The annual unveiling of the Global Peace Index (GPI) offers a sobering glimpse into the ever-hovering specter of global unrest, and the 2025 report is no different. Crafted by the perceptive minds at the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), this illuminating dossier gives us the lowdown on peace in 163 nations, capturing a whopping 99.7% of our Earth’s human tapestry. As the sun sets on another year, one might hope for a softer world, but alas, global harmony isn’t playing ball. With six years of successive decline, the stats whisper tales of peace thinning its ranks. A glance back at history reveals that a whopping 13 of the last 17 years have seen an eerier dance with unrest since the index took its debut bow. Before you dismiss the GPI as just another measure of absences of war, let me bring you under the tent of its true marvel.…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The latest Nida Poll survey, conducted between July 4 and 7, 2025, has sparked a whirlwind of conversations across Thailand, uncovering the nation’s sentiments on its political future. This captivating survey brings to light the public’s views on the current political stalemate, suggesting intriguing pathways for Thai politics. First, we dive into the heated topic of Thailand’s present political climate. An interesting 42.37% believe that Paetongtarn should gracefully step down to usher in a new leader. Meanwhile, 39.92% favor the dramatic flair of dissolving the House of Representatives and marching towards a fresh general election. Standing firm with the status quo, 15.04% think Paetongtarn should keep leading the charge as if it’s just another ordinary day. In a bold statement, 1.37% advocate for the radical shake-up of a military coup. As for the rest, 0.99% are simply nonchalant, having no particular preference, and a tiny 0.31% welcome the art of…
As moviegoers flock to theaters to catch the anticipated release of Jurassic World: Rebirth, Thailand once again takes center stage as a cinematic gem. The latest installment in this hit franchise prominently features the stunning locales of Thailand’s southern region, showcasing its natural allure while cementing the country’s status as an emerging force in global entertainment. If you’re both a movie buff and a nature enthusiast, you won’t want to miss a chance to explore these three breathtaking national parks that play a starring role in the film: Hat Chao Mai National Park, Trang Sunset Beach and Ko Kradan Imagine lounging beneath the warm sun on what can only be described as paradise on Earth. This idyllic slice of coastline has deservedly grabbed the ‘World’s Best Beach’ award from the World Beach Guide for two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024. Unspoiled landscapes and waters clearer than a polished crystal make…
In a whirl of political uncertainty and economic tension, the people of Thailand are casting a watchful eye on the newly minted Cabinet helmed by acting Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. However, many Thais remain skeptical about one particularly daunting challenge: Can they sway the formidable US President Donald Trump to scale back the retaliatory tariffs he’s placed on Thailand? A recent opinion survey sheds some light on this sentiment, and the results are as vibrant as the bustling markets of Bangkok. The survey, poetically titled “New Cabinet and Trump’s Tariffs,” was masterfully conducted by Suan Dusit University, capturing the thoughts of 1,191 respondents across the nation from July 8 to 11. Like a trusted oracle of public opinion, Suan Dusit Poll unveiled the outcome on a sunny Sunday, revealing a colorful tapestry of opinions. When posed with the question of whether the fresh-faced Thai government would be capable of unraveling…
In the vibrant landscape of Southeast Asia, Thailand once stood as an emerging boomtown, a beacon of economic potential. However, like a powerful river hitting a jagged rock, its flow has been disrupted. Since the ripples of the Covid-19 pandemic hit its shores, Thailand has been facing a pronounced deceleration in productivity growth—a situation far graver than many of its ASEAN and developing counterparts. Should this challenge remain unchecked, it threatens to detour Thailand from its ambitious roadmap to high-income country status by the year 2037. Sounds serious? It absolutely is! This predicament has triggered the proactive efforts of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), which, alongside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), hosted a pivotal forum. The centerpiece of this convocation was the unveiling of the report Strengthening Productivity Analysis for Policymaking in Thailand, a crucial segment of the OECD-Thailand Country Programme’s second phase. The…
In a country where political drama often feels as intense as a thrilling TV series, Thailand has been handed the latest script twist by none other than Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, the highly dedicated whistleblower often at the heart of political watchdog acts. This time, our lead protagonist has set his sights on Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, calling for a curtain call with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The plot? An investigation into Pichai for what Ruangkrai has claimed is a breach of integrity by inviting former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to a government meeting. A Drama of Ethical Intrigues The crux of Ruangkrai’s dramatic accusation revolves around an alleged violation of the Ethical Standards Act for Holders of Positions in Independent Organisations B.E. 2561 (2018). He asserts that by drawing Thaksin into the circle of government negotiators and prime ministerial advisers, Pichai has trodden on some ethical…
It’s hard to fathom, but nestled amidst the tranquil pagodas and saffron fabrics of Thailand’s Buddhist temples is a bustling world of finance worth a staggering 410 billion baht. Imagine coffers holding riches across 39,000 bank accounts, all under the steady watch of the Bank of Thailand and the vigilant eyes of the National Office of Buddhism (NOB). Yet, despite the sacred aura, temple finances have unwittingly become the spotlight of public scrutiny. As whispers of impropriety echo through temple halls, a drama unfolds that could rival any soap opera. It all began with reports of several senior monks embroiled in a scandal more suited to tabloids than sanctuaries—a sordid tale of alleged relationships with a woman, provocatively tagged ‘Golf’ in insider circles. The scandal, cascading through headlines with all the grace of tragic opera, left the formerly revered monks shedding not only their robes but also perhaps their principles.…
The air is thick with tension and anticipation as the Thai volleyball team stands on the precipice, teetering between triumph and relegation in the high-octane world of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL). The stakes have never been higher, and the culmination of their efforts will be decided in their final face-off against Canada in the early hours of Monday morning Thai time. The dedicated fans of the “Thai spikers” are gearing up for a nail-biting spectacle, their hearts set on witnessing a climb to victory, the sweet antidote to the bitter suspense. This electrifying narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a crucial match between global volleyball powers that took place recently in Chiba, Japan. Here, France demonstrated an unapologetically dominant performance against South Korea, clinching victory in straight sets of 25-17, 25-19, and 25-21. Under the tactical prowess of head coach César Hernández González, who intriguingly previously guided South Korea…
The winds of change have swept yet another poignant chapter of history into the world’s spotlight, as three key locations earn the recognition they so solemnly deserve. These hallowed grounds—the former M-13 prison, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (previously the S-21 prison), and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre—now bear the UNESCO stamp, serving as eternal testaments to the unspeakable horrors endured during the Khmer Rouge era. Like emotive whispers from the past, these sites paint a chilling canvas of the regime’s tyranny, under which approximately two million lives were extinguished. The calendar marks it as fifty years since the rise of this regime in 1975, spearheaded by the enigmatic yet tyrannical Pol Pot, a man whose name became synonymous with brutality. Under his terrifying command, Democratic Kampuchea’s communist state wreaked havoc for three years, eight months, and twenty days—a timeline etched indelibly in human sorrow. Tuol Sleng, or S-21, ceased…
In an intriguing turn of events, Thailand’s political landscape finds itself under the microscope as former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra lobbed serious accusations, creating a buzz harder to ignore than a fire-breathing dragon in a small village. With no shortage of drama, he suggested that an obscure but elite group of senators concocted a scheme spicier than a chili pepper salad, aiming to unseat his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, by the end of July. Their alleged goal? To pull off a chain reaction that could derail the simmering probe into their own voting collusion—putting a neat little bow on this political Pandora’s Box. The revelation came during what turned out to be a no-holds-barred interview session, part of the illustrious Nation 55th Anniversary: Solution for Thailand – Chapter 1 event. Picture this: an elegant ballroom at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai in Bangkok, the date July 9, where Thaksin…