The rhythmic sound of flowing water is one we often take for granted, yet it plays a crucial role in shaping our environment and lives. This year, the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) is taking strides to ensure that the symphony of water flowing through Thailand’s 22 river basins hits just the right notes. Helmed by the diligent Secretary-General, Surasee Kittimonthon, this ambitious initiative is racing towards completion despite its share of twists and turns. Already, two comprehensive water management plans have materialized for both the Lower Southern Basin and the Chi River Basin. The announcement of these plans in the Royal Gazette on February 6 marked a significant milestone. However, this is just the overture. Under the baton of Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, the ONWR committee has now greenlit additional blueprints for the Sakae Krang, Wang, and Nan River basins. A grand total of seventeen more…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Eight individuals find themselves entangled in a physical assault and extortion scandal that has rocked Bangkok University to its core. The case has captured the attention of the community and social media alike, sending ripples of outrage throughout the city. At the center of this debacle are two young suspects, Rasipa “Preem” Satchawan, 22, and Chakatpol “Oshi” Wachirawan, 19. Their names have become synonymous with extortion and assault, with accusations surfacing about the severe physical and psychological injuries inflicted on a junior student. It all began last Sunday when Rasipa and Chakatpol were apprehended. The chilling details of their alleged transgressions spread like wildfire across the internet, igniting a fury of protests by Saturday evening. The bone-chilling act involved pouring hot soup over the victim, leaving burns festooned across his back, neck, and arms, accompanied by a brutal beating and an unasked-for haircut. The duo insisted their actions were merely…
In a sweeping crackdown aiming to safeguard the economic sanctity of Thailand, authorities have launched an aggressive pursuit against rogue enterprises. As of late, they’ve prosecuted a staggering 820 cases tied to nominee businesses, those elusive entities skirting the law, causing damages that painfully spiral upwards of 12.49 billion baht. A formidable task force, under the vigilant eye of Deputy Government Spokeswoman, Ms. Sasikan Wattanachan, is helming this offensive. This elite squad brings together brains and brawn from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Immigration Bureau, the Customs Department, among others. Their mission? Sniff out those sneaky loopholes used to bypass the Foreign Business Act, and throttle the flow of dodgy overseas merchandise that seep into Thai markets. Since September of last year, these efforts have unearthed hundreds of clandestine operations deeply entrenched not just in the tourism industry but also sprawling across online marketplaces, construction materials, accounting services, transport…
Picture this: the Songkran festival is in full swing, colorful water fights break out along the streets, and tourists gather at the Sadao border checkpoint in Songkhla, eagerly anticipating their cross-border adventures. As vibrant an image as that paints, this year, Songkhla’s not just bustling with festival-goers. Come next Tuesday, it’s set to be a hive of governmental activity as the region plays host to the first mobile cabinet meeting of the year. The Thai government, led by the astute Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, intends to focus its efforts on fostering development along the southern region’s east coast and the vital Sadao border trade gateway with Malaysia. It’s all systems go as not only Ms. Paetongtarn but her entire cabinet will touchdown in Phatthalung and Songkhla provinces, diving into a multi-faceted mission that spans across Monday and Tuesday. Springing into action, the ministers are set to engage deeply with local…
As the evening sun dipped below the horizon in Bangkok, the opulent Shangri-La Hotel buzzed with a sense of occasion. Guests in dapper attire filled the grand ballroom, their laughter intertwining with the soft notes of classical Iranian music. This was no ordinary evening—it was a celebration steeped in history and camaraderie, marking Iran’s National Day and the glorious 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. The spotlight of the evening was undeniably on Nassereddin Heidari, the charismatic Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Thailand, who was about to address the anticipating audience. Heidari, with a resonant voice that exuded both pride and warmth, greeted the gathering with a welcome speech that resonated beyond the gilded walls of the hotel. His words painted a vivid picture of Iran’s grand vision to strengthen tourism exchanges with Thailand. It came as no surprise to the guests that over 50,000 Iranians had…
Bangkok’s Chinatown, known as Yaowarat, was a buzz of excitement last month as tourists flocked to the bustling heart of the city. According to Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, an impressive 4.8 million foreigners set foot on Thai soil between the dawn of the new year and February 9. This influx of globetrotters has joyously pumped over 234.9 billion baht into the economy, painting a picture of prosperity for the Land of Smiles. Leading the parade were visitors from China, their numbers soaring to 825,617, putting them in a league of their own. Hot on their heels were travelers from Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, and India, numbering 617,631, 330,628, 263,572, and 232,828 respectively. It’s clear that Thailand’s reputation as a must-visit destination echoes far and wide. The week spanning February 3 to February 9 brought a delightful sprinkle of tourists from long-haul destinations, marking a 4.15% uptick. Russian and…
The latest efforts of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) have brought a significant clampdown on call center gangs that have been plaguing the region with their international crime rings. In a relentless push to tackle human trafficking and associated transnational crimes, over 5,000 checkpoints have been established nationwide. As of early February, these operations have produced tangible results, with 524 foreign nationals apprehended and over 231 others denied entry into the country. Adding to this impressive crackdown, a staggering 45,000 individuals have been added to a watchlist in the span of just three weeks! Among the most notable arrests was a duo of suspects nabbed in Songkhla, accompanied by incriminating tools such as two SIM boxes and various computer devices. Meanwhile, in Tak, law enforcement intercepted another group with a hefty cache of communication gear, indicating the scale and seriousness of their organized activities. In an ambitious sweep, 478,000 vehicles…
In a scene that reads like a gripping detective novel, the Shwe Kokko new town in Myawaddy has taken center stage in the Thai government’s battle against illicit activities lurking just across the Thailand-Myanmar border. The drama that unfolds is taking place under the vigilant eye of the Royal Thai Police and their heightened scrutiny of suspected underhanded ties between high-ranking officers and criminal enterprises in Myanmar. Last Wednesday marked a turning point; amid swirling suspicions, a significant shake-up in the Tak province’s police ranks was announced. Five senior officers found themselves reassigned, shaking up the status quo while investigations loom large over them. A name that rings ominously through whispered corridors is Pol Maj Gen Ekkarat Intasueb—a figure whose wealth and influence cast long shadows across the seven provinces under his watch, including the restless Tak. With the power to connect the dots between regions, he is now temporarily…
From the balmy banks of the Moei River, a truly remarkable saga unfolded on a bright Wednesday afternoon, when 261 individuals took their first steps to freedom from the notorious scam centres of Myawaddy. Carefully orchestrated by the resolute Col Natthakorn Rueantip, head of the valiant Ratchamanoo special task force, the operation involved a convoy of 100 dedicated soldiers and a fleet of over ten trucks, all engaged in the noble mission of welcoming these weary travelers to Thai soil. As these foreign souls entered the Phop Phra district of Tak, they were met with a semblance of safety and a promise of due process at the local district office. The Thai authorities, steadfast in their resolve, prepared diligently for what they expected to be an increasing wave of victims seeking sanctuary from the menacing grips of Myanmar’s call-centre scam syndicates. In a strategic move to uproot these criminal networks,…
On a bustling Wednesday afternoon, a glimmer of hope crossed the border into Thailand’s Phop Phra district as 261 weary foreigners trudged from their battered beginnings in Myanmar, rescued from the treacherous grip of call-scam rogues. Their journey, a complex weave of despair and aspiration, unfolds with the backdrop of strategic enforcement led by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Thanks to the stealthy actions of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, these captives found a lifeline after being plucked from the shadowy enclaves of KK Park and Shwe Kokko, notorious for their scam outposts. As the clock struck 4:30 pm, these individuals reached the threshold of a rejuvenated chapter, greeted by the compassionate, albeit critical, hands of Thai authorities. Earlier that fateful day, Mr. Phumtham engaged in discussions, unraveling the Myanmar government’s dissatisfaction over their inability to care for the lingering victims, initially anticipating a group of 53. Yet as the…