The groundbreaking health initiative famously known as the “treatment anywhere for just 30 baht” remains one of the triumphant electoral pledges by the reigning Pheu Thai Party. Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, when unveiling these critical policies explained that their sole purpose was to manifest tangible results within the first 100 days. He further elaborated that several actions under these policies were already underway and are anticipated to yield fruitful outcomes just in time for the New Year, offering a welcomed gift to the populace. The “anywhere treatment” plan acts as an extension of Thaksin Shinawatra’s government’s revolutionary 30-baht universal healthcare scheme which was launched in 2002 during his tenure as the Prime Minister. In this renewed version of the ground-breaking scheme, the beneficiaries, for a mere 30 baht, would garner coverage for primary health concerns at all participating hospitals. Dr. Cholnan unveiled that the scheme was now…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
Many scholars are taking a hard look at the recent government communication methods and strategies, with a notable figure like Burin Adulwattana, the managing director and chief economist at the esteemed Kasikorn Research Centre, taking the lead. He voiced apparent concerns about the decision to adopt a strategy of crisis communication in order to drum up support for the digital wallet project, warning that it might have unintended consequences. Adulwattana argued the said technique, although designed to rally public support, has unintentionally chipped away at the confidence of investors, both local and foreign. With his expertise, he shed light on an era where news propagates rapidly that leaves investors in a flurry. While some government policies remain ambiguous, a deluge of news makes its way to the public scene. He emphasized the necessity for cohesive and clear dialogue before delivering public statements. Nonarit Bisonyabut, a commendable senior researcher at the…
With an air buzzing with anticipation and speculation, Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has announced the completion of the first draft of the groundbreaking Cannabis-Hemp Act. Notwithstanding the many rumours circulating, cannabis will not be reclassified as a narcotic under this novel legislation. Officially unfurling this news was Public Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew, who highlighted that the fresh legislation is a more polished version of the initial draft. Where once the act sprawled over 94 sections, it has now been elegantly trimmed down to about 70. This renewed version deftly addresses public apprehensions and firmly closes the doors on any loopholes that might have inadvertently indulged recreational use of cannabis. In the words of the Ministry of Public Health, the heartbeat of the law remains constant. It considers cannabis a regulated herb. Nevertheless, it also introduces a stringent limit. Extracts boasting more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) will bear the formidable label…
A quake of 6.4 magnitude shook Myanmar recently, causing tremors that could be felt across large parts of Thailand. This seismic event has led experts, in both engineering and academia, to call for the adoption of stricter regulations to bolster the resilience of standing structures against possible future tremors. The quake, registering a 6.4 magnitude, originated in Myanmar yesterday morning at 8.37am. According to the Earthquake Observation Division at the Meteorological Department, the quake’s epicenter was approximately 100 kilometer northwest of the Mae Sai district, located in the Chiang Rai province. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake hit approximately 76 kilometers southwest of Kengtung town, Shan State, plunging nine kilometers in depth. After the initial quaking event, three smaller aftershocks, with magnitudes of 4.1, 3.5 and 3.4, were recorded. The effects of the tremors could be felt in numerous districts of Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and…
The airwaves in Thailand were saturated with disbelief and sorrow as news spread about the untimely death of DJ Ko, born under the name Trin Ruangkitratanakul, a celebrated figure in the radio industry. Aged just 36, DJ Ko plunged to his tragically early demise from a towering edifice in the vibrating heart of Bangkok, on the afternoon of November 17. As it stands, local authorities are treating this heartbreaking incident, which took place in the vibrant district of Khlong Toei, as a possible suicide. Officers assigned to the case received a distress call around 1.30 pm. It was a scene of chilling silence, as DJ Ko’s motionless body was found nearby the culinary quarters of a humble two-storey domiciliary structure, just next to his temporary residence at a hotel on Soi Sukhumvit 20. Hotel employees, still reading from the shock of the incident, recalled hearing a resounding thump against the…
Legislation is advancing for a fresh agreement spearheaded by Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHSRI) to facilitate the shifting of Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok’s (RMUTTO) Uthenthawai campus. Currently, the campus is situated on the land owned by Chulalongkorn University (CU). The esteemed Supamas Isarabhakdi disclosed that representatives from both RMUTTO and CU have formed a committee to work out the details of the relocation. They’ve presented two potential solutions: first, CU can offer their land to the public, transforming the site into a vibrant park or a children’s museum. Offering a further perspective, Supamas stated, “On the inclination that CU chooses not to utilize the land for revenue generation but to entertain it for public welfare like creating a park, museum, or an art space similar to what Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Art & Cultural Centre offers, [it could be an agreeable solution for RMUTTO].” She…
In an engaging demonstration of global partnership strategy, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand, in a recent meeting, communicated to his Canadian and Australian counterparts—Justin Trudeau and Anthony Albanese—that the Land of Smiles is ready and eager to bolster foreign investment. This announcement came in the backdrop of an emerging global trend where businesses are making a shift to the flourishing Asean region. A high-ranking government spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke, disclosed this development, adding that the discussion with the Canadian Prime Minister took place in the stunning city of San Francisco, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit. Both leaders expressed optimism about enhancing cooperation in a wide variety of areas, solidifying mutual growth prospects that Apec is expected to bring forth. Prime Minister Srettha used the Apec platform to make it known that Thailand is prepared to host foreign investors, tailoring its readiness towards the trend of businesses making the…
The Asia International Hemp Expo had a fascinating display of cannabis plants – a sight that was gracefully witnessed in Bangkok, in November 2022. Presided by Public Health Minister, Dr Cholnan Srikaew, the event was a landmark in the cannabis industry, marking significant developments in cannabis legislation. This pinnacle event showcased the completion of the inaugural draft of the Cannabis-Hemp Act, a breakthrough achievement in the history of cannabis legalization. Dr Cholnan assured that the refreshingly new law would not reclassify cannabis as an illicit substance. Based on extensive refinements of its initial draft of 94 sections, the law now stands at a more compact size with around 70 parts. Akin to an upgraded version, it addresses various public concerns and plugs potential loopholes that may pave way for recreational marijuana use. Cannabis remains labeled as a controlled herb in the law’s core, and any extract with over 0.2% of…
The Move Forward Party (MFP), Thailand’s leading opposition party, is currently in the middle of a serious crisis. Despite its swift rise as a political force with progressive views, the party is currently involved in a series of internal disputes that seem to be harming its reputation. The MFP has been generally applauded for its commitment to core ethical values, standing firm in the face of challenges and promoting equality and respect, particularly regarding gender. But it is on this very principle that they have entered choppy waters. The party consistently finds itself battling allegations of misconduct from within its ranks. The storm erupted when an anti-MFP webpage named ‘Wannee Kao Klai Kohok Arai’ (What Lies Have the Move Forward Party Been Telling Today?) brought to public attention the indiscreet behaviors of two MFP constituency MPs.The implicated lawmakers, Wittiphong Thonglour of Prachin Buri and Chaiyamphawan Manpianjit of Bangkok, were hence…
In an unfolding tale of mysterious murders and international intrigue in Bangkok, the police are now hot on the heels of a Thai woman alleged to be the mastermind behind the chilling kill of a Taiwanese businessman. Pairing up with Interpol, the authorities are also in a race against time to search for an absconded suspect, hailing from Vanuatu, who has reportedly fled the country. The narrative took its dark turn on Thursday, as a Cameroonian and a Burmese man were taken into custody. This duo, identified as Zwe Lin Pyae, a 21-year-old from Myanmar, and John Agbor, a 40-year-old from Cameroon, were then led to the Phra Khanong Criminal Court on Saturday by diligent detectives from Bang Na police station, who appealed for a 12-day detention period to continue their probe into the severe crime, opposing bail on the grounds of its gravity. In accordance with the nation’s law,…