In a momentous meeting on the fringes of the 31st Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting in the vibrant city of Lima, Peru, the illustrious Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand clasped hands with China’s revered President Xi Jinping, sending ripples of camaraderie and cooperation across the stage of international diplomacy. This cordial handshake signals a promising overture toward a future brimming with friendship as the two nations prep for a joyous milestone—the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. The spotlight on this landmark occasion will be shared with a grand visit by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand to China next year, a gracious acceptance extended from the Chinese government, as announced by Prime Minister Paetongtarn. Set to unfold in the latter part of 2025, this visitation stands as a historic testament to the enduring alliance between the two nations—an occasion that promises to fortify Thai-China ties to new…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a twist that’s taken the buzzworthy world of direct sales by storm, the chairwoman of an organization assisting victims of The iCon Group, Kritanong Suwannawong, found herself in the spotlight, but for all the wrong reasons. The 47-year-old leader, known for her crusade against fraudulent operators, was apprehended at her abode in Pathum Thani on a dreary Saturday morning. The cause? An arrest warrant from the Criminal Court suspecting some shady dealings on her part had finally caught up with her. With the orchestrated efficiency of a suspense thriller, Kritanong, a seasoned operator in the direct-sales sector, was swiftly escorted to the police Crime Suppression Division (CSD) headquarters for what promised to be an intriguing session of questioning. Her organization, the Online Network Promotion Coordination Centre, was diligently engaged in managing a whopping 89 cases connected to The iCon Group. These cases, entangled with compensation issues amounting to a…
Amidst the serene backdrop of Sakon Nakhon, nestled within lush trees, an otherwise routine trip turned tragic as an electric shuttle bus made an unforeseen detour down a steep slope. A peaceful journey near Wat Phra Tha Pek in Phana Nikhom district transformed into a scene of chaos and concern this past Friday afternoon. This unexpected accident resulted in the unfortunate death of one individual and left 25 others nursing injuries. It was just after the clock struck 3 pm when the electric shuttle bus embarked on its journey, gracefully winding down a scenic 3km road along a hillside. A panorama one would expect to be a feast for the eyes quickly became an ordeal of survival. As the bus approached a notorious steep curve, it deviated sharply, desperately attempting to dodge a fleet of oncoming cars that seemed to spring from nowhere—according to an account shared by a startled…
Many a sun-kissed traveler found themselves swept up in the rhythmic pulse of the Full Moon Party and the enchanting glow of the Loy Krathong festival on the picturesque island of Koh Phangan, Surat Thani. As the moon reached its zenith, over 9,000 eager revelers descended like a colorful tide on Friday night, bringing life and fervor to this famed Thai celebration. Despite whispers of a potential threat targeting Israeli tourists, the night went off without a hitch—dancing illuminated by moonlight and adorned with traditional floating lanterns creating a mesmerizing tapestry across the island’s coastline. Haad Rin, the iconic peninsular beach and epicenter of the Full Moon Party, shimmered under a canopy of stars. Over 90% of the jubilant crowd hailed from foreign lands, embracing the unique fusion of modern revelry and cultural homage characteristic of Koh Phangan’s festive nights. In tandem, the Loy Krathong festival unfolded with people releasing…
Following the radiant festivities of Friday’s Loy Krathong festival in Bangkok, an army of dedicated officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) embarked on their yearly quest. With the mission to cleanse the Chao Phraya River and surrounding waterways, they set out to retrieve thousands of krathong floats that had lit up the night before. As the dawn broke on Saturday, they had painstakingly gathered a grand total of 514,590 krathong floats, marking a notable 19.57% decrease from the previous year. While the Lat Krabang district took the crown for the highest number of buoyant beauties, Khlong San took a more minimalist approach with the fewest contributions. In a statement full of numbers and percentages, yet tinged with an environmental nod, BMA’s spokesman Ekwaranyu Amrapal broke down the eco-friendly stats. A staggering 98.39% of the floats were crafted from natural materials, with only a sliver—1.61%—tipping the scales towards the environmentally…
Imagine for a moment, a deserted boat gently rocking against the waves, its only passenger a piece of plywood with the message “We are Myanmar Rohingya” scrawled upon it. This haunting image was discovered off the coast near the city of Kuta Binje, Indonesia, a poignant reminder of the dire situation facing Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants who risk everything in their search for a safe haven. In a recent development, Thai authorities have apprehended 70 individuals, including 30 children, on a southern island in Thailand. Suspected to be Rohingya from Myanmar, this group marks the latest wave of desperate arrivals to Southeast Asia. “From initial questioning them, they said they are Muslims from Myanmar heading to Malaysia or Indonesia,” stated Somkane Phothisri, the commander of the Phang Nga police, in a conversation with Reuters. The plight of the Rohingya is a heart-wrenching tale of survival against all odds. Treated as…
In the world of international politics, where borders are as fluid as ocean currents themselves, the setting of a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) is about to cast its net over the tumultuous waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Tuesday’s cabinet meeting promises a pivotal moment for Thailand and Cambodia as they embark upon negotiations that could redefine their maritime boundaries, with the JTC playing a starring role. Steering this diplomatic expedition is none other than Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who’s all set to ace his dual role, both as the committee head and as the nation’s defense minister. Phumtham has expressed confidence and eagerness to engage with Cambodia, pending the cabinet’s green light for setting up the JTC. He promised that this committee will be no ordinary gathering – a collaboration of experts from realms such as the Royal Thai Navy’s Hydrographic Department and the revered Council of State…
In the political landscape of national security and technological advancement, none stands more pivotal than the esteemed Defence Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai. With a zeal reminiscent of a commander rallying his troops, the minister embarked on a mission to fortify the kingdom’s future through the might of innovation and collaboration. Yesterday, Phumtham urged the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) to form a trinity alliance with the armed forces and the private sector, envisioning a renaissance for the country’s defence industry. Not merely a means to bolster security, but a strategic maneuver poised to spin the cogs of economic growth. Amidst the hum of machinery and the punctuated silence of introspective engineers at the DTI, Phumtham’s presence resonated like a clarion call. This institution is not merely a bastion of modern warfare technology but a beacon of hope for the nation’s security acumen. “With each brief, I am ever more assured of the…
In the tranquil town of Chiang Rai, nestled in the northern reaches of Thailand, an unnerving tale of animal cruelty has sent ripples of shock and dismay through the community. The story unfolds with the arrest of a 31-year-old man named Ah Seh, who, the authorities allege, committed the grievous act of killing a dog he had only just adopted—for its meat. The incident came to light due to complaints from a former dog owner and the vigilant Watchdog Thailand Foundation, both of whom sounded the alarm when the new custodian of a beloved canine could not provide any reassuring updates on the dog’s wellbeing. Ah Seh, a resident of the Mae Chan district, had promised the original owner to care for the dog, only for their concerns to grow when their inquiries met with evasive responses. The pendulum swung further when whispers from the local community indicated a disturbing…
The atmosphere is abuzz with excitement as the shiny new parliament complex gears up to be fully operational next month. House Speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha has pulled out all the stops, ensuring an impressive network of over 1,000 security cameras is in place to maintain tip-top security. Handing over the sprawling complex to the House of Representatives secretariat back in July marked a significant milestone; however, there’s still some sprucing up required. As it turns out, certain meeting rooms are gathering dust, waiting for the arrival of essential items like tables, desks, crisp office gadgets, and state-of-the-art sound systems. Mr. Wan, obviously a man of action, has tasked officials with sorting out these niggling issues, flexing this year’s budget to expedite solutions. “We’re getting the parliament patched up to be all-systems-go before the new session kicks off on December 12,” he asserted with a determined grin, fitting for someone…