Oh, the power of kindness and diplomacy. Picture this: It’s April of last year, and Mae Sot district of Tak is abuzz with activity. The reason? Officials are visiting a Myanmar refugee shelter. With the cameras flashing and the Thai Army standing in solidarity, the scene is a poignant reminder that behind the headlines, there’s a human story unfolding. Now, let’s fast forward to today’s riveting development. None other than Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is spearheading a compass-driven campaign. He’s been in strategic huddles with Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and the who’s who of the armed forces. The agenda? The burgeoning conflict in our neighbor’s yard, Myanmar – a situation that could spell trouble for Thailand if left to fester like an unattended wound. Channeling the spirit of good neighbourliness, Mr. Srettha is rallying the troops under the banner of the Asean Five-Point Consensus. The goal? Dispatching a lifeline of…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Welcome, esteemed readers, to a captivating tale of diplomacy, defense, and the deep blue sea. As we delve into the corridors of power within the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, we uncover a saga entwined with the prestige of the Royal Thai Navy and the intricacies of international relations — all hinging on a mighty vessel lying beneath the waves: a submarine. In the year 2020, under the sweltering sun, the upper echelons of the navy gathered at their headquarters, earnestly addressing the throngs of media eager to comprehend the contentious submarine acquisition project. Fast forward to a more recent chapter, where the saga continues to unfold. Our protagonist, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang, emerges with words laced with resolve and cautious optimism. He proclaims to the world that acquiring a submarine, forged by the hands of masterful Chinese engineers, remains a conceivable chapter in Thailand’s maritime defense narrative. Yet, Sutin’s words…
On an ordinary Monday, the Chao Phraya River ebbs and flows with a simmering sense of urgency – a stark contrast to the sea of commuters aboard the ferry, donning face masks like armor against an invisible foe. We’re not talking about mythical creatures, but enemies of the micro variety: Covid-19 and the ever-insidious ultra-fine dust that’s been plaguing the heart of Thailand – the vibrant city of Bangkok. Oh, how the river’s waves mimic the rising and falling fortunes of this bustling metropolis – a city now bracing for an airborne siege with air quality poised to plummet like the mercury after a tropical sunset. From Thursday to Saturday, forecasts predict a haze as unwelcome as an uninvited monsoon, prompting even the statuesque skyscrapers to squint through the murk. Enter our civic knight in shining armor, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who is anything but resigned to the fates. On…
Welcome, esteemed readers, to a pivotal moment in the annals of Thai politics! The hallowed halls of the Senate are abuzz with more than a murmur—not a mere whisper amongst the corridors, but a resounding call to arms from no fewer than 84 venerable senators, spearheaded by the ever-vigilant Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha. This esteemed group, growing increasingly weary of the promised economic renaissance yet to dawn, has ignited the flames of debate under the auspices of Section 153 of our great Constitution! But what’s a debate, you might wonder, without the choral harmony of collective support? Well, fret not, for the required chorus is complete, achieving the requisite crescendo of support — a full one-third of the Senate membership no less! The whispers in the marbled floors suggest that Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai may well find a motion for a general debate nestled in his in-tray as early as next…
Welcome to the enthralling saga of a high-stakes legal drama set against the verdant backdrop of Thailand’s treasured Khao Yai National Park. Hear ye, hear ye, as we spin the tale of Mr. Sunthorn Wilawan, a former deputy public health minister, seemingly ensnared in a web of litigation that stretches over verdant hills and esteemed corridors of power alike. This elite troop of 12 suspects, with Mr. Sunthorn at its helm, stand accused of crossing the line—quite literally—into the protected embrace of Mother Nature’s own reservation. In a twist befitting a suspense novel, the DSI, those indefatigable warriors of the environmental justice league, served up a summons that surely disrupted many a new year festivity. January fourth, a day that will live in infamy for our group of land aficionados, they were drawn into the legal labyrinth, left to navigate the charges laid upon them with a medley of statutes…
Greetings, future parents and policy aficionados! Roll up, roll up, and welcome to the show of the century where we’re kicking the ever-so-critical national conundrum of plummeting birth rates into the high gear of the national agenda. Yes, you’ve guessed it; it’s the man himself, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, stepping up to the plate and batting for the future of Thailand’s population. At a recent heated discussion, a brave Senator named Ampol Chindawattana tossed a hot potato into the mix with a question about Thailand’s declining toddler tally. And who could blame him? It’s a topic hotter than a Thai curry right now. But our Minister Cholnan, ever the stoic, caught that spud with a steel glove and declared, “Easier said than done, folks!” He’s not just playing whack-a-mole with facts and figures; he’s pointing out the spicy truth that this baby bust is marinated in socio-economic shifts and…
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Welcome back to the Land of Smiles, Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand, whose arrival at the illustrious Don Mueang airport on the 22nd of August, 2023, was a mosaic of emotions and colorful banners—a festive tableau rarely seen in the corridors of transit. As supporters thronged, cheering and waving, Thaksin was undoubtedly touched by the resounding welcome after years in self-imposed exile. (Photo credit: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) Now, let’s wade through the currents of correctional nuances, where the honorable Department of Corrections is weaving a narrative tapestry, now asking the populace to address Mr. Thaksin not as an inmate, but rather, as any other free-roaming member of society. This subtle linguistic shift, outlined in a Tuesday press release devoid of a personal spokesperson’s attribution, is a masterclass in etiquette straight from the corridors of the Corrections Act. Indeed, the department has taken great pains to enlighten us: ‘Inmate’…
Gathered under the austere ambiance of Government House, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong maintains a resolve that is anything but faltering. Pictured with an air of calm deliberation, second to the left in the supplied snapshot, the Minister stands as a bulwark against an onslaught of criticism surrounding the integrity of the Department of Special Investigation’s recent activities. At the epicenter of controversy, a rather formidable investigative duo has emerged: the DSI, alongside public prosecutors, casting a fine-toothed comb through a bed of allegations. Bribery, human trafficking—seemingly egregious accusations that aim their arrows towards none other than two erstwhile cabinet ministers and a pair of ranking officials, all embroiled in the Finnish engagement of Thai labor procurement process. Yet, as he strides toward the governmental arena for the Tuesday cabinet congregation, Pol Col Tawee dons an unmistakable cloak of confidence, declaring outright that this probing endeavor is free from the trappings…
Picture this: Thailand’s breathtaking landscapes serving as the backdrop for high-octane blockbusters and heartwarming indie flicks alike. It’s no mere cinematic fantasy – it’s the reality of Thailand’s flourishing film industry, which garnered a star-studded 6.6 billion baht in revenue from international filmmakers just last year. No wonder Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke had a tough time hiding his enthusiasm while sharing these blockbuster numbers on Tuesday. Let’s roll the credits: 466 foreign films produced with Thailand playing a pivotal role – that’s 466 stories told, dreams realised, and jobs created. With film crews jetting in from an impressive roster of 40 countries, the Land of Smiles has become the Land of “Lights, Camera, Action!” The crowd favorites? The Americans took the leading role, with the Hong Kong and Chinese film industries not far behind, eager to capture the magic of Thailand’s scenery on film. Wacharonke, serving as both Thailand’s spokesperson…