In the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, a group of curious students recently embarked on a fascinating tour to the Department of City Planning, where they caught a glimpse of an intriguing scale model of their booming metropolis. Their adventure, however, was not merely an academic exercise. It was a firsthand encounter with a city in the throes of transformation, as plans for its future continue to stir debate and controversy. The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) is poised to file a petition with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) this Wednesday. Their concern? The Bangkok city plan, now in its fourth revision, is allegedly plagued by procedural flaws that undermine the rights of its citizens. Itboon Onwongsa, deputy secretary-general of the TCC, passionately voiced these concerns during a forum aptly named “Justice City” held on a lively Saturday. “It’s a matter of citizens’ rights,” he declared to an engaged audience.…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
The intrigue surrounding former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s detention at the Police General Hospital (PGH) has reached the corridors of power, as a House committee gears up to delve into claims of preferential treatment. This Thursday’s congressional rendezvous seeks not only to chart a course for reforming the justice system but also to untangle the allegations that Thaksin basked in VIP detention privileges. At the helm of this probing expedition is the committee on state security, border affairs, national strategy, and reform, ably led by the charismatic Rangsiman Rome, a list MP hailing from the gritty opposition front, the People’s Party. To unravel this tangled web, the committee plans to invite a roster of officials to spill the beans, including Seri Ruam Thai Party leader Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, PDH physician Pol Lt Gen Taweesilp Wechawitarn, and the stalwart director of…
If you ever find yourself gazing out across the turquoise waters of Thailand’s Trat province, you might notice a lively parade of cars and motorbikes lining up, all headed towards the dazzling islands of Koh Kut and Koh Chang. This vibrant scene, where tourists eagerly anticipate the sea-bound ferry, is a routine spectacle captured time and again in the lenses of onlookers. But there’s more than meets the eye amid this picturesque landscape. In the midst of this serene setup, an interesting development has been taking place. Chief of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), Admiral Jirapol Wongwit, recently took to the skies and landed on Koh Kut, not as a tourist, but on a mission of national significance. With the rotor blades of his helicopter still whipping the island air, Admiral Jirapol stepped forth with a singular aim—to reassure the people of Thailand that the navy stands as the firm…
In a bustling slice of Thailand’s metropolitan tapestry, where tradition meets modernity in a harmonious blend, officials from the esteemed Department of Medical Sciences orchestrated an initiative of a different kind in 2023. Nestled within the hum of the MRT Purple Line in Nonthaburi, they set up camp at the Ministry of Public Health station, offering free blood pressure and oxygen level tests, captured in a striking image by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill. This wasn’t just a medical check-up; this was Thailand’s healthcare system extending its hands in care and compassion to the everyday commuter. As the fiscal year closed its books, Thailand’s National Health Security Office (NHSO) revealed a story told through numbers and ailments. The prevalent high blood pressure condition found its way to the top of the outpatient chart, overshadowing all other medical concerns within universal healthcare service circles. Stepping into the limelight, NHSO’s secretary-general, Dr. Jadet Thammathataree, painted…
In the hustle and bustle of daily life in Nonthaburi, if you’re commuting on the MRT Purple Line in 2023, you might just have stumbled into an unexpected scene. Nestled in the Ministry of Public Health station, a group of diligent Department of Medical Sciences officials offered free blood pressure and oxygen level screenings. Not only did this initiative bring a health check-up to your neighborhood commute, but it also shed light on a growing health concern across Thailand. The National Health Security Office (NHSO) dished out some telling figures this year: high blood pressure has earned the notorious spot as the most frequent medical condition affecting outpatients under Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme. NHSO secretary-general, Dr. Jadet Thammathataree, laid out the fiscal details, explaining how a whopping 99.7 billion baht was earmarked to cover the healthcare needs of 47.727 million eligible citizens in 2023. Scrutinizing the math, that’s approximately 3,385.98…
Amid the bustling pulse of Nonthaburi’s MRT Purple Line, a proactive initiative unfolded in 2023, where diligent Department of Medical Sciences officials rolled up their sleeves to provide free blood pressure and oxygen level tests to eager passersby. This altruistic service at the Ministry of Public Health station, beautifully captured by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill, struck a chord in the hearts of many, highlighting the prevalence of high blood pressure as the nation’s leading outpatient concern under the universal healthcare scheme. As disclosed by the National Health Security Office (NHSO), high blood pressure reigned supreme as the medical condition most frequently addressed via outpatient services in 2023. NHSO’s secretary-general, Dr. Jadet Thammathataree, offered an intriguing glimpse into the fiscal strategies supporting this initiative. An impressive budget of 99.7 billion baht was meticulously parceled out to cater to the needs of 47.727 million eligible Thai citizens, boiling down to a thoughtful allocation of…
In the bustling heart of Narathiwat Province, nestled deeply in Thailand’s restive South, a narrative unfolds that has gripped the nation and rekindled calls for reform. November marks the solemn anniversary of the Tak Bai incident, an event that has become a symbol of the complexities within the country’s justice system. The memories of that fateful day, October 25, 2004, linger on in a kaleidoscope of emotions—from grief and anger to an urgent demand for justice. On that ill-fated day, a peaceful protest transformed into a scene of chaos outside the Tak Bai police station. The protesters, numbering in the hundreds, were demanding the release of six detainees. The situation escalated swiftly, and seven Muslim protesters tragically lost their lives during the rally. The calamity did not end there. As the detainees were transported to a military camp in Pattani, 78 more succumbed to suffocation and organ failure during the…
In the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, a dramatic tableau unfolded as a group of individuals found themselves at the center of a heated investigation by the Central Investigation Bureau. On October 17, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) ramped up its efforts, methodically assembling a case against several suspects linked to The iCon Group. This investigation is not just a run-of-the-mill scam probe; it’s a deep dive into the murky waters of what many believe to be a sophisticated pyramid scheme. DSI’s acting secretary-general, Yuthana Phraedam, has been leading the charge. With a sharp gaze and a determined mindset, he and his team are preparing to level new charges of fraudulent borrowing against the accused. The DSI has been meticulously gathering intelligence, conferring with the Consumer Protection Board and the Fiscal Policy Office. This powerful trifecta of resources is slowly but surely building a rock-solid case. Rewind back to an…
Under the watchful gaze of the Central Investigation Bureau in bustling Bangkok, the 17th of October brought new developments to a case that has sparked both interest and concern: the saga of The iCon Group. The scene played out like a dramatic crime novel—a slew of suspects, all carefully housed in custody, were about to face the music. They were on the verge of dealing with charges that don’t just whisper fraud; they scream deceit, centered around fraudulent borrowing, more notoriously known as involvement in a pyramid scheme. Behind this investigation is the diligent Department of Special Investigation (DSI). DSI’s acting secretary-general, Yuthana Phraedam, was not one to let any stones go unturned. With formidable partnerships woven with the Consumer Protection Board and the Fiscal Policy Office, Yuthana and his team were armed with a trove of information potent enough to fortify their case against The iCon Group. As it…
In the heart of Thailand, a question lingers among its people: Are there truly selfless volunteer lawyers, those who unwaveringly serve the cause of justice without seeking personal gain or fame? According to a revealing survey by Nida Poll, while the myth of “genuine volunteer lawyers” prevails, the reality appears to be more intricate. The survey, capturing the pulse of the people, set out to uncover the existence of these elusive legal knights in shining armor. The findings painted a nuanced picture: Over half of the respondents—52.44% to be precise—believe that good-hearted, integrity-driven volunteer lawyers do exist, albeit in small numbers. A quarter of those surveyed, 26.56%, harbor doubts about their existence, teetering on the fence of belief. Meanwhile, 16.88% unequivocally assert that such lawyers are mere figments of imagination. A hopeful 4.12% remain convinced that these champions of justice not only exist but are found in abundance. The survey…