The winds of change are blowing across Thailand, as the Department of Land Transport (DLT) steps up its mission to curb the pernicious PM2.5 air pollution issue by scrutinizing the exhaust emissions of trucks and buses. On February 24, a staggering close to 1,000 vehicles found themselves in the lineup for a rather unflattering distinction—they were banned from the roads. Leading the charge is Jirut Wisalchit, the ever-diligent Director General of the DLT, who is keenly attuned to the progress of these vigilant vehicle inspections. This whole initiative is a vibrant nod to the Ministry of Transport’s larger crusade to tackle and preempt the fine particulate matter pollution—a problem that poses a significant airborne menace. On that eventful February day alone, a nation-wide inspection of 515 buses and trucks was carried out, revealing that four vehicles were flagrantly surpassing the government’s established emission standards. If we roll back our history…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Under a sharp, laser-like focus on clamping down on illegal immigration, Thailand recently hosted a momentous repatriation drive. Yesterday, on February 24th, the lively Ranong province witnessed the solemn yet purposeful deportation of 200 Myanmar migrants. This act was part of Thailand’s vigorous initiative addressing the unruly tide of undocumented workers making their way across the borders. The group, quite sizable with 198 men and a duo of women, gracefully chose the legal path, climbing aboard Thailand’s well-oiled repatriation wagon. Having danced through procedural hoops, they lined up for the journey back. Swathed amid the salty breezes and scenic views of the Mueang district, these individuals gathered at Khao Nang Hong’s bustling customs pier in the Pak Nam subdistrict. Here, a flotilla of 14 sturdy boats awaited, poised to bear them back to the welcoming arms of their homeland. The sound of engines and lapping water bore testament to the…
In a bold move to combat the alarming PM2.5 air pollution levels plaguing Thailand, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) has significantly ramped up inspections of exhaust emissions from trucks and buses. And boy, did they mean business! Just yesterday, on February 24, nearly 1,000 vehicles were shown the red card – no more polluting on Thailand’s roads until they clean up their act! Leading the charge is DLT’s head honcho, Jirut Wisalchit, who’s been at the forefront of ensuring the Ministry of Transport’s stringent policies on particulate pollution are enforced with the precision of a Swiss watch. With the stroke of earnest dedication, a total of 515 buses and trucks underwent rigorous exhaust scrutiny yesterday alone. The results weren’t entirely rosy, with four vehicles spectacularly flunking the government’s tight emission standards. This is not just a flash in the pan initiative either. Turn back the clock to October 1…
Amid the bustling ambiance of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s immigration hall, the air was abruptly filled with the rustle of drama. Airport security, alert and methodical, zeroed in on a particular traveler trying to make a discreet exit from Thailand in the early hours of a Tuesday morning. This was no ordinary traveler fleeing the crowds of holidaymakers and businesspeople. Instead, the spotlight was firmly placed upon an Iranian man, who was suspiciously trying to slip out of the country but not fast enough to dodge the long arm of the law. The incident that set the wheels of justice in motion occurred during an otherwise ordinary Sunday evening in Bangkok. Ms. Nampueng, a 40-year-old motorcycle taxi driver who delivers people more briskly than the city’s usual languid traffic allows, was about to experience an unforgettable ride—unforgettable for quite unpleasant reasons. Her night took a turn when she accepted a booking through…
In the vibrant and bustling province of Ranong, Thailand’s government took decisive action against illegal immigration, marking another chapter in their diligent efforts to regulate undocumented workers. Just yesterday, February 24, a cohort of 200 Myanmar migrants bade farewell to Thai shores, voluntarily heading back to their homeland as part of a government repatriation initiative. Among the departing group were 198 men and two women, each having navigated the necessary legal channels preceding their return journey. This mission, executed with precision and care, showcased Thailand’s commitment to addressing the complexities of cross-border migration while respecting individual dignity. Under the vigilant watch of Captain Chamnarn Nobnorb, Director of the Thailand Maritime Enforcement Commander Centre, this carefully orchestrated operation unfolded at the picturesque customs pier located in Khao Nang Hong village, tucked away in the Pak Nam subdistrict of Mueang district. Here, a fleet of 14 boats awaited, ready to ferry the…
The Thai Progressive Party faces a dilemma that has gripped the nation and thrust one of its members, Bangkok MP Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit, into the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Accusations of a serious nature have rolled in, as Manpianjit is charged with the alleged rape of a Taiwanese tourist in Chiang Mai, leaving citizens in shock and the party walking a tightrope of justice, public concern, and political strategy. In the wake of these troubling allegations, the Thai Progressive Party issued a statement on February 23, indicating their grave concern and acknowledging the deep impact on the public’s trust. “The allegations concerning Chaiyamparwaan are distressing, and we takes these matters seriously,” the statement read. It underlined that while the party cannot step away from responsibility, they are keen on ensuring justice is pursued to clarify the situation in the eyes of the people. On February 22, the party…
In the early hours of February 24, an ordinary day turned into a scene of heartbreak and chaos in the bustling area of Bang Pu Mai, nestled in Samut Prakan province. This tragic tale revolves around a six-wheeled truck, operated by a young driver just twenty-six years of age, named Kwanchai. His promising life was cut short on the grounds of misjudged fortune and an unfortunate series of events. The morning still held its breath when, at approximately 5am, officers from the Bang Pu Police Station were alerted. Alongside their presence, emergency caregivers from the compassionate arms of the Ruamkatanyu Foundation and Samut Prakan’s Ruamkusol Foundation arrived. What awaited them on the grounds of a local logistics company’s parking area was a heart-rending sight—an immobile Hino truck, its driver’s door battered against an unyielding support post, a chilling mechanical sculpture narrating the calamity that had transpired. Upon closer inspection, evidence…
It was a Monday afternoon bustling with anticipation as Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong took center stage at the Justice Ministry’s office on Chaeng Watthana Road. There was a palpable aura of accomplishment floating through the room, intermingled with traces of anxiety for unfinished business. After all, it was the second anniversary of the enforcement of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance BE 2565 (2023), and everyone from officials of various governmental agencies to dignitaries like Cynthia Veliko of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) was in attendance. The room was a collage of determination and shared purpose. Minister Tawee, possessing a calm and authoritative demeanor that matched well with his well-pressed uniform, took to the podium. His words flowed smoothly, catching everyone’s attention as he began to outline the strides taken in the past two years to enforce this critical law. According…
In a heart-wrenching tale that’s both mystifying and tragic, a family is left grappling with the inexplicable demise of their beloved Naruemon, affectionately known as Gift. This somber story begins with Urai, a 63-year-old mother frantic with worry, as her daughter seemingly vanished into thin air. The clock ticked ominously on January 26, as Naruemon embarked on what was supposed to be just another day. Her Honda Vios traced the familiar roads from her home in Thanyaburi District, Pathum Thani. Well-loved and respected in her community, she had left behind her teaching job just five months prior, but something about that day felt different—her departure echoed with an eerie permanence. Days turned to weeks, and Urai clung to dwindling hopes amidst unanswered calls and dashed expectations. All inquiries hit a wall—relatives had no news, and the missing person report lodged with Nong Suea Police Station had yet to bear fruit.…
Late last night, in the heart of Phuket, an unexpected scene unfolded that left locals and tourists wide-eyed and keyboard warriors in stitches. A foreign man, carrying less than the bare essentials, was spotted walking sans clothing outside a bustling convenience store, leaving a wave of shock and a torrent of online hilarity in his wake. Photos captured by the vigilant shutterbugs of The Phuket Times found their way to cyberspace on February 24th. These snapshots, with an amused yet scandalous twist, documented our uninhibited streaker as he ambled carefree around a 7-Eleven on Soi Ta-iad, seemingly unaware—or perhaps unfazed—by the captivated audience he had gathered. While an eclectic mix of cultures looked on—in disbelief or bemusement—our unrobed traveler drifted through the parking lot, completely at ease in his Adam’s attire. Nobody could determine whether this bold venture was a result of a little too much Thai moonshine or a…