Imagine a scene at Don Mueang airport where excitement buzzes through the crowd like electricity. There’s a fervor in the air, a sense of anticipation that could only be matched by the arrival of a true celebrity. This isn’t Hollywood, though. This is Bangkok, and the star of the show is none other than former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose presence magnetizes supporters as he disembarks from his flight, enveloped by the warm embrace of his homeland on August 22 of the preceding year. Cameras flash, and the air is thick with the scent of promise—or is it the scent of intrigue? Fast forward a few months, and we’re now in the thick of a political drama that could rival any television series. It’s Friday – not just any Friday, but THE Friday when the House committee on police affairs, headed by the astute Chaichana Detdecho, makes its way to…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Amid the buzz of Bangkok’s vibrant streets, the iconic Khao San Road stands out as a kaleidoscope of culture, food, and, as of recent times, a rather intriguing addition: cannabis shops. Beneath the glow of neon signs and the eyes of curious travelers, health officials gracefully navigate the bustling thoroughfare, inspecting these burgeoning businesses with a meticulous eye. The air is abuzz with discussions about the forthcoming cannabis and hemp control bill, a piece of legislation simmering in the cauldron of Thai politics, not yet ready to be served up to the cabinet. The esteemed Public Health Minister, Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, recently clarified his actions in this culinary dance of legislation. He was simply seasoning the discussion with the ministry’s sage perspective on the matter, following a nudge from the Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s secretariat, after the correspondence branding it as fiscal cuisine. With the promise that the final recipe…
Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, to the extraordinary scene that has engulfed the tranquil town of Tha Sala district in Nakhon Si Thammarat, where forensic officials, capes fluttering in the breeze of intrigue, have graced the Siriporn gold shop with their investigative ballet. What’s this? A daylight robbery? Indeed, dear readers, on the fateful Tuesday afternoon captured through the unblinking eye of the camera’s gaze, our tale unfolds. But fear not, for our intrepid guardians of the peace have already laid their cards on the table, identifying the mastermind behind this brazen heist. Through streets whispered with questions and curtains twitching with curiosity, the name Chaiwut Wethayawong, aged 54, echoes with the tenacity of a manhunt in full stride. Ah, the plot thickens, for this gentleman bandit is nowhere to be found, and the constabulary has beseeched the powers of the court for an arrest warrant to bring this…
Amidst the hallowed halls of Thailand’s political sanctum, the air was thick with anticipation as journalists gathered around Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who confidently detailed the intricacies of his recent rendezvous with the head honcho of the Bank of Thailand. Captured in a snapshot for posterity, he appeared the visionary in the budget debate fray. The Prime Minister, brandishing the dual swords of national leadership and fiscal finesse, proclaims, “My discourse on interest rates was mere enlightenment, not commandment.” His assertion, clear as a cloudless sky, was that his powwow with Governor Sethaput was a respectful exchange, nothing more. “The Bank of Thailand marches to the beat of its own drum,” Mr. Srettha asserts, ensuring all within earshot understand the sacred line he dares not cross. As he peeled back the layers of their dialogue, it was revealed that the substance was of economic fiber—interest rates and the lay of…
Ahoy there, maritime enthusiasts and global trade aficionados! Guess what’s sailing into the bustling waters of international logistics? It’s none other than Thailand’s very own Bangkok Port, unfurling its sails with an audacious “New Business Model of Bangkok Port” that’s set to make waves across the high seas of import-export operations. Anchoring this lofty endeavor was a ceremonious affair graced by Manaporn Charoensri, Minister of Transport, amidst a boatload of esteemed government officials, business moguls, eager stakeholders, media mavens, and distinguished guests. During this maritime gala, the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) penned Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that might as well be treasure maps for those keen on the promise of enhanced competitiveness. The first MOU, a vibrant pact with Sahathai Terminal Public Company Limited, charts a course for “Inbound containers via vessels promotion and Business Promotion activities” project. Meanwhile, a second MOU tightens the knots of camaraderie with BOXMAN…
Welcome to an evocative journey to the beating heart of environmental innovation as we venture deep into the bustling metropolis of Dubai, where the 28th rendezvous of the world’s climate advocates shook the sands at the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. A tale unfolds under the glare of the Arabian sun, where the venerable Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) emerged, not with mere presentations, but a tale of triumph in the saga against carbon emissions. Embarking on this odyssey of transformation, the TCMA unfurled its roadmap—a vision for 2050 that’s not sketched in the whisps of lofty dreams but drawn in the stark lines of concrete actions. Like a phoenix rising from the earthy kilns of industry, the “PPP-Saraburi Sandbox” initiative soared, fashioned by the shared hands and collective wisdom born of Public, Private, and People’s Partnership. This stroke of genius didn’t simply…
Imagine a breath of fresh hope sweeping across the verdant expanses of Thailand, where sun-kissed, fertile lands await the tender care of new stewards. It’s a vision of empowerment, a dawn of opportunity for those who’ve long been at the peripheries of prosperity. This isn’t a distant daydream—it’s the impending reality for the resilient souls of Thailand, as narrated by none other than the country’s astute Defence Minister, Sutin Klungsang, amidst the disciplined ranks and crisp salutes of a distinguished navy unit in Samut Prakan province. A transformative stride is set afoot, one that beckons a future where the disparity between the haves and the have-nots is redefined. Minister Sutin, a man whose words carry the weight of promise and action, has proudly announced a groundbreaking initiative: the transference of a sprawling 3,918 rai—equivalent to a majestic stretch of 1,549 acres—of navy-occupied land. In April’s gentle embrace, this expanse in…
Imagine a place where healing begins, where lives are mended with the strength of patience and dedication—a beacon of hope for those enshrouded in the night of substance dependency. This isn’t a work of fiction; it’s a reality at a drug addiction rehabilitation center nestled in the serene Phunphin district of Surat Thani province. Here, amidst the therapeutic calm, a man diligently works on a craft project, channeling his energies into something tangible—a step on the transformative journey to recovery. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul) The battle against addiction is a relentless one, and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) just unveiled their latest strategy—a robust rehabilitation and stabilisation programme for over 7,000 individuals grappling with mental health challenges triggered by illicit drug use. Spearheaded by Pol Lt Gen Phanurat Lakboon, the acting secretary-general of the ONCB, this initiative emerged from a meticulous survey aimed at pinpointing those in dire…
Enveloped in the majestic aura of tradition and the nurturing spirit of National Children’s Day, the sovereign ruler of the land, His Majesty the King, has gracefully bestowed his wisdom upon the youthful hearts of the kingdom. Picture this: a vibrant, colorful booklet emerges, as if from the very weave of royal fabric, bringing a message of guidance and hope to the children of the nation. This booklet, a beacon of royal benevolence, was unveiled on the auspicious third of January, yet the pearls of wisdom within were kept under wraps, only to be revealed on a later Wednesday, as if they were too precious to be hurried into the world. Here’s the heart of the message: His Majesty encourages every child to engage with their education, to immerse themselves so deeply in learning and training that they become architects of their own future success and joy. “All happiness comes…
Gather ’round, energy consumers and fiscal aficionados, for we have electric news crackling with intrigue. The enigmatic Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), a beacon of power-related policymaking, has laid down a financial thunderbolt: power tariffs are not to surge beyond 4.20 baht per electrifying unit from the ebbs of March to the spirited blossoms of April’s end. Take heed, for this rate dances to the tune of a slashed fuel tariff (FT), shed by a cool 50 satang to a sleek 0.3972 baht per kilowatt-hour (kWh), declared ERC’s sage secretary-general, Khomgrich Tantravanich, on what was undoubtedly a Wednesday to remember. Let’s illuminate the scene: electricity generation, our modern-day Prometheus, finds its pulse racing predominantly to the drum of natural gas—accounting for a heavy-hitting 60% of the fuel lineup, trailed by the dual ensemble of imported and domestic coal, chipping in at a solid 20-22% of the mix. The fuel tariff charge,…