In an atmosphere tinged with the urgency of tragedy, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin stood before a sea of expectant faces in the grandiose halls of Government House. It was here that a solemn narrative began to unfold as he spoke out on the recent calamity that cast a shadow over the city of Suphan Buri. On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday, the still air was shattered by a blast at a local fireworks factory, claiming the lives of 23 people, leaving the nation in a state of shock. With an earnest demeanor, Mr. Somsak, moving beyond the usual rhetoric of mourning, heralded a call to action alongside two crucial figures: Nattapol Rangsitpol, the unwavering permanent secretary of the Ministry of Industry, and Somchai Lersprasittipan, the deputy director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration. Their assembly wasn’t solely a response to the catastrophe but a pivotal gathering to unravel a series…
Posts published in “Thailand”
From the bustling corridors of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland’s Davos comes Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, landing amidst the tropical hum of Suvarnabhumi airport with more than just Swiss chocolates in tow. He carries heavy intentions to scrutinize juvenile justice reform after a recent harrowing episode shook the nation. There, in the press’s flashing lights, he lays out the complex fabric of a sore subject: the fate of Thailand’s youth tangled in the law’s stern grip. The shocking murder of Buaphan Tansu, 47, ruthlessly carried out by a band of teenagers, as cold as the waters of the pond where they discarded her life, has set the agenda. Details of the crime surfaced like menacing shadows caught on a relentless security camera. Children morphed into culprits, aged merely between 13 to 16, now stand accused of severing the thread of life that was Buaphan’s—a narrative more chilling than any…
Amid the rolling fields of Suphan Buri, where tranquility usually reigns, a grim scene unfolded last Wednesday when a devastating explosion erupted at a local fireworks factory, abruptly claiming 23 lives. The aftermath was a portrait of stark devastation near the factory grounds, with remnants of the day’s routine turned into tragic debris under the open sky of Thailand’s heartland. (Photo credit to the courageous Disaster Response Association of Thailand, who captured the tragic aftermath.) Imagine this, a scene so intense and catastrophic that it obliterated the peaceful rhythms of village life in Moo 3, tambon Salakhao of Muang district. At about 3:30 in the afternoon, a shockwave tore through the fabric of the community, leaving behind 23 instantly lost souls. The blast was so powerful it sent debris flying over a 100m radius, raining a heartbreaking confetti of destruction and human remains. According to the discerning Pol Maj Gen…
A captivating narrative unfolds as we delve into the dynamic world of Thai politics, where a youthful visionary, Chontida “Pleng” Asavahame, finds herself at a crossroads. With the unexpected resignation of Saksayam from his parliamentary stronghold, a ripple of opportunity spread through the Bhumjaithai party, beckoning Chontida to ascend as his successor. Yet, in a surprising move brimming with ambition and local loyalty, Chontida gracefully declines the golden ticket to national politics. Her eyes set on a grander vision, she parts ways with the Bhumjaithai party, drawing inspiration from her family’s deep-rooted influence within the Samut Prakan province—truly a bastion of her familial legacy. The late Chonsawat Asavahame, Chontida’s father, once stood at the helm of Samut Prakan’s political scene, leaving behind a legacy that now continues through the hands of the formidable matriarch, Nantida Kaewbuasai. Nantida, a beacon of feminine power, currently presides over the Provincial Administrative Organisation, making…
Picture this: the lush, rolling landscapes of Chiang Mai, where whispers of untold stories are carried by the winds that drift across the Thai-Myanmar border. It’s here that Pigkaploy, a YouTube channel on the lips of 1.23 million subscribers, dropped its visual gem on a tranquil Tuesday, January 16th. The video, “For What We Have Soldiers: Episode 1”, invites us into the cloistered world of Thai soldiers, guardians of Thailand’s northern vigil. In this arresting narrative, we follow Ploypailin “Ploy” Thangprabhaporn – actress, YouTuber, and now, honorary soldier – as she immerses herself into the disciplined life of Thailand’s military. Her three-day sojourn at a remote outpost in the picturesque Wiang Haeng district teetering on the rim of one of Thailand’s most volatile borders, was nothing short of cinematic. The social media grapevine was abuzz with whisperings. Rumours swirled that the Army was the puppeteer, orchestrating the video’s creation. But…
Welcome to the fascinating world of fuel controversies, where the laws of physics meet the ever-watchful eye of the online community. In the bustling district of Kaeng Khoi, Saraburi, a viral video became the catalyst for an uproar so intense that it could only be described as the modern equivalent of a gasoline-fueled soap opera. Let’s set the scene: an inquisitive customer at a PTT station, armed with a thirst for justice and a meter, discovers a discrepancy in his fuel purchase. The plot thickens as the video, showcasing that he received less than the five litres he paid for, races across the cyber highways, gathering views and sparking outrage. In the blue corner, standing in defense of their honor, the PTT oil retailers enter the fray, armed with facts and explanations, and embarked on a quest to the illustrious halls of the police Central Investigation Bureau. Their evidence is…
In the quiet darkness of the early morning, an unexpected commotion pierced the stillness of Sri Songkhram, a district nestled in the evocative landscapes of Nakhon Phanom. What transpired was a tale of unwarranted violence, youthful recklessness, and unexpected heroism that unfolded in the wee hours, leaving the local community both shaken and stirred. Our story begins with Withoon Wong-ai, a 20-something with dreams and aspirations typical of his age, riding pillion on a motorcycle steered by his elder brother through the slumbering streets. Little did they know that their journey would lead them through not just the physical byways of their hometown but a harrowing alley of misadventure. It was about 1:30 AM, a time when nocturnal creatures rule the streets and the good folk of Sri Songkhram nestle in their beds, that Withoon and his sibling found themselves besieged by a pack of predators on wheels. Not your…
Amid the snow-capped peaks of Davos, Switzerland, a Thai visionary, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, sparked conversations that resonate with the buzz and potential of global trade winds. Surrounded by the world’s economic elite, Mr. Thavisin wove through the prestigious halls of the World Economic Forum, igniting interest in a daring venture: the transformative Ranong-Chumphon Land Bridge project. As the Swiss summit drew to a close, the scent of success mingled with the alpine air. In a digital dispatch, Thavisin enthused about the camaraderie and collaboration the summit catalyzed, painting a picture of his homeland as a nation ripe for economic opportunity. The forum was more than a meeting of minds; it was a global economic tapestry, with Thailand poised to weave its thread through the pattern. Thavisin’s strategic discourse at Davos spanned an array of discussions with over 17 corporate titans and organizations, neatly categorized into three pivotal clusters. Foremost…
Picture this: a savvy saleswoman in the heart of Beijing, with an air of cool confidence, expertly showing off the latest e-cigarette, her hands crafting clouds of vapor as intrigued customers look on. Fascinating, right? But hold that thought—because the plot thickens considerably once we dive into what’s going on behind the scenes, particularly where the youth are concerned. (Image credit: Reuters) Cue a high-level national tobacco committee, armed with their stern faces and a comprehensive survey in hand, ringing the alarm bells louder than ever. The reason for their furrowed brows? Vaping among sprightly young teens isn’t just crawling—it’s practically pole-vaulting across the statistics, with a jaw-dropping increase of over five times than what was noted back in the yesteryears of 2015. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, with a furrow on his forehead and determination in his voice, spoke of the committee’s rising fears about the e-cigarette epidemic taking…
Imagine this: in the midst of a serene Thai border town, a tale so tangled and dark that it could rival any detective novel unfolds. Panya Khongsaenkham, a name that became entwined in a web of murder and wrongful accusation, now rests at the heart of an investigation shrouded in whispers and false leads. This is a story that spun its way through the corridors of the Sa Kaeo provincial police headquarters, capturing the attention of none other than Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, a deputy national chief, who descended upon the precinct in a quest to divine the truth from the confusion encasing Panya’s arrest and the chilling confession he was forced to give regarding the murder of his wife. As the plot thickens, six voice clips emerge, bursting into the public domain and igniting a fuse of revelation. They speak of a dreadful mistake. They tell us the Aranyaprathet…