Addressing Concerns About the Purple Line Extension and Historical Sites The Fine Arts Department has recently expressed its concerns over the potential impact of the new Purple Line extension on historical sites located in Bangkok’s Rattanakosin Island old town area. In response, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has assured that they will work closely with the department to mitigate any potential damage to these sites during the construction of the BTS line. Progress and Design of the Purple Line Extension The 101-billion-baht Southern Purple Line (Tao Pun-Rat Burana) is currently 8% complete and is scheduled to be operational in 2027. The 23.6-kilometer extension features 17 stations, with seven being overland and ten underground. However, the proposed locations for four underground stations – Bang Khun Phrom, Phan Fa, Sam Yot, and Saphan Phut – are causing concerns, as they reside within the Rattanakosin Island area. The Fine Arts…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
Fighting Electoral Corruption with Rewards and Technology The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand has introduced a reward system offering up to one million baht for those who provide evidence of electoral corruption, such as vote buying or exchanging gifts for votes. The EC has launched a new online service through its Ta Sapparot (pineapple eyes) mobile app for Android and iOS devices, enabling the public to anonymously report suspected fraud or vote buying. Additional Reporting Channels Apart from the app, the EC has created other channels for individuals to submit complaints. These include phone numbers 02-141-8860, 02-141-8579, and 02-141-8858, as well as the EC’s 1444 hotline number. Cash rewards for tip-offs range from 100,000 baht to 1 million baht, depending on the evidence’s significance for securing a conviction. Overseas Ballot Distribution Election Commission secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee recently oversaw the transfer of ballots and equipment to 66 countries for advance voting…
Concerns Over Democrat Party’s Popularity The Democrat Party’s declining approval rating has left its patriarch, Chuan Leekpai, feeling uneasy. During a rally at Constituency 3 in Krabi, a southern province of Thailand, Chuan expressed his worry over the party’s dwindling popularity as it falls behind in opinion polls. Chuan is expected to help regain support in the southern region, the party’s traditional stronghold. Despite his concerns, he remains optimistic that the Democrats will secure more party-list seats in the May 14 polls. The former Democrat leader also voiced unease about widespread vote-buying before election day and urged voters to choose politicians with clean records. Democrat Party’s Policies Chuan detailed the party’s plans, which include a school milk project, education loans, and farmer income guarantees. Additionally, they hope to implement several other programs to win voter support. Pheu Thai’s Candidate Visits Hua Hin Srettha Thavisin, prime ministerial candidate for the Pheu…
Revolutionizing Healthcare Services with Facial Recognition Technology Eye and facial recognition technology will be utilized in an innovative pilot project aimed at enhancing healthcare services for migrant workers, refugees, and ethnic individuals. The Department of Disease Control is collaborating with partners like the Thai Red Cross Society and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec) to create this cutting-edge solution. Addressing Identity Challenges for Improved Patient Care The main goal of the project is to collect patient data for individuals lacking the necessary documents to prove their identity. This groundbreaking facial recognition initiative will be implemented in Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Tak, and Chon Buri provinces. Following the promising results of a smaller-scale pilot project conducted last year, which successfully collected the identities of 60,000 individuals, the department is now expanding the project to cover five provinces. In preparation, they are organizing documents, equipment, and training courses…
TikTok Star Enters Election Race in Songkhla Popular TikTok influencer Jury Numkaew has joined the political landscape in southern Thailand. He is running as an MP candidate for Songkhla under the Chartpattanakla Party. Since the 2019 victories by the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and Bhumjaithai Party, many parties have been vying for House seats in Songkhla’s constituencies this year. Upcoming Election and Constituencies The election is set for May 14 with Songkhla divided into nine constituencies. Constituency 2, where Mr. Jury is a candidate, has grabbed attention because of his entry into the race. Known for TikTok videos featuring a unique southern Thai dialect, Mr. Jury has a platform centered on improving local economies, reducing nepotism, and eradicating vote-buying in the region. From TikTok Star to Political Candidate With over a million followers, Jury Numkaew gained fame on TikTok as Auntie Jury. He aims to raise living standards in Hat…
An Unsettling Series of Shootings and Bombings in Southern Thailand The tranquil final day of Ramadan was disrupted by a series of bomb and shooting attacks across three southern border provinces of Thailand. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The coordinated attacks targeted six different locations in Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces, carried out by an unknown number of armed assailants. Investigations into these incidents are still ongoing. Overview of the Simultaneous Attacks The series of attacks transpired as follows: A bomb exploded on a bridge over a railway track in tambon Sateng Nok, Muang district of Yala. An outpost of a special operations unit in Rueso district, Narathiwat, was attacked, leading to a firefight between security forces and the gunmen. Two men on a motorcycle fired upon a special operations unit’s outpost at Wat Chang railway station, located in tambon Thung Phla, Khok Pho district of Pattani. Assailants targeted police…
Consequences of Songkran Celebrations: A Grim Road Safety Update The Songkran festival, marking the Thai New Year, has taken a tragic turn as the death toll reaches 158 within the first four days of the holiday. The latest road safety data shows a decrease of 14 deaths compared to the same period in the previous year. The total number of reported road accidents across Thailand is 1,422, resulting in 1,433 injuries from April 11-14. Songkran’s “Seven Dangerous Days” Despite the decrease in fatalities, the situation is still alarming with 44 people killed and 368 injured in accidents on Friday alone, the fourth day of the holiday’s “seven dangerous days.” In comparison, there were only 1,207 accidents and 1,188 injuries during the same time frame last year due to certain Covid-19 restrictions still in place, leading to fewer trips. Causes and Statistics Speeding remains the leading cause of these road accidents,…
Since its launch in December 2022, WEED.in.th has rebranded to WEED.TH and expanded its services to accommodate the flourishing demand for cannabis products in Thailand. With the number of listed cannabis shops more than doubling from 2,350 to over 4,700 and the platform receiving over 100,000 consumer reviews, WEED.TH has become an indispensable resource for the entire cannabis industry in the country. One notable feature of the platform is the indexing of more than 4,000 cannabis strains, enabling users to perform deep searches and easily find the specific strains they have been seeking. This improved search functionality is designed to enhance the customer experience and streamline the process of locating desired cannabis products. In addition to serving consumers and businesses, WEED.TH has also proven to be an invaluable tool for cannabis farms. Many farms are using the platform to identify shops that may be interested in purchasing their products, thus…
Songkran Festival Thrives with 40,000 Participants at Bangkok’s Backpacker Hub The Songkran festival, celebrated in Bangkok’s popular Khao San Road, saw an estimated 40,000 Thai and foreign attendees engage in water fights on the first day. As the evening crowds grew, authorities closed off the street to additional visitors in order to manage congestion and ensure that celebrations remained safe. Celebrating Songkran Post-COVID Authorities anticipated the large turnout at Khao San as it marked the first Songkran festival since COVID-19 restrictions were eased. Local businesses predict that around 30,000 to 40,000 people, including both Thais and foreigners, will visit the area each day during the festivities. Khao San Road spans just 400 meters in length, featuring a primary entry point and exit point, as well as several smaller alleyways branching off the main street. There have been heightened concerns around overcrowding at large public events following a tragic stampede in…
A Fresh Start for Thailand: Political Parties Celebrate Songkran Day 2023 As Thailand gears up for the highly anticipated 2023 elections, political parties join in the spirit of Songkran Day festivities. Khunying Sudarat Keyurapan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai party, shared her new year wishes in a Facebook video that promised a brighter future for the nation. Thai Sang Thai’s Pledge for a Prosperous New Year Sudarat, the sole prime ministerial candidate for Thai Sang Thai, reaffirmed her party’s commitment to bringing prosperity, happiness, and increased job opportunities to the country. Acknowledging the political turmoil of the past 17 years, she positions her party as a welcome alternative to the two opposing factions that have divided Thailand for too long. With Songkran festivities finally resuming after a hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, Sudarat wished all Thais a joyous celebration and health in the coming year. Pheu Thai Party Shares…