Posts published in “Thailand”

In Thailand’s lively political arena, where intrigue and drama unfold with the speed of a soap opera, two major parties found themselves at the edge of their seats, entangled in legal battles that could spell their doom. At the heart of this political saga is EC Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong, a man tasked with navigating the stormy seas of the Political Parties Act with the discernment of a seasoned captain. On a day that felt charged with the anticipation of impending news, Ittiporn made it clear that the cases against the Bhumjaithai and Move Forward parties were as different as night and day, rooted in separate provisions of the Political Parties Act. It was like comparing apples to oranges, he suggested. The scrutiny faced by Bhumjaithai was drawn from the depths of Article 93, whereas Move Forward’s drama unfolded under the shadow of Article 92. The plot thickened dramatically when the…

Imagine this: the neon-drenched streets of Pattaya, Thailand, usually humming with the energy of night owls and the allure of its vibrant nightlife, transformed into the backdrop for a plot thick with intrigue, late-night drama, and luxury vehicles turned demolition derby participants. This is not the synopsis of a new action-packed blockbuster but an actual event that unfolded in the early hours of a fateful Tuesday morning, right in front of a popular entertainment venue – a spectacle involving tourists, boxers, luxury vans, and a series of intentional crashes that left onlookers and the internet buzzing. In the heart of the drama were three luxury tourist vehicles, their shiny exteriors reflecting the flashing lights of Pattaya’s never-sleeping streets, now the key players in a scene that one would usually expect in a high-tension action movie rather than the tourist-friendly lanes of this coastal town. Caught on video, which later stormed…

On a sun-dappled day in Bangkok, draped in the vibrant hues of love and equality, a couple steps forward, their hearts intertwined, to register their partnership. This wasn’t just any day; this was Valentine’s Day in February 2023, a day where love in all its forms was celebrated with fervor and joy in the Dusit district of Bangkok. The significance of their gesture transcended the personal, as each registration by LGBTQ+ couples added a vital thread to the rich tapestry of advocacy for same-sex weddings and other legal recognitions of love. Amidst an atmosphere of anticipation and historic momentum, the House of Representatives of Thailand, on a Wednesday that will be etched in the annals of equality, passed a marriage equality bill in its final reading. This landmark decision was not just a step but a giant leap towards Thailand joining the ranks of progressive nations in Asia – becoming…

Imagine a world where our rivers are so pristine that they mirror the sky above, untainted by the muddy swirl of pollution. That dream took a dynamic leap towards reality this Wednesday, when a special envoy, the barge known as Interceptor 019, embarked on its noble journey, courtesy of the Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch non-profit that’s been turning heads and tides in the realm of environmental conservation. The scene was nothing short of cinematic, under the watchful eyes of Bangkok’s very own guardian, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, and an assembly that was as diverse as it was passionate. Picture this: officials from Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation beside marine experts, diplomats from the Netherlands, and of course, the visionary Boyan Slat— the mastermind behind the Ocean Cleanup. Together, they stood, unified by a common purpose— to declare war against the plastic siege besieging our waters. Since the…

In an era where the fusion of cutting-edge technology meets traditional commerce, an intriguing tale emerges from the heart of Asia. It begins with Narumon Pinyosinwat, a key figure whose vision is to transform the way Thailand’s revered durians are presented to the world, crossing paths with a high-ranking executive from Tencent, a tech titan from Hong Kong, and a representative from Shanghai East Best Foreign Trade (SEBFT), a powerhouse in China’s fruit import arena. The scene of their meeting might as well have been lifted from a movie script, depicting the convergence of minds aimed at championing a common cause. The cause? Elevating the status of Thai durians in the global market. The masterstroke? A contract signed between Thailand and SEBFT, promising the purchase of a staggering 3,000 containers of durians, valued at the princely sum of 10 billion baht. This massive deal was not just about numbers; it…

Imagine driving down Highway 226 in the picturesque district of Uthumphon Phisai, nestled in the heart of Si Sa Ket, where the usual tranquility was stirred by an unusual sight. This was not your typical road obstruction or a run-of-the-mill traffic snarl. No, this was something straight out of a slapstick comedy, yet it was starkly real. A concrete pole audaciously skewering through a drainage pipe, as if asserting dominance over civil engineering norms and the laws of practicality. This odd spectacle became the center of attention when the vigilant heroes of the digital age, the Watchdog.Act Facebook page, shared snapshots of this construction faux pas, turning it into an overnight sensation. By the next afternoon, the online community had rallied with fervor, lavishing the post with over 28,000 likes, more than 3,200 comments, and sharing the bewilderment over 2,400 times. The digital coliseum was filled with spectators and commentators,…

Imagine being so captivated by an extraordinary tale that you find yourself transported back to a vibrant era of revolution and change, a time when the lines between the old order and the new were drawn with passion and grit. This isn’t just any story—it’s the enthralling narrative spun by Thai comic artist extraordinaire Tanis Werasakwong, known to his legion of fans as “Sa-ard”. After three grueling years of meticulous crafting, Tanis has unveiled his latest masterpiece, The Siamese Ghostwriter, a graphic novel that thrusts a daring female journalist into a maelstrom of political intrigue and personal valour. Tanis’s journey into the heart of storytelling began with a heartfelt realization during an introspective chat with the Nation in the picturesque town of Chonburi. “As I embarked on this artistic odyssey, it became clear that my creations were not solitary ventures but shared experiences, woven into the fabric of our collective…

In the shadowy underbelly of Pathum Thani’s Lat Lum Kaeo district, an operation as cinematic as it sounds unfolded, painting the quiet streets with a semblance straight out of an action-packed thriller. Under the cloak of night, a squad of determined police officers staged a dramatic raid on a seemingly innocuous house within the Nattanun Home housing estate, stumbling upon a colossal treasure trove of illicit substances. The haul was staggering – a mind-blowing 5.6 million methamphetamine pills alongside a hefty 200 kilograms of ketamine, all neatly stacked and waiting to flood the streets with their destructive waves. Topping off this extraordinary find, a nondescript pickup truck, the suspected steed for their nefarious deliveries, was impounded, effectively putting the brakes on their operations. But this was no ordinary crackdown. The suspects rounded up, four men and two women, were players in a major league – a sophisticated drug network with…

Imagine a bright, bustling morning in Bangkok, a city that bridges the gap between tradition and modernity with a grace that’s incomparable. At the heart of this vibrant city, an event took place at the King Prajadhipok Museum, located on the picturesque Lan Luang Road, marking a significant stride in fostering cultural and educational ties between Thailand and China. This was no ordinary gathering. It was a day when the King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI), the Thai-Chinese Cultural Relationship Council (TCCRC), and the esteemed Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College (BLCC) decided to ink their commitment through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), sparking a new era of Thai-Sino cooperation in Chinese language training for state personnel. The air was thick with anticipation as key figures took to the stage. The MoU was signed by the charismatic KPI secretary-general Vitavas Chaipakpoom, the visionary TCCRC president Pinit Jarusombat, and BLCC’s rector with a…

There’s been a whirlwind of activity swirling around the political landscape in Thailand, and at the eye of this storm stands Ittiporn Boonpracong, a figure poised with the task of dissecting the recent happenings with a discerning eye. At the core of the spectacle? None other than Thaksin Shinawatra’s enigmatic visit to the Pheu Thai headquarters, a move that stirred the pot but, according to Ittiporn, didn’t quite tip it over. Tuesday afternoon saw a moment that felt almost cinematic: Thaksin, the ex-Prime Minister with a legacy as complex as Thailand’s political tapestry itself, made his way to Pheu Thai’s sanctum. Welcomed by a tapestry of supporters, from MPs and ministers to the fervent red-shirt crowd, it was a scene that captured the essence of a political homecoming. This is the same Thaksin who laid the foundations for the Thai Rak Thai Party, the very DNA of what Pheu Thai…