For those who have been closely following the buzzing debate surrounding the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) latest fighter jet acquisition saga, there’s finally a twist to the tale. The Defence Ministry has given its nod to the RTAF’s choice to embrace the Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets over the traditional darlings of the sky, the F-16 aircraft from the United States. This news comes from none other than Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, the Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister, who recently laid out the lofty vision of the 19-billion-baht plan for a new quartet of fighter jets. According to Mr. Phumtham, the dazzling marquee choice of the Gripen is set to become the crown jewel of another squadron in Thailand’s esteemed Air Force. Now, let’s take a little flight into the nitty-gritty of this high-altitude decision. The RTAF currently tames the skies with a fleet that includes both Gripen and…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a whirlwind of digital drama, Oppo and Realme have stepped into the spotlight in Thailand, not for their sleek smartphone designs or groundbreaking features, but due to the pre-installation of a not-so-welcome guest on their devices. The culprit? The Fineasy app, a third-party program dabbling in loan services, which somehow found its way onto a plethora of smartphones, much to the dismay of its unwitting users. It all started when the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) took to social media on a bustling Sunday, waving a virtual red flag about this digital mystery. Users, it seemed, had discovered applications like Fineasy entrenched in their systems, operating behind the scenes like well-hidden spies. These weren’t just any apps—they were impossible to delete and had the audacity to send out loan invitations. Even more concerning, they had a knack for peering into personal data, casually accessing contact lists and phone numbers, much…
In a modern-day twist reminiscent of a gripping political drama, the saga of Thaksin Shinawatra continues to captivate Thailand and beyond. Imagine this: A group of fervent protesters, driven by their passion for justice, clutching a letter filled with fiery condemnation, are gearing up to hand it over to the government. Their concern? The alleged preferential treatment granted to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the illustrious Police General Hospital (PGH) the previous year. The drama unfolds with Thaksin, who was supposed to be serving a lengthy prison sentence for abusing his power, instead finding refuge within the pristine walls of a hospital ward. Ex-red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, a man as enigmatic as the cause he champions, has been streaming live on Facebook, rallying the troops to make their presence felt at Government House on January 21st. Their mission? To face off with the prime minister, who happens to…
High above the sprawling landscapes of Thailand, a courageous ranger from Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary squares off against a fiery adversary. The scene: Nom Nang Mountain in the Si Sawat district, a verdant oasis threatened by the creeping embrace of forest fires. This isn’t just another day at the office; it’s a battle to preserve a slice of paradise. Meanwhile, the embers of a grueling eight-day ordeal smoldered over Khao Loi Mountain in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima. The culprit? A possible prelude to a wildlife hunt gone awry, igniting a blaze that would test every sinew of the authorities’ resolve. Nakhon Ratchasima’s governor, Chaiwat Chuenkosum, embarked on a fierce strategy alongside agencies like the Department of National Parks, the Royal Forest Department, and a cavalcade of local administrations—all united under a singular mission. Armed with a quartet of helicopters swooping low and mighty over treacherous terrain, they unleashed torrents of…
Excitement is in the air as Thailand gears up for the grand Samamongkol Royal Ceremony to be held this Tuesday, marking a historic milestone celebration in honor of His Majesty the King. Not just any typical day, it celebrates the remarkable longevity of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, who will reach the exact ripe age of 26,469 days—the same age as the venerable King Rama I, the esteemed founder of the illustrious Chakri Dynasty, at the time of his demise. In anticipation of this momentous occasion, the Secretariat of the Cabinet has courteously shifted the routine cabinet meeting from the usually occupied Tuesday to an earlier slot on Monday, meticulously clearing the deck for the ceremony’s grandeur. Leading the festivities, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra extends a warm invitation to the public, encouraging everyone to partake in the jubilant activities designed to celebrate this historic landmark. The festivities kick…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the dynamic leader of the Pheu Thai Party, recently graced an exuberant crowd in Nakhon Phanom. Her presence was as electrifying as a rock star’s, and it was all in aid of boosting the campaign for Anuchit Hongsadee, Pheu Thai’s stellar candidate in the upcoming elections for the chief of the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO). The atmosphere was electric, with cheers echoing through the streets, as if the entire province was harmonizing in tune with the beats of democratic symphony. The political stage is being set for a gripping showdown come February 1st, when elections across 47 provinces are expected to kick into high gear. The PAO elections are akin to the league playoffs before the grand World Series of the general election in 2027. It’s all about seizing power now to wield influence later, and the ruling Pheu Thai Party seems poised at the helm,…
In the bustling streets of Bangkok, where the nightlife is as vibrant as the traffic is chaotic, an incident unfolded that would put even the most dramatic soap operas to shame. Picture this: the neon glow of Silom buzzing with early Saturday morning revelers, and amidst it all, an encounter that would send shockwaves far beyond the city limits. It all started innocently enough with a taxi ride. A group of friends—a mix of three spirited men and a woman—piled into a cab, their destination set to the trendy realm of Thong Lor. Excitement filled the air, but as the saying goes, not everything goes according to plan. Their fares were met with a curveball: a recalcitrant driver who flatly refused to employ his meter, instead demanding a cool 200 baht for the trip. Frustration filled the cab faster than the air conditioning could cool it. In a moment of…
The serene coastal allure of Surat Thani was mercilessly disrupted last Sunday as tumultuous weather conditions unleashed chaos across seven districts in this picturesque southern Thai province. The vibrant stretches of sand became poignant reminders of nature’s unpredictable fury as surging seas and gale-force winds turned idyllic beachfronts into arenas of destruction. Among the afflicted areas were the districts of Tha Chana, Chaiya, Tha Chang, Kanchanadit, Don Sak, Muang, and the famously sun-kissed Koh Phangan. This beloved holiday island, renowned for its Full Moon Party, found itself grappling with Mother Nature’s ferocious temper. Locals and tourists alike watched in awe and fear as the normally gentle waves transformed into four-metre-high oceanic behemoths. Under the cover of dawn’s early light, the villagers of Moo 1 in tambon Chonlakram, Don Sak district, awoke to a sound more akin to thunderclaps than the usual whispering ocean. By 4 am, the sea had begun…
Imagine this: the sun hadn’t even fully risen, the early morning mist still hung in the air, and the tranquility of Sangkhla Buri was abruptly interrupted by a scene right out of an action thriller. It was the kind of chilly, bracing morning that would make anyone yearn to remain under warm bedsheets. But not for some residents of this quaint district, for whom this Sunday morning was about to offer an unexpected scene unfolding on the roads. A modest pickup truck, innocuously positioned on the side of the road, was drawing unusual attention. Inside were two men, front and center in the narrative that was soon to unravel. They were just seemingly common individuals from Myanmar, a driver, Ten Win, 44, and his partner-in-crime, Mai, a sprightly 27-year-old. Together, unbeknownst to many passing this rural scene, they had embarked on a venture that skirted the edges of adventure and…
The bustling streets of Bangkok were shocked into silence last week when news broke of the assassination of former Cambodian opposition MP Lim Kimya. With the vibrant city as the backdrop, this gripping tale of intrigue and suspense unfolded, capturing the attention of both locals and global onlookers. At the heart of this unfolding drama was Ekalak Phaenoi, the man thrust into the spotlight as the accused gunman. On a sunny Saturday, after a whirlwind international chase, Ekalak found himself flanked by police officers and cameras, listening to the ominous details of his arrest warrant after being extradited from Cambodia to Thailand. Yet, despite being the center of this high-profile case, Ekalak remained tight-lipped, driven by a fear that overshadowed even the threat of imprisonment. As dawn turned to dusk on his first night back in Thailand, Pol Maj Gen Atthaporn Wongsiripreeda, the authoritative voice of the Metropolitan Police Division…