Sirikanya Tansakul, deputy leader of the election-winning, opposition-core Move Forward Party (MFP), is poised to usher in a revolutionary new chapter in Thai politics. If Ms Sirikanya ascends to the leadership of the MFP’s planned reincarnation following a potential disbandment by court order, Thailand could see a dramatic shift towards increased female political leadership, a refreshing change from the male-dominated past. “There will be a new dimension of Thai politics, unlike the past when most political leaders were men,” Ms Sirikanya remarked with a confident smile during a press conference on Monday. Her words echoed the sentiments of many who crave a more inclusive political landscape. After the release of an MFP video detailing the potential disbandment case, reporters were eager to know more about the possibility of Ms Sirikanya taking the helm of a new party. She responded with a thoughtful, “That will depend on the party.” “If an…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira took center stage at a lively press conference on July 24 at Government House in bustling Bangkok, shedding light on the much-anticipated digital wallet handout scheme. The atmosphere was charged with eagerness, as he outlined the ambitious plans poised to bring a wave of optimism across the nation. (Photo Credit: Chanat Katanyu) The Pheu Thai Party is brimming with confidence, suggesting that the supplementary bill designed to fund this flagship handout scheme will easily sail through the House’s second and third readings scheduled for Wednesday. Wisut Chainaroon, the energetic Pheu Thai MP-list and leading government whip, expressed his exuberance on Sunday, affirming that the bill’s passage is almost a foregone conclusion. According to Wisut, the scheme has ignited a spark of hope among the public, a silver lining that they desperately need. The bill’s final deliberation is predicted to be a swift affair, wrapping up in…
In a captivating snapshot shared on Facebook by the Trat Public Relations Office, the gravity of the flooding situation in Klong Yai district, located in Thailand’s Trat province, comes starkly into focus as residents are seen being relocated from their inundated homes to safer grounds. The inclement weather has had a significant ripple effect on life in the region, particularly impacting educational institutions. A case in point is Laem Ngob Witthayakhom School, nestled in the charming Laem Ngob district, which has proactively announced a temporary closure of its physical classrooms. From Tuesday to Friday, the school will pivot to online learning, ensuring that education remains uninterrupted despite the tempestuous conditions. The school administration emphasized that the move was a necessary precaution, considering the formidable winds predicted to lash the area throughout the week. Trat province, renowned for its idyllic landscapes, has unfortunately found itself at the mercy of relentless downpours…
Pha Sadet tunnel in Saraburi province (photo: State Railway of Thailand) Just when it seemed like a historic moment for Thailand’s railways, things went off track! The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) had to temporarily close the nation’s longest train tunnel mere hours after its grand opening on Sunday. The reason? Unhappy passengers were engulfed in clouds of thick dust inside the tunnel. Talk about a bumpy ride! Ekarat Sri-arayanpong, who heads the SRT governor’s office, shared that northeast-bound travelers were left coughing and complaining due to the overwhelming dust when their trains traversed the Pha Sadet tunnel located in Saraburi province. As a result, the SRT quickly swung into action, instructing the contractor to give the tunnel a thorough clean-up within 14 days. This new 5.4-kilometer masterpiece is not just another tunnel; it is part of the SRT’s shiny new double-track railway heading to the Northeast. To put it…
Picture this: you’re all set for a picturesque journey through the serene landscapes of Saraburi province, eagerly anticipating a smooth ride through Thailand’s longest train tunnel. You can almost feel the gentle rocking of the train and the cool, comforting darkness enveloping you as you pass through the 5.4-kilometre marvel that is the Pha Sadet tunnel. However, the reality was far from the idyllic train journey travelers had envisioned. On the very day it opened, the tunnel was shut just hours later, leaving passengers covered in thick layers of dust and gasping for fresh air. The source of this drama? According to Ekarat Sri-arayanpong, the chief of the SRT governor’s office, passengers on northeast-bound trains complained about encountering dense clouds of dust inside the tunnel. SRT swiftly reacted, instructing the contractors to give the tunnel a thorough clean-up, a task estimated to take about 14 days. It seems, despite the…
Japan believes that hybrid vehicles can be a critical route for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to achieve its sustainable development goals. During the “Economic Security and Supply Chains” seminar, Prof. Yasuyuki Todo from the Faculty of Political Science and Economics at Waseda University explained that ASEAN should be cautious about relying too much on the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Due to ASEAN’s primary dependence on fossil fuels for energy production, using EVs may not be as environmentally friendly as hoped. Prof. Todo emphasized that though EVs are often promoted as eco-friendly, they still consume precious non-renewable resources for their energy needs. Therefore, he proposed that ASEAN, including Thailand, should instead focus on hybrid cars. These vehicles present a more practical alternative for many countries in terms of reducing carbon emissions. Hybrid cars combine the benefits of conventional and electric vehicles, providing a balanced approach to energy efficiency…
Political tensions are skyrocketing in Thailand, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at the eye of the storm. The crux of the drama revolves around his latest cabinet reshuffle, which stirred a hornet’s nest by appointing Pichit Chuenban, a former convict, as a PM’s Office Minister. This contentious decision has split observers right down the middle. Among the voices weighing in is former senator Wanchai Sornsiri, who believes the Constitutional Court will likely dismiss the case against the Prime Minister. According to him, no court has decisively ruled on the specific offense which would disqualify Pichit from holding the ministerial position. Pichit’s shadowy past stretches back to 2008, when he was embroiled in a scandal involving attempted bribery while representing former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a high-profile land dispute. He did serve six months behind bars, but it was for contempt of court, not bribery. Wanchai also pointed out that…
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, in a particularly animated moment, addressed a room brimming with enthusiasm at a press conference on July 24, held at the venerable Government House. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) The air crackles with optimism as the Pheu Thai Party stands firm in its belief that the supplementary bill, integral to its trailblazing digital wallet handout initiative, will successfully navigate through the House’s second and third readings this Wednesday. Beaming with confidence, Wisut Chainaroon, a Pheu Thai MP-list and the dynamic chief government whip, emphasized on Sunday that the bill’s passage will breathe new life into public aspirations. “The final deliberation of the bill is expected to wrap up in four hours. Only 20 MPs have raised questions about the scheme’s budget,” Wisut announced, projecting reassured certainty. The bill itself, a substantial endeavor aiming to augment the budget for the current fiscal cycle by a whopping 122 billion baht,…
Bangkok is abuzz with anticipation as the new Senate gears up for its inaugural meeting on July 23. With its key role in charter amendments and the political chess game among coalition parties in the government, all eyes are locked on this power-packed assembly. Political analysts are already murmuring about the slippery power dynamics, particularly spotlighting the Bhumjaithai Party’s sway over the proceedings. Whispers in the corridors suggest that the new Upper House is brimming with senators who wield blue banners—Bhumjaithai’s colors. The newly appointed Senate Speaker and a deputy are reportedly linked to this very party, adding a swirl of intrigue to the political landscape. The “blue” bloc, as it’s cheekily referred to, is rumored to be the mightiest of the three factions and boasts a robust roster of at least 150 senators. Armed with this influence, Bhumjaithai holds the reins in boosting its political leverage and extending its…
In a daring twist of covert operations, a pair of suspected fuel smugglers, hailing from Thailand, found themselves in hot water over the weekend. Caught red-handed by Malaysian authorities, the thrill-seeking duo reportedly attempted to sneak cheap petrol across the border into Thailand, utilizing vehicles registered in Malaysia. The escapade ended rather unceremoniously at a roadside checkpoint in Kota Putra, Kedah state, on a seemingly ordinary Saturday, as reported by the Malaysian news agency, Bernama. Spoiler alert: the caper didn’t end well for our two protagonists. They were promptly arrested by vigilant officials from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in Kedah. After a brief and undoubtedly thrilling roadside inspection, our hapless adventurers were handed over to the Malaysian police, where their fate now hangs in the balance. For now, both are under the meticulous scrutiny of Malaysian investigators, as confirmed by Bernama. Our anonymous stars have only…