Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa attends the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane on Friday. (Photo: Reuters) VIENTIANE: Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa has called for an increased collaborative effort from Myanmar’s neighboring countries. His aim? To support all parties in Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict to put down their arms, a strife that has persisted since a military coup turned the country upside down in 2021. In a candid conversation with Kyodo News and Thai media on Saturday, Maris revealed that he had engaged in informal dialogues with representatives from Myanmar and India during a recent summit that brought together nations from South Asia and a few Southeast Asian countries in New Delhi earlier this month. Maris was present in the Lao capital last week to partake in the foreign ministerial discussions organized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This event was graced by…
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The House committee evaluating four bills aimed at amending the referendum law has decided to modify the timeframe for conducting a referendum on a charter rewrite, revealed Nikorn Chamnong, secretary of the special House committee studying the bills. Initially, the committee agreed that the first referendum round on a charter rewrite would coincide with either a general election or a local election. Mr. Nikorn announced yesterday that the panel has concluded the referendum will be scheduled no sooner than 60 days before an election day and no later than 150 days after the election. Moreover, the Interior Ministry has proposed that a referendum result should require the support of only one-quarter of those who cast votes, rather than more than 50% of eligible voters. Mr. Nikorn stated that the vetting committee would consider this proposal as it diverges from the majority requirement endorsed by the four bills. He previously mentioned…
In a tranquil village in Chiang Mai’s Om Koi district, a tragic event shattered the peace on a Sunday morning. Amidst the picturesque setting of Ban Huai Bong in tambon Na Kian, a horrifying discovery was made. Suhuay Jibuay, in a fit of rage, took the lives of his wife, Ungpung Kupuay, and one of their daughters before ending his own life. The chilling scene unfolded just as the day was beginning to warm up, around 11 a.m., when a bloodied and terrified six-year-old girl ran to a neighbor for help. The young girl, injured but determined, managed to escape the house where the horror took place. Her desperate run for aid alerted the neighbors, who quickly contacted the police. When officers arrived, they found themselves in a somber scene where the small, normally vibrant house had become a site of sorrow. As police pieced together the sequence of events,…
Thai business operators should amp up their operational strategies to stay ahead of their competitors, Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasized yesterday. Reflecting on the significant advancements made by Chinese e-commerce giants like JD.com, TikTok (Douyin), TaoBao, and Meituan, particularly through the introduction of same-day delivery services in selected areas, he underscored the continuous need for upgrading business methodologies. His remarks followed a comprehensive report delivered by Oranuch Wannapinyo, director of the Department of International Trade Promotion’s (DITP) office in Guangzhou, which underscored the soaring popularity of same-day delivery services among Chinese consumers. As highlighted in the report, instant delivery has now become the go-to option for a majority of users on Chinese e-commerce platforms—with a staggering 64% of customers opting for this speedy service whenever available. The DITP report further elaborated on the drastic behavioral shifts prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing that an overwhelming 75% of consumers now express…
In a concerning revelation, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) has disclosed that a staggering two-thirds of victims in cybercrime cases are women. This alarming statistic has led officials to issue a stern warning, urging the public to exercise heightened caution when using social media and messaging apps. Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepor, deputy spokeswoman for the RTP, relayed the deep concerns of the national police chief, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, regarding the burgeoning number of cybercrime incidents, which have resulted in substantial financial losses amounting to billions of baht. From March 1, 2022, to June 30 of this year, the RTP has received a hefty 575,507 reports of cybercrimes, with estimated damages totaling around 65.7 billion baht. A striking 64% of these victims were women of working age, the majority of whom were between the ages of 22 and 59, Pol Maj Gen Siriwat noted. These statistics underscore a pressing…
Local residents were seen engaging in workouts at Wachirabenjathat Park, affectionately known as Suan Rod Fai, in Chatuchak district on June 6. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya) The scene contrasts sharply with the political tempest brewing over alleged corruption in a gym equipment procurement project. The opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) is exerting pressure on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to disclose the findings of its investigation into the scandal. Suphanat Meenchainan, representing Chatuchak, Bang Khen, and Lak Si districts for the MFP, voiced his concerns on Monday, highlighting that these irregularities came to light back in June through online platforms. The BMA is accused of misconduct in the procurement process at nine of its sports centers, resulting in losses amounting to a staggering 103.2 million baht. In light of these revelations, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt had swiftly ordered an inquiry, tasking his officials to complete it within 30 days, according to…
The bizarre tale of Mongkol Preesukkasem is unfolding like a gripping crime thriller, complete with elements of deception, drama, and the audacious impersonation of a high-ranking official. According to inside sources at the prosecution, the investigation into Mongkol’s fraudulent activities is broadening its scope, revealing a twisted web of deceit that has left many stunned. Imagine the scene: a typical Thursday in Bangkok, with students eagerly participating in a lecture on law enforcement at a high school in Nonthaburi. Little did they know that the supposed expert imparting knowledge was Mongkol Preesukkasem, a man masquerading as a prosecutor. Before the day could settle into routine, Taling Chan police swooped in to arrest him, putting an end to his façade – at least temporarily. Mongkol’s arrest wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment action but rather the culmination of meticulous planning. An arrest warrant had been issued by the Criminal Court on June 20, accusing…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin finds himself in hot water following his contentious decision to appoint ex-convict Pichit Chuenban as a cabinet minister in the recent reshuffle. A coalition of 40 former senators, who have petitioned the Constitutional Court to oust the Prime Minister over this decision, has announced plans to submit their closing statement by the end of the month. One of these ex-senators, Somchai Swangkarn, revealed on Monday that their group is finalizing a comprehensive closing argument. This statement, set to be delivered through the Senate speaker, urges the court to hold the Prime Minister responsible for appointing an ineligible individual to a ministerial position. Mr. Somchai pointed out that despite Mr. Srettha’s claim to have consulted the Council of State on the matter, the request submitted by the cabinet secretariat painted a different picture. According to Mr. Somchai, the secretariat conveniently sidestepped the pertinent criteria under Section 160…
Residents bravely swim through floodwater, which surged to an astonishing 150cm to three meters in Ban Don Sung, nestled in the Khao Saming district of Trat on Monday. The overwhelming floods, triggered by relentless downpours, also wreaked havoc in Muang and Bo Rai districts. In response, authorities are widening waterways to accelerate drainage and providing essential aid to residents displaced and stranded by the deluge. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has voiced his deep concern over the persistent flooding in Trat, which shows no signs of receding since it was first reported last week. Through a heartfelt post on Facebook on Monday, Mr. Srettha assured the public that the government is vigilantly monitoring the flooding in this eastern province. He extended his gratitude to the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the Royal Thai Police for their invaluable assistance in evacuating residents stranded in their waterlogged homes. “All my prayers are with…
The buzz around Thailand’s new 10,000-baht digital wallet handout scheme is more thrilling than a new blockbuster release! Unveiled by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat at Government House on July 24, it promises to revolutionize the Thang Rath application and, quite possibly, your digital life. According to Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong, daily usage of the Thang Rath app has skyrocketed. It’s grown a staggering 15-fold as eager citizens gear up for the registration, starting Thursday, for the much-anticipated digital wallet. On Monday, Mr. Prasert couldn’t contain his excitement as he disclosed that the app’s average daily logins had surged from a modest 50,000-60,000 to a jaw-dropping 800,000-900,000. This surge came hot on the heels of the Finance Ministry’s announcement, a clarion call inviting smartphone users to register for the digital wallet scheme from Thursday right through to September 15. It’s as if every smartphone in Thailand is…