Posts published in “Thailand”

The budgetary brawl brewing over Bangkok’s gleaming new parliament complex is something akin to a political thriller, replete with fiscal controversy and a hefty dollop of architectural intrigue. A contingent of 30 senators has banded together to vehemently oppose a proposed 956-million-baht allocation earmarked for renovations, raising eyebrows and temperatures in the process. At the forefront of this fiscal fracas is the impassioned Senator Nantana Nantavaropas. With an emphatic flourish, she unfurled her critiques at a recent press conference, meticulously dissecting the renovation blueprints. “Excessive,” “poorly prioritized,” and “not in the public interest” were just the opening salvoes in her arsenal of accusations. The parliament complex, an extravagant exemplar of modern Thai architecture, came with an eye-watering price tag of 22 billion baht. Yet, vexingly, it seems to have aged less like a timeless monument and more like a breadbasket full of woes. Leaky walls, overburdened ceilings collapsing under the…

Imagine sitting in a classroom in Samut Prakan on a bright morning back in the heart of 2022. A teacher articulates with verve, engaging students who, eyes wide open, absorb knowledge with earnest curiosity. This moment, captured vividly in a photograph by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul, subtly underscores a vital transformation that education is crying out for in our current era. Rewind to the nostalgic decades of the 70s and 80s, and you’ll recall the resonant public service announcements that blared across televisions: “It’s 9pm. Do you know where your children are?” These messages invoked a seismic shift in parental awareness and responsibility, a dramatic pendulum swing that reshaped family dynamics for a generation. Fast forward to today in the roaring 2020s, we need a refreshed mantra: “Do you know what your child is doing at school?” This query aims to usher in a much-needed educational metamorphosis, centering parental involvement as a…

Election intrigue is swirling in the air of Thailand, and taking center stage is none other than the Election Commission (EC) chairman, Ittiporn Boonpracong. Recently, Boonpracong found himself at the heart of a media storm after reports emerged suggesting that around 60 senators were about to be summoned on charges of collusion regarding last year’s Senate election. However, the chairman staunchly dismissed these rumors as “groundless” and claimed he first heard of them through the grapevine of news outlets. The genesis of this affair appears to rest upon the shoulders of a source within the EC. According to this insider, the agency’s probe into the collusion allegations is very much in its infancy. The investigation, a joint venture between the EC and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), is moving at a pace akin to watching grass grow. Before these senators could potentially walk the plank, they are entitled to…

In the sun-drenched province of Chumphon, Thailand, a rather unusual culinary escapade has cooked up a storm. At the heart of this spicy saga is a local community leader whose recent gastronomic venture has raised more than just eyebrows. Apparently, his decision to whip up a feast featuring a rather unusual main ingredient—a monitor lizard, no less—has left the locals simmering with indignation. Now, he’s in rather hot water himself, facing demands for legal consequences from the Pathio district’s residents. What’s the fuss all about, you ask? Well, it all started with a Facebook post that took a curious turn into viral infamy. In the now-infamous post, the boisterous chief shared a rather cheeky message: “This lovely animal that climbs a tree is my friend! Lol.” The accompanying images provided a visual feast of sorts, showcasing not only the lizard’s tail but also an array of ingredients destined for his…

In an electrifying twist of police drama straight out of an action-packed movie, four men suspected of wreaking havoc in Uttaradit province last December met their justice today in a sprawling series of police operations. These crackdowns spanned the bustling metropolis of Bangkok and two central provinces, churning out an unanticipated haul of illegal armaments. As announced by Police Lieutenant General Jirabhop Bhuridej, the respected commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, the quartet — Watcharaphong, Sarut, Sarawut, and Phumin — found themselves in handcuffs by May 8. Though their family names remain under wraps, these individuals, aged between 36 and 56, were essentially the stars (or villains, depending on one’s perspective) of a gripping real-life caper spanning multiple towns. But the drama doesn’t stop with dramatic arrests. Alongside these men came a treasure trove of firepower that seemed fit for a small army: 20 unauthorized firearms, over 4,000 rounds of…

In a gripping chapter of Thai medical ethics, three doctors now find themselves in the spotlight following former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s much-debated hospital stay on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital. The Medical Council of Thailand has stepped in, wielding its regulatory power to discipline these practitioners after a probing investigation unveiled disturbing questions about the quality and integrity of care rendered. As the skies light up on this 5th of May, 2025, the repercussions are being felt from the corridors of medical associations to the public eye. Today, Professor Doctor Prasit Watanapa, esteemed as the Medical Council’s first vice president, officiated the declaration that echoed through the medical community. One doctor received a formal warning—a slap on the wrist, perhaps—while two others faced the severer sanction of having their medical licenses suspended. The thorn at the heart of this disciplinary action was the seeming scarcity of…

In the heart of Thailand’s vibrant Pattaya, a shocking and tragic event unfurled on April 26 that has since sparked intense discussions and demands for change. Within the confines of a guesthouse room, the mutilated body of a transgender sex worker was discovered—a horrifying act that has cast a somber shadow over the city’s bustling life. Forensic officers urgently descended upon the scene, collecting evidence in a bid to piece together the grim puzzle. This appalling murder, allegedly committed by a Chinese national, has ignited a fierce call for justice and reform. In a powerful collective effort, Thai rights groups have rallied to petition parliament, imploring for decisive action against hate crimes and for accountability from the Chinese embassy concerning this grievous incident. The petition, submitted on a significant Thursday, was spearheaded by the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT), in collaboration with the People’s Movement to Eliminate Discrimination (MovED),…

In the picturesque, yet slightly notorious, Rangsit area of Pathum Thani, a storm has brewed. Like a plot ripped from a legal thriller, Wichian Chubtaisong, the vigilant President of the Lawyers Council of Thailand, found himself at the eye of this legal tempest. On a seemingly routine Thursday, no fewer than 70 distraught individuals—mostly students—came knocking on the council’s door. Their grievance? Alleged fraud intricately woven by the proprietor of a not-so-humble abode: a privately-run dormitory. Received by both Mr. Chubtaisong and his capable vice president, Weerasak Chotiwanich, the complaints were as serious as they were diverse. From unapproved tweaks to rental agreements—tantamount to document forgery under criminal law—to the more gripping tales of unlawful detention when tenants attempted to vacate, the allegations read like a poorly written landlord horror movie script. The cherry on top of this dystopian sundae? The alleged seizure of personal treasures, including—gasp!—iPads! These tales of…

In the ever-busy corridors of Suvarnabhumi Airport, where Thai Airways airplanes proudly line the runways, a sudden pause has taken the stage amidst the daily hustle and bustle. This unexpected intermission is not due to a technical glitch or inclement weather, but rather, a geopolitical standoff brewing thousands of miles away. Marking themselves as an indispensable link between Southeast Asia and the rest of the world, Thai Airways International finds itself rerouting paths and plans as the skies over South Asia close off in response to escalating tensions between neighboring giants, India and Pakistan. The national carrier, renowned for weaving cultural connections through its flights, has made the difficult decision to suspend its services to Lahore and Karachi this Thursday. It’s a pause in the everyday rhythm that reflects a larger, more intricate global dance. The bustling airliner had meticulously scheduled Flight TG345 to lift off from Bangkok at 7:50…