Posts published in “Thailand”

Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang, holding a microphone and beaming warmly, thanked his supporters from a pickup truck brimming with campaign spirit during a Friday rally aimed at drumming up support for the upcoming Pathum Thani Provincial Administration Organisation election. As the crowd cheered back, it was clear that this was no ordinary rally. With the decisive date set for June 30, the anticipation in the air was palpable. (Photo: Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang Facebook account) According to a recent Nida poll, Kamronwit Toopkrajang has edged slightly ahead of his main competitor, Chan Puangpetch, in the high-stakes race for the chairmanship of the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO). With only a couple of weeks remaining before the big day, the poll results released on Sunday showed Kamronwit with the endorsement of 31.87% of surveyed voters, while Mr Charn was supported by 28.68%. The final outcome could hinge on…

Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang stood triumphantly on a pickup truck, warmly thanking his supporters during a lively rally on Friday. He was galvanizing the crowd ahead of the highly-anticipated Pathum Thani Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) election set for June 30. The atmosphere was electric as the audience cheered, buoyed by their collective enthusiasm. (Photo: Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang Facebook account) As it stands, Kamronwit Toopkrajang has taken a slight lead in the fierce contest for the top spot at the Pathum Thani PAO. According to a recent Nida poll, Kamronwit holds the edge with 31.87% support from surveyed voters, leaving his main competitor, Chan Puangpetch, trailing at 28.68%. With just two weeks to go until election day, the race is tighter than ever. The election is poised to be a nail-biter, partly due to the significant chunk of undecided voters—8.98% to be exact. Additionally, a noteworthy 17.43% of…

The Move Forward Party wasn’t just holding an ordinary press conference on January 31; it was a dramatic scene at the parliament, and people’s curiosity was piqued by the unfolding political narrative. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) In an unexpected twist, the Election Commission (EC) has upped the ante in its legal maneuvers against the opposition’s Move Forward Party (MFP) by submitting additional paperwork to the Constitutional Court. According to the EC’s secretary-general, Sawaeng Boonmee, these documents delve deep into the legal nuances surrounding the case and were handed over to the court last Friday. What’s particularly surprising is that the EC didn’t bother to round up a list of witnesses. It’s relying on a previous court ruling about the MFP’s stance on the lese majeste law to substantiate its case. Sawaeng is confident that this ruling alone provides ample groundwork to proceed against the MFP. He even brushed off the MFP’s…

A health professional deftly prepares a Covid-19 vaccine shot within the stately walls of parliament, a moment captured last May. (Photo: Chanat Kantanyu) In a twist that follows the ever-changing narrative of the pandemic, the KP.2 strain of Covid-19 is poised to become the dominant force in Thailand, according to esteemed virologist Prof. Yong Poovorawan. More transmissible and adept at eluding current vaccines, KP.2 proves to be a formidable adversary, though, fortunately, its symptoms won’t be any more severe than those inflicted by its viral predecessors. Prof. Yong, a prominent figure at the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, took to Facebook to share this compelling update. His post on Saturday painted a vivid picture of a microscopic battle: KP.2 is rapidly supplanting the JN.1 strain, which held sway in Thailand since late last year. “KP.2 doesn’t crank up the severity dial, but it certainly cranks up…

Imagine the thrill of unearthing ancient mysteries right in the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima! An expert recently found a skeleton in the city’s center, hinting at the fascinating past hidden below the bustling modern streets. This discovery forms part of the Non Pol Lan archaeological site, where history and mystery intertwine like vines. The Culture Ministry has grand plans to dig deeper into this site, where three ancient human skeletons were found just last month in downtown Muang district. Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol has announced that the Fine Arts Department (FAD) will spearhead the efforts by allocating funds for the excavation, temporarily paused due to the rainy season. This discovery unfolded when workers were landscaping around the old eastern moat on Assadang Road, transforming a routine task into a historical revelation. Now christened the Non Pol Lan archaeological site, this area promises to be a treasure trove of ancient artifacts.…

Taking pride in it: People stroll past the vibrant Krungsri Building, adorned in the dazzling hues of Pride Month in the lively Ploenchit area. The air is festive as celebrations take over the month. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard) According to Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the government anticipates that June’s Pride Month will inject over 4.5 billion baht into the economy. On a sunny Saturday, Mr. Phumtham emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the government is actively fostering sexual diversity. In collaboration with the private sector, they are gearing up for more Pride Month events to attract LGBTQ+ tourists from around the world. Mr. Phumtham pointed out that this initiative will significantly enhance the country’s trade prospects. It’s not just about attracting tourists—it’s about providing a golden opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to expand and generate value through soft power. He shared…

The political landscape of Thailand has been thrown into disarray once again as the Election Commission (EC) presses forward with a petition to disband the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP). This move comes after the Constitutional Court’s recent directive, urging the EC to present additional legal documents on the matter. EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee has confirmed that the necessary documentation, concerning the legal intricacies of the case, was duly submitted to the court last Friday. Intriguingly, no witnesses were presented in this submission; Mr. Sawaeng emphasized that the court’s prior ruling on the MFP’s stance regarding the controversial lese majeste law was sufficient groundwork for the EC to proceed against the party. Deflecting criticisms from the MFP, which had accused the EC of not adhering to the procedural steps outlined in the organic law on political parties, Mr. Sawaeng was unyielding. He stressed the adequacy of the current legal framework…

Maris Sangiampongsa, the freshly minted Minister of Foreign Affairs, has put a spotlight on Thailand’s indispensable role in fostering peaceful dialogue to help untangle the conflict in Myanmar. In a recently held “Meet the Press#1” event, the ministry unveiled his policy under the resonant theme of “Ignite Thailand, Re-ignite Thai Diplomacy”. Addressing a captivated audience, Mr. Maris expounded on the significance of nurturing robust relationships with Thailand’s neighboring nations. He stressed that a harmonious bond with neighboring countries is vital for bolstering Thailand’s stability, using the ongoing Myanmar crisis as a poignant example, which has undeniably impacted Thailand’s border security. “Our foreign policy concerning neighboring countries should be anchored in mutual peace, a foundation that would foster collaborative efforts to achieve shared benefits,” Mr. Maris eloquently asserted. He elaborated that the turmoil in Myanmar has reverberated along the Thailand-Myanmar border, making the restoration of peace in Myanmar a pressing priority…

The provincial-level Senate election is set to sweep across the nation this Sunday, marking a critical juncture in the election process. The Election Commission (EC) has issued a stern reminder to all candidates: show up at the polling stations on time and absolutely no schmoozing with fellow contenders during the vote. Leading by example, EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee, alongside a cadre of election officials, conducted a meticulous inspection of the Vayupak Convention Centre at the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel nestled on Chaeng Watthana Road in Lak Si district. This venue serves as the designated polling station for the district-level elections in Bangkok. Mr. Sawaeng emphasized the streamlined nature of the process as the election advances from the district to the provincial stage, suggesting a smooth sailing. A striking figure of 23,645 candidates has made the cut for the provincial-level election. The directive is clear: arrive at the provincial polling…

Imagine the bustling streets of Bangkok, a city drenched in cultural richness and vibrancy. Last December 1st, a notable scene unfolded, where the executives and staff of the Police General Hospital made a determined march to the Royal Thai Police headquarters. Their mission? To raise awareness during the campaign against HIV/AIDS on World AIDS Day. This poignant march underscored a pressing issue: the need to accelerate efforts in combating the stigma faced by young people living with HIV (young PLHIV) in healthcare settings. Thailand has indeed made significant strides in providing healthcare services to young HIV-positive individuals, particularly those aged 18 to 24. Yet, a chilling statistic reveals that one in four young patients still encounters discrimination within healthcare facilities. It’s a troubling reality that deters many from seeking the essential care they need, thus thwarting the global aim of eradicating the AIDS epidemic. This was a focal discussion point…