Posts published in “Thailand”

In the bustling halls of parliament last Friday, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang was seen deep in conversation with Pheu Thai Party MPs during a brief respite. The air was thick with anticipation as the opposition party, Move Forward Party (MFP), mounted a formidable challenge to the national defence budget. They argued that the proposed military expenditure did not address the evolving landscape of security threats. The photo, capturing this dynamic exchange by Chanat Katanyu, perfectly encapsulates the tension of the day. Leading the charge, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, an MFP list-MP, raised an eyebrow at the 2025 fiscal year’s defence budget. He questioned its potential to truly bolster national security and propel the much-needed reforms. From his viewpoint, the army’s apparent indifference to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was baffling. After all, these modern marvels play a crucial role in military operations, as well as combating drug smuggling and contraband trafficking. Highlighting a…

The buzzing corridors of political debate were charged with a fresh energy on Friday, as the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) set their sights on the nation’s defence budget. With a glint in his eye and fervor in his speech, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a prominent MFP list-MP, questioned the military’s fiscal foresight for 2025. His words echoed through the chambers, casting doubt on whether the planned military expenditure could truly fortify national security or propel the much-needed reforms into reality. Mr. Wiroj didn’t pull any punches when he lambasted the army’s seeming neglect of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—a cutting-edge technology that’s revolutionizing military operations globally. He painted a vivid picture of UAVs on the front lines, battling drug smugglers and contraband traffickers with silent precision. Yet, he said, the army seemed to have turned a blind eye to these airborne sentinels, evidenced by their questionable allocation of a 540-million-baht budget for…

An artist specializing in ‘Chang Sib Moo’ from the Fine Arts Department is meticulously painting the royal barge ‘Khrut Hoen Het,’ with the majestic ‘Suphannahong’ setting a scenic backdrop at the National Royal Barges Museum in Bangkok’s Noi district. This artistic endeavor is in anticipation of the grand royal barge procession to honor His Majesty the King’s birthday on July 28, which will take place in October. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) The restoration of an impressive fleet of 52 royal barges is set to be completed just in time for a royal kathin ceremony in October, part of a grand celebration marking the King’s 72nd birthday on July 28, according to the Culture Ministry. Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol announced on Friday that the finishing touches are being applied, with all work slated for completion by the end of this month. The Fine Arts Department (FAD) has received directives to prepare for the…

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin attended the final day of the spirited debate on the national budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill swiftly sailed through its first reading in the House of Representatives on Friday night. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) In a decisive move to inject life into the sluggish economy, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced on Friday that the government will unveil a series of additional measures next week. This announcement follows his comprehensive discussions with Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira on Thursday night, focusing on economic stimuli and the stock market. “A major announcement covering short-term, medium-term, and long-term economic measures will be made on June 24 or 25,” the prime minister revealed. When asked if this forthcoming news would be positive, Mr. Srettha playfully responded, “Let’s wait and see.” In a bid to address inflation concerns, Mr. Srettha disclosed that Finance Minister Pichai will also engage in…

It seems like the drama within the police force in Thailand is more thrilling than a primetime TV show, and everyone is tuning in for the latest twists and turns. Democrat MP Chaichana Detdecho, the chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, is certainly feeling the heat as the public demands more details about the tumultuous investigation into discord within the ranks. And who can blame them? The stakes are high when the conflict involves none other than national police chief Torsak Sukvimol and his fiery deputy, Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn. The saga took another dramatic turn on Thursday when Wissanu Krea-ngam, a legal adviser to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, announced Pol Gen Torsak’s reinstatement as chief. Yet, in true cliffhanger style, the announcement left out the juiciest details. When exactly will Pol Gen Torsak return to his duties? Nobody knows, and speculation is running wild! MP…

During an intense budget debate in the House of Representatives on Friday, Move Forward Member of Parliament, Pukkamon Nunarnan, made a compelling argument against the government’s significant allocation of funds to public relations (PR). Her scrutiny threw a spotlight on the nearly 3 billion baht set aside for PR activities, questioning the necessity and efficiency of such extensive spending. Pukkamon Nunarnan, a prominent party list-MP with the Move Forward Party, meticulously dissected the proposed outlay of 2.94 billion baht of taxpayer money earmarked for advertising and PR campaigns. Her analysis uncovered a troubling trend: a staggering 600 million baht worth of projects were redundant, particularly those focused on anti-drug campaigns. According to Pukkamon, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), and both the Defence and Interior ministries have overlapping initiatives. The MP expressed skepticism about whether these repetitive campaigns would offer real benefits to the public. She…

In a surprising turn of events, the Ministry of Transport is considering postponing a planned toll hike on the Don Muang Tollway, with the possibility of even reducing the current fees, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed on Friday. Originally, the toll rates were set to jump from 115 baht to 130 baht per trip this year. Mr. Suriya shared that he had instructed the Department of Highways, which granted the concession to operate the tollway, officially known as the Utraphimuk Expressway, to investigate ways to alleviate the financial burden on motorists. “We are committed to finding solutions that make life easier for motorists by cutting their costs,” he noted. The Utraphimuk Expressway, a vital 21-kilometre stretch, connects the bustling Din Daeng area of Bangkok to the serene National Memorial in Lam Luk Ka district of Pathum Thani. The operating concession, held by Don Muang Tollway Plc and valid through 2034,…

Police and forensic officers are meticulously gathering evidence on the Kamraingoen, a ship that’s been modified and repainted beyond recognition. This vessel, one of three oil-smuggling ships, was recovered and is now safely anchored at the Port of Songkhla since June 17. (Photo. Assawin Pakkawan). Next week, police plan to seek arrest warrants for two individuals suspected of orchestrating the audacious disappearance of oil-smuggling ships from a police pier in Chon Buri earlier this month, according to an insider on Friday. The suspects identified are “Joe Namman Thuen,” infamously also known as “Joe Pattani,” and his right-hand man, Mr. Lek, who the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) suspects to be the manager behind these shadowy operations. Notably, Mr. Lek had put up a 3-million-baht bail to free the 28 crew members when they were initially detained in mid-March. The CIB intends to collaborate with Interpol to issue red notices against these…

PATTAYA — In a concerted effort to rid the city of unscrupulous activities, the Tourist Police Bureau is joining forces with embassies from five different countries to tackle tourist scams and criminal groups in Pattaya. Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am, the bureau commissioner, spearheaded a pivotal meeting on Thursday. The objective? To strategize and outline guidelines ensuring the safety and enjoyment of tourists flocking to this bustling resort city in Chon Buri. The meeting saw active participation from representatives of South Korea, Ukraine, Russia, India, and Switzerland’s embassies. Addressing the attendees, Pol Lt Gen Saksira emphasized the crackdown on tourist scams, specifically targeting deceitful or subpar tour guides and the unfair sale of goods and services. Initiated on June 19, these heightened operations are set to continue until June 25. The move underscores a broad coalition of efforts aiming to restore and bolster tourists’ confidence in visiting Pattaya. Taking a…

CHON BURI: The allure of Pattaya is undeniable, its sandy beaches acting as a magnet for tourists seeking sun and adventure. But beneath the picturesque scenery, efforts are underway to ensure that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. The Tourist Police Bureau (TPB), alongside the embassies of South Korea, Ukraine, Russia, India, and Switzerland, has initiated a major crackdown on scams and criminal groups targeting tourists in this bustling resort city. Thursday’s pivotal meeting at the Tourist Police Division in Chon Buri was presided over by Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am, the TPB commissioner. The gathering aimed to draft comprehensive guidelines to bolster the safety and security of tourists—a thrust of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s tourism policy for the final quarter of the year. Their strategy emphasizes implementing free-visa measures to enhance the tourism potential of 55 provinces, with a firm focus on visitor safety. In an effort to…