As we cast our eyes towards the impending year, a glimmering beacon of optimism appears to be illuminating the path of Thailand’s economy. Its beacon, according to a highly respected Thai economist, is the influential machinery of China’s economy. This insightful perspective was put forth by Kirida Bhaopichitr, esteemed Director of the Economic Intelligence Service at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) during a recent dialogue with Xinhua, China’s state news agency. Kirida, utilizing her profound economic acumen, noted the symbiotic cocktail of China’s rapid economic growth and progressively robust collaboration with Thailand across various industries, as pivotal to Thailand’s journey of economic resurgence. Moreover, China’s clout is perceived as a protective shield against potential volatility emerging from globally sluggish economic growth. Broaching the nitty-gritty, Kirida underlined a slew of elements that can impart strain on Thailand’s export sector. These include the fickle behavior of Thai baht’s exchange rate, unforeseen…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Internationally acclaimed Thai clairvoyant, Dr Plai, recently sent shockwaves throughout the country with his forebodings of possible intense challenges facing Thailand from August going forward. The psychic’s predictions hint at the potential fallout of another lockdown scenario, coupled with widespread social unrest and even a streak of anarchy on the streets. During an interview on the popular talk show Khui Laek Daed Deuk, with the well-known host Mod Dam Kachapa Pha, Dr Plai shared his insights about the future. He harbingered an escalation in turbulence, especially involving young Thai women, while also placing emphasis on the international community’s magnified focus on Thailand’s affairs and their anticipated calls for aid. Dr Plai also flagged the possibility of mounting disruptions spearheaded by “people with gold heads” – leveraging local jargon to refer to foreigners. He expressed concerns about the consequential economic instability this could incite within the country. The psychic anticipated that…
An unfortunate deluge in Thailand culminated in a gruesome traffic catastrophe that claimed the lives of two Burmese labourers. This accident involved a car and a motorcycle, and it took place along Chonprathan Road within the Damnoen Saduak District nestled in Ratchaburi Province. A heavy toll was exacted as two lives were lost instantly at the site of the accident. On the night of the tragedy, local law enforcement and healthcare providers from Damnoen Saduak Hospital were swiftly dispatched to the scene following an alert regarding a fatal car-motorcycle collision. The severity of the crash was blatant, with the extensive damage evident on the Honda vehicle, bearing licence plate Kor-9631 Nakhon Pathom. A few metres apart lay the remains of a Honda Wave motorcycle with the plate 1 Kor-6855 Nakhon Pathom, alongside an impaired trolley. Facing this dire scenario, 42-year-old Thosaporn Lewbang, the driver of the Honda car, stood six…
Image acknowledgement: Sanook. An urgent call to wipe out mosquitoes has been deployed by Thailand’s Public Health Ministry, responding to a rapid surge in dengue fever infections. The country is gripped by an alarming weekly spike of around 5,000 new cases, according to Thares Krassanairavirong, the Disease Control Department’s director-general. This unsettling trend has led the government to adopt this stern approach. The virus has unleashed its wrath predominantly in 30 districts, notably Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Tak, Phetchaburi, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Krabi, Phuket, Songkhla, Satun, Narathiwat, and the capital – Bangkok. The devastation has seen nearly 40,000 dengue fever cases since the beginning of the year, with approximately 40 resulting fatalities, as stated by Thares. The situation appears to stretch beyond control as weekly numbers continue to climb. Staggeringly, they are nearing the statistics of 2019 which documented an estimated…
With technological advancements playing a lead role in our lives, even the darker side of society has started to make use of it. In Thailand recently, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) has warned about a new breed of cyber fraud involving Android smartphones. In particular, users have been tricked into believing that they’re simply updating their ThaID app. However, they are unwittingly enabling scammers to take over their mobile devices to pilfer their funds. Suspicious activity of this nature was first reported to the CCIB by the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA), who have been receiving numerous complaints. The department’s spokesperson, Pol Col Kissana Phathanacharoen, confirmed these claims. According to him, the DPA is aware of the issue, as the scammers have designed their scheme to mimic the ThaID initiative, a mobile application originally developed for Thai citizens as a digital alternative for their physical ID cards. Akin to…
The champion of the electoral race, Thailand’s Move Forward Party, is holding on to the hope of reinstating their party leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, as their nominee for the position of Prime Minister. It’s their belief that the Senators will rally behind him and offer sufficient support. The party’s Secretary-General, Chaithawat Tulanon, made known that the party has made an appeal to the ombudsman. The purpose? To request the Constitutional Court to verify whether Mr. Pita can be renominated in parliament as Prime Minister to helm a coalition government. Their expectation is that the renomination will receive the green light, and there will be substantial backing from those Senators appointed by the military. Limjaroenrat was named the sole candidate for the Prime Minister’s office during a joint meeting of a 500-strong House of Representatives and the current 249 Senators on the 13th of July. However, he didn’t gain a majority vote,…
It was a scene of somber consideration and thoughtful discussion, as leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), Pita Limjaroenrat, was seen huddling with his fellow MPs during the combined House and Senate meeting on July 19th – here dedicated to the consideration of his re-nomination for prime minister. This news front page image captured a moment that was about to take a tumultuous turn in Thailand’s political landscape. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) A crucial development emerged on Monday when the Ombudsman took a pivotal step, making a request to the Constitutional Court to instruct the parliament to delay the subsequent prime ministerial vote. The proposed delay culminates as a response to a number of complaints revolving around the renounced re-nomination of the MFP leader, Pita Limjaroenrat. The man at the helms of the situation was Pol Lt Col Keerop Kritteeranont, the Secretary-General of the Office of the Ombudsman who reported…
In the heart of the vibrant Thai metropolis, Bangkok, a scene uniquely indicative of our current global era unfolds. Medical professionals carefully retrieve a vial of Covid-19 vaccine from a chilled safe-haven, preparing for yet another busy day at the bustling vaccination centre. This snapshot taken in May is a testament to the relentless efforts deployed towards the pandemic response in this city beloved by many. Recent data indicate a steady descent in the number of Covid-19 cases. A trend cautiously bringing optimism to the faces of the people, reflected in the insight shared by Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the unwavering Health Secretary of Public Health. He draws insights after presiding over a meeting of the committee dedicated vigilantly to monitoring the Covid-19 situation. In his daily report from the pandemic frontlines, Dr. Opas reveals that during the previous week, 556 individuals found their way to hospitals for Covid-19 treatments. This…
Highlighted by Aekvarunyoo Amrapala last Saturday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) succeeded in effectuating commendable savings during a specific period, notably a whopping 127.8 million baht. The BMA was able to achieve these savings due to the sizeable reduction of waste within the city, which is a measure of their highly effective implementation of sustainable practices. Amrapala noted that from February to June, the city saw a reduction of sans 67,248 tons of garbage relative to the same period of the previous year. In simple terms, this means the city of Bangkok experienced a drop in daily waste of about 444 tonnes. The BMA spokesperson, Aekvarunyoo, attributed this significant waste reduction to the involvement of both residents and businesses in the city’s BMA campaign. This well-executed initiative urged participants to not only decrease their waste production but to ensure the separation of their garbage for efficient disposal and recycling. The…
An intriguing survey was undertaken from the 5th to the 10th of July, involving a sample size of 1,200 commuters in the bustling city of Bangkok and its vicinity. This exercise aimed to comprehend the perspectives of the individuals who frequently utilise mass transit systems such as the BTS, MRT and Airport Link by asking them six well-planned questions. The first query asked was pertaining to the frequency of train services usage. Among the participants, 36.2% confessed to utilizing train services every day, exemplifying their reliance on these systems. An equally impressive 38.2% use it on ‘some days’, whilst approximately a quarter of the participants, precisely 25.6% prefer occasional, sporadic use. On being asked about the number of trains needed to reach their destination, a significant 66.2% stated that only one was sufficient, proving the convenience of these train services. However, a considerable number, 33.8% requires more than one train…