Senators are already hitting the campaign trail, each championing their choice candidates for the prestigious roles of Senate Speaker and Deputy. So far, three distinct factions have emerged, rallying behind their preferred candidates. Although a showdown seems inevitable, discussions around compromise candidates are also on the table. One faction dubs itself the “New Breed,” a dynamic group with fresh ideas. Another, the “Blue Group,” is believed to have ties with the Bhumjaithai Party, which resonates with the color blue. The third faction comprises independent senators who remain unaffiliated and aim to cast their votes without external influence. The New Breed, with approximately 30 senators, solidified their choices on Sunday. Outspoken Nantana Nantavaropas is their nominee for Senate Speaker, bolstered by two other prominent members for the deputy positions. Sen Lae Dilokvidhyarat, an economics expert from Chulalongkorn University, is slated for First Deputy Senate Speaker. Sen Angkhana Neelapaijit, a former National…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The public is clamoring for the government to zero in on critical issues like poverty, escalating household debt, and surging unemployment, as per the latest findings of the Suan Dusit poll. Conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, the survey took the pulse of 1,146 respondents to capture their views on the most urgent matters afflicting Thais post-Covid-19 pandemic, researcher Pornphan Buathong revealed yesterday. From the survey results, a staggering 79% of respondents disclosed grappling with the skyrocketing cost of living. Additionally, about 70% admitted to being entangled in debt struggles, with many resorting to borrowing to make ends meet. When asked to detail their debt situation, around 27% mentioned that debt and loans swallow up between 50-80% of their monthly budget. Almost 40% indicated that debt claims about 20-50% of their monthly earnings, while approximately 25% stated that it consumes less than 20% of their finances. Last year was particularly…
The verdict from the charter court concerning the possible dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP) will not derail the party’s ambitions, according to its leader, Chaithawat Tulathon. Regardless of the court’s decision, the MFP remains steadfast in its mission and objectives, he assured. Chaithawat emphasized that the MFP has not only grown stronger but its members are now more equipped and prepared, setting the stage for a potential victory in the upcoming general elections. His confidence in a favorable ruling stems from the robustness of the party’s legal arguments. Describing the present circumstances, he stated, “There’s no need for a party meeting to discuss this matter just yet.” He reassured the members that there is ample time to deliberate, saying, “We’ve informed our MPs that if the outcome is negative, there will be a procedural path to follow. Hence, discussing it right now is not necessary.” The party’s next…
The Narathiwat Provincial Court is gearing up for a pivotal decision next month. The court will decide whether to accept a lawsuit against nine former top officials who stand accused of murder, unlawful detention, and misconduct in relation to the infamous Tak Bai tragedy. This legal action, filed on April 26th, comes from 48 plaintiffs either directly affected by the tragedy or related to the deceased. They took this step after nearly two decades of waiting for justice, with the only response being an offer of financial compensation instead of legal action from police or prosecutors. This bold move by the plaintiffs is timely, as it precedes the expiration of the 20-year statute of limitations coming up in October. The tragic events unfolded on October 25, 2004, when security forces intervened a rally in front of the Tak Bai police station in Tak Bai district. The protesters were demanding the…
In the picturesque yet bustling Koh Phangan district of Surat Thani, a scene straight out of a high-stakes thriller unfolded when tourist police nabbed a Nigerian man over the weekend. Kenneth Nnwanelobi, a 47-year-old, was arrested for allegedly possessing cocaine and overstaying his welcome in Thailand—by nearly nine years. The dramatic apprehension took place at a hotel in tambon Koh Phangan, carried out by a meticulous squad from Tourist Police Division 3. The mission was part of a broader crackdown aimed at foreigners dabbling in restricted jobs and illicit activities on this otherwise serene tourist island. Swooping in with precision, the tourist police inspector, Pol Lt Col Winit Boonchit, led the operation. According to Pol Lt Col Winit, Mr. Kenneth was a cog in a sophisticated Nigerian-led drug syndicate. When the police confronted him in the hotel corridor and asked to see his passport, Kenneth bolted towards his room. However,…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, right, visits a school in Nonthaburi province on July 11. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) In an unexpected turn of events, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has emerged as the people’s favorite politician, outshining even the much-celebrated Move Forward Party (MFP) adviser Pita Limjaroenrat. This surprising revelation comes from a recent LINE TODAY survey that ran from July 1 to July 20. With an impressive total of around 21,000 participants, the poll asked citizens to pick their preferred political figure. When the results were announced on Sunday, Mr. Srettha captured the spotlight with a striking 8,742 votes, which equates to roughly 40.13% of the overall tally. Trailing behind, albeit closely, was Mr. Pita, who garnered 7,425 votes, or about 34.09% of the vote count. Democrat leader Chalermchai Sri-on secured the third spot with 1,966 votes, translating to 9.03%. In a somewhat surprising twist, Sirikanya Tansakul, the deputy leader of…
As global sustainability efforts pick up steam, Bangkok is taking strides in redefining its environmental agenda under the stewardship of Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Shifting focus from the Green Bangkok 2030 initiative that his predecessors initiated, the governor is now pushing forward with an even more ambitious vision. Mr. Chadchart aims to create what he calls a “15-minute city” where residents can access green spaces within a short stroll. This plan involves adding 130 parks and doubling the original tree-planting goal to two million trees by 2026, a significant leap after Bangkok successfully hit its initial target of one million trees within just two years. “The first thing he did when he came into office was he went to a park and planted the first tree,” says Pornphrom Vikitsreth, the BMA’s Chief of Sustainability and advisor to the governor. Thailand faces a slew of environmental problems, including rampant deforestation, diminishing biodiversity,…
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has unveiled a grand vision for a 300-rai plot in the Rangsit Khlong Hok area of Pathum Thani’s Thanya Buri district. This sprawling tract, three times the size of the former Dusit Zoo in Bangkok which closed its gates in 2018 after 80 memorable years, is set to become a sanctuary where animals can thrive in their natural habitat. Attapon Srihayrun, director of the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand under Royal Patronage, shared these exciting developments in July 2022. With a blueprint grounded in respect for all living beings, the design philosophy positions visitors as mere observers, while animals enjoy the status of esteemed owners. Attapon emphasizes that visitors should immerse themselves in the experience with minimal disturbance to the true inhabitants. Reimagining Animal Welfare Attapon shared that global zoo management trends are shifting focus towards animal welfare. The era of animals confined…
In a dramatic twist of fate, a man was saved by the unlikely combination of roadside plants and the goodwill of locals as his small electric car teetered on the brink of being washed into a waterway. The surge of run-off hit the center of the eastern province of Trat hard on Sunday, turning a routine drive into a hair-raising ordeal. Meet Dentist Amnuay Roek-amnuaychoke, our unsuspecting hero. At around 1:30 PM, Amnuay had just crossed a bridge over a waterway on Soi Moo Ban Krung Thai road in Ban Nong Bua, located in tambon Wang Krajae, Muang district. The water level, which had been a manageable 30 centimeters earlier, had surged to an intimidating 100 centimeters. As the floodwater rapidly rose, local residents and soldiers distributing essentials to flood victims sprang into action. They initially secured the car using a small rope. Within ten minutes, a stronger rope was…
On 24 April 2023, Chalerm Ubumrung and his son Wan Ubumrung electrified the crowd at a Pheu Thai election campaign rally held at the iconic Rama VIII Bridge in Bangkok. This father-son duo has been a significant force in Thai politics, making headlines once again. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) Recently, former Pheu Thai Party MP for Bangkok, Wan Ubumrung, squashed rumors that his son, Archawin Ubumrung, would be following him and his grandfather, Chalerm, in deflecting to the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Wan addressed these speculations directly, stating clearly on Sunday, “Some news outlets claimed that the whole Ubumrung family will leave Pheu Thai. This is not true.” Making his point unequivocally, Wan continued, “Mr. Archawin still works as an advisor to Mr. Prasert Jantararuangtong, the Digital Economy and Society (DES) minister. I never asked him to resign from Pheu Thai like I did, and neither did his grandfather.” Amidst this…