In the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, on a warm May 25th, the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, was met with a sea of red-shirt supporters, all beaming with enthusiasm. Meanwhile, political tides were shifting as the Pheu Thai Party took a surprising step back, revising their earlier bold claim to incorporate violations of Section 112—known as the lese majeste law—into the amnesty bill. The elegance of political maneuvers in Thailand never fails to capture attention, and this development was no exception. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert) The week had been rife with anticipation following statements hinting at extending the amnesty bill’s reach. Initially, it looked like Section 112 violators might find a haven. However, by Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stepped forward to underline the complexity of the issue, suggesting a necessary pause to pool public consensus. The delicate balance of avoiding future discord was paramount, he noted.…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Amid the swirling waters of the Chao Phraya River and the gleaming lights of Bangkok, an unexpected and rather alarming scene unfolded just near Tha Tien pier. On a seemingly ordinary late Thursday afternoon, a long-tailed tour boat found itself in a precarious situation, colliding with a Royal Thai Navy (RTN) ferry. The result? Four Chinese tourists plunged into the river’s depths, and a sequence of events that no one on board could have anticipated. The incident, which occurred around 4 PM, reverberated through the Transport Ministry, prompting swift action and a dire need for answers. The injured passengers, one male and three females, were swiftly rescued from the water, their plights met with immediate medical attention at Hua Chiew Hospital in the Pomprap Sattruphai district. Thankfully, their injuries were minor, but the chaos of the crash left a lasting impression. The tour boat, its hull overwhelmed by water, sank…
On a bustling Thursday night in Bangkok, a team of determined police officers infiltrated the vibrant Khao San Road—famed for its youthful energy and endless entertainment. Their mission: to eradicate the sale of laughing gas-filled balloons that had recently tainted the tourist hotspot. In a coordinated effort, the diligent officers confiscated an assortment of contraband, including balloons brimming with nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, from an unsuspecting shop. The operation was led by the ever-vigilant Wassayos Ngamkham, whose team has become synonymous with justice in the area. Among the night’s significant outcomes was the apprehension of nineteen migrant workers caught peddling these laughing gas balloons. The detainees consisted of sixteen Myanmar nationals, two Cambodians, and one individual from Laos. It became clear that these workers were but pawns in a larger scheme orchestrated by their employers, who cunningly used them as a smokescreen to deflect legal repercussions from…
The suppression of e-cigarettes is a chief policy of the government due to the growing concern over how vulnerable children are to them. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) In a bid to tackle the rising menace of e-cigarettes among the youth, the National Health Commission Office (NHCO) has come up with a robust five-point strategy aimed at keeping these devices out of young hands. Recent studies highlight an alarming trend: the younger one starts smoking, the higher the chance of chronic addiction. This was underlined by Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who also heads the NHCO. On Friday, he pointed out that e-cigarette companies specifically target younger demographics, luring them into a hazardous habit with both immediate and long-term health repercussions. Suriya was resolute in stating that the commission is pushing for the strictest measures to ban the import and trade of e-cigarettes. The agreed-upon action plan is multi-faceted and includes regulating…
Narongwat Thachada, who once served as a deputy inspector at Bangkok’s Hua Mak police station, found himself on the wrong side of the law as he (second from left in the photo) faced arrest in a modestly rented room in Don Muang district of Bangkok on the night of December 30, 2023. (Photo supplied). The Criminal Court made headlines on Friday, delivering a dramatic verdict that saw the former police lieutenant sentenced to death for the ruthless murder of a businessman in late December. However, in a gesture of clemency, the penalty was commuted to life in prison due to Narongwat’s cooperative testimony during the trial. Found guilty of the premeditated murder of Krit Saruwaranon, a prominent figure in the property business and legal circles, Narongwat’s life took a drastic turn on December 29. The crime was gruesome; Krit was fatally shot on Chalong Rat Expressway, just above Pradit Manutham…
Narongwat Thachada, once a deputy inspector at Bangkok’s Hua Mak police station, was dramatically brought into custody in a rented room in Don Muang district of Bangkok on December 30, 2023. The arrest would reveal a tale of betrayal, shattered promises, and a crime of such gravity that it shook the city to its core. The Criminal Court delivered a bombshell on Friday: Narongwat received a death sentence for the premeditated murder of Krit Saruwaranon, only to have it later commuted to life in prison due to his cooperative testimony. Narongwat’s shocking fall from grace began on December 29, when he coldly executed Krit, a prosperous businessman, and owner of a property business and law firm. The setting of this chilling incident was the busy Chalong Rat Expressway, right above Pradit Manutham Road. Krit had trusted Narongwat, employing him as both a driver and security guard for five months. This…
The suppression of e-cigarettes has become a cornerstone of government policy, driven by increasing concerns over children’s susceptibility to these products. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) The National Health Commission Office (NHCO) has recently endorsed five key principles designed to curb e-cigarette usage among children and adolescents. Research indicates that the earlier someone becomes addicted to tobacco, the higher the likelihood of developing a lifelong dependency. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who also serves as the NHCO chairman, highlighted that young people are a primary target for e-cigarette companies. These companies make it all too easy for children to adopt smoking habits, presenting both immediate and long-term health risks. In response, the commission has committed to using the most stringent measures to ban the import and sale of e-cigarettes. These measures are part of a multifaceted approach aimed at controlling the spread of e-cigarettes among the youth. The five agreed-upon principles include…
Bangkok’s charismatic governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, held an engaging press conference on May 28th to announce his triumphs over the past two years. Shrouded in determined resolve, he delivered bombshell news that aims to shake the city’s bureaucratic walls. On Friday, Governor Chadchart made the bold move to suspend a controversial 40-million-baht procurement program set to equip three sports centers with new gym gear. The announcement made waves, largely due to the shocking figure, but also because it stirred up suspicions of corruption. The suspension impacted three major sports centers: the On Nut Sports Centre, poised to receive gym equipment valued at 15.69 million baht; the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Min Buri district, designated for a 12.11 million baht package; and the Mitr Maitree Sports Centre in Din Daeng district, slated to benefit from an 11.01 million baht investment. The spotlight was thrust onto these figures when the vigilant Strong Thailand…
In the heart of Bangkok, amidst the bustling ambiance of the Bang Kapi district office, excitement brimmed as a woman stepped forward to apply for candidacy in the Senate election on May 20. This moment marked a crucial step towards the much-anticipated first round of district-level voting scheduled for Sunday. Enthusiasm lingered in the air as citizens and candidates alike prepared for the significant event. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) The Election Commission (EC), after much deliberation, stood firm on Friday, upholding its schedule for the Senate election. EC Secretary-General, Sawang Boonmee, revealed that the seven commissioners voted unanimously to proceed with the district-level voting on Sunday. This decision came despite the Constitutional Court accepting a petition from six candidates. Mr. Sawang underscored that the commissioners meticulously evaluated the potential ramifications of the court challenge before cementing the election date. On Wednesday, the court had agreed to entertain a petition. This petition…
Thailand is championing regional tourism in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) by inviting executives from national tourism agencies and entrepreneurs from over 15 organizations. Their collective goal? To attract over 95 million foreign tourists to the GMS by 2025. The senior tourism officials from Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar will be special guests of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+), scheduled from June 5-7 in Khao Lak, Phang-nga Province. Before the event officially starts, these VIP visitors will embark on a tour of Phuket, exploring the Ban Bang Rong Community, the historic streets of Phuket Old Town Community, and several facilities dedicated to Sports and Health Tourism, Gastronomy Tourism, Marine Tourism, and other recreational tourism products. TAT Governor Miss Thapanee Kiatphaibool emphasized the importance of this pre-event tour, stating, “This journey is a crucial element of the…