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.…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The Chao Phraya River, a lifeline for many, continues its dramatic rise as it flows through tambon Phong Pheng in the Pa Mok district of Ang Thong and tambons Ban Kum and Bang Chanee in the Bang Ban district of Ayutthaya. This Saturday, the river’s waters crept ever higher, causing rising anxiety among the local residents. (Photo: Nakhon Sawan Public Relations Office) Nature’s fury was on full display as the Chao Phraya Dam was overwhelmed, bursting its banks and unleashing a torrent of water. The deluge played havoc with low-lying areas outside the protective flood embankments in Pa Mok district, situated in Ang Thong province. Three villages in tambon Phong Pheng bore the brunt of the floodwaters. Over 20 houses were submerged under a formidable 40 to 50 centimeters of water, transforming serene homesteads into submerged islands. Montri Torsillapakit, the dedicated chairman of the Phong Pheng tambon administration organization, rolled…
In a whirlwind of political drama, General Prawit Wongsuwon of the Palang Pracharath Party found himself under the glaring spotlight as he was reelected as the party leader during a bustling general assembly on September 6. This grand event saw the selection of a fresh 24-member executive board and the reaffirmation of Gen Prawit’s leadership. However, his victory was quickly overshadowed by a pressing issue: his notable absences from parliamentary sessions. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha didn’t waste any time, giving the green light for the House Ethics Committee to delve into the mystery of Gen Prawit’s frequent absences. This move was spurred by a petition from Prompong Nopparit, a former spokesman for the Pheu Thai Party, submitted earlier this week. Prompong’s demand was clear: Investigate the recurring no-shows of Gen Prawit in parliament, a situation that has raised several eyebrows. The numbers weren’t exactly in Gen Prawit’s favor.…
Amid Thailand’s political labyrinth, one name increasingly stands out: Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party. With a shrewd blend of political acumen and strategic maneuvering, Bhumjaithai is carving out a substantial niche, aiming to unseat the dominant Pheu Thai Party. Yet, Anutin’s rise to prime ministerial potential is anything but straightforward. Bhumjaithai, currently the third-largest party in the Thai parliament and the second most significant in government, is making notable strides. Observers have lauded their political craftsmanship and astuteness, noting a quiet competition with Pheu Thai, despite being allied for now. This rivalry seeds a fascinating drama as both parties bolster their strongholds, eyeing the next election three years away, provided the current Paetongtarn administration endures. Pheu Thai is pouring efforts into rejuvenating its base after a near decade of governance under Prayut Chan-o-cha. With Thaksin Shinawatra’s behind-the-scenes influence, Pheu Thai is rekindling ties with regional powerhouses to reclaim…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took center stage on Friday, addressing a meeting dedicated to a relief plan for flood victims in Chiang Rai. The gathering saw the government stepping forward to deliver solace to the affected, underscoring the nation’s commitment to its citizens. The magnanimous endeavor comes with the first compensation batch reaching over 3,600 households besieged by relentless floodwaters. Interior Ministry spokeswoman, Traisulee Taisaranakul, revealed that the cabinet greenlit a robust budget allocation of 3.04 billion baht on Sept 17 to extend financial aid to flood victims across the country. The Interior Ministry took the reins, tasked with the critical job of distributing these payouts efficiently and promptly. According to Chaiwat Junthiraphong, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation under the Interior Ministry, the compensation reached the bank accounts of 3,623 flood-hit households in three districts of Chiang Rai on Friday. Breaking it down, 3,305 households in…
In an unexpected twist, political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has called on the Election Commission (EC) for an in-depth investigation into Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s ethical conduct revolving around her rather contentious appointment of Somsak Thepsutin as Public Health Minister and Pol Col Tawee Sodsong as Justice Minister. According to Ruangkrai, these appointments might not be as innocent as they appear on the surface. In his fervent petition to the EC, Mr. Ruangkrai has claimed that the Prime Minister’s choices might just be in violation of Section 160 of the Constitution or Article 8 of the ethical standards. It’s a serious allegation that, if proven, could not only end the ministerial positions of all three individuals but also shake the very foundation of the current administration under Sections 170 and 160. Ruangkrai’s claims aren’t baseless. He references a pivotal report from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) dated July 30, pinpointing…
It’s set to be an eventful Monday as senators gather to discuss a crucial referendum bill, prompted by an ad hoc Senate committee’s proposal to tweak the voting requirements for issues concerning charter amendments. Senate Speaker Mongkol Surasajja has marked Sept 30 on the calendar for this significant meeting, underscoring the urgency of the matter. The special committee, under the leadership of Pol Maj Gen Chattawat Saengphet, has delved deep into the bill and emerged with a recommendation to implement the “double majority” requirement for charter amendment proposals. As reported by a source, this change would solely apply to amendments concerning the charter. So, what exactly does the “double majority” entail? This rule, outlined in Section 13 of the Referendum Act, demands not one but two conditions be met for a referendum result to be binding. First, more than half of all eligible voters must participate in the referendum. Second,…
Senators are set for a high-stakes meeting on Monday to deliberate over a crucial referendum bill, following recommendations from an ad hoc Senate committee proposing a change in the voting requirements for issues concerning charter amendments. This urgent gathering, summoned by Senate Speaker Mongkol Surasajja, is scheduled for September 30, according to insider reports. The special committee, led by Pol Maj Gen Chattawat Saengphet, has meticulously reviewed the bill and suggested implementing the “double majority” rule for charter amendments. Insights reveal that this proposed adjustment is exclusively focused on amendments to the charter. The essence of the “double majority” requirement, embedded in Section 13 of the Referendum Act, is twofold: first, more than half of the eligible voters must participate in the referendum, and secondly, the majority of those votes must favor the proposal. This rule has faced significant criticism for complicating the approval process, thus, making it incredibly challenging…
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) found itself in deep sorrow yesterday, expressing their regret over a tragic accident that occurred at the bustling Prachanukul intersection on Wednesday morning. The disheartening incident took place around 8:25 AM when bus No.49 collided with a motorcycle, leaving an indelible mark on the families of two women who died as a result of the accident. These two unfortunate souls, identified as 34-year-old Pimnipa and 31-year-old Manassanan, were both dedicated employees at a local bank in the Wong Sawang subdistrict of Bang Sue district. The driver of the bus, 55-year-old Chamnong Boonchan, recounted the harrowing moment. As he was maneuvering the bus to the right at the intersection, he felt an unexpected resistance under the vehicle’s right wheels. Realizing something might be terribly wrong, he promptly halted the bus and stepped out to investigate. To his horror, he discovered that the bus had struck…
Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has spotlighted a potential ethical dilemma for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, calling on the Election Commission (EC) to probe further into her recent ministerial appointments. The focus of his concerns? The appointments of Somsak Thepsutin as Public Health Minister and Pol Col Tawee Sodsong as Justice Minister, both of whom are alleged to have accorded unwarranted privileges to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his detention at the Police General Hospital. In his formal plea to the EC, Mr. Ruangkrai outlined potential violations against Section 160 of the Constitution and Article 8 of ethical standards. These alleged breaches, if proven, could instigate the termination of the ministerial roles of the three named individuals under Sections 170 and 160. Central to his argument is a report from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), dated July 30, which accused the two ministers of facilitating preferential treatment for Thaksin.…