The political landscape is filled with turmoil, but amidst the chaos, an impassioned plea for unity emerges. Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, the charismatic secretary-general of the Progressive Movement (PM), has spotlighted the necessity for camaraderie between Thailand’s two political titans: the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP). On a striking Thursday, Piyabutr took to his Facebook account, urging these major parties to abandon their trivial squabbles and unite against what he called ‘unjust dissolution laws’ perpetuated by the ‘old guards’. Laws that could, at any moment, turn the political tides against any party. This compelling call to action comes hot on the heels of a fervent parliamentary debate. MFP’s leader, the unyielding Chaithawat Tulathon, and Pheu Thai’s vociferous spokesman, Danuporn Punakanta, were locked in a fiery exchange over the national budget plan. It was a showdown as gripping as any championship bout. Mr. Chaithawat lambasted the government…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Wissanu Krea-ngam, an adviser to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, recently arrived at Government House to present the findings of a high-profile probe into the rift between Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol and Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) In a dramatic turn of events, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol has been reinstated as the national police chief following the completion of a thorough investigation into an internal feud that has captivated the nation, according to Wissanu Krea-ngam, legal adviser to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Mr. Wissanu spilled the beans on Thursday, revealing the investigation results orchestrated by a committee led by Chatchai Promlert to untangle the web of discord between Pol Gen Torsak and his deputy, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn. The saga, stretching over four months, uncovered a tangled mess of conflicts and disarray within the Royal Thai Police at multiple levels. However, it remained a mystery whether these issues stemmed…
Thaniya Chaodonka’s tears streamed down her face as she clutched a framed photo of her beloved four-year-old daughter, who tragically passed away at a hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima this past January. Struggling for answers, her family filed a formal complaint with the Ministry of Public Health on Thursday, pleading for a thorough investigation into the medical treatment that preceded their devastating loss. (Photo: Sagee Wongchaisuwan) The family of the young girl, heartbroken and desperate for understanding, has urged the Ministry to determine whether a misdiagnosis or medical errors were responsible for her untimely death. A foundation that played a pivotal role in bringing the tragedy to light has raised the alarm, suggesting that as many as ten deaths could be linked to human error or faulty diagnoses at Phra Thongkham Hospital. In the company of representatives from the Pen Nueng Foundation, Thaniya met with Thanakit Jitareerat, a vice-minister, to recount…
Conscripts proudly display their ATM cards and cash withdrawal slips as the army promotes its activities. However, some newly recruited soldiers might be unaware that they have a host of expenses to pay—from uniforms to a less glamorous septic tank pumping fee. (Photo: Wassana Nanuam) (Photo: Wassana Nanuam) The Ministry of Defence has recently rolled out a comprehensive set of criteria to delineate which expenses can be deducted from conscripts’ salaries, ensuring that military recruits have a decent amount of money to enjoy. This move follows a social media uproar over claims of dubious deductions from conscripts’ salaries for utilities and miscellaneous items, including WiFi charges and a 500-baht septic tank pumping fee. One soldier highlighted the plight, presenting a slip showing that these deductions gobbled up 60% of his monthly salary. The outcry was significant enough that Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang ordered a thorough investigation. Under the new guidelines,…
Paramee Waichongcharoen, a dedicated list-MP from the Move Forward Party (MFP), has been tirelessly advocating for the urgent need for increased educational funding. With determination in her voice, she brought this critical issue to light during the recent debate on the 2025 fiscal budget bill in the House of Representatives. According to a freshly published report by the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), a staggering 1.02 million children have either dropped out of school or chosen not to pursue further education due to crippling poverty. Paramee highlights an alarming trend: another 3 million students from impoverished backgrounds are teetering on the brink of leaving the education system. Shockingly, only about 2 million of them have managed to secure state funds meant to support their schooling. The remainder are perilously close to saying goodbye to their educational dreams. Paramee, who once shaped minds as a teacher before stepping into the political arena,…
Driving along the iconic Don Muang Tollway is set to become a tad pricier this December, as toll charges are poised to climb by 5 to 15 baht. The tollway’s operator, Don Muang Tollway Plc, announced this adjustment on Thursday, illuminating the new rates that will range from 40 to 170 baht. These changes will be effective for a span of five years, starting from December 22 of this year and stretching all the way to December 21, 2029, neatly aligning with the concession agreement the company holds with the Department of Highways, which is valid until September 2034. Breaking down the new tolls, here’s what commuters can expect: On the Don Muang-National Memorial section, the charge for four-wheel vehicles will now be 40 baht, a slight increase from the previous rate of 35 baht. Vehicles with more wheels will see their toll going up to 50 baht, from the…
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has announced a heartwarming tribute to the nation’s beloved monarch by issuing 10 million commemorative banknotes to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday on July 28. In a statement on Thursday, Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, the central bank governor, revealed that this special banknote features a stunning portrait layout and is crafted from high-tech polymer material to ensure remarkable durability and effective counterfeiting prevention. The commemorative banknote will bear a nominal value of 100 baht and will be available to the public starting on July 23 at various commercial and state-owned banks, as well as the BoT Knowledge Centre. This unique memento is not only a piece of currency but also a cherished keepsake for those who wish to honor the significant occasion. Additionally, the central bank has decided to print two million informative pamphlets, each priced at 10 baht, which will serve as elegant holders…
The effervescent Pride Caravan, a jubilant celebration marking the Senate’s recent approval of the marriage equality law, took an exuberant journey from parliament to Government House. This parade of progress was beautifully captured by Nutthawat Wichieanbut, drawing enthusiastic crowds and celebratory spirits. As Thailand gears up to grace the pages of history as the first Southeast Asian country—and only the third in Asia following Taiwan and Nepal—to recognize same-sex marriages, significant changes are on the horizon. Following the Senate’s nod, the bill is set to be codified into law within 120 days once it appears in the Royal Gazette. Behind the scenes, state agencies are meticulously preparing to revamp regulations and policies surrounding gender identity and marital status. The iLaw Club’s X account has already hinted at forthcoming changes in honorifics and gender identities as part of these sweeping reforms. It’s not just about passing the bill; the real legislative…
A 30-year-old man, accompanied by social media activist Guntouch “Gun” Jompalang, recently found himself in the glaring spotlight of a media briefing in Bangkok. This public revelation, which unfolded on a dramatic Thursday, centered around a shocking case of adultery involving his wife and a hospital director with very particular tastes. The raw details of this story were captured in a video shared on Gun Jompalang’s Facebook page. The heartbroken husband accused a prominent 40-year-old hospital director of engaging in an adulterous relationship with his 28-year-old nurse wife. Despite being fully aware of her marital status and the fact that she had a child, the hospital director reportedly romanced her starting last year. Initially, the husband was oblivious to their illicit affair. However, subtle changes in his wife’s behavior raised his suspicions. She frequently avoided his calls and seemed distant. His worst fears were confirmed when he checked the GPS…
A veritable fleet of trucks loaded with cadmium waste made its way out of bustling Bangkok, destined for a sprawling warehouse managed by Bound and Beyond Plc in Tak province’s Muang district in late April. This ominous procession was emblematic of a much larger issue brought to light by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. According to recent disclosures by the Ministry of Industry, a whopping 81% of mishandled hazardous cadmium waste—amounting to nearly 13,000 tonnes—has been successfully returned to its original location in Tak province. The remaining toxic remnants, scattered across Samut Sakhon and Chon Buri provinces, are currently biding their time, awaiting transport back to the safer confines of Tak. As reported on the ministry’s website, about 10,507 tonnes of this perilous material have made their journey back to Bound and Beyond Plc in Tak. This accounts for a significant portion—81% of the 12,948 tonnes—that were scandalously sold from the…