In a vibrant exchange of ideas and visions, the illustrious halls of Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited recently echoed with the intriguing buzz of a high-level delegation visit from the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI). Nestled in the bustling M Tower, this meeting of minds was centered on the pillars of innovation, sustainability, and the sweeping transitions in the energy arena. As part of the illustrious High-Impact Leadership Program—cunningly orchestrated by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) with the intellectual fervor of CNI—the focus was adeptly placed on navigating “Industry Growth, Technology, Innovation, and Future Opportunities in an Uncertain Global Environment.” At the helm of this enlightening session was Mrs. Gloyta Nathalang, the astute Senior Executive Vice President of Sustainability Management and Corporate Communications at Bangchak. With a poised enthusiasm, she extended a warm Thai welcome to a distinguished delegation guided by Dr. Bindhu Lohani, a luminary from the Board…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
Imagine standing at the bustling crossroads of travel planning, passport in hand, with dreams as big as the world you’re ready to explore. As thrilling as travel is, it’s often fraught with little hurdles that can trip up even the most seasoned globetrotter—like the ever-important visa. Enter VFS Global, waving a red flag of caution to our enthusiastic Thai adventurers. This global leader in visa outsourcing and technology services recently hosted a gathering in Bangkok, sounding the alarm on the rising tide of visa scams targeting eager Thai travelers. The assembly was a who’s who of diplomatic representation, featuring luminaries from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Norway, and Switzerland. Their collective message? Be wary, dear travelers, of the lurking threat of visa fraud. As wanderlust sweeps across Thailand, applications for visas have reached an all-time high, and with that swell of demand comes a shadow—a market ripe for unscrupulous…
Picture-Perfect Drama on the High Seas: Amid the splashing waves and salty breezes of the Andaman Sea, a scene reminiscent of a thrilling maritime novel unfolded as naval patrol vessels majestically glided into the bustling port of Ranong. These gallant guardians were on a mission — they had just orchestrated a daring rescue of Thai trawlers’ crewmen, who found themselves unwittingly caught in a crossfire initiated by trio of Myanmar warships on that fateful day of November 30th. The air was electric with tales of bravery and valor as stories rolled in from the decks. (Photo: Royal Thai Navy) Now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is locked in a concerted effort of negotiations as intricate as a game of diplomatic chess to bring back home four of those seafarers who found themselves drifting into the enigmatic waters of Myanmar — waters not merely geographical, but laden with political tension…
In a recent development that’s sure to stir more than a few feathers in the skies above Thailand, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has given a green light to a 25-baht hike in the passenger service charge (PSC) at some of the country’s bustling provincial airports. The decision, proposed by the Department of Airports, affects a set list of airports, each a charming gateway into Thailand’s diverse regions: Krabi, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Phitsanulok. What does this mean for the globe-trotting adventurer or the busy business traveler hoping to breeze through these airports? Well, you’ll now find yourself paying 425 baht for the privilege of taking off on an international flight and a modest 75 baht for domestic jaunts. Chayatan Phromsorn, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport and the deputy chairman of the CAAT, assures us that this…
In a move that’s causing quite the stir, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra touched down in Beijing and engaged in high-level discussions with none other than China’s President Xi Jinping. The rendezvous took place at the famed Great Hall of the People on a crisp Thursday, as covered by the official Xinhua news agency. Accolades to cooperation were in the air as Ms. Paetongtarn embarked on this diplomatic mission, determined to tackle an issue that has irked many—a crackdown on online scams and call centers plaguing Thai citizens. In a sweeping agenda, Ms. Paetongtarn threw the spotlight on protecting tourists, with a nod to the swath of visitors hailing from China. She took the bold step of advocating for a digital cleanse, urging Beijing to take a hard look at online platforms notorious for peddling misinformation about Thailand’s vibrant tourism sector. The emphasis was clear: cybersecurity and cross-border cooperation are…
As dawn broke over the bustling metropolis of Bangkok on a typical Thursday morning, an unsettling report from the Air Quality Information Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) sent ripples across the city. The air quality in 29 districts failed to meet safety standards, raising concerns about the health risks lurking in the air. The notorious PM2.5 particles took centre stage in this environmental drama, with their average levels hovering at 38.7 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) during the early hours from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. These tiny, yet powerful, particles just managed to edge above the national benchmark of 37.5 µg/m³, painting an ominous picture. A slight improvement, you might say, from the previous day’s reading of 40.7 µg/m³, but certainly not enough to breathe easy. For those who have been blissfully unacquainted, PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or smaller—more than…
In the bustling landscape of Thailand’s ever-evolving digital economy, a shadowy undercurrent has emerged, with mobile applications turning the tables on unsuspecting users. The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has assumed the role of a vigilant guardian, honing in on a troubling phenomenon—illegal mobile apps offering personal loans on a whim. These arbitrary lenders, including names like Fineasy and Happy Loan, have found themselves under the spotlight and poised to be expunged from digital marketplaces. With determination as their guide, the central bank is on a mission to sanitize the App Store and Google Play Store of these rogue entities. The story begins with Pirajit Padmasuta, the central bank’s senior director, succinctly voicing the institution’s concerns. By teaming up with the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) under the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry, the bank has embarked on a quest to eradicate these unlicensed money lenders from digital storefronts. The…
IMPACT Exhibition Management Co Ltd is orchestrating a grand symphony of ambition as it bids to become the towering maestro of Thailand’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism industry. Like an artist with a fresh canvas, IMPACT is set to splash 5 billion baht into the vibrant tapestry of Mueang Thong Thani, transforming it into a world-class haven for events and entertainment. This hefty investment comes as part of IMPACT’s masterful expansion strategy, closely tied to a visionary 100-billion-baht government mega-project that aims to create an entertainment complex of epic proportions. However, the plot thickens as IMPACT’s CEO, Paul Kanjanapas, reveals a twist. Due to the murky waters of uncertain government policies, the company is shifting its spotlight from the entertainment complex to hotel development. “The timeline for the entertainment complex project remains an enigma,” Kanjanapas unveiled, emphasizing that IMPACT isn’t twiddling its thumbs in the meantime. The company…
In the lively realm of Thai politics, few names echo with as much vigor as Thaksin Shinawatra. Despite his absence from the prime ministerial seat, the whispers of his influence are far from fading into silence—or so says Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Anutin, a man not known for mincing words, boldly counters claims suggesting Thaksin’s political sway has turned faint. In a statement as sharp as it is memorable, Anutin asserts, “Warriors are warriors. To underestimate Thaksin or say he is losing his magic can bring [the big mouth] an unprecedented disaster.” Such words serve as a vivid brushstroke in the portrait of a political landscape that is anything but predictable. These declarations arise amidst the backdrop of analyses questioning the enduring potency of Thaksin’s legacy, primarily fueled by the Pheu Thai Party’s less-than-stellar performance in the recent provincial administration organisation (PAO) elections. For many, these results indicated a…
Within the tranquil stretches of Phatthalung province, an intriguing tale of familial bonds and betrayal unfolds, drawing the attention of both locals and the curious afar. Two sisters, each steadfast in their convictions and torn by what was once an unbreakable family unity, have become tangled in a dispute as dramatic as any televised drama. At the heart of this sibling rivalry are Kulisara and Kirati, women familiar to their neighbors yet now planted firmly on opposing ends of a family feud that revolves around a considerable 30 million baht inheritance. Kulisara, aged 46, has leveled serious accusations against her elder sister, Kirati, aged 50. It all started with the mysterious moving of their frail parents, who found themselves unexpectedly lodged in a rented house, seemingly against their wills. Kulisara is resolute. She claims that Kirati clandestinely relocated their parents without a whisper of notice, and administers unprescribed psychiatric drugs,…