“` In an ambitious move, Thailand is setting its sights on becoming a powerhouse in the regional semiconductor industry. Recognizing the surge in demand, the country is aligning its resources and people to form a robust, skilled workforce to meet this challenge head-on. At the heart of this effort is the newly established National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Industry Policy Committee, fondly referred to as the National Semiconductor Board, which is led by none other than the Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The creation of this board, initiated by Ms. Paetongtarn with an authoritative signature last Thursday, marks a pivotal step towards crafting a thriving semiconductor ecosystem in Thailand. This dynamic board is tasked with setting strategic policies and goals to foster growth in the semiconductor and advanced electronics sectors. Moreover, these public servants are responsible for designing a roadmap meant to boost investment allure, nurture the talent pool, expand the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the ever-dynamic realm of politics, where alliances form and dissolve as rapidly as waves upon the shore, few stories are as intriguing as the journey of Chaithawat Tulathon. Formerly at the helm of the now disbanded Move Forward Party, Mr. Chaithawat has found himself embroiled in the intricacies of a House committee assignment. This committee has undertaken the daunting task of dissecting the proposed political amnesty bill, an endeavor that is presently the subject of heated discourse in Thailand. On a brisk Friday morning, Chaithawat Tulathon could not mask his frustration as news broke that the House had dismissed the proposal to incorporate lese majeste—a law widely debated both locally and internationally—among the offenses to be absolved under the new amnesty framework. Despite having been sentenced to a decade-long political hiatus, Chaithawat’s expertise was deemed indispensable by the People’s Party (PP), who appointed him to this special committee. The…
In the bustling corridors of Thai politics, where passions and ideologies often collide, an unexpected twist unfolded recently. Chaithawat Tulathon, the former leader of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, found himself at the center of a heated debate. On a crisp October Friday, Mr. Chaithawat, although banned from politics for a decade, was cordially invited by the People’s Party (PP) to participate in the deliberations of a special House committee focused on a contentious new political amnesty bill. Thursday’s parliamentary session was anything but mundane, as lawmakers grappled with the polarizing issue of including lese majeste—Section 112 of the Criminal Code—in the offenses eligible for pardon under the new bill. With 270 MPs casting their votes against inclusion and a modest 152 in favor, the proposal met its demise. Yet, the rest of the committee’s report on the proposed amnesty bill was given the green light, outlining paths to potentially…
Under the brooding skies of Pattani, beneath the solemn gaze of Ingkhayutboriharn military camp, a gathering that speaks louder than words forms—women, their faces set and hearts firm, demand the justice that’s been fleeting since the harrowing events of 2004’s Tak Bai mass killings. The image, captured so poignantly by Abdullah Benjakat, does more than touch the hearts; it ignites a flame of remembrance and resolve. As the somber anniversary of the Tak Bai incident looms, security forces tighten their reins across Thailand’s deep South. Intelligence whispers of insurgent uprisings rustle through the air, suggesting plans to mirror the chaos of two decades past between October 24th and 28th. As the witching hour surrendered to a new dawn, the statute of limitations for the Tak Bai massacre slipped quietly into history, leaving the field wide open to grim commemorations by those who refuse to forget. The anticipation of unrest sprawls…
At the heart of Bangkok’s bustling tapestry lies a tale that’s both thrilling and chilling, bringing to light an underbelly of crime that reads like a gripping medical drama. Lawyer Songkan Atchariyasap, donning a suit like a modern-day Sherlock Holmes, approaches Government House on a sunlit Thursday. He’s on a mission and has with him a Pandora’s box of information that could shake the foundations of Thailand’s medical ethics. There to meet him is Jirayu Houngsab, the prime minister’s trusted adviser, who listens closely as Songkan unveils a saga of trafficking—one that involves human body parts, specifically stem cells sourced from the most unsuspecting of places. On Friday, as the nation sipped their morning tea, Jirayu made an announcement that sent ripples across the country. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation regarding the illicit production and trade of stem cells, a subject so shocking it seemed straight out of…
Under the vibrant neon lights of Don Mueang airport, the air was thick with tension as Natthamon “Nutty” Khongchak, once a radiant YouTube star, greeted an altogether different kind of limelight. Alongside her mother, Thaniya Khongchak, Nutty tread a path back to Thai soil that was far removed from her former glamorous lifestyle, to face the stark reality of serious swindling charges. These charges stem from a dramatic foreign-exchange trading scam that allegedly relieved thousands of unsuspecting followers of a staggering 2 billion baht. Their arrival, meticulously captured by only the keenest observers and Police TV Facebook alike, marked a significant turning point in one of Thailand’s most elaborate con games. The spectacle continued as the duo was greeted not with adoration but the watchful eyes of Pol Lt Gen Thawatchai Piyaneelabut and Pol Capt Wissanu Chimtrakul from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). Escorting them in a DSI vehicle,…
Amidst the bustling streets of Pattani, a somber assembly took place as supporters of the victims of the 2004 Tak Bai tragedy gathered with a shared mission: justice. Outside the central masjid, the air was thick with anticipation. Families, human rights activists, and lawmakers had all converged with hope in their hearts, only to be met with yet another parliamentary debate as the sands of time inexorably eroded away the statute of limitations set to expire at the stroke of midnight. The grim history dates back two decades, to a fateful day in October 2004, when a protest turned into a tragedy, claiming the lives of 85 individuals in Southern Thailand. As the 20-year statute of limitations on criminal charges loomed like an ominous shadow, not one of the seven defendants, among whom was former Army Region 4 commander Gen Pisal Wattahawongkiri, had dared to confront the court’s gaze. Once…
In a rather curious twist of urban escapade, an adventurous soul, known only by his daring moniker ‘Nut’, transformed a mundane Tuesday at Wat Mangkon metro station into an impromptu spectacle. Armed with a penchant for the unconventional and possibly a need for adrenaline, Nut slid spectacularly down the precarious gap between escalators—leaving Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM) less than amused. The incident was immortalized in a video uploaded by “Nut Freerunning” on Facebook, tagged appropriately with “Slider+MRT+freerunning”, and subsequently went viral. Captured on the station’s security cameras at 1:43 PM, the footage reveals Nut navigating through the throngs of bewildered commuters at the bustling exit No. 1 on the Blue Line, operated by BEM. His daring descent concluded in a rather unceremonious landing, prompting a digital uproar amongst netizens. The post garnered a flood of reactions, with many online commentators expressing concerns over the potential dangers such antics pose…
In a gripping turn of events, the glamorous world of Thai entertainment reels from a scandal that reads like a crime thriller. Picture this: actor Yuranunt “Boss Sam” Pamornmontri, donning a solemn expression, offers a traditional Thai gesture of respect as he’s shepherded alongside fellow celebrities to the Criminal Court. Just behind him, a peculiar lineup of the famous follows suit – there’s TV host Kan “Boss Kan” Kantathavorn, and then actress Pechaya “Boss Min” Wattanamontree, each bearing faces marked by a mix of defiance and bewilderment. Their involvement in the scandal surrounding the infamous iCon Group has sent shockwaves throughout the industry. So, how did our beloved stars get entangled in this web of financial deceit? Here’s the scoop: authorities from the Anti-Money Laundering Office and the police’s elite Central Investigation Bureau have unearthed elaborate money trails linking these celebrities to the iCon Group. The numbers are staggering, especially…
In the ever-evolving world of energy and refinery projects, tales of twists and turns are not uncommon. Such is the saga that unfolds at the heart of Thailand’s Clean Fuel Project (CFP), nestled within the bustling confines of Thai Oil’s Refinery in Sriracha. Recent reports, dated October 21, 2024, have sparked a flurry of discussions, pointing fingers at a supposed delay that allegedly placed the project’s commercial operations at an indefinite standstill. So, let’s embark on a journey to unravel the truth behind this energizing caper! First things first, what is the Clean Fuel Project? It’s a grand venture aimed at powering up Thailand’s energy landscape with a cutting-edge oil refinery expansion, fondly dubbed the “Complex Refinery.” The goal is simple: to set a benchmark and keep the nation ahead in global competitiveness, all while ensuring robust energy security. But like any mega-project, the CFP demands more than just ambition—it…