In a compelling drama unfolding within Thailand’s legislative circles, a controversial amendment to the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries is poised to reshape the country’s fishing landscape, sparking heated debates among environmental advocates, lawmakers, and industry insiders. The proposed changes, currently debated in the Senate, echo a precarious past when Thailand faced potential sanctions from the European Union (EU) for unsustainable fishing practices. The original 2015 Royal Ordinance was introduced under the governance of Prayut Chan-o-cha to curb destructive fishing practices and combat human trafficking. The ordinance drastically reduced the number of trawlers, promoted seafaring workers’ welfare, and banned fishing nets with mesh sizes under 2.5 centimeters. This decisive action led the EU to lift its “yellow card” warning against Thailand in 2019, praising the nation’s progress against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU). Fast forward to today, and the Thai Sea Watch Association’s chairman, Wichoksak Ronnarongpairee, voices adamant opposition to…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a moment that brought sighs of relief and tears of joy across Thailand, five Thai hostages, held for an astonishing 15 months in Gaza, finally tasted freedom. Pannabha Chandraramya, the distinguished Thai Ambassador to Israel, stood alongside these resilient individuals, their poignant reunion immortalized in a photograph distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The joyful occasion was bittersweet, shadowed by the unresolved plight of the last lingering Thai hostage, Nattapong Pinta, originally from Phrae province. While the good news of the five releases was celebrated, a cloud of uncertainty still hangs over Nattapong’s fate. Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa reassured the nation, expressing the unwavering dedication of the government in their tireless efforts to bring Nattapong back home. Minister Sangiampongsa shared that Israel’s foreign minister had reached out with congratulations on the successful resolution for the five hostages. Discussions also included strategies not only to secure Nattapong’s safe…
In the picturesque borderlands where Thailand’s Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai province elegantly mingles with Myanmar’s Tachilek, power lines stand as silent witnesses to the energy exchange between two historically linked regions. These lines, extending gracefully from the Thai side under the auspices of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), have recently found themselves at the center of an electrifying debate that buzzes with urgent diplomatic and legal undertones. The tale turns intense as Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, representing a government growing increasingly weary of cross-border criminal activity, makes a bold move. He seeks clarity on the possibility of flicking the power switch off in Myanmar’s notorious scam-ridden zones, an initiative that has entrenched itself firmly in the public discussion. These zones are infamous hubs of call-center scams that ripple into Thai territory like an illicit broadcast, causing the minister to reach out to Thailand’s esteemed National Security Council (NSC)…
The notorious “Oreo” gang, an infamous online gaming community, has once again found itself in the spotlight, capturing attention for all the wrong reasons. A string of violent episodes has surfaced, prompting the specialist cyber police to take action. This Friday saw the arrest of another key figure in this gang, Adipat Kamlangkua, aged 23. This detention came hot on the heels of the release of a disturbing video on an account bearing the whimsical name “Reez Oreo,” where Adipat was identified as one of the culprits. According to the astute findings of Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewpan, the commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), this footage depicted egregious acts of torture and degradation. The captured video, recorded on the chilly day of December 3rd, showcased a shocking scene—a victim was brutally forced to eat grass, strip off his clothes, and subjected to the indignity of being sprayed…
The prestigious Chulalongkorn Business School’s Master in Branding and Marketing (MBM) Program, in a grand alliance with the Stock Exchange of Thailand and Manager Online, hosted the prestigious ASEAN and Thailand’s Top Corporate Brands 2024 awards ceremony on 30 January 2025. This captivating festivity, held at the historic Chulalongkorn University Auditorium, was honored by the dignified presence of Prof. Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, the esteemed Chairman of Chulalongkorn University Council. As the event graciously tiptoed into its fabulous 15th year, it not only commemorated the pioneering research in corporate brand valuation but also showered accolades upon outstanding corporate brands from Thailand and across the ASEAN region. Truly, this was a celebration of branding excellence, one that shimmered with insight, achievement, and camaraderie amid an ever-evolving global market. A New Dawn in Corporate Branding The ever-inventive Corporate Brand Success Valuation (CBS Valuation) method, the brainchild of the illustrious Prof. Emeritus Dr. Guntalee…
Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd., the revered powerhouse of comforting and refreshing sips, is ushering in a new era as it proudly names Mr. Tanuj Chadha as its Chief Executive Officer, starting February 1, 2025. With a career that reads like an adrenaline-fueled roller coaster of achievements, Mr. Chadha brings forth a wealth of expertise in the realms of sales, marketing, and commercial leadership. His impressive journey began back in 2004 when he donned the role of a Territory Development Manager at PepsiCo India. Through the years, he has aced pivotal leadership roles such as Unit Manager at PepsiCo and Division Head at Marico Limited, all the while solidifying his reputation as a formidable leader. When Mr. Chadha joined the dynamic realm of Suntory PepsiCo Thailand in 2019 as their Sales Director, it was akin to adding a splash of invigorating zest to the company’s vision. He became the…
It was an otherwise unremarkable Friday evening in Det Udom district, a quaint nook of Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province, when drama unfurled its fiery tendrils across the state-run Detudom Hospital. As the sinking sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, a menacing plume of black smoke began to rise ominously from the hospital’s third floor, cutting a stark figure against the twilight. Pandemonium cascaded through the halls of the 437-bed hospital as the staff, a medley of white-clad angels, sprang into action. With neither time to spare nor room for error, they expertly evacuated patients, herding them away from what was rapidly becoming a potential disaster. Sirens wailed in the evening air—an ominous soundtrack to the unfolding chaos—as fire trucks screeched to a halt at the hospital’s gates, disgorging a battalion of brave firefighters clad in helmets and brimstone-defying gear. The battle against smoke and flame was…
In a scene that could have been pulled straight from an action-drama film, a six-wheel truck carrying a group of 53 Myanmar nationals now rests precariously in a ditch, a testament to a perilous journey gone awry. The silent morning of Nakhon Si Thammarat was shattered not by the typical hum of dawn, but by the abrupt crash of metal meeting a stubborn power pole, leading to a calamitous halt along the road. The ill-fated vehicle was plying along Asia Highway No 41, speeding through the Thung Song-Surat Thani route in the quiet tambon of Kaew Saen. The dawn had barely broken when Pol Lt Col Phanuwat Rattanaphan, the vigilant inspector at the Na Bon station, was jolted from routine tasks by an unexpected call—an alert that would soon spiral into a tale of desperation and fugitive antics. When the authorities arrived on the scene, the aftermath of the crash…
In the picturesque district of Thoeng in Chiang Rai province, the air was filled with anticipation as Thaksin Shinawatra waved to a sea of supporters. This was no ordinary day; it marked a significant moment in the political rally circuit for the Pheu Thai Party, gathering momentum on January 5, 2025. The enthusiasm was palpable, with hopes pinned on a future shaped by the party’s vision. Yet, beyond the adulation and fervor, a curious twist awaited the former Thai Prime Minister. The Criminal Court had just granted him a rather intriguing permission—to momentarily leave Thailand. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision but a well-structured plan backed by a hefty 5-million-baht cash surety. Scheduled for a brief sojourn on the following Sunday and Monday, his destination was none other than Malaysia. Thaksin’s departure, however, wasn’t without purpose. He had ardently vouched for himself and Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa as crucial witnesses, leveraging…
In a remarkable stride towards wildlife conservation, renowned billionaire Anant Ambani, alongside his proactive animal rescue foundation, Vantara, has embarked on an awe-inspiring venture with the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP). Together, they have successfully orchestrated the triumphant return of 41 Spix’s Macaws from Germany back to the wild terrains of Brazil. It’s a heartening chapter that echoes across the globe, an invigorating attempt to rejuvenate a species once declared extinct in the wild in the dawning days of the new millennium. Vantara, celebrated for its relentless dedication to the cause of wildlife conservation, has been instrumental in this ecological renaissance, lending not just its expertise but also formidable resources. This leap forward builds upon the foundation’s previous victories, like the 2022 release that witnessed the joyous chirps of the first wild-born Spix’s Macaw chicks in more than two decades. Recently, this ambitious endeavor saw a meticulously…