Imagine skies bustling with increased flights, lands witnessing booming economic opportunities, and Thailand emerging as the crowned jewel of Southeast Asia’s aviation sphere. This isn’t a far-fetched dream but a vivid plan under the visionary “Ignite Thailand” ambition articulated by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. With aspirations soaring high, the focus is to prop Thailand into an acclaimed regional aviation hub by the dawn of 2030, covering eight main industries with aviation leading the fleet. Spokesman Chai Watcharonke unwrapped this ambitious plan on a sunny Monday, revealing talks to entice Laos and China into opening their skies further to Thai flights over the next two years. Such an initiative isn’t just about painting the radar screens with more flight paths; it’s about doubling the air traffic love affair between Thailand and these countries, as predicted by the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai). The whisper of airplanes, crisscrossing through the skies could…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Last Thursday, a captivating seminar titled “Empowering Tomorrow: The House of Representatives’ Role in Improving Investment for Children in Thailand” swept through the halls, bringing together a constellation of government officials, luminaries from Unicef, and enthusiastic members of society eager to kindle a brighter future for Thailand’s children. Imagine this: a room buzzing with the energy of change-makers, all congregated under the noble quest of elevating the beacon of hope for the nation’s youngest citizens. At the heart of the discussion was an arsenal of fresh data, primarily sourced from the colossal 2022 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) – a masterpiece of research conjured by the National Statistics Office in concert with UNICEF. This wasn’t your garden-variety study; it was the behemoth of inquiries into the lives of women and children in Thailand, wielding data like a lighthouse beams light, guiding decision-makers through the murky waters of policy-making with clarity…
In a dramatic turn of events that could easily be mistaken for a plot in a high-stakes legal thriller, Lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd bravely stepped into the labyrinthine corridors of the Tao Poon police station this Monday. With the air of a man on a mission, Sittra wasn’t there to indulge in pleasantries. This visit was about business—serious business. He was there to file a complaint that would send ripples through the highest echelons of Thailand’s police force. His adversaries? None other than the national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, Torsak’s better half, and the shadowy owners behind two ‘mule’ accounts, all accused of laundering money as if they were trying to clean their dirty laundry in the nation’s justice system. Sittra, serving as the secretary-general of the Foundation of People’s Lawyers, wasn’t going to this legal gunfight unarmed. He brought a hefty arsenal of 175 items of evidence with…
Picture this: a bustling travel fair buzzing with excitement, a plethora of vibrant booths enticing wanderlust-driven souls with promises of unforgettable adventures. Among these, one particularly alluring stall captures the dreams of many with its enchanting packages to the exotic terrains of South Korea and Japan. However, this picture-perfect scenario quickly spirals into a nightmare for unsuspecting globetrotters who find themselves entangled in a web of deception. Last month, amidst the glimmering promises of seamless journeys and otherworldly experiences, customers were led into a trap by a tour operator with promises too good to be true. With hearts full of adventure and wallets significantly lighter, these travelers soon discovered the harsh reality – their dream vacations were nothing but smoke and mirrors. Having collectively forked out over 100 million baht, these victims found themselves caught in a dire situation, prompting them to seek justice through the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).…
In a surprising twist of events taking place in the grandeur of the Phakdee Bodin Building at Government House, Finance Minister Srettha, wielding his financial wand, convened a rather clandestine gathering of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at the bewitching hour of 2 p.m. This wasn’t just any meeting; oh no, it was a rendezvous that saw its usual locale—the austere halls of the Finance Ministry—traded for the illustrious embrace of Government House. Whispers from the corridors of power hinted at a secret agenda simmering beneath the surface of this meeting: a daring plot to expand the fiscal 2025 budget deficit alongside a bold strategy to borrow more, in an effort to bridge the gaping chasm this wider deficit would invariably create. Initially, the ledger for 2025 cast the deficit in the sum of 713 billion baht: a hefty 3.56% of the GDP that loomed on the horizon, vast and…
Welcome to a bustling hive of activity where the promise of adventure begins even before takeoff! At the heart of this whirlwind of travelers, stands the diligent Airport Director, Wichit Kaewsaitiam, a man with his finger very much on the pulse of tourism and travel trends. According to him, a fresh wind is blowing through the travel industry, thanks to robust government initiatives aimed at revving up tourism. This breeze is evidently carrying travelers not just to exotic destinations, but back to their roots over the holiday period, making the airport a crossroads of stories and reunions. Wichit, with the confidence of a seasoned oracle, predicts an impressive surge in footfall through the airport’s gates. Picture this: 89,362 passengers bustling around daily, weaving through an intricate dance of 590 flights touching down and taking off – a substantial leap of 10.58% from the pedestrian dance of the previous year. The…
Imagine zipping through the bustling streets of Bangkok on the back of a motorcycle, the wind teasing your hair and the city’s vibrant heartbeat pulsating beneath you. This is the daily reality for the tens of thousands of motorcycle taxi riders weaving their way through Thailand’s capital, a city as notorious for its endless traffic jams as it is celebrated for its lively street markets and golden temples. However, beneath the thrilling veneer of this fast-paced job lies a harsh reality that’s far from the exhilarating freedom it might project. On a sunny day not so long ago, an outdoor event unfolded like a breath of fresh air against Bangkok’s backdrop of concrete and smog. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, in a harmonious partnership with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, orchestrated an unusual but uplifting gathering. Picture this: scores of motorcycle taxi…
Welcome to the heart of literary revelry in Bangkok! Nestled within the grand halls of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, the 22nd Bangkok International Book Fair and the 52nd Thailand Book Fair are unfurling their pages in a spectacular showcase that commenced this past Thursday and will continue to delight book enthusiasts until April 8. Spearheaded by Duangporn Sutthisomboon, the industrious vice president of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT), this event is etching an unforgettable chapter in the city’s cultural calendar. Imagine strolling through an emporium where the world’s literary treasures converge under one roof. With 11 international publishers from the esteemed shores of Britain to the captivating landscapes of Taiwan, Japan, China, and the historic terrains of Ukraine, the fair boasts an impressive array of 18 booths. Each is a gateway to worlds unknown, with publishers sharing a singular belief that ignites their journey to…
In a world where diplomacy and defense intertwine like the intricate plot of an international spy thriller, the narrative of Thailand’s quest for maritime prowess takes an intriguing turn. Sutin, our protagonist in this geopolitical dance, finds himself amidst a high-stakes negotiation, not for secrets, but for something equally compelling – submarines. Imagine the scene: the bustling streets of China, where last week, our envoy-extraordinaire, Sutin, embarked on a pivotal journey. His mission? To engage in a diplomatic ballet with a Chinese committee vested with the monumental task of negotiating the sale of a submarine to the Royal Thai Navy. The stakes? High. The atmosphere? Electric. The narrative thickens as Sutin recounts his expeditions through the corridors of negotiation. With the poise of a seasoned diplomat, he articulated the concerns that have been the talk of Thai society – the looming question marks over the quality of a Chinese-made engine…
It was on a bustling Monday that Phumtham divulged a rather juicy tidbit, one that could very well change the fortunes of Thai rice exporters. He mentioned he’d been rallying trade representatives stationed at Thai embassies across the globe to sniff out golden opportunities for export. Lo and behold, the envoy nestled in the heart of Italy chimed in with news as delightful as an Italian opera – Italy was in dire need of more rice, courtesy of an unyielding drought. Adding another layer to this unfolding drama, Phumtham shared how the European Union, in a rather bold move, had stripped Vietnam and Myanmar of their tax privileges. The reason? Both nations had apparently turned a blind eye to the fundamental rights of their laborers. Yet, Phumtham underscored a caveat that sounded like a ticking clock in the midst of this serendipity – Thailand had but a fleeting window to…