Tomorrow, February 27, promises to be an electrifying day in the skies and on the highways of Songkhla province, Thailand. In a display of both martial might and modern ingenuity, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) plans to conduct an extraordinary test involving the nimble Gripen fighter jet. This marvel of aviation is set to take off and land not from the familiar stretch of a perfectly designed airstrip, but on the unassuming yet precisely chosen Highway 4287. The purpose of this breathtaking exercise is as strategic as it is spectacular. By attempting these maneuvers on a public highway, the RTAF aims to simulate operations in scenarios where traditional airfields might be compromised. Such a capability could dramatically enhance Thailand’s defense strategy, providing vital operational flexibility by employing unconventional launch sites in times of need—a sneaky boon against the unforeseen. The selection of Highway 4287 for this audacious venture wasn’t…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In an extraordinary initiative poised to bridge the digital chasm, Thailand is setting a new benchmark by offering free internet access to over 1.1 million disabled citizens. This pioneering program, brought to life through an agreement between the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), and Bangkok Tellink, promises to empower individuals with disabilities by providing them with essential online learning tools and self-enrichment resources. Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, the brain behind this progressive scheme, had an exciting announcement to make. Starting February 1 through July 31, the initiative pledges to deliver unlimited, unfettered internet access at a minimum of 20 Mbps, quite a substantial speed, especially when it comes for free. This offer extends to registered disabled individuals holding disability cards dispensed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DoEPD) along with state welfare cardholders. “This program is thoughtfully crafted to furnish…
In a bold and high-flying endeavor, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has chosen a rather unconventional venue for its next impressive aerial drill. Picture this: the stretch of concrete that usually hums with tires and traffic will instead feel the roaring might of a Gripen fighter jet. Tomorrow, on February 27, the bustling Highway 4287 in Songkhla Province will temporarily bid farewell to its regular commuters as it transforms into a makeshift runway for a sleek and speedy Gripen! This audacious exercise isn’t just for show—it’s a vital drill aimed at boosting operational flexibility. The idea is simple yet crucial: if traditional airstrips are ever compromised, operations must continue—even from highways. According to an Air Force insider, the Gripen will partake in a duo of flights, swooping down on the highway with grace that belies its immense power. But why Highway 4287, you ask? Well, it’s all about the…
The Social Security Fund (SSF) in Thailand has recently found itself in a gripping narrative of debate, decision, and a dash of drama. The scene: a proposed pension formula that could almost be likened to an algebraic enigma. Crafted meticulously by a devoted team, this new formula aimed to reflect modern economics and the very real pricklings of inflation on past salaries. However, the SSF Board, perhaps daunted by its complexities, gave it the thumbs down. Yet, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the proposal had its champions. Enter Associate Professor Sustarum Thammaboosadee, a board member whose passionate remarks might remind you of a knight defending his castle with the ever-optimistic motto: “Once more unto the breach, dear friends!” As the coordinator of the Progressive Social Security Team, Professor Sustarum looked upon the boardroom drama with more than a dash of regret, yet with unwavering resolve. You see, for…

Professor Sustarum Thammaboosadee: Championing Pension Reform and Financial Transparency in Thailand
The latest twists in Thailand’s financial landscape have certainly stirred curiosity and garnered attention, especially around the Social Security Fund (SSF) Board’s recent decisions. A committee meeting that was anticipated to drive significant changes in pension calculation ended with a rather unexpected outcome. In the spotlight of it all stands Associate Professor Sustarum Thammaboosadee, renowned for his role as the coordinator of the Progressive Social Security Team. He’s a man on a mission, fighting for transparency and improved financial security for the people of Thailand. It’s like trying to lead a dance at a party where no one’s sure of the steps. The drama began when the SSF Board declined a proposed new pension formula, deeming it too complex. Now, I know what you’re thinking—”if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”—but Professor Sustarum isn’t one to be easily outdone. He regretted the board’s decision, yet promised to regroup and rally…
In a shocking turn of events, a chilling crime unfolded in the picturesque central province of Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. A tranquil paddy field became the unexpected scene of a sinister act, as the body of a 63-year-old woman named Noi was discovered under the cover of night. On February 24, a fisherman inadvertently stumbled upon the crime, finding Noi’s lifeless body in the Sampran district. Clad in denim shorts, a long white-sleeved shirt (inside-out), and gold earrings, Noi’s tragic end was evidenced by a red belt around her neck, marking the method of her untimely demise. The story took an ironic twist when an alleged motive for greed turned fruitless. Following the heartless act, the perpetrator reportedly made off with what appeared to be precious gold accessories, only to learn later that they were, in fact, counterfeit – a cruel joke from beyond the grave. This unexpected revelation followed as…
In a chilling tale that unfolds like a plot from a crime novel, the usually serene paddy fields of Nakhon Pathom became the backdrop for a ghastly crime that has left the community in shock. The story begins on a seemingly ordinary evening when a local fisherman stumbled upon a sight that would haunt anyone— the lifeless body of 63-year-old Noi, a woman known for her golden accessories, though tragically for her, they turned out to be as fake as the trust she placed in certain people. Noi was found in Sampran District, laid to rest in the field as if placed there by a heartless hand. Clad in denim shorts and a white shirt, her attire seemed to tell a story of its own — the shirt worn inside out and the shorts left unzipped. Danger had greeted her unwelcomed, and it announced itself with a red belt used…
In recent months, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) in Thailand has raised alarms regarding a notable escalation in influenza cases. From the dawn of the new year until February 24, a staggering 131,826 cases have been reported, tragically resulting in a dozen fatalities, according to Panumas Yanwetsakul, the DDC Director-General. The viral menace seems particularly unkind to the younger population, striking hardest at children aged five to nine. Hot on their heels are infants and toddlers up to four years old, followed by slightly older children aged 10 to 14. Geographically, it’s the scenic northern region that’s caught in the vice-like grip of this influenza surge, with an incidence rate climbing to 258.44 cases per 100,000 people. Trailing behind is the northeastern region with 175.88 and the southern region not too far off at 138.85. Yet, amid this unsettling statistic, Phayao stands as an epicenter with a daunting 635.55…
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has recently sounded the alarm as influenza cases have taken a dizzyingly upward turn, with a staggering number exceeding 130,000 patients in the last couple of months. Fueled by what seems to be an unwelcome resurgence, Panumas Yanwetsakul, the vigilant Director-General of the DDC, revealed that from the beginning of the year until February 24, an astonishing 131,826 cases of influenza have been reported. Sadly, this surge has claimed a dozen lives, predominantly affecting young children between the ages of five to nine, with little ones under the age of five trailing closely behind. But where is this flu menace most ferocious, you ask? The northern region sits at the top of the charts, experiencing the highest tide of influenza with an incidence rate of a whopping 258.44 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Hot on its heels is the northeastern region at 175.88, and not…
In a daring and dramatic crackdown, Thai police in Pathum Thani orchestrated an impressive drug bust that left the community both shocked and relieved. On the evening of February 22, under the strategic leadership of Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and the Metropolitan Police Bureau, law enforcement officials carried out a high-stakes operation, capturing Theeraphong, more notoriously known as Joe Rangsit. This 28-year-old, who had quite the intriguing history, was arrested at the bustling car park across from Klong 1 Place Apartments on Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok 19. As if this were a scene straight out of a thriller, the police unearthed a sinister stash within his possession. This was no small catch; it included a staggering 100,000 methamphetamine pills, along with quantities of ice, ecstasy, heroin, and ketamine. But the list didn’t stop there. A semi-automatic pistol, live ammunition, a digital scale for weighing his illicit goods, and a sleek black…