Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Sunday expressed heartfelt thanks to the public for their unwavering support after topping a quarterly poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida). Garnering an impressive 31.35% of the vote, respondents were quick to praise Ms. Paetongtarn’s exemplary leadership and relentless efforts in tackling the nation’s hardships. Jirayu Huangsab, an adviser to the prime minister, conveyed Ms. Paetongtarn’s gratitude and emphasized that this achievement was the result of substantial teamwork between various government agencies. The poll results are seen not just as a testament to the Prime Minister’s leadership but also as a reflection of the government’s positive reception among the populace. However, Ms. Paetongtarn issued a call to action, urging all government bodies to continue making tangible progress in their promises to eradicate poverty and uplift the country. Meanwhile, People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, who secured the third spot in the Nida…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Last week, workers and soldiers united in a Herculean effort to clear the relentless mud that had encroached upon the streets and homes of Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai. The floodwaters may have receded, but the aftermath left countless challenges. The Disaster Response Association of Thailand captured the resilience and grit of the community in action. In the midst of these efforts, a storm of a different nature brewed within the political ranks: the Interior Ministry has decided to launch a meticulous disciplinary probe against the outgoing Chiang Rai governor, Puttipong Sirimart. His repetitive absences during crucial relief operations have stirred a potent mix of outrage and disappointment. This controversial move was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, on Sunday—a mere day before Puttipong’s scheduled retirement. The scene played out like a political thriller. In late August, Mr. Anutin initially ordered an investigation into Mr.…
A raft-based eatery met an untimely demise amid the rapid currents of the Nan River in Phitsanulok, leaving the northern province waterlogged on Saturday. (Photo: Chinnawat Singha) As residents surveyed the damage, authorities ramped up warnings about looming thunderstorms and fierce winds poised to lash all northern provinces, the Northeast, Central Plain—including bustling Bangkok—and even the southern stretch of Chumphon until Thursday. Chaiwat Jultirapong, the vigilant director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, didn’t mince words on Sunday. He commanded his regional deputies to brace for the wrath of unpredictable weather patterns forewarned by the Meteorological Department. The department’s director-general, Kornravee Sitthichivapak, shed light on the brewing tempest. A formidable high-pressure front from China is set to sweep across the eastern North, Northeast, and South China Sea, while a stubborn monsoon trough will drench the lower North, lower Northeast, and Central Plain. Here’s the stormy rundown: On Sunday:…
A backhoe loads mud onto a truck in the Mae Sai district of Thailand’s picturesque Chiang Rai province on a calm late September day. The scene, captured on September 22, shows a determined effort to restore normalcy amidst nature’s aftermath. (Photo: Public Relations Department) In the wake of devastating floods, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has ordered the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) to take stringent action against unscrupulous backhoe operators who have been exploiting the situation by inflating mud removal charges. Minister Pichai, after his weekend visit to the beleaguered regions of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, was inundated with grievances from distressed residents. Reports indicated that certain operators were taking undue advantage of the crisis to charge exorbitant fees for clearing mud from homes and properties. Determined to bring relief to the embattled residents, Mr. Pichai mandated the DIT and provincial commerce offices to vigilantly monitor the situation, ensuring…
The Maeklong railway market, nestled in the bustling province of Samut Songkhram, is fondly known as Talad Rom Hub, or the Flicked Umbrellas Market. This unique marketplace is renowned for the way vendors swiftly retract their awnings and umbrellas as trains rattle through, creating a mesmerizing blend of commerce and rail traffic. (File photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) However, recent events have cast a temporary shadow over this vibrant locale. In the picturesque Mae Klong district, a coffee shop owner from Talad Rom Hub has been slapped with a 30-day closure following an unfortunate incident involving a Spanish tourist. The incident, which unfolded on a bustling Thursday, was quickly captured on video and shared widely across social media platforms, igniting a wave of public outcry. The hubbub began when the vendor, known locally as Jame, was seen pushing and yelling at the tourist in the clip. The backlash was swift and uncompromising,…
In the early hours of Sunday, a harrowing sight emerged beneath an unfinished flyover in Bangkok. A heavily-damaged Isuzu pickup truck lay mangled on Lat Krabang Road, a testament to a tragic accident that befell a family of three. The accident unfolded around 2 a.m., on the Lat Krabang-Onnut flyover under construction near the Suk Saman intersection in Lat Krabang district. The flyover, still skeletal in its build, lacked the safety barriers that might have prevented the incident. Authorities arrived swiftly on the scene, where the pickup truck had found its unintended resting place near a stationary 22-wheeled truck. Registered in Ayutthaya province, the pickup had apparently nosedived from the lofty, 10-meter height of the half-finished bridge, striking the massive truck before settling on the asphalt below. Rescue workers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were quick to extract the beleaguered family: a 33-year-old man, his 31-year-old wife, and their one-year-old daughter.…
Amid the bustling corridors of Thai politics, there lies a serene moment of reverence—Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her senior advisory team solemnly walked to pay homage at the revered shrine at Baan Phitsanulok, right before their first momentous meeting on Thursday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the dynamic leader of the Pheu Thai Party, is riding a crest of popularity, positioning her as the prime contender for the coveted role of prime minister. Meanwhile, the People’s Party is steadily capturing the public’s affection, holding the mantle as the preeminent political party according to a survey conducted in the 3rd quarter of 2024 by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll. The comprehensive poll, meticulously carried out between September 16 and 23, reached 2,000 respondents across diverse demographics through telephone interviews. The respondents, aged 18 and over, represented various levels of education, occupations, and incomes from across the…
As dawn breaks, a bird glides effortlessly over Democracy Monument, casting its silhouette against the soft hues of a new day. Little did it know, the political landscape below is just as dynamic and unpredictable. The ruling Pheu Thai Party’s recent reversal on its plan to amend the ethical standards for political officeholders has left observers scratching their heads. Initially, Pheu Thai had proposed changes to the 2017 charter, particularly tweaking Section 160, which lays out the moral prerequisites for becoming a minister. The proposal asserted that ministers must be evidently honest and not embroiled in severe ethical violations. However, this proposition ran into a brick wall of opposition from the coalition bloc, especially from the Bhumjaithai and United Thai Nation (UTN) parties. Consequently, Pheu Thai’s secretary-general, Sorawong Thienthong, suggested that the party is contemplating retracting the bill for further scrutiny. The Bangkok Post engaged analysts and representatives from various…
A dramatic and tragic scene unfolded in the bustling city of Pattaya late Saturday night, leading to a heart-wrenching conclusion. The unfortunate protagonist of this somber tale was Niroot Yamphuang, a 39-year-old waiter at a popular entertainment venue on Pattaya Sai 3 Road. Residing in a world distanced from calm, Niroot found himself in perilous waters that culminated in a shocking display, as a group of motorcyclist taxi drivers converged on him in the wake of his threatening actions earlier in the day. Near the very place he worked, Niroot’s life came to an abrupt and tragic end at around 11 PM. With a .32 modified blank gun in hand, he took a dire step and shot himself in the right temple. This bitter finale was not without its ominous precursor. Only hours before, Niroot had provoked an evacuation of local residents and tourists when he stubbornly pointed the same…
The heart of the Court is beating anew with the royally endorsed ascension of Prasitsak Meelarp, beginning his tenure as the president of the Supreme Administrative Court on October 1. This monumental change follows the conclusion of Vorapot Visrutpich’s distinguished career, as he bids farewell upon reaching the venerable age of 70, the mandatory retirement threshold. In a diligent and judicious selection process, Prasitsak Meelarp emerged as the top candidate, a choice marked by the unanimous approval from the Judicial Commission of the Administrative Courts. The Senate echoed this confidence, officially endorsing his nomination on September 3, preceding the royal assent that solidified this transition. Mr. Prasitsak’s journey to prominence is a tale of dedication and scholarly excellence. He holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the revered Ramkhamhaeng University and enriched his academic arsenal with a master’s degree in political science from the prestigious Thammasat University. Notably, he also…