Posts published by “Editorial Team”

The tranquillity of a typical Bangkok night was disrupted in the early hours of Saturday when a fire erupted on the 20th and 21st floors of a towering 27-storey condominium located in the city’s Ratchathewi district. Tragically, an elderly woman lost her life due to suffocation in the incident that also left more than 20 others with minor injuries. This unfortunate event, reported to the police around 12:35 a.m. by Phaya Thai police station’s deputy investigation chief, Pol Col Siriphong Phengmanee, threw the city into an inevitable state of chaos and worry. A swift response from the fire department saw about 30 fire trucks racing to the scene, their sirens cutting through the quiet night. It was a battle against time as they worked to quell the raging flames that had seized control of two floors of the condominium located on Soi Phetchaburi 15 off Phetchaburi Road. The heroic firefighters…

The bubbling cauldron of conflict in Israel has sadly claimed the lives of five more Thai nationals who had been employed there. This update was relayed by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the weekend, bringing the devastating total to 39. According to the Thai representation in the heart of Israel, in Tel Aviv, official recognition of the deceased’s nationalities has been made by the Israeli authorities. The grim reality as of November 10 includes 39 Thai workers tragically losing their lives, 19 more sustaining injuries, and an alarming 25 held captive. Among the injured, four are currently living through hospital care. Echoing a touch of humanity and concern, Pannabha Chandraramya, Thai ambassador to Israel, and Sakdinart Sonthisakdiyothin of the Social Security Office personally paid a visit to three of the injured last Friday. On a brighter note, the medical facilities—Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center and Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh)—have…

Here’s a tale that revolves around the ominous jungle terrain and relentless heavy rains in Trang province, where an adrenaline-pumping manhunt is ongoing. The elusive protagonist in this real-life thriller is Chaowalit Thongduang, an armed prisoner escapee convincingly playing his role from the thick forests of Banthad mountain range. This intriguing story seems to be coming straight out of an action-packed suspense film. The game intensified when the military personnel from Naresuan Camp in Phetchaburi province arrived swiftly at the scene to bolster the search operation for the 37-year-old fugitive, infamously known as Sia Paeng Nanod. Undeterred by the challenging terrain, over 30 courageous motorbike-riding cops from Trang provincial police initiated the search, embracing the sheer wilderness. To the untrained eye, the treacherous densely forested mountains may seem impenetrable. But for these men clad in khaki, vehicle access is an unnecessary luxury. Their pursuit, however, is supported by reinforcements from…

Silhouetted against the backdrop of the bustling Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla, a lone immigration officer stands, signifying the gateway to an adventure in Thailand. Nestled in the southern border province of Songkhla, Sadao’s bustling checkpoint has just received uplifting news. The Thai cabinet, in its relentless pursuit of enhancing tourism, has endorsed a strategy to provisionally suspend the necessity for non-Thai tourists to complete the Tor Mor 6 (TM 6) immigration forms. This temporary halt, commencing from the first day of November, simplifies the tourist entry process through the immigration checkpoint at Sadao for an initial period of three months. Kharom Polpornklang, the pivotal deputy government spokesman, shared this exhilarating news on a fine Tuesday. This suspension of the TM 6 requirement, he explained, is a calculated endeavor aimed at easing the visits of Malaysian visitors to Thailand, thus, painting the country as a more attractive tourist destination. The Tourism…

In a bid to scale the festive cheer from its nucleus in the capital to national ecstasy, the government is ready to bring vibrancy throughout Thailand through its annual Winter Festivals. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the man behind this grand idea, made the big announcement on his Facebook page. The announcement came after an enlightening conversation with Tourism and Sport Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Thailand Tourism Authority’s (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, and Bangkok’s Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. They’d been brainstorming on how to organize the “Colourful Bangkok Winter Festival,” which is set to flavour the year-end with vibrancy and cheer. Apparently, there are plans for at least 11 soft power-related activities slated to occur – stay tuned for more information in the ensuing month! The Colourful Bangkok Festival is an intriguing project in the pipeline – the TAT and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plan to collaborate on five “big events.” The goal?…

The Honourable Defence Minister of Thailand, Sutin Klungsang, recently announced his plans to entrust the Royal Thai Navy with the task of negotiating with China for a more favourable cost for a warship. This turn of events comes on the heels of the government’s preference for a frigate as opposed to a submarine. The naval delegation is expected to journey to China next week to involve in vital negotiations, before the pre-existing contract between both countries expires within a month. Whether China is amenable to this discussion is yet unascertainable. At dialogue preparatory meetings held with the navy on a recent Tuesday, Minister Sutin reassured the Thai community that the government will strive for a win-win negotiation, preventing any disadvantageous situation for Thailand. Mandarin speakers might describe it as: Yi Shi Zu Dao – Killing two birds with one stone. Sutin further clarified that the dialogue focuses on contract revision…

Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has recently disclosed his plans to embark on negotiations with China with the intention of reducing the pricing of a particular frigate, following the governmental decision to procure such a ship instead of a submarine. The navy will constitute the negotiating delegation, which is expected to land in China for discussions prior to the expiration of their agreement next month. The role of China in these discussions is, however, yet to be confirmed. Mr. Sutin, who had a meeting with the navy prior to the trip to prepare essential data for the discussions, made it clear that the government’s priority is to avoid disadvantaging the country and to ensure the best deal is struck. As he explained, the plan is not to amend the contract but to revise the initial agreement, making it a subject of discourse between the navy and the Chinese company. Last week,…

The ambiance of anticipative calm prevails as an immigration officer patrols the area before Sadao checkpoint in the charming Songkhla province of southern Thailand. The image, captured perfectly by astute lens of Assawin Pakkawan, echoes the significant changes that are about to take place in Thai’s immigration process. In an exciting turn of events, the Thai cabinet has recently given the green light to a pivotal proposal. This ratified endorsement involves a temporary three-month suspension, starting from the 1st of November, of the requirement for non-Thai tourists to fill out the typically obligatory Tor Mor 6 (TM 6) immigration forms at the bustling Sadao immigration checkpoint. This striking reform, as expounded by the deputy government spokesman, Kharom Polpornklang, is slated to commence as soon as the next month comes sweeping in. The principal aim of this groundbreaking development? To significantly simplify the journey for Malaysian visitors keen on exploring the…

Imagine a bustling room filled with advocates of a government’s digital wallet initiative, all brandishing placards declaring support for a 10,000-baht digital cash distribution scheme. The setting is none other than the headquarters of the Pheu Thai Party on October 17, with a narration by the acclaimed photographer, Somchai Poomlard. In this electric atmosphere, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minster Phumtham Wechayachai shares his perspectives, dismissing the ripple effect of antagonistic views towards the digital currency program on the government’s stability. He optimistically construes the criticisms as constructive, viewing them as vital inputs that are strung along the pathway to the policy’s enhancement. Mr. Phumtham reveals that the digital wallet scheme has been a long-term project incubated within the Pheu Thai Party. He likens the process to thinking beyond the fringes – an innovative approach that widens the lens through which outsiders perceive their actions. His claim is substantiated by…

The dawn of a new era is on the horizon for the Social Security Office (SSO) in Thailand, as it gears up for the landmark election of Social Security Board members. The SSO has placed an impressive fund of 207 million baht in preparation for this momentous event, penciled in for December 24th, a date that is set to go down in history. This pivotal election signifies a fresh chapter in the annals of the Social Security Board, attested to by Security General Boonsong Thapchaiyuth. The Social Security Board, a crucial organ within the Social Security Act, plays the vital part of a bridge builder between the Thai government and the Social Security Fund (SSF), and primarily oversees the management of the fund for its members. This esteemed board comprises representatives from a variety of ministries including labour, finance, interior, and public health, alongside key individuals from the Budget Bureau,…