The tragedy of October 1st on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road still echoes with grief and questions for the families affected. Like a haunting shadow, it follows those who lost loved ones in the bus fire, driving their quest for justice and accountability. Yesterday, these families took a decisive step by filing petitions with the police, accusing four distinct agencies of negligence which they believe significantly contributed to the calamity. In a scene reminiscent of a courtroom drama, Senator Alongkot Worakee played the role of champion for the aggrieved. As the chairman of the ad hoc committee reviewing the draft budget bill for fiscal year 2025, he escorted 23 families from Uthai Thani to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). Their collective petition casts a critical eye on the responsibility borne by the Sing Buri Provincial Land Transportation Office, Sing Buri Provincial Energy Office, Sing Buri Provincial Industrial Office, and the engineers or…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Just because something is dormant, it doesn’t mean it’s dead. This sentiment rings particularly true in the halls of parliament where efforts are underway to push through a contentious bill granting amnesty to political offenders, all in the name of social healing. For years, bitter divisions have fragmented the country, and this bill—oh, what a whirlwind of controversy it brings—seeks to soothe those wounds. An ad hoc House committee has been busy finalizing a study on the design of this potential amnesty, yet it has predictably encountered rocky terrain. The main hiccup? The debate over whether offenders of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the infamous lese majeste law, should also be granted amnesty. Critics have fiercely argued against amnesty for most lese majeste offenders, particularly focusing on those ensnared in the youth-led protest movements of recent years. According to these critics, defaming the monarch isn’t just serious business—it’s a…
The rhythmic chug of an engine heralds the arrival of a passenger train at Nong Khai railway station, a familiar sight in the scenic spectacle of Thailand’s rail network. Yet, change is on the horizon with the eagerly anticipated second phase of the double-track railway, stretching from Khon Kaen to Nong Khai. Spearheaded by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), this 28.6 billion baht project promises to transform the rail landscape, as revealed by SRT Governor, Veeris Ammarapala. In a recent meeting, the SRT board greenlit the bid for this ambitious venture. The winner? The adept CHO Thavee-AS Construction joint venture, who cinched the deal with a bid of 28 billion baht – a figure pleasantly below the projected budget. Boasting stiff competition, the joint venture outshone notable contenders including Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction PCL, CH Karnchang PCL, and Unique Engineering and Construction PCL. The decision came after a meticulous…
Amidst the soft swaying of palm trees and the soothing hum of the ferry to Koh Kut, an unexpected storm brews, not in the sky, but in the political realm. It’s October 12, 2024, and holidaymakers are blissfully unaware of the swirling controversy that has captured the attention of the country’s Defense Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai. The picturesque island of Koh Kut, nestled in Trat province, is at the heart of a political snafu that threatens to muddy waters on both diplomatic and resource fronts. Phumtham, who wears the dual hat of Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, has taken a firm stand against the initiative by political activists who aim to challenge a memorandum of understanding (MoU) dating back to 2001. This MoU, a relic from the administration of Thaksin Shinawatra, has become a touchstone for debates over boundary lines and resource exploitation between Thailand and Cambodia. In vociferous terms,…
In a gripping unfolding of regional dynamics, Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has taken a resolute stance against a recent move by political activists. These activists have petitioned the Constitutional Court to nullify the 2001 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Thailand and Cambodia, a relic of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s administration. Mr. Phumtham, who also serves with distinction as a deputy prime minister, publicly expressed his disapproval of this move on Friday, vehemently arguing that the cancellation of the MoU could dangerously exacerbate disputes over overlapping maritime claims to the detriment of Thailand. This debate is especially pertinent when considering Koh Kut, an idyllic island nestled in the shimmering waters of Trat province. The Defence Minister passionately argues that the MoU, deftly overseen by former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai, has never wavered in its affirmation of Koh Kut as an integral part of Thai territory. He emphatically notes the absence…
In the ever-spinning world of Thai politics, there’s always a new twist, and Chaithawat Tulathon finds himself at the center of another chapter in this intricate saga. As the former leader of the now-defunct Move Forward Party, Chaithawat’s political career has been anything but conventional. On Friday, his emotions mirrored the gloomy Bangkok sky—they were overcast with a hint of disappointment. The rejection of a proposal was the rainy cloud dampening his day, a proposal that would have swept lese majeste offenses under the welcoming umbrella of a new political amnesty bill. Flashing back, Chaithawat’s political escapades took a mandated hiatus when he was hit with a 10-year ban from the realm of political gamesmanship. Yet, in a move reminiscent of a phoenix rising from the ashes—courtesy of the opposition People’s Party (PP)—he is now serving on a special House committee. Here, his task is to scrutinize, probe, and influence…
In a bold move set to shake up the status quo, the Ministry of Labour is stirring the pot with plans to nudge the retirement age in both private and government sectors to a sprightly 65 years. Inspired by nations like Singapore and Switzerland, the esteemed Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn made the grand announcement with much aplomb, attributing this shift to our ever-evolving landscape of medical marvels and health improvements. Who knew growing older could now come with a side of youthful vigor? Not stopping at just age tweaks, the Ministry has a visionary blueprint that includes a significant overhaul of the Social Security Act. Prepare to roll out the welcome mat for around 2 million migrant workers, including industrious souls from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. It’s about time these diligent bees got their fair share of the social security honeycomb! But wait, there’s more! The Ministry wants to cast their…
“` In an ambitious move, Thailand is setting its sights on becoming a powerhouse in the regional semiconductor industry. Recognizing the surge in demand, the country is aligning its resources and people to form a robust, skilled workforce to meet this challenge head-on. At the heart of this effort is the newly established National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Industry Policy Committee, fondly referred to as the National Semiconductor Board, which is led by none other than the Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The creation of this board, initiated by Ms. Paetongtarn with an authoritative signature last Thursday, marks a pivotal step towards crafting a thriving semiconductor ecosystem in Thailand. This dynamic board is tasked with setting strategic policies and goals to foster growth in the semiconductor and advanced electronics sectors. Moreover, these public servants are responsible for designing a roadmap meant to boost investment allure, nurture the talent pool, expand the…
In the ever-dynamic realm of politics, where alliances form and dissolve as rapidly as waves upon the shore, few stories are as intriguing as the journey of Chaithawat Tulathon. Formerly at the helm of the now disbanded Move Forward Party, Mr. Chaithawat has found himself embroiled in the intricacies of a House committee assignment. This committee has undertaken the daunting task of dissecting the proposed political amnesty bill, an endeavor that is presently the subject of heated discourse in Thailand. On a brisk Friday morning, Chaithawat Tulathon could not mask his frustration as news broke that the House had dismissed the proposal to incorporate lese majeste—a law widely debated both locally and internationally—among the offenses to be absolved under the new amnesty framework. Despite having been sentenced to a decade-long political hiatus, Chaithawat’s expertise was deemed indispensable by the People’s Party (PP), who appointed him to this special committee. The…
In the bustling corridors of Thai politics, where passions and ideologies often collide, an unexpected twist unfolded recently. Chaithawat Tulathon, the former leader of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, found himself at the center of a heated debate. On a crisp October Friday, Mr. Chaithawat, although banned from politics for a decade, was cordially invited by the People’s Party (PP) to participate in the deliberations of a special House committee focused on a contentious new political amnesty bill. Thursday’s parliamentary session was anything but mundane, as lawmakers grappled with the polarizing issue of including lese majeste—Section 112 of the Criminal Code—in the offenses eligible for pardon under the new bill. With 270 MPs casting their votes against inclusion and a modest 152 in favor, the proposal met its demise. Yet, the rest of the committee’s report on the proposed amnesty bill was given the green light, outlining paths to potentially…