Chatree Ladalalitsakul, a revered National Artist and the mastermind architect behind the monumental new parliament building, has found himself amidst the fray, passionately contesting numerous renovation plans. His resolute voice echoes the sentiment that this architectural masterpiece stands as a vital piece of national art, deserving untouched reverence unless the original creators give their authentic nod. For a grueling decade, Chatree maintained a dignified silence, absorbing a storm of criticisms and defamation. “This parliament is a crowning achievement of our architectural panorama in the past century,” he defended, his voice tinged with the weariness of a decade-long battle. Reluctantly stepping back after handing over the project, Chatree admits, “I was urged to stay mum, but my frustrations have burgeoned beyond containment.” His Thursday visit to the parliament carried more than just words—it was an urgent plea delivered to the Senate subcommittee on creative arts, urging restraint on alterations. Contributing to…
Posts published in “Thailand”
As the sun beams its glow upon the Chao Phraya River, the scene inside Bangkok’s majestic new parliament complex is not as serene. With the humdrum of political discussions overshadowed by a whirlwind of issues, it’s the grandeur of architecture rather than the affairs of state that recently stole the spotlight. Leading the charge into the depths of governmental transparency is Parit Wacharasindhu, the dynamic MP from the People’s Party, whose mission is to dissect the details of five particular renovation projects drawing particular attention from the public purse. The densest cloud of contention hangs over a proposed car park building set to inflate parliamentary budgets to the tune of 4.6 billion baht over three years. Picture this: a sprawling underground lot potentially housing 6,500 vehicles beneath the lawns of parliamentary grandeur. Aligning this vision with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s requirements, which call for a less extravagant 3,500 spaces, strains credulity.…
Something’s cooking in the political landscape of Thailand, where the scent of high drama and intrigue hangs heavily in the air. At the heart of it all, buzzing like a bee in a bonnet, is an investigation concerning former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s stint at the Police General Hospital (PGH) – a saga that’s got tongues wagging and gavel-holders frowning. Ah, the sweet aroma of scandal! The Supreme Court’s esteemed Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions has turned its beady eye onto Thaksin’s cozy hospital stay, with whispers ricocheting around corridors of power that perhaps the ex-leader’s prison sentence hasn’t been enforced with enough vigor. As if on cue, the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) then commenced an act of theatrical discipline, targeting three doctors involved. One got a proverbial slap on the wrist with a formal warning, while his colleagues saw their medical licenses unceremoniously suspended for conjuring…
The enigmatic case gripping the heart of Kanchanaburi revolves around the tragic demise of a 28-year-old party entertainer named Mark, whose lifeless body was fished out from the Khwae Noi River on a fateful day, February 28. The picture painted by his untimely death is mysterious, casting shadows over the vibrant riverside accommodation where Mark was last seen performing his mesmerizing acts. Mark was a young Thai man, full of life and known for bringing sparkle to parties. Little did anyone know that his last journey to this picturesque floating accommodation would be shadowed by grave suspicions and sorrow. Mark and his jovial entourage, comprising a gay man named Rin and a fellow entertainer named Mew, checked into this riverside haven on February 26. Together, they were to break the monotony with music and laughter, a job Mark had been hired to do. However, the morning of February 28 dawned…
The solar rooftop market in Thailand is hurtling towards an electrifying future, with fierce competition brewing amidst the falling prices and an ever-expanding supply from enthusiastic manufacturers. This charge towards renewable energy has been sparked by a series of innovative governmental pushes. Among the frontrunners is EnergyLIB, a nimble solar energy solutions provider that has proudly unveiled a snazzy new solar system tailored for townhouses. Not to be left out of this sunlit race, a powerhouse consortium has risen, comprised of the esteemed German cable manufacturer Lapp Holding Asia, the dynamic Hong Kong conglomerate Jebsen and Jessen Group, and the charismatic Chinese solar panel virtuosos, Deye. JJ-Lapp’s general manager, Chatchai Wajakiet, wagers that as prices tumble and the Thai government graciously relaxes regulations around solar installations, the demand for solar rooftop panels will soar to new heights. The enterprising trendsetters leading the charge are, unsurprisingly, the office owners and factory…
In a plot worthy of a movie script, an Australian man has been dramatically apprehended in Pattaya over his alleged involvement in a series of high-stakes robberies in Thailand’s sun-kissed locales of Phuket and Koh Samui. The twist? His lavish hideout was shared with two majestic lions pacing the grounds, seemingly guarding the secrets of this brazen tale of theft and intrigue. The suspect, known as Vasilios, but often referred to by his alias “Billy,” was scooped up by a joint operation led by the officers from Provincial Police Region 8 and Chon Buri’s finest. These forces descended upon a sprawling luxury villa nestled in the Bang Lamung district. The setting was dramatic—a compound encompassing two rai of land, with its opulence punctuated by the presence of Vasilios’s unusual pets. These were no ordinary pets. Vasilios, who flaunted body art that spoke of histories untold, boasted about acquiring the lions.…
It was a typical Friday in bustling Bangkok when a group of stern-faced officials moved through the city like a well-rehearsed flash mob, delivering summonses that had the potential to send ripples through the Senate itself. These summonses were crafted by the Election Commission (EC) and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to address the murky allegations of vote-rigging in last year’s Senate election. Among the bedlam and the buzz, six senators found themselves in the storm’s eye, encircled by suspicion and scrutiny. The names on the lips of every political junkie in town were Alongkot Vorakee, Chokchai Kittithanesuan, Jirasak Chookhwamdee, Pibulat Haruehanprakan, Wuttichart Kalyanamitra, and Phisut Rattanawong. They were the chosen half-dozen, the political focus of relentless eyeballs and accusatory whispers. It was a mix of high politics and low intrigue, with posters slapped on gates and under surrounding gazes. When DSI officers stopped by Sen Jirasak’s abode in…
Yesterday, the usually vibrant streets of Pattaya Beach witnessed an unexpected surge of activity, not from holidaymakers or sunbathers, but from over 50 vigilant officers conducting a decisive crackdown on illegal activities. In an undercover operation worthy of a Hollywood thriller, officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station, alongside the Tourist Police and the Immigration Bureau, donned the guise of domestic tourists and set out on a mission to nab foreign sex workers who were unlawfully plying their trade to unsuspecting travelers. As the clock struck 7 PM, the operation swung into full gear, zeroing in on individuals who approached pedestrians with enticing offers of illicit services. When the dust settled, 13 foreign prostitutes found themselves in handcuffs, their beachside ventures brought to an abrupt end. Among them were seven nationals from Uzbekistan and six from Uganda, each journey having led them to this picturesque — but now legally tenuous —…
As the weekend approaches, ominous storm clouds gather over Thailand, but that hasn’t deterred hordes of eager tourists from flocking to the sun-kissed beaches of Pattaya. With a thrilling four-day holiday unfolding from May 9 to 12, courtesy of the Royal Ploughing Ceremony and Visakha Bucha Day substitution, Pattaya is set to welcome an influx of holidaymakers, despite the unpredictable weather forecast. The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) has sounded the alarm, attributing the thunderous conditions to an entanglement of a moderate high-pressure system drifting from China with Thailand’s sizzling heat. The result? A cacophony of summer storms poised to sweep across the land, primarily targeting the northern and northeastern regions. However, the eastern expanses, particularly Chon Buri province where Pattaya lies in wait, are bracing for wild weather too. ‘Thunderstorms, gusty winds, and even hail are on the cards between May 9 and 12,’ the TMD ominously declared in its…
Ah, the durian! The king of fruits, surrounded by a regal crown of spikes, is taking center stage once again as it rolls out in glorious abundance this season. Just in time, too, to cater to China’s ever-increasing craving for this intriguing delicacy with its unforgettable aroma. However, beneath this delicious surface, a flurry of activity is happening behind the scenes. Thai officials are diligently working to smooth out the export process and address safety concerns, striving to ensure that the durian business continues to flourish. As the durian season reaches its zenith, Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has loudly declared their readiness to meet the soaring demand from Chinese consumers. After all, they are the largest foreign admirers of this peculiar fruit. Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat has assured that Thai authorities are collaborating closely with China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) to maintain seamless trade movements between the…