Posts published in “Thailand”

Policemen place barricades next to a large rock that fell during a landslide caused by heavy rain in the Patong municipality of Kathu district, Phuket province, on Wednesday. (Photo: Patong police station) Buckle up, Thailand! Weather aficionados, intrigue-seekers, and casual readers, gather ’round for the latest meteorological mayhem. A depression, poised to evolve into a full-fledged tropical storm, is racing towards Vietnam, packing wind speeds of 55 kilometers per hour. This atmospheric ruckus, located about 300km northeast of Vietnam’s Quang Tri province, is set to make landfall on Thursday or Friday. Our trusty meteorological soothsayer, Director-General Kornrawee Sitthichivapak, predicts a parade of pluvial pandemonium until the final curtain drops on Monday. In detail: this tropical tempest is zipping west at 20km per hour and is forecast to smash into central Vietnam. Lamentably for those hoping for a quick dissipations as the storm will host a monsoon trough party, dragging yet…

CPS CHAPS, a vibrant brand under the esteemed Jaspal Group, is making waves in the fashion industry by fusing sartorial elegance with the pulsating beats of music and vivid lifestyle trends. Renowned for its groundbreaking clothing designs and eclectic collaborations, CPS CHAPS has teamed up with top-tier artists from various musical genres to infuse their creations with an unbeatable “rock attitude.” These spectacular partnerships include icons like Dharmthai Plangsilp and the sensational girl group 4EVE, breathing life and personality into the brand’s bold collections. With its core philosophy of “CREATIVITY. PASSION. SELF.” at the forefront, CPS CHAPS continues to captivate fashion enthusiasts through innovative collaborations. These initiatives don’t just stop at surface-level endorsements; they embody the essence of the artists, making every piece a unique blend of music and fashion culture. Taking the customer experience to new heights, CPS CHAPS has unveiled a revamped flagship store on the G Floor…

The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 3 has issued a landmark ruling, seizing assets totaling 5.1 million baht from a Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) official embroiled in an unusual-wealth scandal. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, the secretary-general and spokesman for the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), disclosed the court’s decision on Wednesday. Although the ruling was issued on March 28, it has only now come to light. The court has confiscated money deposited in two accounts belonging to Sarot Sutthiwong, who was found to have amassed significant wealth through questionable means. According to Niwatchai, the NACC initiated an investigation into Sarot following allegations of disproportionate wealth. “Our investigation yielded enough credible evidence to substantiate the allegations. We discovered that Mr. Sarot had indeed engaged in illicit activities,” Niwatchai stated. “Following this, we forwarded the case to the Office of the Attorney-General, which then brought it to the court with a request…

In a recent turn of events, Baan Kanchanapisek Vocational Juvenile Training Centre, led by the ever-dedicated juvenile justice expert Thicha Nanakorn, has been given a new lease on life. Contrary to the swirling rumors about its potential closure, the authorities have decided to keep its doors open. This decision was solidified during a pivotal meeting on Wednesday with Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong and the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection (DJOP) director-general, Pol Lt Gen Prawut Wongsrinil, at the center located in Nakhon Pathom. The looming budget cuts had threatened to bring an end to the center and Ms. Thicha’s influential role as its director. These budget reductions were meant to affect the hiring of juvenile experts, potentially jeopardizing the future of many young lives that Baan Kanchanapisek has been tirelessly working to rehabilitate. Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee minced no words when describing the importance of institutions…

In a bid to provide more inclusive economic support, the Thai government has extended the application deadline for disabled individuals to apply for the 10,000 baht stimulus under its economic boost program, which was previously known as the digital wallet scheme. Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Varawut Silpa-archa, announced this extension yesterday, urging disabled people or their family members who missed the initial Sept 15 deadline to take advantage of this new opportunity before the Dec 3 cutoff. To ensure a smooth registration process, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has partnered with the Ministry of Public Health. This collaboration aims to simplify the registration process for the disabled, making it accessible and easy to complete. Families and individuals in need can head to any of the ministry’s nationwide hospitals to register for the funds. Echoing the sentiments of urgency, Deputy Minister of Finance, Julapun Amornvivat,…

The cabinet has greenlit an additional budget of nearly 6 billion baht to alleviate the financial pressures faced by healthcare units under the universal healthcare scheme. Rising costs have strained these units significantly, and the Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, made the announcement this Wednesday that the 5.92 billion baht allocated must be disbursed by the end of the fiscal year, September 30. This funding will be sourced from the central government budget for the fiscal year, the minister explained. Approximately 1 billion baht is designated to cover the losses endured by numerous hospitals. These losses stem from providing outpatient care under the scheme at a cost higher than the capitation budget they received. Minister Somsak further elaborated that an additional 3 billion baht would be distributed across various healthcare units. These funds aim to support a range of essential services, including family clinics, dental clinics, and physical rehabilitation clinics.…

Train models are displayed at Asia Pacific Rail 2023 at Bitec Bangkok. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard) The State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) newly appointed director, Veeris Ammarapala, has been given a monumental task: completing the high-speed Sino-Thai railway project by the first quarter of next year. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced on Wednesday that Veeris will establish his policies for the SRT by early next month, now that the cabinet has greenlit his appointment. Veeris’s primary objectives are no small feats. One of his main goals is to clear the SRT’s staggering 230-billion-baht debt. Add to that the daunting task of transforming Thailand’s logistics landscape by shifting the primary mode of transportation from road to rail, a move that aligns with the government’s preference for rail transport. The Transport Ministry has also directed the SRT to swiftly find a private bidder to complete the second phase of the double-track railway project.…

The anticipation is palpable as this year’s military reshuffle looms closer, with candidates set to be finalized by the end of the week. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai tackled the swirling rumors head-on on Wednesday, ensuring transparency amidst the speculation that senior officers’ appointments were already set in stone. Intriguingly, inside sources revealed that Gen Sanitchanog Sangkachantra, the permanent secretary for defence, had just presented a comprehensive list of senior candidates to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Tuesday night. This crucial list had been meticulously reviewed by Mr Phumtham himself. Adding another layer to the reshuffle drama, navy chief, Adm Adung Phan-iam, made headlines on Monday. He stood firm on his controversial nomination of Adm Jirapol Wongwit, currently a special navy adviser, to ascend as the next navy chief. The twist? Adm Jirapol, who boasts impressive credentials from the Naval Academy Mürwik in Germany, faces opposition within…

An official inspected bags of narcotics in a government warehouse in Bangkok last month. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ramped up her narcotic suppression policy with a strong kickoff on Wednesday. She highlighted successful projects in Thawatchaburi district of Roi Et in the Northeast and Tha Wang Pha district of Nan in the North as key examples. This significant meeting of the Narcotics Control Board was held at Government House, with key figures like Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, and Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob in attendance, along with representatives from the Royal Thai Police, armed forces, and various government agencies. The Prime Minister acknowledged that tackling narcotics is vital for the nation’s wellbeing. “During my visits to various provinces, feedback on the drug problem is a recurring theme, whether from MPs or…

In the heart of Vientiane, Laos opened the doors to an urgent dialogue—one that crackled with the stakes higher than an overloaded dam. The “2nd Asean-MRC Water Security Dialogue” saw officials from Asean member states, Mekong River nations, and development partners converge to tackle the elephant in the room: water security in the face of relentless floods. Saleumxay Kommasith, Laos’ deputy PM and foreign minister, didn’t mince words as he painted a vivid picture of the Mekong River’s significance. This lifeline, coursing through mainland Southeast Asia, feeds the region in more ways than one. “The Mekong River is the bedrock of our livelihoods,” Saleumxay began fervently. From being a source of food production to energy generation and even resilient trade, the river’s bounty nourishes the population. Imagine 2.6 million tonnes of fish annually gracing dinner tables across the basin. That’s the kind of food security the Mekong River provides—a veritable…