In the midst of the political whirlwind that has recently engulfed the Thai political arena, Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga found himself under the spotlight in a packed parliament session on that fateful September 12, 2023. His words were measured, but it was the fervor outside the parliament walls that turned heads. Political activist Sonthiya Sawasdee had set the stage for a drama of potential constitutional intrigue by calling upon the Election Commission (EC) to diligently scrutinize Pirapan’s shareholdings in four, count them, four different companies. It promised to be quite the spectacle. Sonthiya didn’t just drop verbal bombshells; he brought a stack of evidence to support his claims, ensuring that the accusations of constitutional breach didn’t fall flat. His previous petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had already painted Pirapan as a minister allegedly gaining perks from his stakes in these companies, even after transferring them to a trust…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a stirring twist of tragic events unfurled in the lively city of Bangkok, two young suspects found themselves in the spotlight of an unfolding drama of crime and consequence. It all began on a bustling day, May 3, when the usually lively Soi Nuanchan 22 bore witness to a chilling encounter. A 34-year-old man met his demise under a hail of bullets—approximately 15, to be precise—fired from atop a red PCX motorcycle, cunningly stripped of any identifying license plate. The assailants, with daring audacity, vanished into the ether of Bangkok’s labyrinthine roads. Fast forward to May 6, and the gears of justice are grinding fervently under the watchful eye of Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, whose stern resolve is as unyielding as the heat of the Thai sun. It was on this day, guided by the directives of a warrant issued by the formidable Criminal Court, that the apprehension…
The Koh Sukorn watermelon has officially earned its stripes as Thailand’s first-ever GI-certified watermelon variety, creating a ripple of excitement on the quaint island in Trang province. This remarkable announcement was made by none other than Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang, and it’s nothing short of a triumphant anthem for local identity and agricultural pride. “This sweet, sea-grown watermelon is a gem,” Napintorn enthusiastically shared. “With its exquisite flavor, fine texture, and vivid flesh, it’s not just unique in taste but also in its origin.” Indeed, the Koh Sukorn watermelon stands out with its distinctive light green rind and vibrant interior that waltzes between red, orange, and deep yellow hues. Its natural sweetness owes much to the island’s fertile soil and the caressing whispers of the coastal climate, neatly differentiating it from its landlocked counterparts. A local legend swirls around the island, claiming that a Chinese sea captain introduced the…
Life in Phuket was recently overshadowed by a sorrowful sequence of events as the vibrant island found itself grappling with the news of two tragic suicides. In what seemed like a nightmare unfolding in the early hours of May 5th, authorities and locals alike were left reeling from two heartbreaking incidents that occurred just hours apart. The first heart-rending discovery unfolded around 8:45 AM when Police Lieutenant Colonel Surachat Thongyai from Patong Police Station received a nerve-jangling report. It was an apparent suicide at a hotel under renovation on the well-known Phra Metta Road in Patong. Promptly gathering a team, Surachat coordinated with a forensic doctor from Vachira Phuket Hospital, as well as experts from the Phuket Provincial Forensic Science Division, to meticulously examine the scene. Upon their arrival, the investigators were met with the somber sight of a foreign gentleman whose life had tragically come to an end. The…
In a tale that sounds more fit for a dramatic television series than a bustling Thai market, it appears our sweet-toothed entrepreneur Anusara has found herself enlisted not in a culinary exchange, but a dizzying tango of alleged deceit and pastries! Imagine whisking away your morning to produce the delicate confections of Thai dessert Heaven, only to find your trust misplaced and your painstakingly crafted goodies at the center of a financial trickery—what a bittersweet confectionery conundrum! Let us unravel the story that unfolded in the vibrant setting of the Save One Market in Nonthaburi, where 31-year-old homemaker and skilled dessert artisan Anusara, who can create sweets as appealing to the eye as they are to the taste buds, placed not just her valuable ingredients into 470 boxes of mouthwatering desserts, but her faith in the hands of one young vendor by the name of Phornchanok. It all started on…
Once a beacon of ambition and political prowess, the Sappaya-Sapasathan building in Bangkok has been the talk of the town since the momentous decision to erect its foundation back in 2013. Initially, this grand architectural project was poised to crown the cityscape by late 2015. However, much like an unpredictable plot twist in a thrilling novel, the actual completion lagged until July 2019, with costs escalating from an anticipated 13 billion baht to a staggering 24 billion baht. (Thank you, Nittaya Nattayai, for the visual insight!) Fast forward to today, as the sun rises over 2025, the conversation buzzes around the quite necessary renovations of this parliamentary giant. According to Paradorn Prissanananthakul, a deputy House speaker with perhaps the longest last name in parliamentary history, these renovations target more than just aesthetics—they aim to plug the fiscal leaks caused by our committees’ current practice of renting hotel rooms for seminars.…
As the sun rises over the bustling streets of Thailand, there’s a peculiar yet familiar trend that emerges as the academic year draws near. Parents, armed with determination and the hope of a brighter future for their children, are frequenting pawn shops more than ever. It’s that time of year when school uniforms and the myriad of educational essentials become an unwavering priority. May 16th marks the beginning of a new school term, and to meet the anticipated surge, pawn shops across the nation are gearing up by bolstering their cash reserves. In the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, often called Korat, municipality-operated pawn shops are preparing an impressive arsenal of financial support. Across its three city branches, a whopping 300 million baht has been set aside, with enticing low-interest rates to aid parents in their time of need. Siriphan Kuanha, the manager of the city’s bustling second branch, confidently assured…
In the heart of Rayong, a poignant saga of family, hardship, and heartache has unfolded. The unexpected hero and victim, a 34-year-old woman named Pan, has left behind a legacy that ties money to a tale of who cared and who reaped from her distress. Pan bravely fought oral cancer, a costly battle she could not wage alone, ultimately leaving her disabled and financially strained. Her story struck a chord, rippling through the hearts of many as the bleak details were shared publicly. Miraculously, a donation campaign raised over 7 million baht, shine of hope to fund her plight. Despite these efforts, fate had a cruel twist; Pan succumbed to cancer in September last year. As if orchestrating her affairs with divine foresight, Pan had drafted a will that directed the allocation of the remaining 4.8 million baht, a testament to who stood by her side when life was bleakest.…
In a significant update that affects many across Thailand, the Department of Comptroller General has published the revised welfare schedule for state welfare cardholders this May. It’s a tale of fiscal relief rolled out thoughtfully over two phases. Deputy Director General Tiwaporn Phasuk, the vanguard of this initiative, enthusiastically confirms the specifics, making a public appeal to all beneficiaries to swiftly verify their eligibility and make the most of these advantages. As the clock struck on May 1, eligible cardholders saw a pleasant surprise slide into their provisions bag: A 300 baht monthly spending allowance arrived, ready to be redeemed for essential goods at approved shops. This sweet stipend, however, comes with a catch — it’s a “use it or lose it” deal, cash withdrawal or rollover won’t fly here. An 80 baht discount on cooking gas, sparking flames of relief in kitchens across the country, becomes available once every…
This morning, under the cloak of night, the serene province of Nong Bua Lamphu was punctuated by a seismic whisper. At precisely 1:36 a.m. on May 6, the earth sent gentle ripples through the Boon Than subdistrict of Suwannakhuha district. Registering a modest 3.0 on the Richter scale, this earthquake originated from a depth of 4 kilometers, its epicenter nestled beneath the quaint villages of Boon Than and Saeng Arun. While the earth’s rumblings were felt by the slumbering residents, there was little cause for alarm. After all, in this region, the Loei Suture—a well-known geological fault line—has been gently shaking off its dust for quite some time. This recent tremor echoes the precedents set by its predecessors: a 3.4-magnitude quake in 2018, a 3.8 in 2020, and a gentle 2.6 just last year. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the meteorological station stationed in Loei province, these tremors are…