Posts published in “Thailand”

The House committee recently conveyed its frustration with Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) for their absence at a scheduled meeting intended to discuss issues surrounding blackchin tilapia. These fish, imported by CPF for research purposes back in 2010, have since become a hot topic. The chair of the Move Forward Party in Bangkok, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat—who also serves as the deputy chairman of the subcommittee investigating the spread of this invasive species—voiced his discontent. According to Boonchaiinsawat, CPF was asked to provide clarity on a document submitted by the Department of Fisheries. However, instead of attending the meeting last night, CPF sent a letter explaining their inability to show up. “I would prefer the company use this platform to openly communicate with the public, especially since there’s rising skepticism about the matter,” Boonchaiinsawat asserted. When probed about the committee’s subsequent steps, Boonchaiinsawat explained that they would draw conclusions based on information from…

Emanuel Karlstrom, at 39, is more than just a strategist at Hiv-Sverige/HIV-Sweden – he’s a beacon of hope for many. This Swedish national organization tirelessly advocates for people living with HIV. Emanuel’s story began in a very different place: Thailand, in 2012, where he received life-changing news. Karlstrom recounts his initial shock at the diagnosis but is profoundly grateful to the Thai Red Cross Society’s Anonymous Clinic for their unwavering support. “The staff were incredibly optimistic about my condition. They were living proof that attitudes towards people with HIV don’t have to be marred by stigma,” he shares nostalgically. For him, the clinic not only provided medication but also a blueprint for a healthy life with the virus. At the 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024) in Munich, Germany, which concludes today, Karlstrom fondly revisits his journey. “I moved to Thailand to work in Sing Buri in 2012, but I…

Last year, the revered Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua made a heartfelt plea to the people of Thailand: unite for a brighter future. On December 31, 2023, during a televised New Year address, he extended warm wishes to his countrymen, urging them to band together to navigate the challenges that lie ahead and propel the nation towards prosperity and stability. “On the occasion of the New Year, I wish to extend my sincerest best wishes to all of you. The past year has been marked by several pivotal events in our country,” he began. “As many of you are aware, October 13 has been officially declared Navamindra Maharaj Day in remembrance of the late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great.” A poignant ceremony on October 13 commemorated this day with the unveiling of a statue of King Rama IX. Held in Bangkok’s historic Nang Loeng area, the event…

The political landscape of Thailand is bracing for a seismic shift next month as the Constitutional Court is set to deliver verdicts on two seminal cases that could significantly influence the country’s future. These rulings will determine the fate of the primary opposition, the Move Forward Party (MFP), and the current Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin. Jatuporn Prompan, a former red-shirt leader, has expressed skepticism about the MFP’s chances. “I believe the prospects of the MFP surviving the dissolution case are slim,” he noted. The implications for Prime Minister Srettha, if removed from office, could ripple through and impact the ruling Pheu Thai Party as well. Yet, Pheu Thai isn’t left without a plan. They have two other formidable PM candidates ready: party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra and core member Chaikasem Nitisiri, according to various observers. Amid the ongoing turbulence, Prime Minister Srettha remains steadfast. “I am focused on my work, and…

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul exuded confidence yesterday, asserting that a bill aimed at regulating cannabis will be enacted into law during the current coalition government’s tenure. Meanwhile, a health advocacy group has loudly voiced its call for a blanket ban on the recreational use of cannabis. Although the Bhumjaithai Party had already submitted a version of the bill to the House last September, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has crafted another draft. This new draft, prepared for former health minister Cholnan Srikaew, will also be presented to the House for deliberation alongside the Bhumjaithai proposal, according to Anutin. Interestingly, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made a significant shift on Tuesday by retracting the government’s earlier intention to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic. This comes two years after the plant’s decriminalization, causing quite the stir among policymakers and the general public alike. When questioned about his confidence…

In a strategic move to combat the pervasive issue of call center scams, the national police chiefs of Thailand and Cambodia have joined forces, promising swift and concrete results within the next 60 days. This collaboration follows a significant video conference between Thailand’s national police chief, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, and his Cambodian counterpart, Sar Thet, where both sides emphasized the urgency of tackling these criminal operations. The rampant spread of call center gangs has plagued both nations, wreaking havoc on countless innocent lives. Pol Gen Torsak, brimming with optimism, foresees a notable crackdown soon. To spearhead these efforts, a specialized task force is set to be established, and key figures will be gathering in Cambodia for their next critical meeting. The video conference wasn’t a mere formality; it was a comprehensive directional meeting attended by senior police officers and representatives from several critical bodies – the National Broadcasting and…

Qin Ling, 33, a Chinese national and the husband of the woman behind the controversial Chinese-language billboard in Huai Khwang, was apprehended at Don Mueang airport on Wednesday. This unfolded as Qin Ling was a person of interest per a warrant issued in China. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham) The uproar circles around a provocative billboard in Bangkok publicizing foreign passports for sale. This advertisement raised eyebrows and sparked debates, which eventually caught up with Qin Ling at Don Mueang airport. Remarkably, Qin Ling, 33, had already been in the Immigration Bureau’s surveillance system after Chinese authorities issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of ID card fraud, as per Pol Lt Gen Itthipol Itthisaranachai, the bureau chief. Further compounding his troubles, Qin Ling’s permit to remain within the kingdom was rescinded, and the Immigration Bureau has indicated plans to extradite him back to China, according to Pol Lt Gen Itthipol.…

The buzz in Phuket was palpable last Wednesday as the majestic Genting Dream glided into the island’s deep seaport for the very first time. Previously confined to anchoring offshore and relying on shuttle crafts, the 3,600 passenger-capacity behemoth now proudly moored directly at the port, leaving onlookers in awe. This significant event, punctuated by a picture-perfect backdrop, marked a momentous leap forward for Phuket’s ambitions in marine tourism. Brimming with excitement, local authorities swiftly conducted inspections upon the ship’s arrival at the port in Muang district. The vessel and its eager passengers cleared all checks with flying colors, with no dangerous items or diseases detected, reported Adul Chuthong, the ever-vigilant Phuket deputy governor. The Genting Dream, a titanic beauty with an internal volume of 150,695 gross tonnage, embarks on its journey from the bustling city of Singapore. This sleek and luxurious ship graces Phuket’s shores twice a month, treating passengers…

In the tranquil heart of Khon Kaen, amidst serene surroundings, the atmosphere was shattered by a tragic incident involving three American Bully dogs. These powerful canines, aged between one and three years, have thrown a peaceful village into turmoil after they viciously attacked an elderly man. Lek Seepak, a 70-year-old resident of Khor village Moo 1 in tambon Kud Khon Kaen, met a tragic end on that fateful night. Owning a knack for taking delightful evening strolls around the village, he was out and about on Wednesday night, possibly to collect money from neighbors who had bought frogs from him. Instead of his usual serene walk, Lek encountered the terrifying jaws of the American Bully dogs, owned by a nearby couple. His son, Prasert Seepak, recounts the gut-wrenching moment he received the call while away working in Chon Buri. “I was informed that my father was seriously injured and being…

Chalerm Ubumrung campaigns for the Pheu Thai Party in Ban Dung district in Udon Thani on April 27, 2023. (Photo: Chalerm Ubumrung Facebook account) Veteran politician Chalerm Ubumrung has vowed to act independently in keeping the Pheu Thai Party in check after it repeatedly refused to expel him. The Pheu Thai list-MP made the pledge after a falling-out with the party that heads the government coalition. Mr. Chalerm says he’s also had enough of the Shinawatra family, especially patriarch Thaksin. Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn, the Pheu Thai leader, on Wednesday deleted Mr. Chalerm from the Line group used by party MPs for sending messages that made them feel “uncomfortable”. The trouble began when Mr. Chalerm and his son, former MP Wan Ubumrung, attended a gathering hosted by a rival candidate to Pheu Thai in a Pathum Thani local election on June 30. Some Pheu Thai members accused Mr. Wan of “fraternising”…