In a move to brace their economic fortresses against the stormy seas of global unpredictability, ASEAN ministers have pledged to join hands with their prime trading allies. According to Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan, they are determined to bolster economic collaborations amidst tribulations like the looming US tariffs. Yesterday, a lively teleconference buzzed with discussions, uniting ASEAN economic ministers with their counterparts from China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. This virtual conclave coincided with a vibrant ASEAN Economic Community Council meeting nestled in the bustling heart of Kuala Lumpur. The ministers, with a fierce gaze on the future, underscored the critical necessity for ASEAN and its partners to bolster a multilateral trading system. A system rooted in the principles of predictability, transparency, and freedom dovetails perfectly with the core framework provided by the World Trade Organization. It’s like setting the sails for a fair and inclusive trade journey, promising sustainability for…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Picture a sun-drenched afternoon at the Chan Song La residence, where former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra enjoys a leisurely moment by the pool. This serene scene contrasts sharply with the brewing storm between the Ministry of Public Health and the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT), a storm threatening to reshape the landscape of medical independence in the country. The friction has been ignited by the Medical Council’s bold move to discipline three doctors concerning Thaksin’s controversial hospital sojourn at the Police General Hospital (PGH). After a close examination on May 8, the council accused these esteemed physicians of providing misleading medical reports that allowed Thaksin to spend his prison sentence within the plush confines of a hospital suite, rather than a cell, under the pretext of critical illness. While the council meted out stern actions—a formal warning to one doctor and suspension of medical licenses for two others—Minister Somsak Thepsutin…
In the enchanting city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia and Thailand are embarking on a captivating journey of collaboration, weaving the threads of sustainable tourism and shared Buddhist heritage into a rich tapestry of cultural diplomacy. This endeavor aims to uplift local communities and safeguard sacred sites, and it took center stage at the “Waisak di Borobudur 2025” celebration on May 12 at the awe-inspiring Borobudur Temple in Central Java. Co-organized by InJourney, Indonesia’s state-owned tourism enterprise, and Walubi, the Federation of Buddhist Organizations, this event brought together monks, officials, and tourism luminaries from across Southeast Asia. Even as pesky challenges like the dearth of direct flights from Bangkok to Yogyakarta persist, officials remain undeterred. They are optimistic that the shared love for Buddhism and eco-tourism can forge a platform for enduring collaboration. “Thailand and Indonesia are connected by more than just religious ties; we share profoundly common values,” enthused Ms. Febrina…
Step right into the intriguing saga that unfolded within the cozy confines of a 14th-floor room at the Police General Hospital. This wasn’t just any room—it was the plush haven where the former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, found himself engaged in what some might call an unusual type of house arrest, but more on that later! Imagine a cadre of senior physicians from the esteemed Chulalongkorn University, gathering like superheroes of medical ethics to stand firmly behind the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) as it flexed its disciplinary muscles. The focus? Three doctors whose pens seemed to write their own narrative regarding Thaksin’s medical condition, managing to keep him hospital-bound instead of jail-bound—a curious case indeed! Our ensemble of medical heroes, all alumni of Chulalongkorn’s vaunted 27th medical class, cheerfully drew up a statement that would make anyone sit up and take notice. With 41 signatures burning through the page, they…
In a twist of melody and might, the legendary troubadour of Thailand, Yuenyong Opakul—forever known in the hearts of many as “Ad Carabao”—has raised his voice against the tides of controversy. With the strum of conviction that parallels his iconic tunes, Ad Carabao has firmly opposed the colossal casino-entertainment project being placed on the table, asserting that such ventures are like a tempest in a teapot, generating more harm than harmony. Pouring out his thoughts with the same fervor that fuels his music, Yuenyong, who also champions the cause as the president of the Thai Cockfighting Association, took to Facebook to articulate his concerns. His virtual bullhorn rang clear—casinos and the digital dazzle of online gambling should be strictly off the books in Thailand. A warning laced with wisdom: these enterprises could bring about calamities rather than casinos, turning winners into whiners and fortunes into fiascos. “Now, let’s not meander…
In a rather intriguing turn of events in Nonthaburi just last month, cardboard cutouts of Paetongtarn, Thaksin, and Yingluck Shinawatra became the unlikely backdrop for visitors snapping pictures at a community development project. This splashy photo opportunity soon gave way to a storm brewing on the political horizon as the Pheu Thai Party rallied to the side of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The party, undeterred by legal setbacks, is staking its reputation on challenging a court order demanding Yingluck pay a whopping 10 billion baht in compensation linked to the notorious rice-pledging scheme from yesteryears. Pheu Thai’s spokesperson, the ever-diplomatic Danuporn Punnakanta, took to the stage in a press conference, laying out the party’s strategy with the reverent solemnity of a courtroom drama. While the Supreme Administrative Court’s stance seemed like a cold, hard gavel slam, the Pheu Thai Party, with Danuporn at the helm, declared their intent to…
In the sultry heart of Phuket, long after the clock had struck midnight, chaos erupted on a quiet road near the bustling Chamcha Market. What started as a typical quarrel between two factions of youngsters turned into a scene reminiscent of an action film, marking the early hours of May 25th as unforgettable for this Thai town. Under the moonlit sky, Police Lieutenant Sumet Phetruenthong got the first crackle of the police radio at 12:35 a.m. Reports flooded in about vehicles weaving dangerously in pursuit, gunfire cracking the night, and oversized firecrackers exploding with indiscriminate vigor. It was the kind of pandemonium that demands both urgency and tact. By the time law enforcement arrived, several of the young rebels had taken refuge inside a market shop, seeking sanctuary from their assailants. However, this risky game of cat and mouse proceeded into the shop, with no regard for the safety of…
In a tale reminiscent of a thrilling mystery novel, the scenic Phanom Thuan district in Kanchanaburi province has found itself enveloped in an enigma following the untimely and unexplained death of the 28-year-old Phattaraphon Khongklan, endearingly known as Looktan. The mystery has unfolded with the dim shadows of suspicion and intrigue hanging heavily over this peaceful locale, as local authorities grapple to unravel the riddles surrounding this case. The story begins in a seemingly placid corner of Ban Don Samrong, where the oppressive quiet was shattered by grim news out of a tightly locked, single-storey concrete residence. At 12:30 PM on May 24, Police Lieutenant Naphum Sukprasert, a diligent Deputy Inspector at Phanom Thuan Provincial Police Station, heeded the peculiar reports of a noxious odor emanating from within. This tells a perfect beginning for what would unfold as a spine-tingling narrative. Upon entering the house, it was clear that something…
In a shocking tale of violence and desperation that unfolded on May 24 in the tranquil vistas of Trang Province, a young conscripted soldier, influenced by illicit substances, embarked on a chilling rampage that left his family and community reeling. The chaotic incident began when 23-year-old Thanaphat, laden with the burden of narcotics, attacked his unsuspecting nephew with a machete. This brutal act of aggression resulted in severe injuries to the young rubber tapper, Attaphon, who was swiftly transported to the Had Samran Chalerm Phrakiat 80th Anniversary Hospital before being transferred to Trang Central Hospital due to the gravity of his condition. Following the vicious attack, the scene took an even more dramatic turn. Like a scene from a suspense thriller, Thanaphat, driven by a mix of panic and paranoia, fled into the surrounding wilderness, hiding behind the cloak of dense foliage and humid air. Leaving the machete behind in…
In a surprising turn of events, two political heavyweights of Thailand’s tumultuous political landscape decided to bury their hatchets on a sunny Sunday at Thammasat University in Bangkok. Sondhi Limthongkul and Jatuporn Prompan, once staunch adversaries on opposite sides of the battle surrounding former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, demonstrated a newfound camaraderie by embracing on stage. This symbolic gesture, captured vibrantly on the social media page of Sondhi Talk, heralded not just a personal truce but also an alliance against an unexpected common target – the father of Thailand’s current prime minister. The history between these two is bound up with the contentious legacy of Thaksin Shinawatra. Sondhi, once leading the charge against Thaksin through his ASTV satellite television channel, fronted the yellow-shirt People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement. Under his guidance, thousands thronged the streets of Bangkok in mid-2006 with cries for Thaksin’s ouster, which was realized when an…