Picture a moment capturing the online sensations Phee Dome and Nong Ying, sporting wide grins, as they receive a gleaming certificate for promoting Buddhism. Oh, how quickly the tides can turn! This gleaming accolade has recently been returned, accompanied by a whirlwind of denials and disclaimers swirling around the Thai internet like a storm during monsoon season. What’s the uproar all about, and why is everyone pointing fingers? The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Department of Religious Affairs (DoRA) have stepped into the spotlight, vehemently denying any involvement in doling out a certificate to these two spirited social media influencers. Known for their uncanny ability to exorcise demons and serve as emotional healers, Phee Dome and Nong Ying have garnered quite the following for their spiritual escapades. However, when images of them clutching an award in acknowledgment of their promotional efforts for tourism and Buddhism made the rounds,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Aung Kyaw Moe, the perpetual diplomat of intrigue from the Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made waves as he graced the Asean-China Summit at the dazzling National Convention Centre in Vientiane, Laos, on a day as bright as Thursday itself. His presence was nothing short of a political spectacle, being the first instance the military junta opted to dispatch an emissary to pepper an Asean summit with official representation since the tumultuous coup reared its head in February 2021. (Cameras flashed, courtesy of Reuters) Meanwhile, over in the sunny lands of Thailand, a new proposal was brewing tea-party style. With a dash of initiative, Thailand stepped forward with an offer as warm as a southern Thai welcome to host informal brainstorming sessions aimed at resolving the tempestuous Myanmar crisis, hopefully by December’s festive season. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand is at the helm of this venture, with the…
In a bustling assembly of political minds at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra exchanged amiable greetings, foreshadowing a tapestry of strategic collaborations poised to redefine the relationship between their two dynamic nations. This meeting unfolded amidst the lively backdrop of the ASEAN summit, setting the stage for ambitious partnerships and high-spirited camaraderie. During this congenial tete-a-tete, Thailand and South Korea steadfastly committed to bolstering mutual efforts across a spectrum of sectors: from the nuanced art of soft power to the cutting-edge proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) and the intricate challenges posed by labor dynamics. This convergence of minds transcends a mere diplomatic rendezvous, as both leaders are fervently determined to nurture expansive cooperation in burgeoning fields, including trade, investment, national defense, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. With poised eloquence, Prime Minister Paetongtarn articulated South Korea’s significance as a strategic…
If you happened to stroll by Government House on September 24th, you might have caught a glimpse of Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul making his way to another cabinet meeting. This isn’t just another day at the office for the charismatic leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, known for his astute political maneuvers and knack for keeping things interesting in Thai politics. One might say that the latest parliamentary scramble feels like a crafting session of an intricate jigsaw puzzle—where only the boldest piece fits. The latest puzzle? The constitutional referendum bill, which has the political corridors buzzing with debates as loud as a Bangkok street market. On a particularly charged Wednesday, the House of Representatives gave a booming shout (348 voices strong, no less) to collectively push aside the Senate’s amendments, rejecting a status quo the Upper House held dear—the double-majority clause. Sixty-five members, sporting the color abstain, opted for…
Picture yourself strolling down the bustling Maha Rat Road in the heart of Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district, where the aroma of ripe fruits mingles with the vibrant energy of the city. It’s a typical day in April 2024, and tourists are eager to savor the local flavors from the charming street vendors that line the city streets. Yet, there’s more than fruit trading going on in this iconic location. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), in its never-ending quest to bring order to the urban chaos, has laid down a new set of ground rules for street vending in the Thai capital. Deputy Bangkok Governor, Jakkapan Phiewngam, is at the helm, ensuring street vending remains an affair strictly limited to specific areas. This scheme is not just about tidying up the streets—it’s a part of a grand vision to manage public spaces more efficiently and create a pedestrian-friendly environment. In an…
A woman, fraught with frustration, shared her misadventure with The iCon Group, an alleged online business scam, as she joined a group of about 20 individuals to lodge a fraud complaint with the Consumer Protection Police in Bangkok. Her tale is a cautionary one, featuring the intriguing role of celebrities and the pernicious allure of easy wealth. The iCon Group, once revered as a bastion of online business acumen, now finds itself under the scrutinizing glare of fraud allegations. A distinguished lawyer, brimming with confidence, claims that some of the famous personas within its ranks could soon face charges for orchestrating what appears to be a pyramid scheme. On a bustling Thursday, twenty spirited individuals trekked to the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) office, guided by their legal champion, Raphatsit Phattarasirichaisin, a passionate advocate for social justice. One of the unfortunate investors recounted her journey to reporters. She had been…
As the vibrant city of Bangkok bustles around him, Thaksin Shinawatra appears in the midst of a throng of supporters, a familiar scene at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters. This former prime minister is a figure who continuously captures headlines, not just for his past deeds but for ongoing allegations that seem to surround him like a persistent cloud. Enter Therayut Suwankesorn, the lawyer known for his strategic acumen and knack for stirring up political drama. His latest move involves a hefty petition, 5,080 pages to be exact, filed at the Constitutional Court. The target? None other than Thaksin himself and the Pheu Thai Party, a formidable political force currently led by Thaksin’s daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Therayut’s petition is a smorgasbord of accusations, each one more tantalizing than the last. At its core, it alleges that Thaksin has been a puppet master, pulling the strings of the Pheu…
In the bustling land of smiles dominated by glistening temples and sunny beaches, a cloud of economic concern has settled. For seven months straight, Thais have been feeling the economic blues, with September ushering in a particularly somber sentiment. Consumer confidence, as meticulously chronicled by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, found itself plummeting to a 17-month low, recording a score of 55.3 compared to August’s 56.5. What’s the source of this trepidation among Thai consumers, you ask? Well, it’s a cocktail of mother nature’s whims and economic intricacies. With relentless rains pounding parts of the country, floods have not only inundated homes but also swamped the confidence of many. Add to this the simmering issue of high living costs, and you’ve got a perfect storm clouding economic optimism. Indeed, even the government’s efforts to sprinkle a little fiscal sunshine—handing out bundles of 10,000 baht to millions with…
In the bustling halls of the United Nations headquarters in New York, a diplomatic drama unfolded that would have made even the most seasoned statesmen sit up and take notice. It was September 28, 2024, a captivating day full of high-stakes politicking, as world leaders came together to engage in spirited debates at the 79th annual UN General Assembly. But while the spotlight was on speech after speech, a quieter yet significant undertone was taking shape—the election for seats on the lauded United Nations Human Rights Council. Amidst the diplomatic hustle, Thailand’s bid for a coveted spot on the council was the talk of the town—or at least, the talk among those willing to dive into the complexities of international relations. Come January 1, 2025, Thailand is set to commence its three-year term, much to the chagrin of those who have voiced concern over its human rights track record. Despite…
In the serene yet tumultuous province of Pattani, nestled in Thailand’s southern borders, life was recently punctuated by a string of audacious attacks that have left the community on edge. On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday night, the tranquility of Pattani was shattered when a group of determined, yet unidentified, insurgents launched a calculated strike against two security outposts, each separated by mere minutes and a mere 300 meters. The initial attack set its sights on a defense volunteer outpost in the picturesque tambon Bang Pu of Yaring district. Under the cover of darkness at precisely 11:45 p.m., the assailants initiated their assault with precision and an apparent knowledge of their target. The crack of gunfire echoed through the night sky, yet, miraculously, the volunteers stationed there emerged unscathed, a testament to their fortitude and the sturdy defenses of their outpost. But the night held more peril. Not fifteen minutes later,…