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…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
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,…
Imagine being in the heart of a conflict zone, isolated from your family, your home, and your comfort zone. This was the situation for 41 Thai individuals, comprising 23 men and 18 women, who found themselves caught amidst the tense standoff between Myanmar’s military and ethnic rebel outfits in Shan state’s northern region. Mercifully, they managed a safe return home through the Mae Sai border crossing located in Chiang Rai on a sunny Saturday – a scene that brought relief to many anxious hearts. The afternoon of their repatriation was rife with bittersweet emotions and a fair share of surprises. A figure of three amongst these conflict-escapees, according to the authorities, were discovered having unresolved arrest warrants. Representatives from the Thai military, inclusive of the esteemed Pha Muang Task Force, were given the responsibility to welcome this group of survivors from Laukkaing, a town in northern Myanmar living under a…
The serene quiet of the Daroonrajwittaya School in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai was disturbed last Friday when an earthquake in Myanmar sent ripples through its layers. Cinematic scenes unfolded as students ducked under their desks, seeking refuge from the mild tremors that danced across the school building. This live event was captured in a video posted on the school’s official Facebook page. Coming in at a magnitude 6.4 on the Richter scale, the quake was no minor deal. Its epicenter was identified about 76 kilometers southwest of Kengtung in Shan State, which places it roughly 100 kilometers northwest of Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai. The quake’s vibrations managed to travel through space and time, to be felt in certain northern and northeastern provinces, and even some areas in the fast-paced city of Bangkok. Following the aftermath of the quake, the Ministry of Public Health stepped into high…
Engaging in a passionate diatribe during a live-stream presentation on Facebook, Jatuporn Prompan, a prominent critic of Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party, voiced his concerns over the government’s digital wallet scheme. Known for his historical role as a red-shirt leader and currently serving as a co-leader of Kana Lomruam Prachachon, Mr. Jatuporn views this initiative as a potential Achilles heel for the current administration. The primary concern stems from distrust towards the ruling party, stemming from its track record of reneged promises. This disharmony reached a crescendo when Pheu Thai jettisoned its pro-democracy cohort, the Move Forward Party, in favor of forming a government with previous administration’s core entities such as the Bhumjaithai, Palang Pracharath, and the United Thai Nation Party. Adding fuel to the contentious fire, Mr. Jatuporn brought up the government’s wavering stance on wallet policy financing, particularly its abrupt switch from a pledge of no loan procurement for…
An arresting spectacle of nature stretches along the Prachuap Khiri Khan coastline, which extends over 200 kilometers. From the sands of Hua Hin Beach to the quaint region of Bangsaphan Noi district – one can observe waves as high as 2-4 meters. These towering waves, akin to giant warriors of the sea, are causing quite the sea alteration. They are so phenomenally high in fact, that they are causing seawater to cascade onto beachfront roads, resulting in significant flooding and traffic mayhem. Your typical lazy beachfront eateries and festive shop houses- the lifeblood of the local economy- have now been temporarily sent into a state of virtual lockdown. Blame it on an unanticipated encroachment by the aggressive tides. This usually bustling road morphs into a lively pedestrian zone every weekend, drawing tourists like bees to honey. However, it has now been reduced to an exhibition of nature’s power, provoking curiosity…