Mps were gathered in a parliament meeting in August 2023. (Bangkok Post File Photo) The ruling Pheu Thai Party‘s recent push to include lese-majeste offenses under a proposed political amnesty bill has stirred up a cauldron of controversy. This bold move could potentially spell the government’s early demise, as cautioned by a deputy government spokesman on Thursday. Speaking on the matter, Karom Polpornklang from the Bhumjaithai Party expressed his party’s cautious approval of the amnesty bill. “We welcome efforts to pass the amnesty bill,” said Karom. “It would help resolve ongoing political conflicts and foster unity within society.” However, Karom also issued a strong warning. “A blanket pardon for lese-majeste offenders can reignite old conflicts and lead to the downfall of the government,” he said, echoing sentiments recently expressed by Bhumjaithai leader and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. “Bhumjaithai has no problem with Section 112, and we will leave it alone,”…
Posts published in “Thailand”
People use sports equipment at Wachirabenchathat park in Chatuchak district of Bangkok on Thursday. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya) Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt has admitted to finding unusual patterns in gym equipment procurement—like a treadmill that cost as much as a car— for two sports centres operated by City Hall. Mr. Chadchart addressed public suspicion on Thursday about the procurement for the sports centres at Waree Phirom Park in Khlong Sam Wa district and Wachirabenchathat Park (aka Suan Rod Fai) in Chatuchak district. The governor vowed to intensify the investigation and assured that legal action would be taken against any officials found involved in wrongdoing. He emphasized City Hall’s commitment to administrative transparency. “I insist on being transparent,” he declared during a press conference held by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The issue came into the spotlight when the Strong Thailand Anti-Corruption Club posted an update on Facebook on Tuesday, revealing that…
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has firmly pledged to disregard a warning from the Constitutional Court, which advised against public statements that could impact court proceedings. As the party faces a case that might lead to its dissolution, Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon, on Thursday, declared their intention to proceed with a planned press conference on Sunday. This event aims to lay out to the public how they intend to defend themselves in the ongoing legal battle. “The explanation will remain consistent with what has already been detailed in the defence statement submitted to the court. Thus, the press conference should not influence the court’s deliberation,” asserted Mr. Chaithawat. The court is scheduled to hear the case next Wednesday, but the timeline for a ruling remains uncertain. The defence statement was submitted to the court on Tuesday, following the last of three 15-day extensions granted by the court. Both the Election…
The picturesque waters of the Chao Phraya River turned chaotic on Thursday afternoon when an unexpected collision occurred at the Tha Phra Chan pier in Bangkok. The bow of a longtail tour boat dramatically pierced through the roof of a navy ferry, causing an alarming scene that left three Chinese tourists injured. The incident, which took place at around 4:50 PM, involved a spirited tour boat laden with Chinese tourists. The boat, navigating along the bustling Maharaj Road waterway, crashed into a navy craft docked at the pier. The force of the impact was enough to send shivers through onlookers and left three tourists—one man and two women—nursing injuries. As the chaos unfolded, dedicated staff and officials sprang into action, rendering aid to the injured and rushing them to a nearby hospital for treatment. Thankfully, there were no reports of anyone missing in the watery commotion, offering a breath of…
Picture this: Sleek touchscreen controls gleam under the ambient cockpit lights of a Boeing 737-9 aircraft. It was during an event in September 2021 at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, that showcased the many updates to this modern marvel. But back in Thailand, a crucial debate raged about flight operations and the future of local pilots. The Thai Pilots Association is vocally opposing a government proposal to temporarily lift restrictions on foreign pilots flying with Thai carriers. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pointed out that the sluggish resumption of flights post-pandemic is a significant hurdle for the tourism sector—a sentiment shared globally by many airlines grappling with a personnel shortage. In an effort to rejuvenate tourism, the government has urged airlines to ramp up their flights and expand their fleets. This plea was made during PM Srettha’s visit to the Thai offices of Agoda, the world’s largest travel booking platform. Yet,…
Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn, then serving as an assistant to the national police chief, was seen conversing with Thai victims rescued from scam call centres in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 2022. (Photo: Royal Thai Police via Reuters) Thailand has set its sights on achieving Tier 1 status in the suppression of human trafficking, as highlighted by Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa. His statement underlines an urgent need to tackle the burgeoning scam industry and the proliferation of online trafficking operations. Presently, Thailand holds a Tier 2 ranking in the Trafficking in Persons Report, which is published annually by the US State Department. The much-anticipated 2024 report is expected to be released later this month. Speaking at an event commemorating National Anti-Human Trafficking Day, Mr. Varawut emphasized that human trafficking is a serious transnational crime that gravely violates human rights. “We need to take proactive steps to…
Tourists, led by a spirited Thai guide, pedal their way through the bustling streets of Bangkok’s Chinatown and the vibrant Sampheng neighborhood. This dynamic scene from April 29 encapsulates the infectious energy sweeping through Thailand as it witnesses a tourism boom. And what a surge it is! A staggering 15 million foreign tourists have already visited the Land of Smiles in the first five months of this year, marking a robust 38% increase from the same period last year, according to government spokesman Chai Wacharonke. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is fervently championing this rise in tourism, recognizing its significant potential to turbocharge the economy. Part of his visionary “Ignite Thailand” development agenda includes enhancing the quality of human resources within the tourism sector, making it a harmonious blend of quantity and quality. In line with this ambition, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Labour, and the Tourism…
BIG, a trailblazer in climate technology innovation, is leading the charge for energy transition in Thailand’s industrial sector. The company has teamed up with RATCH Group Public Company Limited—a heavyweight in the energy and infrastructure space throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Their collaboration has taken a significant step forward with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to delve into the feasibility of generating green hydrogen from renewable energy sources, both domestically and globally. This joint venture aspires to meet the impending clean energy demands of various sectors including industrial, transportation, and power generation. This partnership with RATCH Group accentuates the commitment of both companies to spearhead the energy transition through cutting-edge innovation and technology, with the ultimate goal of achieving carbon neutrality and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Their collective aim is to nurture a low-carbon society, ensuring sustainability for future generations. Mr. Nitus Voraphonpiput, Chief Executive Officer of RATCH…
Mr. Pongsakorn Pongsak, Chief Executive Officer of INNOVATIVE FOOD AND BEVERAGE PTE. LTD, the visionary behind the renowned IF and INNOCOCO brands, recently celebrated a remarkable milestone in market expansion. The year 2023 was particularly stellar, with the company raking in an impressive 3 billion THB in sales, marking an astounding 87% growth from the previous year. A standout in this success story is their 100% coconut water, which has captivated the Chinese market both online and offline with its unparalleled natural taste and sweetness. The meticulous attention to consumer preferences has propelled the IF brand to the forefront of the market. Leveraging Cold Aseptic Technology, the most advanced in the beverage industry, IF coconut water boasts a shelf life of up to 12 months without preservatives, all while maintaining the fresh, nutrient-rich qualities of freshly cracked coconut. This technological marvel has firmly established IF as a top-of-mind brand among…
The vibrant streets of Bangkok’s Chinatown and Sampheng neighborhood were a hub of activity on April 29, as tourists leisurely pedaled their way through the bustling alleys, guided by an enthusiastic Thai tour guide. Capturing the joyful scene through his lens, Apichart Jinakul showcased the rejuvenated spirit of Thailand’s tourism. Thailand’s tourism sector has experienced a remarkable resurgence, with nearly 15 million foreign tourists gracing its shores in the first five months of the year – a whopping 38% increase compared to the same period last year. Government spokesman, Chai Wacharonke, revealed this impressive statistic on Thursday, highlighting that Chinese visitors constituted the largest group of arrivals. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, recognising tourism’s vital role in bolstering the economy, is eager to advance Thailand’s standing in the global tourism arena. Under his ambitious “Ignite Thailand” vision, a key focus is enhancing the industry’s manpower quality, setting the stage for Thailand…