Posts published in “Thailand”

Opposition is rapidly mounting against a bid by the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the main opposition People’s Party (PP) to amend parts of the 2017 constitution, particularly those related to the ethical standards for political office-holders. The Bhumjaithai Party, a coalition partner, and a prominent senator have joined these growing calls to halt any changes to these key charter provisions. Last Wednesday, Pheu Thai submitted its partial charter amendment bill to the House, following a similar submission by the PP the week before. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha announced that the deliberation on these bills in the Lower House is likely to commence around mid-October, potentially even earlier, but definitely not later than the end of this month. The contentious charter provisions include Section 160, which establishes the prerequisites for aspiring cabinet ministers. It mandates that they must be demonstrably honest and free of any severe ethical violations…

The ruling Pheu Thai Party’s decisive victory in the Phitsanulok by-election on September 15th has sent ripples across the political landscape of Thailand. Political pundits suggest that this triumph is a significant harbinger, indicating that coalition parties, spearheaded by Pheu Thai, will likely continue their unified front against the People’s Party (PP) in the forthcoming general election. Pheu Thai’s candidate, Jadet Jantar, managed to edge out his only contender, Nathachanon Chanaburanasak of the PP, in a nail-biting contest for Phitsanulok’s Constituency 1. The stakes were high, especially since the PP had banked on a vigorous campaign, roping in key figures to rally support and reclaim the seat once held by Padipat Santipada. Padipat had clinched the seat in the previous general election, but his political career hit a roadblock when the Constitutional Court disbanded the Move Forward Party (MFP), the precursor to today’s PP, on August 7th. The court cited…

Khao Kheow Open Zoo has catapulted into the digital age, and it’s all thanks to the star power of a charming, tiny pygmy hippo named Moo Deng. Zoo fans from around the globe can now watch live streams of this adorable critter, making hearts flutter and screens light up worldwide. Since the first of September, the zoo has captivated more than 81,786 visitors—cranking in a jaw-dropping 12.97 million baht in ticket sales. With the fiscal year ending this month, the zoo’s director, Narongwit Chodchoy, is optimistic about breaking the one million visitors mark and amassing over 200 million baht in revenue. The unexpected surge in zoo-goers can be attributed to the collective obsession with Moo Deng, who, at just two months old, has become the pint-sized ambassador of cuteness. Whether it’s her playful antics or her heartwarming bond with her mother, Jona, Moo Deng is drawing fans from all corners…

In a chilling twist of fate, an inheritance dispute in the serene Muang Pan district of Lampang turned deadly, leading to a tragic end for one family. On a quiet Friday evening, the peace of a local village was shattered by the sound of gunfire. The police who rushed to the scene found Jaipan Wiwatphong, 55, lifeless with a shotgun wound to his chest. The plot thickened when it was revealed that the alleged shooter was none other than Jaipan’s younger brother, Suchart, aged 52. The tension simmering between the two siblings had reached its boiling point, resulting in an irreversible outcome. As officers pieced together the chain of events, a tale of bitter resentment and unresolved disputes began to unfold. According to the preliminary police report, this tragic story has its roots in a bitter squabble over a piece of family land. Suchart recounted to the authorities that their…

In the bustling Huai Khwang district of Bangkok, a grim incident unfolded that sent shockwaves through the community. Under the stark neon lights of the city, rescue workers and an ambulance rushed to a high-rise condominium where a 27-year-old woman tragically fell to her death from the 43rd floor. Captured in a somber moment, a photograph by Amarin News Facebook echoed the gravity of the situation. The chilling event called Pol Maj Gen Chawarit Chankaen of the Sutthisan police station into action. Responding with urgency to a heart-stopping report of a body plummeting from a rooftop, Chankaen was not alone. Accompanying him were a forensic doctor from Ramathibodi Hospital, police forensic officers, and zealous volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, all converging at the scene in a race against time. Delving into the tragic tale, investigators unearthed that the young woman resided on the 28th floor of the towering building, sharing…

A quaint house in the otherwise serene Mancha Khiri district of Khon Kaen turned into a harrowing scene of tragedy early Saturday morning. On this day, tranquility was shattered by a series of gunshots that left four people dead and a two-year-old girl bewildered and alone. Eyewitnesses describe a haunting tableau of a family torn apart by jealousy and unchecked rage. Responding to the incident, Pol Capt Phongphit Thanaphanpakdee of the Mancha Khiri police, along with his team of forensic officers, doctors, and rescue workers, arrived on the scene around 11:30 AM. Upon arrival, they found a Toyota vehicle parked outside the one-story house, its Nong Khai license plates a silent testimony of the tragedy that had just unfolded inside. Inside the modest home, the first body discovered was that of Jaruayporn Faengrit, a 50-year-old woman who lay dead on a bed, her body marked by two fatal gunshot wounds.…

Moo Deng, a delightful and playful baby pygmy hippo, has captured hearts worldwide, becoming a viral sensation shortly after her birth in late June at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri. Her adorable antics, coupled with her bouncy demeanor, have rocketed her to internet superstardom, turning her into an unlikely global icon. (Photo: Reuters) Recognizing the immense buzz around Moo Deng, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo has decided to trademark the name “Moo Deng the Hippo.” This strategic move, as explained by the zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi, aims to ensure that the newfound fame of this enchanting hippopotamus translates into tangible benefits for the zoo. “One of our primary goals is to prevent the commercial exploitation of Moo Deng by unauthorized entities,” Narongwit shared with The Associated Press, a story that made its way to the pages of Time magazine. Narongwit elucidated how the funds generated through this…

Masks were indispensable for motorcyclists maneuvering through the muddy, dusty streets of Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai last Saturday. This predicament was a direct consequence of the relentless rains and flooding that have plagued the region, transforming it into a challenging landscape of thick dust and crumbling mud. Residents of Mae Sai district have found themselves in a daily battle with the aftermath of the runoff that has ravaged Phahon Yothin Road over the past 11 days. The persistent rains have left behind drying mud and dirt that now haunt the locals as they venture out. As the mud hardens, it disintegrates into dust that heeds no boundaries, penetrating homes and exacerbating an already dire situation. The clamor of vehicles heading towards the border market only adds to the dust storm, stirring up debris and sending clouds of dust in every direction. The northern province braces itself for more…

In a startling bust that has the province talking, Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thumsuthee, the investigative commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), carefully examined packs of crystal methamphetamine found inside an Isuzu MU-X pickup truck in the Thanyaburi district of Pathum Thani. The formidable discovery by the sharp-eyed officers of the Metropolitan Police Bureau has netted two suspects, a considerable haul of 80 kilograms of crystal meth, and an assortment of firearms. This gripping incident unfolded under the flickering neon lights of a car park in Rangsit-Pathum Thani Soi 14, tambon Prachathipat of Thanyaburi, on a tense Tuesday night. Officers of the MPB zeroed in on a 23-year-old suspect, known only by the pseudonym Onn, whose ride contained 80 conspicuous bags of crystal meth and two covert sachets of ketamine. The arrest was executed with precision, ensuring the suspect was apprehended without any chance of escape, Pol Maj Gen…

Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, deputy leader of the United Thai Nation Party (UTN), caught everyone’s attention at a parliament meeting held on July 13, 2023. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) The political landscape in Thailand is heating up as coalition partner UTN has raised a ruckus over the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the main opposition People’s Party (PP) attempt to amend sections of the 2017 constitution. A significant sticking point? The sections regarding the ethical standards for political officeholders. The intention behind Sections 160(4) and (5) of the 2017 charter was to act as a moral gatekeeper, ensuring that only those meeting certain ethical benchmarks could climb the political ladder. “Any effort to dilute these measures could open the floodgates for unscrupulous individuals to gain power,” emphasized Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana. “Sure, there’s an urgent need for charter amendments, but the real emergency right now is revitalizing our economy,” he stated passionately. “Parliament should seriously…