Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin took to the House floor on Wednesday, expounding on the necessity of sourcing additional budget funds to invigorate the Thai economy. (Photo: Royal Thai Government) The proposal? A supplementary budget bill suggesting an infusion of 122 billion baht into the 2024 fiscal blueprint. This hefty injection aims to bankroll a rather ambitious digital wallet scheme. Yet, the road to approval is not devoid of bumps—opposition parties have already signaled their intent to oppose, citing legal qualms and potential violations of the State Fiscal and Financial Discipline Act. Highlighting the urgency, Mr. Srettha emphasized that this fiscal boost is critical for jumpstarting economic activity, sustaining consumer spending, and creating lucrative opportunities for both individuals and businesses. The scheme involves a 10,000 baht digital wallet handout to a sweeping 50 million Thais—a brainchild and flagship policy of the Pheu Thai Party—planned to kick off in October, with registrations…
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In an animated House meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin passionately championed the necessity of raising the 2024 fiscal budget by a whopping 122 billion baht to turbocharge the economy. Proposing this supplementary budget bill, Mr. Srettha aimed to secure funds for an ambitious digital wallet scheme, despite objections from the opposition who flagged potential legal hurdles, including breaches of the State Fiscal and Financial Discipline Act. Mr. Srettha laid out a compelling case for his urgency: the extra funding is essential to invigorate economic activity, sustain consumption levels, and create golden opportunities for individuals and businesses alike. At the heart of this financial boost is the Pheu Thai Party’s flagship policy of distributing 10,000 baht in digital cash to as many as 50 million Thais. With registration set to begin on August 1 and the rollout planned for October, the clock is ticking. Time, Mr. Srettha emphasized, is…
Pheu Thai’s dynamic leader, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, held court with reporters upon her arrival at the party’s bustling headquarters in Bangkok on March 26. The hot topic? The recent drama surrounding former Bangkok MP Wan Ubamrung and his unexpected resignation. As Paetongtarn faced the media, she maintained an air of sophistication, ensuring everyone understood where the party stood. At the heart of the issue was Wan’s unsanctioned meeting with Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang during the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) chairman election in Pathum Thani on June 30. Kamronwit, representing the Khon Rak Pathum (Love Pathum) group, was the frontrunner but ended up losing to Pheu Thai’s own candidate, Charn Phuangphet, by a razor-thin margin of fewer than 2,000 votes. As the polls closed and the ballots were counted, Wan decided to catch up with his old family friend Kamronwit. Harmless enough, right? Not quite. His choice to engage with someone…
As the lively buzz of anticipation filled the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the party’s stalwart leader, arrived with a confident stride on March 26. Cameras clicked and reporters leaned in, all eager to capture a word or glance from the charismatic leader. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) In a move that some might have found surprising, Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra addressed a controversial episode involving former Bangkok MP Wan Ubamrung. The ex-MP had resigned after socializing with a political rival during a critical local election, but Ms. Paetongtarn took a magnanimous stance on the issue. “We hold no grudges,” she assured as she revealed the backstory on Wednesday. Let’s rewind to June 30, a day charged with tension as the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) chairman poll unfolded in Pathum Thani. Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang, running on the Khon Rak Pathum (Love Pathum) ticket, was the anticipated…
As the employee retention crisis continues to challenge hiring managers in Thailand, Forvis Mazars – a leading international audit, tax, and advisory firm with an office in Thailand – proposes a comprehensive approach to address this pressing issue. With low unemployment rates, increasing voluntary attrition rates, and a shrinking labor workforce, finding and retaining employees has become more difficult than ever. To combat these challenges, Forvis Mazars emphasizes the strategic importance of employee development and retention. According to a recent LinkedIn survey, a staggering 94% of employees expressed a willingness to stay at a company longer if the company invested in their career development. Yet, surprisingly, only 34% of companies surveyed had formal mentoring programs, and a mere 18% had any initiatives for employee learning. Recognizing the significance of employee development, Forvis Mazars has implemented a range of structured in-person and online training programs. Additionally, the company collaborates with third-party…
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa highlighted the transformative International Tipitaka Sajjhaya Phonetic Recitation project at the ministry on Tuesday. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has teamed up with the International Tipitaka Foundation to spearhead the dissemination of the International Tipitaka Sajjhaya Phonetic Recitation, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and HM Queen Sirikit 2016 Edition, to numerous countries. This initiative is part of the grand celebration for HM King Vajiralongkorn’s 72nd birthday on July 28. Thailand holds a significant place in the history of the Tipitaka. Back in 1893, under the reign of King Rama V, Thailand became the first nation to print and distribute the revered Tipitaka, reaching 150 organizations across 25 countries. Minister Maris Sangiampongsa proudly recounted this historical milestone. The legacy continued under King Rama IX, when the sacred texts were translated into Latin and Greek, marking another phase of international dissemination. The International…
The Department of Fisheries has introduced a novel way to tackle the invasive blackchin tilapia problem by promoting its consumption, a move unveiled during a press conference on Wednesday. The idea? Turn the invasive species into a delectable dish on your dinner plate, making a delightful win-win for both nature and gastronomy! But that’s just the beginning of this fishy tale. Head honcho Bancha Sukkaew, the department’s director-general, announced a master plan that’s part science fiction and part culinary delight. The department has embarked on a grand scheme of genetic modification, aiming to produce male blackchin tilapia that sire offspring incapable of wreaking any havoc—in other words, infertile fry. This ingenious plan involves releasing a formidable army of at least 250,000 genetically modified males over a span of 15 months, starting this December. According to Mr. Bancha, this approach should significantly dwindle the blackchin tilapia population within three years. Imagine,…
Key information Name: Anatchaya Suputhipong Nickname: “Natty” Born: 20 May 2002 Nationality: Thai Known for: K-pop singer Instagram: @natty_0530 Natty’s Early Career “Natty” Anatchaya Suputhipong was born on May 30, 2002, and has become a shining star on the ever-evolving K-pop horizon. This talented Thai singer embarked on her South Korean adventure at a tender age, driven by an unwavering passion for music and performance. Her remarkable journey began in May 2015, when she stepped into the spotlight on the reality show Sixteen, produced by the entertainment giant JYP Entertainment. This captivating show threw 16 aspiring young artists into the ring, testing their mettle in singing, dancing, personality, and sheer charisma. Alas, in a tale familiar to many dreamers, Natty was eliminated in the show’s final round. JYP Entertainment stands tall as one of South Korea’s titans in the world of entertainment, nurturing and producing some of the most iconic…
Name: Panipak Wongpattanakit Nickname: “Tennis” Born: 8 August 1997 Nationality: Thai Known for: Taekwondo world champion Medals: 21 gold medals Instagram: @panipak2540 TikTok: panipak2540 Panipak’s Career Record Panipak Wongpattanakit is nothing short of a sports phenomenon in Thailand! Her career is a dazzling array of achievements, notably becoming a world champion in women’s taekwondo and amassing an astounding 21 gold medals. With her eyes now on the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Panipak’s journey is far from over. Panipak’s international acclaim began in 2015 when she emerged victorious at the World Taekwondo Championships, earning her first world title. Her meteoric rise continued, and by 2016, she had claimed a bronze medal at the Rio Summer Olympics. Despite this success, Panipak had her sights set firmly on gold. Recalling her feelings during an interview with the Bangkok Post, she admitted, “I had a really good chance in Rio but in a fraction…
The mystique of Bangkok’s opulence took a dark turn this week, as six lives were tragically cut short under the glimmering chandeliers of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. Authorities were left perplexed after discovering that a deadly blend of cyanide and tea was the grim culprit behind the untimely end of five Vietnamese nationals. Police soon turned their scrutiny toward a woman who straddled two worlds—Sherine Chong, a 56-year-old Vietnam-born U.S. citizen. Pol Maj Gen Nopasilp Poonsawat, the astute deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, provided insights that only deepened the enigma. Chong, whose presence in room 502 prefaced the fatal tea, had meticulously planned what now seems to be a premeditated murder. Witnesses from the hotel’s staff recalled her solitary wait in that room, on the fifth floor, as she dialed room service for food and, crucially, tea. Something as innocent as a cup of tea became a…