Posts published in “Thailand”

In a dramatic turn of events, two popular television hosts—Damrong Phuttan and Narakorn Tiyayon—have stepped into the legal limelight by filing a police complaint against none other than the Auditor-General, Montien Charoenphol. The charges? Negligence and dereliction of duty following the catastrophic collapse of the State Auditor Office’s (SAO) building which caused an uproar and raised several eyebrows since March 28th this year. The collapse of the 2.1-billion-baht building wasn’t just any incident; it was a debacle that has left citizens reeling and looking for answers as taxpayer money seemed to vanish quicker than a magician’s rabbit. Both Damrong and Narakorn took it upon themselves to voice public outrage, lodging their complaint at the Bang Sue police station. Not only have they taken aim at Mr. Montien, but they’ve also called out former auditor-general Prachak Boonyang, whose signature on a contractual deal with the construction firm ITD-CREC now draws scrutiny.…

The dawn of a new era in transport connectivity has come to Prachin Buri with the grand unveiling of Highway 3481, a road designed with stellar precision to alleviate traffic jams and pave a smoother path to prosperity. Established by the meticulous hands of the Department of Rural Roads (DRR), this brand-new bypass road is more than just asphalt and concrete; it’s the heart of a visionary movement towards economic expansion for the region and beyond, welcoming a free-flowing future for commuters and commerce alike. Strategically engineered to link Highway 3452 with Ban Sang intersection in the bustling Ban Sang district, this road is a boon for those weary of the city center gridlock. Motorists can now glide effortlessly between Ban Sang, Muang, Si Maha Phot, and Prachantakham districts, skipping the usual slog through the urban melee of Prachin Buri. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, paints…

What’s happening at Surat Thani airport might just be a game-changer that would make even seasoned globe-trotters sit up and take notice. With the remarkable leadership of Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri, a sweeping makeover is well underway that’s set to transform the very fabric of air travel in this lively corner of Thailand. The Department of Airports (DoA) is pulling out all the stops with a grand investment of 799 million baht, promising a future where improved services, ultimate convenience, and top-notch security reign supreme. This ambitious project is no small feat. It’s like watching an engrossing puzzle gradually coming together to form a brilliant picture. The airport is about to spread its wings, embracing more robust infrastructure that will accommodate larger aircraft with grace. Imagine doubling the flight capacity from nine to a whopping 18 aircraft per hour. That’s like the airport hitting the fast-forward button, poised to…

In the idyllic landscape of Surin province, the air was thick with a mixture of history and tension, much like a scene from an epic novel. The serene calmness of Prasat Ta Muean Thom was temporarily disturbed when whispers of discord echoed across the ruins of this ancient Khmer temple. A group of Cambodian women serenaded the environment with their home country’s national anthem, a bold, yet prohibited gesture that sparked a brief encounter. The aftermath, however, was a gathering of minds rather than muskets. Fast forward to a crucial Friday summit where eloquent rhetoric took center stage, as Thailand and Cambodia’s military officials engaged in a delicate diplomatic dance. The Prasat Ta Muen Thom, lying silently in ruins yet stone-strong in its history, became the unlikely spotlight of a government agreement to pull back troops, a testament to the power of negotiation over confrontation. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence…

In a delightful twist of fiscal intrigue, the ongoing debate over cigarette tax rates in Thailand has taken center stage. Embroiled in this tax odyssey is the well-regarded Dr. Roengrudee Patanavanich from Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine, who has sounded the clarion call for tax reform as per the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations. The current multi-tiered tax system, she claims, is about as effective at boosting revenue and reducing smoking as a sieve is at holding water. Currently, the intricate tax system administers a lighter 25% tax on cheaper packs priced up to 72 baht, ostensibly designed to spare the pocketbooks of low-income smokers. However, for the more luxurious packs, the tax rate swells to a hefty 42%. Throw in an extra 1.25 baht per cigarette, and you have an intricate dance of numbers that, surprisingly, makes one a mathematician but doesn’t quite fill the state’s coffers. In fact,…

The realm of Thailand’s public healthcare system navigated rough waters recently when a peculiar photograph went viral. This snapshot, captured within Tanao Sri Hospital, a remote institution nestled in Ratchaburi province close to the Thai-Myanmar border, laid bare the struggles stitched into the fabric of public healthcare. The hospital, burdened with the relentless lack of equipment, ingeniously substituted a traditional dental lamp with a frog-hunting headlamp. This revelation sparked a blaze of criticism on social media, forcing the Ministry of Public Health to swiftly approve funds for new equipment. Tanao Sri Hospital managed to snatch a bittersweet victory, but across the nation, many state-run facilities remain ensnared in crises without such relief. The Ministry of Public Health sounded the alarm, revealing a drastic dip in healthcare revenue, descending from a hearty 60 billion baht to a paltry 40.6 billion baht this fiscal year, representing a staggering 9.5% plunge. Already, at…

In a dramatic courtroom saga echoing through the lush provinces of Thailand, a well-known octogenarian and business magnate finds himself caught in a thorny legal predicament. The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, Region 3, in Surin province, has thrown the book at nine individuals, including state officials, for their roles in a corrupt scheme involving the illicit issuance of land title deeds. The land in question? None other than the verdant patches of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Sikhiu district, a region vibrant with forest reserves and a land reform area. At the heart of the intrigue lies Prayudh Mahagitsiri, a towering figure in Thailand’s industrial landscape, now stepping into the shadows with a hefty 24-year prison term. As the silver-haired titan enters the annals of fallen tycoons, his daughter, Ausana, watches from an equally precarious perch, facing 12 years of her own. This enduring saga leaped into public consciousness when…

Big changes are afoot at Raimon Land Public Company Limited (RML) as they step boldly into their next chapter. In a decisive move that promises to reshape the company’s leadership and strategic direction, Mr. Patee Sarasin has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, an announcement made hot off the press during RML’s Board of Directors’ Meeting No. 5/2025, which took place on May 2, 2025. Mr. Patee Sarasin is no stranger to Raimon Land. As a seasoned member of RML’s Board, his diverse experience in service-driven industries makes him a formidable choice for the role. His background positions him perfectly to guide RML’s expansion into new heights, with a strong focus on urban and resort living designs. He is particularly equipped to spearhead the company’s foray into hospitality-led endeavors by focusing on developing branded residences and bespoke luxury hotels in enticing destinations like Pattaya and the…

In a noteworthy celebration of joyfulness, the Land of Smiles, Thailand, has once again lived up to its name, shining brightly as the seventh happiest country on the globe. This delightful tidbit of news comes from an authoritative source, Ipsos, a global market research and public opinion specialist. During a press event on May 1, Anukool Pruksanusak, the Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, was keen to spread this enchanting news, which places Thailand in a remarkable position in the 2025 Global Happiness Index by Ipsos. The Ipsos survey, which led to this joyous proclamation, was conducted at a time when festive spirits were likely high, spanning from December 20 of the previous year to January 3 of the current year. It garnered insights from a diverse pool of 23,765 participants, all of whom were under the age of 75, representing an awe-inspiring 30 nations worldwide. In this uplifting ranking,…

In an effort to dial up the allure of Thailand’s enchanting eastern corridor, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has teamed up with Bangkok Airways and local tourism entities to launch the electrifying Trat Discovery: Island and Beyond campaign. Unfurling its adventurous banner from May 1st through August 20th, this initiative promises to unfurl a veritable tapestry of deals, rewards, and top-tier travel escapades aimed squarely at lighting up Thailand’s eastern jewels like never before. Here’s the ticket to paradise: Exclusive treats await all those who board a Bangkok Airways flight winging its way to the idyllic havens of Trat province. Members of the FlyerBonus program, you’re in for a real treat too! But fear not, traveler extraordinaire, for even if you’re just sauntering through, you won’t miss the fun — a mere QR code scan at participating venues promises you a glimpse of the magic. Picture this: Over 50…