Posts published in “Thailand”

An impressive F-16 jet of the air force zoomed into the conversation this week, right here in the vibrant province of Nakhon Ratchasima. (File photo: Royal Thai Air Force) In an unexpected twist, the United States has sweetened the deal for the Royal Thai Air Force by offering lower interest rates on the purchase of their F-16 fighter jets. This diplomatically savvy move aims to steer the Thai government’s decision away from Sweden’s enticing Gripen aircraft and towards the American-made marvels. This strategic nudge came to light through a well-placed source within the Defence Ministry on Monday. Last week, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) unveiled its preference for Gripen jets over the F-16s, based on a recent in-depth study by the air force’s eagle-eyed procurement committee. According to their findings, the Gripen E/F appeared to be the best fit for their operational needs. The RTAF commander, Air Chief Marshal…

A dramatic twist in the ongoing saga to keep cannabis off Thailand’s narcotics list unfolded on Monday as a member of a pro-cannabis advocacy group, Akkaradetch Chakjinda, was hospitalized. This unfortunate event occurred merely five days after he and his compatriot, Prasitchai Nunual, secretary-general of the vibrant Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future group, embarked on a hunger strike. Their cause? To protest the government’s audacious plan to classify cannabis as a Category 5 narcotic. The duo initiated their hunger strike on June 10, camping persistently outside Government House. They made their stance crystal clear: the government must conduct a thorough investigation into the myriad therapeutic benefits and societal impacts of cannabis before any hasty decisions are made. Their argument centers on a compelling premise—if cannabis proves no more detrimental to society than tobacco or alcohol, the government should pivot towards instating stringent regulations for its use, rather than outright criminalization. Mr.…

Bangkok residents, with smiles of anticipation, eagerly board the sleek electric boat as it glides gracefully over the Saen Saep Canal in the bustling Min Buri district. Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has ramped up its mission to dismantle illegal structures precariously perched over the city’s vast array of canals. Spanning a network of over 1,980 canals and waterways, Bangkok’s intricate hydrological system is partly governed by the Department of Drainage, which oversees 233 of these waterways, while the local district offices under the BMA manage the remainder. A 2021 survey by the Department of Drainage and Sewerage revealed a staggering 11,035 structures obstructing the city’s waterways. This findings sent shockwaves, particularly as most illegal constructions were concentrated in the city’s northern districts (7,667), followed by the central (1,635), southern (1,078), and eastern (471) districts. Furthermore, north Thonburi reported 123 transgressions, and south Thonburi tallied 61 illegal structures. The…

The much-anticipated final round of the Senate election unfolded in Nonthaburi province on June 26, inviting a mixture of excitement and buzz among the populace. The atmosphere was electric, much like the charged environment of an awaited final match, accentuated by the presence of renowned political figures. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) According to the Senate Secretariat, the newly appointed Senate is all set to gather for their inaugural session next Tuesday, where they will elect both the speaker and the deputies. This monumental event will occur post-swearing-in, setting the tone for their legislative journey. Napaporn Jaisajja, the Senate secretary-general, conveyed that all 200 freshly minted senators have reported for duty, paving the way for this crucial first meeting. As per the governing regulations, the session will be presided over by the most senior senator. Taking the helm as the senior-most senator is Pol Lt Gen Yutthana Thaipakdee, a name synonymous with…

Two dozen years ago, the lives of villagers in the seasonally flooded lower part of tambon Kho Nua, Muang district, Yasothon province, were forever altered. The year 2000 saw a pivotal visit from His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, then the Crown Prince. His royal initiatives to dredge Nong Ung, a formerly parched 430-rai swamp, breathed life back into the local soil and rejuvenated a devastated forest, ultimately enhancing the villagers’ livelihoods. “His Majesty the King spearheaded the dredging of Nong Ung to serve as a water reservoir for agriculture and fish farming, while also improving the surrounding area, encouraging sustainable living within the forest,” Yasothon governor Nikorn Sooksai remarked back in 2018. Notably, what used to be a flood-prone area during the rainy season has transformed. Fish are plentiful, and the royal project site has captivated the attention of educational trips and youth camps. Children immerse themselves in…

Amphawa Floating Market is far from a deserted tourist locale, contrary to recent rumors online. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke has stepped forward to refute these claims, stating that both Cha-am Beach and Amphawa Floating Market remain bustling with visitors. Reports suggesting these locations are empty are simply fake news intended to harm Thailand’s tourism image, he explains. Last weekend, a viral video showed a seemingly quiet Cha-am Beach in Phetchaburi, and social media jumped to the conclusion that the area was suffering from a steep tourism decline. Paired with assertions that Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram now lacks visitors, these claims set off alarm bells, suggesting that the current economic climate was driving tourists away. But Mr. Chai took to X to denounce these misleading reports. He linked to a news story that featured the president of the Thai Hotels Association and local entrepreneurs asserting that Cha-am Beach still…

Exciting news, folks! The much-anticipated 10,000-baht digital wallet handout is set to begin on August 1st, as revealed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This announcement came via a tweet on X, coinciding with a crucial meeting of the Digital Wallet Policy Committee. The committee is feverishly preparing for the registration of both eligible recipients and vendors for this transformative scheme. Addressing potential concerns, Prime Minister Srettha assured that measures are being put in place to tackle irregularities and ensure that all eligibility criteria are meticulously reviewed. “This initiative involves significant spending aimed at stimulating the economy,” the prime minister emphasized, “so we must ensure all legal and technical aspects are thoroughly vetted.” Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, heading a sub-committee on the handout’s finer details, revealed some intriguing updates. The major committee approved a proposal to not borrow from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). Instead, the project…

Deep in the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, controversy bubbles in the serene Wang Nam Khieo district. The tranquility of Thap Lan National Park stands juxtaposed with the clamor of its residents, who have voiced their discontent over an online survey’s striking verdict: an overwhelming 95% of participants opposed allocating part of the national park for farming. Conducted by the park, the survey’s staggering numbers — with 879,595 respondents disapproving and only 43,303 in favor — reflect the divided sentiments of the local and national populace. The pivotal question at hand was whether a portion of the 260,000-rai park that encroaches on local community zones should be gingerly handed over for farming and residential purposes. A striking 96% of the survey’s participants hailed from the general public, while only a scant 4% were local residents directly affected by the demarcation of the park. This raised eyebrows among the locals, as their…

Deep in the enchanting locales of Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, an unfolding drama has residents of Wang Nam Khieo district raising their voices over a contentious online survey. The overwhelming response to the survey, conducted last week, indicated a strong opposition to the proposal of allocating a section of Thap Lan National Park for farming activities. Of the 879,595 respondents, a staggering 95% were against the idea, with only 4.7% or 43,303 residents, favoring the boundary modification for agricultural purposes. The survey, which kicked off on June 28, sought public opinion on whether a slice of the 260,000-rai area of the national park that overlaps with local community zones should be made available for residents to farm and live on. In a revelation that hints at broader public interest, a remarkable 96% of those surveyed were members of the general public, rather than local residents directly affected by the park’s demarcation.…

An image from a security camera shows Yan Ruimin checking her phone as she walks along a street in Bangkok on July 1. (Photo supplied) The suspense surrounding the disappearance of the female Chinese TikToker, Yan Ruimin, could soon be drawing to a close. The Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM) announced that results from DNA testing on human remains—believed to be hers—are expected to be revealed on Friday. Pol Maj Gen Supichai Limsiwawong, the IFM commander, explained the challenges involved in identifying the body due to its significant decomposition and the complexities in retrieving viable DNA samples. “Because the remains were badly decomposed, DNA samples had to be extracted from the bones,” stated Pol Maj Gen Supichai. The remains, suspected to be Yan’s, were discovered discarded in a remote area of Chachoengsao’s Muang district on Saturday. Further complicating the identification process, the authorities have had to rely…