Posts published in “Thailand”

In the heart of Lop Buri, a city famed for its historical splendor, an unusual tale unfolds, one that could easily be mistaken for the plot of an adventurous movie. Picture this: a bustling downtown area, not just inhabited by humans bustling about their daily lives, but also by a troop of local celebrities of sorts – 2,200 macaques, to be precise. These furry residents have taken the phrase ‘urban jungle’ to a whole new level. However, as charming as it might sound, their presence has become more of a siege, prompting the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to step in and take action. Under the determined leadership of DNP chief Athapol Charoenshunsa, a grand plan has been set into motion. The strategy? To relocate these mischievous inhabitants to a more suitable location where they can roam freely without turning local businesses and pedestrian walkways into…

In a move that paints the Labor Day sky with vibrant strokes of change, Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn spilled the beans on Monday about the government’s plan to unfurl a suite of new work benefits come May 1st, in a grand salute to International Workers’ Day. Picture this: a nationwide hike in the minimum daily wage to a cool 400 baht. Yes, you heard that right – 400 baht universally, making waves as one of the government’s “surprise gifts”, a term Mr. Phiphat fondly used to describe these forthcoming changes. But that’s not all. This announcement comes on the heels of approval from the tripartite wage committee – a robust alliance of government representatives, employers, and employees who’ve collectively nodded to this significant uplift. Imagine the buzz, the whispered discussions, and the anticipatory air among workers as they stand on the cusp of this promising uptick. And for those thinking…

In the bustling heart of Thai politics, a stir of anticipation sweeps across the nation as Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai puts forth an intriguing proposition: the blueprint for a bold step towards amending the Thai Charter. The air is thick with expectation as Mr. Phumtham, the mastermind chairing a diligent government panel, unveils plans for not one, not two, but three (!) referenda aimed at reshaping the nation’s constitution. This announcement, met with a chorus of murmurs and nods from the coalition party leaders, hints at a political ballet, set to commence with the cabinet’s nod of approval at their upcoming Tuesday tango. Phumtham’s playbook includes a clever maneuver – a trilogy of public votes designed to escort the charter through the doorway of democracy, while carefully cradling Chapters 1 and 2 in its unchanged arms. Chapter 1, the soul of Thailand, proclaims it a single,…

Imagine the verdant, untamed wilds of Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi, where nature unfolds in its most raw, primal form. Here, amidst the lush canopy that stretches as far as the eye can see, a breathtaking spectacle occurs, one that captivates the imagination and fuels the spirit of adventure: a rare, endangered wild tiger, gracefully taking a dip in the refreshing waters of the park. This isn’t a scene from a documentary; it’s reality in one of Thailand’s most majestic natural reserves. The whispers among the trees in Kaeng Krachan have been abuzz with the news, and the park authority, led by the discerning eyes of Director Mongkol Chaipakdi, has confirmed something truly exhilarating. Since the year 2019, a total of six endangered wild tigers have been spotted roaming freely within the park’s embrace. The latest to join this exclusive list was given the enigmatic codename KKT-006M. This elusive…

Imagine a serene river, the Moei, quietly bearing witness to a somber exodus. On one Monday that will etch itself into the annals of recent history, clusters of Myanmar refugees made their way back home to Myawaddy, hearts heavy yet hopeful, after seeking temporary refuge from the turmoil that has besieged their homeland. This poignant image sets the stage for what has become a pivotal moment in Southeast Asia’s intricate geopolitical tapestry. In the storied land of Thailand, a nation renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and indomitable spirit of peace, a new chapter is being penned in the annals of diplomacy. Amid the haunting echoes of conflict from the key Myanmar trading town of Myawaddy, directly across from Tak’s picturesque Mae Sot, Thailand is stepping forward, ready to weave a thread of tranquility through the discord. Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, the sage secretary-general to the prime minister, revealed on a day…

As the sun rose over the Moei River, marking new beginnings and yet another day of turmoil, a poignant scene unfolded. Refugees, with their lives bundled in whatever they could carry, made their way from Thailand back to Myawaddy, Myanmar. Their homeward journey, captured in a fleeting moment on Monday, is a stark reminder of the fragile human spirit’s resilience. In a world accustomed to conflict, the situation in Myanmar’s strategic trading town of Myawaddy, nestled opposite Tak’s Mae Sot, has taken center stage. Over the weekend, the area witnessed a surge in hostilities, compelling a cry for peace that transcended borders. Enter Thailand, a neighbor vested in tranquility, prepared to extend an olive branch in the guise of peace talks between Myanmar’s military rulers and the tenacious resistance fighters. Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, the secretary-general to Thailand’s prime minister, emerged as a beacon of hope on Monday. He unveiled Thailand’s…

Picture this: on a bright December day in 2017, Prayut Chan-o-cha, Thailand’s Prime Minister at the time, donning a hard hat and armed with a shovel, stepped forward amidst a crowd buzzing with excitement. He wasn’t there just for a photo op; no, this was a momentous occasion – the groundbreaking ceremony of the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway at Mor Lak Hin in the picturesque Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima. It was a scene straight out of a visionary’s dream, complete with the anticipation of progress and the promise of a transformed future. Fast forward to the present, and the saga of innovation and international cooperation continues unabated. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT), under the steadfast leadership of governor Nirut Maneepan, has taken a bold step forward by greenlighting the daring second phase of this high-octane rail project. Stretching from Nakhon Ratchasima all the way to Nong Khai, this…

In the bustling political arena of Thailand, the Move Forward Party (MFP) has spun the spotlight onto a rather formidable entity within the government—the defense “super board”. Imagine a group so influential that it has the final say in the annual musical chairs of military positions, deciding who gets to be a general and who doesn’t. This seven-member board is not your average committee meeting over coffee; it’s a gathering of five top-tier leaders from the armed forces and two supreme defense officials who wield the power to tilt the scales of military politics. Enter stage left, Tanadej Pengsuk, not just any member of parliament but a Bangkok MFP MP with a badge of deputy chairman of the House committee on military affairs. Tanadej, with the finesse of a chess master, proposes a bill aimed at clipping the wings of this so-called super board. Why? To prevent them from having…

In the hypnotic hours of a Sunday night, beneath the glow of neon lights in Surat Thani, a thrilling drama unfolded as police unveiled a clandestine world of sleek e-cigarettes and clouds of vaporous intrigue. The stage for this scene was a nondescript commercial building in the bustling area of tambon Makham Tia, in the heart of Surat Thani’s Muang district. The plot thickened as officials, led by the intrepid assistant governor Pol Lt Somchai Rueangchan, descended upon an unsuspecting e-cigarette shop. The store, a seemingly innocuous beacon for vaping aficionados, was rumored to be the epicenter of an illicit industry, boasting a staggering monthly turnover of one million baht. The discovery? More than just flavored vapor, the shop also harbored secrets—cannabis-laced mysteries wrapped in 46 joints and 500 grammes of dried temptation. Captured amidst this whirlwind was Thatthon Liusakul, 31, the shop’s unsuspecting guardian, who found himself ensnared in…

Back in the brisk December of 2017, an event that would chart the future of Thailand’s connectivity unfolded with a certain ceremonial gravitas. The then Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, wasn’t content with mere symbolic gestures. So, he donned the hard hat, grabbed a shovel, and stood shoulder to shoulder with laborers at Mor Lak Hin, Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima. Their mission? To kick-off the groundbreaking ceremony of the kind of project that gets etched in the annals of infrastructure lore: the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway. There was an air of anticipation, the kind of buzz that surrounds monumental beginnings. This was not just about laying tracks; it was about forging ahead at high speed into the future. Fast forward to the corridors of decision-making power where the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) convenes. In a move that underscored the futuristic vision of the land of smiles, the SRT board,…