Posts published in “Thailand”

During a heated parliament session on September 12, 2023, Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga found himself in the hot seat. The photo captured by Chanat Katanyu shows him poised, but the backdrop was anything but calm. Political activist Sonthiya Sawasdee was making waves, urging the Election Commission (EC) to dive deep into Mr. Pirapan’s shareholdings across four companies. With fiery determination, Mr. Sonthiya presented evidence suggesting that these financial ties could potentially clash with constitutional mandates as well as the 2018 organic law governing parliamentary elections. In this unfolding drama, Mr. Sonthiya wasn’t treading lightly. He had previously approached the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), waving allegations that Mr. Pirapan was reaping benefits from these companies despite purportedly passing off his shares to a legally appointed asset management entity. The challenge was clear: if Mr. Pirapan had faith in his innocence, he needed to step into the spotlight and clear the air.…

EMMA CLINIC, a trailblazer in the world of aesthetic enhancement, is celebrating its eighth year of empowering men and women to embrace their natural beauty with confidence. Known for its avant-garde approach to beauty design, this clinic has become a sanctuary for those seeking cutting-edge aesthetic solutions and personalized care. As we mark their anniversary, we also celebrate their relentless growth and the anticipation of a new branch set to make waves in Phuket later this year. With ten branches already flourishing and a clientele that reaches across continents, EMMA CLINIC is not just resting on its laurels. They have become synonymous with the marriage of surgical prowess and state-of-the-art technology, all in pursuit of natural results that whisper rather than shout. The clinic’s repertoire is nothing short of comprehensive. From rhinoplasty that refines one’s profile with a touch of subtlety to breast augmentation, chin and eyelid surgeries, and the…

On a typically bustling Tuesday morning at Government House, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrived accompanied by her fellow Pheu Thai Party cabinet ministers, ready to tackle the day’s agenda. Outside, however, the cameras weren’t just focused on her political duties; instead, they were eagerly trained on her expressions as the media buzzed with curiosities about the health and prison term of her father, the infamous former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. In an unfolding saga that reads more like a political drama than a courtroom investigation, Ms. Paetongtarn candidly addressed the press: “As of now, I have not received additional details about my father’s treatment at Police General Hospital,” she stated, a poignancy glimmering like the morning dew in her eyes. Her earlier media soundbite had set the anticipation around the Medical Council of Thailand’s impending report into overdrive; a report that promised elucidation on the medical interventions Thaksin allegedly underwent…

The grand architectural ambition known as the Sappaya-Sapasathan, dreamt up way back in 2013, faced a series of delays and budget spirals before it finally opened its doors in July 2019. But the building’s gravitas wasn’t enough to shield it from an epic cost overrun—from an estimated 13 billion baht to a staggering 24 billion! Yet, the opulent photo readiness aside, this temple of parliamentary grandeur still seems to demand more than its fair share of attention and expenditure (Photo: Nittaya Nattayai). Fast forward to today, and the parliamentary conference room at the heart of the beast is up for a glitzy renovation—one meant to save a pretty penny down the line for seminar-happy committees. Deputy House Speaker Paradorn Prissanananthakul has jumped to the defense amid criticisms of a near 1.2 billion baht proposal for upgrades set for fiscal 2026. The committee’s trips to ritzy hotels for rented spaces could…

In the heart of Bangkok, the Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra sauntered into Government House on Tuesday, with an air of determination flanked by her fellow Pheu Thai Party cabinet ministers. Yet, there was a weighty matter casting a shadow over the Prime Minister, stemming from a familial tie etched deep within the annals of Thailand’s political saga. The story centers on her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, a notable figure whose life veered into a roller coaster of political complexities. Thaksin, with his once-dynamic charm and polarizing presence, found himself embroiled in an unusual chapter as he served his prison term—a chapter of alleged medical treatments shrouded in mystery and debate. As Prime Minister Paetongtarn stepped into the media spotlight on this brisk Tuesday, she acknowledged the swirl of inquiries surrounding her father’s purported medical situation during his incarceration at Police General Hospital. With the Medical Council of Thailand probing into the…

In the quiet Northern province of Lampang, a recent night at a local bar took an unexpected turn as a seemingly innocent farewell wish turned into a catalyst for chaos. Bas, a 34-year-old singer, was delivering his closing remarks after a soulful performance, his words meant to leave the audience with a spark of joy: “I wish you all happiness and success with your favorite team.” Little did he know, those sincere words would provoke an outburst of violence. The evening unfolded on May 4th, just as the clock struck midnight—a time often associated with transitions and transformations. Bas had just strummed his final chord and was readying to pack up his guitar, when Jiab, his unexpected assailant, approached with brisk determination. Bas initially mistook the purposeful stride for one that might earn him a tip. Instead, it was a prelude to an altercation that would stain the night with…

In the midst of the political whirlwind that has recently engulfed the Thai political arena, Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga found himself under the spotlight in a packed parliament session on that fateful September 12, 2023. His words were measured, but it was the fervor outside the parliament walls that turned heads. Political activist Sonthiya Sawasdee had set the stage for a drama of potential constitutional intrigue by calling upon the Election Commission (EC) to diligently scrutinize Pirapan’s shareholdings in four, count them, four different companies. It promised to be quite the spectacle. Sonthiya didn’t just drop verbal bombshells; he brought a stack of evidence to support his claims, ensuring that the accusations of constitutional breach didn’t fall flat. His previous petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had already painted Pirapan as a minister allegedly gaining perks from his stakes in these companies, even after transferring them to a trust…

In a stirring twist of tragic events unfurled in the lively city of Bangkok, two young suspects found themselves in the spotlight of an unfolding drama of crime and consequence. It all began on a bustling day, May 3, when the usually lively Soi Nuanchan 22 bore witness to a chilling encounter. A 34-year-old man met his demise under a hail of bullets—approximately 15, to be precise—fired from atop a red PCX motorcycle, cunningly stripped of any identifying license plate. The assailants, with daring audacity, vanished into the ether of Bangkok’s labyrinthine roads. Fast forward to May 6, and the gears of justice are grinding fervently under the watchful eye of Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, whose stern resolve is as unyielding as the heat of the Thai sun. It was on this day, guided by the directives of a warrant issued by the formidable Criminal Court, that the apprehension…