The bustling aroma of Thai cuisine is making its bold leap from Bangkok street corners to the global stage, and it’s not just any leap—it’s almost a royal entrance! Spearheaded by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce, a vibrant new initiative is underway to catapult Thai SELECT products and services into the spotlight of international markets. Joined by influential figures from around the globe, this campaign promises to spice up the world’s palate and elevate the Thai SELECT logo to gleam as a beacon of quality. Imagine tasting the meticulously crafted flavors of Thailand with the royal endorsement of Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi herself. Picture this regal scene: alongside world-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck, the Princess orchestrates the perfect symphony of crispy noodles and the heartwarming notes of chicken massaman curry. This culinary concert didn’t just stay in the kitchen. Oh…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
As we usher in the New Year, the stakes are higher, and the need for safety has never been more pressing. With the sound of fireworks ringing in the air and the excitement of resolutions taking center stage, the Thai government has announced a crucial extension to its annual road safety campaign. Originally planned to span a week, the initiative now stretches from December 27 to January 5. This 10-day campaign, as Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong revealed on Thursday, reflects a committed effort to safeguard the lives of citizens as they revel in the spirit of the season. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has made it clear that public safety is not just a priority, but a responsibility. Her dedication to this cause is evident in the additional days added to the campaign, which is spearheaded by the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee. The rationale is simple yet profound: fewer…
Diabetes is swiftly becoming a global health crisis, and Thailand is no exception. Back in 2021, over 537 million people around the world were grappling with this condition, a figure that’s projected to soar to 643 million by 2030. Alarmingly, diabetes claims about 6.7 million lives every year, equating to one life lost every five seconds. As we look ahead to 2040, predictions from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) warn that Thailand alone could see up to 5.3 million individuals living with diabetes. But it’s not just diabetes itself that’s concerning—it’s a major precursor to other serious non-communicable diseases such as heart ailments, strokes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. To mark World Diabetes Day 2024, the Diabetes Association of Thailand, in an impressive collaboration with the Association of Thai NCD Alliance, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand) Limited, is hosting the spectacular ‘Bangkok Ride and Run 2024: Reimagine…
In a bustling and vibrant parliament meeting, lawmakers gathered with an air of anticipation as a controversial bill made its way through the legislative process. The anticipation crescendoed with the bill’s second and third readings, successfully passing through the House of Representatives. This particular piece of legislation was designed to grant parliamentary committees the authority to hold state officials accountable for failing to attend parliamentary inquiries, a move that has sparked spirited debates across political aisles. However, the journey did come with its share of dramatic twists. A tempestuous discussion arose around the bill’s most contentious section, which sought to extend the committees’ power, also enabling them to compel legal private entities to heed their summons. The proposal was met with fierce opposition and contentious deliberations. Ultimately, this measure was decisively voted down in the second reading and removed before the remaining sections breezed through the third and final reading.…
In the kaleidoscope of Thai politics, where allegiances are as fluid as the Mekong River, a dramatic shift recently unfolded under the grand dome of parliament. The charismatic Capt Thamanat Prompow, who once helmed the turbulent seas as the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) secretary-general, has navigated with undeniable flair into the realms of the Kla Dharma Party. Leading a robust crew of 20 former PPRP MPs, this strategic maneuver has ballooned Kla Dharma’s ranks to a formidable 24 members. News hounds and political wonks gathered eagerly as Capt Thamanat shared this seismic update during a lively press conference—a spectacle marked by parliamentary pomp and the subtle theatrics of political realignments. Capt Thamanat’s saga is a riveting chronicle of party politicking and power plays. The narrative traces back to a patchy rift with Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the towering PPRP figurehead. Captain Thamanat, wielding his group of MPs with a rebellious flourish,…
As the dawn of 2025 approaches, Citi Thailand is lighting up with optimism about the country’s economic prospects. Pivotal domestic investments from both public coffers and the bustling private sector are poised to lift Thailand’s economy to new heights. Meanwhile, the ever-flourishing tourism industry continues to pack a punch as a principal catalyst for growth. In a promising forecast, the bank foresees Thailand’s GDP climbing to 3.2% in 2025, stepping up from the 2.7% projection for the preceding year. Nalin Chutchotitham, a key figure as the Director and Economist for Thailand and the Philippines at Citi Thailand, shared insights at the Bangkok Post Dinner Talk 2024. According to her, this positive trajectory can be traced back to several driving factors, chiefly the steady release of funds from the fiscal budget this year, a move anticipated to fuel economic dynamism into the next. In this optimistic scenario, the bank predicts an…
In an intriguing twist of political maneuvering, a bill proposing to empower parliamentary committees with the authority to penalize state officials who dodge parliamentary inquiries has triumphantly passed its second and third readings in the illustrious House of Representatives. Yet, this journey wasn’t without its hurdles—the bill’s most contentious provision, which aimed to extend this power to drag private legal entities into the fold, met its end as it was decisively voted down and excised during the second reading. Despite this hiccup, the remaining sections glided smoothly through the final reading. The controversial clause was perceived by numerous Pheu Thai Party MPs as a potential Pandora’s box, ripe for exploitation by any unscrupulous committee member with an eye for underhanded financial gain. “The era where state officials were coerced into parting with their cash by scheming committees is now behind us,” declared Cholnan Srikaew, an MP representing Nan for the…
In the heart of Laos, a contentious hydropower undertaking known as the Sanakham project is stirring a tempest of activist attention and governmental deliberations. As cries for transparency and prolonged scrutiny echo through the surrounding communities and beyond, activists are fervently pleading with the government to rethink the rapid acceleration toward a decisive public forum. It seems that the anticipation is surging faster than the mighty Mekong River itself, which could find its own flow disrupted by this audacious endeavor. Public hearings remain a pivotal component of the Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation, and Agreement (PNPCA), a framework championed by the Mekong River Commission (MRC). This intricate process ensures that such developments are meticulously vetted, taking into account the voices from downstream communities who may bear the brunt of the project’s environmental and social impacts. It’s a balancing act between progress and preservation—a dance Laos must perform under the watchful…
Imagine wandering through Thailand’s sprawling farmland—150 million rai to be exact—where the sun casts its glow over lush green fields tended by over 7 million dedicated farming families. Here, the heartbeat of the agricultural sector isn’t just in the soil, but now, soaring through the skies. The unlikely hero of this bucolic scene? Drones! That’s right, the futuristic little machines you once thought were exclusive to gadget nerds and big-budget movies are now set to revolutionize the world of agriculture, thanks to a brilliant push by Thailand’s Department of Agriculture. And let me tell you, it’s quite the story. In a seminar—aptly titled “Professional Farming Drone under Academic Principle and Laws” (try saying that five times fast!)—an assembly of bright minds gathered to discuss the transformative role of drone technology in a sector that plays such a pivotal part in the country’s economic vitality. Pongthai Thaiyotin, the department’s deputy chief,…
In the world of political theatrics, there’s often a fray, but in the case of Thailand’s recent political shenanigans, it appears the show must go on without a hitch. Government harmony stayed resolute, despite Bhumjaithai Party’s audacious decision to push for the disputed double-majority rule in the charter amendment referendum. This daring move stirred the pot with other coalition players, but according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, there’s no need to mend fences. “Let the parliamentary process do its thing, why don’t we,” says Ms. Paetongtarn, exuding a confident nonchalance. “Even within the same party, not everyone shares the same brainwave. It’s water under the bridge. We’re still in this together, come what may,” she stated after the coalition and the main opposition, the People’s Party, collectively decided to give the referendum bill, saturated with the double majority rule, a big thumbs down this past Wednesday. The baton had been…