Ladies and gentlemen, political theater is seldom as intriguing as when it concerns the ever-enigmatic former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his current dance with the legal system. The spotlight now turns to the valiant efforts of one Democrat MP, Chaichana Detdacho, at the helm of a House panel determined to unwrap the mystery shrouding Thaksin’s health and privileges amidst a backdrop of murmurs and legal threats. The stage was set when Chaichana, colored by determination, asserted the mighty power bestowed by the Constitution’s Article 129, granting his panel the authority to delve into the shadowed corners of state affairs. This power play, however, has rattled some cages, sending sparks flying within Thailand’s political stratosphere. In a suspenseful twist, our intrepid panel chair received thinly-veiled threats from high-profile personas as they readied themselves to meet the elusive Thaksin in the flesh come January 12. A sentinel of Thaksin’s legal fortress,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
On a serene Saturday morning, the tranquil waters of the Andaman Sea bore witness to an unexpected twist of fate when the “Sawan Tour” vessel, a darling among aquatic adventurers, found itself in an unfortunate plight near the captivating Ko Torinla island. Tucked within the embrace of the Surin Islands National Park, an archipelago of five crown jewels some 55 kilometers off Thailand’s mainland, the sea’s capricious nature revealed itself with little warning. The “Sawan Tour” had embarked on its journey from Thap Lamu Pier carrying 18 eager souls, each looking forward to a day of maritime splendor. The islands, renowned for their underwater kaleidoscope and rich, verdant landscapes, beckoned as a siren’s call to these seafaring tourists. But amidst the azure allure, disaster struck, leading to the boat’s sinking, a testament to the sea’s unyielding power. The hours that followed bore a flurry of activity as 16 of the…
Welcome to a northern jewel where the charm of the season brilliantly unfolds. At the heart of this city, the iconic Tha Phae Gate, or what the locals fondly call “Lan Khuang Pratu Tha Phae,” transforms into a marvelous tapestry of festive cheer. Imagine stepping into a scene straight from a holiday greeting card, complete with a towering 10-metre Christmas spectacle that beckons with its dazzling array of lights. The plaza becomes an enchanted forest of lights, its space adorned with decorations that sing of the Yuletide spirit. A majestic “Happy New Year 2024” sign looms large, its message radiant and welcoming. Visitors find themselves wandering through heart-shaped archways intertwined with the freshest of flowers and twinkling fairy lights. In this whimsical setting, silhouettes of gifts, prancing reindeer, and shimmering stars come alive. As night descends, the gate’s ancient walls serve as the canvas for 24 spotlights to cast an…
It reads like the plot of a nail-biting crime thriller, but the shocking events that unravelled are indeed the harsh truth causing ripples across the tranquil land of Thailand. The scene begins with a Taiwanese tycoon, a distinguished air of wealth and power clung to Feng-Hao Chang, yet beneath that facade lay a sinister plot that nearly ripped his family apart. As the sunrise kissed the Thai skyline, the esteemed Crime Suppression Division (CSD) officers embarked on a mission cloaked in secrecy. Their targets lay scattered in the bustling streets of Bangkok and the serene landscapes of Chon Buri, with eight crucial locations marked. The subsequent raids were anything but ordinary as each move brought them closer to unearthing a murderous scheme. The drama unfolded following the grievances aired by a Taiwanese son, one who bore the burden of betrayal but chose to seek justice. His allegations sent shivers down…
Imagine yourself whisked away on a sleek train, gliding along the bustling BTS Green Line in Bangkok – the city that never sleeps! Come January 2nd, as reported by Bangkok’s deputy governor Visanu Samsompol, this urban odyssey is set to get even more exciting as passengers of the Green Line’s newest extensions will be introduced to a single sparkle of a deal—a flat fare of just 15 baht per trip. What a steal, right? This isn’t just spur-of-the-moment; the decision has been thoughtfully drafted, just awaiting the illustrious signature of Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Picture the scene: the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), the Department of Rail Transport, and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) all nodding in harmonious agreement, with not a single objection to this attractive fare. The harmony is palpable! Don’t worry about the technicalities; the Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc…
Have you ever stumbled out of a venue, your head buzzing with the rhythm of the night’s beat, only to wonder if you’re too tipsy to drive? Well, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is stepping up to keep the party responsible—or at least, to keep it from spilling onto the roads. There’s a change afoot, and it’s one that could see the owners of your favorite nightspots wielding breathalyzers like knights in neon armor, determined to shield you from your own overindulgence. The FDA, amidst a clatter of regulations and legal jargon, is tinkering with the laws that typically bind medical equipment; their mission? To ensure these intoxication detectors can be brandished without fear of legal repercussions. “Imagine a world where merriment and responsibility coalesce,” muses Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, painting a picture of a new nightlife landscape. With the ease of a seasoned orator, the…
As the festive spirit takes hold and we prepare to bid adieu to another year, Thailand is abuzz with activity and excitement—thanks in no small part to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. With anticipation at fever-pitch, the Prime Minister has set the wheels in motion to ensure that the kingdom’s New Year celebrations are not only vibrant but also as secure as Fort Knox. The pulsating streets and picturesque beaches are poised to welcome an incredible influx of 1.1 million international revelers, said government mouthpiece Chai Wacharonke with an infectious enthusiasm on Friday. But it’s not just the streets that will be shimmering with joy; the numbers are equally glittering. Our beloved Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is all set to hit the jackpot with tourist numbers predicted to balloon to 1.18 million until the first dawn of January 2024. Can you imagine the economic fireworks? We’re talking a dazzling influx…
It’s not every day that a bustling metropolis like Bangkok faces a fuel-induced furor, but when Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit floated a suggestion to heft up the excise tax on petrol within the sprawling urban scape, it certainly revved up more than a few engines. The discerning citizens of the ‘City of Angels’ were all ears, and the hum of city traffic seemed to skip a beat. Hold onto your seats, dear readers, for this was but a twist in the tale! In a turn of events that could only be described as a policy pirouette, Minister Suriya sprinted to the podium on a sunny Friday to douse the flames of confusion. With the grace of a seasoned statesman and the precision of a linguistic sharpshooter, Suriya declared that the proposed tax bump was not on the drafting table but was merely an academic muse—picnicked from international practices and served…
Amid a swirl of controversy and the clicking of camera shutters, the high-profile saga of Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former leader and a character fit for the most engrossing of political dramas, continues. What’s new, you ask? Well, darling readers, the man has carved out a nook for himself in the sterile quarters of the Police General Hospital, transforming it into his unexpected residence for the past 120 days – that’s a solid four months of medical pampering, for those keeping count. The Department of Corrections (DoC), the agency not typically known for its soft side, has permitted this stay, ignoring the furrowed brows of skeptics. A certain regulation, hot off the presses and already marinating in controversy, allows qualified inmates – our Mr. Thaksin included – to trade iron bars for hospital wards. And as you might guess, not everyone’s toasting to his health over this decision. “We’ve got his…
Welcome to the kaleidoscope of colors and causes that was Bangkok Pride 2023! This exhilarating celebration in June was more than just a jubilant parade of rainbows and glitter; it was a powerful declaration of determination and solidarity. Imagine beating drums, waves of vibrant flags, and a community united with a singular vision – the promotion of gender recognition, same-sex marriage, rights for sex workers, and universal welfare for all under the broad and beautiful LGBTQIA2S+ umbrella. The city’s streets danced to the rhythm of progress as thousands thronged, each step a stamp on stigma, each cheer a chorus for change. The Thai House, breaking news from within its esteemed walls, recently resonated with unprecedented energy as it gave the green light to not one, but four landmark bills! This legislative quartet, aimed at amending the Civil and Commercial Code, has set the stage for same-sex marriages to bloom in…