Tuesday morning brought an unexpected tragedy to a typically vibrant Pattaya setting. An American man was discovered lifeless in the car park at the foot of the hotel where he had been residing on the seventh floor. It was the observant eye of Supornchai Hatkham, a 34-year-old security guard, that made the grim discovery as he conducted his routine patrol around 6 a.m. Without delay, Supornchai contacted the local authorities to report the unsettling scene. The hotel in question, located on Thappraya 15 Road, became the focal point of a concerning investigation. The deceased man, a 43-year-old whose identity has been withheld until his family can be informed, was found lying face down, dressed only in pants, with a conspicuous head wound that had caused significant bleeding. The sight was both alarming and tragic, casting a somber shadow over the lively city known for its bustling tourist attractions. In an…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a bold move to promote a healthier environment for students, the governor has laid out a series of directives that promise to transform schools under BMA into havens “Free from electronic cigarettes.” Imagine walking into your school and seeing vibrant messages or symbols at every entrance, exit, and corner, serving as a colorful reminder of this commitment. And it doesn’t stop there; information spreads through every available channel, creating a buzz of awareness. Picture this: it’s a bright morning, and as students breeze through the school gates, their bags might undergo a friendly inspection. This isn’t just a routine check; it’s a vigilant effort to prevent the sneaky entry of e-cigarettes, liquids, or any related paraphernalia. The sense of security grows, knowing that staff are actively patrolling, ensuring a smoke-free sanctuary. But the initiative ripples beyond school fences. The district office, hand-in-hand with dedicated officials, combats the sale of…
A military officer from the Royal Thai Survey Department recently captivated a group of 36 foreign diplomats and media members in Narathiwat with a compelling presentation on the collaborative efforts of Thailand and Malaysia in demarcating their shared border under the historic Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909. The air was charged with an electric sense of diplomacy and cooperation, as WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM eloquently delivered his speech. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand and Malaysia are making significant strides toward finalizing the demarcation of their 647-kilometer border, which stretches from Thailand’s Satun province and Malaysia’s Perlis state in the west, all the way to Thailand’s Narathiwat province and Kelantan state in Malaysia. Picture the landscape: rolling hills, lush forests, and vibrant communities living in harmony yet yearning for clearly defined boundaries. Leading the charge, Nathapol Khantahiran, the deputy permanent secretary for foreign affairs, led an enthusiastic group of journalists to…
In the quiet yet bustling town of Nakhon Si Thammarat, the latest buzz revolves around the high-profile fugitive, Chaowalit “Paeng Nanod” Thongduang, whose imminent return from Indonesia has piqued public interest and controversy alike. Chaowalit, a notorious figure, is set to be extradited back to Thailand on a chartered flight meticulously organized by Indonesian authorities. Once envisioned to return on a Royal Thai Air Force aircraft, those plans crumbled under intense public scrutiny, prompting a swift change to a private charter. This jet is scheduled to soar directly from Jakarta to Nakhon Si Thammarat on a fateful Tuesday afternoon. Pol Maj Gen Somchai Seutortrakul, the authoritative police chief of Nakhon Si Thammarat, assured the public that a specially trained unit will be awaiting the fugitive’s arrival. Their mission: to whisk the 37-year-old from the provincial airport to Muang police station, where a thorough interrogation and formal charging over his dramatic…
Imagine feeling the ground beneath your feet quiver as you sip on a coconut cocktail on the sun-soaked beaches of Koh Samui. That surreal experience became a reality for residents and tourists last week when not one, but two microearthquakes lightly shook the picturesque island. Both tremors stirred enough commotion and curiosity that officials from the Department of Mineral Resources are springing into action, setting up seismic monitoring equipment on Koh Samui. This move comes amidst the flurry of concern regarding the island’s geological quirks. Visualize a vivid graphic from the Department of Mineral Resources, delineating the epicenters of these two quakes as white and red dots on the island’s right side, juxtaposed with the rather more menacing-looking red lines on the mainland to the left, known as the Khlong Marui Fault. Despite this dramatic map, the true story of these tremors is far less alarming. The department’s Facebook account…
The stage is set for an electrifying showdown in Thailand as the country gears up for its upcoming Senate elections. However, not everything is as it seems, with whispers of clandestine dealings and collusion casting a shadow over the democratic process. On Monday, the Election Commission (EC) ramped up its efforts to unravel the truth behind claims of premeditated electoral victories, a move spearheaded by caretaker senator Somchai Swangkarn. Picture this: Somchai has thrown a spanner in the works by alleging that no fewer than 149 Senate candidates have already been anointed as winners at the district and provincial levels before a single vote has been cast. Could this be a prelude to a manipulative orchestration designed to steer the results of the highly-anticipated June 9, 16, and 26 elections, where 200 new senators will be elected at varying levels of governance? Eagle-eyed EC chairman, Ittiporn Boonpracong, has vowed to…
The voices of the people, especially the youth, must resonate at the United Nations’ Summit of the Future later this year, urged human rights activist Vitit Muntharbhorn on Monday. Speaking at a seminar aimed at preparing Thailand for the September summit, Vitit’s call emphasizes an often overlooked demographic: the young, whose fresh perspectives could significantly shape global discourse. This illustrious Summit of the Future is set to be a high-stakes gathering. World leaders will converge with a singular mission—to forge an international consensus on how UN member states can collectively create a better tomorrow. Come September 22-23, the grand halls of the UN headquarters in New York will buzz with ideas, closing with the signing of a transformative “Pact of the Future.” This pivotal document will outline commitments to sustainable development, international peace and security, scientific and technological innovation, youth empowerment, and the reimagining of global governance. While the summit…
The Government House was bustling on May 7, with cabinet ministers posing for memorable photos. But behind those smiles, an intriguing narrative emerges, thanks to a recent study by the National Statistical Office (NSO). According to official spokesperson Chai Wacharonke, this study reveals that approximately 44% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the government’s performance during its initial six-month period in office. The NSO didn’t just pull numbers from a hat—they meticulously tapped into the sentiments of 6,970 participants aged 16 and above, spanning the nation from April 22 to May 15. And when the NSO director, Piyanuch Wuttisorn, unveiled these numbers, it became clear: about 44.3% of participants felt highly satisfied, while 39.6% were moderately content, and 14.1% displayed slightly content demeanor. Diving deeper into the data, it’s fascinating to observe how people keep tabs on government activities. A significant 83.9% of respondents said they primarily absorb government information through…
The voices of people, particularly the youth, must resonate at the United Nations Summit of the Future, where their perspectives should be woven into the final communique before its signing. This emphatic call came from human rights activist Vitit Muntharbhorn during a lively seminar aimed at gearing up Thailand for this year’s pivotal summit. The Summit of the Future, a prestigious high-level event, aims to convene world leaders to forge an international consensus on how UN member states can collaboratively strive for a brighter tomorrow. This illustrious gathering will take place at the UN’s iconic headquarters in New York on September 22-23, culminating in the endorsement of the “Pact of the Future.” This landmark document will delineate the participants’ unwavering commitments to sustainable development, development financing, international peace and security, as well as the advancement of science, technology, innovation, digital cooperation, and the empowerment of youth and future generations through…
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy, Chulalongkorn University’s Sasin School of Management, and Workplace Pride, has recently unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at creating safer and more inclusive workplaces for Thailand’s LGBTQ+ community. Named the “Inclusion Toolkit for Organisations and Business: LGBTQI+ Insights to Increase Inclusion for All,” this resource compiles valuable input from a diverse array of sources including Thai LGBTQ activists, civil society organizations, and both local and international companies. This collective effort seeks to provide comprehensive guidelines for fostering an inclusive workplace environment. Renaud Meyer, the UNDP resident representative, emphasized the importance of championing economic rights for the LGBTQ+ community alongside their civil rights. He pointed out that despite Thailand’s reputation as an LGBTQ+ friendly destination, the reality on the ground is often starkly different. Discrimination in the workplace remains a pressing issue. Meyer cited data from a study conducted in…