A newspaper page showcasing a haunting report on the Tak Bai massacre was prominently displayed at an exhibition in the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre on April 23, 2024, marking two decades since the grim event. The headline heart-wrenchingly read, “All five daughters now orphaned without father. Wife selling crisp rice bursts into tears”. The evocative photograph captured by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill added a poignant touch to the displayed piece. In the legal aftermath of this tragic massacre, the lawyers representing the victims have pinned their hopes on the provincial court’s acceptance of the case for trial. The anticipation is building as the decision day looms in late August, with the statute of limitations on the case ticking down. Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, a dedicated lawyer from the Cross Cultural Foundation, voiced her optimistic belief this Monday that the latest legal manoeuvres would ensure the judicial system’s attention remains unwavering on this…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Exploring the tranquil landscapes of Mae Chaem district in Chiang Mai, you might not immediately think of earthquakes. Picture the breathtaking paddy fields that stretch infinitely, painting the horizon with shades of green and gold. Yet, beneath this picturesque scenery lies a subtle, almost invisible turmoil. In the early hours of Monday morning, as the world still bathed in the serenity of slumber, Mae Chaem experienced a mild tremor. It was just a week since the last one. The Earthquake Observation Division of the Meteorological Department recorded this 3.0-magnitude quake at exactly 2.49am. The epicenter lay three kilometers below the earth in tambon Mae Nachon. What fascinates the Department of Mineral Resources is that these minor quakes are the results of the Wiang Haeng fault’s natural movements. Imagine it as the Earth’s way of stretching its limbs after a long day. Nobody felt the tremor, and thankfully, it caused no…
On a serene Sunday in the heart of Phetchabun’s Lom Sak district, the tranquility was shattered by a heart-wrenching discovery. Sunthorn Kongwarakom and his team of wildlife officials retrieved the lifeless body of a male serow, a majestic creature tragically brought down by gunfire. The distressing incident occurred in a rugged, mountainous region, specifically near a partially excavated quarry in tambon Bung Nam Tao. Chanyaphak Thanachatakkarakun, the vigilant chief of Phupha Daeng Wildlife Sanctuary, recounted the grim details. A worker from the Silarat Lom Sak stone crushing plant had reported hearing sharp gunshots echoing across the mountaintop, followed by the harrowing sight of the serow plummeting into a pit below. Delving into the pit, officials were met with a grievous sight—a mature male serow, its noble neck marred by seven shotgun wounds. The suspects behind this heinous act remain at large, with no immediate evidence found at the scene to…
In a swift and decisive move, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the removal of a provocative Chinese-language billboard that offered assistance in acquiring passports and citizenship for a slew of countries. This eye-catching advertisement was originally spotted in the bustling Huai Khwang district of Bangkok. It’s a removal that comes after a wave of online concern and social media uproar drew the minister’s attention to the situation. The minister’s secretary, Traisuree Taisaranakul, provided insightful details on Monday, indicating that Minister Anutin swiftly responded after social media lit up with discussions about the contentious billboard located at the Huai Khwang intersection. Shocked and stirred by the implications of the advertisement, Mr. Anutin didn’t waste any time; he mandated its removal by Monday morning, ensuring that officials delve into the legality of the billboard and the business it promoted. These findings, as pledged by his secretary, will soon be made public…
TRAT: The torrential downpours have turned Trat into a soggy battle zone, and the relentless rain doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon. Since Friday, the skies have opened up, and two districts are now facing severe flooding with more storm clouds on the horizon. Efforts to rid residential areas of stagnant water are proving less than effective. On Monday, Muang district found itself submerged under about one meter of water. Most roads are impassable, turning commutes into a Herculean task, causing many residents to abandon their homes for drier refuges. Trat has been under a watery siege since Friday, with officials scrambling to manage the floodwaters. On Sunday, water was released from the Sra Sisiad reservoir to prevent an overflow calamity in Muang district. Provincial authorities aren’t just battling floodwaters in Muang; they are also extending their efforts to Khao Saming, one of the hardest-hit districts. The rain…
On a fateful Sunday night, the tranquil vibes of Suk Prayun road in Phan Thong district, Chonburi, were brutally shattered by a tragic car accident. It was a night marked by sorrow when a white sedan, carrying a family of four, crashed violently into a power pole, ending in an untimely tragedy for the parents and severe consequences for their children. The grim scene, immortalized in a photo by Chonburi Dragon Rescue Facebook page, tells a story of heartbreak and caution. The ill-fated sedan was driven by Siraphop, 41, with his wife Natchareeya, also 41, by his side. In the backseat were the two children, whose names have been withheld to protect their privacy. What should have been a peaceful drive turned disastrous as a heated argument between Siraphop and Natchareeya took a deadly turn. According to the police reports and emergency responders, the couple’s altercation grew increasingly intense. Amidst…
The Customs Department, back in 2015, showcased a plethora of seized contraband goods like sex toys at a press briefing in Bangkok. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) Fast forward to the present day, the Move Forward Party (MFP) is taking a groundbreaking step by pushing a proposal to amend the Criminal Code with the ambition to legalize the adult entertainment industry and its related products. This includes a variety of pornographic materials and sex toys. The intention? To dismantle the taboo surrounding this topic and bring better regulation to the industry. Leading this bold move is Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, an MFP Member of Parliament for Bangkok, who submitted the proposal to the parliament just last week. The buzz is that this bill will be up for discussion in the Lower House in just “about a week or two”. Currently, under Section 287 of the Criminal Code, all types of adult materials, such as…
The days of uncertainty surrounding the fate of the Move Forward Party (MFP) are rife with suspense, yet the party’s indomitable spirit remains unabated, declares Chaithawat Tulathon, the resolve etched on his face. Whether the Constitutional Court rules to dissolve the MFP or lets it stand tall, it won’t deter the party from marching steadfastly toward its goals and aspirations. “We’re fortified,” Chaithawat assures, an energy of renewed vigor evident in his every word. The MFP has become a powerhouse, its members better equipped and primed to steer the party toward victory in the forthcoming general elections. Confidence radiates from him as he speaks about the court’s pending decision, buoyed by the unwavering belief that their legal arguments are robust and convincing. As for convening a meeting to dissect the matter, he finds it unnecessary. “There’s ample time for discourse,” Chaithawat elaborates. “Our MPs are well-aware of the protocols we…
The political landscape in Thailand has been buzzing with chatter recently, centered around the prominent Pheu Thai Party member and list-MP, Pol Capt Chalerm Ubumrung. Despite rumors swirling about his potential expulsion, party secretary-general Sorawong Thienthong has stepped forward to clarify the situation. According to Mr. Sorawong, there’s no basis for initiating a process to expel this party stalwart. The speculation began when Pol Capt Chalerm hinted at a desire to be expelled from Pheu Thai, ostensibly to gain the freedom to join the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), much like his son Wan did just last week. Wan made waves by resigning from Pheu Thai after a controversial election in Pathum Thani, where his actions caused a ripple of discontent within the party. Commenting on the matter, Mr. Sorawong emphasized that expulsion isn’t a simple button to press. “The party cannot expel a member unless the individual is found to…
The Pheu Thai Party currently sees no compelling reason to initiate any process to expel a seasoned party stalwart and list-MP, Pol Capt Chalerm Ubumrung, according to the party’s secretary-general, Sorawong Thienthong. This declaration by Sorawong comes in response to Pol Capt Chalerm’s intriguing remark about his desire to be expelled from the party, which would free him to join the Palang Prarachrath Party (PPRP), like his son, Wan, who resigned from Pheu Thai earlier last week. The younger Ubumrung’s departure follows a disagreement with the party’s management for his recent fraternization with a rival party during an election in Pathum Thani. Mr. Sorawong clarified yesterday that the party cannot expel a member without a valid breach of the party’s rules, established by an ethics committee. “In Pol Capt Chalerm’s case, there is nothing concrete to warrant such a breach. He remains an invaluable asset, and the party has no…