As the sun rises, heralding a new day, so too does the anticipation swell within the political corridors of Thailand. All eyes are eager with expectation as they turn towards the hallowed halls of the Constitutional Court. The question on everyone’s lips? The fate of the Move Forward Party (MFP) and its bold endeavor to alter the lese majeste law, a legal cornerstone shrouded in reverence and controversy alike. Our story unfolds with the MFP, a beacon of progressive change, accused of challenging the very bedrock of Thailand’s constitutional monarchy. Their audacious campaign, aimed at amending Section 112 of the Criminal Code, has been met with a wave of contention. This section, known to many as the lese majeste law, is a protective shield for the monarchy, a subject held dear and sacrosanct within the heart of the nation. The drama intensifies with the entrance of Theerayut Suwankesorn, a legal…
Posts published in “Thailand”
It was a Tuesday shrouded in whispers and speculation when the Chartthaipattana Party found itself fiercely batting away rumors that seemed straight out of a thriller novel. At the heart of the swirling gossip was the accusation that one of their own might have moonlighted as a member of an extortion racket. This wasn’t just any street-corner hustle. Oh, no. This gang allegedly had at its helm the infamous serial anti-corruption campaigner, Srisuwan Janya. Picture this: Srisuwan, a 56-year-old crusader for justice, snagged by the authorities on a rather incongruous charge of demanding a cool 3 million baht (almost the stuff of movies) from Natthakit Khongthip, the venerable director-general of the Rice Department. As the saga unspooled, more names began to surface, weaving an increasingly intricate tapestry of intrigue. Among the whispered about was a certain politician, cryptically referred to by the initial “Por”. This Por was rumored to have…
In the twilight of 2022, as leaves turned golden and the air whispered the onset of winter, a survey whispered secrets of the economic tides in the bustling heart of Japan’s commerce. Between the dates of November 28 and December 20, a curious undertaking was set in motion, engaging 1,646 members of the Japan Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok (JCCB). This ambitious inquiry, however, found resonance in the voices of 539 responding companies, a modest gathering of opinions tallying to 32.7%. The revelations of this quest? A Diffusion Index (DI) that seemed to somberly dance in the negative realm – starting at -10 in the first half of 2023, then taking a deeper plunge to -16 as the year waned. Alas, an unexpected twist lies on the horizon as Kuroda Jun, the esteemed chief of Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) Bangkok office, heralds an uplifting surge to 10 in the following…
“` On a crisp Wednesday morning, the air outside Government House was buzzing with anticipation and subdued conversations. As he entered the scene, the Prime Minister, Srettha, carried a sense of composed urgency. With health concerns lurking in the back of his mind, he disclosed that he was on the verge of making a decision based on his doctor’s advice – a choice that could lead him to take a hiatus for health reasons. The shadow of doubt was evident as he voiced his fears of potentially becoming a vector for a viral spread, particularly to those working intimately with him. In a swift move to ensure the continuity of governance and ceremonious duties, Srettha seamlessly passed on his responsibilities. With the precision of a seasoned leader, he delegated the honorable task of leading the 2024 Outstanding State Enterprises Award ceremony to Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana. The ceremony, earmarked…
The wanderlust is taking over! As we inch closer to 2024, an intriguing forecast has come to light: the volume of visa applications is poised to soar, eclipsing the peak levels witnessed before the pandemic swept across the globe. This isn’t just optimistic speculation; the numbers are already painting a vivid picture of a world ready to explore, with visa applications from Thailand in 2023 experiencing a meteoric rise of 35% compared to the previous year. What’s fueling this travel renaissance, you ask? A cocktail of renewed confidence among travelers and the gradual relaxation of travel restrictions. But there’s more to this story than just numbers. The way we apply for visas is transforming, thanks to innovations like the Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) service, which saw an astonishing five-fold increase in popularity in 2019. It appears that the convenience of handling visa applications from the comfort of one’s home…
In the swirling dance of global trade, there exists a fascinating narrative between two powerful partners, Thailand and China. Their trading relationship, much like a complex ballet, has unfolded dramatically in 2023. To the casual observer, the numbers alone tell a tantalizing tale: Thailand’s imports from its giant neighbor amounted to a staggering $105 billion, while the exports lagged somewhat behind at $69 billion. This imbalance has cast the spotlight on the intricate dynamics of international trade and the challenges and opportunities it harbors for nations. The esteemed Chaichan Charoensuk, standing at the helm of both the Shippers’ Council of Thailand and the Exporters Council, provides a comprehensive view of this expansive economic canvas. It’s no small detail that China holds the title of Thailand’s largest trading partner, commanding a significant 22% of the Kingdom’s total trade. The nature of this relationship? A vibrant and diverse exchange of goods. From…
Imagine stepping into a world where the grass seems greener, and the skies a tad bit bluer. It’s almost perfect until you notice something startling amidst this idyllic scene: a group of schoolchildren, their giggles filling the air, with e-cigarettes in hand. This is not a scene from a futuristic novel; it’s a reality that has unfurled in Thai schools over the last seven years, a reality where the use of e-cigarettes among youngsters has surged exponentially. A recent seminar, a convergence of minds from the Centre for Tobacco Control Research and Education, the World Health Organization, and the Tobacco Control Network, threw light on this troubling trend. The findings presented were an eye-opener. A comprehensive study, involving the candid responses of 6,700 students, unveiled a shocking fivefold increase in vaping among Thai youth. From a modest 3.3% in 2015, it has skyrocketed to 17.6% in 2022. But what’s feeding…
Imagine this: a tiny, vibrant country nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, known for its lush landscapes, delectable cuisine, and warm, welcoming people. Thailand, a nation that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, has achieved something truly remarkable in the first quarter of the 2024 fiscal year. The Land of Smiles made headlines by sending a staggering 21,281 of its citizens to dazzle the world with their skills and hard work, generating a whopping income of almost 60 billion baht in the process. This news, shared by the ever-diligent permanent secretary for labour, Pairoj Chotikasathien, showcases Thailand’s commitment to its workforce and its burgeoning role on the global stage. The story unfolds across various continents, with over half of these adventurous souls—10,024 to be precise—venturing abroad through the initiatives of the private sector, highlighting the sector’s vital role in this international employment saga. Meanwhile, a heartwarming chapter features 7,709 valiant…
In the tranquil heart of Suan Luang district, a story unfolded on Monday that reminds us of the complex fabric of our society, particularly within the walls of our educational institutions. The serene morning ambiance at Matthayom Naknawa-upatham School, nestled in Soi Phattanakan 26, was shattered when tragedy struck, propelling the school into the national spotlight for a reason no one would have wished for. The day, marked by an assembly that should have fostered unity and camaraderie among students, took a devastating turn. A 14-year-old student was embroiled in a heart-wrenching incident, leading to the fatal stabbing of a fellow classmate. This altercation, culminating in an irrevocable loss, has left a void in the hearts of many, especially the victim’s family, who are now mourning a life snatched away too soon. The suspect, a young life now entwined with the justice system, claimed the act was a response to…
Welcome to the swirling vortex of political intrigue, accusations, and the never-ending battle to clear one’s name, where the Chartthaipattana Party finds itself at the center of a storm that could very well be penned by a bestselling novelist. Let’s dive into the unfolding drama that has all the makings of a political thriller. Picture this: a quiet Tuesday that suddenly became anything but, when the Chartthaipattana Party took the stage to quash the rumors swirling like a tempest. In the heart of the controversy is the allegation that one of their own, adorned with the mysterious initial “Por”, was entangled in the nefarious web of an extortion gang. The mastermind? None other than Srisuwan Janya, a serial anti-corruption crusader turned villain in this twist of fate, accused of shaking down the director-general of the Rice Department for a cool 3 million baht. The plot thickens as Srisuwan, 56, found…