Residents gracefully navigate their boats through a heavily flooded community, as the villages nestled alongside the Nam Oun and Nam Songkhram rivers in the Sri Songkhram district of Nakhon Phanom face the tumultuous aftermath of relentless overflow from two of the mightiest Mekong tributaries. The picturesque yet troubled rivers have imposed a watery siege, rendering conventional transportation methods obsolete. (Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai) In NAKHON PHANOM, the deluge has submerged almost 100,000 rai (approximately 39,500 acres) of fertile agricultural land. The Sri Songkhram district bears the brunt of the watery invasion, courtesy of the encroaching tributaries of the ever-swelling Mekong River. Should the river levels remain stubbornly high for a couple more weeks, the flooded paddy fields are poised for considerable damage. For nearly a month now, the Mekong has flirted with the 12-meter mark, orchestrating widespread inundation. A recent survey paints a grim picture: close to 100,000 rai of agricultural…
Posts published in “Thailand”
As Thailand’s iconic destinations, Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery have continuously played a key role as cornerstones of the Thai fashion industry and driving forces within the country’s fashion ecosystem. In 2024, the three destinations are spotlighting Thailand as Asia’s major fashion hub with “Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion Week 2024” (BIFW2024), the country’s most revered fashion week and a platform of opportunity. Save the date for this fashion extravaganza from 2-6 October 2024, when Parc Paragon at Siam Paragon transforms into a vibrant fashion scene under the theme “Envision the Future.” BIFW2024 will feature standout fashion highlights. Siam Paragon has forged a ‘Co-Creation’ with top designers from Thailand and Asia, together with key partners from various industries within Siam Piwat’s robust ecosystem, to present 15 dazzling fashion shows that exemplify the power of creativity. Siam Center will showcase the work of young generation designers and fashion students,…
Amidst a whirlpool of controversies, House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha shed light on a significant facet of the 2017 constitution that directly impacts the prosecutorial fate of Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri. The Pheu Thai MP, notably embroiled in the horrific 2004 Tak Bai massacre, clings to claims of parliamentary immunity as his shield. However, the former Fourth Army Region commander, along with six other officials, stands accused in an arrest warrant issued by the Narathiwat Criminal Court. These high-ranking individuals face serious allegations of their involvement in the massacre, which tragically claimed 85 lives. Under the framework of Section 125, Mr. Wan articulates the essence of parliamentary immunity: a safeguard to ensure parliamentarians perform their duties without fear of unjust prosecution. Yet, he underscores an often-overlooked nuance; a consequential sub-section that empowers courts to supersede this immunity when deemed necessary. “Courts are not required to petition the House of Representatives…
Shopkeepers wait for customers at a buzzing cannabis shop in Phuket on Sept 2, 2023. (Photo: Reuters) Thailand, ever a country of vibrant contradictions, has proposed a groundbreaking bill designed to regulate its cannabis industry. The aim? To steer marijuana use primarily towards health and medical purposes. This follows several policy flip-flops that have left both locals and tourists scratching their heads. The draft legislation, recently unveiled by the Public Health Ministry, allows cannabis and its extracts for medical treatment, research by state agencies, as well as in herbal, food, and cosmetic products. Interestingly, this move comes just days after the new administration of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took the reins. While previous government drafts, notably under ex-premier Srettha Thavisin, aimed for stricter control, this current bill takes a more lenient approach. The latest draft notably omits the earlier clause that explicitly bans recreational use, and the attempt to reclassify…
Veeris Ammarapala, the dynamic 49-year-old newly appointed Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), is on a mission to transform Thailand into the premier railway service hub of ASEAN over the next four years. Taking on the baton as the 20th governor, Veeris is acutely aware of the monumental role and mission that come with steering the SRT, which stands as Thailand’s largest state-owned transportation behemoth. Currently, the SRT is juggling a host of urgent priorities. Foremost among them is the advancement and initiation of pivotal projects that resonate with the Ministry of Transport’s policies, aimed at fortifying rail transport infrastructure in the country. A considerable slice of this ambitious pie includes the widespread construction of double-track railways and the pioneering Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project, designed to forge a swift link between Bangkok and Nong Khai in the Northeast. Veeris is emphatic about not just maintaining but accelerating progress.…
China’s rich culinary tapestry, woven from the diverse flavors of its regional cuisines, has carved out a place on the global stage, allowing food enthusiasts from across the world to savor authentic dishes reminiscent of those found in China. Among the many gastronomic adventures, Sichuan-style hotpot has notably captured the hearts of many in Thailand. Riding this wave of culinary popularity, Haidilao proudly presents a new sensation to the Thai palate: the Guizhou Sour Soup Hotpot. This offering is not just a novel flavor to tantalize taste buds but also an auspicious debut for Guizhou cuisine in Thailand. By introducing the Guizhou Sour Soup base, Haidilao adds another gem to its international flavor portfolio, enriching diners’ experiences with the diverse wonders of Chinese cuisine. The Ancient Craft of Guizhou Sour Soup in China Guizhou Sour Soup (Gui Zhou Suan Tang Guo) hails from the southeastern provinces of China, particularly cherished…
The New Year hubbub is well underway, and for those planning to journey from Bangkok to the North or Northeast, here’s the scoop you need. This year, holiday travelers will be hopping onto inter-provincial buses at the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station, instead of the usual Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak), affectionately known as Mo Chit 2. This announcement comes straight from the Transport Co’s acting president, Atthawit Rakjamroon. If you’ve already secured your bus ticket from Transport Co for travel between December 25-28, you’ll be departing from the swanky central train station. Why the switch, you ask? It’s all about busting the bottlenecks that often plague the main bus terminal during peak travel seasons. Plus, for those who’ve pre-booked, your journey just got a tad easier. Picture this: ample parking space and seamless connectivity to the central train depot. The Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal is a transport haven,…
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has firmly stated that the government plans to refrain from extending the Don Muang Tollway’s operational concession for the current operator, Don Muang Tollway Plc, as a trade-off for maintaining fixed toll fees. This announcement debunked recent news suggesting that an extension was under consideration to prevent the toll from being increased by 5 to 10 baht starting in December. According to findings from a study led by the Department of Highways (DoH), Minister Suriya explained that extending the concession is not a feasible solution for keeping the toll rates unchanged until the existing concession period concludes. “It’s simply not worthwhile,” he emphasized. Previously, Minister Suriya had disclosed plans from the tollway operator to hike the fees on December 22. Subsequently, the minister demanded a study to scrutinize the feasibility of an extended concession in exchange for not increasing the fees. Before the concession’s expiration in…
In a strategic move to energize Thailand’s economy, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has unveiled a robust 22-member board dedicated to steering the nation’s economic stimulus policy. This formation promises a dynamic thrust towards fulfilling the government’s commitment to economic revitalization. The decision closely follows the government’s policy declaration in parliament just last week, outlining plans to stimulate spending, reduce living costs, and expand job opportunities. Spearheaded by Ms. Paetongtarn herself, the board boasts nine cabinet ministers, notably including the finance minister and his two deputies. The team further enlists the prime minister’s secretary-general, and high-ranking officials from the Finance and Interior Ministries. Key figures such as the secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council, the Budget Bureau director, the Bank of Thailand governor, and the heads of pivotal financial organizations complete this formidable assembly. With the finance permanent secretary functioning as the board’s secretary and the director of…
Forbes Media is gearing up for an exhilarating return to Bangkok with the 22nd Forbes Global CEO Conference set to take place on November 20-21. This year’s theme, “New Paradigms,” promises to delve into the ever-evolving landscape of the global economy, and the anticipation is palpable. Picture an elite gathering of the finest minds in business, all under one roof, ready to decode the enigma of our swiftly changing world. From geopolitical whirlwinds to technological tsunamis, 2024 has been a rollercoaster year for global business leaders. Amid political shakeups, volatile markets, and the relentless march of technology, the Forbes Global CEO Conference stands as a beacon of insight. According to a press release, the event will host around 400 top-tier CEOs, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors, each bringing their unique perspectives to the table. William Adamopoulos, Forbes Media’s Asia CEO, couldn’t hide his excitement. “We’re thrilled to bring the Forbes…