Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has unveiled an ambitious government transport infrastructure development policy, aimed at transforming the national transit landscape across short, medium, and long-term horizons. Addressing a gathering of transport organizations shortly after taking office under the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration, Suriya emphasized the strategic plan encompassed nine pivotal points, meticulously crafted to be rolled out in three distinct phases. Suriya began by asserting the necessity to expedite the long-pending transport investment projects. The minister stressed that time was of the essence, and accelerating these initiatives was paramount to laying the groundwork for future developments. “We can’t afford any more delays; our nation’s progress is tethered to the efficiency and advancement of its transport systems,” he declared with palpable determination. The second cornerstone of the plan addresses the integration of Thailand’s transport network with international systems. Suriya envisions a future where seamless connectivity isn’t just an aspiration but a lived…
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The Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) recently made headlines when it transferred Prayong Saraphum, the director of Sa Kaeo’s Secondary Education Service Area Office, to its headquarters. This move comes amidst an investigation into his controversial involvement regarding the removal of a woman from a list of candidate teachers in Sa Kaeo province. Benyapa Yen-udom, an aspiring science teacher, had initially been announced as the top candidate after an exam. However, she was unexpectedly replaced on the list despite achieving the highest test score. Obec plans to conclude this investigation by the end of the week, according to Deputy Education Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul. Deputy Minister Surasak elaborated that Obec’s legal office has thoroughly reexamined the exam results of approximately 100 candidates to ensure that justice prevails. Should the revaluation reveal that Ms. Benyapa did not indeed achieve the highest mark, she would be compensated for the financial losses…
The main opposition People’s Party (PP) has taken a bold step by submitting a bill aimed at amending the constitution to limit the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) authority to investigate Members of Parliament (MPs) and senators for ethical violations. According to Pakornwut Udompipatskul, a list MP of the PP and the opposition whip chief, the bill has already been presented to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. Interestingly, this move comes ahead of the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s own initiative to gather support from coalition parties for their version of a bill, also aimed at rewriting sections of the charter focusing on the ethics of political post-holders. Under current stipulations, political post-holders found guilty of ethical misconduct can face lifetime bans from the political arena. A source well-acquainted with the matter revealed that Pheu Thai’s draft is somewhat less specific compared to the PP’s bill in terms of curbing the…
A man cradling his toddler gazes at the surging Chao Phraya River in tambon Bang Prok, Pathum Thani, on a Tuesday afternoon. With concern etched on his face, he closely monitors the rising water level, a scene captured by one of the numerous CCTV cameras installed to provide a real-time view of the river’s condition via a public website. Kudos to the province for this 24/7 surveillance! Meanwhile, an urgent alert from the Meteorological Department has stirred the hearts and minds of all inhabitants. A nerve-wracking typhoon is forecasted to lash Thailand on Friday, bringing with it torrential rain, flash floods, and devastating landslides, particularly targeting the Northeast. Thanasit Iam-ananchai, the department’s deputy director-general and often the harbinger of such grave news, made this announcement earlier on Tuesday. According to Thanasit, a depression stirring in the northern waters of the South China Sea is ominously moving southward, evolving into what…
Transnational bribery involving the military is not a fresh dilemma but a long-entrenched issue. This recurring problem received renewed attention when Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai responded to a recent claim about kickbacks allegedly paid by a US company to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). “It’s been around for a long time,” Phumtham remarked, addressing the gravity of the situation that has plagued the military sector for years. Currently navigating through an inundation crisis, Phumtham noted his immediate focus is on coordinating military relief operations for flood victims in the North and Northeast. Thus, he hasn’t yet delved into the minutiae of the recent allegations. “I’ll have a look later. I don’t have information yet,” he added, emphasizing the pressing need to prioritize disaster response over the investigation at the moment. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has vowed to scrutinize reports claiming that the US-based agricultural…
In the bustling Muang district of Phayao province, the aftermath of receding floodwaters reveals a chaotic scene with vehicles piled high, reminiscent of a child’s haphazardly discarded toys. This urgent scenario set the stage for a critical cabinet meeting on Tuesday, where the Ministry of Interior, with an eye on immediate relief, secured a significant diversion of funds amounting to 3.04 billion baht from the central budget. This decision comes in the wake of catastrophic flooding that has beleaguered 57 provinces since May, impacting an estimated 338,391 households. The freshly minted cabinet, eager to prove its efficacy, rubber-stamped this financial lifeline in its inaugural weekly meeting. Traisuree Taisaranakul, a ministry spokeswoman, detailed the relief measures designed to alleviate the plight of flood victims. “Financial assistance will range from 5,000 to 9,000 baht per household,” she stated, “depending on the duration of flooding endured.” Households submerged for 1 to 30 days…
Covid-19 is set to be treated like a standard respiratory disease moving forward as case numbers continue to dwindle and symptoms become milder, according to Dr. Yong Poovorawan, a virologist from Chulalongkorn University. In a Facebook post on Monday, Dr. Yong highlighted the noticeable decline in this year’s caseload. At the onset of the rainy season, up to 30% of the 6,000 patients with respiratory diseases were suffering from Covid-19. However, by August, that figure had plummeted to just 5%, he noted. This downward trend is expected to persist until November, after which a slight uptick is anticipated during the New Year holiday, peaking around January or February. Nevertheless, Dr. Yong expects these peaks to be significantly lower than those seen at the beginning of this year’s rainy season, a typical period for Covid-19 spread. Steady decreases in both infection rates and severity are paving the way for Covid-19’s transition…
A protest sign against the Land Bridge megaproject is seen in Chumphon’s Phato district in January. (Photo: Phusadee Arunmas) A chorus of dissent echoed from the southern provinces of Thailand as a group of impassioned residents called upon the government to scrap two contentious Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) bills and the Land Bridge megaproject. These southern souls, steadfast in their cause, believe the ambitious project threatens to unravel the fabric of their cherished way of life. On a resolute Monday morning, approximately 50 dedicated members of the Phato-Ranong Conservation Network flocked to the bustling headquarters of the Bhumjaithai Party in Bangkok’s lively Chatuchak district. Their mission was unequivocal: to persuade the party to retract the SEC bills they had drafted. The network’s spirited coordinator, Somchok Chungchaturan, raised a resounding voice of concern, painting a vivid picture of their plight. According to Chungchaturan, these bills would give rise to an “independent…
In the tranquil yet vigilant district of Phato, Chumphon, a sign stands tall, voicing staunch opposition to the Southern Economic Corridor and the ambitious Rayong-Chumphon Land Bridge megaproject. The message is inescapable—a call to rethink a future some southern residents are far from ready to embrace. Picture this: A determined collective of around 50 impassioned citizens, proudly representing the Phato-Ranong Conservation Network, converged upon the bustling headquarters of the Bhumjaithai Party in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, last Monday. Their mission? To fervently demand the withdrawal of two consequential SEC bills poised to reshape the landscape of four southern provinces. Somchok Chungchaturan, the network’s outspoken coordinator, captured the gravity of the situation, decrying the proposed bills that could potentially create an “independent state” for investors. The implications were stark—relaxed labour regulations, flexible land use policies, and an unsettling exemption from environmental protections. “The Bhumjaithai Party should take into serious consideration the impacts…
Jirayu Houngsub has recently taken up the mantle of public relations adviser to the Prime Minister while his application for the government spokesman’s role undergoes further scrutiny. (Photo: Government House) Jirayu Houngsub, former spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, is poised to step into the shoes of the government spokesman as early as next week, insider sources divulge. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on Tuesday, roped in Mr. Jirayu as her public relations adviser, kicking off an in-depth qualification review. The vetting process for political assignments has ramped up its rigor, driven by an uptick in ethics-related grievances. The Pheu Thai Party, along with Ms. Paetongtarn, is currently wrestling with a dozen complaints touch on appointment controversies and other issues. A past incident involving a controversial cabinet minister appointment even led to the judicial ousting of Srettha Thavisin from his prime ministerial post last month. Traditionally, verifying the criminal records of…