Posts published in “Thailand”

Taking pride in it: People stroll past the vibrant Krungsri Building, adorned in the dazzling hues of Pride Month in the lively Ploenchit area. The air is festive as celebrations take over the month. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard) According to Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the government anticipates that June’s Pride Month will inject over 4.5 billion baht into the economy. On a sunny Saturday, Mr. Phumtham emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the government is actively fostering sexual diversity. In collaboration with the private sector, they are gearing up for more Pride Month events to attract LGBTQ+ tourists from around the world. Mr. Phumtham pointed out that this initiative will significantly enhance the country’s trade prospects. It’s not just about attracting tourists—it’s about providing a golden opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to expand and generate value through soft power. He shared…

The political landscape of Thailand has been thrown into disarray once again as the Election Commission (EC) presses forward with a petition to disband the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP). This move comes after the Constitutional Court’s recent directive, urging the EC to present additional legal documents on the matter. EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee has confirmed that the necessary documentation, concerning the legal intricacies of the case, was duly submitted to the court last Friday. Intriguingly, no witnesses were presented in this submission; Mr. Sawaeng emphasized that the court’s prior ruling on the MFP’s stance regarding the controversial lese majeste law was sufficient groundwork for the EC to proceed against the party. Deflecting criticisms from the MFP, which had accused the EC of not adhering to the procedural steps outlined in the organic law on political parties, Mr. Sawaeng was unyielding. He stressed the adequacy of the current legal framework…

Maris Sangiampongsa, the freshly minted Minister of Foreign Affairs, has put a spotlight on Thailand’s indispensable role in fostering peaceful dialogue to help untangle the conflict in Myanmar. In a recently held “Meet the Press#1” event, the ministry unveiled his policy under the resonant theme of “Ignite Thailand, Re-ignite Thai Diplomacy”. Addressing a captivated audience, Mr. Maris expounded on the significance of nurturing robust relationships with Thailand’s neighboring nations. He stressed that a harmonious bond with neighboring countries is vital for bolstering Thailand’s stability, using the ongoing Myanmar crisis as a poignant example, which has undeniably impacted Thailand’s border security. “Our foreign policy concerning neighboring countries should be anchored in mutual peace, a foundation that would foster collaborative efforts to achieve shared benefits,” Mr. Maris eloquently asserted. He elaborated that the turmoil in Myanmar has reverberated along the Thailand-Myanmar border, making the restoration of peace in Myanmar a pressing priority…

The provincial-level Senate election is set to sweep across the nation this Sunday, marking a critical juncture in the election process. The Election Commission (EC) has issued a stern reminder to all candidates: show up at the polling stations on time and absolutely no schmoozing with fellow contenders during the vote. Leading by example, EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee, alongside a cadre of election officials, conducted a meticulous inspection of the Vayupak Convention Centre at the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel nestled on Chaeng Watthana Road in Lak Si district. This venue serves as the designated polling station for the district-level elections in Bangkok. Mr. Sawaeng emphasized the streamlined nature of the process as the election advances from the district to the provincial stage, suggesting a smooth sailing. A striking figure of 23,645 candidates has made the cut for the provincial-level election. The directive is clear: arrive at the provincial polling…

Imagine the bustling streets of Bangkok, a city drenched in cultural richness and vibrancy. Last December 1st, a notable scene unfolded, where the executives and staff of the Police General Hospital made a determined march to the Royal Thai Police headquarters. Their mission? To raise awareness during the campaign against HIV/AIDS on World AIDS Day. This poignant march underscored a pressing issue: the need to accelerate efforts in combating the stigma faced by young people living with HIV (young PLHIV) in healthcare settings. Thailand has indeed made significant strides in providing healthcare services to young HIV-positive individuals, particularly those aged 18 to 24. Yet, a chilling statistic reveals that one in four young patients still encounters discrimination within healthcare facilities. It’s a troubling reality that deters many from seeking the essential care they need, thus thwarting the global aim of eradicating the AIDS epidemic. This was a focal discussion point…

It’s not every day that the seismic shifts in the media landscape make headlines, but when they do, the ripples are both fascinating and telling. Recently, a familiar face from the now-defunct Voice TV has taken to Facebook to announce a vibrant new news show. Former anchor, Weeranan Kanhar, excitedly shared that he will be hosting “Khui Khlai Kao”, a fresh news program gearing up to debut on state-run NBT, promising to carry the torch of engaging content every weekday from 8pm to 9.30pm. For those who’ve kept an eye on the journey of Voice TV, this transition might come as a surprise, albeit a welcome one. Voice TV, which had increasingly become synonymous with its open support for the Pheu Thai Party and the red-shirt movement, ceased its broadcasts on May 31 after a storied 15 years on air. The shuttering of this influential channel left a notable gap,…

Picture the scene: Nasa Club in Chon Buri’s Muang district, packed to the brim with partygoers dancing the night away. It was early Saturday, and the beats were electrifying until the unexpected happened. A powerful force of 150, comprising police officers and officials from the Department of Provincial Administration, stormed the club at about 1:30 AM, instantly transforming the vibrant energy into a chaotic scramble. Patrons, around 400 in number, found their wild night interrupted. In a frenzied attempt to evade capture, some tried to dispose of sachets of illicit substances while others dashed for the restrooms in a vain bid to flush their woes away. The officials weren’t having it, though. Every single customer was asked to undergo urine tests, which revealed a startling revelation. Initially, officials stated that out of the crowd, 105 people—61 men and 44 women—had tested positive for drug use. As the events unfurled further…

In the early hours of Saturday, a flydubai Airbus A319 navigating its way from Dubai to the Philippines faced a dramatic challenge, making an unplanned yet safe landing at U-Tapao Airport in Rayong. The hiccup? The landing gear failed to deploy, leaving the crew with no choice but to request an emergency landing. The captain, demonstrating exceptional poise, sought permission to touch down at the navy-operated airport in Ban Chang district just past midnight. The airport authorities, showcasing their prowess, sprang into action, enlisting over 30 ambulances, medics, and rescue squads from Rayong and the neighboring province of Chon Buri. At approximately 1:05 AM, the Airbus A319-115 (CJ) gracefully touched down, as confirmed by FM91 Trafficpro. This successful landing was not just a testament to the crew’s skill but also to the swift, coordinated response from all involved agencies. Once the plane’s systems were thoroughly vetted, the aircraft resumed its…

Is the animosity an act? It has been noted that the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) has taken an empathetic approach to the ruling Pheu Thai Party of late, leading to accusations the antagonism between them may have been staged. Two developments were observed in recent weeks, which suggest the two largest parties may have already kissed and made up after Pheu Thai was criticised by MFP for reneging on their post-election promise to form a government together. Pheu Thai instead hooked up with the conservative camp when it invited the Bhumjaithai, Palang Pracharath, and United Thai Nation parties to join the coalition, leaving MFP out in the cold. The MFP had the chance of nominating its then leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, to become premier with the support of Pheu Thai. Mr. Pita’s bid was rejected outright by the Senate. As the dust was settling over the coalition formation, an…

In a groundbreaking move, the government announced its intention to roll out a co-payment scheme designed to aid over 4 million rice-farming households, specifically targeting fertiliser costs. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, speaking after the national rice management policy committee meeting, shared some optimistic news: this year’s rice prices are taking a positive turn compared to last year. This encouraging trend has paved the way for new initiatives to support farmers. Traditionally, the government has extended generous subsidies to farmers, prompting them to seek better production techniques to slash costs. Recently, they’ve introduced an ambitious fertiliser project, with the government committing to cover half of the expenses. The implementation of this initiative will be facilitated by the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives through a specialized mobile app, ensuring that every farmer can access it. To address concerns over recent fertiliser price hikes, suppliers will be invited to join the program,…