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…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The somber echoes of history have come to the forefront, reminding us of the tragic day that is forever etched in the memories of those who witnessed the Tak Bai massacre on October 25, 2004. This haunting chapter recently resurfaced, thanks to an exhibition at the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre on April 23, 2024. The chilling photograph by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill illuminates a dark moment in Thai history, urging both reflection and action. Current political tides seem to be caught in the crosswinds of this past tragedy. The government, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, stands on the brink, walking a delicate balance. A significant voice, Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, director of the Law Centre at Thammasat University, has warned of the political repercussions if justice is not served for the Tak Bai victims. The clock ticks louder as the statute of limitations nears its expiry, potentially allowing those accused to…
In a bizarre turn of events at Nakhon Ratchasima, the local law enforcement found themselves embroiled in an investigation involving social media, a handful of hoax messages, and a woman named Bang-on. If Shakespeare had lived in the era of Facebook, he might have remarked, “What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive,” but even the Bard may have paused at the method here—pretending to be a young man plotting dreadful chaos at shopping centers. Bang-on, a 31-year-old resident from the peaceful Pak Thong Chai district, saw the tranquility of her home disrupted when officers arrived to whisk her away to police headquarters. Allegedly, she was the mastermind behind a series of unsettling posts on Facebook that sent ripples of fear through the local community. The notion of a shooting rampage naturally triggers alarm, particularly in Nakhon Ratchasima—a place still healing from the scars of the…
The Ministry of Labour has recently expressed its heartfelt condolences following the tragic demise of a Thai worker due to an explosion in northern Israel. Amidst the shock of this calamity, the ministry is currently collaborating with the Population and Immigration Authority (Piba) to understand the circumstances surrounding Thai labourers’ work in a restricted military zone. The unfortunate incident involved Nisan Meerum, a 42-year-old from Buri Ram province, who met his untimely end through an explosion caused by leftover ammunition while engaged in his work at an apple orchard. The details of this tragedy were confirmed by Israeli authorities and relayed by the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv on a solemn Saturday morning. Bunsong Tapchaiyut, the Labour Ministry’s permanent secretary, conveyed that Thai officials are diligently awaiting the verification of Nisan’s identity by Israeli authorities. This essential step precedes the return of his remains to Thailand, where family and…
The Social Security Office (SSO) in Thailand is bracing itself for some significant changes in the way private hospitals are reimbursed under the social security healthcare system. Starting with a fixed rate of 12,000 baht per patient annually for high-cost treatments, this initiative is a government-backed attempt to deter private hospitals from pulling the plug on their participation in the healthcare scheme—a possibility looming ominously come year’s end, as voiced by Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. It seems like a simple enough plan: each year, hospitals are promised a reimbursement rate of 12,000 baht. But here’s the catch: as the fiscal year progresses, that figure often ends up being slashed due to the unexpected depletion of the annual budget set aside for healthcare costs. Imagine starting with a solid 12,000 only to have it trimmed down to a less impressive 8,000 baht by year’s end. It’s the financial equivalent of expecting…
In the picturesque yet beleaguered region of Lamphun’s Muang district, residents are finding themselves entangled not only in the murky waters of receding floods but also amidst a sea of unpleasant aromas from contaminated water. One community finding itself in the thick of this watery malaise is Ban Luk, nestled in tambon Muang-ngam. It’s been the focus of Mother Nature’s wrath for nearly a week, leaving the inhabitants to wade through polluted waters that threaten their already tenuous quality of life. Authorities offered a grim update on this soggy Sunday morning. Despite the hope ebbing ever so slowly as the floodwaters gradually retreat, residents brace for a prolonged rendezvous with the deluge. With drainage systems working at their limit, officials estimate it could take well over five days before the streets are free from their watery shackles. The Public Health Ministry, with its ever-watchful health inspector-general Dr. Sopon Iamsirithaworn at…
As the bustling high season approaches, Krabi Airport is gearing up to welcome an impressive 60% increase in tourists, as announced by the dynamic Deputy Transport Minister, Manaporn Charoensri. On a sunny Sunday, Ms. Manaporn confidently shared that Krabi Airport, alongside various other agencies, had received explicit directives to brace for this tourist influx. Starting on October 28th, the airport is projected to handle an extraordinary number of flights. Brace yourselves for more than 160 domestic flights, an exciting lineup of over 60 international flights, and a delightful assortment of more than 90 charter flights every week. It’s truly a season of travel enthusiasm and exploration! The passenger numbers are anticipated to surge by more than 60% from the current month extending into March of next year, a massive leap from the low season passenger figures. It’s like the entire world is planning a rendezvous in Krabi, and who could…
Picture this—a bustling scene in the heart of Buri Ram province, where eager residents gather to receive much-anticipated support on a warm September 26th. The excitement in the air is palpable, as recipients clutch their identification, their faces a mixture of hope and impatience. However, in the midst of this vibrant setting, a bewildering number of nearly 380,000 eligible folks find themselves in a pickle. They haven’t yet gotten their hands on the generous 10,000-baht cash handout, all because of a currently absent link between their bank accounts and national IDs in the PromptPay system. Let’s unravel the intricacies of this situation, shall we? The esteemed Comptroller General’s Department has raised the banner, rallying all hands on deck to advise these individuals to hasten their link-up with PromptPay before December 16th. Time is of the essence, folks! In a financial ecosystem abuzz with activity, the Finance Ministry proudly shares that…
The evidence-based Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) message is gaining momentum, and there’s an urgent call for African and Caribbean nations to rally behind it. At the heart of this message is the notion that when someone’s viral load is undetectable, the chance of sexually transmitting the virus is, quite simply, zero. This revelation has sparked a transformative movement spearheaded by visionary leaders like Dr. Nittaya Phanuphak, executive director of the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI). Last year, the World Health Organization trumpeted its endorsement of the U=U principle, signaling a shift in the global dialogue around HIV. Dr. Nittaya recently addressed a forum in the vibrant city of Bangkok, engaging with representatives from Botswana, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. This meeting, orchestrated by the Global Partnership for Action, served as a fertile ground for exchanging ideas on dismantling HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Dr. Nittaya’s…
Ah, politics! It’s a spectacle that never ceases to offer plot twists and high drama in equal measure. Right now, the limelight is shining brightly on the Pheu Thai Party and their party-list MP, the enigmatic General Pisal Wattanawongkiri. In what sounds remarkably like a scene straight out of a legal thriller movie, the party promises swift action against Gen Pisal, but only if—and it’s a big “if”—he returns to the country after the statute of limitations in the contentious Tak Bai case expires. Sorawong Thienthong, the party’s secretary-general and undoubtedly a man under some considerable pressure, explained with a diplomatic smile on Sunday that even if Gen Pisal gets the boot from the party, he’ll still maintain his status as an MP. Now, does that not sound like the plot of a gripping novel where the villain somehow manages to keep a foot in the door? This entire tale…