In the land of the enticing smile, where political whispers often become more tantalizing than a well-spiced pad thai, recent buzz in Thailand revolves around the charismatic figures of Thaksin Shinawatra and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga. With the political tapestry as colorful as the markets of Chiang Rai, the ever-engaging saga continues to unfold with speculation and intrigue at its core. The grapevine had been abuzz with speculations that Pirapan, the magician of energy prices, would be shown the door in the next cabinet reshuffle. However, Thaksin, the sage of Thailand’s political scene, dispelled these rumors with the same flair he might reserve for sealing a business deal on a sun-drenched Chiang Mai afternoon. “No,” he said, with the gravitas of a pharaoh denying an overthrow. Thaksin assured his supporters, explaining that he and Pirapan enjoyed the cordiality akin to childhood friends sharing mango sticky rice under a starry Bangkok…
Posts published in “Thailand”
As the chilly winds of January sweep across Thailand’s Samut Prakan province, schools buzz with the sound of children wrapped from head to toe in winter layers. An unusual scene unfolds against the backdrop of Thailand’s normally tropical climate. The seasonal tableau, captured strikingly in a photograph by Somchai Poomlard, depicts the region savoring an unexpectedly crisp embrace. Bangkok, the vibrant heart of Thailand, is bracing itself for a notable dip in temperatures. As dawn breaks on a new week, the mercury is expected to plummet to a brisk 15°C, according to the insightful predictions of Seree Supharathit from Rangsit University’s Centre for Climate Change and Disaster. With a knowledgeable gaze towards the heavens, he notes that these cooler days are here to linger until the blush of January 20. As the cold front makes its presence known, it nudges the temperatures in Bangkok and its surrounding locales down by…
In a captivating tale of deception and intrigue, two men from Liberia found themselves at the center of an audacious scam that left a Thai businessman ruing the loss of a hefty $90,000. This clever ruse involved swapping counterfeit banknotes for the real deal in a gold-selling scheme that could rival any crime novel. But like all good stories, it came crashing down under the ever-watchful eyes of the law. At the helm of this tale is Pol Col Pansa Amarapitak, chief of the Thong Lor police station, who orchestrated the unraveling of this intricate caper. The suspects at the heart of the story are Solomon Varney Gaddeh, 32, and Yousouf Cherif, 50. Their plot reached its zenith one fateful evening on the bustling pavements of Udomsuk Road in Bangkok’s vibrant Bang Na district. On a late Saturday night, the curtain fell on their escapades as the astute police officers…
On a bustling July morning, the streets of Bangkok were abuzz with fervor. Migrant workers, hopeful yet apprehensive, waited patiently to apply for their work permits. These hardworking individuals were caught at the center of a swirling controversy after opposition MPs recently suggested that the cost of renewing work permits for foreign migrant workers might climb to a staggering 20,000 baht. These claims were dismissed by the Labour Ministry, adding another chapter to the ongoing debate over the challenges faced by migrant laborers in Thailand. Phumphat Muanchan, a spokesperson from the Labour Ministry, clarified the numbers, asserting that renewing such permits should cost no more than 7,600 baht per person. This fee, he explained, covers a host of necessities including visa and work permit processing, a comprehensive health check-up, medical insurance, and a 1,000-baht deposit refundable at the end of a two-year contract. Despite the clarification, murmurs persisted. Many grappled…
Migrant workers in Bangkok are often seen as the unsung heroes, laboring tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the city’s bustling economic engine running. You might catch glimpses of them applying for work permits, as seen in a snapshot from July (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill). Yet, beneath this seemingly mundane task lies a complex narrative of regulation, speculation, and a quest for fair treatment. The Labour Ministry, aiming to set things straight, has firmly repudiated swirling rumors that foreign workers from neighboring countries are compelled to pay exorbitant fees, allegedly up to 20,000 baht, to renew their work permits. This claim was sparked by opposition MPs during a hotly contested parliamentary session addressing the multifaceted challenges facing migrant workers in Thailand. Phumphat Muanchan, the ministry’s spokesman, stepped up to clarify the air. “The costs of renewing a work permit don’t typically exceed 7,600 baht,” he explained. Every baht covers essential services…
Buckle up, thrill-seekers, as we steer through the electrifying events that charged up a sleepy Sunday morning on Kanchanaphisek Road in the vibrant district of Bang Khae, Bangkok. Picture this—a bright and breezy Sunday in January, the world as calm as a cat napping in a sunbeam, when suddenly—BANG! The tranquility is shattered by the unexpected crash of a car meeting a power pole with all the grace of a bull in a china shop. The unwitting star of this real-life movie scene? A sleek, blue Suzuki Swift, hailing from the illustrious Chon Buri province, found itself embroiled in an impromptu demolition derby. As clocks read around 8 a.m., the driver, in what could only be described as a ticklish tango with the road, attempted to pirouette through the notorious Wee Liam bend. Alas, it seems the bend had other plans. Like a reluctant dance partner, the Suzuki succumbed to…
Nikorndej Balankura, the articulate spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, took the spotlight on a quiet Sunday afternoon, addressing the pressing matter of the prolonged detention of four Thai fishermen in Myanmar. This saga, akin to a high-seas adventure novel, naturally gripped the nation’s attention as families and officials alike hoped for a swift resolution. Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai provided some solace amidst the stormy waters of uncertainty. Speaking candidly, he confirmed that the anticipated release of the four Thai crew members was not realized on the previous Saturday as optimistically forecasted. Optimism, however, remained afloat, as Phumtham assured the public that the wheels of diplomacy were still very much in motion. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs diligently followed this sea tale of entangled bureaucratic nets, propelling negotiations forward. The families of the detained mariners finally breathed a sigh of relief upon discovering, through authorized visits in Kaw Thaung, that…
In the vibrant heart of Southeast Asia, where traditions interweave with modernity, the unfolding saga of four Thai fishermen has captured public attention, revealing the intricate dance of diplomacy and the personal tales of those caught amidst international waters. Thailand’s Defence Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has been diligently addressing concerns and expectations surrounding the release of these men, whose unforeseen journey into Myanmar’s judicial system began with an inadvertent trespass into contested waters last November. Over the weekend, eager ears awaited news of their freedom, as optimism was shadowed by the slow turn of legal cogs. Despite the anticipations of a New Year’s resolution, the update on January 4th—a day soaked in significance due to Myanmar’s Independence Day—carried a bittersweet note. Beneath the cloak of officialdom, the lives of these four men have been palpably enriched by the compassion shown by their government and families. Nestled in the town of Kaw…
In the bustling heart of Songkhla’s Sadao district, an unexpected calamity unfolded as a Malaysian visitor’s car careened off course, smashing into a fruit vendor and several roadside shops on a Saturday morning. Amidst the tumultuous clash of metal and masonry, both the visitor and the hapless fruit vendor were left nursing their injuries, while onlookers were left to ponder the unpredictability of life. This unfortunate incident was just one among many during a seemingly cursed holiday season in Thailand. The holiday period, which spanned from December 27 to January 4, was marked by a disturbing tally of 393 lives lost in 2,322 traffic accidents across the country. As the New Year dawned, instead of jubilant celebrations, there was hushed mourning, especially in Bangkok, which bore the brunt with the highest number of fatalities. The statistics read like a grim novel: 2,251 individuals injured as they embarked on or returned…
In the early hours of a seemingly ordinary Sunday, the sleepy town of Samut Sakhon was abruptly awakened by the ominous presence of thick black smoke billowing into the sky. It was as if a dark cloud had descended upon Krathum Baen district, brought forth by a fire that chose to devour a plastic recycling factory with a voracious appetite. This wasn’t just any factory; it was the local powerhouse of Subsinee Industry Co, located amid the quiet humdrum of tambon Tha Sao. The clock had barely ticked past 6:45 a.m. when the flames roared to life, spreading with a speed that would impress even the nimbly-footed Speedy Gonzales. In the open gap between a peaceful dawn and the frantic wail of sirens, nearly 10 factory workers found themselves gripping fire extinguishers with a determination worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster hero. Yet, despite their valiant efforts, the flames continued to…