In the bustling economic landscape of the ASEAN region, Thailand has proudly emerged as the leading figure in the dairy industry, garnering an impressive revenue of over 19 billion baht. This triumphant position is not only a testament to Thailand’s strategic planning but also its adept utilization of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Thanks to these FTAs, Thai dairy products have found their way into many ASEAN countries with remarkable ease and enthusiasm. As reported by Anukool Pruksanusak, the diligent deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, the Land of Smiles continues to shine brightly at the top of the ASEAN dairy exports leaderboard. The past year has been nothing short of remarkable, with exports of Thai milk and dairy products experiencing a notable rise of 11.5%, bringing in a whopping US$582.62 million, or approximately 19 billion baht in Thai currency. Strategically capitalizing on the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, Thailand…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a twist that’s stranger than fiction, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has stumbled upon a tale worthy of a spy novel, involving hidden shipments, false declarations, and a massive pile of cash. The scene of this drama is a bustling company that found itself at the heart of a 20 billion baht scandal, allegedly masterminding the illegal importation of pork by masquerading it as something fishy – quite literally. Enter Police Lieutenant Colonel Nathaphon Ditsayatham, a stalwart in consumer and environmental protection, who helmed the operation that delved into the depths of this deception. In an operation reminiscent of a Hollywood raid, his team descended upon Thienkham Dairy Corporation Co., Ltd., nestled in the sleepy lanes of Saraburi province. With case number 126/2023 guiding their mission, they crossed the threshold of the company, which ironically prides itself as a raw milk collection hub but, as it turns out,…
It’s an exciting time within the Ministry of Finance as Deputy Finance Minister, Julapun Amornvivat, publicly affirmed progress on the eagerly anticipated third phase of the 10,000 baht economic stimulus package on February 7th. Designed to breathe life into the Thai economy by injecting an impressive 150 billion baht, the scheme is charted to unfold its potential in the year’s second quarter. This announcement followed a strategy session of the subcommittee focused keenly on economic stimulation projects, with more talks lined up before it sashays its way to the discerning eyes of the Economic Stimulus Policy Committee, captained by none other than Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, later in the month. After receiving the green light from the Economic Stimulus Policy Committee, the proposal’s next gateway is the Cabinet. This move seeks to streamline the process, simplifying conditions to ensure seamless fiscal flow—cast your memory back to those moments when transforming…
As former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gracefully arrived at the bustling Bang Rak district office in Bangkok, his trademark ‘wai’—an emblematic gesture of respect—spoke volumes louder than the swirl of whispers surrounding a possible cabinet reshuffle. Onlookers, photographers, and admirers momentarily paused, cameras captured the moment, while Thaksin, unfazed by the speculation, exuded an air of calm confidence. Strolling past the cacophony of media murmurs, Thaksin quashed the speculative buzz that suggested a cabinet realignment might just be in the offing, possibly set in motion after next month’s no-confidence chat-a-thon. “Nonsense,” Thaksin seemed to imply with an assured nod, “My daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, holds unwavering trust in her cabinet’s prowess, despite occasional hiccups in progress within some ministries.” The former prime minister pointed out with a subtle twinkle in his eye that the coalition members have been nudging elbows and huddling up to fine-tune their collective performance. “Why…
In a fascinating turn of events echoing through the corridors of Chulalongkorn University, the Faculty of Communication Arts has vociferously rallied behind one of their own, Pirate of Ramasoota, a distinguished member of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). This show of solidarity came on the heels of her two-year prison sentence handed down last Thursday, thanks to allegations of dereliction of duty—a situation triggered by complaints originating from the prominent True Digital Group. The faculty threw its doors open to host an engaging seminar aptly titled “The Pirongrong Effect.” The event served as a platform to fortify their unwavering support for Prof Emeritus Pirongrong, who once illuminated the classrooms as a lecturer. Associate Professor Preeda Akarachantachote, the esteemed dean of the faculty, stepped up to the podium, exuding charisma and conviction. “In our role as torchbearers of communication arts education, indifference is simply not an option,” he declared…
Ah, Bangkok, the city where bustling street markets jostle for space with skyscrapers, and where the air seems to dance with life — sometimes a bit too lively for comfort. On this particular Saturday morning, the Air Quality Information Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) delivered news that was somewhat bittersweet. While the air quality in much of the sprawling metropolis hovered at a “moderate” mark, 22 districts played a less harmonious tune as their PM2.5 levels pirouetted perilously above safety standards. According to the BMA’s diligent report, the city’s PM2.5 whirled at an average of 37.4 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), just a waltzing whisker under the nation’s limit of 37.5 µg/m³ over a three-hour soiree stretching from 5 to 7 a.m. It’s almost poetic how yesterday greeted bleary-eyed early risers with a slightly softer whisper of 35.2 µg/m³ — a morning serenade, if you will, of cleaner…
Thrumming with intensity and packed with action, the “Seal Stop Safe” anti-drug operation has turned out to be a veritable string of triumphs in the relentless battle against narcotics. Bangkok’s Narcotics Suppression Bureau buzzed with energy as Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai proudly stood amid a throng of photographers and law enforcement officers. Flash bulbs flared and questions flew faster than a rock concert encore as Wechayachai detailed the success of this massive nationwide sweep, straight out of the gate, soaking up applause like a rockstar taking a bow after a killer performance. There’s a tapestry of tales woven into the fabric of this operation. Higgy central of this narrative tapestry is the northern region, where our valiant authorities intercepted a staggering 15.6 million methamphetamine pills from a suspect connected to an ethnic minority group. If that wasn’t enough to write home about, picture this—a dynamic duo…
In the early morning light of February 7, a sudden eruption shattered the usual calm at the village security post along the Don Yang-Hat Yai road in the Nong Chik district of Pattani province. An unexpected bomb attack left four police officers injured, casting a grim pall over the day and once again highlighting the ongoing tensions in Thailand’s southern border region. The explosive incident, reported at 8 a.m., sent shockwaves through the community. Among the wounded were brave officers who embody commitment and courage in the face of daily risks. Sergeant Napop Raksapram, aged 33, suffered severe injuries, alongside 29-year-old Lance Corporal Anucha Kwanthongon, both valiantly bearing the brunt of the ill-fated attack. Their courage mirrors that of Sgt. Chatmongkol Nuchsri, 34, and Lt. Cpl. Kiwrat Thongma, 30, who were also caught in the turmoil and received medical attention. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, renowned for their meticulous…
In a daring escapade that has left both locals and tourists agog, a brazen foreign thief remains at large after making off with a state-of-the-art iPhone at a bustling phone shop near Chalong Intersection in the sunny paradise of Phuket. A Thai resident has embarked on a digital manhunt via social media to track down the audacious foreigner who liberated an iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB from his sister’s shop on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, February 5th. The tech-savvy sleuth took to Facebook, posting CCTV footage that captures the caginess of the culprit, along with the phone’s specifics, just in case the thief tries to hawk it amid Phuket’s lively marketplace. With an urgent message for the online masses, he cried, “Warning! A foreigner stole an iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB (terabyte) from a showcase at the front of the store in broad daylight.” And with those words, the hunt…
The allure of Thailand’s beloved “King of Fruits” hit a sour note recently when the Department of Agriculture pulled the brakes on export operations for a whopping 26 durian packing facilities. This drastic measure followed an unsavory surprise from China: over 64 tonnes of durians contaminated with Basic Yellow 2 (BY2) returned like unwanted leftovers. Just earlier today, a $12 million batch of these spiky delights was sent back, leaving quite a few red faces this February 7th. Amidst the crunchy controversy, Raphiphat Chandrasriwong, the maestro at the helm of the Department of Agriculture, shed light on their preventive crusade. He mentioned that Narumon Pinyosinwat, the top honcho of agriculture and cooperatives, has laid out stringent sagas of measures to nip chemical contamination in the bud for all Thai fruits and veggies. The grand plan? Spruce up quality and safety standards, making sure Thai exports grab a confident nod from…