas the festive season, and all through Phuket Town, a jolly figure draped in red and white made an unexpected yet delightful appearance atop an ancient clock tower. Yes, you guessed it—Santa Claus had come to town, in the balmy, tropical paradise of Phuket, no less! A spectacle that mingled traditional Christmas cheer with the enchanting allure of Phuket Old Town, it marked not only the jubilant festivities but also the advent of the much-anticipated Discover Phuket Countdown 2024. The island was abuzz with excitement, the atmosphere as electrifying as the twinkling lights that adorned the streets. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran) Amidst this festive fervor, the ever-dynamic Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s Phuket office was cooking up plans to turn the ‘Land of Smiles’ into the ‘Island of Eternal Sunshine’, where the concept of a ‘low season’ would leap into the realm of lore. Spearheaded by the visionary office director Lertchai…