Athwart the country’s crisscrossing iron distant horizons, the railway police, affectionately known as the “train marshals”, have been an unwavering presence for seven decades and a bit. These silent guardians, whose duty originated following the advent of the contemporary Thai railway system during King Chulalongkorn’s reign, have been faithfully ensuring the safety of tireless trains and their passengers. However, the dawn of Tuesday will lower the curtains on these unsung heroes following an extensive reorganization of the Royal Thai Police (RTP). The imminent redeployment springs from the ambitious restructuring scheme envisaged under the National Police Act 2022. As per this transformative initiative, the railway police will join the ranks of their fellow colleagues positioned in different RTP departments. Their early origins can be traced back to their role as a “rail track patrol squad”, established in response to an escalating number of onboard criminal incidents. In the year 2005, this…
Posts published in “Thailand”
With a poignant embrace from a mother to her son at Suvarnabhumi airport, one of the 244 brave Thais who made it back home from Israel amidst the turmoil resonates deeply with the significance of their return. The photograph taken by Sutthiwit Chayutworakan encapsulates a moment of relief, a break in the storm for these tireless workers who had endured the conflict-bedeviled land of Israel. Saksit Wichitthongchai, one of the returnees, recollected his petrifying experiences with an invisible cloak of fear perpetually draped around him. The tales of living amidst sporadic gunfire, compliments of the Hamas terrorists – intimidating nearby work camps, echo the bravado and courage they exhibited while in the foreign land. Every night was a story of survival as every worker adhered to the alarming yet necessary ritual of carrying knives, forming an impromptu defense against the imminent danger. The terror of hearing about seven or eight…
Outstretched in the grasp of law-enforcement officers, an array of confiscated wildlife parts – antlers, tusks, pelts and more, lay in the aftermath of a two-year-old raid in Ratchaburi province. A grim testament to one individual’s illicit wildlife exploits. Pol Col Wanpichit Wattanasakmonta, the superintendent of Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division’s Sub-division 6, asserted the necessity of a harmonious coexistence between humanity and the natural world. “To protect wildlife is to safeguard our planet and its resources for future generations,” said the officer, dedicated to stemming wildlife trafficking, an unlawful industry amassing an estimated net worth of US$20 billion. Proudly hosting 10% of the planet’s diverse animal species, the allure of Thailand’s wildlife richness has unfortunately also made it a prime hotspot for illegal trade, serving as a source, crossing path and final stop. The situation, although alarming, has seen significant improvements over years. Species openly marketed…
The world-renowned Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup, celebrated as the globe’s most advantageous business-related golf event, etched its inimitable imprint in the heart of Bangkok on the momentous date of October 16, 2023. To the backdrop of the prestigious Thai Country Club, this tournament was masterfully facilitated by Turkish Airlines, recognised globally as the foremost airline known for bridging more nations than any other airline in operation. Borne out of the ambitious vision in 2013, the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup now stands as a beacon uniting an impressive assemblage of over 8,000 passionate golf aficionados competing in roughly 88 dynamic competitions scattered around the world. The Bangkok face-off signed the 76th edition of this highly-awaited event into the annals of golfing history. This unique tournament amalgamates talent and passion, paving a direct route to the illustrious Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup Grand Finals slated to create ripples later in…
On a momentous day marking the end of an era, the Railway Police Division (RPD), an integral unit of the National Police Bureau, will cease to exist from Tuesday, October 17. The RPD, which has been ensuring the safety and security of railway systems since 1894, will be assimilated into various wings under the National Police Bureau. Originally initiated under the name Railway Security Unit during the rule of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), the railway police undertook a series of transformations and reorganisations before evolving into the Railway Police Division. With outposts dotted across the country, the division has worked tirelessly to maintain order and safety within the vast and complex railway ecosystem. The primary responsibilities of RPD officers range from supervising investigations related to the railway system, to fighting against criminal activities within its purview. The division exercises its jurisdiction over a sprawling railway network that encompasses over 450…
At present, the temperature in Bangkok and surrounding areas is forecasted to experience a welcomed chill, with temperatures anticipated to drop to 25-27 degrees Celsius. The nation’s capital can expect mostly clear skies with little to no rainfall. Current weather conditions are being influenced by a moderate-pressure ridge making its way through the eastern and southern upper regions and moving onward to the central South China Sea. Simultaneously, a powerful low-pressure system is sweeping over the central part of the southern South China Sea. This climate event is significantly impacting the lower southern region, the Gulf of Thailand and sections of the Andaman Sea. This unique combination of weather patterns is set to bring about scattered thundershowers and bouts of heavy to intense rainfall over parts of the South. Inhabitants living in these areas have been cautioned about potential flash floods and landslides. This warning being particularly pertinent for residents…
In an effort to safeguard the welfare of Thai employees stationed overseas, particularly in increasingly volatile locations such as Israel, the ministry is laying out an extensive support plan. Designed specifically to cater to the needs of the Thai workforce, the plan also offers beneficial relief to Thai families back home. Strategically devised support structures involve four imperative measures: The ministry is prepared to distribute financial assistance amounting to 15,000 baht to each eligible worker upon their arrival in Thailand. This fund is specifically established for aiding workers employed overseas, giving them a significant boost upon repatriation. Furthermore, the Labour Ministry is committed to facilitating the return of Thai workers back to Israel once the ongoing war dissipates. The option for return will be completely voluntary, catering to personal comfort and readiness in taking on the next stint. Workers who choose not to return to Israel can contact the ministry…
Unveiled realities in the Land of Smiles have painted a distressing picture – Thailand, reputed for its vibrant culture and lush landscapes, has officially entered into the sphere of an ageing society. As stated by renown scholars at a seminar held in 2020, a staggering 20% of Thailand’s populace, represented by around 12.9 million people, have surpassed the age of 60. This exigent issue has been brought forth by four esteemed organizations that organized the seminar. The quartet, comprising the Thailand Consumer Council, People’s Network for the Welfare State, Welfare State Network for Equality and Fairness (We Fair), and the distinguished Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Economics, lamented a disconcerting truth – that Thailand is still in the shadows when it comes to providing an adequate welfare system for the elderly. Examining the current scenario, every Thai national who has crossed the 60-years threshold receives a monthly remittance varying from 600…
In a decidedly anticipatory strategy, the customary weekly Cabinet session was held a day early in the wake of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s impending visit to China. This maneuver was shared by Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who highlighted the implementation of the 20-baht fare policy, a crucial feature in the “Quick Win” election pledges that were made to the electorate by the dominant political party, Pheu Thai Party. Before this modification, the tariff for the two railway lines varied, fluctuating between 14 baht and 42 baht, the determining factor being the journey distance. In this setup, a standard 20-baht rate was initially experimented with on two specific routes: the Purple Line running from Taopoon to Bang Phai, a distance of 23 kilometres hosting 16 stations, and the Red Line connecting Bang Sue to Taling Chan over 26 kilometres with 10 stations, and from Bang Sue to Rangsit, spanning 15 kilometres…
In Thailand, the path to democracy has been an ongoing and intense struggle. This was emphasised at a recent public forum organized in honor of the gallant students and pro-democracy advocates who lost their lives during a period of military tyranny, half a century ago. This event served as a stark reminder of the distance yet to be covered since the notable October 14, 1973, revolt. The forum, engineered by the October 14 Institute Foundation, was held at the esteemed Royal Rattanakosin Hotel. The event attracted a wide spectrum of attendees, ranging from survivors of the historic uprising to those intrigued by Thailand’s democratic evolution. The forum’s leading speaker, Peerapol Triyakasem, the foundation’s chairman, shed light on the pivotal nature of the 1973 student revolt, which sowed the seed of Thailand’s democratic movement. According to him, the rebel movement was an attempt to liberate the nation from the stranglehold of…