Diving into two decades of horological excellence, Orient, the celebrated Japanese watchmaker, made significant waves with a jubilant celebration of its iconic sports dive design watch series. This grand event, marking the 20th anniversary of the Orient Diver Design, was not just another gathering—it was an epic showcase that unveiled a limited edition timepiece, masterfully paying homage to its sea-inspired legacy. Held at Central @ Central World’s 1st floor Event Arena, this gathering signaled Orient Thailand’s triumphant return to grand exhibitions after a six-year hiatus, enchanting enthusiasts on the magical evening of September 17, 2024. At the helm of the event was Mr. Yudthapol Tantivongsakij, Managing Director of United Krungthong Trading Co., Ltd., the official distributor of ORIENT watches in Thailand. He took center stage to inaugurate the ceremony, flanked by Ms. Yuki Yaguchi from Seiko Epson Corporation, and Central’s poised executives, Ms. Siriporn Lijutipoom, Omnichannel Category Director for Luxury,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, with his persistent and analytical flair, once again turned the spotlight on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. On a mission of transparency, Ruangkrai has called upon the Election Commission (EC) to rigorously scrutinize whether Ms. Paetongtarn dutifully resigned from her roles within her family’s sprawling business conglomerate before stepping into her political shoes. The activist pressed the EC to verify if Ms. Paetongtarn adhered to the proper procedures set forth by the Department of Business Development when hanging up her hat as an executive in these family-linked enterprises. The crux of Ruangkrai’s argument hinges on the constitutional mandate outlined in Section 187. This legal stipulation bars ministers from holding over 5% of shares in commercial firms or engaging in any form of private company employment. A slip-up can be more than a mere oversight—it could lead to her dismissal. Our vigilant campaigner even delved into the case…
In a dramatic turn of events, the Senate chamber reverberated with cries of indignation from minority senators, who decried what they termed a blatant “seat grab” engineered through skewed and unjust seat allocations for Senate standing committees. Senators with fewer affiliations expressed feeling sidelined by bloc voting orchestrated by their more well-connected colleagues to amass seats on 21 standing committees, which they argued should have been equitably distributed. During a heated meeting yesterday, Senator Tewarit Maneechai, representing the media profession, implored that he and the rest of the Senate be mandated to thoroughly review and approve the selection process for members of the 21 committees. To drive his point home, he questioned why senators from the agriculture group, specifically Seranee Anilbol and Kanlaya Yaiprasan, had not been chosen to serve on the agriculture committee. In response, Senator Sawat Thatsana, the chairman overseeing the selection process, clarified that Sen Seranee and…
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is stepping up to bat for flood victims, proposing a much-needed break from this month’s electricity and water bills. He plans to present this heartening proposal to the cabinet today, aiming to extend a financial lifeline to those living in officially declared disaster zones. Yesterday, Mr. Anutin elaborated on the details: if the cabinet greenlights his proposal, households in affected regions will be spared from paying their utility bills this month. For those still grappling with overdue bills, there’s a lifeline as well—they can opt for installment payments. Adding a layer of assurance, Mr. Anutin emphasized that authorities won’t cut off electricity and water supplies in these struggling areas. When quizzed about the broader flooding situation, Mr. Anutin struck a cautiously optimistic note. “Floodwaters have started to recede in many places,” he reported, while stressing that authorities will keep a vigilant eye…
When it comes to the intricate world of politics, the call for “clear guidelines” has never echoed louder. On Monday, PM’s Office Minister Chousak Sirinil stepped into the spotlight to address the whirlwind of criticisms surrounding a Pheu Thai Party-sponsored charter amendment proposal. This proposal, which zeroes in on the ethical standards for political postholders, has stirred quite the debate. The proposal aims to amend various sections of the charter methodically, addressing six key issues. Among them is the crucial matter of ethics for cabinet ministers, who, as per Section 160 of the charter, must uphold evident honesty and avoid severe ethical breaches. The stirring in the political pot began after the Constitutional Court ousted Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for an ethical violation linked to appointing former convict Pichit Chuenban as a cabinet minister. The backlash has been swift and merciless, with critics arguing that modifying the ethics standards for…
The flood situation in Chiang Rai has reached a critical point as some areas in the province continue to suffer from flash floods and landslides. These natural disasters have overwhelmed several villages and even blocked a main road linking Chiang Rai with Chiang Mai. On Monday, Atipach Chomdang, the director of the Hydrological Division of Chiang Rai, issued a stern warning about the excessive rainfall in Ban Pa Sang Pattana and Ban Rong in Wiang Pa Pao district. According to him, this area is at risk of sudden flash floods. Heavy rain on Sunday night caused the Lao River to overflow in the district, affecting approximately 30 households in the Pa Ngew, Ban Pong, and Wiang sub-districts. The situation got worse when landslides in tambon Mae Chedi Mai blocked traffic. Fortunately, local authorities quickly managed to clear the debris and reopen the area. The Wiang Pa Pao Police Station shared…
Deep in the south of Thailand, within the serene confines of the Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary in Narathiwat’s Waeng district, a night of chaos erupted as fire engulfed an office on Saturday. (Photo courtesy: Abdullah Benjakat) According to a security insider, this daring act, mingling arson with weapon theft, appears to be the handiwork of an insurgent group known to stir dissent across several districts in this southern border province. The plot thickens as the finger of suspicion points squarely at Manso Puteh, a notorious figure with a laundry list of charges against him. Puteh is no stranger to the authorities; his insurgent network thrives in the shadows of Sungai Padi, Waeng, and parts of Sungai Kolok districts. Post-attack, the brazen group is thought to have melted away into the forest, slipping across the border into a neighboring country, as suggested by an anonymous source. For those geographically inclined, Narathiwat…
An otherwise tranquil evening in the Waeng district of Narathiwat turned into a nightmarish scene on Saturday, as flames devoured the office at the Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary. (Photo: Abdullah Benjakat) NARATHIWAT: The shocking conflagration and weapon heist at the Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary seems to be the nefarious handiwork of an insurgent group deeply entrenched in this southern border province. This alarming revelation, divulged by a well-placed security source, points the finger at the notorious insurgent leader, Manso Puteh, a man with a long and violent rap sheet. Manso Puteh’s shadowy network reportedly operates from fortified bases in the districts of Sungai Padi, Waeng, and parts of Sungai Kolok. The daring attack, launched by at least 20 armed insurgents, has sent shockwaves through the community. After their brazen assault, the infiltrators are believed to have melted away into the dense forests of a neighboring country, following their sinister protocol.…
In the throes of the exhilarating iPhone 16 launch, The 1 Insight has dropped a bombshell report on iPhone users in Thailand, showcasing an electrifying surge in gadget sales—doubling in just one month. From 2019 to 2024, the data unveils that a staggering 40% of Thai iPhone aficionados are steadfast in their allegiance to annual upgrades, driven by an insatiable thirst for innovation and remaining at the forefront of tech evolution. Let’s delve into the five consumer categories that’s rocket-fueling iPhone’s sales upswing: Social Media Savvy Teens (Gen Z, 18-24 years old): These youthful dynamo users are completely hooked on staying connected and creating dazzling content on social media. They typically reach for the iPhone 15 or 15 Plus with a comfortable 128GB storage, striking a sweet balance between affordability and capability. Their color of choice? Classy Black. The 0% installment plans make it a breeze for them to leap…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra inspects an air force plane loaded with relief supplies destined for flood victims in Chiang Rai. The scene unfolded at the Wing 6 headquarters in Bangkok on a bustling Sunday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has reignited controversy by urging the Election Commission (EC) to probe whether Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra properly resigned from her numerous executive roles in her family’s sprawling business empire before she was elected. On Monday, Mr. Ruangkrai questioned if Ms. Paetongtarn adhered to the Department of Business Development’s formal procedures while stepping down from these executive positions. His contention revolves around the stringent protocols mandated by Section 187 of the constitution, which expressly forbids ministers from owning more than 5% share in any commercial enterprise or being employed by a private firm. Alleged anomalies in Ms. Paetongtarn’s resignation process could potentially breach this constitutional stipulation. Adding another layer of…