On June 18, a sea of supporters of the Move Forward Party (MFP) rallied in front of the Constitutional Court, united in their stand against the looming threat of the party’s disbandment. A woman boldly held a placard that read, “Don’t hurt the feelings of 14.5 million people who voted for Move Forward.” Beside her, another passionate supporter echoed the sentiment with a sign that proclaimed, “Move Forward enters the election through the democratic system. Respect people’s votes. Opposing the dissolution of Move Forward.” The palpable energy of the crowd resonated with the cries of democracy and justice. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) Mark your calendars for July 17, a date charged with significance for Thai politics. This is when the Constitutional Court will reconvene to deliberate the fate of the Move Forward Party (MFP) in the highly anticipated dissolution case. The court had previously met on Wednesday to evaluate a petition…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a striking turn of events, Khlong Chong Nonsi canal may just become Bangkok’s newest green sanctuary without losing its urban charm. Trees lining this historic canal are being preserved and cared for like cherished relics, despite widespread social media hysteria over their potential destruction. The city’s Public Works Department, collaborating with landscape experts, has set the tone for a project that aims to seamlessly blend nature and modern infrastructure. From Surawong Junction to Rama 3 Road, the beautification project is a labor of love and respect for nature. The primary goal? To retain as much flora as possible, ensuring the least disruption to the existing greenery. According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s spokesperson, Aekvarunyoo Ampala, the revitalization project is a meticulous endeavor that strives to balance urban development with ecological sensitivity. Before the spades hit the ground, an extensive evaluation of the 284 trees along the 1.6 kilometers stretch…
Imagine standing before a wonderscape of nature’s most uncanny masterpieces—this is what awaits you at the Phu Phrabat Historical Park in Udon Thani, Thailand. One of the park’s most enigmatic formations is Hor Nang Usa, part of a series of incredible rock structures that have been shaped by both time and the belief systems of ancient civilizations. These epic boulders and natural monuments could soon be recognized globally, as the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) anticipates that Phu Phrabat will be declared a UNESCO world heritage site at a meeting in India later this month. If the application is approved, it will mark the second consecutive year that Thailand has celebrated the elevation of a site to world heritage status. Just last year, the Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Dvaravati-era monuments in Phetchabun were honored, bringing Thailand pride and international attention. The official…
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) made a big announcement that has train enthusiasts and travelers buzzing with anticipation. Mark your calendars for July 19, because that’s when the international train service connecting the bustling city of Bangkok with the serene capital of Laos, Vientiane, is set to officially launch. (Photo: @pr.railway Facebook) This new railway journey is an exciting extension of the existing Bangkok-Nong Khai route. The inaugural trip will kick off from the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station, also known as Bangkok Central, at precisely 9.25 PM on July 19. After a night under the stars and through the landscapes, passengers will roll into Vientiane’s Khamsavath station at 9.05 AM on July 20. Talk about an overnight adventure! Once you’ve stepped off the train in Vientiane, the adventure is far from over. Public transport options, including vans and taxis, are readily available to whisk you off to…
Omega-3 fish oil capsules and a whole array of similar health-boosting products have become staples for consumers keen on boosting their overall well-being. (Photo: Jernej Furman via Wikimedia Commons) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently provided clear guidelines regarding the conditions under which producers of so-called functional food products can make basic health claims on their packaging without necessitating prior approval from the regulator. This move aims to enhance the prospects for the thriving food supplements and related products sector, which is estimated to be a 100-billion-baht-a-year industry, according to Lertchai Lertvut, the deputy secretary-general of the FDA. Presenting accurate and factual information about the nutritional and health benefits of products empowers consumers to make well-informed choices. The FDA permits only those health claims that are substantiated, credible, and validated, underscoring Mr. Lertchai. The messaging on a product’s package must comply with at least one of the three…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, in a groundbreaking meeting at Government House in Bangkok, welcomed Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the influential group chairman and CEO of DP World, on a bright Wednesday morning. (Photo: Government House) DP World, the Dubai-based colossus in global supply chain and logistics, has expressed a keen interest in diving into ambitious domestic projects, notably the mammoth 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject. In this high-stakes rendezvous, Prime Minister Srettha and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem explored a treasure trove of investment opportunities that could very well reshape the economic landscape of Thailand. During the engaging discussion, the prime minister passionately articulated his visionary outlook for Thailand, spotlighting the kingdom’s potential to morph into a bustling regional transport hub. “We delved deep into the economic pulse and charted the future course for investments across various projects in Thailand. It’s about leveraging our prized geographical location, bridging the Indian Ocean and…
In a sudden and shocking turn of events, a highly respected senior judge has found himself in the midst of an intense legal storm. With allegations of inappropriate conduct clouding his once stellar reputation, the judge has been temporarily reassigned to an inactive post as an investigation gets underway. According to an inside source within the Court of Justice, this dramatic shift is set to shake up the judiciary. The Supreme Court president, wielding the gavel of authority, executed the order on Tuesday, confirming the judge’s temporary reassignment to the Office of the President of the Supreme Court. In a swift response to maintain judicial order, Judge Jumpol Chuwong has been appointed to act as the interim chief judge. The entire legal community is abuzz with the news that this transfer stems from a formal complaint filed on June 25 with both the Office of the Court of Justice and…
The Election Commission chairman, Ittiporn Boonpracong, addressed the media in Nonthaburi on June 26, coinciding with the final stage of the Senate election process. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) The Election Commission (EC) has put off indefinitely the official announcement of the certified results from the Senate election, citing pending issues that still need resolution. Ittiporn Boonpracong, the EC’s chairman, clarified that this action should not be regarded as a postponement. He emphasized that the originally planned date of July 3 was merely a tentative one for announcing the results. The organic law governing Senate composition doesn’t specify an exact timeline for declaring the vote results. It mandates only that the EC reserves five days post-final round of the election to handle any complaints. “The EC will announce the certified results once it is assured the election was clean, fair, and lawful,” assured Mr. Ittiporn. When pressed about the specific issues delaying…
As thick clouds of smoke rise into the azure sky of Nonthaburi, the sight is a testament to the age-old practice of setting rice fields ablaze to clear away the dry rice straw left after the harvest. While this might be a familiar scene in the rural heartlands of Thailand, it has sparked a series of dedicated actions at the highest levels to combat the resulting haze pollution. This commitment was recently reaffirmed by Thailand’s Environment Minister, Phatcharavat Wongsuwan. In a prominent assembly on Wednesday, held as part of an ASEAN sub-regional ministerial committee on haze pollution in bustling Bangkok, the minister underscored Thailand’s enduring pledge to tackle the pervasive problem of transboundary haze pollution. The event boasted an impressive gathering of delegates from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, with Timor-Leste, an aspiring ASEAN member, attending as an observer. Minister Phatcharavat passionately acknowledged the unwavering efforts of these member…
The tropical breezes of the Gulf of Thailand carry tales of adventure and intrigue, but none quite as captivating as the saga that unfurled last month. Picture a crisp marine police boat gliding through the waves, escorting not one, not two, but three oil-smuggling ships that had mysteriously vanished. These elusive vessels, spotted skirting dangerously close to Malaysian waters, were finally returning to the bustling Port of Songkhla. And just like that, the first chapter of this nautical mystery came to a dramatic close. Yet, the story behind the scenes was even more complex. Three marine police officers are now staring down the barrel of severe disciplinary action after failing to keep tabs on the impounded oil smugglers’ vessels. June 11 was a fateful day at the marine police pier in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district, where the ships pulled a vanishing act worthy of a Houdini encore. Pol Maj Gen…