In a dramatic turn of events that feels like it’s straight out of a high-stakes political thriller, the House of Representatives has given a robust thumbs-up to a venture that could potentially redefine Thailand’s position on the global logistics and transport map. Yes, you’ve guessed it – we’re talking about the Land Bridge feasibility study, which has just sailed through the legislative process with a commanding 269 votes in favor, casting aside the voices of dissent and concern that echoed through the chamber. The buzz around this 1-trillion-baht behemoth of a project has been impossible to ignore, and Thirarat Samretwanich, the spirited spokeswoman for the special House committee helming this ambitious endeavour, could barely contain her elation as the approval was announced. Representing the vibrant heart of Bangkok as a Pheu Thai MP, Ms. Thirarat painted a picture of a future where Thailand emerges as a formidable powerhouse in Asia’s…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine the lush landscapes of Thailand’s political scene, usually a vista of seamless harmony, but not without its share of eruptions. Recent developments have thrust the Bhumjaithai Party, Thailand’s third-largest parliamentary faction, into a whirlwind of controversy. At the heart of this storm is the former Secretary-General Saksayam Chidchob, a name that has become synonymous with scandal, after being caught in a complex web of concealed assets and the use of a nominee to clandestinely own a company, which, as fate would have it, won lucrative government construction contracts. The ripple effects of this revelation could potentially dismantle the Bhumjaithai Party, which commands a battalion of 71 MPs. Critics opined that while this might be chalked up to an individual misstep, the shadow it casts on the entire party could be existential. Despite this, the ex-Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob’s suspension and subsequent resignation from his ministerial and MP roles have…
Imagine a world swathed in a haze so fine, it infiltrates every nook and cranny of our lives without as much as a by-your-leave. This isn’t the plot of the latest dystopian bestseller, but rather the real-life scenario millions are grappling with, thanks to the tiny but mighty menace known as PM2.5. These particles, no larger than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, are the ninjas of the pollution world: unseen, but battle-hardened killers. Our protagonists in this tale are none other than our lungs and hearts, locked in an epic struggle against the long-term effects of these minuscule invaders, from chronic breathing issues to heart complications. In a recent turn of events, heroes from lands divided by borders, but united by necessity, came together in Sa Kaeo. At this convergence, spearheaded by the valiant Burapha Commander, Maj-General Theppitak Nimit, a band of Thai and Cambodian officials congregated to declare war on…
Imagine a bustling Bangkok neighborhood, where the chatter of daily life blends with the urban rhythm. Amidst this, a particular housing area owned by the Shinawatra family draws an unusual amount of attention. On a crisp Thursday morning, police patrolled the serene vicinity of the family’s Chan Song La residence, nestled in the heart of Soi Charan Sanitwong 69. The scene, captured by photographer Chanat Katanyu, hints at an unfolding narrative that has kept the city’s gossip mills churning. The tale at the center of this intrigue involves none other than Thaksin Shinawatra, a name that resonates with both reverence and controversy across Thailand. Thaksin, a figure who once helmed the nation as its Prime Minister, finds himself on the cusp of a new chapter. After a spellbinding return from 15 years of self-imposed exile – a dramatic saga of international escapades designed to dodge prison time for a contentious…
In an eloquent setting on November 10th last year, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stood before an eager audience, diving deep into the sophisticated plans of the government’s much-anticipated 10,000-baht digital wallet program, a move that promised to revolutionize the way Thais engaged with finances. The unveiling, captured in a photograph that spoke volumes of the moment’s significance, was only the beginning of a saga filled with intrigue, political maneuvering, and a test of patience for the citizens awaiting the fruits of this digital revolution. The storyline took a fascinating turn when the Thai government, amidst whispers of skepticism and anticipation, announced the formation of a new sub-committee tasked with the critical responsibility of vetting the digital wallet scheme. This was no mere act of bureaucracy; it symbolized a cautious stride into uncharted territories, especially after voices like that of a Move Forward Party (MFP) list-MP hinted at the palpable tension…
In an atmosphere thick with political intrigue and the buzz of anticipation, the serene halls of Thailand’s parliament bore witness to a moment of tense expectation. There, Pita Limjaroenrat, the suave advisory chairman of the Move Forward Party (MFP), and the ever-steadfast party leader Chaithawat Tulathon, stood before a sea of reporters. Their expressions, a study in resilience and determination, mirrored the gravity of the occasion. It was January 31, a day now marked by the Constitutional Court’s pivotal ruling on the party’s daring venture to amend the lese-majeste law, capturing the nation’s rapt attention and sparking widespread debate. The spotlight now turns to the Election Commission (EC), a body poised on the cusp of a decision that could alter the political landscape. Under the meticulous eye of Itthiporn Boonpracong, the EC’s chairman, the matter at hand is no less than the fate of the MFP itself. With a petition…
Imagine a world where snooker, a game rich in history and precision, is finally breaking free from chains that have bound it for nearly a century. This isn’t just a flight of fancy but a reality in the making, as a revolutionary proposal is set to challenge the game’s longstanding classification as a Class B gambling activity. For the first time in 89 years, the verdant baize of the snooker table might just become a symbol of pure sport, rather than a backdrop for betting. Behind this audacious move is a coalition of champions for the cause, spearheaded by the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand. They’re not your ordinary suit-clad bureaucrats but passionate advocates for the game, who recently convened at a significant meeting orchestrated by the House of Representatives’ committee on sports. Their agenda? To strike snooker off the Gambling Act 1935’s list and restore its honor as a…
Imagine a scene where melodies and rhythms become the unseen healers of the mind and body, weaving through the air of Bangkok’s Srinakharinwirot University. Here, two musicians, in a moment captured on November 23 last year, create a sanctuary with their song, offering respite and rejuvenation through a music therapy workshop. This isn’t just an isolated act of artistic expression; it’s a prelude to a groundbreaking journey about to be embarked upon by Thailand’s medical and musical communities. The Department of Medical Services (DMS) of Thailand, with a vision as harmonious as the melodies of its rich musical heritage, has announced an ambitious collaboration with the College of Music at Mahidol University. This partnership isn’t just a meeting of minds; it’s the fusion of age-old Thai traditions with the healing sciences, aimed at amplifying the therapeutic effects of Thai traditional music. The air of anticipation is thick as the DMS…
In the tempestuous seascape of Thai politics, the Bhumjaithai Party, bedecked with the heavyweight title of being parliament’s third-largest party, now teeters on the brink of dissolution. This unforeseen twist in the tale unfolded when Saksayam Chidchob, the party’s former secretary-general and transport minister, found himself ensnared in a web of scandal, accused of artfully dodging asset disclosure laws and manipulating a nominee to clandestinely hold ownership in a company feasting on government construction contracts. On the surface, it seems like a classic tale of political intrigue and alleged corruption. Yet, beneath the headlines, lies a story of familial bonds, political survival, and the relentless pursuit of power. Saksayam, not merely a minister but a scion of the influential Chidchob family, finds his fate intertwined with that of Bhumjaithai, a party co-founded by his older brother, Newin Chidchob. When the Constitutional Court, almost in unison, decreed that Saksayam had indeed…
In a recent gathering that buzzed with urgency and promise, the National Committee on Mental Health, spearheaded by the dynamic Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin, embarked on a mission to revolutionize the realm of mental health care. In a bold move to combat the shadows cast by mental disorders and their often devastating spiral into violence, the committee is rallying for a game-changing amendment to the Mental Health Act (2008). What’s at the heart of this ambitious project, you ask? A visionary plan to establish a rehabilitation fund—a beacon of hope for many teetering on the edge. As the committee convened for its inaugural meeting of the year, the air was charged with a sense of purpose and determination. Somsak, with a resolve as steadfast as the cause he champions, unveiled a startling statistic that set the tone for the discussion: out of 42,629 mental health patients implicated in violent…