Picture this: a digital infusion of cash, effortlessly dropped into the palms of millions, with the tap of a screen, designed to set the Thai economy ablaze with spending and vigor. This isn’t the stuff of monetary fantasy, folks—it’s a master plan set in motion by none other than the movers and shakers at the Thai Finance Ministry, headed by the discerning hand of Srettha, their esteemed minister. In a clever twist of fiscal ingenuity, our Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, was tasked with the noble quest of verifying the legitimacy of this beacon of economic revival—the 500-billion-baht loan act. The act’s heart races with the potential of furnishing every eligible Thai individual over the tender age of 16 with a crisp digital wallet, each wallet pulsating with 10,000 baht of promise, yet its embrace shuns those with overstuffed pockets and heavy bank vaults—a monthly catch of 70,000 baht or…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
Welcome to a tale of intrigue and mystery that might just have you rushing to check the provenance of your dinner! We’re looking into a riveting 30-day countdown that began ticking away quietly on December 4. The director of this suspenseful operation is none other than Major General Natapol Ditsayatham, a well-versed expert on consumer protection and environmental crime from Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI). He’s leading an investigative crusade against none other than the retail giant Makro, operated by CP Extra Plc, in a tangled web of pork-smuggling accusations. Last month, the story began when the DSI reached out to Makro, like a detective knocking on a suspect’s door, asking for explanations. In a cheeky twist, Makro replied asking for what might as well be as long as a pork chop’s journey from farm to table – an indefinite extension to rustle up the necessary documents. But let’s…
Welcome to the riveting results of a recent pulse-check on the buzzword of the hour: soft power. Here’s the lowdown from The Attraction‘s latest foray into the psyche of the Land of Smiles. They’ve been busy bees, buzzing through the digital beehive and surveying an ensemble of Thai netizens between November 21st and 27th. As curiosity peaks, they’ve unveiled that a whopping 70% of those surveyed aren’t just familiar with the term ‘soft power’—they’re downright cozy with it, and convinced of its significant ties to the creative economy that’s close to their hearts. But hold the phone—what’s this ‘One Family One Soft Power’ (OFOS) policy hovering on the tongues of Thai politicos? Turns out, over 60% of responders are scratching their heads, muddled about what this policy truly embodies or how it even rings into action. This canvas of confusion paints a compelling picture given it’s the brainchild of the…
Imagine a future where the places we rely on for health and safety become the very spots teetering on the brink of peril. This isn’t the plot of the latest dystopian novel—it’s the alarming reality painted by the Cross Dependency Initiative (XDI) in their recent heart-stopping report. In a world grappling with climate chaos, this report lifts the veil on a looming crisis: the vulnerability of our hospitals to the savage whims of extreme weather. The analysis reads like a who’s who of potential calamity. An awe-inspiring number of medical sanctuaries, 16,245 out of 200,216 worldwide, stand on a knife’s edge, threatened by the relentless onslaught of flooding, hurricane-force winds, wildfires, typhoons, and the insidious rise of greenhouse gas emissions. The stark revelation: our continued romance with fossil fuels could push these critical facilities over the edge. The geographical roll call of risk is both vast and unsettling. South Asia…
Imagine the relief and jubilation at Suvarnabhumi Airport last Thursday as seventeen Thai souls, once held captive by the militant group Hamas, stepped back onto their homeland soil, breathing in the air of freedom. Their release, a result of an all-too-brief ceasefire with Israel that ignited a glimmer of hope on November 24, brought an end to part of an ongoing ordeal that has kept the nation on edge. Yet, the tapestry of conflict is a complex one. When Israel rekindled its offensive efforts in Gaza, the fragile ceasefire crumbled like a dry cookie, and the taste of fear flooded back, heavy for the remaining Thai individuals yet to be liberated. Now, tucked within the intricate geopolitical puzzle, twenty-three Thai nationals had tasted freedom while a confusing headcount—eight? Nine?—remained tangled in the clutches of uncertainty. The spotlight then shifts to a man of steadfast resolve, Mr. Srettha, who, amid these…
Welcome to a tale woven from the rich tapestry of Thai culture and celebration held on the sprawling royal expanse known as Sanam Luang in the vibrant heart of Bangkok. This is not just any day, but a day where the air buzzes with reverence and festivity under the shining Thai sun—National Father’s Day—a day dedicated to the cherished memory of the late and great Rama IX. The verdant field of Sanam Luang was transformed into a scene from a storybook, as Mr. Srettha, joined by the graceful Pakpilai Thavisin, his devoted wife, took the stage alongside a constellation of noteworthy figures. The crème de la crème of Thailand’s dignitaries gathered, including towering pillars of justice such as the Supreme Court president, legislative luminaries like the Senate speaker, the Premier’s own right hand, the secretary-general, the steward of the city, the Bangkok governor, and leaders of military and police, each…
Enveloped in a cloak of vibrant hues and exuding a regal aura, the intriguing flower stands as a testament to Thailand’s beloved monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. Born on a Monday, the day drenched in a sea of yellow, the king’s color, the blossom takes its radiant cue from his birth. It’s not just a flower; it’s a symbol, a nod to a guardian Buddha aptly named “Phuttharaksa,” translating to a protector who is enlightened. The floral gem doesn’t just hold one name but is christened afresh with each region it graces. Saunter through the Central terrain, and you’ll hear the whisper of “Sakhu Hua Kha” or “Sakhu Mon” caught in the breeze, while the denizens of the North fondly refer to it as “Phutthasorn.” Traverse to Lampang and Lamphun, and you’ll find locals bestowing upon it the name “Bua Lawong.” Its beauty isn’t merely for adorning…
In the heart of Thailand, where tradition sings and history sleeps under the watchful gaze of eloquent monuments, Vacharaesorn, a dignified 42-year-old gentleman, stood with a reverent posture before an enigmatic statue. With the solemn grace of a practiced ritual, he tenderly placed a tray adorned with vibrant flowers to celebrate a date that inked its mark not only in his family ledger but also in the nation’s heart – his grandfather’s birthday, affectionately embraced by all as Father’s Day. The King Rama IX Memorial Park – a labor of love marinating in nostalgia and affection since 2018, is a masterpiece in the making, poised to swing open its regal gates come the following year. Yet, such is the fervor of reverence for the beloved late King, the grounds graciously unfurl to the public in a duet of annual solemnities – on the poignant King Rama IX Memorial Day each…
Imagine a land where the spirit of gratitude is etched in every heart and mind; where the winds whisper tales of a sacrosanct bond between fathers and their children – this is Thailand on December 5, known affectionately as Thai National Day or Father’s Day. Drawing on the insights of a robust survey that reached out to 14,426 souls across different walks of life, the tapestry of this day’s celebrations and its beloved customs come to vibrant life. In an overwhelming tide of remembrance and respect, a staggering 96.4% of our vibrant populace, encompassing the innocent giggles of children to the wise words of the youth, recognize this day as one dedicated to paternal figures nationwide. The vibrant canna flower, symbolizing the fatherly virtues of virtue and purity, holds a special place in the hearts of 86.15% of the respondents, a testament to the deep cultural threads that bind this…
A royal flourish of environmental stewardship graced the lush landscapes of Khao Hin Son Royal Development Study Centre in the quaint district of Phanom Sarakham, Chachoengsao. It was a ceremony drenched in regal charm and ecological promise, as Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn donned the honorable mantle of the United Nations to bestow a prestigious accolade upon the Soil and Fertilizer Society (SFS). This celebratory Tuesday was marked by pomp and grandeur, with the society reveling in the international spotlight of commendation. The SFS, a bastion of soil preservation, was lauded for its exemplary efforts in championing the bedrock of all life on earth – soil. Rapeepat Chantarasriwong, the esteemed director-general of the Agriculture Department who also helms the SFS, proudly attested to the society’s zealous work. The SFS has been adeptly spearheading Thailand’s crusade to realize the United Nations’ 17th sustainable development goals (SDGs) through an initiative…