Picture this: on a humid afternoon in bustling Bangkok, the rumble of engines precedes a fleet of detention vans, their windows obscured by thick black tape, slinking silently away from the Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre. This solemn convoy marks the end of a diplomatic odyssey lasting more than ten years, as the last three Uyghurs held at the notorious centre have finally embarked on a new chapter of life far from the constraints of their former home. Once cocooned in bureaucratic stalemate, these three individuals have found wings to freedom, soaring to Canada under an intricate agreement orchestrated by Thai and Canadian authorities. Now, they are poised to begin anew, marking the conclusion of a saga that garnered both global attention and widespread condemnation. The detaining of these Uyghurs at Suan Phlu dates back to a fateful day in March 2014, when around 300 of them were apprehended by…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Amidst Thailand’s vibrant political landscape, the Bhumjaithai Party has taken a headline-grabbing stance with Chaichanok Chidchob, their eloquent secretary-general, voicing a fervent opposition to casinos within the hallowed halls of the parliament. Chaichanok’s pronounced disapproval comes on the heels of surging debates circling the highly-controversial Entertainment Complex Bill, a legislative piece that’s sending ripples across political aisles and public discussions alike. According to the most recent Nida Poll, taken during the contemplative dates of April 21-23, opinions were as lively as ever. Almost half of those surveyed, precisely 46%, harbored the belief that the bill in question would face a staunch rejection if the casino portion were whisked away. Meanwhile, 33% held a dogged optimism that the bill would swim through the legislative machines even minus its controversial casino sail. Interestingly, a resolute 19% were adamant in their perspective that eradicating the casino component was an impossibility akin to finding…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, the once majestic tower of the State Audit Office- now a tragic spectacle of twisted steel and shattered concrete- saw its ruin brought by nature’s fury. Trucks and backhoes, like modern-day Goliaths, roar through the debris-laden expanse, their task both somber and Herculean. The crumbled skeleton of the 30-storey edifice stands as an eerie reminder of nature’s ability to humble human creations. Sunday witnessed the ceaseless labor of demolition crews, as each clatter and bang echoed against the backdrop of an unfinished parking structure, waiting patiently beside its fallen neighbor. Led by Suriyachai Rawiwan, the tenacious disaster mitigation director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the team pushed their way through layers of debris measuring 2.57 meters above the first floor’s ghostly remains. The relentless quake, born in the cradles of Myanmar’s earth on March 28, 7.7 on the Richter scale, had been merciless in…
In the serene province of Ratchaburi, where traditional ceremonies mark life’s significant passages, an unsettling tragedy occurred at the stroke of midnight on April 27. In the hushed aftermath of a monk ordination ceremony, an event that typically symbolizes peace and spiritual awakening, chaos ensued, ending with a former village headman, Ekarin, tragically losing his life. The night was still young when Ekarin, a respected figure known for his contributions to local governance, found himself ensnared in a deadly altercation. Just as the celebrations were winding down, a sinister air loomed near the entrance of Soi 6, Moo 3, in the Ban Rai subdistrict of Damnoen Saduak district. The former village headman lay sprawled on his back, donning a black T-shirt paired with jeans and sporting white trainers, a stark contrast to the serenity he had just left behind. The scene painted a grim picture; Ekarin’s body bore the brutal…
Under the radiant Bangkok sun, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, alongside an entourage of cabinet members, was seen gracefully navigating the expansive Government House grounds on the morning of March 27. Their mission was simple yet significant – to chair the pivotal weekly cabinet meeting. The scene was abuzz with anticipation, a reflection of the diligent work ahead. With an ambitious itinerary laid out for the week, Prime Minister Shinawatra is set to lead her cabinet on an important journey to the northeastern provinces of Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and Mukdahan on Monday. This expedition is not just a regular check of the administrative boxes; it’s a pivotal examination of key projects and the unique challenges these areas face. These efforts are in preparation for a crucial mobile cabinet meeting scheduled the following day in the vibrant locale of Nakhon Phanom. Ms. Shinawatra’s northeastern expedition has several focal points: improving cross-border…
In a quaint village nestled within the Mae Chan district of Chiang Rai, an event unfolded yesterday that had residents buzzing with mixed emotions ranging from concern to bewilderment. Picture this: a seemingly average day takes a surreal turn when a man emerges from a hut on the village’s fringes, brandishing weapons and making grandiose claims of divine lineage. It was April 26, and what began as an ordinary day in Moo 9, Sri Kham, soon became anything but. As whispers of a man self-identifying as a mythical serpent deity spread through Moo 9, the head of the village knew action needed to be taken. Enter Police Major Sakkachai Re-in of Mae Chan Police Station, who, in partnership with border patrol officers from Unit 327 and a team of soldiers from Unit 31, set out to get to the bottom of this bizarre situation. Arriving on the scene, they were…
In the picturesque city of Chiang Mai, where the air is perpetually infused with the aroma of lemongrass and basil, and temples peek from every roadside, a storm of a different kind brews in the political arena. The ever-charismatic former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, recently dismissed swirling speculations that the Bhumjaithai Party might find itself axed from the coalition government amidst whisperings of a potential Cabinet reshuffle. The father of the current Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin made it abundantly clear to the media that while people may talk, the real decisions about the Cabinet’s fate rest solely in the Prime Minister’s capable hands. As he spoke, one could almost feel the weight of his words hanging in the air like a suspenseful pause in traditional Thai music. Thaksin reassured everyone that any Cabinet modification would be an elaborate affair encompassing all coalition parties, and not just a mere facelift…
The highly anticipated Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project has hit a bit of a roadblock, or perhaps a “track block,” if you will. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Board has graciously bestowed a 201-day extension on the project section connecting Saraburi to Kaeng Khoi. The amusingly slow progress is owed to some pesky structural constraints and land-use permissions from our friends at the Royal Irrigation Department (RID). SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala, ever the bearer of riveting news, revealed the board’s decision to extend the Bangkok-Nong Khai line, which Thailand and China are tackling together like an Olympic relay team. The original horizon for ribbon-cutting was bright and summery – June 7 to be exact. But alas, the train to punctuality has been delayed, pushing us headlong into the crisp embrace of December 25. Yes, it’s quite fitting really, a little Christmas gift in the form of infrastructure. Now, rest easy,…
Once upon a bustling February in 2024, the Thailand Mobile Expo was in full swing at the grand Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. A curious visitor paused at a stall, examining the latest handheld marvels encased in gleaming metal and glass. The air was abuzz with gadget enthusiasts and tech aficionados, eagerly navigating through a sea of innovation. Amidst this high-tech spectacle, a serious briefing was underway, catching the ears of anyone remotely connected to the world of mobile technology in Thailand. The Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Mr. Prasert Jantararuangtong, delivered a message that reverberated through both the shimmering entrance halls and the minds of attendees: a mighty verification initiative was on the horizon. A staggering 700,000 mobile numbers registered under foreign names since the dawn of 2022 were under scrutiny. Alongside these, another 1.8 million digits, seemingly adrift without rightful owners, stood at the crossroads…
In a dramatic turn of events in Rangsit, Pathum Thani, a raging inferno set over 100 rai of grassland ablaze, sending thick, ominous clouds of smoke spiraling into the sky. As the inferno gained strength, anxiety gripped the residents whose homes lie perilously close to the blaze. The proximity of the fire to a critical gas pipeline further fueled fears, creating an atmosphere of unease that seemed to hang as thickly as the smoke itself. The fire alarm resounded at the Rangsit Municipality Fire Radio Centre in Thanyaburi district, setting off a swift chain reaction. At the strike of 1 PM on April 26th, three valiant fire engines from the municipality were deployed, their sirens slicing through the otherwise serene landscape of Pathum Thani. The path led them to a sprawling field of grass and reeds near Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Soi 17 in the Prachatipat subdistrict, where the fire threatened to…