In the quaint and seemingly serene district of Na Pho in Buri Ram, a heart-wrenching saga unfolds, touching the lives of a family torn apart by international conflict. Among the golden fields and under the expansive Thai sky, Mr. Wilas Tanna, a 64-year-old father, harbors an ocean of worry for his 36-year-old son, Pongsak Tanna, who has been engulfed in a nightmare thousands of miles away. On a fateful day, October 7 last year, the tranquility of life was shattered for the Tanna family when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, spiraling Pongsak into an abyss of captivity that has now spanned nearly five agonizing months. The young Thai worker, who ventured abroad in search of a better life, found himself in a maelstorm of terror and unpredictability. As the sun rises and sets over the serene landscapes of Buri Ram, Mr. Wilas is haunted by the uncertainty surrounding…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the lush and often surprising heart of Trang district, a tale unfolded that seemed straight out of a curious adventurer’s diary. Picture this: a young man stands, a macaque cradled in his arms, adjacent to a police officer. This is no ordinary day in the bustling district of Na Yong, Trang, but a moment captured in time, encapsulating the drama that ensued on a Wednesday that would be remembered for its unusual chain of events. The protagonist of our story, Wutthichai Tunrat, a 26-year-old with ambitions that tread into murky legal waters, found himself in the grips of the law. His crime? The sale of macaques through the digital expanse of Facebook, a platform where wildlife trade unexpectedly found a niche. The marketplace in question bore the name “Khon Rak Ling Kang Khuen Maphrao” translating to the enchanting ‘Macaques climbing coconut tree lovers,’ where each transaction saw these creatures…
Imagine a scene where the vibrant world of art meets the serene beauty of Chiang Rai, Thailand. This is where the illustrious Thailand Biennale Chiang Rai 2023 unfolds, creating a canvas so vast and colorful, it draws the attention of the global art community and diplomats from 40 countries for a memorable group snapshot in front of the esteemed Chiang Rai International Art Museum. This remarkable gathering, captured by the lens of Poramet Tangasathaporn, is just a prelude to the art extravaganza that awaits. In the heart of Chiang Rai, the Ministry of Culture devises a masterplan, leveraging art, the universal language, as a catalyst for tourism and economic growth. This strategy is not merely about showcasing stunning art pieces; it’s about weaving culture into the fabric of society to empower and enrich the lives of those who breathe life into the art world. Vice Minister Phonpoom Vipattipumiprates is at…
In a whirlwind of political maneuvering and environmental activism, the plot (quite literally) surrounding the luscious expanses of the Khao Yai forest transcended into a narrative more gripping than your favorite political thriller. At the heart of this saga stands Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Picture this: amidst an escalating uproar on social media and amongst the green hearts of environmentalists, it emerged that a staggering 2,900 rai (or 464 hectares for those metrically minded) of forested glory was, quite controversially, earmarked for the agricultural aspirations of farmers. The crescendo of discontent nudged Srettha into action, summoning an urgent assembly that could rival any high-stakes cinematic roundtable. This urgent call was to none other than the crème de la crème of Thailand’s land and environmental governance including the agricultural and environment ministers, among other prestigious titles. Imagine the scene — a buzz of anticipation as decisions of monumental consequence for Thailand’s…
In a turn of events that reads like a riveting crime drama, Deputy National Police Chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn finds himself entangled in a web of allegations and suspicion that sounds almost too thrilling to be true. Picture this: a high-ranking police officer, known for his knack for cracking high-profile cases, is now under the microscope for alleged involvement in an online gambling scandal, with ties to money laundering and more. Let’s dive a little deeper, shall we? The plot thickens with the involvement of a 25-year-old single mother, Suchanun Sucharitchinsri—affectionately known as Minnie—who’s allegedly the mastermind behind a sprawling online gambling network. Our story doesn’t stop there; alongside “Big Joke,” four other police officers have been marked as persons of interest in this cinematic unfolding of events. This drama unfolds further as Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew steps into the limelight to confirm the suspicions. Painted against the…
In a historic move that could only be described as a landslide decision, the halls of Thailand’s parliament echoed with the unanimous voice of change. The vote, standing at an astonishing 421:0, was not just a number—it was a deafening call for a new dawn. And at the forefront of this seismic shift was none other than Democrat MP for Pattani, Yunaidee Waba, together with his intrepid band of associates. On a Wednesday that would etch itself into the annals of Thai political history, a draft was proposed, aiming to do away with the NCPO order No 14/2016, a relic from a past era that seemed increasingly out of touch with the present and the dire needs of Thailand’s deep South. The deep South, a tapestry of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla, has weathered decades of unrest. This region, vibrant with culture and steeped in history, unfortunately, has…
In the vibrant streets of Thailand, where the aroma of street food mingles with the whispers of historical secrets, a dramatic shift looms over the budding cannabis industry–a sensation that until recently added an avant-garde layer to Thailand’s allure. Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, recently dropped a bombshell, announcing the government’s intention to prohibit the recreational use of cannabis by year’s end, setting the stage for a showdown that threatens to close thousands of dispensaries and farms nurtured by the country’s decriminalization effort two years prior. The plot thickens as Thailand scrambles to draft and pass a new cannabis bill before the curtains close on October’s parliamentary session. During a riveting exchange with Bloomberg in Bangkok, Dr. Cholnan painted a picture of urgency and concern. The narrative? An impending clampdown on leisurely puffs and plumes, aiming to confine cannabis strictly for medical and health sanctuaries. Cannabis liberalization turned…
In a dramatic pivot that’s caught the attention of the nation, Thailand’s corridors of power have been humming with the news that the government is eyeing a major crackdown on the recreational cannabis scene by year-end. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, in a recent revelation to Bloomberg during an exclusive Bangkok tête-à-tête, expressed intent to shepherd a new bill through the legislative gauntlet—a bill poised to cast recreational cannabis use into the legal abyss. The scene across Thailand has been one of blooming green vistas since the decriminalization trumpet sounded two years back. Shops and farms mushroomed overnight, from the bustling streets of Bangkok to the serene shores of Phuket, all riding the high wave of cannabis liberalization. Thailand, in a historic first for Asia, flung open the doors to cannabis decriminalization, setting the stage for a burgeoning green economy and putting the country on the map as a trailblazer.…
Imagine cruising through the vibrant streets of Thailand, a country known for its breathtaking landscapes, delectable cuisine, and now, its groundbreaking stride towards an electrifying future. At the heart of this bright future lies the Ministry’s ambitious work force development plan, a beacon of innovation aimed at propelling Thailand into the forefront of the electric vehicle (EV) arena. This isn’t just a plan; it’s a revolution designed to electrify Thailand’s roads, skies, and seas with zero-emission vehicles by the ambitious year of 2030. The gears of this monumental shift are oiled by the Ministry’s holistic strategy to nurture Thailand’s burgeoning EV ecosystem. With an eye on the electric horizon, the kingdom is setting the stage to transform 30% of its vehicle production into zero-emission marvels. If you’re picturing 725,000 sleek EVs and 675,000 futuristic electric motorcycles by 2030, you’re right on track. This isn’t just about reducing carbon footprints; it’s…
In a world nodding towards greener pastures, Thailand is making a remarkable leap forward, and Narit Therdsteerasukdi is at the forefront of this green revolution. As the secretary-general of the Office of the EV Board, Narit spilled the beans on Wednesday that Thailand is accelerating with the green light given to bolster the use of electric buses and trucks. Why? You might ponder. Well, it’s all in the grand plan to slice through carbon emissions like a hot knife through butter and steer Thailand towards a future where net-zero is not just a goal but reality. The announcement came straight from the corridors of the Government House, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin leading the charge at the EV Board meeting. Narit, carrying an air of optimism, painted a picture of Thailand buzzing with electric vehicles (EVs), drawing manufacturers like bees to a honey pot, thanks to these electrifying new measures.…