Is the bustling city of Bangkok on the verge of a much-needed transformation? The city that never sleeps is gearing up for a major facelift, as local authorities plan to overhaul the longstanding legislation that has governed the metropolis for decades. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has unveiled ambitious plans to revamp the BMA Act of 1985—a statute that many city leaders believe is no longer fitting for a 21st-century urban hub. Aekwaranyu Amrapal, the BMA’s astute spokesperson, announced on April 17 that the proposed changes are designed to “boost efficiency in line with the hurdles of managing a modern city.” After diligently laboring for nearly three years and collecting feedback from diverse communities, the consensus is clear: Bangkok is wrestling with deep-rooted structural headaches. From the tiresome repetitiveness of pavement excavation to the gridlock traffic, not to mention the waste of potential under expressways and those unsightly overhead spaghetti…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a gripping turn of events that has gripped public attention, the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building during last month’s quake has opened a proverbial can of worms. A structural imbalance, particularly within its lift shaft, is emerging as a prime suspect. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Interior Minister and a man bearing many hats, including that of deputy prime minister, proudly takes center stage as he reveals the initial findings. Anutin’s announcement follows the astute observations made by renowned engineering guru, Worasak Kanok-Nukulchai, who had previously theorized about the enigmatic asymmetrical lift shaft. Fresh on the public stage, Anutin spotlighted the shaft’s precarious stance, vulnerable to a pesky nemesis—torsion—when the earth decided to shuffle a little too vigorously. However, Anutin won’t let amateurs tinker with this high-stakes mission. He insisted that engineering calculations need to be rock solid, sound as a bell, and especially unassailable, so the truth…
The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) has received a promising assurance from the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) that a previously shelved measure targeting money-laundering politicians is on the brink of revival. This dramatic turn of events was confirmed by the agency’s leader, Mr. Mana Nimitmongkol, amid swirling hopes at the ACT. Just this week, a fervent ACT petition soared through the corridors of power, imploring the anti-money laundering and narcotics committee connected to the House of Representative’s secretariat to reactivate the PEP (Politically Exposed Persons) policy. With a rallying cry, the committee clasped the petition close, urging Amlo to reconsider. Intriguingly, Amlo disclosed that this potent measure was initially thrust into action in 2013, only to be tucked away silently in 2020. The shroud of mystery surrounding its sudden annulment left many speculating, yet a gleam of hope shines again as Amlo pledges to rekindle the PEP by mid-year following…
In a bold step towards enhancing its urban governance, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to make momentous changes to its age-old BMA Act. With a vision to modernize and improve the city’s administrative efficacy, the amendments to the BMA Act 1985 have caught the attention of urban dwellers and policy enthusiasts alike. Speak of a city on the move—Bangkok is setting a new precedent for its urban landscape! Aekwaranyu Amrapal, the ever-eloquent BMA spokesman, laid it all out yesterday. After nearly three years of relentless dedication to scrutinizing the system, gathering insights, and mapping public sentiment from every nook and cranny of Bangkok’s vibrant communities, the need for transformation became blindingly obvious. From unraveling pavements (a walking challenge worth Olympic-level agility!) to crawling traffic jams and desolate spaces lingering beneath overhead expressways, the urban chaos inspired them to act. “Bangkok is a wonderland of intertwined delights, but my…
As the sun sets over the bustling streets of Thailand, a remarkable story unfolds within the ranks of the Royal Thai Army (RTA). The year is 2025, and the military’s recruitment cycle has concluded with a voluntary enlistment rate that can only be described as unprecedented. Picture this: over half the army’s recruits marched into service by their own choice, a fact that has Major General Winthai Suvaree beaming with pride. From April 1st to 12th, a sea of 429,175 hopefuls washed over the selection venues, vying for a place amongst the disciplined defenders of their nation across the army, navy, and air force. Like fish to water, these men arrived, ready to dive into the challenge of military service. The army alone had a recruitment goal of 68,166, a number as intimidating as the task itself. But here’s where it gets interesting: 19,981 men took the plunge as volunteers,…
As the date stands at April 18, 2025, an urgent chorus of voices echoes throughout Thailand’s northern provinces of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. From passionate civil society groups to dedicated academics, a collective plea ascends to the desk of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. At the heart of this fervent cry is the urgent need for sweeping governmental action to tackle the creeping catastrophe of pollution poisoning the Kok and Sai rivers—waterways entwined with the very lifelines of over 1.2 million residents. Flowing with ancient grace from Myanmar’s Shan State into Thailand, these rivers have become unwelcome conduits of sediment and heavy metal contaminants. With 2023’s alarming declaration from the Pollution Control Department identifying fourteen high-risk mining zones in Myanmar, five of which menace the waterways crossing into Thailand, the situation teeters on the edge of disaster. The evidence is as stark as it is chilling: satellite images reveal gaping…
Imagine waking up one morning, going about your daily routine, only to find yourself swept up in a whirlwind of accusations, false charges, and unjust imprisonment. This isn’t the script of a drama series but the harsh reality experienced by the 23-year-old Phuris Saitong from Nakhon Si Thammarat. Recently freed, he’s emerged from the shadows of a crime he did not commit, driven by a fervent quest for justice and accountability. Phuris’s emotional release from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Correctional Institution for Young Offenders brightened a rather bleak Wednesday. Overcome with raw emotion, he rushed into his mother’s arms and then dropped to his knees before his uncle, gratitude and relief flooding the moment. This poignant reunion, however, sparks the beginning of a new battle. He is set on seeking justice against the officers who, he argues, cast him into this maelstrom of falsehood. The gears of his ordeal began…
Stepping into the lush, verdant surrounds of Ban Bang Tao Cherng Talay in Phuket’s Thalang district, one is immediately captivated by the simple yet mesmerizing act of rubber tapping. Here, amidst the whispering foliage, visitors are given a glimpse into the lives of local farmers championing community-based tourism. Even as the skilled hands of a farmer delicately coax the precious sap from the rubber tree, whispers of an impending crisis cast a shadow over this tranquil scene. Throughout Thailand, rubber farmers are raising a collective cry for assistance as the once-vibrant market they’ve cultivated is hit by a sudden and jarring drop in rubber prices. Not long ago, prices hovered around a comfortable 70 baht per kilogram. Fast forward a few weeks, and the market has taken a nosedive, with prices dwindling to a mere 48-50 baht per kilogram. The price collapse is akin to a harsh monsoon, leaving its…
It was an afternoon hustle and bustle at the Ministry of Interior, where the atmosphere was warm with a sprinkle of anticipation. Deputy Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, stood with a smile and extended his hand in greeting to Kinzang Dorji, the Ambassador of Bhutan to Thailand. The pleasantries exchanged were more than diplomatic gestures as plans were laid out for an impending royal visit by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand to Bhutan, scheduled for April 25 to 28. Meanwhile, the spacious chambers of Thai politics are treading through turbulence as the ruling Pheu Thai Party navigates choppy waters with its coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party. Observers of the political scene, like Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, who helms the opposition People’s Party, predict a continued union, albeit strained, between the coalition’s two heavyweight parties. Numbers in Parliament dictate their dance of dependence as they aim…
In a scene reminiscent of a showdown in a dramatic Western film, scores of cattle farmers, donning sun-beaten hats and boots caked with mud, gathered at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on Thursday. With a fervor akin to a stampede, they voiced their staunch disapproval of a government proposal that might open the gates for a tide of US beef imports. The deal, an apparent strategy to balance trade deficits, isn’t sitting well with the local farmers who fear more for their livelihood than a calf during branding season. The Beef Cattle Association of Thailand, with over 60 allied groups in tow, charged ahead with a united front. Their banners, flapping like the wings of protesting eagles, screamed resistance to the idea of trading Thai integrity for imported cow flesh. Heading up this charge was Sitthiporn Boorananath, the articulate vice president of the association, who delivered a letter to…