The ongoing saga of the long-delayed elevated expressway continues to unfold as the foundations for this ambitious project are now visible on Kaset-Nawamin Road. Yet, what stands out is the dramatic twist involving the third-phase expressway’s N2 section. This development is not merely about concrete and steel but a gripping tale of community resistance and bureaucratic maneuvers. Imagine this: picture a room at a Bangkok hotel in the Chatuchak district, packed with over 50 residents. They’re not there for a social gathering but to voice their deep opposition to the Expressway Authority of Thailand’s (Exat) new proposal. The plan in question? An underground route set to replace a highly contentious section of the N1 Expressway. Manawat Kamolsilp, a vocal critic and resident, was quick to assess the financial implications, “The underground route’s projected cost is a staggering 50 billion baht, whereas an elevated expressway would only set us back 17…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Picture this: a night departure from the bustling Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station in Bangkok, and by dawn, you’re greeted by the serene charms of Vientiane. The highly anticipated cross-border rail journey linking Thailand and Laos took a significant step forward with a successful test run held last Saturday. This sneak peek promises an enriching travel experience for passengers eagerly awaiting the official launch this Friday. The test voyage saw Nong Khai governor Sompob Samitasiri and a diversified entourage of officials, private sector representatives, and tour operators embark on the train from Nong Khai Railway Station, making their way to the newly developed Vientiane Station (Khamsavath) in Laos. Their mission? To ensure everything runs smoothly before the big day. Good news for eager travelers: bookings for this unique rail adventure have been available since July 10, and the excitement is palpable. The inaugural commercial journey is slated to depart…
On June 28, the officers at the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau unveiled compelling evidence gathered from a large-scale operation targeting Euro 2024 football betting websites and call center syndicates. The operation revealed a staggering network that drew millions of users into illegal gambling activities. According to law enforcement, over 200 websites facilitating Euro 2024-related gambling have been shut down, bringing an astounding 2.4 billion baht of illicit funds under scrutiny. This unprecedented crackdown was timed to coincide with the exciting finale of the Euro 2024 football matches, which wrapped up on Sunday. The rigorous campaign kicked off on June 14, the day Euro 2024 football finals commenced, and concluded with a resounding impact by Thursday, as revealed by Assistant National Police Chief, Pol Lt Gen Akradet Pimolsri. Leading the charge was a specially formed task force that strategically dismantled these complex operations. Over the span of this operation, authorities managed…
In a bid to protect the pristine landscapes of Thap Lan National Park, National Park Office director Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn is appealing to the cabinet to revisit a significant resolution dated March 14, 2023. This resolution involves the redrawing of the park’s boundaries, specifically stripping away a massive 265,000-rai stretch of land. The proposal has ignited a fervent debate amongst locals, who made their voices heard loud and clear during a recent public hearing. Mr. Chaiwat revealed on Saturday that the cabinet might potentially reconsider their decision due to the overwhelming opposition it faced. The online public hearing dedicated to discussing the redesignation was a landmark event, attracting an unprecedented 947,107 participants—the highest turnout for any government-run public hearing to date. This engagement highlights how passionately people feel about preserving the integrity of Thap Lan National Park. The results unveiled by Mr. Chaiwat between June 28 and July 12 were nothing…
The bustling streets of Kaset-Nawamin Road now find their rhythm interrupted by the sight of towering foundations, signaling the long-anticipated arrival of a new expressway. Yes, folks, the third-phase expressway’s N2 section is coming to life! But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves – there’s a twist in this tale. In a twist that might make you do a double-take, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) has proposed a sleek underground route to replace the embattled N1 Expressway section. Now, residents might not be jumping for joy at this development. Picture this: a heated third hearing held in a bustling Bangkok hotel, attended by more than 50 vibrant residents, each with their own story to tell. Manawat Kamolsilp, a local hero of sorts, voiced a concern many are echoing, “Building an underground route is set to burn a 50 billion baht hole in our pockets, compared to the 17 billion…
Imagine a seemingly harmless fish from distant African waters making its way to Bangkok’s bustling districts and turning into a troublesome invader. That’s the story of the blackchin tilapia, a predatory fish that was initially imported to Thailand for research but has turned into an unwelcome guest in the city’s waterways. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has joined forces with the Department of Fisheries to tackle this slippery menace. The blackchin tilapia is causing headaches for farmers in three Bangkok districts—Bang Khunthian, Thung Kru, and Bang Bon—as it devours smaller fish and their eggs, wreaking havoc on local aquaculture. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt highlighted the issue, noting that the fish had been spreading from nearby Samut Songkhram provinces to other areas for quite some time, and now its numbers are booming in these three districts. It’s a significant challenge for about 900 aquaculture farmers who operate shrimp…
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa extended a firm handshake to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the second Bimstec foreign ministers’ retreat in vibrant New Delhi. (Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Enthusiastically, Minister Maris announced that Thailand is all set to host the sixth Bimstec Summit on September 4 in the bustling heart of Bangkok. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, or Bimstec, is a coalition of seven South and Southeast Asian nations dedicated to fostering collaborative progress. These member states—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—rely economically and geographically on the Bay of Bengal. Mr. Maris actively participated in the second Bimstec foreign ministers’ retreat held on a lively Thursday in New Delhi, proudly asserting Thailand’s readiness to serve as the event’s gracious host. He emphasized the indispensable role of the private sector in transforming government policies into palpable results. Reflecting…
On a somber Saturday in Muang district of Chachoengsao province, rescue workers made a grim discovery—a human skeleton, legs included—at a deserted site. This chilling find is believed to belong to a Chinese woman, missing for nearly two weeks, who authorities believe was abducted for ransom by a fellow national. The remains were uncovered amidst an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty, deepening the mystery surrounding her disappearance. The search, led by Pol Maj Gen Noppasil Poolsawat, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), took the team to a desolate area near a housing estate in tambon Bang Phra, Muang district. Around noon, they stumbled upon the skeletal remains they suspect might be of 38-year-old Yan Ruimin. Investigators are now working closely with forensic experts to conduct DNA tests on the body parts to confirm the identity. The discovery has escalated the urgency and gravity of the investigation. The breakthrough…
In the otherwise tranquil town of Surat Thani, a scene out of an action movie unfolded as a 50-year-old man, furiously waving around two lethal firearms, stormed the Provincial Electricity Authority office on Friday. This dramatic incident, set in the usually serene surroundings of tambon Ipan in Phra Saeng district, sent shockwaves through the local community. The unhappy gentleman, whose power had evidently been cut off, took matters into his own hands in an extreme attempt to restore his electricity. Pol Col Pornnarong Karnorathai, the chief of the Phra Saeng police station, reported that officers rushed to the scene with urgency upon receiving reports of an armed individual threatening the PEA office. Upon arrival, the police were greeted by chaos: the building’s large glass door lay in ruins, bearing the mark of a single gunshot. The assailant, now riding away on a motorcycle, had left a scene of hurried employees…
Last May, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai gave reporters a behind-the-scenes look at the aging rice stocks in Surin (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Commerce). With the government’s focus on winding down leftover rice from the Yingluck Shinawatra administration’s rice-pledging scheme, Phumtham announced plans to auction off 15,000 tonnes of this surplus. This initiative aims to clear out these reserves, according to rising demand and market needs. The Public Warehouse Organization (PWO) has received marching orders to hasten negotiations with the three final bidders. Initially, three other companies, including the top bidder, were disqualified due to connections with entities embroiled in legal troubles from previous PWO auctions. These disqualified participants, namely V8 Intertrading Co, Thanasan Rice Co, and SSMR Karnkaset Plc, had indirect links to entities that botched earlier auctions involving cassava and rice, though they hadn’t personally caused direct harm at the time, as per…