In a dramatic twist that could rival the most compelling of crime novels, a woman dressed in unassuming brown attire found herself under police scrutiny this past Wednesday. Captured by the vigilant eyes of the law, the photo supplied by Wassayos Ngamkham paints a picture of a caper that unraveled in the heart of Bangkok. This is no dime-a-dozen scandal—this is a cunning puzzle involving the upper echelons of academia and law enforcement. Kanittha Lertbanjerdwong, the woman at the center of this educational intrigue, was apprehended in the Bang Bon district with just the right mix of police precision and legal authority, courtesy of an arrest warrant sanctioned by the Bangkok South Criminal Court on Tuesday. The charges against her? Assisting a former police general in navigating the sophisticated yet treacherous waters of exam deceit at none other than Chulalongkorn University’s illustrious Faculty of Law. The audacious plot began to…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The intricate and often tumultuous landscape of Thai politics has been stirred once again, with recent developments involving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. In the political tapestry of Thailand, the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT), together with the steadfast Dharma Army, has sounded the clarion call, urging the Medical Council to untangle the web of ethical and medical conundrums surrounding Thaksin’s treatment at Police General Hospital (PGH) during his stint behind bars. Pichit Chaimongkol, the resolute leader of NSPRT, has raised a clarion voice, championing for expedited truth from the Medical Council regarding Thaksin’s health revelations and the nature of his treatment. With conviction, Mr. Pichit argued that medical mysteries are not riddles shrouded in indecipherable codes; they are accompanied by tangible, scientific evidence, crying out for elucidation without unnecessary delay. To add a spice of depth to the ongoing political drama, Mr. Pichit has…
As the month approaches its end, rescue teams remain determined to reach the ground level of the fallen State Audit Office (SAO) building, a herculean task made all the more pressing with each passing day. This spectacular collapse, resulting from the infamous March 28 earthquake, has already claimed the lives of 53 individuals, with an additional 41 souls still tragically unaccounted for. As the capital city, Bangkok, finds itself in the throes of sorrow, the urgency to recover the missing is palpable. In the latest turn of events, a concerted crackdown by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has led to the confiscation of substandard steel, valued at a staggering 11.5 million baht. This inferior material was seized from a plant nestled in the bustling Chon Buri province. Adding an international dimension to the scandal, the operation’s spotlight also fell on six Chinese nationals. These workers, employed by Chon Buri Special Steel…
Imagine taking a deep dive into the vibrant waters surrounding Koh Mak in Krabi Province, Thailand. Picture this: a kaleidoscope of corals, once drained of their vivid hues, now steadily returning to their former glory. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), a commendable 60% of these bleached wonders have been revitalized, offering a beacon of hope amidst climate challenges. Let’s rewind to last April, a time when the crystal-clear Thai seas unveiled an unsettling reality—60% to 80% of their coral was suffering from severe bleaching. As the relentless sun raised sea temperatures, corals became severely stressed. In their desperation, they expelled zooxanthellae algae, the symbiotic partners responsible for their breathtaking colors. Consequently, the corals turned ghostly white, but that wasn’t the end of their story. Headed by the ever-determined director-general Pinsak Suraswadi, the DMCR took the challenge head-on. They dove deep into…
In a recent turn of events, House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha addressed the surprising news of a substantial 14-million-baht loss faced by the Parliamentary Official Saving and Credit Cooperative due to a fraudulent scheme. Rest assured, he emphasized, the cooperative’s members need not worry, as the operations remain unaffected. Meanwhile, the hunt is on for any other individuals who may have been complicit in this financial trickery. The cooperative’s board swiftly took action by establishing a committee dedicated to delving deep into the embezzlement mystery. As it stands, the perpetrator, an errant employee, was pinpointed and promptly dismissed without any chance of receiving compensation. To ensure justice is served, a formal complaint has been lodged with the Bang Pho police station. It’s clear: wrongdoing won’t go unchecked on their watch. Mr. Wan delivered a message of reassurance to all cooperative members and stakeholders, highlighting that the organization’s main focus…
The drama in the corridors of international diplomacy continues to unfold as Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai recently put an end to the swirling tales suggesting he was denied entry to the United States. The rumors surfaced in the wake of Thailand’s controversial decision to send Uyghur individuals back to China, a move that has drawn substantial international scrutiny. As reporters peppered Mr. Phumtham with questions about why he and other key ministers were absent from the Thai delegation to the US led by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, the ever-candid Defence Minister firmly put those rumors to bed. He reassured everyone that while the talks were indeed postponed, it was not due to any travel restrictions imposed on him. Rather, the Thai security officials simply chose to sit this one out and the ball could still keep rolling without their physical presence. The situation became more intriguing as the US Department…
Every year, the streets of Bangkok come alive with Scouts marching proudly, a display of unity and tradition. Last year’s National Scout Day was no different, with Scouts standing to attention, their uniforms neatly pressed. But change is afoot in the world of Thailand’s Scouting community. In a move designed to alleviate financial burdens on parents, the Education Ministry is shaking things up, doing away with the compulsory Scout uniforms in favor of ordinary school attire. This decision marks a significant shift in tradition, effective just in time for the new school term that starts in mid-May. This significant change was announced by Deputy Education Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, following an update from the National Scout Organisation of Thailand. The organisation is diligently working on waiving the long-standing uniform mandate for students enrolled in state-run schools. This move comes as a breath of fresh air for many parents who’ve felt the…
As the golden sun lit up the historic city of Phnom Penh, a momentous event unfolded that showcased the flourishing relationship between Thailand and Cambodia. The peace-infused corridors of the Peace Palace played host to a vibrant mosaic of diplomacy, as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with her Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet. This pivotal gathering marked the grand occasion of commemorating 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations with the unveiling of a specially crafted logo. The air was charged with a spirit of ambition and collaboration as Prime Minister Paetongtarn announced an exciting goal shared by both countries: a commitment to bolster bilateral trade to an impressive USD 15 billion over the ensuing two years. To set this endeavor in motion, Ms. Paetongtarn embarked on a significant two-day visit, underscoring the strengthening bonds between these vibrant neighbors. The atmosphere at the Peace Palace resembled a jubilant family…
It was a scene straight out of a thriller, yet starkly real—a pickup truck marred with bullet punctures adorning its rear window and stranded with a flat tire, an unwelcomed souvenir of an ambush in Songkhla’s Saba Yoi district on a quiet Tuesday morning. (Photo: Abdullah Benjakat) As the southern winds carry whispers of recent unrest, Thailand’s deep South finds itself at an unsettling crossroads, where the tide of violence threatens to unsettle the delicate fabric of peace residing there. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has sounded the clarion call for security forces to elevate their game. His plea resonates with urgency: a call to action designed to stifle the cycle of bloodshed and anguish that has, once again, marked the southern border provinces with its dark ink. His words, laden with the weight of his dual role as both Deputy and Defense Minister, encapsulate his resolve to tackle the…
Picture this: a Western Hognose snake, sleek and curious, resting comfortably amidst 11 of its companions as they stowed away in parcels journeying from Taiwan to Chiang Mai in September 2019. Little did these serpentine adventurers know, they exemplified a larger issue: the clandestine trade of snakes creeping through borders. In a bid to wrangle this slippery trade and invigorate Thailand’s economy, the country’s cabinet has unfurled plans to lift the long-standing embargo on snake exports. Until now, for over three decades, Thailand’s serpentine treasures were preserved within its borders due to two pivotal resolutions from 1990 and 1991. But change is afoot. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, with resolute conviction, appealed to the powers that be and successfully annulled these restrictions. The result? A new dawn for snake breeders aiming to cater to an expanding global demand, while simultaneously choking the life out of unlawful snake trading.…