Amidst the soft swaying of palm trees and the soothing hum of the ferry to Koh Kut, an unexpected storm brews, not in the sky, but in the political realm. It’s October 12, 2024, and holidaymakers are blissfully unaware of the swirling controversy that has captured the attention of the country’s Defense Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai. The picturesque island of Koh Kut, nestled in Trat province, is at the heart of a political snafu that threatens to muddy waters on both diplomatic and resource fronts. Phumtham, who wears the dual hat of Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, has taken a firm stand against the initiative by political activists who aim to challenge a memorandum of understanding (MoU) dating back to 2001. This MoU, a relic from the administration of Thaksin Shinawatra, has become a touchstone for debates over boundary lines and resource exploitation between Thailand and Cambodia. In vociferous terms,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a gripping unfolding of regional dynamics, Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has taken a resolute stance against a recent move by political activists. These activists have petitioned the Constitutional Court to nullify the 2001 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Thailand and Cambodia, a relic of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s administration. Mr. Phumtham, who also serves with distinction as a deputy prime minister, publicly expressed his disapproval of this move on Friday, vehemently arguing that the cancellation of the MoU could dangerously exacerbate disputes over overlapping maritime claims to the detriment of Thailand. This debate is especially pertinent when considering Koh Kut, an idyllic island nestled in the shimmering waters of Trat province. The Defence Minister passionately argues that the MoU, deftly overseen by former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai, has never wavered in its affirmation of Koh Kut as an integral part of Thai territory. He emphatically notes the absence…
In the ever-spinning world of Thai politics, there’s always a new twist, and Chaithawat Tulathon finds himself at the center of another chapter in this intricate saga. As the former leader of the now-defunct Move Forward Party, Chaithawat’s political career has been anything but conventional. On Friday, his emotions mirrored the gloomy Bangkok sky—they were overcast with a hint of disappointment. The rejection of a proposal was the rainy cloud dampening his day, a proposal that would have swept lese majeste offenses under the welcoming umbrella of a new political amnesty bill. Flashing back, Chaithawat’s political escapades took a mandated hiatus when he was hit with a 10-year ban from the realm of political gamesmanship. Yet, in a move reminiscent of a phoenix rising from the ashes—courtesy of the opposition People’s Party (PP)—he is now serving on a special House committee. Here, his task is to scrutinize, probe, and influence…
In a bold move set to shake up the status quo, the Ministry of Labour is stirring the pot with plans to nudge the retirement age in both private and government sectors to a sprightly 65 years. Inspired by nations like Singapore and Switzerland, the esteemed Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn made the grand announcement with much aplomb, attributing this shift to our ever-evolving landscape of medical marvels and health improvements. Who knew growing older could now come with a side of youthful vigor? Not stopping at just age tweaks, the Ministry has a visionary blueprint that includes a significant overhaul of the Social Security Act. Prepare to roll out the welcome mat for around 2 million migrant workers, including industrious souls from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. It’s about time these diligent bees got their fair share of the social security honeycomb! But wait, there’s more! The Ministry wants to cast their…
“` In an ambitious move, Thailand is setting its sights on becoming a powerhouse in the regional semiconductor industry. Recognizing the surge in demand, the country is aligning its resources and people to form a robust, skilled workforce to meet this challenge head-on. At the heart of this effort is the newly established National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Industry Policy Committee, fondly referred to as the National Semiconductor Board, which is led by none other than the Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The creation of this board, initiated by Ms. Paetongtarn with an authoritative signature last Thursday, marks a pivotal step towards crafting a thriving semiconductor ecosystem in Thailand. This dynamic board is tasked with setting strategic policies and goals to foster growth in the semiconductor and advanced electronics sectors. Moreover, these public servants are responsible for designing a roadmap meant to boost investment allure, nurture the talent pool, expand the…
In the ever-dynamic realm of politics, where alliances form and dissolve as rapidly as waves upon the shore, few stories are as intriguing as the journey of Chaithawat Tulathon. Formerly at the helm of the now disbanded Move Forward Party, Mr. Chaithawat has found himself embroiled in the intricacies of a House committee assignment. This committee has undertaken the daunting task of dissecting the proposed political amnesty bill, an endeavor that is presently the subject of heated discourse in Thailand. On a brisk Friday morning, Chaithawat Tulathon could not mask his frustration as news broke that the House had dismissed the proposal to incorporate lese majeste—a law widely debated both locally and internationally—among the offenses to be absolved under the new amnesty framework. Despite having been sentenced to a decade-long political hiatus, Chaithawat’s expertise was deemed indispensable by the People’s Party (PP), who appointed him to this special committee. The…
In the bustling corridors of Thai politics, where passions and ideologies often collide, an unexpected twist unfolded recently. Chaithawat Tulathon, the former leader of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, found himself at the center of a heated debate. On a crisp October Friday, Mr. Chaithawat, although banned from politics for a decade, was cordially invited by the People’s Party (PP) to participate in the deliberations of a special House committee focused on a contentious new political amnesty bill. Thursday’s parliamentary session was anything but mundane, as lawmakers grappled with the polarizing issue of including lese majeste—Section 112 of the Criminal Code—in the offenses eligible for pardon under the new bill. With 270 MPs casting their votes against inclusion and a modest 152 in favor, the proposal met its demise. Yet, the rest of the committee’s report on the proposed amnesty bill was given the green light, outlining paths to potentially…
Under the brooding skies of Pattani, beneath the solemn gaze of Ingkhayutboriharn military camp, a gathering that speaks louder than words forms—women, their faces set and hearts firm, demand the justice that’s been fleeting since the harrowing events of 2004’s Tak Bai mass killings. The image, captured so poignantly by Abdullah Benjakat, does more than touch the hearts; it ignites a flame of remembrance and resolve. As the somber anniversary of the Tak Bai incident looms, security forces tighten their reins across Thailand’s deep South. Intelligence whispers of insurgent uprisings rustle through the air, suggesting plans to mirror the chaos of two decades past between October 24th and 28th. As the witching hour surrendered to a new dawn, the statute of limitations for the Tak Bai massacre slipped quietly into history, leaving the field wide open to grim commemorations by those who refuse to forget. The anticipation of unrest sprawls…
At the heart of Bangkok’s bustling tapestry lies a tale that’s both thrilling and chilling, bringing to light an underbelly of crime that reads like a gripping medical drama. Lawyer Songkan Atchariyasap, donning a suit like a modern-day Sherlock Holmes, approaches Government House on a sunlit Thursday. He’s on a mission and has with him a Pandora’s box of information that could shake the foundations of Thailand’s medical ethics. There to meet him is Jirayu Houngsab, the prime minister’s trusted adviser, who listens closely as Songkan unveils a saga of trafficking—one that involves human body parts, specifically stem cells sourced from the most unsuspecting of places. On Friday, as the nation sipped their morning tea, Jirayu made an announcement that sent ripples across the country. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation regarding the illicit production and trade of stem cells, a subject so shocking it seemed straight out of…
Under the vibrant neon lights of Don Mueang airport, the air was thick with tension as Natthamon “Nutty” Khongchak, once a radiant YouTube star, greeted an altogether different kind of limelight. Alongside her mother, Thaniya Khongchak, Nutty tread a path back to Thai soil that was far removed from her former glamorous lifestyle, to face the stark reality of serious swindling charges. These charges stem from a dramatic foreign-exchange trading scam that allegedly relieved thousands of unsuspecting followers of a staggering 2 billion baht. Their arrival, meticulously captured by only the keenest observers and Police TV Facebook alike, marked a significant turning point in one of Thailand’s most elaborate con games. The spectacle continued as the duo was greeted not with adoration but the watchful eyes of Pol Lt Gen Thawatchai Piyaneelabut and Pol Capt Wissanu Chimtrakul from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). Escorting them in a DSI vehicle,…