In the frequently clashing worlds of healthcare economics and social welfare, tensions tend to simmer just below the surface. However, it’s times like these when things boil over—a scenario delightfully simmering at this moment within Thailand’s healthcare sector. The Private Hospital Association (PHA) has firmly planted its flag on the hill of financial necessity, demanding that the Social Security Office (SSO) ups the ante on reimbursement rates for inpatient care for costly medical conditions, specifically calling for a bump up to 15,000 baht per patient. It’s a bold move that could shake up a system that hasn’t seen a rate shakeup in over five years. Enter Dr. Chalerm Harnphanich, the erudite voice of experience who once guided PHA and is now lending his weight to this pressing issue. After convening for the inaugural confab of a freshly minted subcommittee dedicated to hashing out criteria and payment rates, Dr. Chalerm laid…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The recent inspections conducted by the Department of Land Transport in Thailand have shone a glaring spotlight on safety standards, or the lack thereof, in CNG-fueled buses. Of the 1,331 buses examined since October 4, a staggering 68 have failed to meet the necessary safety criteria, resulting in their temporary sidelining. This wave of inspections was spurred by a heart-wrenching tragedy on October 1, when a bus carrying students and teachers from Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani caught fire, leading to the tragic demise of 20 students and three teachers. The incident occurred in Pathum Thani and raised a serious alarm over the safety of vintage buses, as the ill-fated vehicle was an astonishing 54 years old. Its retrofit to accommodate compressed natural gas was alarmingly out of sync with existing safety regulations. The findings revealed by the department aren’t entirely uplifting. Despite the dire circumstances, it’s…
It was the kind of historic occurrence that etches itself into the fabric of a nation’s consciousness—a tragic day in October, not easily forgotten. Specifically, October 25, 2004, in Narathiwat’s Tak Bai district, a day marked by the heart-wrenching passing of 85 individuals. Fast forward to present day and the reverberations of that tragic event are once again echoing through the halls of power as the statute of limitations on the case ticks down to its imminent expiry date of next Friday. Enter our scene of political theatre, featuring key actor, Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who finds himself in the spotlight. On a crisp autumn Friday, he declared his readiness to face the questions posed by the special House committee on the ever-contentious southern border peace, promising answers to the enigma that is the Tak Bai massacre case. The panel is keen on summoning him, alongside two other officials, next…
In a stunning political twist that has captivated Thailand, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is once again at the center of a political storm. On his birthday, July 26, at his Bangkok residence, Thaksin was thrust into the spotlight not only by well-wishers but also by significant accusations from the Election Commission (EC). The commission suspects that Thaksin, despite being an outsider, may wield unlawful influence over the ruling Pheu Thai Party and five other key political parties from the previous coalition. The stakes in this unfolding drama are staggering, particularly as the EC initiates a formal investigation into this potential misconduct. Imagine a political chess game where the pieces are not just politicians but also entire parties. The entities involved in this alleged manipulation include not only Pheu Thai but also the Bhumjaithai Party, United Thai Nation Party, Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), Chartthaipattana Party, and Prachachart Party. The clock…
In the picturesque yet recently beleaguered Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai Province, recovery efforts are nearing completion after facing the wrath of flash floods and mudslides. On a recent Friday, hearty disaster relief personnel from the esteemed 1st Cavalry Division of the Royal Thai Army rolled up their sleeves to aid the locals in cleaning up and restoring homes, determined to bring a semblance of normalcy back to the region. According to the government’s operation center for flood, storm, and landslide victims, the rehabilitation work is almost done, standing proud at an impressive 96% completion rate. The tenacious recovery efforts have help from Jirayu Huangsab, the relentless spokesperson for the center. He gave a confident update indicating that all affected communities were projected to be fully restored by Monday, a bar set astonishingly high. As the community braces itself to return to their homes, a comforting assurance comes from…
In an unexpected twist, the bustling city of Bangkok has found itself engrossed in the riveting scandal surrounding Warathaphon ‘Boss Paul’ Waratyaworrakul, the charismatic founder and CEO of The iCon Group, a once-flourishing direct sales company. The stage was set on a Friday morning as Warathaphon was escorted by the determined officers of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to the Criminal Court. An image burning in public memory: Warathaphon, the ambitious entrepreneur, now at the center of a swirling controversy over tax evasion and public fraud. This gripping saga unraveled further when Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat revealed that several executives of The iCon Group had conveniently forgotten to submit their tax payment forms to the Revenue Department. It seems that the lure of fast money might have muffled their memory of tax obligations. The Department is proactively collaborating with financial institutions, diving into the suspects’ financial portfolios to leave…
Get ready to be swept off your feet as One Bangkok, the much-awaited belle of the city, makes its grand debut on October 25, 2024! This isn’t just an unveiling—it’s a world-class extravaganza featuring over 500 artists, both international and Thai, with excitement that will last the year through. Concepted under “Let Our Hearts Beat as One,” One Bangkok is set to make the city pulse with vibrant energy and unforgettable experiences. The Heartbeat of Celebration: Let Our Hearts Beat as One There’s no better way to kick off a celebration than with a jaw-dropping display! Get ready to be dazzled as One Bangkok unveils “The World’s Largest Architectural Laser Mapping” show. Lighting up the city in a never-before-seen spectacle, from now until October 30, 2024, the facades of One Bangkok’s buildings will transform into incredible works of art. With over 40 laser units spread across 25,000 square meters, brace…
Picture sprawling landscapes and timeless pagodas, the serene beauty of Rakhine State in Myanmar juxtaposed against the harrowing tales that continually emerge from this Southeast Asian region. The air, thick with lingering questions and the soft echoes of uncertainty, recently carried yet another somber story, this one unfolding deep within the heart of Thailand. On an otherwise unassuming Friday in Phetchaburi, Thai authorities made two crucial arrests related to the harrowing smuggling saga of 26 Rohingya refugees. This incident only came to light after a distressed group of 10 was discovered near a peaceful temple in Chumphon’s Lang Suan district the day before. Their cries, which pierced the tranquil ambience, caught the attention of a local Buddhist monk. His subsequent search led to the haunting discovery of two lifeless bodies, compelling him to alert the authorities immediately. The intricate web unraveled through an initial investigation reveals a harrowing journey that…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra recently took the reins at a pivotal meeting of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council held at the ever-imposing Government House. In an atmosphere charged with anticipation and determination, she outlined a bold vision to propel Thailand into a future brimming with electric vehicles, AI advancements, cutting-edge medical industries, and pristine clean energy solutions. At the heart of this strategic session, Ms. Paetongtarn made a clarion call to amplify efforts in research and development, underscoring its vital role in enriching the nation’s people and fortifying its economic landscape. Amidst animated discussions, it became evident that the thrust was on synchronizing educational advancements with the dynamic demands of the labor market, thereby making Thailand a beacon for investment and innovation across various sectors. With a sharp focus on the “4+2” industries—encompassing electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, advanced medical technologies, clean energy, and resource management—the…
In a gripping tale that has stirred the hearts of many, Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap finds himself at the center of an intense international drama. Nestled in the bustling city of Bangkok, the narrative took a tense turn when he was apprehended by local police last July. Now, he languishes in Bangkok Remand Prison, awaiting his fate amidst a whirlpool of legal and political intrigue. The plot thickens with the involvement of over 30 civil society organizations, a formidable consortium that has come forward to champion Mr. Bdap’s cause. Their unified stance is clear: he must not be extradited back to Vietnam, where danger and human rights violations loom ominously. This passionate outcry was articulated in a heartfelt letter addressed to two of Thailand’s most prominent figures—Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. The missive, underscoring Mr. Bdap’s precarity, bears the signatures of 33 organizations, including global…