Maj Gen Sirichan Ngathong, deputy spokeswoman of the army, recently announced that an unidentified army soldier is under investigation following allegations of physical abuse towards a man he met through a dating app while on a trip in the South. The incident allegedly took place at a luxury hotel in Sadao, Songkhla. As a result of the accusations, the soldier has been temporarily transferred to a central unit while an army panel is established to look into the matter. If the complaint is found to be valid, the soldier will face disciplinary action, according to Maj Gen Sirichan. Additionally, if it is proven that the soldier did physically abuse the man, this would also need to be validated through the justice system. The deputy spokeswoman emphasized that the incident was a personal matter and not related to any official operation or policy. The soldier’s identity and rank were not disclosed…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
At the Nonthaburi Green Market 2023, visitors eagerly examined bongs as local farmers, growers, and other cannabis-related businesses displayed their products in the Pakkret district last week (Photo: Chanat Katanyu). However, not everyone is thrilled with the government’s decision to legalize cannabis – a network of doctors, academics, and civil groups recently published their seventh open letter opposing the move. In this latest letter, the group urges the public to vote for political parties that do not support removing cannabis from the list of narcotics or promoting its cultivation as a cash crop. There has reportedly been a significant increase in accidents and adverse reactions on mental and physical health since cannabis consumption was liberalized last year. Back on June 9 of the previous year, the Bhumjaithai Party successfully removed cannabis from the list of Type 5 narcotics. As a result, most parts of the plant can now be used,…
Recently, critics have questioned the content of a Thai-language textbook for grade 5 students, claiming that the book appears to accept malnutrition among young children. However, the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) has responded that the critics have misinterpreted the material. Obec Secretary-General Amporn Pinasa explained that the section in question is in the ninth chapter of the “Pasa Patee” textbook, which focuses on the value of life. In this chapter, an orphaned schoolgirl, Khaopoon, takes her classmate, Yaibua, to her orphanage, where the children live happily and are well-taught, despite having limited food choices – rice, half a boiled egg, and fish sauce. The purpose of the story is actually to teach children that happiness in life is based on having a happy mind, not material possessions. Critics who solely emphasize the low-quality meals or inequality issues are misunderstanding the book’s objective, Amporn said. Furthermore, Amporn emphasized…
As the hot season in Thailand begins to wind down, residents and visitors are finding creative ways to protect themselves from the intense sunlight in Bang Na district, Bangkok. Jackets and hoods have become popular choices to shield from the strong rays, particularly in early April. The Thai Meteorological Department’s deputy director-general, Thanasit Iam-ananchai, has announced that the country is now transitioning to the rainy season, which is expected to officially start in mid-May. Thanasit also serves as the department’s spokesperson and shared that the hot season in Thailand reached its apex on April 15, with temperatures hitting a sweltering 44.6°C in Tak province. The end of summer and the beginning of the rainy season is predicted to be declared in the middle of next month. As the head of the department’s technical affairs, Thanasit has forecasted high daily heat indices, or apparent temperatures, in certain areas during this weekend,…
In the second week of April, a thorough survey was conducted by The Nation Group, collecting opinions from 39,687 voters across eight regional zones and 33 constituencies in Bangkok. This comprehensive survey addressed various topics, such as the respondents’ preferred political party, prime minister candidates, and both constituency and party-list MP candidates. Kriengsak, a renowned professor and president of the Nation-Building Institute, offered his insights on the survey process on Friday. He expressed skepticism over the reliability of opinion surveys conducted through telephones, as pollsters often rely on data from previous polls to cut costs. According to Kriengsak, this practice results in sample groups that lack the necessary diversity and breadth. He emphasized the importance of a methodology that involves reaching respondents directly at their homes, ensuring that the sample is truly random, diverse, and distributed across the target area. Kriengsak praised Nation Poll’s choice to adopt such a method,…
Phantawat “Nott” Nakwisut, a prominent figure in the lottery industry, found himself entangled in a high-stakes money-laundering case as he was one of the 41 persons indicted on such charges. The case revolves around Phantawat reportedly providing Atthakarn (surname withheld) with winning lottery tickets worth a staggering 53 million baht. Atthakarn then allegedly deposited this large sum of money into the CEO’s bank account. Currently, Atthakarn has fled from the situation and is evading capture. Out of the 41 accused, Phantawat and 16 other individuals appeared in court on Friday to face the allegations, while 20 individuals remain at large and four are already imprisoned. During the court proceedings, the CEO recounted his side of the story, stating that he had met Atthakarn only once via an intermediary agency when he enlisted his services to claim winnings from the Government Lottery Office. This was allegedly for unspecified “business reasons.” Phanthawat…
Certain zoo personnel were seen wiping tears from their eyes as they stood before a display, showcasing pictures of the prestigious park’s most beloved attraction. Heaps of flowers accumulated at the entrance of the zoo’s Panda House, where heartfelt tributes were offered in memory of Lin Hui, a cherished female giant panda that was given to Thailand by China nearly twenty years ago as a symbol of friendship between the two nations. The Panda House, adorned with life-size representations of Lin Hui, depicted her in various playful positions at her preferred spots throughout her habitat. The exhibit welcomed the public on Saturday. In addition, an exhibit featuring a plethora of Lin Hui’s photographs was established, providing an opportunity for admirers to pen condolences and pay their respects. A designated area to lay flowers within the Panda House has also been made available, enabling mourners to further honor Lin Hui’s memory.…
On a recent Friday, Prayut and fellow UTNP MP candidates journeyed to Chiang Mai, a historically staunch Pheu Thai Party territory, to garner voter support. During their visit to the Mae Chaem district’s Mae Raem area, local mayor Wichit Metha-Anankul questioned Prayut about his party’s stance regarding the ongoing land dispute between the ethnic villagers residing on Mon Chaem Mountain and the Royal Forest Department (RFD). Prayut replied that should his party achieve victory in the elections, everyone involved would receive justice. At the heart of the conflict, the Royal Forest Department has filed lawsuits against 116 ethnic families for allegedly “misusing” land designated for agricultural and residential use. The villagers, many of whom belong to tribes that have resided in the area since 1906, dispute the RFD’s claims, arguing that the department is relying on outdated information when classifying land usage. They maintain that the Mae Raem town has…
In a recent lawsuit, concerned citizens have held the prime minister, the National Environment Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Thai Capital Market Supervisory Board responsible for the alarming rise in PM2.5 pollution levels in 17 northern provinces over the past two months. The plaintiffs claim that the prime minister and these agencies have been negligent in addressing the issue and have called for their “right to clean air”. PM2.5, also known as fine dust with a size less than 2.5 microns in diameter, has been recorded at levels exceeding safety thresholds, posing significant health risks to local residents. Chiang Mai and other northern cities have experienced numerous episodes of dangerous PM2.5 spikes, placing them among the world’s top 10 cities with the most hazardous dust pollution levels. The predominant cause of PM2.5 pollution has been attributed to local farmers’ practice of burning farm waste, both in Thailand…
Deputy Bangkok Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon recently attended the inauguration of a new weekend farmers’ market aimed at providing local farmers with a platform to sell their agricultural produce, processed goods, and health products. This innovative initiative will take place every Saturday and Sunday, from 6 am to 11 am, and offers customers access to a wide variety of local delicacies from adjacent districts such as Khlong Sam Wa, Wang Thong Lang, Prawet, Lat Phrao, Bueng Kum, and Bang Kapi. In a unique and environmentally friendly twist, shoppers are rewarded with vegetable seedlings for every 100 baht they spend at the market. With more than 300 seedlings of popular garden vegetables, like bird’s eye chillies, eggplant, and sweet basil, this innovative approach encourages customers to cultivate their own plants and contribute to the local green movement. To date, several hundreds of seedlings have been distributed to loyal customers. Sanon Wangsrangboon highlighted…