Ready your digital wallets, citizens of Thailand! The buzz in town is all about the government’s lavish 10,000-baht digital windfall slated to launch this merry month of May. Our very own Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, with a twinkle in his eye, affirms this grand schedule is on track—no delays in sight! “We stand by the original timeframe,” he proudly declared. The plot thickens as the shadowy Council of State whispers its cryptic counsel to our protagonists at the Finance Ministry, regarding the titanic sum of 500 billion baht that the government plans to conjure into existence. While the details of their legal wizardry are under wraps, our Prime Minister reassures us that a magical consensus seeking ritual will take place. They seek the wisdom of the National Economic and Social Development Council, sages of economy, and members of the high council of digital wallet policy. “Patience, dear citizens,” the Prime…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Welcome to the enchanting yet tumultuous world of politics, where promises flutter like leaves in the wind and the clamor for accountability can be as relentless as a ticking clock. In this riveting political narrative, we find ourselves peering into the heart of governance, where a band of resolute senators has lit the torch to seek a mighty congregation under the hallowed dome of debate—an arena where the fate of promises and policies is deliberated. But, hold your breath, dear reader, for this attempt is teetering on the edge of uncertainty. These senators, guardians of the public trust, find themselves in a conundrum. They wish to unfurl a general debate—a spectacle that shines a spotlight on the government’s shortcomings, a solemn promise upon their ascent to power. Yet, their assembly seems shy of the mighty 84, out of 250 senatorial champions required by the parchment of the constitution, with only…
Welcome, diplomatic aficionados and energy enthusiasts! Get ready to dive into the simmering saga of the Gulf of Thailand, where a vast expanse of the briny deep, rich with the promise of untapped energy, has become the focal point of high-stakes dialogue. On the horizon is a meeting that could spark a wave of cooperation or merely add to the riddle of regional rivalry between the Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand and Cambodia. Mark your calendars! February 7th is no ordinary day—it’s the day when Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara warmly welcomes Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet to the Land of Smiles. The duo’s tête-à-tête will spotlight a much-contested 26,000-square-kilometre patch of maritime mystery, known to those in the know as the Overlapping Claim Area (OCA). This seabed saga brims with the potential of energy resources just waiting to spark to life. “Patience is a virtue,”…
Greetings, intrepid travelers and wallet-conscious commuters of the Land of Smiles! In a move that’s sparking conversations from tuk-tuk corners to high-rise boardrooms, the uproarious Thailand Consumers Council (TCC), our very own guardians of the common purse, have unfurled their banners in a bold call to the powers that be. They entreat, with the fervor of a Bangkok street market haggler, for a fare so fair you could balance it on the head of a pin—or, more directly, a trip on the gleaming new Pink Line monorail system for no more than 20 baht. Here’s the scoop: the Red and Purple lines are merrily carting folks across town for this wallet-pleasing price as part of a government-backed price paradise scheme. Yet, behold the Pink Line, the latest jewel in Bangkok’s transit crown, which embarked upon its maiden voyage last Sunday amidst fanfare and the jangle of coins. Still fresh from…
Ah, the golden years—time to kick back, enjoy leisurely strolls in the park, and become a cybersecurity ninja? That’s right! In an age where digital scams are as common as pigeons in the square, our wise elders are sharpening their digital swords to fight off pesky tech bandits. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is taking an ‘age is just a number’ approach and schooling seniors on the art of navigating the digital realm. Let’s talk numbers for a second. Thailand is a land enriched by its vibrant elderly population – a cool 13 million strong—which accounts for about 20% of its people. Now, hold onto your hats, because in a mere two decades, that number’s going to burst like a piñata, raining down silver-haired wisdom on 30% of the population. Now, even though our valued senior citizens may have a treasure trove of experience, the digital playground…
Welcome to the vibrant heart of Bangkok, where excitement buzzes in the air like the energetic hum of a city that never sleeps! We’re here to dive headfirst into the mesmerizing world of the 15th AWID International Forum’s Pre-Event. Picture this: a staggering 2,500 fiercely passionate individuals converging in the flesh, with another 3,000 joining through the magic of the digital cosmos. From November 20 to 24, 2023, they prepped the stage for a gathering that’s like the Oscars of feminist and gender justice – we’re talking about the main event slated for a grand debut at the illustrious Queen Sirikit National Convention Center from December 2-5, 2024. But let’s not just breezily chat about the venue. The QSNCC is not your average, run-of-the-mill gathering space. This architectural marvel boasts a contemporary flair, with every nook and cranny adjusted to welcome diversity at its finest. Imagine walking into an arena…
Let’s dispel some myths and spread the truth brighter than sunshine on a clear day. The folks over at MINT are clearing the air, and boy do they have news for you! What’s the buzz around town, you ask? There’s been some chatter, a little gossip, about MINT possibly venturing into the world of perpetual bonds. But hold your horses! MINT has stepped in and announced that there’s absolutely no plan for such a move. The market’s rumor mill might need a little oiling because MINT’s financial health is robust, thriving on potent liquidity and cash flow from operations that are as strong as an ox. The company is not just sitting back and resting on its laurels. Oh, no. They’re charging ahead, full steam, in this high interest rate seascape with a clear strategy to de-leverage. That’s fancy talk for reducing debt, folks. Their intention is to deflate the…
Imagine waking up to a world dimmed by a grey veil, where the city’s once-soaring skyscrapers are reduced to mere silhouettes against a choked sky. That’s not a scene from a dystopian novel — it’s just another Wednesday morning in bustling Bangkok, where smog took a front-row seat and simply refused to budge. The air we breathe is our lifeline, yet on this very morning in 55 out of Thailand’s 77 vibrant provinces, this lifeline was tainted with a haze of particulate intruders. Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda), our watchful eye on the environmental skies, tolled the bell of warning at 9am sharp. It disclosed a rather unsettling tapestry of numbers, with PM2.5 levels – those tiny hazardous particles you can’t see but certainly can feel – ranging from 38.7 to an alarming 113.6 microgrammes per cubic meter of air over the course of 24 hours. Anything beyond…
Welcome to the intrigue and drama surrounding the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his current residency at the Police General Hospital. Now, there’s a plot twist you might not have expected: a group of investigative souls from the House committee on police affairs are lining up to play detective this Friday. They’re not after a game of Cluedo, though,—they’re sleuthing out the truth about whether the high-flyer Thaksin is receiving star treatment or the same medical care as any other inmate. Think of it as a real-life episode of your favorite hospital drama, with a sprinkle of political mystery. Chairman Chaichana Detdecho is our protagonist in this narrative, setting the scene on Wednesday with the confirmation that the hospital is rolling out the red carpet (or at least opening its doors) for the committee’s Friday visit. They’re scheduled to tour the exclusive sixth floor of the Sriyanont Building…