Posts published in “Thailand”

The Thai government’s ambitious plan to launch a mega entertainment complex, featuring casinos, is moving forward, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. On Thursday, he announced that public hearings had shown overwhelming support, with 80% of participants backing the initiative. Julapun, a significant figure in the coalition-core Pheu Thai Party, emphasized that these hearings served as a platform for inclusive discussions on the entertainment complex bill, crafted by the Ministry of Finance. As it stands, the proposed legislation will legalize the creation of entertainment complexes, including casinos as an integral part. The deputy minister added that the bill would be fine-tuned to incorporate valuable insights and suggestions from the public hearings. Once revised, the bill will face the cabinet’s scrutiny to determine coalition parties’ support. Should the cabinet give its nod, the proposal will advance to the Council of State for thorough examination before making its way to the…

Capt Thamanat Prompow, a notable figure within the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has made the pivotal decision to step down from his role as the party’s secretary-general. Notably, he is not alone in this venture; five other members from his faction have also resigned from their executive posts within the party. This collective resignation was formally submitted to the Election Commission (EC) earlier, marking a significant upheaval within the PPRP just ahead of a crucial party board meeting chaired by Gen Prawit Wongsuwon. Interestingly, while Capt Thamanat and his cohort have resigned from their executive roles, they have strategically retained their PPRP memberships to avoid jeopardizing their status as Members of Parliament (MPs). This move demonstrates a calculated effort to maintain their political foothold while expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s current trajectory. The faction comprises roughly half of the PPRP’s 40 MPs, establishing a formidable bloc within the party. Meanwhile,…

Big news is coming for railway enthusiasts and travelers in Thailand! Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote has announced that nine major railway projects, including the highly anticipated 357-kilometre second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train system, are set to be proposed for cabinet approval next month. All in all, these projects will demand a significant investment of 661 billion baht. Out of these nine projects, six will focus on double-track rail routes requiring a combined budget of 298 billion baht. The routes in question are a mix of vital links across the nation: the 285km Paknam Pho-Den Chai route, the 168km Chumphon-Surat Thani route, the 189km Surat Thani-Hat Yai route, the 308km Thanon Chira Junction-Ubon Ratchathani route, the 45km Hat Yai Junction-Padang Besar route, and the 189km Denchai-Chiang Mai route. Each of these will significantly enhance connectivity across Thailand, making travel swifter and more efficient. Further expanding Bangkok’s metropolitan rail…

In a dramatic turn of events yesterday, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders handed down a three-year, four-month prison sentence to Somying Buabut, a former Member of Parliament from the Pheu Thai Party. The charge? Corruption linked to the construction of a futsal field at a school in Amnat Charoen. Fortunately for Somying, the court decided to suspend her jail sentence for three years, giving her a temporary reprieve. This ruling stems from a lawsuit initiated by the attorney general back in September 2022. The legal action pointed fingers at Somying, then an MP for Amnat Charoen, alongside 11 others. The allegations revolved around the dubious allocation of the 2012 fiscal year budget to the Office of the Educational Service Area in this northeastern province. The fraudulent activities happened between 2011 and 2013, a time when dreams were traded for profit. The core of the scandal involved…

The Royal Thai Army has firmly denied the explosive allegations hurled by the opposition People’s Party (PP) during the high-stakes parliamentary scrutiny of the national budget expenditure bill. At the crux of the controversy is the purchase of approximately 10,000 mess trays at allegedly exorbitant prices. During the recent budget review session, PP, spearheaded by outspoken MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, accused the army of spending an unjustifiably large portion of its budget on these mess trays. The claim is that the trays were procured at prices significantly higher than the market norm. Stepping up to the podium to defend the army, Col Richa Suksuwanon, the army’s deputy spokesman, insisted the food trays purchased were of an exceptional standard. These were no ordinary trays – they were made of SUS 304 food-grade stainless steel, each 0.8 millimeters thick, crafted for longevity and used thrice daily. The e-bidding process, which saw the army…

When Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister who just recently found freedom on parole, took the stage on August 22, you could almost hear the nation’s breath being held. A staggering 1,400 business titans and influencers crowded into the venue, all eager to hear his “vision” for Thailand. Among these high-profile attendees were multibillionaires Dhanin Chearavanont from the CP Group and Sarath Ratanavadi of Gulf Energy Development. (Photo: Reuters) The air was thick with anticipation and curiosity. During a captivating forum in Bangkok, it was revealed that the economic strategies of the Pheu Thai-led government are skewed toward benefiting large corporations rather than the general populace. An economics lecturer from Thammasat University illuminated the problem, noting that Thailand’s governments have long been cozy with big business. According to him, these big corporations leverage their government connections to rake in benefits. However, monopolies are toxic for the economy as they stifle…

An artist’s impression beautifully captures the future vision of the Pattaya monorail, a transformative project slated to commence construction in 2027. Pattaya City has greenlit the ambitious plan to develop an 11-kilometre monorail line. This sleek and modern transit system will stretch from the bustling Thap Phraya intersection on Pattaya’s west side, traversing the city, to Nong Mai Kaen in the east. The latest and final public hearing for the proposed Purple Line monorail system took place on Wednesday, and the level of engagement was palpable. Participants rallied behind the project’s format and blueprint, giving a nod of approval to the extensive environmental impact study conducted for the system’s second phase. The hearing was a pivotal moment, chaired by the ever-visionary Phutthaset Charoenphat, the director of the city’s traffic and transport division. The feasibility study presents a compelling case for the monorail, acknowledging its premium construction and maintenance costs. Yet,…

The peaceful tranquility of Karon Beach was shattered on a somber Tuesday morning when the lifeless body of a Russian man was discovered unceremoniously in a ditch near the iconic Naga statue. The picturesque shoreline, usually teeming with tourists soaking up the sun, became the backdrop for a troubling mystery that left locals and visitors alike reeling. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran) Phuket’s police force, led by Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, initially suspected foul play. The case of the deceased, initially presumed murdered, took an unexpected turn as new evidence suggested the possibility of suicide. The tragic victim was identified only as Ilia, a Russian national whose unsettling demise sent ripples through the community. Pol Maj Gen Sinlert revealed on Thursday that preliminary findings indicated Ilia had shown signs of psychotic behavior and marijuana use, potentially contributing to hallucinations, nervous symptoms, and other distressing behaviors that could lead to violence. This…

Dr. Thandao Chandam remains unwavering in her claim that Urs Fehr assaulted her on the night of February 24th, despite a court ruling that there was no clear evidence to support her case. The young doctor, just 26, expressed her disappointment on Thursday but has vowed to continue her fight for justice. Thanking the public for their overwhelming moral support, Dr. Thandao firmly reiterated her accusation of assault. On that fateful February evening, Dr. Thandao alleges she was kicked in the back by Urs Fehr, a 45-year-old Swiss national, while she and a friend sat on the beachfront steps near his rented villa on Yamu Beach. Fehr, who managed an elephant camp in Phuket, reportedly accused the doctor of trespassing on his property. It later surfaced that these steps, which led down to the beach, were not part of Fehr’s property and had been constructed illegally. These steps were eventually…

Urs Fehr and his Thai wife are present at the Phuket provincial hall on March 1. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran) PHUKET: In a case that has captured the attention of the community, a Thai doctor who alleged she was kicked by a Swiss man, Urs Fehr, on the steps near his property on Yamu Beach in February, has vowed to continue her legal battle for justice after the Phuket Kwaeng Court acquitted the defendant this past week. The plaintiff, Dr. Thandao Chandam, 26, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support she’s received from the public during the tumultuous court proceedings. “Thank you for standing by me,” Dr. Thandao said emotionally. “This isn’t the end; I will persist in seeking justice.” Dr. Thandao remains resolute, firmly upholding her version of events. She confirmed plans to file an appeal with the court, bolstered by the support and encouragement from her community. Her father,…