In the bustling heart of Bangkok, an unlikely creature is stirring up quite the conversation. No, not the city’s ever-fabulous street food or its magnetic nightlife, but something more… scaly. We’re talking about the city’s water monitors, residing in none other than the urban oasis of Lumpini Park and alongside the canal that runs parallel to Rama IV Road. Like residents trying to balance the scales – quite literally – the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is diving deep into discussions about managing the burgeoning population of these remarkable reptiles. The Environment Department of the BMA, spearheaded by the ever-dedicated Prapas Lueangsirinapha, has been on the lookout. Observing the water monitors like a compassionate zoologist armed with nothing more dangerous than a clipboard, Prapas made it clear that these creatures, while perhaps misunderstood, are bagged under a vital protective umbrella. They are safeguarded by the Wild Animal Conservation and Protection Act…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Recently, Thailand’s Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin took to the stage to calm some brewing storms over the alleged skyrocketing healthcare expenditures for foreign workers. The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) raised eyebrows when it declared that last year’s foreign healthcare costs hit a staggering 92 billion baht. However, Minister Somsak eased the public’s concerns, revealing a more modest figure of around two billion baht spent on this endeavor. While acknowledging that healthcare expenses surged in 2021 and 2022 due to the relentless COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Somsak clarified that the government had allocated just 2.05 billion baht to cover healthcare for foreign workers, including those residing near Thailand’s bustling borders. He speculated that this baffling discrepancy might have stemmed from data entry goofs and clumsy report filing. “A 92-billion-baht tag? It’s implausible,” Somsak proclaimed, “considering our national health insurance budget only grazes the 150 billion baht mark!” His…
In the bustling world of international healthcare exchanges, where figures and policies can sometimes resemble a chaotic dance, Thailand’s Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, recently took center stage to address public anxiety over a staggering claim. The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) had alarmingly reported that healthcare costs for foreign workers soared to an astronomical 92 billion baht last year. In contrast, Mr. Somsak earnestly insisted that the actual figure hovers around a more modest two billion baht. With the wisdom of a seasoned politician, Mr. Somsak acknowledged that the pandemic’s chaotic ballet had indeed caused healthcare costs to pirouette in 2021 and 2022. Yet, he confidently stated that a grand total of merely 2.05 billion baht was spent on providing healthcare to foreign workers, including those living near the country’s border. This discrepancy between numbers as wide as a river delta prompted a curious eyebrow-raising from the…
In a bid to set the economic wheels in motion and achieve the lofty growth target of 3.5% this year, the ever-enthusiastic Finance Minister, Pichai Chunhavajira, has announced the government’s grand master plan. His declaration followed a crucial rendezvous with economic heavyweights from the Bank of Thailand, the Fiscal Policy Office, and the National Economics and Social Development Council (NESDC). These teams, armed with spreadsheets and projections, gathered to weave a tapestry of economic hope for the nation. Minister Pichai didn’t mince words as he revealed the NESDC’s chilling report on last year’s economic performance, with GDP growth staggering below 2% during the first and second quarters. This was primarily due to the government’s sluggish investment budget disbursement, delayed by the prolonged enactment of the 2024 fiscal budget bill. It was like waiting for the rain in a drought, but finally, when the financial floodgates opened, it was as if…
The air in the room was thick with determination as Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira addressed a gathering of economic masterminds, eager to unveil a formidable strategy designed to catapult the nation towards an impressive 3.5% growth target. This economic brain trust included representatives from the Bank of Thailand, the Fiscal Policy Office, and the National Economics and Social Development Council (NESDC), each ready to play their part in a grand economic symphony. Minister Pichai, with a confident glint in his eye, elaborated on the prior year’s economic journey—a bumpy ride marred by delays that reeled GDP growth back to a sluggish pace of under 2% during the first two quarters. The delay in enacting the 2024 fiscal year’s budget bill was like a stubborn rock in the road, but once it was blasted away and the financial sluice gates were opened, the economy found a fresh stride. Climbing to 3%…
In a strategic move to bolster security and maintain order along its extensive borders, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has demanded a ramping up of security measures at key crossings between Thailand and its neighboring nations. This directive is part of the robust “Seal Stop Safe” initiative launched recently to combat illicit cross-border activities and fortify Thailand’s perimeter against threats. Interior Ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul announced that Mr. Anutin has mandated provincial governors across the country to implement stricter controls at border checkpoints. The focus is squarely on thwarting criminal networks indulging in activities such as drug and human trafficking, as well as dismantling illicit call center operations that exploit these unsecured points. The “Seal Stop Safe” operation kicked off on January 30, following Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s impassioned appeal for zero tolerance toward drug crimes. With proactive tactics, the initiative involves synchronizing the efforts of authorities…
In an effort to bolster the resilience of Thailand’s border security, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has mandated a significant enhancement of measures at the nation’s borders. This robust directive stems from the need to thwart illegal activities and aligns with Thailand’s “Seal Stop Safe” operation, a comprehensive initiative designed to fortify defenses against such intrusions. The operation, which got underway on January 30, was born from the government’s commitment to an aggressive policy spearheaded by none other than Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Her administration’s focus on eradicating drug-related issues has given rise to a multifaceted, coordinated approach involving authorities across 51 border districts. With enhancing border security at its core, the initiative seeks to crush illegal enterprises like drug and human trafficking and the elusive networks of fraudulent call centre gangs. Interior Ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul elaborated that Mr. Anutin’s directive has enjoined all provincial governors…
In a scene that reads like a gripping drama, the recent arrest of a television actor embroiled in an online gambling ring has captivated Bangkok, drawing the spotlight on a clandestine world where glitter meets guile. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), led by the ever-vigilant Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewphan, orchestrated the high-profile bust. The actor, known simply as Amorn, a youthful 31-year-old, was apprehended alongside his partners in crime, Issara, 37, and Pairat, 38. The trio was linked to the operation of the WM Casino website, which had spun a web of intrigue far wider than the small circle of accomplices might have suggested. As the police tightened their net, they unearthed a trove of incriminating evidence: 46 bank account books, an arsenal of 20 company rubber stamps, an array of company registration documents, six ATM cards, ten mobile phones, a car, and a collection of luxury bags.…
The sun-drenched city of Bangkok was abuzz with excitement, but not just because of its vibrant street markets or delicious food stalls. No, the real drama was unfolding in the city’s criminal underbelly, where a web of deceit and high-stakes gambling was slowly unraveling. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) had just dealt a significant blow to an intricate online gambling syndicate, bringing down not just any perpetrators, but an actor caught in a leading role of deception. Meet Amorn, a 31-year-old television supporting actor by day and, as it turns out, a mastermind at night—or rather, a key player in the clandestine operations of WM Casino. The CCIB, spearheaded by the diligent Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewphan, nabbed Amorn in a swooping operation that could rival any suspense thriller. But Amorn wasn’t alone; two comrades, Issara, aged 37, and Pairat, 38, were also cuffed in the grand gamble bust.…
In the dusty, sun-soaked heart of South Sudan, hidden within the energetic hum of Juba, the enigmatic Royal Thai Army (RTA) commander-in-chief, Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk, recently graced the Thai Horizontal Military Engineering Company with his presence. This wasn’t any ordinary visit; it was a symbol of international unity, a testament to the bond between continents, and a tribute to the tenacity of humanity working towards peace. Against the vivid backdrop of Juba’s vibrant streets, Gen Pana arrived with a sense of purpose that electrified the air. As he stepped into the company’s headquarters, the troops of the Thai Horizontal Military Engineering Company, led by the ever-diligent Lt Col Weerapong Jantarasiripas, stood ready to showcase their relentless commitment to supporting the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). You could feel the sense of anticipation in the air, akin to the moments before a grand symphony begins. Gen Pana, embodying the…