In a remarkable display of unity and resolve, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai recently called upon opposition forces to engage in a thoughtful and productive debate, instead of swirling around former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who, on February 23rd, was spotted receiving flowers from Muslim students during his visit to the culturally rich Narathiwat province. Thaksin, it appears, continues to be an indelible figure in Thai politics despite holding no formal cabinet position. The latest bout of political theatrics is centered around a no-confidence motion targeting current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter, sparking a flurry of predictions that the opposition might, quite inevitably, veer into critiquing the former PM himself. Ms. Paetongtarn, brand new to the political rodeo, is under the magnifying glass, accused of lacking the gravitas, acumen, and proficiency needed to steer the helm of governance efficiently. On the blustery Friday morning, Phumtham emphasized that the discourse…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a vibrant display of local tradition and deeply-rooted superstition, the residents of Surin province recently gathered en masse at a celebrated temple. The occasion? The ceremonial erection of the main pillars for a new sermon hall, a moment steeped in both spiritual significance and communal purpose. Naturally, this auspicious event saw a colorful assembly of hopeful lottery enthusiasts, each eager to divine lucky numbers for the forthcoming lottery draw scheduled for March 1. Guided by the experienced hands of Somboon Wiset, the 50-year-old headman of Ban Mai Pattana village in Mueang district, the community united to replace the old, weathered structure with something new and magnificent. The decision to build the new sermon hall was reached collectively, as village committees and locals converged in agreement. The day kicked off with a merit-making ceremony—a harmonious blend of offerings and breakfast for the attending monks, setting an uplifting and festive atmosphere.…
The sleepy Nong Bua subdistrict of Ban Mo district was jolted into a state of panic on February 28, as a 44-year-old man, reportedly with mental health issues, inflicted a harrowing knife attack on his elderly father. What transpired was nothing short of a dramatic police standoff that left onlookers and residents in a swirl of fear and apprehension. At the heart of this chilling episode lies the elder victim, Chet, whose 76-year-old frame was found fraught with deep slash wounds across his wrist, arms, ankles, and head. With a dire need for immediate medical intervention, Chet was whisked away by the rapid responders from the valiant Sawang Rattanatrai Thammasathan Saraburi Rescue Foundation to the Ban Mo Hospital, where his fight for survival began. But the notoriety of this spectacle extended beyond Chet’s harrowing injuries. It lay in the daunting presence of the suspected assailant: Donbandan, brandishing a machete and…
As we bask in the dawn of a brand new year, Bangkok eagerly anticipates an extravaganza of colors, sounds, and cultural richness with the upcoming 2025 Yaowarat Chinese New Year Festival. Announced with fervor by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)—under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Wantanee Wattana, Permanent Secretary for the BMA—this festive celebration promises to be a harmonious blend of ancient traditions and modern celebrations. Held at an opulent press conference at the Grand China Bangkok Hotel nestled in the heart of the Samphanthawong District, the countdown to this annual gala has begun in earnest. Engineered to occur over two vibrant days, January 29 and 30, 2025, from noon until midnight, the festival shall unfurl its magic along the bustling Yaowarat Road. This monumental event, born from a tapestry of collaboration between the BMA, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and other pivotal bodies,…
The Election Commission (EC), led by its diligent secretary-general Sawang Boonmee, is making waves with their latest developments. Imagine them meticulously sorting through a staggering 577 reports of election infractions that popped up during last year’s Senate elections. Now, that’s a task that would make even the busiest of bees break a sweat! What’s happening in these Senate elections, you ask? Well, the whirlwind includes accusations as dramatic as a soap opera: bribery, dastardly vote-rigging, suspiciously pre-arranged voter lists, block voting tactics that would make a football huddle jealous, and candidates basking in abnormally high scores while others sulked with zeros. If you’re a fan of political intrigue, this is the story for you. But fear not, the EC is armed to the teeth with strategy and support. They’ve put together an advisory and coordination subcommittee to handle these snarled cases with surgical precision. Think of this team as the…
In an urgent move to address a burgeoning roadway safety issue, a Senate subcommittee focused on infrastructure and road vehicles has stepped forward with a clarion call for immediate measures aimed at curbing the alarming rate of road mishaps caused by towering double-decker buses. Spearheading this initiative is Surachai Liangboonlertchai, the dedicated chairman of the subcommittee, who convened a critical meeting yesterday, drawing together key sectors to delve into the unsettling findings of a preliminary probe into a recent calamitous incident. This tragedy, occurring along a stretch of Prachin Buri last Wednesday, claimed the lives of 19 individuals, leaving an additional 30 nursing injuries. The preliminary investigation strikingly pointed fingers towards the very design of these double-decker behemoths, citing it as the chief culprit in the accident. Surachai conveyed a consensus amongst experts, who are of the firm belief that these lofty giants are ill-fitted for the rigors of interprovincial…
Bangkok is taking a big leap toward a cleaner future, launching an inspiring initiative to manage city waste more efficiently and sustainably. Imagine a city where sorting rubbish is not just a good deed, but it saves you money! The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is encouraging residents to separate their organic waste from other types of garbage, and it’s not just an appeal; it’s tied to your wallet! The rules are simple yet impactful. Households that embrace the art of rubbish separation will enjoy the perk of continuing with the existing modest fee of 20 baht per month. But if you’re not sorting yet, brace yourself for a jump to 60 baht per month. These changes stem from the newly approved Bangkok Ordinance on the Fee for Waste Management Services. Agreed upon by the Bangkok Metropolitan Council and on the verge of debuting in the Royal Gazette, this law could…
With the upcoming Songkran festival just around the corner, speculation swirls once again about a potential homecoming for the former Prime Minister of Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra. Unfortunately for those anticipating a dramatic return, it seems that the iconic water festival will come and go without her presence in Thailand, much to the satisfaction of her long-time adversary, Dr. Warong Detkitvikrom. Dr. Warong, a prominent figure in Thai politics and now the chairman of the Thai Pakdee Party, earned his moniker as a fierce “buster of rice pledging corruption” for his role in unveiling the infamous rice-pledging scandal under Yingluck’s administration. This scandal, which involved large-scale government interventions in the rice market, has left an indelible scar on Thailand’s economic history, not to mention its politics. The rice-pledging scheme, active from 2011 to 2014, saw the government purchasing rice from farmers at prices significantly above market rates, leading to a staggering…
The sun’s rays shimmered off the ceremonial guards as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stepped into the 3rd Infantry Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, King’s Guard. With an air of determined resolve, she gathered with high-ranking officials to delve into a topic as contemporary as it is critical – the suppression of call centre scams, an issue that’s been gnawing at the integrity of the nation. In the steamy precincts of Sa Kaeo province, a stone’s throw from the Cambodian border, the premier vowed to tighten the screws on these cyber criminals. Her visit wasn’t just a ceremonious gesture; it was a robust statement of intent to dismantle the nefarious networks operating just beyond Thailand’s doorstep. With Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong at her side, Paetongtarn chaired a meeting brimming with a sense of urgency and purpose. Each attendee, from Pol…
As of today, March 1, 2025, the buzz around Thailand’s groundbreaking Entertainment Complex Bill is reaching a crescendo, as the government solicits feedback from various agencies. This ambitious bill, crafted to augment the nation’s tourism appeal and fortify its economic landscape, recently passed through the amendment stage by the Council of State (CoS). With the finish line in sight, Suksit Srijomkwan, the prime minister’s deputy secretary-general for political affairs, announced the bill’s impending presentation to the cabinet set for March 11. The cabinet gave its initial nod to this audacious proposal on January 13, marking a significant milestone in Thailand’s journey toward becoming a premier entertainment and tourism hub. The bill is not just about adding a few more attractions; it’s a carefully calculated leap toward economic rejuvenation through tourism and entertainment. What sets this bill apart is its strategic allocation of space within these entertainment complexes. Casinos, while tantalizing…