In the heat of brisk maritime exercises, an unfortunate incident struck HTMS Naresuan, a frigate anchored with years of seafaring history and heritage. A torpedo launcher, a piece of vital equipment in this modern naval vessel, along with several life rafts, was damaged in what you might call a ‘dockside disaster’. The mishap took place at the industrious Map Taphut boat pier on a crisp Wednesday morning of July 26. Have you ever heard of HTMS Naresuan before? Commissioned close to three decades back, it had its imposing structure built by the mighty hands of the Chinese. It is not every day that such seasoned, stately vessels come about the accident, but here we are dealing with the inexplicable forces of fate and tide. At the time of the incident, HTMS Naresuan, with her gallant crew, was participating in an affair of strategic security significance. It was the Naval Security…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The illustrious Pheu Thai deputy leader, Phumtham Wechayachai reinforced on Monday that the formation of a fresh coalition government, endorsed by both elected members and chosen senators, hinged on the omission of the Move Forward Party (MFP) from its ranks. According to Wechayachai, the matter should be ironed out in discourses scheduled for this week, building up to the anticipated joint meeting of the two parliamentary chambers on Friday. He shared that discussions revealing the sentiment amongst various other elected MPs and nominated senators that they would rally behind a Prime Minister nominee proposed by the Pheu Thai Party, provided that the MFP was left out of the new government mix. “This quandary stands before us”, Wechayachai said, noting that the alliance’s resolve on the issue will be sought out during coalition discussions. Pheu Thai plans to hold a confab with MFP and the remaining six allies come Wednesday, while…
Brace yourselves, the weather report is in! Blustering winds are expected to whip across the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand, thanks to the formation of a low-pressure zone in the area coupled with the southwestern monsoon unfurling its power over the Andaman Sea. Buckle up and stay alert as Mother Nature prepares to stage her dramatic performance. Let’s zoom in a bit and get a geographical glimpse of the situation. It’s about to get significantly wetter in numerous regions across the country. Forecasters are predicting heavy downpours not just along the coast but within the interiors as well, and this includes the northern, northeastern, eastern, central, and southern territories. Rising water levels often bring in their wake overflowing rivers and streams, specifically in lower-lying territories. Combine this with possible flash floods in hilly terrains, the aftermath could be quite unsettling. A crucial reminder to all – stay…
In Thailand, an innovative collaboration between the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), the National Science and Technology Development Agency, and the Department of Industrial Works is underway, carrying an ambitious agenda of waste reduction. This initiative sets out on a mission that seeks to minimize waste by leveraging advanced science and technology while ensuring alignment with the country’s industrial operations. The torchbearer of this impressive initiative, FTI President, Kriengkrai Thiennukul, outlines the three vital avenues where Thailand needs to gain traction to bolster its competitive stance. Firstly, there’s a need to fuel investments into high-tech industries that form the groundwork of future economies. Secondly, Thailand needs to gear up for a rapidly aging society where the population is projected to dip from 75 million to approximately 33 million by the year 2075. Last but not least, the nation must adapt to new age global trade norms that marry well with…
The lauded State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is gearing up to receive a newly constructed train come September, thanks to a joint effort led by the Programme Management Unit for Competitiveness (PUMC) and the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council. Associate Professor Weerasak Udomkitdecha, the head of the programme’s future transportation, robotics, and automation subcommittee, confirmed these details. The groundbreaking project saw the joining of forces between the King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology LadKrabang, Sinogen-Pinpetch Joint Venture, and the SRT, all financially backed by PMUC. A central focus lay in integrating Thailand’s foundational technologies to align with the “Thai First” policy championed by the Ministry of Transport and the broader government initiative to boost locally created products, particularly in railway ventures. Looking ahead, it is anticipated that future train procurements will necessitate no less than 40% of local composition. Over the ensuing two decades, the…
Recently, a nationwide survey was conducted by the Nida poll. The respondents included 1,310 individuals aged 18 and above. The survey which ran from the 24th through the 26th of July, took place over the phone. The results indicated that Move Forward, a political party, faced significant criticism for its inability to establish the next government. Furthermore, a considerable share of participants predicted large-scale protests due to the current political deadlock. A noteworthy part of the survey asked the respondents the reasons they thought Move Forward couldn’t gather adequate backing for their prime minister candidate. The resulting responses were: 42.98% of participants pointed out that Move Forward didn’t backpedal from contentious plans to gain increased backing. About 30.46% of respondents believed that the party didn’t make any blunders. Approximately 27.56% of people underscored the party’s inability to win political jousting in the Parliament. 11.68% of individuals thought that the party…
Deputy Commissioner Maj-General Jirasan Kaewsaen-ek, additionally renowned as the bureau spokesman, revealed that on Sunday morning, two distinct collectives of demonstrators assembled outside the Embassy of Russia, stationed on Sap Road in the Si Phraya locale of the Bang Rak District. The initial assembly is identified as the “Council of World People.” With an eagerness to make their voices heard, they gathered at the epicenter of matters as early as 6 am. Following on their heels was the second contingent of demonstrators, composed mostly of Ukrainian expatriates. Keen to exhibit their disapproval, these passionate individuals initiated their protest at 10 am. Intriguingly, Jirasan supplemented his statements by hinting that another collective of protesters – termed the “Music Artists for the People” – intends to elevate public attention toward their cause. Their gathering point is set to be none other than the Phayathai Island at the locale of Victory Monument. The…
In a Facebook Live event broadcasted on a Sunday, Jatuporn Prompan, the former leader of the red-shirt movement, stirred up conjecture surrounding the expected return of fugitive ex-PM Thaksin. His conviction was that Thaksin was not ready to serve his prison sentence and would subsequently scrap his plans to regroup on August 10. Peeling back layers of political nuance, Jatuporn was firm in his belief that Thaksin, left in a quandary of uncertainty, wouldn’t chance his return without the assurance of a royal pardon for his corrupt practices. He made a point to outline Thaksin’s relentless yet futile attempts, spanning 17 years, to negotiate his way out of jail time, all twenty of which have been unsuccessful. The Red-Shirt champion, no stranger to the inside of a cell himself, offered a piece of advice to Thaksin. He ought to first come to terms with the reality that prison-bars are in…
On a sun-drenched day, flanked by signs of imminent festivity, a multitude of vehicles flooded the route along the picturesque 4-kilometre stretch, bridging Ban Had Sai Khao and Ban Dan Kao villages. Anticipation was palpable as a sea of eager tourists awaited their turn for a life-altering journey across the gleaming waters to the much-fabled Trat, via the ferry, according to local law enforcement. A spectacle unlike any other, this unexpected traffic wave spilled over, forming an intricate tapestry as it wound its way up the imposing Koh Chang Mountain. The makeshift queue weaved a trail extending all the way down to the tranquil Pineapple Bay pier. If one listened closely, the exasperated groans of engines idling as they paced forward – slow and deliberate – mirrored the ever-beating rhythm of an entranced metropolis, albeit moving at a snail’s pace. But amid the disciplined wait and mutual experiences of anticipation,…
According to the Office of the National Water Resources, the escalating water scarcity can be attributed to a diverse array of factors ranging from population expansion, industrial evolution, blossoming tourism, to agricultural progress. The region embodying this potential crisis is the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and its vital provinces: Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong. As we marched into the year 2022, the cumulative water demand in this region soared to a staggering 657.73 million cubic metres. Roughly, households consumed around 216.83 million cubic metres, while industry and agriculture guzzled 308.98 million and 131.92 million cubic metres respectively. As per the agency’s analysis, they predict a 19.39% surge in water demand by 2027 from the 2017 level, totalling 2.89 billion cubic metres. The agricultural domain is expected to play the role of the biggest water consumer, with the industrial and household sectors trailing behind. Intriguingly, the experts predict that the province of…