The political landscape in Thailand is no stranger to controversy, but the unfolding saga of Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri and the Tak Bai massacre is proving to be one for the history books. Come Tuesday, the Pheu Thai Party’s board will be convening to decide whether or not Gen Pisal, a party-list MP and once the man at the helm of the Fourth Army Region during the tragic 2004 Tak Bai incident, should be shown the door. On the cusp of this pivotal decision, Somkid Chueakong, the deputy secretary-general for political affairs to the Prime Minister, candidly shared that the party has made earnest efforts to navigate Gen Pisal towards the proper legal channels, especially after an arrest warrant was decreed by the Narathiwat Provincial Court. It appears the sands of time might be running out for Gen Pisal within the Pheu Thai, as the board gathers to weigh his political…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a bizarre twist reminiscent of a crime drama, an arrest warrant has been issued for Pol Capt Aisoon Dathong, the Deputy Chief of Investigation at Na Chom Thian Police Station in Chon Buri. The officer faces allegations of orchestrating a daring theft of manufacturing assets, with the damage estimated to be a staggering 10 million baht. Pol Col Narongrit Wapansu, Deputy Commander of the Chon Buri Provincial Police, suspects that Pol Capt Aisoon masterminded a recent heist at the Papermint Factory located in the Bang Lamung District. The prized catch? A colossal electrical transformer that vanished mysteriously under the cover of darkness. After scrutinizing CCTV footage that looked straight out of a spy movie, four suspects were swiftly apprehended on October 10. The culprits were identified as Watcharakorn Saenwong, 35, Krailas Sima, 33, Somsak Koetpho, 54, and the rather young Chaichana Phummarak, 22. The police also seized a treasure…
At the heart of the verdant and sprawling Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park Zoo, nestled in the picturesque province of Si Sa Ket, a delightful newcomer has recently caught the attention of all who visit. This newcomer is no standard resident; it is a charming hippopotamus calf that graced the world with its presence at the early hour of 6 AM last Sunday. This tiny bundle of joy has yet to reveal whether it’s a ‘he’ or a ‘she’ since the protective mother has been steadfast in guarding her little one from curious onlookers and eager veterinarians. The announcement of this adorable calf’s arrival has sparked waves of excitement, drawing a significant swell in visitor numbers, each hopeful for a chance to spot this cute river horse in action. The zoo’s administrators are optimistic that the infant hippo will captivate hearts much like the famous Moo Deng – a pygmy hippo…
Last year, as December unfolded in its usual festive charm, tourists arrived at Phuket Airport to a warm welcome, setting the stage for a dazzling tourism revival. But hold on to your sunhats, because Phuket is dialing up its tourism game this year. It’s not just about sandy beaches and turquoise waters anymore; we’re talking a whopping 500 billion baht in tourism revenue, a significant stretch from the already ambitious 420 billion baht goal set earlier. Why the leap, you ask? Well, Rewat Areerob, the dynamic president of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), is aiming high, banking on Phuket’s robust potential as a powerhouse in tourism, transportation, and aviation. The strategy is laser-focused on attracting high-spending tourists, not just for the dough but to ensure that every visit is richer, glitzier, and more unforgettable than ever. So, what’s in the bag of tricks to lure these well-heeled tourists to…
In an intriguing move designed to address future workforce concerns, the government is championing a significant increase in monthly child welfare support payments for subscribers of the social security fund. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is leading this bold initiative, which aims to encourage more Thais to embrace parenthood and preemptively combat potential labor shortages. Presently, individuals insured under sections 33 and 39 of the esteemed Social Security Act receive a modest child welfare payment of 800 baht per child each month, capped at three children. But change is on the horizon. Come January, this figure will see an elevation to 1,000 baht, permitting eligible parents to benefit from the stipends until their children celebrate their sixth birthday. Yet, Mr. Phiphat envisions a more generous scheme. During a heartening announcement on Monday, he expressed a keen interest in amplifying the benefit to a robust 3,000 baht per month, proposing a duration…
The stage is set for a riveting debate in the hallowed halls of parliament this week, as a rather contentious report on the potential amnesty for offenses under the lese majeste law finally gets its moment in the spotlight. After being shelved twice, the House panel entrusted with scrutinizing this issue has confirmed the report’s presentation on Thursday, much to the anticipation of political enthusiasts everywhere. Helmed by Chusak Sirinil, the esteemed PM’s Office minister, the committee has crafted a report that’s as enthralling as it is polarizing. A beacon of hope for political offenders, the report’s proposal for amnesty has already sparked lively discussions among lawmakers, with Bangkok MP for the People’s Party, Sasinan Thammanithinan, keeping the public on its toes with updates and insights. The political theatre over this report has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Several critical dates—Sept 26, Oct 3, and Oct 10—saw the debate…
Amidst a whirlwind of drama fit for the silver screen, there’s more than meets the eye in the unfolding saga of The iCon Group, a direct sales company mired in allegations of public fraud. At the center of this controversy is an intriguing interplay of accusations, high-profile personalities, and the judiciary’s ever-watchful gaze, making it a gripping tale for those who thrive on suspense. As the clock ticks on this tantalizing mystery, House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha announced an investigation into claims that a House committee member demanded a cash favor from the company’s executive. This intrigue stems from whispers of a purported audio clip that allegedly features a negotiation between Warathaphon “Paul” Waratyaworrakul, the CEO and founder of The iCon Group, and a shadowy committee member. Mr. Wan wasted no time and directed the House’s secretary-general to dive headfirst into these murky waters. In this tangled web of…
Imagine visiting the stunning, sun-kissed shores of Phuket, where the turquoise waves kiss sandy beaches and the nightlife burbles with an enticing hum. It’s a place where adventurers flock for an unforgettable escape into paradise—yet, for one German tourist, the experience took an unfortunate turn when he found himself in handcuffs rather than soaking up the sun. Edit your mental visuals to the vibrant streets of Kathu district, filled with bustling markets and eclectic eateries. It was here, beneath the flickering Patong area neon lights that our not-so-lucky wanderer, aged 29, learned that life in paradise can sometimes come with some unexpected entanglements. You see, his taste for thrill took a detour from surfing the Andaman swells to a dalliance with substances of the illegal kind. The local law enforcement, during their routine patrols with noses keen as bloodhounds, picked up on the scent of something fishy. Following the trail,…
In a twist of fate that no traveler desires, a vibrant excursion took a dramatic turn when a Malaysian tour bus, humming with the chatter of eager adventurers, found itself in an unintended embrace with a trailer truck in the Sadao district of Songkhla. This unanticipated rendezvous, occurring on a seemingly ordinary Monday, left 17 Malaysian tourists nursing various injuries alongside their Thai tour guide, transforming a routine trip into an unforgettable story. The narrative begins with a busload of anticipation – 46 individuals, including a seasoned tour guide and a driver determined to navigate the winding roads back to Malaysia from Hat Yai. Their journey, a tapestry of sights and stories, was abruptly interrupted near the Sadao border checkpoint. Pol Lt Col Thanakrit Nuanla-ong, a dedicated investigator at Sadao Police Station, was one of the first to piece together the puzzle of this unforeseen event. As the bus approached…
As the spotlight beamed onto the studio set of the popular “Hon Krasae” talk programme on TV Channel 3, it illuminated not only the glossy polished floors but also the tear-streaked face of Warathaphon Waratyaworrakul, known affectionately or perhaps controversially as Boss Paul. The 41-year-old chief executive officer of The iCon Group found himself in the poignant limelight for reasons unlike any business leader would hope for — facing the grieving families of those who had invested their aspirations, and tragically, at times their lives, into his company’s once-hopeful promise. The sombre gathering was not typical of your standard business meeting, as it unfolded in front of millions of viewers across the nation. Warathaphon, battling with emotions publicly, vowed full compensation to those relatives of his investing partners who felt the heavy burden of loss after the company’s products floundered in the market. His candid tears were a stark contrast…