Picture a bustling, vibrant hub teeming with eager shoppers, both international and local, seeking out the best of what Thailand has to offer. Now imagine that this whirlwind of commerce and culture is set to evolve into the very heart of Thailand’s soft power movement. Enter Chatuchak Weekend Market, a jewel in Bangkok’s crown—and soon to be much more than just a shopping paradise. The National Committee on Soft Power Development, headed by the ever-visionary Surapong Suebwonglee, is spearheading an ambitious plan to transform the celebrated Chatuchak Market into a nexus of cultural and creative expression. With an impressive spike in the soft power budget from 635 million baht in the 2024 fiscal year to a whopping 2.3 billion baht for 2025, the stage is set for a remarkable evolution. Weekends at Chatuchak are already a spectacle. Imagine throngs of 80,000 tourists daily, swelling to 300,000 during peak times, all…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The curtains fell on yet another memorable chapter of self-discovery and socio-cultural transformation as the Dragonfly H.E.A.L. (Harmony, Empathy, Acceptance, Love) Summit 2024 wrapped up its vibrant two-day run in the bustling heart of Bangkok. Drawing a spirited crowd of more than 2,000 attendees, this hallmark event played host to an ensemble of renowned speakers, immersive activities, and fertile networking opportunities, leaving participants buzzing with inspiration and fresh perspectives. Riding on the waves of this electrifying success, Dragonfly, a prominent catalyst for social change across Asia, heralded a new era with the introduction of an innovative leadership academy and an immersive retreat set amidst the serene landscapes of Bali. This groundbreaking event convened thought leaders, dynamic changemakers, and wellness advocates from all corners of the globe, united in a shared quest for personal exploration, profound connection, and transformative impact. Among the illustrious speakers was the inimitable British entrepreneur, Steven Bartlett.…
Renewable energy is shining brightly on the world’s stage and in the bustling Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with Thailand positioned as a major player in this green revolution. From a modest start, renewable energy in APAC is flexing its muscles, growing at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%. Fast forward to 2030, and renewables might just be lighting up 30% to 50% of the power grids throughout many APAC markets. This burgeoning potential is a vibrant canvas of opportunities and hurdles for renewable energy trailblazers, investors, and operators, as detailed in Boston Consulting Group (BCG)’s insightful report, “Asia Pacific is Ready for Renewables. Are Energy Players?” Understanding the twists and turns unique to each market is crucial in this arena, requiring a strategic touch finely tuned to local nuances. The stakes are high, with the International Energy Agency forecasting a hefty US$286 billion to flow into APAC renewable…
Recently, the spotlight shone brightly on IRPC Public Co., Ltd. (IRPC), where the energy of innovation was matched only by the gleaming trophy they clinched. Under the stewardship of the illustrious Terdkiat Prommool, who dons the hat of President and Chief Executive Officer, IRPC bagged the prestigious Business Excellence Award for their groundbreaking strides in innovation. This award ceremony, draped with the grandeur of the 2024 SET Awards, saw the likes of Asadej Kongsiri, the discerning Director of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, bestowing this honor. The buzz was centered around IRPC’s revolutionary phthalate-free polypropylene (PP) innovation. These advanced PP pellets, crafted with the avant-garde Non-Phthalate Catalyst technology, are not just your ordinary plastics. They are a promise of safety, designed meticulously for applications in medical products and food packaging, ensuring consumers can trust the materials that play such crucial roles in their lives. When you dig a little deeper,…
Imagine waking up to a brisk morning, where the air feels like a crisp whisper against your skin, hinting at the magical day ahead. That’s exactly the experience thousands of lucky tourists are savoring at Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai. This past Monday, this majestic peak, which happens to be Thailand’s tallest mountain, decided to share its cool charm, with the mercury dipping to a refreshing 7°C. It marked the chilliest morning of the season, and naturally, the allure of the crisp air has become an irresistible siren call to visitors from near and far. Sunday was a bustling day for the mountain, as 4,088 spirited explorers made their way to the 1,850-meter-high summit. Of these, 2,969 were adventurers hailing from across Thailand, while the remaining 1,119 courageously ventured from various parts of the globe, showcasing the mountain’s international appeal. The picturesque convoy of 1,302 vehicles snaking up the peaks…
Prepare to have your mind blown as SF Corporation Public Company Limited unveils a spectacular new chapter in cinematic history with the launch of Thailand’s very first fully laser-projected and DTS Surround Cinema. Nestled in the vibrant city center of Yala, the gleaming SF Cinema Lotus Yala stands as a testament to groundbreaking innovation and entertainment excellence. Here, cinematic magic meets cutting-edge technology to deliver an experience like no other. The genius behind this visionary project, Suwat Thongrompho, CEO of SF Corporation, proudly announces this avant-garde addition to the entertainment landscape. Themed as “Hollywood City,” the Lotus Yala branch transports Yala’s movie enthusiasts into a dazzling cityscape of top-tier cinema. “SF Cinema Lotus Yala offers a stunning, contemporary venue featuring three theaters and a total of 521 seats, meticulously designed to provide an unparalleled movie experience,” Thongrompho beams with excitement. At the heart of this masterpiece is the cinema’s state-of-the-art…
Chiang Mai is buzzing with excitement, as approximately 85% of its hotel rooms have been snapped up by eager tourists planning to dive into the enchanting festivities of the Loy Krathong festival. This annual celebration, which is predicted to pour an impressive 2 billion baht into the province’s coffers, promises a spectacle that hypnotizes every guest with its cultural grandeur. Pallop Saejiew, the illustrious head of the Chiang Mai Tourism Council, shared that the city boasts around 60,000 rooms, with a staggering 50,000 already booked by revelers gearing up for the celebrations slated between November 14 and 17. This period offers visitors a front-row seat to the mesmerising Loy Krathong festival, locally adored as Yi Peng. This year’s festival serendipitously coincides with the full moon on the 15th of November, casting an ethereal glow over Chiang Mai’s night skies. On the nights of November 15th and 16th, watch as throngs…
Picture this: Thailand, a country known for its delicious cuisine, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality, is now on a mission to share another one of its treasures with the world—its skilled workforce! Under the dynamic leadership of Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand is gearing up to send waves of talented Thai workers to Singapore, especially in the bustling shipyard sector. And why, you might ask, is Singapore the lucky recipient of such a workforce windfall? Let’s dive into the exciting details. Over a productive weekend jaunt to the Lion City, Labour Minister Phiphat, alongside the dedicated permanent secretary Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, engaged in some strategic dialogue with Singaporean officials at the Labour Office, local business magnates, and even had a chitchat with Ureerat Chareontoh, the ever-gracious Ambassador of Thailand to Singapore. The venue for this strategic exchange? The welcoming halls of the Thai embassy nestled in Singapore. Now, let’s talk numbers.…
In the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, a group of curious students recently embarked on a fascinating tour to the Department of City Planning, where they caught a glimpse of an intriguing scale model of their booming metropolis. Their adventure, however, was not merely an academic exercise. It was a firsthand encounter with a city in the throes of transformation, as plans for its future continue to stir debate and controversy. The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) is poised to file a petition with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) this Wednesday. Their concern? The Bangkok city plan, now in its fourth revision, is allegedly plagued by procedural flaws that undermine the rights of its citizens. Itboon Onwongsa, deputy secretary-general of the TCC, passionately voiced these concerns during a forum aptly named “Justice City” held on a lively Saturday. “It’s a matter of citizens’ rights,” he declared to an engaged audience.…
The intrigue surrounding former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s detention at the Police General Hospital (PGH) has reached the corridors of power, as a House committee gears up to delve into claims of preferential treatment. This Thursday’s congressional rendezvous seeks not only to chart a course for reforming the justice system but also to untangle the allegations that Thaksin basked in VIP detention privileges. At the helm of this probing expedition is the committee on state security, border affairs, national strategy, and reform, ably led by the charismatic Rangsiman Rome, a list MP hailing from the gritty opposition front, the People’s Party. To unravel this tangled web, the committee plans to invite a roster of officials to spill the beans, including Seri Ruam Thai Party leader Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, PDH physician Pol Lt Gen Taweesilp Wechawitarn, and the stalwart director of…