The bustling streets of Bangkok reverberated with the vigor and vitality of working-class unity this past Thursday. In an electrifying showcase of comradeship, the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee, the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation, and numerous labor networks joined forces in a remarkable Labor Day parade. Standing in solidarity, they set out from the iconic City Hall towards Government House, holding a moment of silence in remembrance of their fallen comrades who tragically lost their lives in the devastating collapse of the State Audit Office building. Capturing the essence of their cause, photojournalist Nutthawat Wichienbut immortalized the resolute spirit of these labor champions. The heart of this potent rally was the ardent call for reform—a resonant plea for enhanced protections and equitable treatment for workers across the kingdom. With unwavering determination, the marchers proudly wielded signs and banners, underscoring pressing labor issues like equitable wage adjustments and fair compensation during…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In an unexpected courtroom drama nestled amidst the vibrant streets of Bangkok, two impassioned activists took a stand on March 4, 2021, waving placards like modern-day knights wielding gleaming swords of justice. Their target? The behemoth known as the Royal Thai Army, accused of engaging in digital wizardry, otherwise recognized under the fabled moniker of the information operation (IO). Veteran lensman Pattarapong Chatpattarasill immortalized the moment with snapshots destined to linger in the annals of activist lore. In the midst of this unfolding saga, Maj Gen Winthai Suwaree, a spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, shot back with a declaration as resolute as a bugle call at dawn. “Perish the thought!” his words seemed to echo through the corridors, “The army does not stage clandestine, military-style IO missions online!” Instead, he claimed, the army’s digital presence serves as an arbiter of truth, a beacon guiding the public away from the…
In the tranquil early hours of May 1st, a fierce fire erupted in Chon Buri, turning a peaceful two-storey wooden house into a scene of devastation. The blaze, which began just as the clock struck 4am, mercilessly consumed the home owned by a resident whose charred remains were later discovered on the upper floor, a heartbreaking testament to the fire’s ferocity. The cause of this fiery disaster remains shrouded in mystery, with authorities still piecing together clues to determine how the flames ignited. Police Lieutenant Prasert Kulbutdee from the Phan Thong Police Station, accompanied by municipal firefighters, dashed to the scene in Phan Thong district. Positioned ominously close to the district’s Electricity Authority office, the fire raged with a voracity that quickly engulfed the entire structure, leaving little but ash in its wake. Firefighters battled valiantly against the blaze, needing more than an hour to bring the hellish inferno under…
In the vibrant heart of Thailand, the echo of voices raised on Labour Day reverberates with a chorus of demands that underscore the urgent need for reform in workers’ rights. At the forefront of this movement, spearheaded by the resolute President of the National Congress of Thai Labour, Panus Thailuan, stands a call for the establishment of a safety net — a risk insurance fund designed to shield workers from the perils of abrupt and unfair dismissals. This proposed fund is more than a mere safety net; it is a lifeline aimed at quelling the all too familiar occurrences where businesses shutter without paying due severance to their loyal employees. Panus passionately champions this cause, envisioning the fund as a beacon of hope that could be realized through strategic amendments to the current labor protection laws. The essence of his plan revolves around compelling employers to contribute, ensuring that in…
In a dramatic crackdown that reads like the script of a thrilling crime drama, Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has successfully brought down an international drug trafficking syndicate, weaving tales of intrigue that expand across borders. This high-stakes bust, performed in the picturesque yet perilous province of Songkhla, has not only revealed the cunning operations of drug traffickers but also underscores the concerted efforts of law enforcement agencies pushing beyond national frontiers. It all unfolded on April 24, when ONCB officers swooped into action, scooping up two unsuspecting Thai nationals amidst their nefarious dealings. Alongside these arrests came the lodestar of evidence – a staggering haul of 261 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, colloquially known as ‘ice’. This success, as confirmed by Prin Mekanandha, the astute Director of Narcotics Law Enforcement at the ONCB, was no lucky find. It was the culmination of an intense collaboration between Thai…
On a somber Thursday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made a poignant visit to the Apostolic Nunciature of Thailand, the esteemed Vatican embassy. With a heart heavy with sorrow, she penned her heartfelt condolences in the book dedicated to the memory of Pope Francis, who left his earthly ties on April 21, at 88, in the sacred grounds of Vatican City. A revered figure in the Roman Catholic Church, his passing prompted a monumental funeral mass on April 26, held beneath the awe-inspiring arches of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. A diverse congregation of mourners gathered to pay tribute to the indelible legacy of Pope Francis, among them Paolo Dionisi, Italy’s ambassador to Thailand, and Dr. Somsak Leeswadtrakul, a distinguished Thai businessman and philanthropist. Dr. Somsak, celebrated for his profound impact, proudly bears the Knights Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great, a prestigious honor bestowed by…
In an unexpected turn of events that has raised eyebrows across Chaiyaphum and beyond, Dr. Phuttha Samadchai, the esteemed director of Nong Bua Daeng Hospital, finds himself in hot water. The respected medical professional has become the talk of the town, not for his groundbreaking medical practices, but for a startling incident involving an alleged late-night escapade that has now sparked a whirlwind of investigation and potential legal woes. The trouble unfolded on what began as a seemingly ordinary evening in the tranquil Muang district. The clock had just struck 10 p.m. when, according to eyewitnesses, a car emblazoned with the distinguished Ministry logo took an unanticipated detour. With the sort of drama typically reserved for TV thrillers, the vehicle reportedly left its designated path, careening onto the footpath before meeting an ill-fated conclusion against a roadside food shop. The sudden crash did not just cause a stir—it left two…
They say every piece of art carries a story, but sometimes, that story stretches across continents and decades, weaving a tapestry of intrigue and history. Such is the tale of four ancient sculptures believed to have been spirited away from their homeland, nestled initially in the quiet environs of Prasat Hin Khao Plai Bat II in the Buri Ram province of Thailand. As of this spring, the United States is preparing to turn the page in this adventurous chronicle by returning these precious carvings to their rightful home. It all sounds like the plot of a heist film, doesn’t it? But this real-life art repatriation has all the essential elements of an epic narrative. The return of these sculptures was steered by the efforts of the Fine Arts Department in Thailand, under the watchful eyes of director-general Phnombootra Chandrajoti. Just last week, on April 26, they received the news they…
In a dazzling series of raids worthy of a high-stakes thriller, the Thai police have swept up a clandestine operation masterminded by an audacious Chinese-led group. Accused of stashing away land worth a jaw-dropping 2 billion baht for a swanky condominium complex in the sun-soaked province of Rayong, this shadowy syndicate had stealthily acquired an impressive 72 rai of prime real estate. The operation, conceived and nurtured by international hands, now stands exposed, with Pol Maj Gen Thatphum Jaruprat, the intrepid chief of the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD), pulling back the curtains on a saga of intrigue and ambition. The blitzkrieg of justice unfolded across three strategic locations in Rayong and Chon Buri, marking the latest in a triumphant trilogy of crackdowns, following daring raids in the bustling locales of Phuket and Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district. Inspired by the cloak-and-dagger aura typically reserved for Hollywood capers, the police netted…
It was a typical night in Thailand’s tranquil Nong Khai province until the silence was shattered by the squeal of tires and the blare of police sirens. In what felt like a scene from an action-packed thriller, three individuals found their illicit activities abruptly halted by the long arm of the law. The tale unveils a gripping chase that culminated in the capture of a substantial stash of crystal methamphetamine, casting a spotlight on a significant crackdown by law enforcement. The trio, identified only as Prasobsuk (23), Thongthawat (28), and the youthful Chalanthorn (20), all hailed from the neighboring province of Khon Kaen and their plans were unraveling as their cars slipped past an unassuming police checkpoint in the Tha Bo district. It was an audacious attempt to smuggle a whopping 450 kilograms of crystal meth, a cargo so valuable it would fetch over 450 million baht on the streets.…