Posts published by “Editorial Team”

In an anticipated announcement closing weeks of conjecture, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed the inception of the government’s digital wallet scheme, which is slated to roll out in May next year. Approximately 50 million individuals aged 16 and over, with earnings less than 70,000 baht per month and holding less than 500,000 baht in bank deposits, are poised to earn a leg-up of a 10,000-baht handout. The prime minister made this landmark disclosure at the revered Government House. Designed to stimulate the economy, the digital wallet initiative, which necessitates a 500 billion baht loan, will be extended to Thai citizens meeting specific qualifications, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin articulated on Friday. The prerequisites dictate individual earnings to be below 70,000 baht per month with bank deposits under 500,000 baht. The altered considerations suggest 50 million people being qualified, a reduction from the original 56 million target audience. No leniencies have been…

In the heart of France’s cosmopolitan capital city, Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron has declared his keen support for the establishment of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram, a cultural cornerstone and a spiritual lighthouse for Thai Buddhists. On a regular Thursday, Emmanuel Macron’s presidential abode, the Elysée Palace, saw a revered visitor, Somdet Phra Maha Theerajarn, the abbot of Wat Phra Chetuphon, colloquially known as Wat Pho. This official visit wasn’t just any ordinary diplomatic meeting; it came with the goal of initiating the Wat Pho Paris, a socio-religious landmark set to echo the spiritual teachings of Buddhism right in the heart of France. This monumental inauguration ceremony is slated for tomorrow with the respected Somdet Phra Maha Theerajarn leading the ceremonial proceedings. Joining the high-level assembly were additional vital characters. Phra Sri Wichira Thamwithet, the Sangha chairman of Wat Pho Paris, and Boonyarit Vichienpuntu, the acting ambassador of the…

Imagine a ten-wheeled truck, groaning under the colossal weight of its payload, lodged firmly in a collapsed part of one of Bangkok’s busiest roads, Sukhumvit. This shocking sight, causing an unfortunate accident, was the catalyst for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to announce its plans to install cutting-edge weighting technology across the city, a statement made by spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amarapala on a recent Friday. Mr. Aekvarunyoo took the opportunity to detail the BMA’s plan. The city administrators are thoroughly researching a weigh-in-motion measuring technology. Following completion of the study, the BMA aims to trial the system at strategic ten locations before its comprehensive implementation citywide. Apart from monitoring the load weight, the officials also plan to inspect the 317 construction sites dispersed across the city, with a robust regulation lying ready in the wings. If a construction site permits an overweight truck to enter or exit the premises, it may…

The bustling metropolis of Bangkok, known for its vibrant street life and cultural landmarks, is making leaps towards an environmentally-conscious future. Coming to you from the city government’s quarters, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), in a march towards a cleaner, greener capital, has announced plans to raise the monthly household garbage collection fee from the current 20 to 60 baht by October of the forthcoming year. The diligent whisperings of official news comes courtesy of one of the city’s advisors, Mr. Pornphrom Vikitsreth. As part of the green initiative, citizens now have the option to maintain the existing payment of discarding their waste, provided that they undertake the responsibility to pre-sort their rubbish before it gets collected. This program of sorted collection charges is a strategic move, aimed at encouraging citizens not only to adopt better waste segregation practices but also to curb their dependency on single-use items, a prime…

The tranquillity of a typical Bangkok night was disrupted in the early hours of Saturday when a fire erupted on the 20th and 21st floors of a towering 27-storey condominium located in the city’s Ratchathewi district. Tragically, an elderly woman lost her life due to suffocation in the incident that also left more than 20 others with minor injuries. This unfortunate event, reported to the police around 12:35 a.m. by Phaya Thai police station’s deputy investigation chief, Pol Col Siriphong Phengmanee, threw the city into an inevitable state of chaos and worry. A swift response from the fire department saw about 30 fire trucks racing to the scene, their sirens cutting through the quiet night. It was a battle against time as they worked to quell the raging flames that had seized control of two floors of the condominium located on Soi Phetchaburi 15 off Phetchaburi Road. The heroic firefighters…

The bubbling cauldron of conflict in Israel has sadly claimed the lives of five more Thai nationals who had been employed there. This update was relayed by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the weekend, bringing the devastating total to 39. According to the Thai representation in the heart of Israel, in Tel Aviv, official recognition of the deceased’s nationalities has been made by the Israeli authorities. The grim reality as of November 10 includes 39 Thai workers tragically losing their lives, 19 more sustaining injuries, and an alarming 25 held captive. Among the injured, four are currently living through hospital care. Echoing a touch of humanity and concern, Pannabha Chandraramya, Thai ambassador to Israel, and Sakdinart Sonthisakdiyothin of the Social Security Office personally paid a visit to three of the injured last Friday. On a brighter note, the medical facilities—Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center and Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh)—have…

Here’s a tale that revolves around the ominous jungle terrain and relentless heavy rains in Trang province, where an adrenaline-pumping manhunt is ongoing. The elusive protagonist in this real-life thriller is Chaowalit Thongduang, an armed prisoner escapee convincingly playing his role from the thick forests of Banthad mountain range. This intriguing story seems to be coming straight out of an action-packed suspense film. The game intensified when the military personnel from Naresuan Camp in Phetchaburi province arrived swiftly at the scene to bolster the search operation for the 37-year-old fugitive, infamously known as Sia Paeng Nanod. Undeterred by the challenging terrain, over 30 courageous motorbike-riding cops from Trang provincial police initiated the search, embracing the sheer wilderness. To the untrained eye, the treacherous densely forested mountains may seem impenetrable. But for these men clad in khaki, vehicle access is an unnecessary luxury. Their pursuit, however, is supported by reinforcements from…

Silhouetted against the backdrop of the bustling Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla, a lone immigration officer stands, signifying the gateway to an adventure in Thailand. Nestled in the southern border province of Songkhla, Sadao’s bustling checkpoint has just received uplifting news. The Thai cabinet, in its relentless pursuit of enhancing tourism, has endorsed a strategy to provisionally suspend the necessity for non-Thai tourists to complete the Tor Mor 6 (TM 6) immigration forms. This temporary halt, commencing from the first day of November, simplifies the tourist entry process through the immigration checkpoint at Sadao for an initial period of three months. Kharom Polpornklang, the pivotal deputy government spokesman, shared this exhilarating news on a fine Tuesday. This suspension of the TM 6 requirement, he explained, is a calculated endeavor aimed at easing the visits of Malaysian visitors to Thailand, thus, painting the country as a more attractive tourist destination. The Tourism…

In a bid to scale the festive cheer from its nucleus in the capital to national ecstasy, the government is ready to bring vibrancy throughout Thailand through its annual Winter Festivals. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the man behind this grand idea, made the big announcement on his Facebook page. The announcement came after an enlightening conversation with Tourism and Sport Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Thailand Tourism Authority’s (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, and Bangkok’s Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. They’d been brainstorming on how to organize the “Colourful Bangkok Winter Festival,” which is set to flavour the year-end with vibrancy and cheer. Apparently, there are plans for at least 11 soft power-related activities slated to occur – stay tuned for more information in the ensuing month! The Colourful Bangkok Festival is an intriguing project in the pipeline – the TAT and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plan to collaborate on five “big events.” The goal?…

The Honourable Defence Minister of Thailand, Sutin Klungsang, recently announced his plans to entrust the Royal Thai Navy with the task of negotiating with China for a more favourable cost for a warship. This turn of events comes on the heels of the government’s preference for a frigate as opposed to a submarine. The naval delegation is expected to journey to China next week to involve in vital negotiations, before the pre-existing contract between both countries expires within a month. Whether China is amenable to this discussion is yet unascertainable. At dialogue preparatory meetings held with the navy on a recent Tuesday, Minister Sutin reassured the Thai community that the government will strive for a win-win negotiation, preventing any disadvantageous situation for Thailand. Mandarin speakers might describe it as: Yi Shi Zu Dao – Killing two birds with one stone. Sutin further clarified that the dialogue focuses on contract revision…