Posts published by “Editorial Team”

Imagine whisking past the relentless snarl-up of vehicles, the endless sea of brake lights on a conventional highway. Now, open your eyes – because things are about to get a whole lot smoother for motorists navigating the pulse of Nakhon Ratchasima. There’s a new hero in town, and it’s the slice of tarmac bliss named the M6 motorway, stretching its asphalt limbs from the rural calm of Tambon Nong Sarai in Pak Chong district all the way to the urban bustle of Muang district. It’s the kind of upgrade that car commercials are made of – think sleek vehicles cruising down open roads, wind running through their grilles. And why is this slice of vehicular heaven suddenly our reality? Well, let’s tip our hats to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who looked at the congested veins leading from Bangkok to the North and Northeast and said, “Not on my watch.” With…

Imagine stepping off the bustling streets of Bangkok and onto the sleek platform of a BTS Skytrain station. You’re greeted not by the hassle of fumbling for coins or worrying about exchange rates, but by the seamless convenience of WeChat Pay, now welcoming you at every turnstile of the BTS Dark and Light Green Lines’ 68 shimmering stations, and let’s not forget the gleaming stops along the Gold Line. That’s right, WeChat Pay has descended upon Bangkok’s Skytrain system, and the city’s heart beats with a new digital rhythm, thanks to Bangkok Mass Transit System Pcl. Just tap and go with the futuristic “Rabbit Gateway,” the brainchild of Rabbit LINE Pay—a marriage of technology and transit that feels like stepping into tomorrow. And what was the buzz at the grand unveiling? Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol couldn’t help but beam with pride, spiriting us away with tales…

Amidst a whirlwind of speculation and intrigue, the corridors of Thai politics echoed with the statement that no special favors were granted in the case of the controversial ex-premier’s hospital stay. Laying down the gauntlet, the justice minister proclaimed on a bustling Thursday that regulations were being upheld with no exceptions. The saga unfurled with Thaksin Shinawatra’s dramatic homecoming on August 22, ending a 15-year whirlwind of globetrotting exile. Embracing Thailand’s warm bosom, Thaksin faced a confetti of corruption convictions that punctuated his reign from February 2001 to September 2006. As Bangkok’s city lights flickered, that fateful return night witnessed Thaksin whisked away from the steely bars of Bangkok Remand Prison to the plush care of the Police General Hospital. Rumor has it he set up camp on a luxurious suite perched on the 14th floor, sporting panoramic views of the lush Royal Bangkok Sports Club—an enclosure fit for a…

Oh, the buzz and the flurry that ensues when the latest report cards roll out on a global scale! The world turns its analytical gaze to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), where nations are perched on the edge of their seats, eager (or perhaps, a touch anxious) to see how their future leaders and innovators are faring. And this time, we’re casting a spotlight on Thailand—land of smiles, aromatic street food, and a rich tapestry of culture—a nation finding itself at an academic crossroads, as declinations spill across the pages of PISA 2022’s revelations. The ink has dried, and the numbers speak volumes: with a collective gasp, we behold the plunge of Thai students’ scores. In the arithmetic arenas, the digits hover at a modest 394, while the scientific sphere scores 409, and the literary landscape languishes at 379. Alas, these are the lowest numbers witnessed in two…

Imagine a city that never sleeps, where the vibrant hum of the metropolis buzzes with energy through the night, especially as the calendar page turns to welcome a shiny New Year! As the CEO of the Thai Smile Group, Kulpornphat Wongmacharpinya ensures that the night will not only be illuminated by fireworks but also by the gleaming services of Thai Smile Bus Co, which promises to keep the city connected even as the clock chimes into the wee hours of the morning. Thai Smile Group, a beacon of connectivity in the bustling city, has two offshoots under its banner: the Thai Smile Bus and Thai Smile Boat, each of them a lifeline in their own right. And when it comes to New Year’s Eve, you won’t find a pumpkin nor a striking clock signalling the end of your night out. Instead, you’ll find buses and boats gallantly extending their services…

As the final seconds of the year tick away, a serene hush falls over the crowd, an electric anticipation cloaked in serenity. It’s not your typical New Year’s Eve extravaganza with fireworks blazing across the sky – oh no. This is “Suad mon kham pee,” a gentle, rhythmic heartbeat echoing the countdown to a new beginning, steeped in Thai tradition and spiritual introspection. There’s something captivating, almost magnetic about bidding adieu to the year gone by amidst the softly lit ambiance of your local temple. More and more, we see spiritual seekers and cultural enthusiasts alike flocking to these sacred spaces, seeking solace and celebration that doesn’t involve confetti or a champagne cork pop. Embraced by the tranquil folds of the night, ensconced within ancient temple walls, the faithful gather in earnest prayer. This revered ritual is far from a simple alternative to customary New Year’s revelry; it is a…

Picture this: a bustling fleet of mighty vessels, slicing through the blue waters, carrying the lifeblood of the global economy from gleaming ports in Asia to the historic docks of Europe. This is no ordinary route – we’re sailing through the Suez Canal, renowned as the superhighway of international trade. But wait, there’s a looming shadow on the horizon, and Assoc Prof Aat Pisanwanich rings the alarm bell, cautioning that all is not well on this maritime express lane. With the air of a seasoned seafarer reading the storm clouds, Prof Pisanwanich, a virtuoso in the realm of international economics, lays out a stark scenario. Amidst the churn of global upheaval, if tensions escalate and vessels must bypass the Suez to circumnavigate the African continent, get ready to dip into those treasure chests, folks – we’re talking about a significant uptick in shipping costs! Diving into the numbers like a…

Welcome to the bustling, vibrant heart of Thailand, a country teeming with expectant energy as the festival season dawns upon us, an occasion when even the air itself seems to crackle with anticipation for the celebrations and fanfare. Home to over a thousand hopes and dreams, a recent survey crafted by the diligent minds at the UTCC’s Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting unveils the financial chorus set to animate the Thai economy. Gather ’round as I narrate the tale of spending spirits and fiscal forecasts, a narrative woven from the intentions of 1,258 respondents hailing from every corner of this sublime nation. My dear avid readers, brace yourselves for a number for the history books – 105 billion baht! This staggering sum isn’t just a number; it’s the heartbeat of Thailand’s festive rejuvenation, marking a 2.8% leap from yesteryear, the most vigorous growth seen in the wake of the…

Thailand, the Land of Smiles, is gracefully entering an era where the silver hair glistens a little brighter under the tropical sun. With a population where 20% have joyfully celebrated their 60th birthday, the country is swiftly making a bold transition into what’s fondly becoming known as an aged society. But hold that thought—because the narrative here isn’t just about the passage of time; it’s about the vibrancy of life in those years! During an enlightening press conference held last Thursday, the dynamic Visit Vamvanij, the Deputy Dean at Siriraj’s Faculty of Medicine, unfolded an exciting partnership with the culinary giants at Minor Food. The goal? To garner support for a cutting-edge venture—the Siriraj Academic Centre of Geriatric Medicine. This isn’t just any center; it’s poised to be the cornerstone of healthy aging in the heart of Samut Sakhon province. Imagine a society where the elderly aren’t just adding years…

In the lush expanse of the Huay Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary, a striking figure with ruby plumage undertook a labor of love. Ming, a red-headed vulture with a fiery crown, skillfully wove twigs into a cradle of hope—the nest for her inaugural egg, a speckled promise of new life amidst the verdant tapestry of Uthai Thani. (Credit to the Thailand Red Headed Vulture Project for capturing this tender moment). Imagine, a solitary egg lying in the heart of the wilderness, symbolizing a potential triumph against odds that the word ‘steep’ would scarcely do justice. This rare red-headed vulture’s egg has not simply appeared; it heralds the crescendo of tireless conservation initiatives aiming to stage a remarkable comeback for the Sarcogyps calvus—an avian phoenix rising from near extinction in Thailand. Ming’s dedicated architects of the skies have been alight with anticipation since her tender tryst with Pock, her dashing mate, on…