In a swirl of excitement and camaraderie, the Grand Postal Building was abuzz with celebratory fervor as British Ambassador Mark Gooding, poised and personable, took center stage. Flanked by the ever-dedicated Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Varawut Silpa-archa, and the astute Minister of Justice, Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, the atmosphere was anything but ordinary. The event, immortalized through snapshots by the deft lens of photographer Nutthawat Wichieanbut, was more than just a gathering; it was a symbol of enduring friendship. Ambassador Gooding, embodying the spirit of diplomacy, announced a thrilling initiative to bolster the Thailand-UK relationship, a bond that has time-traveled 170 years, weathered storms, and embraced sunshine. Dubbed the “170th Anniversary Launch Party,” this gathering was not just an ode to the past but a herald of future collaborations. Hosted in the enchanting Postal Theatre, nestled on the bustling Charoen Krung Road in Bangkok’s historic Bang Rak…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Tucked away in the vibrant heart of Nakhon Ratchasima stands the revered monument to Thao Suranari, affectionately known as Ya Mo. This celebrated heroine, etched into the annals of Thai history, led a courageous uprising against Lao invaders, safeguarding her beloved city during the storied reign of King Rama III. Her statue is not just a figure of bronze and stone but a symbol of resilience and spirit, captivating the hearts and minds of locals and visitors alike. Fast forward to today, and Nakhon Ratchasima is leaping headfirst into the modern age with a groundbreaking transportation advancement. After a seemingly endless seven-year wait, the green light has finally been given to a much-anticipated electric rail mass transit project. Leading the charge is Sarawut Choedchai, a former city mayor with the zeal of a traffic management evangelist, who expresses sheer elation at this leap forward for Thailand’s third-largest city, trailing only…
In the latest chapter of the ongoing battle against narcotics, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) launched a massive campaign that sent shockwaves through the drug underworld. From January 1st to January 17th, law enforcement officials, with precision-like execution, swooped down on a staggering 8,635 locations teeming with illicit activities nationwide. The daring operation, akin to scenes ripped straight from an action thriller, was nothing short of a cinematic blockbuster. Helmed by the indefatigable Pol Lt Gen Santi Chainaramai, the NSB left no stone unturned in dismantling drug operations like never before. The culmination? An eclectic collection that reads like the most lethal grocery list imaginable: a mind-numbing 47.8 million methamphetamine pills, a colossal four tonnes of crystal methamphetamine, 575 kilograms of ketamine, 192 kilograms of heroin, a trove of 2,763 ecstasy pills, and a veritable armory of 469 firearms. All nestled together like a mismatched hoard of doom. This was…
Welcome to the global village where the world seems to spin a little faster each day, pulling us all a little closer together in a delightful twist of interconnectedness. Under the astute vision of the Chief Executive Officer of Sustainability and Strategic Development at Charoen Pokphand Group, the planet has shrunk into a kaleidoscope of whizzing commerce, culture, and information, blurring the edges of what’s national into a vibrant, albeit homogenized, global tapestry. Now, wherever you turn, it’s like playing a game of global déjà vu—spotting those same brands, like Louis Vuitton, H&M, and McDonald’s, regardless of whether you’re sauntering through the streets of Paris or the bustling avenues of Tokyo. The local handicrafts and unique artistic expressions that once were the storied jewels of our cultural heritage are rapidly becoming museum pieces, eclipsed by the rise of mass-produced, cookie-cutter goods. Our digital age compounds this concoction by serving a…
Imagine zooming across Thailand at lightning speed, seamlessly hopping between three major airports without the usual traffic snarl that turns travel into a waiting game. That’s exactly what the long-anticipated high-speed rail project promises for the Eastern Economic Corridor, as developers gear up to connect Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-tapao airports. Thanks to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee’s latest nod, this high-octane rail link might just start breaking ground as early as April—if they can wrap up a revised agreement. Under the watchful eye of Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, the committee recently took a fine-tooth comb through contract revisions. They plan to slice through bureaucratic red tape and pass it along to the cabinet. It’s a race against time, as construction ambitions aim for a takeoff in 2029, albeit five years later than scheduled. A flashback to 2019 reminds us of the original contract handshake, sealed between…
In a striking reflection of urban and rural social climates, the Human Security Emergency Management Centre (HuSec) has observed a veritable surge in cases tackling pressing social issues over the past year. From domestic discord to homelessness and elder care, these issues paint a vivid tapestry of modern-day societal challenges. Leading the charge in addressing these pressing matters is the Social Development and Human Security Minister, Varawut Silpa-archa, whose department has been at the forefront of these efforts. According to Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, HuSec was inundated with a staggering total of over 188,000 cases. The bulk of these, precisely 171,204, reached the center via the trusty Social Assistance Centre Hotline—a testament to the importance of accessible channels for victims and concerned parties alike. Social media, often critiqued for its volatile nature, played a pivotal role too, facilitating 14,855 reported cases. Walking in courageously, 1,466 individuals voiced their troubles in person,…
Imagine the sight: a fisherman, with a catch of blackchin tilapia shimmering under the sun while standing by Khlong Prem Prachakorn, just a stone’s throw from Government House on January 13th. Indeed, this place is bustling with life, although not necessarily the kind that locals of Samut Sakhon are thrilled about. These waters have seen the resurgence of blackchin tilapia, an invasive species whose presence is roiling both the ecosystem and local economics. For those living in Central Plains province, the once-profitable hunt for blackchin tilapia has dwindled to an economic nonstarter. Not long ago, the government provided a financial incentive, buying these troublesome fish at 15 baht per kilogram. Now, without that support, the fish fetch a meager 3-4 baht, prompting a difficult decision for local fishermen: stick with futile labor or hang up their nets. A recent investigation by the media unveiled an aquatic takeover at Khlong Sanam…
A man patiently waits for his bus near the lush greenery of Chatuchak Park. However, this scene is tinged with an air of caution—he wears a face mask, not as a fashion statement but as a protective measure against the menacing clouds of dust particles swirling around him. The date is January 7th, and Bangkok finds itself on the brink of an environmental predicament, captured vividly by the lens of Pormprom Satrabhaya. In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is stepping up, urging the city’s inhabitants to embrace the “work from home” culture from the following Monday through Wednesday. A call to action echoed by Bangkok’s Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who reached out to businesses and government entities alike through a heartfelt Facebook message posted just this past Friday. The plea comes amidst weather forecasts predicting that over two-thirds of Bangkok’s districts could become engulfed in…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, the air was thick with anticipation as throngs of reporters gathered to catch a glimpse of the sensational courtroom drama unraveling. The spotlight was on celebrity lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd, whose dazzling lifestyle and high-profile career took a scandalous turn when he found himself escorted into police custody back in November. Fast forward to today, and the gripping saga has reached a new crescendo as police authorities have formally handed over their meticulous 9,317-page investigation to the prosecution, seeking indictments on formidable charges of fraud and money laundering. It was Pol Col Phumphat Namphutsa, the astute investigation chief of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), who stood at the center of this investigation. With earnest determination, he entrusted the voluminous dossier to the deputy attorney-general, Natthaphong Phutkaew. In the eye of this legal storm is not just Sittra, also known by his affectionately nicknamed moniker, “Lawyer…
In an unexpected twist of political drama and real estate intrigue, Thailand’s Interior Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, has stirred the pot by declaring that the expansive land ownership of the Shinawatra family at the Alpine Golf and Sports Club needs to be revoked. This move comes into focus given Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s familial connections to the property in question. Anutin, with a sense of urgency that rivals a high-stakes political thriller, instructed Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Interior, Chamnanwit Terat, to complete this revocation post haste, ideally by the end of September. The stakes are sky-high, especially since Chamnanwit himself is nearing retirement in October and currently manages the all-powerful Department of Lands. Should Chamnanwit drop this bureaucratic ball, even in this land of smiles, there will be consequences. This unfolding drama has the backing of the all-knowing Council of State, which has quite forcefully suggested…