Last month, Bangkok was abuzz with a unique promotional event aimed at encouraging the public to consume the invasive blackchin tilapia. This seemingly innocuous fish from West Africa has been causing a ripple effect in Thailand’s waterways, leading to significant ecological and financial concerns. Yet, while some view it as a culinary opportunity, others are gearing up for a legal battle. The Lawyers Council of Thailand is taking a stand, preparing to file a lawsuit against private enterprises and state agencies responsible for the unchecked spread of blackchin tilapia. A dedicated team of lawyers set up shop at Wat Khao Yi San in Amphawa district, Samut Songkhram, last weekend. Here, residents troubled by the invasive species were invited to register their grievances and submit any evidence of the havoc wreaked by the blackchin tilapia. By Sunday afternoon, 214 fish farmers, feeling the financial pinch, had signed up at the booth…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
Immigration police stormed an illegal casino hidden within a hotel in Nonthaburi last November. (Police photo) The government is forging ahead with a pioneering bill to give casinos a legal home within the country’s entertainment complexes. According to insiders, the Finance Ministry has completed drafting the Entertainment Complex Act. This bill will clear a public hearing stage, as mandated by Section 77 of the constitution, to gather public input necessary for the legislation’s passage. Once the hearing wraps up, the bill along with the public’s feedback will be presented to the cabinet for further consideration. Government officials have previously shown support for the concept of entertainment complexes that include casinos. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, announced that key coalition leaders and representatives will convene at Government House today for a monthly strategy meeting. Among the hot topics on their agenda is the entertainment complex bill which aims…
Key figures of the People’s Party struck a pose reminiscent of a celebratory high school reunion after announcing the relocation of Move Forward Party (MFP) MPs to their new political home last week. The camaraderie was palpable, but the latest twist in this political saga sparked quite the controversy, spearheaded by none other than Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, the royalist leader of the Thai Pakdee Party. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) Dr. Warong didn’t hesitate to sound the alarm. With a fiery Facebook post on Sunday, he demanded an investigation into the People’s Party’s qualifications, stirring the pot with questions about whether this recently renamed entity has enough branches to hold its ground as an official political party. Thai politics rarely lack drama, and this was shaping up to be no different. According to the vibrant royalist leader, the People’s Party is merely an old guise worn anew—formerly known as the Thinkakhaochaovilai Party.…
In a bid to protect citizens from online deception, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) has released an online guide that highlights the importance of recognizing URLs that mimic government agencies. This crucial advisory comes as internet fraudsters increasingly employ sophisticated schemes to dupe unsuspecting individuals. Police Major General Siriwat Deepor, the deputy spokesperson for the RTP, issued a stark warning on Sunday, emphasizing the need for vigilance when browsing online. He pointed out that there has been a noticeable rise in the use of fraudulent web addresses featuring the “.go.th” domain extension, a format traditionally utilized by authentic government agencies. This ploy aims to deceive users into believing these sites are legitimate. Elaborating on the deceptive tactics used, Pol Maj Gen Siriwat explained that scammers strategically place the “.go.th” domain extension in the path section of a URL to mislead inattentive internet users. He cited the example of https://dif.link/www.ccid1.ccib.go.th, a…
Muay Thai students during a training session at a boxing camp in Phuket. (Photo via Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s Facebook page) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has applauded the numerous Muay Thai boxing camps in Phuket for exemplifying Thailand’s globally-recognized cultural influence, which attracts visitors for extended stays and drives significant local revenue. On his Facebook page this past Sunday, the prime minister noted that there are approximately 300 Muay Thai camps of varying sizes scattered across Phuket. He highlighted “Muay Thai Village” on Soi Ta-iad Road in tambon Chalong in Muang district, known for its concentration of Muay Thai boxing schools. On Soi Ta-iad, the largest training camp is Tiger Muay Thai, which boasts over 100 Muay Thai trainers and more than 80,000 registered participants in its courses over the past year, according to Mr. Srettha. “There are 12 arenas for competition. How many economic activities can this one boxing…
On a wild Saturday night in North Pattaya, paramedics sprang into action to tend to a very inebriated Icelandic man, only known as Paul. Paul had gotten into quite a scuffle with his Bolt driver, ending up with a head wound and a bloodied face. The scene unfolded in Soi Chalermphrakiat 19, located in tambon Nong Prue of the Bang Lamung district, and it was nothing short of chaotic. Pattaya police and paramedics arrived to find Paul, seemingly in his 50s or 60s, in a rather distressing state. Alongside him were two other individuals: Nipon Thepmanee, a 52-year-old Thai police volunteer who had also sustained a head wound, and Jamsawai Jamsuwan, the 43-year-old Bolt driver tangled up in this unfortunate mess. Mr. Jamsawai recounted the sequence of events that led to this brawl. It all began when he picked up Paul and a Thai woman from Soi Bua Khao, only…
In recent developments, the proliferation of blackchin tilapia across various provinces has raised significant concern among environmental academics and authorities. The unexpected spread of this invasive species may find its roots in smuggling, but hope lies in advanced techniques like electrofishing and the strategic release of predatory species to curb their numbers. This pressing issue took center stage at Chulalongkorn University’s Communication Center and Aquatic Resources Research Institute (ARRI) during their 24th “Impact” academic seminar held on Friday. The seminar gathered a distinguished panel of academics from diverse universities and institutes, all keen on dissecting the blackchin tilapia’s rampant spread. Chulalongkorn’s acting president, Prof Wilert Puriwat, opened the event by underscoring the ecological impact of this Western African fish. He expressed optimism that the seminar would foster interdisciplinary collaboration, culminating in actionable strategies for governmental intervention. Prof Suchana Chavanich, ARRI’s vice director, provided a historical perspective, noting that blackchin tilapia…
The Ministry of Commerce has recently showcased the innovative spirit of Thailand by exhibiting the winners of its prestigious Design Excellence Award (DEmark Award) 2024. Held at the bustling Siam Paragon shopping centre in Bangkok from August 1st to 13th, the display featured sixty-six remarkable entries from fifty-four companies that had clinched the coveted DEmark Awards. This annual event, organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce, celebrated its 17th year of fostering international recognition for outstanding Thai designs. According to Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, the DITP director-general, the DEmark Award contest was first launched in 2008. Over the years, it has successfully positioned Thai designs on the global map. This year’s contest notably integrated the concept of “soft power” into its scoring criteria, celebrating not just the aesthetics and functionality of designs, but also their cultural and social significance. The Design Excellence Award 2024…
The relentless spread of the blackchin tilapia throughout numerous provinces might be more than just an ecological nuisance—it could potentially be the consequence of clandestine activities. According to academic experts, a combination of stringent methods including electrofishing and the release of other predatory species might effectively curb this invasive species’ burgeoning population. These insights were spotlighted during the 24th “Impact” academic seminar, hosted by Chulalongkorn University’s Communication Center and the Aquatic Resources Research Institute (ARRI) on a thought-provoking Friday. The seminar was buzzing with intellectual discourse, delving into the pressing issue of the blackchin tilapia proliferation. It attracted an ensemble of academics from diverse universities, institutes, and agencies, all ardent to share their perspectives and potential solutions. Setting an optimistic tone, the acting president of Chulalongkorn University, Prof. Wilert Puriwat, underscored the urgency of addressing this West African fish’s ecological disruption. Puriwat stressed that this gathering was pivotal for fostering…
In the early hours of Sunday, a potential disaster was averted on the Mitraparp Highway in Ban Phai district of Thailand’s Khon Kaen province. It was a scene right out of an action movie, with firefighters heroically spraying water over a leaking LPG cylinder, preventing what could have been a catastrophic explosion. Just after the witching hour, at approximately 12:30 AM, a truck carrying a whopping six tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas began to leak while it was refilling another truck. This was no ordinary roadside mishap but an incident fraught with peril, occurring right opposite a petrol station — an ominous setting for such a volatile situation. The location, in Ban Nano of tambon Nong Nam Sai in Ban Phai district, quickly became a hub of activity. Police immediately cordoned off traffic within a two-kilometre radius to ensure the safety of motorists and residents. It was a tense atmosphere…