The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy Planning (OTP) is gearing up for a massive investment of 8.87 billion baht aimed at revolutionizing water transport networks across Bangkok and its neighboring provinces. Panya Chupanich, the OTP’s director-general, announced that this water transport development blueprint has already won the green light from the Transport Ministry and is now only waiting for a nod from the Office of National Economic and Social Development Council and the cabinet. Slated for 2024-2032, this ambitious project will transform the landscape of public transport by introducing new canal routes stretching a whopping 112 kilometers to boost boat transport in and around Bangkok. The first phase, running from 2024 to 2027, will see the addition of four new canal routes spanning 52.6 kilometers. To start, we have the S1 route, a 25-kilometer stretch meandering from Sai Mai to Phra Khanong along the Lat Phrao canal, peppered with…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Ensuring robust immunity and consistent nourishment during the Golden Period of children aged 2-6 is crucial. Pediatricians recommend that parents prioritize essential nutrients such as elderberry to boost immunity, choline for cognitive development, and zinc for growth. This helps set the stage for a child’s learning potential, equipping them with essential skills for a more efficient future life. Bayer Thai Co., Ltd, the importer of Berocca products, a leading brand from Germany, in collaboration with “theAsianparent Thailand,” organized an event featuring Dr. Lalit Leelathipkul, a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine at Thammasat University Hospital, and Ms. Noon-Natchachanun Lian-Arunvongse, the owner of the Facebook page “English AfterNoonz.” During the event, Bayer Thai introduced “Berocca Elderberry Plus Choline & Zinc,” a liquid vitamin product, marking its first launch in the Asia region. Dr. Lalit underscores the significance of immunity for the overall development of young children, particularly during the ages of 2-6,…
In the vibrant enclave of Phuket, tourist safety is set to become the cornerstone of the high season, as per Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent directives. Addressing key tourism agencies in a Sunday meeting, the Prime Minister underscored the significance of meticulous preparations from September to February, ensuring a seamless and secure experience for the influx of tourists. The gathering witnessed the presence of notable officials from various sectors, including the Royal Thai Police, Provincial Police Region 8, Tourist Police Bureau, Immigration Bureau, Marine Police, Royal Thai Navy, Phuket Provincial Governor, and Airports of Thailand (AoT). Their collective mission: to fortify Phuket’s reputation as a safe haven for visitors amid the anticipated travel surge. According to a credible source, the Prime Minister emphasized that all relevant agencies, particularly the police, must gear up to deliver top-notch services and swiftly address any crime-related issues, be they by or against tourists. Although…
A woman proudly hoists a placard bearing the message, “Vote for change, not to be dissolved,” as she joins a throng of supporters rallying at the Move Forward Party (MFP) headquarters in Bangkok. The scene is electric as they await the Constitutional Court’s verdict on August 7. Among the crowd, a wave of student activism is also surging, lighting the fuse for an intense campaign against two notable Constitutional Court judges, who double as guest lecturers at prominent universities. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) The ripple effect of this political tremor reached the esteemed campuses of Thammasat and Chulalongkorn universities. In reaction to the court’s contentious ruling that led to the MFP’s dissolution, student activists swiftly launched campaigns against the judges involved. Last Saturday, an open letter from the Thammasat University Student Council Rangsit Campus and the Faculty of Law’s student committee materialized on social media, galvanizing law students to sign a…
The government is poised to unveil a special law aimed at shielding victims of technology crimes and expediting their financial recovery, announced Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong yesterday. Mr. Prasert emphasized that this legislation is crucial to combatting the surge of technology-related crimes. This initiative is driven by a recently agreed-upon special law during a committee meeting dedicated to suppressing and preventing technology crimes. The committee delved into a range of pressing issues, notably why victims are compelled to await the conclusion of their cases in order to reclaim their funds, despite the authorities already freezing the assets. Other key discussions included the possibility of extending jail sentences for those involved in the purchase or sale of private data from one to five years, curbing illegal money transfers via digital assets, and bolstering information exchange between agencies. Mr. Prasert revealed that a subcommittee on legal affairs has…
The Election Commission (EC) confirmed yesterday that the People’s Party (PP), the reincarnation of the disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), had successfully established party branches as legally mandated. This confirmation arrives amid allegations from Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom, who is preparing to file a petition against the PP over its predecessor, Thin Kakao Chaovilai, failing to register enough party branches. It is worth noting that Thin Kakao Chaovilai was taken over by members of the MFP after their party was dissolved by the Constitutional Court last Wednesday for allegedly undermining the constitutional monarchy. The party rebranded itself as People’s Power, officially launching last Friday. However, Dr. Warong contends that Thin Kakao Chaovilai had managed to establish only two branches in the North and one in the Central Plains, leaving the South and Northeast regions unrepresented. According to the law, a political party must maintain at least one branch…
Student activists at Thammasat and Chulalongkorn universities have ignited campaigns against two Constitutional Court judges who serve as guest lecturers at their institutions. The move comes in the wake of a controversial court ruling last Wednesday that resulted in the disbandment of the Move Forward Party (MFP). On Saturday, the Thammasat University Student Council Rangsit Campus, along with the committee of law students, posted an open letter on Facebook. The letter urges law students at Thammasat to sign a petition seeking the dismissal of Udom Rathamarit, a Constitutional Court judge, from his role as a special lecturer. The student groups accuse Judge Rathamarit of failing to exemplify ethical standards and bringing embarrassment to the legal community with a constitutional interpretation in the MFP ruling that contradicts his own teachings. The students plan to submit the petition, accompanied by signatures, to the dean of Thammasat’s Faculty of Law tomorrow. Meanwhile, the…
The government is putting its best foot forward at the upcoming Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) meeting, aiming to rally neighboring nations in a united front against the rising tide of call center scam gangs. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has laid down the gauntlet, instructing Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa to place this issue high on the agenda. With cross-border crime evolving into a sophisticated menace, it’s a critical topic at the 9th MLC meeting set for Thursday and Friday in the picturesque city of Chiang Mai. Mr. Maris emphasized that regional teamwork is the secret sauce in the recipe for combatting transnational crime. The spotlight isn’t just on fraud but also on other menacing threats like the narcotics trade and human trafficking. With nations like Laos, China, and India recognizing the urgency, there’s a burgeoning consensus to bolster mutual cooperation to tackle these shadowy enterprises. Thailand, not to be outdone, is poised…
In an intriguing twist over the weekend, authorities took swift action, seizing an astonishing 14,400 tonnes of improperly stored dross from two aluminum smelters located in Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon. Pol Col Arun Wacharasisukanya, the diligent deputy commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, unveiled the findings and provided a deeper dive into the saga. It all began on a seemingly routine Saturday, when vigilant highway police in Nakhon Pathom halted a semi-trailer truck. To their surprise, the truck was brimming with massive bags of aluminum dross, lacking the requisite permissions. The clandestine cargo was en route to an aluminum smelter nestled in the Muang district of Samut Sakhon. Upon reaching the destination, that just so happens to be the domain of Taibao Aluminum Co, what the police discovered was nothing short of staggering. They were greeted by a silent and eerie smelter, completely devoid of activity,…
The double-track railway along the State Railway of Thailand’s southern line, stretching from Nakhon Pathom to Chumphon, has officially opened its doors (or tracks, rather) to improved logistical wonders, the agency proudly announced yesterday. Ekarat Sri-arayanpong, the head honcho at the SRT governor’s office, beamed with excitement as he revealed that this spanking new track will turbocharge logistical operations along its 421-kilometer expanse. With journey times slashed by up to a whopping 90 minutes, rail travel on the southern line is now as appealing as a frosty beverage on a hot day in Bangkok! Trains heading in opposite directions no longer need to do the awkward wait-and-pass dance, which also means a boost in the system’s overall safety. Ding ding! All aboard the efficiency express! The journey kicks off in Nakhon Pathom, cruising through scenic landscapes and bustling towns like Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and finally pulling into Chumphon.…