Imagine yourself whisked away on a sleek train, gliding along the bustling BTS Green Line in Bangkok – the city that never sleeps! Come January 2nd, as reported by Bangkok’s deputy governor Visanu Samsompol, this urban odyssey is set to get even more exciting as passengers of the Green Line’s newest extensions will be introduced to a single sparkle of a deal—a flat fare of just 15 baht per trip. What a steal, right? This isn’t just spur-of-the-moment; the decision has been thoughtfully drafted, just awaiting the illustrious signature of Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Picture the scene: the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), the Department of Rail Transport, and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) all nodding in harmonious agreement, with not a single objection to this attractive fare. The harmony is palpable! Don’t worry about the technicalities; the Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Have you ever stumbled out of a venue, your head buzzing with the rhythm of the night’s beat, only to wonder if you’re too tipsy to drive? Well, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is stepping up to keep the party responsible—or at least, to keep it from spilling onto the roads. There’s a change afoot, and it’s one that could see the owners of your favorite nightspots wielding breathalyzers like knights in neon armor, determined to shield you from your own overindulgence. The FDA, amidst a clatter of regulations and legal jargon, is tinkering with the laws that typically bind medical equipment; their mission? To ensure these intoxication detectors can be brandished without fear of legal repercussions. “Imagine a world where merriment and responsibility coalesce,” muses Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, painting a picture of a new nightlife landscape. With the ease of a seasoned orator, the…
As the festive spirit takes hold and we prepare to bid adieu to another year, Thailand is abuzz with activity and excitement—thanks in no small part to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. With anticipation at fever-pitch, the Prime Minister has set the wheels in motion to ensure that the kingdom’s New Year celebrations are not only vibrant but also as secure as Fort Knox. The pulsating streets and picturesque beaches are poised to welcome an incredible influx of 1.1 million international revelers, said government mouthpiece Chai Wacharonke with an infectious enthusiasm on Friday. But it’s not just the streets that will be shimmering with joy; the numbers are equally glittering. Our beloved Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is all set to hit the jackpot with tourist numbers predicted to balloon to 1.18 million until the first dawn of January 2024. Can you imagine the economic fireworks? We’re talking a dazzling influx…
It’s not every day that a bustling metropolis like Bangkok faces a fuel-induced furor, but when Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit floated a suggestion to heft up the excise tax on petrol within the sprawling urban scape, it certainly revved up more than a few engines. The discerning citizens of the ‘City of Angels’ were all ears, and the hum of city traffic seemed to skip a beat. Hold onto your seats, dear readers, for this was but a twist in the tale! In a turn of events that could only be described as a policy pirouette, Minister Suriya sprinted to the podium on a sunny Friday to douse the flames of confusion. With the grace of a seasoned statesman and the precision of a linguistic sharpshooter, Suriya declared that the proposed tax bump was not on the drafting table but was merely an academic muse—picnicked from international practices and served…
Amid a swirl of controversy and the clicking of camera shutters, the high-profile saga of Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former leader and a character fit for the most engrossing of political dramas, continues. What’s new, you ask? Well, darling readers, the man has carved out a nook for himself in the sterile quarters of the Police General Hospital, transforming it into his unexpected residence for the past 120 days – that’s a solid four months of medical pampering, for those keeping count. The Department of Corrections (DoC), the agency not typically known for its soft side, has permitted this stay, ignoring the furrowed brows of skeptics. A certain regulation, hot off the presses and already marinating in controversy, allows qualified inmates – our Mr. Thaksin included – to trade iron bars for hospital wards. And as you might guess, not everyone’s toasting to his health over this decision. “We’ve got his…
Welcome to the kaleidoscope of colors and causes that was Bangkok Pride 2023! This exhilarating celebration in June was more than just a jubilant parade of rainbows and glitter; it was a powerful declaration of determination and solidarity. Imagine beating drums, waves of vibrant flags, and a community united with a singular vision – the promotion of gender recognition, same-sex marriage, rights for sex workers, and universal welfare for all under the broad and beautiful LGBTQIA2S+ umbrella. The city’s streets danced to the rhythm of progress as thousands thronged, each step a stamp on stigma, each cheer a chorus for change. The Thai House, breaking news from within its esteemed walls, recently resonated with unprecedented energy as it gave the green light to not one, but four landmark bills! This legislative quartet, aimed at amending the Civil and Commercial Code, has set the stage for same-sex marriages to bloom in…
Have you heard the latest buzz shaking up the nightlife in Thailand? The night owls among us might soon be hooting with joy, for none other than Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul is spearheading a move that could push last call back to the unholy hour of 4am! And it’s not just any old bars that are getting this VIP treatment, we’re talking about a host of lively pubs and bars flourishing far from the neon glow of designated zones. Strap in, because this could be the game-changer for night-time merrymaking! Imagine strolling through the bustling streets of Chiang Mai as the twilight fades. There’s a palpable buzz in the air, one that could intensify thanks to a policy designed to jet fuel the economy with a shot of adrenaline (or should I say, more nightlife?). Initially, this nocturnal nirvana was trialed in hip hotspots like…
Imagine the buzz and anticipation that filled the air as over 800,000 savvy members of the Social Security Fund geared up for a historic rendezvous on a sunny Sunday morning. The occasion? To flex their democratic muscles in the first-ever election of Social Security Board members. It was a landmark moment and the talk of the town, as noted by the Social Security Office’s esteemed secretary-general Boonsong Thapchaiyuth. Hoards of members, out of an impressive ensemble of 12 million, had inked their intent to vote. I bet you, the number was startling but just a drop in the ocean of the SSF’s vast membership. Let’s talk money, honey. A cool 207 million baht was plunked down for this electoral extravaganza. The board, akin to an all-star cast, features luminaries from the crème de la crème of Thai ministries such as labour, finance, interior, and public health, not to forget the…
As the political theater unfolds like a high-octane drama series, we’re treated to the latest act featuring the charismatic Korn Chatikavanij. Once an eminent figure within the venerable ranks of Thailand’s Democrat Party, Korn has now flung wide the doors of his political destiny, stepping into the freewheeling world of independence after a tumultuous dance with the Chartpattanakla Party that saw as many twists and turns as a Chiang Mai mountain road. Picture this – a seasoned political craftsman leaving his roots in the Democrat Party in 2020, just when the party found itself in a leadership limbo, shuffling for someone to fill the shoes of Abhisit Vejjajiva post the 2019 election showdown. Korn, brimming with optimism, tossed his hat into the ring, amidst the heady cocktail of gossip, speculation, and the intoxicating allure of power. Alas, fate had a different script in store. It was Jurin Laksanawisit, Chuan Leekpai’s…
Welcome to a wild Saturday night that took a turn into an episode of “Cops” in Phetchaburi’s Ban Lat district, where the local police haven’t just thrown a wrench into party plans—they’ve tossed in the whole toolbox. Imagine the scene, where the rhythms of music bump against the walls of a popular local resort, flashing lights not from a disco ball, but from police cruisers illuminate the night as unsuspecting revelers suddenly find themselves in the spotlight of a rather unexpected event. In the wee hours of the morning, when most of the world was lost in slumber, over 60 teenagers found themselves caught in the net of a police raid that turned their drug-filled escapade into an abrupt nightmare. It must’ve been a sight to see these young night-owls suddenly turned into wide-eyed, jittery parakeets as the boys and girls in brown stormed their once-cozy haven. Our heroes of…