As Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra gears up for what promises to be a heated censure debate, the political stage in Thailand is set for another riveting episode. Armed with resilience and a touch of familial pride, she stands firm, ready to face the barrage of questions anticipated from opposition quarters. It seems the shadows of her father, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, are once again casting their presence over political waters, adding a dramatic twist to the unfolding narrative. Thaksin’s charismatic persona and persistent influence in Pheu Thai campaigns have not gone unnoticed, stirring up a whirlwind of criticism. Opponents claim he holds sway over the government machinery despite not officially being part of it. Public perception is a fickle ally, yet it holds tangible power, and it’s this very perception the opposition hopes to wield like a sword in the impending debate. Rumblings within the political halls suggest that a no-confidence…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the heartlands of Buriram, a young girl’s world was turned upside down, painting a harrowing picture of life as a student that begs for attention and compassion. This chilling account of violence in the corridors of a school takes us to Lahan Sai district, where a 13-year-old, full of promise, found herself ensnared in an ordeal that no child should ever withstand. Accompanied by her devoted parents, this Matthayom 1 (Grade 7) student summoned the courage to set foot in Lahan Sai Police Station. The reason? To report a most disturbing assault at the hands of her peers—a band of at least ten schoolmates from both Matthayom 1 and Matthayom 3 (Grade 9). It was a Monday morning that shattered innocence and trust, and one that will not easily be forgotten. What began as an ordinary school day quickly spiraled into chaos around 9 a.m. It was as if…
Yesterday, the serene district of Samut Sakhon suddenly found itself at the center of a whirlwind of activity as authorities descended upon three Chinese-owned factories in a dramatic crackdown. Amidst the bustling backdrop of the Muang district, these operations were abruptly halted for flagrantly flouting the law. But what could have provoked such a decisive action? This high-stakes drama was ignited by complaints from local residents. Each night, ominous plumes of inky, black smoke would rise from the factories, cloaking the night sky and rousing the ire of the community. With the Industry Ministry teaming up with the determined officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division of the Royal Thai Police, an investigation was launched and led straight to offenses that went beyond just smoky skies. The first stop in this covert operation was a factory engaged in metal smelting and the handling of non-hazardous scrap metal…
In the richly historic locale of Nakhon Ratchasima, an intriguing piece of architectural history has changed hands under the gavel—a once bustling two-storey administrative building of the Klangdong Police Station. This past piece of law enforcement real estate, which stood stolidly with its concrete foundations supporting a wooden upper floor, has been sold for the modest but noteworthy sum of 25,000 baht. It was a spectacle of sorts, with news of the auction having piqued the interest of numerous construction aficionados who converged for a glimpse of its potential. The scene was set through a post on the police station’s official Facebook page, which detailed the upcoming auction set for February 10. The objective? To dispose of the underutilized structure that had long since turned into more of a historical relic against the gleam of a newly christened, 22-million-baht administrative building nearby. At the commencement of the auction, a palpable…
In a heartwarming appeal to the nation’s bibliophiles, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has stepped up as a champion of the “Read Again” campaign, which echoes with the melodious clatter of flipping pages and the gentle creak of well-used books. As the government embarks on this literary voyage alongside the Mirror Foundation, the initial goal was to collect a million old, cherished books by April 18. But behold! Enthusiastic donors have already flooded the campaign with a sixfold bounty, illuminating the path ahead with the glow of shared stories and the warmth of community spirit. Ms. Paetongtarn, tracing her affinity for reading back to her formative years, reminisces about a suggestion from her father, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Two decades ago, he nudged her towards the magical world of the Harry Potter saga, sparking a lifelong romance with reading. It’s a passion she fervently imparts to her own children, opening…
The mystery surrounding the number of generals in our nation’s armed forces is, in fact, described as “highly confidential” by the Ministry of Defence. This isn’t just a fun secret but a matter shrouded in the cloaks of national security concerns. Recently, the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence delivered a rather cryptic response to the House Committee on Military Affairs, which had requested details about the planned downsizing and the number of generals across the military branches. Apparently, the Ministry of Defence believes that the total count of military personnel, especially higher-ups like generals, should be kept under wraps to prevent any possible risks to state interests. Quite the cloak-and-dagger scenario, don’t you think? However, amidst all this secrecy, a broader strategy is in play. The armed forces are diligently working to trim down the number of generals acting as special experts, experts, and operational officers. Their grand…
In a dramatic turn of events, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Thailand is moving full steam ahead to secure an arrest warrant for the elusive Colonel Saw Chit Thu. The colonel, who commands the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) allied with Myanmar’s junta, is now in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Alongside him, two other high-ranking officers, Lt Col Mote Thone and Maj Tin Win, are facing accusations of being key players in a transnational human trafficking ring. Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong confirmed these startling developments on Tuesday, raising the stakes in a complex international puzzle. The BGF, as reports suggest, holds significant control over the Shwe Kokko project. This is not your typical infrastructure project; it has infamously transformed into a breeding ground for organized crime, nestled in the quiet yet strategic town of Shwe Kokko near Myawaddy in Myanmar. The gravity of the situation…
In a notable diplomatic interaction between Thailand and China, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing on a chilly February day back in 2025. Handshakes aside, the meeting turned crucial as the conversation veered towards Thailand’s ambitious plan to develop an integrated casino-entertainment complex. A potential zeal for revenue might hit a speed bump, as President Xi expressed concern over the rise of criminal activities linked to such ventures. Back at Government House, Ms. Paetongtarn shed some light on her interaction with Mr. Xi. She assured that the casino would occupy less than a tenth of the complex, which also envisions hotels, exquisite dining spots, and various entertainment attractions. With gambling lying in the legal gray zone in Thailand, much like the stringent laws in mainland China, this was a conversation calling for cautious optimism. President Xi, wearing his concern on his sleeve, reiterated a…
As the sun begins its morning ascent, casting a golden hue over the iconic Democracy Monument in Bangkok, a lone bird glides through the crisp morning air. This serene image stands in stark contrast to the fervent debates brewing down below within the parliament chambers, where political fervor seeks to amend a pivotal section of Thailand’s constitution. Yes, we’re talking about the rollercoaster ride toward possible rewriting, or more accurately, tweaking, of Section 256, which holds the key to establishing a charter drafting assembly—an ambitious endeavor that seems about as likely to succeed as a snowstorm in the heart of summer. Nikorn Chamnong, the astute director from the Chartthaipattana Party, has shared his two baht on the matter, casting a shadow of doubt over the entire process. Picture this: It’s Tuesday, and the anticipation is nearly palpable, with parliament on the brink of unraveling the threads of democracy itself, set…
As the sun kissed the horizon one serene Sunday morning, Sathien Suwannakham, aged 36, stood amidst the bustling chaos of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Tears streamed down his face, not from sorrow or fatigue, but from sheer relief and overwhelming joy. For the first time in 15 long months, he was enveloped in the warmth of his family’s embrace, a moment he had dreamt of during every single day of his ordeal in Gaza. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) Returning from what can only be described as an exhausting odyssey, Sathien and his cohorts, five brave nationals from Thailand, were greeted like heroes by a nation that was collectively holding its breath for their safe return. Their lengthy captivity by Hamas had become a tale of grim perseverance and unyielding hope. Now, at last, the chapter had ended joyously. Officials, bearing smiles as wide as the Cheao Phraya River, from the Department of Labour…