Deputy Public Health Minister, Thanakrit Jitareerat, has raised his voice in favor of introducing a dedicated law to control the sale and use of e-cigarettes in Thailand. Citing the ineffectiveness of current laws, he addressed the issue during a discussion at the National Health Commission Office on Wednesday. Although the Public Health Ministry has assigned a task force to dig into the e-cigarette dilemma, none of the existing laws specifically cover this modern, controversial issue. In the absence of a targeted law, various agencies have been left to enforce measures based on an assortment of legislations. This fragmented approach, Mr. Thanakrit argues, is far from ideal. “All agencies need to harmonize their efforts to successfully clamp down on the problem,” he urged. The current measures have repeatedly fallen short, he noted, stressing the need for a comprehensive law to curb what he referred to as a “serious threat to society.”…
Posts published in “Thailand”
National Security Council (NSC) deputy secretary-general Chatchai Bangchuad expresses confidence that the ongoing peace talks between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), a separatist group, will yield fruitful results now that a new facilitator has been appointed. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim selected Datuk Mohd Rabin Bin Basir, the former director-general of Malaysia’s National Security Council, to succeed Gen Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Zulkiflei Mohd Zin as the peace talks facilitator on July 1. Reports suggest that Gen Sri Zulkiflei’s tenure was cut short due to his overly stringent approach, which was perceived as an impediment to progress. With his term nearing its end, the Malaysian government found it opportune to appoint someone new. In stark contrast, Mr. Mohd Rabin operates directly under Prime Minister Anwar’s command, adding a layer of urgency and determination to the proceedings. Mr. Chatchai, who spearheads the Thai government’s negotiation efforts, revealed…
Senators emerging from the professional frontline of mass communications and literature—Group No.18—are on a mission to uplift the status and quality of life for media professionals. Among them, Sen Chaiyong Maneerungsakul, a prominent figure, shared insights with the Bangkok Post on their collective aspirations. Representing a diverse range of media backgrounds, including public relations, these senators are poised to drive significant changes. Chaiyong, a 68-year-old veteran, holds distinguished titles: chairman of the Southern Newspaper Association of Thailand and head of the Daily News Southern Office. Reflecting on his career beginning in 1974, he emphasized the stagnation in the welfare of local journalists—particularly those operating as news stringers or local correspondents. The grind remains unchanged; the vast majority—95% to be precise—endure the uncertainties of freelance work, relying on the publication of their pieces to earn a living. “Being a local journalist often feels akin to volunteering, especially with the prevalent wage…
In a surprising twist of events, all Members of Parliament (MPs) from the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) are set to transition to the little-known Thinkakhao Chaovilai Party if the Constitutional Court rules to dissolve Move Forward next week, according to a reliable insider from the MFP. The court is poised to decide whether Move Forward should be disbanded for allegedly breaching Section 92 of the organic law on political parties. This ruling stems from a complaint lodged by the Election Commission (EC) back in March. The EC’s complaint is pegged on a January 31 court ruling, which indicated that the party’s initiative to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly referred to as the lese-majeste law, was seen as an attempt to destabilize the constitutional monarchy. In addition, the EC has called on the court to not only dissolve the party but also to impose a ban on…
All Members of Parliament from the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) are looking to take a leap to the relatively unknown Thinkakhao Chaovilai Party if the Constitutional Court decides to dissolve Move Forward next week, according to insider information emerging from MFP. This impending decision stems from accusations that Move Forward violated Section 92 of the organic law on political parties, a complaint first lodged by the Election Commission (EC) back in March. The EC’s case hinges on a prior court ruling from January 31, which stated that the party’s initiatives to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly referred to as the lese-majeste law, showed a clear intent to destabilize the constitutional monarchy. Alongside pushing for the party’s dissolution, the EC has also petitioned the court to bar its executives from participating in future elections and prevent them from registering or acting as executives for any new party…
Forest rangers in Khao Nan National Park, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, recently made headlines after catching a hunter red-handed. This accomplishment is just one example of the tireless dedication of rangers across Thailand, who put their lives on the line to safeguard the country’s natural treasures. (File photo by Nujaree Raekrun) To bolster these vital efforts, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is launching an initiative to increase the number of forest rangers, aimed at enhancing forest protection and easing the workload of the current rangers. “We deeply admire and value the extraordinary work of those who protect and preserve our nation’s precious natural resources,” said Ratchata Pisitbannakorn, assistant to Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, during World Ranger Day celebrations on Wednesday. Starting in October, the ministry will raise the starting salary for rangers from 9,000 to 11,000 baht per month, a move warmly welcomed by the ranger community. Moreover,…
There’s no place quite like Phatthalung! Known for its lush landscapes and vibrant community, this southern gem has just been spotlighted as the southern hub for an ambitious agricultural product development project. This honor comes courtesy of none other than the Thailand Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trade of Thailand, and the provincial chamber of commerce. It’s a well-deserved recognition that highlights the remarkable achievements of local farmers who’ve proven their mettle in producing high-quality, innovative agricultural products. Phatthalung has no fewer than eight farm products that have been conferred the government’s prestigious Product Champion Award. These champions include the delectable Sang Yot rice, aromatic bananas that can make any smoothie irresistible, the exotic and crunchy salak (familiarly known as snake fruit), top-quality beef, and organic pork raised in the most natural of environments. And that’s not all! The list is rounded off with Sam Nam prawns, delicately fermented…
The exhilarating tension of the 2024 RoboCupRescue competition reached a spectacular peak in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, where a remarkable group of engineering prodigies from King Mongkut’s University of Technology, North Bangkok (KMUTNB) wowed the judges and took home the prestigious first-place trophy. Their cutting-edge creation, the iRAB Robot, outperformed some of the brightest minds from across the globe, proving once again that innovation and sheer determination can conquer all challenges. In the thrilling face-off, teams hailing from ten different countries assembled to showcase their robotic marvels, designed to pinpoint and rescue victims in simulated disaster scenarios. The RoboCupRescue league, a cornerstone of the 2024 RoboCup event, sparkled with the essence of human ingenuity as twenty teams competed from countries like Germany, Japan, France, China, South Korea, Austria, Switzerland, Mexico, Bangladesh, and, of course, Thailand. Amidst this fierce competition, only six elite teams managed to advance to the final showdown, with…
As the sun dipped below the horizon in the Bang Sao Thong district of Samut Prakan, a somber scene unfolded. Workers, clutching their belongings, gathered outside a shuttered clothing factory, their faces etched with uncertainty. The abrupt closure had left them jobless and at sea, an unforeseen twist in the already turbulent year of 2021. (Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan) Against this backdrop, the Social Security Office (SSO) is gearing up to tackle a pressing issue: employers who have shirked their duty to pay into the mandatory Social Security Fund. However, the office candidly admits that it lacks concrete data on how many companies have defaulted or the total amount in arrears. “We expect this to take about a month to compile,” stated Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, the SSO’s dedicated secretary-general. Determined to address the problem, the SSO has resolved to establish a permanent unit expressly for pursuing delinquent employers. “This unit will lay…
In an intense crackdown operation aimed at curbing illegal stay, Phuket authorities have apprehended seven foreign nationals for overstaying their visas. This thorough inspection is part of a rigorous 10-day initiative launched on July 23, focusing on identifying and addressing visa violations. Immigration officers zealously conducted spot-checks at various locations across the resort island, which were believed to harbor individuals guilty of visa infractions. The dedicated team’s effort paid off, resulting in the detention of seven men: one Pakistani, two Egyptians, three Nigerians, and one Myanmar national. The extent of overstay varied among the detained individuals. For instance, five of the foreigners had overstayed their welcome by a period ranging from 46 to 213 days. More notably, a Nigerian man had managed to remain in Thailand 20 months past his visa’s expiration, while a Pakistani national had been illicitly residing in the country for a staggering 3 years and 9…