The Maeklong Railway Market in Samut Songkhram, affectionately known as Talad Rom Hub or the Flicked Umbrellas Market, is a bustling and unique experience for tourists. The market earned its nickname because vendors dramatically close their umbrellas and retract their stalls whenever trains pass through. It’s an exhilarating sight combined with the bustling energy of local commerce. Recently, however, not all the drama was limited to the approaching trains. SAMUT SONGKRAM found itself in the spotlight due to an incident involving a coffee shop owner at this popular destination located in the Mae Klong district. The vendor, now infamously known as Mr. Jame, found himself in hot water following a run-in with a Spanish tourist. This altercation, caught on camera, showed Mr. Jame pushing and yelling at the tourist, leading to significant backlash on social media. The video quickly went viral, sparking a public outcry and prompting immediate action. The…
Posts published in “Thailand”
As dawn’s first light kissed the Democracy Monument, a lone bird soared above, embodying the hope and freedom so deeply cherished in Bangkok. However, not all was as serene in the political landscape as this tranquil scene suggested. The Pheu Thai Party’s abrupt U-turn on their proposed charter amendment concerning the ethical standards for political officeholders has stirred significant debate. Initially, Pheu Thai set out to modify certain sections of the 2017 constitution, emphasizing Section 160 which charts out the criteria for anyone aspiring to be a minister. It insists on unblemished honesty and a clean ethical record. Yet, this proposal clashed headlong into robust opposition from coalition partners like Bhumjaithai and the United Thai Nation (UTN) parties. Sorawong Thienthong, Pheu Thai’s secretary-general, hinted that the bill might be withdrawn for further contemplation. The Bangkok Post reached out to analysts and political representatives to dissect whether such incremental amendments could…
Jakrapob Penkair, a former Prime Minister’s Office minister and a pivotal figure in the red shirt movement, made headlines upon his return to Thailand on March 28, ending his 15-year self-imposed exile. (Photo: Jakrapob Penkair Facebook) One of the hot-button issues Jakrapob addressed upon his return was the contentious topic of rewriting Thailand’s constitution. According to him, this should not be an immediate priority for the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government. Rather, it should be a deliberate, inclusive process that involves all political factions and the general public. “I believe that rewriting the entire constitution will take time. It is a long-term process, but allowing all parties and the public to participate in the process can begin immediately. Discussing it won’t hurt,” he emphasized. Jakrapob suggested that state-owned media could serve as a vital tool for informing the public about the strengths and weaknesses of the current constitution. He stressed the importance…
Picture this: eager faces lining up in front of gleaming ATMs, ready to receive their much-anticipated 10,000-baht cash handout from the government. The atmosphere buzzes with a mix of relief and hope, mirrored in the faces of those gathering outside a branch of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives in Buri Ram. Captured in a photograph by Surachai Piragsa, this scene tells only a part of the unfolding drama. Against this backdrop, anti-drunk driving campaigners are voicing their concerns. They’re urging recipients to channel this windfall thoughtfully, steering well clear of alcohol. “Invest in necessities or even smart investments,” pleads Phattarabhandhu Krissana, the passionate chairman of the Network of Victims Against Drunk Driving. His plea is poignant: avoid the slippery path of alcohol consumption which could lead to tragic accidents and lasting disabilities. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation, Phattarabhandhu advocates a sensible allocation of…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her cabinet waded through the flood-ravaged roads of Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai on Saturday. (Photo: Government House) Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reassured the flood-stricken residents of Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai on Saturday, promising them that the North’s most affected area would see normalcy restored by November 1st. Wrapping up a two-day tour inspecting flood damage and recovery efforts, she also visited neighboring Chiang Mai province, where conditions showed signs of improvement. On arriving in Mae Sai, Ms. Paetongtarn was briefed by Royal Thai Army Engineering Department officials before touring two villages, Ban Ko Sai and Ban Pha Chom, to monitor reconstruction progress. Riding through the area, she told reporters she expected 24 major roads and the Sailom Joy Market, an essential border market severely impacted by the floods, to be fully repaired within 45 days. “This year’s seasonal floods destroyed 64…
In the lush embrace of Kaeng Krachan National Park, nestled within Phetchaburi province, a rare and enigmatic marbled cat has made a stunning appearance. This picturesque forest, adorned with nature’s bounty, is now celebrating the sighting of an exquisite marbled cat, an animal that ranks 12th on Thailand’s list of protected wild creatures. The spotting was confirmed by Thanaset Chaemthem from the Kaeng Krachan National Park protection unit 4, Ban Krang. Mongkol Chaipakdee, the vigilant park chief, couldn’t hide his excitement as he shared the news. It was during a routine patrol, a casual day on the wild side, around the 12-kilometer marker of the park’s winding roads that the park officials’ keen eyes caught sight of the marbled marvel. Officially known as Pardofelis marmorata, this fascinating feline stands vulnerable in the eyes of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), adding an extra layer of significance to its…
Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, the dynamic president and CEO of Thai Beverage Plc, was all smiles as he joined in the festivities for the pha khao ma promotion project, a remarkable initiative that’s part of a grand local economic development programme. This event took place at the Sustainability Expo 2024, nestled in the impressive Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, last Saturday. It was a day brimming with promise and progress, brilliantly captured by photographer Apichart Jinakul. Local development initiatives are not just flourishing—they are blossoming into a full-fledged success story. Backed by the unwavering support of Thai Beverage Plc, these projects have achieved the astonishing feat of generating 2.6 billion baht in revenue for 136,000 households across Thailand over the past nine years. Thapana, the visionary at the helm, shared insights on these extraordinary achievements and the ambitious goals yet to be reached during a crucial meeting of the private…
The Moo Deng craze has taken the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri by storm, drawing an unprecedented number of visitors. This surge in interest has proved a lucrative boon for the zoo, as revenues from admissions have skyrocketed. Additionally, the sale of Moo Deng-themed merchandise is flourishing. According to zoo officials, these financial gains are earmarked for improving the living conditions of all their animals, ensuring that the entire zoo benefits from Moo Deng’s newfound fame. However, this wave of popularity hasn’t been without its critics. The wildlife activism group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), has accused the zoo of exploiting the baby pygmy hippo, Moo Deng. They’ve made a compelling case that she belongs in the wild rather than being paraded as a spectacle. A post dated September 23 on PETA’s Facebook page pulls no punches: “TikTok turned Moo Deng into a celebrity, but…
In the early hours of Saturday morning, the serene streets of Chokchai district in Nakhon Ratchasima were jolted awake by a tragic and puzzling incident. A pickup truck, driven by an on-duty police officer, had collided with a barrier in front of a local bank. This seemingly straightforward traffic accident took a grim turn when responders found the officer, slumped over in the driver’s seat with a fatal gunshot wound to his head. The officer, later identified as 42-year-old Nattaphon, had a 9-millimetre pistol lying suspiciously close by. Efforts to save him were immediate, but ultimately in vain, as Nattaphon succumbed to his injuries shortly after being rushed to Chokchai Hospital. But what could have driven a dedicated officer to such a desperate end? Investigators soon turned their attention to Nattaphon’s personal life, uncovering a complex web of deceit and desperation. His wife, a woman named Wilasinee, had come under…
Imagine the scene: a fluffy dog stranded, shivering atop a floating piece of furniture, trapped in a home rapidly filling with water. This was the reality in Thoen district of Lampang province on a fateful Saturday, an image captured in a heart-wrenching screenshot that circulated widely. The calamity unfolded when floodwaters in Ban Nong Sang village swelled from depths of 50 centimeters up to a staggering 2 meters, all triggered by the relentless overflow of the Wang River. As the waters rose, urgency mounted. With no time to lose, student volunteers from Srisoontornsrilawisut School and compassionate monks from Pa Thoen Buri temple sprang into action. They waded through the murky deluge, armed not with capes but with courage and concern, distributing essential supplies and aiding residents in salvaging their belongings from the invading floodwaters. Their destination: tambon Thoen Buri, a community grappling with the watery onslaught. The situation was dire.…