Posts published in “Thailand”

Local administrative organizations (LAOs) hold the notorious distinction of being the worst offenders when it comes to personal data breaches among all state agencies, says the Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DES). The ministry conducted sweeps across 31,561 state-operated units to gauge the extent of personal information leakage from last November until July 31. They found a staggering 6,086 cases of data breaches. Fortunately, 6,081 units and agencies were promptly informed and advised on how to plug their security gaps, according to DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. This operation was led by the Personal Data Protection Commission’s (PDPC) “Eagle Eye” center, a specialized team tasked with keeping a sharp lookout for abuse and misuse of personal data. Mr. Prasert pointed out that the trend of data leakage has seen significant improvement. From a ghastly 31% data leakage rate per month in November, the number has plummeted to a comparatively modest 1.6%…

In February, a group of passionate activists congregated at the Ministry of Public Health in Nonthaburi to voice their opposition against extending alcohol-selling hours. The gathering, which drew significant media attention, was captured in a striking photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill. Amidst the heated debate, an intriguing voice has emerged from Thammasat University, advocating for more liberal alcohol regulations. Enter Suthikorn Kingkaew, an assistant professor at Thammasat University’s Research & Consultancy Institute. With an array of persuasive arguments, Suthikorn is championing measures to ease alcohol restrictions, a stance that’s sparking conversations among restaurateurs, hoteliers, and tourists alike. Recently, he outlined a compelling case for revising the existing laws: longer alcohol-selling hours, lifting the total ban on alcohol advertisements, shedding light on the import tariffs, and restructuring the excise tax, all while lending a hand to small- and medium-sized enterprises in the alcohol industry. “With the dynamism in tourism needs, a flexible…

In the aftermath of the general election on May 14 last year, Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon expressed heartfelt gratitude to voters for their support. However, the political landscape is now set for significant changes as the ruling Pheu Thai Party has decided to exclude the PPRP from the new coalition government. Following a crucial MP party meeting on Tuesday, Pheu Thai’s secretary-general Sorawong Thienthong announced that the party’s executive committee will be asked to leave PPRP out of the coalition. Mr. Sorawong elaborated on the dissatisfaction among party MPs regarding PPRP’s actions, specifically pointing fingers at Gen Prawit Wongsuwon. The tipping point came when Gen Prawit failed to appear during a pivotal vote for electing Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister in the House on August 16. This absence did not sit well with the party members. When questioned about the possibility of inviting the opposition Democrat…

In the bustling markets of Bangkok, a vendor diligently registers for the Tang Rat app using a smartphone, eagerly anticipating the 10,000 baht in digital cash promised by the government. Captured in a vivid snapshot by Apichart Jinakul, this moment encapsulates the excitement and anticipation surrounding the controversial scheme. However, bureaucracy looms large. The Budget Bureau announced on Tuesday that if the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme doesn’t launch by next month, it will be delayed until the start of the next fiscal year on October 1. Chalermphol Pensoot, the bureau’s director, emphasized that the specifics of the cash handout policy must be reconfirmed once the new cabinet is established. This initiative, aimed at disbursing 10,000 baht to as many as 50 million people, stands as the flagship policy of the Pheu Thai Party. Yet, securing funds for such an ambitious program has proven to be a herculean task. Moreover, critics…

Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong has ardently championed a new regulation that permits convicts to be detained outside conventional prison walls, seeking to curb ballooning prison populations—a move that has ignited public debate, particularly over its potential advantages for ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra. The Department of Corrections crafted this regulation to address overcrowding, as the current prison infrastructure has a maximum capacity of 160,000, although it currently houses about 220,000 inmates. On Tuesday, Pol Col Tawee elucidated that the prison population crisis called for creative solutions. Under the new rule, facilities like hospitals can now serve as detention centers for ill inmates, aligning with Sections 33 and 34 of the 2017 Corrections Act. These sections stipulate that alternative detention arrangements should not feel like a luxurious escape but instead should provide rehabilitation and career training opportunities. Strongly dismissing any connections to Yingluck, who received a five-year prison sentence in absentia from the…

There’s nothing quite like the sight of two sleek Gripen jets from Royal Thai Air Force Wing 7 slicing through the warm, azure skies over the Andaman Sea. Taken back in June 2011, this particular scene was beautifully captured by the talented Surapol Promsaka Na Sakolnakorn, freezing a moment that’s steeped in both elegance and power. Fast forward to the present day, and it seems the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is gearing up for some exciting new additions to their fleet. On a recent Tuesday, they made a significant announcement that’s bound to stir interest within military aviation circles and beyond. The RTAF has decided to acquire Gripen fighter jets from Sweden, favoring them over the well-known US-made F-16s. This announcement came straight from the air force commander, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Phanphakdee Phattanakul, and it was met with a flurry of curiosity and enthusiasm. What led to this…

Former Democrat leader Chuan Leekpai on Tuesday emphatically reiterated his stance against his party joining the Pheu Thai-led government, a position he has held unwaveringly since the 2023 election campaign. Chuan pointed out that Pheu Thai had openly proclaimed that they would prioritize the development of provinces that supported them in elections, casting a shadow over regions that did not. Chuan’s campaign messages must have struck a chord with voters, as Pheu Thai did not secure a single seat in the southern region—a bastion of Democrat support. Chuan, the seasoned MP from Trang and former prime minister, stressed that his stance wasn’t driven by personal gain but by genuine concern for those regions potentially sidelined by Pheu Thai’s approach. He further clarified his non-endorsement of Pheu Thai’s former prime ministerial candidate, Srettha Thavisin, due to similar reservations. Quelling rumors about his possible expulsion from the party, Chuan stated that while…

At the heart of a bustling parliamentary session on July 23, Senator Nantana Nantavaropas captivated the room as she outlined her grand vision while vying for the Senate speaker’s position. Although her bid was ultimately unsuccessful, one thing became crystal clear: Nantana is a force to be reckoned with. Fast forward to a heated Senate discussion, and Nantana was once again in the spotlight. She ardently sought to debate the controversial comments made by Constitutional Court judge Udom Sittiwirattham. Deputy Senate Speaker Kriangkrai Srirak, however, had other plans. With a firm hand, he curtailed Nantana’s attempt to bring an urgent motion to the floor. “You’ll need to submit this to the Senate Speaker for consideration,” Kriangkrai asserted, halting her in mid-flight. Undeterred, Nantana began to argue her case, stressing the urgency of the matter, but Gen Kriangkrai remained unyielding and cut her off. It was a political chess match, and…

Charn Puangpetch couldn’t have predicted the whirlwind turn of events that followed his celebration on the night of June 30. That evening at his home in the quaint Sam Khok district of Pathum Thani, the atmosphere was electric with triumph. Charn, basking in the glory of his recent electoral victory, had every reason to believe he was on the cusp of leading the Pathum Thani Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) as its new chairman. Yet, as fate would have it, his elation was merely the calm before a storm. Fast forward a few days, and the Election Commission (EC) dropped a bombshell: Charn had been disqualified! Yes, you read that right. Charn Puangpetch, the man who secured the top spot, was now sidelined, all thanks to accusations of underhanded tactics. Whispers of vote-buying had gained traction, leading to a decision that sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Imagine a festive pre-polls…

Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit captivated an engaged audience as he addressed a forum celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Thammasat University Student Union on March 9, 2024. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul) Mr. Thanathorn, ever the unflappable optimist, brushed off former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s bold claim that his Pheu Thai Party will sweep the upcoming election by a landslide. Confidently, Thanathorn countered with his own prediction that the People’s Party (PP)—a rejuvenated version of the Future Forward Party he co-founded just five years ago—would secure a majority in the 2027 elections. In the 2023 election, the Pheu Thai Party rallied voters to grant them a landslide victory, envisioning a clear path to pushing their policies through. Yet, despite their ambition, they ultimately took second place to the Move Forward Party, the predecessor to the current PP. Although Pheu Thai managed to string together a coalition following Move Forward’s inability to…