Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Surin on July 14 to preside over a mass ordination ceremony at Wat Suwan Wichit in Prasat district, where 334 novice monks were ordained to celebrate the sixth cycle birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King. While the event had deep religious significance, it also stirred a significant political buzz as Thaksin’s presence drew attention to this northeastern province. Surin’s political landscape has undergone noteworthy shifts since the last general elections. In 2019, the Pheu Thai Party, under the shadow of Thaksin, dominated the province, capturing five out of seven seats. However, the party’s influence waned in the recent elections, with Bhumjaithai making impressive gains, securing five out of eight seats and reducing Pheu Thai to three. Since being released on parole six months ago, Thaksin has been on a political tour across various provinces, including his hometown Chiang Mai, where the party…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Chalerm Ubumrung and his son, Wan Ubumrung, were spotted rallying with the Pheu Thai Party in Bangkok last April. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) In a surprising twist of political allegiance, former Pheu Thai Party MP Wan Ubumrung announced on Saturday his decision to join the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). This move comes shortly after his resignation from the coalition’s main party. Wan’s departure followed criticism within Pheu Thai for his perceived camaraderie with a political rival, who happens to be an old family friend, during a recent local election vote count. The 77-year-old patriarch, Chalerm, has also expressed his desire to switch sides. However, as he is still a list-MP for Pheu Thai, he requires the party’s initiative to formally impeach him to facilitate his move. Chalerm’s transition isn’t straightforward, hinging on Pheu Thai’s formal decision to reassign his roles. Wan has announced plans to officially join Palang Pracharath on Tuesday,…
In the picturesque province of Chiang Mai, an unexpected scandal has rocked the local community. Pol Lt Col Bandit Khonkan, the esteemed chief inspector at the Hang Dong police station, found himself at the center of a call center scam operation. His arrest on Friday night came as he was being ordained at a temple in Ngao district, neighboring Lampang province. Disrobed and taken into custody, his fate now hangs in the balance. Pol Maj Gen Weerachon Boontawee, the deputy chief of Provincial Police Region 5, addressed the media, detailing the intricacies of this high-profile arrest. The Chiang Mai Provincial Court issued a warrant for Pol Lt Col Bandit’s arrest on charges of procuring equipment, establishing a station, and using public airwaves without proper authorization to run a telecommunications business. Despite his insistence that he was not the ringleader but merely a member with Chinese associates, the evidence suggests otherwise.…
Runoff, ignited by torrential rain, gushes beneath a bridge on the route to the much-loved Pa La-U waterfall, a scenic gem approximately 60 kilometers west of Hua Hin town. (Photo: Chaiwat Satyaem) Prachuap Khiri Khan: The magnificent Pa La-U waterfall in Hua Hin has been temporarily closed to tourists. This decision was made after relentless rains led to hazardous runoff, making access to this picturesque spot at Kaeng Krachan National Park treacherous. According to Somchet Chantana, director of the Phetchaburi branch office of Protected Areas Regional Office 3, the continuous downpour has amassed substantial water at the site, resulting in runoff tinged with murky sediment. The trails leading to the popular waterfall have become perilously slippery, significantly raising the risks associated with recreational and leisure activities. Mongkol Chaipakdee, head of the national park, emphasized the dangers facing visitors due to the slick and unstable paths. Mr. Somchet detailed an update…
A distressing scene unfolded in Prasat district of Surin province last Friday when a pickup truck driven by an intoxicated teacher veered off the road, leaving 17 students injured. The initial chaos was vividly captured in online photos that quickly went viral, inciting outrage across social media. The incident came to light through a poignant photograph shared by an individual who claimed to be a student involved in the accident. Displaying the grievously damaged pickup truck overturned by the roadside, the image was accompanied by a deeply frustrating caption. It revealed that the teacher, heavily under the influence, had taken on the ill-fated responsibility of driving the students home following a Buddhist lent procession at a local temple. However, what followed next was a tragic turn of events. The teacher lost control on a bend, causing the truck to somersault and land with a thud. In a video recorded shortly…
In a twist of tiny island fate, the Tourist Police of Koh Phangan made a rather intriguing catch last Friday when they nabbed a 52-year-old Gambian man for staying illegally in Thailand for a whopping seven years! You read that right—seven long years! Saikou Jawara was apprehended while meandering towards a local bar on the picturesque tourist haven of Koh Phangan in Surat Thani province. Little did he know his uphill battle of dodging the authorities was about to come crashing down. The clock had barely struck 1:30am when the Tourist Police patrol car rolled down the street. Panic washed over Mr. Jawara’s face as he hurriedly ducked into the nearby bar, aiming to disappear into a shadowy alcove. His nervous reaction piqued the officers’ curiosity. When they approached him for a casual chat, he reacted with a resounding “Bingo!”, albeit without presenting any form of identification to back it…
Methamphetamine pills bearing logos that law enforcement authorities have not seen before were seized in Buri Ram province on Saturday morning. (Screenshots) Concerns have been raised following the discovery of a new source of methamphetamine, suggested by the seizure of over 100,000 pills with previously unseen logos in Buri Ram on Saturday. A joint force of the Office of Narcotics Control Board, the Border Patrol Police, and the Royal Thai Army made the seizure following a tip-off about drug smuggling across the Cambodian border into the northeastern Thai province. The meticulous operation led to the apprehension of a group of six men from Lahan Sai district. The group of suspects, identified only as Likit, 31; Chirayu, 27; Wanchai, 36; Wasan, 25; Sakda, 30; and Pataradanai, 24, were found in possession of 101,600 meth pills and a .380-caliber firearm loaded with a single round of ammunition. Authorities estimated the street value…
Forensic technicians meticulously surveyed the Siam Paragon shopping centre in Bangkok after a horrifying rampage on October 3 last year, orchestrated by a teenage boy. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has highlighted a severe breach of human rights by the police officers who released sensitive photos and videos of the 14-year-old who tragically took three lives during the incident. NHRC commissioner Wasan Paileeklee remarked on Friday that these issues were brought to the commission’s attention in November by the Union for Civil Liberty, concerned about the dissemination of the young offender’s images and video clips on social media platforms. Commissioner Paileeklee elaborated that under the Thai constitution, the Child Protection Act of 2003, and the Juvenile and Family Court and Procedure Act of 2010, children are afforded substantial protections. These protections are further reinforced by international agreements like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN…
The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and Bangkok community representatives made headlines on Friday when they gathered at City Hall to hand a letter to Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Their mission: to oppose the new city planning blueprint proposed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The photograph captured by Supoj Wancharoen bears witness to this defining moment. TCC secretary-general Saree Aungsomwang, alongside over 100 representatives from 28 Bangkok communities, voiced contentions against the draft plan. “This blueprint and its corresponding public hearings violate the City Planning Act,” claimed Ms. Saree. According to her, the Act mandates that any city planning efforts must consider the potential impact on citizens, ensuring they are fully informed of any measures designed to mitigate these effects. Furthermore, Ms. Saree pointed out, the blueprint does not adhere to Section 72 of the constitution. This section clearly states that town planning should align with the needs of local…
Beware of the ‘blue’ party-the June 26 Senate poll and the June 30 Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) chairman election in Pathum Thani have shaken up the political landscape, leaving Thailand’s two largest parties—Pheu Thai and the Move Forward Party (MFP)—more than a little wary of the rising force that is the Bhumjaithai Party. Led by Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Bhumjaithai has baffled political observers by outmaneuvering both Pheu Thai and MFP in the recent elections. The results have served as a disturbing wake-up call for these parties, which had previously been considered frontrunners for leading a coalition government come the next general election, less than four years from now. The Senate election for selecting 200 senators across 20 professional groups left many politicians and observers scratching their heads. Over 120 of the winners had connections with the ‘blue’ party, Bhumjaithai, while around…