Imagine a world where superheroes don’t wear capes or fly through the sky. Instead, they wield the mighty power of integrity and honesty, fighting a more insidious kind of villain: corruption. Now, when the citizens of this world were asked, “What fuels the dark forces behind this villainy?” an overwhelming 59% cried out, “Financial desperation!” Indeed, it seems that the allure of cold, hard cash is too tantalizing for some, turning these once-valiant civil servants into villains themselves. But there’s another twist in our tale. A significant 31.53% of the populace believe the corruption stems not from mere financial need but from an enchantment with the opulent lifestyle of the rich and powerful. These godfatherly figures, with their sprawling mansions and luxury cars, cast a long shadow over society, seducing others to follow in their morally ambiguous footsteps. Our story then weaves through other dastardly reasons believed to fuel the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine living a life so beautifully simple that the complexity of the world remains a mystery to you. Now, meet Loi Thapila, a soul from the quaint Bu Puay village nestled in the heart of Ubon Ratchathani’s Nam Yuen district. Loi embarked on a journey not just of distance, but of dreams, riding hundreds of kilometres to taste the salty embrace of the sea for the very first time. His odyssey began on the brisk morning of March 3, with his heart set on reaching Trat by evening on March 8. Loi’s narrative is one that tugs at the heartstrings—a man who has known solitude, living alone after years of separation from his wife, while his children built their nests elsewhere. His days were spent in the company of forgotten treasures, collecting and selling recyclable garbage to piece together a living. The tapestry of his adventure caught the public’s eye…
In the shimmering paradise of Phuket, where the turquoise waters gently lap against golden sand shores, a story unfolds that sounds more like a twist-filled drama than the peaceful escape one imagines. The latest episode in this island saga stars Urs Fehr, a Swiss national, who found himself entangled in controversy not just with the local authorities but also in the court of public opinion. It was on a sunny Thursday in Phuket, when Mr. Fehr strode into the Thalang police station to settle fines related to a road rage incident from December 2023. This event, however, would quickly be overshadowed by a much more serious accusation. Mr. Fehr, known among locals and expatriates alike, found himself at the heart of a tempest storming around the future of his cherished Green Elephant Sanctuary Park. Phuket’s governor, Sophon Suwannarat, cast a shadow over Mr. Fehr’s sunny paradise by announcing plans to…
Welcome to the sun-kissed shores and crystalline waters of Phi Phi Island—a gem in the crown of Thailand’s stunning Krabi province. But beneath its idyllic exterior, this tropical paradise faces challenges that could impact its future. Top among these? The pressing need for freshwater and the burgeoning debate over marijuana sales. Let’s dive into the heart of the issue with insights from local business leaders who are spearheading the call for change. Imagine waking up in the lush surroundings of P.P. Bayview Resort, ready to embrace another day in paradise. But according to Pisan Trangkasombat, the resort’s managing partner, there’s a cloud over Phi Phi Island that doesn’t just bring rain—it brings a concerning drought of freshwater. With tourism thriving, the demand for water skyrockets, especially during the dry season, leaving the island’s natural and artesian wells hard-pressed to meet the needs for both domestic use and consumption. Pisan throws…
In a plot twist that sounds like it’s straight out of a political drama, the bustling, historic streets of Chiang Mai are bracing themselves for the convergence of two of Thailand’s political heavyweights. Imagine the serene mountain backdrop of Chiang Mai, usually a haven for travelers seeking tranquility or adventure, now buzzing with the anticipation of a high-profile rendezvous. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a man with a calendar as packed as a city during rush hour, has let slip a titillating hint: he might just cross paths with the controversial former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, who has freshly tasted the air of freedom thanks to parole. Picture this: it’s the ides of March (well, almost), and Srettha has packed his bags for a journey to Chiang Mai from March 15-17. His mission? To wage war against the twin dragons of haze pollution and illegal drugs, while also paying homage to royally-initiated…
Imagine strolling through the bustling streets of Puangpet, where the vibrant energy of the city converges with the pulsating heartbeat of urban exploration. It’s here, amidst the glittering lights and the cacophony of sounds, that the government has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative set to transform the tourist experience: the “Ratchaprasong Model”. Spearheaded by Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad along with his trusty sidekick, vice minister Warawut Yanjareon, this project is not your run-of-the-mill improvement plan. The grand unveiling, graced by the who’s who of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the fearless Tourist Police Bureau, the stalwarts of the Royal Thai Police, and the captains of commerce from the surrounding malls, marked a milestone in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday life. This state-of-the-art traffic management scheme is specifically designed for the Ratchaprasong area, a place that, until now, had been equally famed for its tantalizing attractions and…
Imagine the roar of electric engines and the thrilling spectacle of cutting-edge racing cars speeding through Thailand’s vibrant landscapes. This dream is inching closer to reality as Thailand gears up to potentially host the electrifying Formula E World Championship next year. At the heart of this ambitious initiative is a dynamic duo: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the pioneering leader of the Pheu Thai Party and deputy head of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee. In a move that is sure to set pulses racing, Prime Minister Srettha recently revealed over a casual yet consequential tea-time chat with Formula E executives, that Thailand could soon be the backdrop for the high-octane drama of electric car racing. The Formula E, a prestigious global championship for electric cars, famously known as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, made its debut in Beijing back in 2014 and has since been…
Imagine the streets of Chiang Mai brimming with anticipation, the air thick with the scent of northern Thai cuisine, as the city prepares for an event that could very well read like a script from a political drama. At the heart of this unfolding narrative is Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a figure fresh on the heels of his latest announcements, embarking on a journey to inspect the stripes of progress in the battle against haze pollution, the lurking shadows of the illegal drug crisis, and the seeds of development sown by royal hands. His expedition, set against the picturesque backdrop of Chiang Mai from March 15-17, takes an intriguing turn with the potential rendezvous with none other than former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, recently embraced once more by the freedom of parole. Thaksin’s intended return to Chiang Mai, the land of his roots, from March 14-16, has not just stirred the…
In a tale that intertwines academia, historical scrutiny, and the throes of legal battle, the venerable Chulalongkorn University finds itself at the heart of a simmering controversy. At the core of this captivating saga is a doctoral thesis that has ignited a fierce debate over authenticity and academic integrity. Spearheaded by Wirangrong Dabbaransi and her band of erudite warriors, the Network of Universities Reform, a clarion call rang out on the digital expanse of Facebook. Their plea? For the university to lift the veil of secrecy shrouding the investigation into Nattapon Jaijin’s contentious dissertation. The genesis of this academic imbroglio dates back three years, a testament to the painstaking scrutiny undertaken by the institution. Yet, the cloak of mystery remains, inciting the ire of eager minds yearning for transparency. Wirangrong, with a blend of anticipation and frustration, revealed that the investigative odyssey had reached its denouement, the findings nestled in…
As the curtain falls on the tenure of the 250 senators appointed under the auspices of the once-mighty National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), Thailand finds itself at the cusp of a promising yet precarious juncture in its political saga. The upcoming twilight of this regime ushers in the dawn of a 200-member Upper House, fueled by the hopes and dreams of political aficionados and common folk alike, craving a refreshing zephyr in the labyrinthine corridors of Thai politics. Yet, lurking in the shadows of optimism are the specters of vote-buying, election manipulation, and the ominous influence of power brokers, stirring fears that the new Senate might just mirror its predecessor in more ways than one. Thailand braces itself to elect a new cohort of senators, aiming to fill the shoes of the 250-strong assembly designated by the now-defunct NCPO. In a significant stride towards transparency, the election blueprint,…