Thailand’s southern region has experienced religious and ethnic tensions for an extended period, causing disturbances and unrest among its inhabitants. The latest episode involves a group of student activists from the troubled provinces who held a controversial vote that has sparked significant backlash. The student activist group, known as “Pelajar Bangsa” or National Students Movement, organized this controversial vote during a seminar held at the Faculty of Political Science, Prince of Songkla University. The objective was to gather support for the secession of the deep South provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and four districts in Songkhla from the rest of Thailand. This provocative act has caused an uproar within society and attracted attention from security agencies, which are now contemplating whether to take legal action against the group. This has led Jurin Laksanawisit, also known as caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, to address the issue publicly. Jurin stated…
Posts published in “Thailand”
During the construction of a temple pavilion in the Chaiya district of Surat Thani, a stunning gold bowl, believed to be from the early Rattanakosin period, has been discovered, according to a local Fine Arts Department official. Found beneath the temple grounds of Wat Photharam, also known as Wat Nuea, in tambon Phumruang, the bowl is confirmed to be made of 52.89 grams of gold. On June 6, a backhoe unearthed the precious artifact alongside broken glassware, ceramic bowls, and other antiquities. Most striking due to its distinctive color and design, the gold bowl features an engraved pattern of lotus petals as well as a pedestal. With a total height of 5.2 cm, the widest part of the bowl measures 8.4 cm in diameter, with a 1.7 cm high and 5.3 cm wide pedestal, explains Waranyu Chusi, a member of the temple’s committee. According to Kitti Chincharoen, head of Chaiya…
Mark your calendars for a vibrant and immersive celebration of Phuket’s unique cultural tapestry! From June 23 to 25, 2023, the Phuket Peranakan Festival brings the resort island’s contemporary culture to life, with an expected revenue boost of 150 million baht for the city. This colorful festivity is a collaborative effort between the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, Thai Peranakan Association, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and the Thailand International Event and Festival Association (TIEFA). TIEFA Chairman Boonperm Inthanapasat eloquently explained the significance of the Phuket Peranakan Festival 2023: “This event is a celebration of local culture and Phuket’s distinct heritage. The festival aims to promote various tourist destinations, showcase local traditions, and breathe life into the local economy by providing employment opportunities for residents.” With the backing of the government’s festival economy policy, this extravaganza proudly bears the trademark of Phuket province and highlights the importance of community engagement…
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has pledged to revamp the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) after forming the next government. In a recent Facebook post, the party announced that its first order of business would be to disband the Anti-Fake News Centre, an agency under the DES Ministry. The MFP believes that the state should not dictate what is true or false but should instead allow society to scrutinize, debate, and present various versions of the truth. MFP cited Taiwan’s Cofacts as a model, a citizen-driven fact-checking platform designed to combat fake news. The party envisions a DES Ministry focused on contributing to rights and freedom instead of blocking websites. The MFP is also proposing a computer bill aimed at removing state powers that silence people. Another initiative put forward by the MFP is the implementation of a single digital identity policy, which would connect the databases of…
Soldiers discovered a large stash of opium after a skirmish with a drug trafficking gang along the Thai-Myanmar border in the Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai province on Friday. The incident took place when a unit from the Pha Muang task force came across six suspicious individuals carrying backpacks near the Pang Ton Due village in tambon Mae Ai. When the task force signaled for the men to halt for an inspection, they were met with gunfire. The soldiers swiftly responded, leading to a brief gun battle between the two parties. Fortunately, no casualties were reported on either side, and the drug smugglers eventually retreated back across the border to Myanmar. Upon further investigation of the area where the engagement took place, authorities discovered four large bags filled with 51 parcels of opium. The total weight of the opium packages was a staggering 81.6 kilograms, a substantial find that…
Eight high-level police officers in Chon Buri province, Thailand, have been transferred to inactive posts, pending an investigation into allegations of extortion. Among them is Pol Maj Gen Kamphon Leelaprapaporn, the chief of Chon Buri police. National police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas ordered the transfer, accusing the officers of colluding with civilians to extort 140 million baht from online gambling suspects. Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) spokesman, identified the affected officers, including Pol Lt Col Narongrit Wasuphan, deputy Chon Buri chief; Pol Lt Col Sathian Ratchapongthai, deputy superintendent at Nong Kham station in Chon Buri; Pol Maj Pornthep Phetnuan, investigation chief at Wang Chan station in Rayong; Pol Col Damrong Onta, superintendent at the Cyber Investigation Bureau (CCIB); Pol Maj Nakhonrat Nonseelad, Pol Lt Col Pathomphong Meeyu, and Pol Capt Somboon Butdalert. Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, deputy national chief, will lead a special investigative…
Authorities in Sa Kaeo province successfully removed landmines dating back to the Cambodian Civil War, nearly five decades ago, from Thai territory along the border with Cambodia on Friday. The Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC) of the Royal Thai Army was notified of three mines residing in Ta Phraya district via social media. Explosives ordnance disposal (EOD) officers promptly responded and confirmed the presence of the first mine, situated just 300 meters from Sri Pen Road. The other two mines were found further down the same road, only 100 meters from the roadside. With security personnel cordoning off the affected areas, TMAC specialists, along with Aranyaprathet border police and local army rangers, meticulously prepared to neutralize the mines. Throughout the operation, local residents on both the Thai and Cambodian sides of the border were kept informed and vigilant. This action came after a local resident, Samrit Ruayruen, had his leg…
Authorities in Thailand have recently arrested two men accused of colluding to produce and sell counterfeit vehicle registration plates. According to the police Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), Natthawat, 27, was apprehended at a house in the Muang district of Nonthaburi, while Poramet, also 27, was arrested in the Suan Luang district of Bangkok. The suspects’ surnames have not been disclosed. Natthawat is being accused of operating a website that sells fake vehicle license plates and vehicle registration books to customers. He would gather orders and have Poramet hire various shops throughout Bangkok, including one in the popular Pathumwan area, to produce the counterfeit plates and books, as reported by the police. During the investigation at Natthawat’s house, the TCSD seized 37 fake registration plates, 21 books, 84 rubber stamps, a plate embossing machine, a desktop computer, and a book containing customer names. Natthawat claimed to have purchased a machine…
Out of the total 47 stations, the authorities have mandated 16 of them to conduct a recount of the constituency MP ballots, while the remaining 31 stations are required to recount the party-list MP ballots. In the May 14 general election, there were approximately 95,000 polling stations. It is important to note that higher voter turnout may occasionally surpass the vote count, especially if a voter arrives at the polling booth, decides not to cast a ballot for any reason, and subsequently departs the polling station without handing in the ballot. The election watchdog has ultimately chosen to order this recount as they believe the discrepancies could have a significant impact on the final results, the rankings of MP candidates, as well as the overall votes that each party obtained. However, the EC has refrained from disclosing the names of the 47 stations and the provinces they are situated in,…
In a concerted effort to address the current limitations of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) of Thailand has unveiled plans to collaborate with various car manufacturers in order to expand and enhance the charging station network across the country. Prasertsak Cherngchawano, Deputy Governor of Strategic Planning for Electricity Generation at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), observed that a growing number of countries are adopting EVs as a means of transitioning to cleaner energy sources. The consistent increase in electric vehicle sales in Thailand signifies the nation’s continued progress in this sector, and all signs point towards sustained growth in the years to come. Despite these positive trends, Thailand’s EV market still faces the challenge of a limited number of charging stations. This is particularly evident when compared to other nations where private residences are often equipped with convenient EV charging facilities. Furthermore, charging EVs…