On a Thursday that seemed like any other in the bustling corridors of the Thai parliament, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang found himself in the eye of a proverbial storm. At a general debate that drew attention not just for its heated discussions but also for the underlying tension that crackled in the air, Mr. Sutin stood, steadfast and unruffled, amidst a whirlwind of allegations. Picture this: the august halls of Thai parliament echoing with the fervent voices of the Move Forward Party (MFP) delegates. Their target? A contentious issue involving the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) ambitious procurement plans. At the heart of this squall lay allegations concerning a so-called “change money” scandal—a term that conjures images of clandestine deals and shadowy corridors. The saga unraveled around the RTN’s dual desire to grace its arsenal with new submarines and a sleek frigate—a move that had the political corridors buzzing. The MFP,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
As the whispering southerly winds meander through the verdant landscapes of the lower Northeast, the placid heart of the Central plains, and the sun-drenched East, they come bearing the whispers of nature’s caprice. These carriers of secrets promise to sprinkle isolated light thundershowers across these regions, adding a dash of excitement to an otherwise serene tableau. In the South, a mesmerizing dance of winds unfolds. The southeasterly winds, with their tales of distant voyages over the Gulf, waltz with the northwesterly breezes that have journeyed across the Andaman Sea. Together, they choreograph isolated thundershowers across the region, a spectacle of nature’s own making. But hold your hats, for the scene is set to change come Monday to Thursday (April 8-11). A high-pressure emissary from the vast lands of China is making its grand approach towards upper Thailand and the caressing waves of the South China Sea. This is no ordinary…
Welcome to a bold move by Thailand’s Labour Ministry, a venture into uncharted territory with a plan that’s as ambitious as it is glittering with promise. Picture this: by the year 2027, every worker in the enchanting land of Thailand could be taking home no less than 600 baht each day. It’s an aspiration that has the nation buzzing with anticipation, spearheaded by none other than Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, who’s confidently steering this ship towards a brighter horizon. Now, let’s dial back to the present, where the narrative takes an intriguing twist. As of April 13 this year, workers stationed at luxurious hotels and resorts that dot the landscapes of 10 illustrious provinces – including the bustling streets of Bangkok and the serene beaches of Phuket – will see their daily earnings rise to 400 baht. It’s a step up, no doubt, a leap towards the grand 2027 dream.…
Under a sky brimming with anticipation and amid an air charged with excitement, the Pheu Thai Party gears up for a thrilling voyage towards the next general election, with Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the helm, steering the ship with a blend of grace, flair, and unyielding resolve. The daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, cherished by many as the heart and soul of Pheu Thai, she stood at the forefront, garnering lauds and commendations from prominent figures, including her father and the astute Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. In a touching moment that resonated through the halls of Pheu Thai’s head office in Bangkok, a video played — featuring Thaksin Shinawatra, the cherished ex-premier, whose words painted Paetongtarn as a luminary leader, perhaps even surpassing him. “She’s got it all,” he professed, attributing her astuteness to her mother, Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra, and her radiant charm and profound understanding of Thai politics to himself.…
In the midst of the serene mountains and lush forests, Chiang Mai, a jewel of northern Thailand, faces a shadow that lurks in its air—a shadow so minuscule yet so menacing, casting a veil over its breathtaking landscapes. The recent passing of a beloved academic from lung cancer has cast a spotlight on this shadow, igniting concerns over the invisible assailant known as PM2.5 pollution. This microscopic terror, floating unseen in the air, has claimed the vibrant lives of the city’s intellects, painting a somber tone over the academic halls of Chiang Mai University (CMU). The city was rocked by the news shared on social media by Asst. Prof. Pichaarpa Pisutserani from the political science faculty. She expressed her profound sorrow over the loss of Prof. Rawiwan Olarnratmanee, the esteemed dean of CMU’s architecture faculty. Prof. Rawiwan, an architect of dreams who was recognized for her outstanding contributions with the…
Imagine a scene straight out of a political thriller: Senators Somchai Sawangkarn and Seree Suwanpanont, standing resolute against a backdrop of glaring cameras, announcing a legal crusade against alleged defamation from the previous July. The plot thickens as Seree unveils a devious scheme concocted by the upper echelons of political parties to seize control of Thailand’s Upper House by manipulating the electoral system to favor their own. Intrigued? You should be. On the surface, the political landscape is a chessboard, with major parties acting as grandmasters in a high-stakes game. Seree, in a dramatic revelation, accuses these parties of plotting to dominate both the Senate and local administrative bodies, filling positions of power with their loyalists. He’s not just any senator sounding the alarm; as the chair of the Senate committee on political development and public participation, his words carry weight. As the curtain falls on the current Senate’s term…
Picture this: a tale so harrowing and enthralling it could easily be the plot of the latest Hollywood thriller, but for two young girls and their cousin, this was no blockbuster movie—this was their life entangled with a Chinese-run call-scamming gang in the depths of Cambodia. These brave souls, hailing from the varying ages of 14 to 25, found themselves ensnared in a web of deceit, faced with a daunting daily quota: make at least 500 calls or face consequences most grim. Their plight echoes across Nakhon Ratchasima, where their story of anguish and eventual rescue unfolded. It began with a seemingly innocuous job advertisement, the allure of a healthier paycheck dangled like a carrot on a stick. The girls sought to assist through the Line application for an online gambling website, promised a monthly bounty of 25,000 baht—a tempting offer for anyone, let alone young adventurers from Thailand. The…
Amidst the hallowed halls of Thailand’s Parliament, a scene unfolded that seemed more akin to a pulse-pounding political thriller than the usual legislative debates. At the heart of this drama was Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang, a figure who found himself embroiled in a narrative that had everyone leaning in closer, eager for the next twist. It was Thursday, a day that promised nothing out of the ordinary but delivered something quite the opposite. The Move Forward Party (MFP), known for not pulling any punches, lobbed a serious allegation into the political fray during the general debate. They shone a spotlight on a concerning issue tethered to the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) ambitious plans to expand its naval prowess through the acquisition of not just new submarines but a sleek, cutting-edge frigate. The allegation? A murky “change money” scandal that threatened to embroil the navy’s procurement process in controversy. At the…
Welcome to the splendidly complicated world of budget bills, parliamentary debates, and the meticulously planned timeline that leads us through the governmental labyrinth of fiscal year 2025. Imagine this: a grand stage set within the esteemed walls of the parliament on a bright Wednesday morning, where cabinet ministers gather, not for a dramatic performance, but for a general debate that could very well shape the economic future of the land. But the plot thickens, as whispers of a special House session swirl through the air, possibly making its grand entrance as soon as next month or perhaps taking a dramatic pause until June. This session isn’t just any gathering; it’s the stage for the first reading of the budget bill for the fiscal year of opulence, 2025, revealed our master of ceremonies, House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, in a moment of anticipation. Our esteemed Speaker, Mr. Wan Noor, shares…
In the intricate dance of politics and legality, the story of Nakhonchai Khunnarong, a former parliamentarian of the spirited Move Forward Party (MFP) for Rayong, emerges as a riveting drama that perfectly encapsulates the high stakes and unforeseen twists of political careers in Thailand. The Election Commission (EC), serving as the referee in this unpredictable sport, has found itself center stage, announcing a bold move that could possibly set a precedent for the consequences of electoral oversight. Last year, in a revelation that could be likened to a plot twist in a political thriller, Mr. Nakhonchai stepped down from his parliamentary pedestal, admitting to a murky chapter from his past. Approximately 24 years earlier, the then-aspiring politician had been embroiled in a theft case, resulting in 18 months behind bars – a snippet of his biography he presumably hoped had been archived in the annals of forgone history. However, the…