Posts published by “Editorial Team”

Last Friday, in the bustling city of Bangkok, a fascinating diplomatic dance unfolded. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was seen in earnest conversation with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who now chairs an informal Asean advisory group. The focus of these talks? None other than the complex political terrain of Myanmar and Asean’s role in mediating these troubled waters. As the world watched, Thailand’s involvement in these discussions came with a careful disclaimer. Official sources were quick to clarify that Thailand acted purely as a facilitator between Malaysia—Asean’s current chair—and Myanmar’s military junta. Yet, the murmurs of critique were inescapable as scholars and analysts scrutinized the opaqueness that shrouded the meeting outcomes. Calls for tangible and impactful resolutions in any future dialogues reverberated across the academic circles. The diplomatic spotlight shone on Thursday as signaled by Nikorndej Balankura, the eloquent spokesperson for Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to…

Who knew that the pursuit of a little thrill on the water could leave you high and dry, both literally and figuratively? In the ever-vibrant sun-soaked alcove of Phuket, the land where sea meets sand and adventure beckons brightly like a lighthouse, a twist in the tide has unveiled a rather interesting plot. What am I waxing nautical about, you ask? Well, it’s the curious case of the jet ski conundrum! Now, hold on to your life jackets, because this story’s ripples are sure to make waves. Picture this: a string of unlicensed jet skis zipping across the pristine Andaman Sea. Quite the sight for sore eyes, isn’t it? But behind this picturesque panorama lies a scam that could make even the cunningest pirates blush. On a recent Friday, Phuket was buzzing more than a yacht party as Marine police turned sleuths, launching a full-scale treasure hunt for unscrupulous operators.…

Picture this: the hum of airplanes, the bustle of travelers eager to explore the undiscovered gems of Thailand. Yes, it’s another vibrant day at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where the adventure truly begins! But, dear traveler, before you set foot on Thai soil, there’s a digital detour that beckons you — the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC for those who love a good acronym adventure. Mark this date, fellow wanderlusters, on your travel itineraries: as of April 28, prepping for your Thai escapade requires a digital touch. Deputy government spokesman Anukool Pruksanusak has revealed that this seamless slice of digital wizardry is now your gateway to Thailand. Forget about the days when the TM.6 paper form reigned supreme; we’re in the digital age, people! Ready to dive into digital? The TDAC awaits your input, and soon, you’ll even have a mobile app gracing your Android or iOS devices for that ultimate convenience.…

In the heart of Phuket, an urgent appeal reverberates from the corridors of Chalong Hospital. Despite its vital role in serving over 160,000 patients annually across the bustling locales of Rawai, Karon, and Chalong, the hospital finds itself dramatically short of the funding needed to construct much-needed operating rooms. A lack of adequate financing from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has left the hospital dangling precariously over a financial abyss. Director of Chalong Hospital, Chuchart Nitchawatana, lays it out bluntly: “We require 56.9 million baht to build an operating room equipped with essential medical apparatus,” he remarked, tinged with frustration. To date, the MoPH has contributed a mere 4.7 million baht. Though the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) has chipped in another 10 million baht, the funds still fall dramatically short. “We still need over 38 million baht to meet our target,” Chuchart revealed, a testament to the uphill…

On a seemingly normal evening in Chon Buri, a local journalist found himself at the center of a storm he’d never anticipated. Nanthaphon, a seasoned scribe with an unyielding commitment to truth, was enjoying a leisurely meal with colleagues at a cozy restaurant nestled along Sukhumvit Road in Sattahip district. The restaurant, usually alive with the comforting hum of chatter and clinking cutlery, turned into an unexpected arena for a duel of words – and fists. Unbeknownst to him, an old acquaintance was about to cast a shadow over the night. B, a member of the provincial council known for his fiery temperament, stepped into the dimly lit eatery visibly agitated. It wasn’t long before B’s eyes locked onto Nanthaphon, and the air grew tense. “Today, I’m going to take on your subordinates,” B declared, his voice dripping with animosity. Nanthaphon, puzzled and taken aback, tried to unravel the meaning…

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra finds her political footing challenged as criticism mounts over her handling of a recent, devastating earthquake in Bangkok. The tremors rattled the capital on March 28, unraveling the city’s infrastructure and shaking the public’s faith in their leader’s crisis management abilities. Critics argue that natural disasters have tested Ms. Paetongtarn’s leadership mettle ever since she took office on August 16 of the previous year. The flood crisis in Chiang Rai was her baptism by water—literally—that garnered skepticism about her commitment to assist the flood-stricken region. Officially, she cited the pending royal endorsement as her reason for delaying any intervention, but cynics suspected political posturing at play. The critics’ whispers grew louder after what was described as a noticeable “leadership vacuum.” Without a solid plan or mobilized resources, the basic demands of flood relief, such as budget allocation and logistic support, remained unmet. And while the weight…

In a tragic turn of events that unfolded under the moonlit skies of southern Thailand, a trailer truck driver met a heartbreaking fate in Phatthalung province. On the night of April 18, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the tranquility of Highway 15 in the Ban Pabak area of Thung Nari subdistrict, Pa Bon district was shattered. The dimly lit stretch of road bore witness to a catastrophic accident that claimed the life of Manop, a 59-year-old driver whose journey came to a devastating halt. The trailer truck, brimming with a heavy cargo of ceiling panels, overturned, leaving a scene of sheer devastation. Registered in Songkhla, the truck lay on its side by the roadside, its spilled cargo strewn haphazardly across the asphalt. It was a chaotic tableau of steel and splintered wood, with the panels as grievous witnesses to the accident. The responders, police officers from Pa Bon Police Station, along…

The recent site inspection of the collapsed SAO building has unveiled both reassuring and concerning findings, according to the Department of Health’s latest reports. While levels of heavy metals and asbestos are comfortably within normal limits, PM10 dust levels have alarmingly exceeded standard thresholds, signaling the potential necessity for extended monitoring to ensure public safety. On April 18, Dr. Amporn Benjapolpitak, the vigilant Director-General of the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, made known that a dedicated team from SEhRT had been promptly deployed to a makeshift shelter at JJ Mall in Chatuchak. Their mission—assess the air quality and address the concerns of those impacted by the earthquake that shook Myanmar. The purpose of these assessments? To bring some solace to the troubled hearts of the public, rescue workers, and the families of those stricken by the disaster. In an added layer of caution, the Department of Health expressed…

As the sun began to rise on Friday morning, the United SAR K9 search and rescue team set out on their mission with an unwavering determination to bring everyone back to their families. A staggering feat amidst a sea of discarded cement and steel bars, all left in the wake of the State Audit Office building’s collapse. This day was about hope, about ensuring no one remained lost in the debris. (Photo: United SAR K9) In the aftermath of the catastrophe, the Royal Thai Police’s Disaster Victim Identification Centre has played a critical role in channeling chaos into order. A total of 33 individuals have been identified following the tragic collapse during the recent earthquake. Pol Maj Gen Wathee Assawutmangkul, who serves as the torchbearer for the Office of Police Forensic Science, announced a mission to confirm these identities. Each triumph brings solace to grieving families yearning for closure as…