Amid the swirling controversy about her educational background, Senator Keskamol Pleansamai, who is at the center of the storm, has firmly declared her position: she will not be resigning. According to her lawyer, Decha Kittiwittayanan, the senator remains steadfast and has no plans to step down from her position. During a recent Facebook livestream, Mr. Decha shed light on the discussions surrounding the senator and her impressive number of votes in the final round of the Senate poll. “I asked her, and she told me some people suggested that she resign. She said she won’t, and getting the most votes was no fluke,” shared Mr. Decha, in a candid address to the public. The issues looming over Senator Keskamol involve two complaints currently under consideration by the Election Commission (EC). These complaints challenge her claim of being a PhD graduate and a professor from California University, hinting at potential deception…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a heartbreaking incident, a seven-year-old student tragically passed away after being subjected to intense punishment for not wearing his full Boy Scout uniform. The young boy, identified as Wuttipat Krueasom, a Pratom 1 student at a private school in Prachin Buri’s Kabin Buri district, faced this dire consequence following his teacher’s orders. Reports reveal that Wuttipat was scolded and instructed to run around the school’s field five times as a penalty for his incomplete uniform. However, the situation took a grim turn when young Wuttipat started experiencing severe breathlessness while running. The school immediately notified his parents, who rushed over to take him to a nearby clinic for medical attention. Despite their swift response, Wuttipat’s condition worsened, prompting a transfer to Kabin Buri Hospital. Tragically, all attempts by the medical team to revive him proved futile. It was later reported by his grieving father that Wuttipat suffered from asthma,…
The government has successfully concluded the auctioning of 15,000 tonnes of rice, a residual from the Yingluck Shinawatra administration’s rice-pledging scheme. This surplus was sold to the two highest bidders, fetching approximately 244 million baht, according to an insider from the Commerce Ministry. In an exciting turn of events, Sup Saeng Thong Rice Co emerged victorious with the highest bid for 11,656 tonnes of rice stored at the Kittichai warehouse, offering a competitive price of 15.61 baht per kilogram. Meanwhile, for the remaining 3,356 tonnes of rice stored at Poonpon Trading Co’s warehouse, Sahatan Co claimed the top bid, offering a striking 18.69 baht per kilogram. Now, in what promises to be a flurry of paperwork and signatures, the Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) is set to summon the two winning companies to sign the necessary contracts between July 23 and August 14. An inside source revealed that these companies will…
The excitement is palpable as Bangkok gears up for a monumental leap in its transportation landscape. The MRT Orange Line, a cutting-edge electric railway system linking the city’s vibrant east and bustling west, is poised to provide smoother commutes and unparalleled convenience. Anticipated to be fully operational by November 2030, the project will see its eastern section welcoming passengers as early as 2028. A key milestone was reached on Thursday when Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit presided over the investment contract signing for the MRT Orange Line Project, connecting “Bang Khun Non-Min Buri (Suwinthawong)” between the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM). The ceremony was graced by an array of high-level dignitaries, including Pichet Kunadhamraks, the chief of the Department of Rail Transport (DRT), Sarawut Songsivilai, MRTA board chairman, and Plew Trivisvavet, BEM board chairman. The atmosphere was filled…
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently cast a spotlight on a troubling violation of human rights by police officers in a case that shook the nation. The incident revolves around the horrifying events of last October, when a 14-year-old boy went on a tragic shooting rampage at Siam Paragon, resulting in the loss of three lives. The NHRC has condemned the law enforcement’s decision to release photos and video clips of the young perpetrator, making this brutal episode even more wrenching. According to NHRC Commissioner Wasan Paileeklee, the commission was alerted by the Union for Civil Liberty in November. The uproar stemmed from the dissemination of deeply disturbing images and videos of the young offender across social media platforms. Such actions, Paileeklee underscored, were a glaring infringement on the boy’s human rights. Children, Paileeklee emphasized, are unequivocally protected under robust layers of legal frameworks. These include the constitution,…
In the serene but bustling canals of Sanam Chai and Khok Kham in Samut Songkhram, an unexpected culinary event was held thanks to the presence of the invasive blackchin tilapia fish. The BKK Food Bank activity at the Bang Khunthian district office in Bangkok on Friday was marked by the presence of this unusual delicacy, cooked and served to the community, in a wonderful blend of environmental awareness and gastronomy. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) Meanwhile, a government subcommittee has been dedicatedly probing into the spread of these tenacious invaders in Thailand’s waterways. This zealous taskforce will be meeting at the Department of Fisheries on Tuesday to dive into importation records and examine the storage conditions of fish carcasses. Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, an ardent Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok and deputy chairman of the subcommittee, passionately revealed on Friday that they aim to scrutinize the import protocols for such foreign species to…
The scene outside the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) was a blend of fervent determination and rising frustration, as the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and a forceful cadre of Bangkok community representatives showed up to make their voices heard. The protesters, numbering over 100 and encompassing representatives from 28 vigorous communities, handed a letter to Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, sounding a collective alarm against the proposed city planning blueprint. (Photo: Supoj Wancharoen) The TCC, led by the spirited Secretary-General Saree Aungsomwang, minced no words in their opposition to the current trajectory of the BMA’s city planning initiative. There was a clarion call to halt the ongoing public hearings. Saree and her allies are ready to elevate the matter to the Administrative Court should their objections be ignored. The blueprint, according to them, flouts the fundamental tenets of the City Planning Act and violates Section 72 of the Thai constitution. Saree articulated that…
In an enlightening exchange at the 2024 Global News Forum, co-organized by the esteemed Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and Thai PBS, panelist and National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) member, Pirongrong Ramasoota, delivered eye-opening insights on a pressing issue that teeters the balance of modern journalism. Prominent and trustworthy news agencies find themselves grappling for recognition among the cacophony of digital platforms and mobile apps. Ms. Pirongrong passionately urged governments and civil society to join forces, advocating for a collaborative effort to champion credibility in the news domain. The enigma of our age—the internet—has facilitated a rampant surge of disinformation, clickbait, and sensationalism, Ms. Pirongrong observed. “Today’s platforms rely heavily on algorithms engineered by data. News quality plays second fiddle to user interaction, driving a wedge between authenticity and engagement,” she lamented. As digital migration becomes inevitable, news agencies find their prominence dictated not by journalistic ethics but by insidious algorithms,…
On January 21, 2024, with the bustling streets of Bangkok as their stage, motorcycle taxi drivers united in a spirited campaign against drugs, putting the city’s safety and welfare at the forefront. Captured by the lens of photographer Varuth Hirunyatheb, this commendable effort sheds light on a significant issue gripping the metropolis. In a stride towards modernization and enhanced public service, Viput Srivaurai, a dedicated city council member representing Bang Rak district, has called upon the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to leverage technology for an innovative transformation of motorcycle taxi services. Emphasizing the use of cutting-edge applications, Srivaurai envisions a future where passenger safety and fare transparency are paramount. Spearheading this tech-savvy approach, Srivaurai envisions a sophisticated data management system that would streamline the motorcycle taxi industry. This proposed system would encapsulate a myriad of crucial details, including driver credentials and vehicle specifics, ensuring that passengers have full visibility and…
In a dramatic series of events that unfolded across Nonthaburi and Chon Buri, four Colombian nationals were apprehended for their purported involvement in a spate of residential burglaries that had been plaguing Bangkok and its neighboring provinces. The sophisticated sting operation that led to their arrest was a collaborative effort between immigration officers and police, which culminated in the capture of three suspects at a condominium in Muang district, Nonthaburi, and the fourth at a hotel in South Pattaya, Chon Buri, this past Thursday, as confirmed by Pol Maj Gen Panthana Nuchanart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau. Charged with theft in collusion, the quartet was found in possession of an array of incriminating items that included screwdrivers and assorted burglary tools, as well as rented motorcycles they reportedly used for their illicit activities. The treasure trove of stolen goods seized from the suspects was staggering—125 items of stolen valuables…