The high-stakes world of parliamentary politics and the turbulent sea of legislative change are once again at the forefront of Thailand’s news agenda. In an announcement made recently, Adisorn Piengkes, the esteemed chief of the government whip and a Pheu Thai list MP, stated that the government whips will hold a meeting on October 24 to decide their collective stance on a game-changing motion. This motion, proposed by the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), calls for a public referendum on amending the constitution, an issue that will be up for debate in the House of Representatives on October 25-26. Make no mistake, this isn’t a simple proposal being slipped under the doormat. The MFP’s motion has earned its place on the House agenda, and the discussion over it will strictly follow the procedures laid out by the public referendum law – no exceptions. To ensure unity and a consistent stance,…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
Picture this scene: It’s Sunday at Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan province, Thailand. A group of Thai vocational students, all decked out in their black attires, have just arrived from Israel. Among them, Vice Minister of Education, Siripong Angsakulkiat, stands out, sixth from the line, welcoming the students back home. This charming moment hides the harsh reality of the situation confronting many Thais in Israel today. (Photo supplied) Regrettably, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has had to report yet another increase in the number of Thais injured in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. On Sunday, the confirmed number took another leap, rising by two, thereby bringing the total to 18. Fortunately though, there has been no reported increase in the death toll or number of abducted Thais, which remain unvaried at 30 and 19 respectively. During these trying times, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been providing regular updates to the…
In a comprehensive analysis conducted by the International Trade Promotion Office of Thailand based in Tel Aviv, the repercussions of renewed hostilities in the Middle East were examined. Somewhat surprisingly, the report highlighted an unanticipated advantage of the conflict for Thailand: a potential surge in food and medical exports. The escalating conflict has resulted in amplified demand for these commodities, giving Thailand a unique chance to augment exports. Noteworthy products in demand involve essential staples such as rice, seafood, along with canned and processed food items, in addition to health commodities like pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and natural rubber products. The Trade Office also projected a surge in the demand for auto parts and vehicles in the post-war landscape. However, a decline in the demand for luxury goods like ornaments and jewellery is expected to persist for some time. Shining a light on the negative impacts of a protracted war, the…
In a solemn pronouncement, the revered Chula Rajamontri Office made the heavy-hearted statement that their esteemed Chula Rajamontri, Asis Pitakkumpol, had sadly “returned to the mercy of Allah at the poignant time of 10.32am”. They went on to say that the final farewell to this great man will be fittingly marked by an evocative prayer rite, set to take place at the iconic Songkhla Central Mosque. The well-planned commemoration is slated to unfold from the crack of dawn at 10am this forthcoming Monday. In the wake of a worrisome Friday, the office disclosed to the public that Asis found himself in the unfamiliar environment of a hospital room, the noticeable decline in his health causing concern amongst the staff and the community alike. The office called upon the boundless compassion of His Majesty the King as Asis was crowned a distinguished patient under the monarch’s sponsorship. A united Muslim community…
According to a recent, randomly conducted phone survey by Nida, the opinions of Thailand’s populace—from entertainment enthusiasts to night-owl shunners—were solicited on the proposition of shifting the official closure time for entertainment hotspots from 2am to a more nocturnal 4am. The survey, administered between October 17 and October 19, included 1,310 interviewees of 18 years and above from various demographics. Explorations into the nocturnal habits of the respondents presented a curious landscape: nearly 56% stated they were unfamiliar with after-dark adventures, while approximately 44% confessed they were accustomed to being part of the earlier nightlife scene. Delving deeper into the habits of those with nighttime entertainment experience under their belts, a subset of 581 respondents, the breakdown illuminated a range of frequencies in their recent annual nocturnal activities. The majority of the good-night goers, about 57.66%, reported they were not frequenters of the late-night entertainment scene, while 33.22% only ventured…
The student-led governing body at Rangsit Campus of Thammasat University recently announced that the traditional uniform requirements would soon be a thing of the past. The news came via the Student Council’s Facebook page on the weekend, indicating that the university’s rector, Kesinee Withoonchart, had put pen to paper, signing a decree that would liberate the students from any predefined dress code. No longer being dictated what to wear or how to present themselves, students would now relish in the liberty to fashion their unique styles without restrictions. The Student Council shared the news along with two official announcements of the university, validated with the signature of the rector. The first announcement, issued by the rector on October 12, took an unconventional approach. Instead of outlining what students should wear, it clarified the types of attire that would not be tolerated within the university grounds. Kesinee condemned any form of…
In a concerning twist of events, the “Royal Thai Embassy, Tel Aviv” felt the need to communicate through their official Facebook platform, a stern warning. The embassy’s action comes on the heels of a local news bulletin bringing to light the unfortunate circumstance of two Thai citizens being injured in a rocket attack near the perilous Lebanon border. As a trusted beacon of advice and guidance to the Thai community in foreign land, the embassy urged Thai workers harboring thoughts of returning to the comforting nest of their native land to exercise extreme caution. Their strong recommendation was for these expats to locate and stay in safe shelters prior to their respective flights home. A promise of assurance offered by Kanchana Patarachoke, the spokesperson for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, echoed the embassy’s sentiment. On the last day of the working week, the spokesperson made an announcement that was…
Prime Minister Srettha recently opened up about his initial experiences in office during a candid interview with The Nation’s TV news channel. Reflecting on his first two months as the head of the state, he revealed an intense schedule filled with significant conclusion and diplomatic exchanges with several leaders of neighbouring countries. The intent of these international dialogues was not solely for the purpose of strengthening ties but was also a significant part of a broader strategy. This strategy revolved around mobilising foreign investment into Thailand’s growing economy, and took PM Srettha on a whirlwind tour of Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Hong Kong to rally investors. The Thai Prime Minister described his interactions with China’s President Xi Jinping as particularly insightful. These conversations pertained mainly to infrastructural development across the Asean region and possible future links extending all the way to Europe and Africa. Srettha underscored the importance of…
In a significant development, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, has recently made an announcement stating that Saudi Arabia has made a vital pledge to aid in the travail of liberating Thai hostages enmeshed in the throes of the Israel-Hamas war. This statement was made after a productive meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, at the vital Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in the historic city of Riyadh. The Crown Prince, deeply moved by the plight of the Thai workers embroiled in this tumultuous conflict, has given a firm commitment towards facilitating Thailand in securing the homecoming of its endangered citizens. This dire matter formed the core of various discussions at the summit, where the seasoned, 61-year-old Thai PM, and a consortium of leaders appealed for a peaceful resolution through meaningful dialogue and immediate liberation of hostages. Delving deeper into the narrative of this…
In the clenches of a frigid air blanket nesting primarily in northern corners of the Thailand, turbulent weather is triggering thunderstorms and opening the skies for heavy rain downpours in sporadic spots. On the other hand, the South paints a louder picture, with a monsoon trough bulldozing its way through, relentlessly spattering heavy rainfall that beckons an ominous warning of potential momentary flooding and jeopardy from forest runoff. It is msg_dispatched to the residents embellishing these affected belts to bear a vigilant eye on the evolving situation. Meanwhile, Bangkok, the capital city sits on the edge with a prediction of a 60% chance of thunderstorms and rain, adding a dash of excitement to an otherwise ordinary day. If we tune in to the weather predictions relayed by the Thailand Meteorological Department for the next 24 hours, we can listen to a tale where a high-pressure system, a cold air mass…