In the still of the night, immigration police swooped down on an illegal casino nestled in Nonthaburi province. The dramatic scene, captured in November last year, is immortalized courtesy of the Immigration Bureau—a stark reminder of the legal labyrinth that surrounds gambling in Thailand. Fast forward to present day, and the air is filled with cautious optimism as the tourism sector welcomes the government’s proposition to develop integrated entertainment complexes. This ambitious project promises to rejuvenate the economy, but it’s tangled in a web of legal and ethical debates. Will it be worth the gamble? Opinions, as you might expect, are polarized. Weerawit Krueasombat, president of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) in Phuket, is a staunch believer. He argues that a full-scale entertainment complex, inclusive of a casino, could be a golden goose for a tourist-heavy city. To maximize its impact, he recommends comprehensive planning, logical tax regulations, and…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has committed to fast-tracking compensation payouts to flood victims and launching a revolutionary new emergency alert system. In her inaugural address at Monday’s flood, storm, and mudslide administration and management committee meeting at Government House, she outlined measures to tackle the flooding crisis and expedite post-inundation recovery efforts. The government is also inaugurating a flood victims assistance operations center, spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Ms. Paetongtarn emphasized that the current compensation framework is insufficient given the extensive damage inflicted by recent floods across various provinces. “Compensation should be swift and sensible,” Ms. Paetongtarn asserted, acknowledging that existing criteria restrict payout amounts despite significant damage. “Take, for instance, the flooding in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district that persisted for three days—yet the damage was considerable.” She also unveiled plans to allocate budget funds for a new emergency alert system called the “cell…
Thailand’s political landscape is once again stirring with whispers of intrigue and power play as the government gears up to nominate a new chair for the Bank of Thailand (BoT). In a move to exert more sway over the financial institution amidst a lingering debate over interest rates, the Pheu Thai Party-led government is throwing its weight behind a seasoned player – 66-year-old former deputy premier and finance minister, Kittiratt Na Ranong. According to two insiders privy to the proceedings, Mr. Kittiratt’s prospective nomination is still under wraps from the media. Back in the driver’s seat from 2012 to 2014 as finance minister, Mr. Kittiratt was no stranger to clashing with the central bank governor of the time over monetary policy. Fast forward to today, he stands in solidarity with the current administration’s pleas for a rate cut. The goal? To resuscitate an economy that sputtered along at a mere…
Thailand’s former deputy premier and finance minister Kittiratt Na Ranong (Photo: Government House) The Thai government is gearing up to nominate a devoted member of the ruling party, known for his strong views on the central bank’s policies, to the prestigious position of chair of the Bank of Thailand (BoT). This move, aimed at consolidating control over the central institution amidst a longstanding tug-of-war over interest rates, comes straight from two insiders. Enter Kittiratt Na Ranong, a 66-year-old former deputy premier and finance minister, who has the backing of the Pheu Thai Party-led government, the sources divulged. During his finance minister stint from 2012-2014, Kittiratt was no stranger to tussling with the then central bank governor over monetary policy decisions. And guess what? His nomination hasn’t even hit the media waves yet. Lately, Kittiratt has been vocally supporting the current government’s plea for a rate cut to breathe life into…
A sprawling 1,496-rai plot of land near the enchanting Songkhla Lake in Phatthalung has finally been earmarked to host a new airport, which will serve as a pivotal hub for tourism and transport across Phatthalung, Songkhla, and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces. This exciting development promises not only to enhance the connectivity of these southern provinces but also to transform the local economy and travel experience. The chosen site, nestled in tambon Khuan Maphrao of Muang district, is currently under the stewardship of the Department of Rice (DoR). On August 19, Phatthalung’s public-private working group, spearheaded by Kittiphit Klapkhun, chairman of Phatthalung’s Chamber of Commerce, concluded the site’s selection. The pivotal meeting was presided over by the provincial governor, Nisakon Wisitsora-at, and attended by influential stakeholders, including senior state officials and representatives from airlines such as AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air. Following this momentous decision, the first round of…
On a vibrant march from Bangkok’s Suntiphap Park to the iconic Victory Monument in 2022, activists boldly carried messages that denounced the vile acts of sexual harassment and rape. This determined procession was a chilling reminder of a mounting menace: the alarmingly growing threat of sexual harassment on social media, which is wreaking havoc on the young populace in Thailand. The perilous impact of this harassment has been meticulously documented by Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). In a sobering social outlook report released on August 26, the NESDC uncovered a troubling reality: children and youths subjected to such harassment face an increased risk of developing severe social, emotional, and mental health issues, including debilitating anxiety and depression. The traumas endured by these young victims sometimes warp their paths in life, leading them to engage in criminal acts. ECPAT International, an organization affiliated with UNICEF, has spotlighted Thailand…
Get ready for a technological leap in the South! Next month, Prince of Songkla University’s (PSU) Faculty of Engineering will unveil an exciting new chapter in unmanned aerial technology: the region’s first-ever drone research and training center. Situated within the prestigious walls of PSU, this groundbreaking facility is set to transform the landscape of drone innovation and education. Leading this high-flying initiative is Chukree Daesa, a distinguished engineering lecturer and the dynamic director of the Faculty of Engineering’s new center for unmanned aerial vehicles, affectionately dubbed PSU-UAV. With an air of enthusiasm, Mr. Chukree envisions the center as a powerhouse for academic excellence, offering top-tier training courses on the nuanced control and operation of UAVs, commonly known as drones. But PSU-UAV doesn’t stop at merely teaching people how to fly drones. Its mission is ambitiously expansive. The center aims to champion the widespread application of UAVs across various crucial sectors,…
A fresh wave of controversy has struck Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, former deputy premier and head of the Palang Pracharath Party, as a new anti-money laundering complaint surfaced recently. This complaint is linked to one of four audio recordings that have made their rounds in the media. Taking initiative, Prompong Nopparit, ex-spokesperson for the Pheu Thai Party, lodged the complaint on Monday with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo). The recordings, initially brought to public attention during the Inside Thailand TV show, hosted by Danai Ekmahasawat, feature a voice strikingly similar to that of Gen Prawit. In one clip, the individual seems to inquire about repaying money owed to him. Unfortunately, these recordings leave listeners hanging, revealing no clues about the origin or intended use of the funds in question. Intrigued by the conversation, Mr. Prompong argued that this apparent demand for repayment could warrant legal action under Amlo’s laws. Mr. Prompong…
The Public Health Ministry has swiftly moved to quell public concerns by investigating alarming reports about a doctor at a state-run hospital who is allegedly moonlighting at multiple private hospitals. Dr. Sawat Apiwachaneewong, an inspector for the Participatory Health Region 12, announced on Sunday that the Yala Provincial Public Health Office has already formed a committee to probe these claims as of September 10. According to the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), the doctor in question is a specialist at Yala Hospital. In a revealing post on their “Watchdog Operation” Facebook page on Saturday, ACT highlighted the severity of the situation, though they stopped short of disclosing the doctor’s identity. Intriguingly, the doctor had signed a non-competition clause in his employment contract, designed to keep medical professionals from working at private clinics and hospitals. This clause entitled him to a 10,000-baht monthly incentive. However, despite this agreement, ACT’s post alleged…
Brace yourselves for an exhilarating breakthrough in drone technology! Next month, the Faculty of Engineering at Prince of Songkla University (PSU) is all set to unveil the South’s very first drone research and training center. This cutting-edge facility, known as PSU-UAV, is the brainchild of Chukree Daesa, an engineering lecturer at PSU and the dynamic director of the Faculty’s engineering center for unmanned aerial vehicles. Chukree enthusiastically shares that this center aims to revolutionize the way we perceive and utilize UAVs, commonly called drones. From delivering academic services and offering detailed training on drone control, to embracing their utility in a kaleidoscope of sectors including agriculture, medicine, public health, meteorology, and infrastructural development—PSU-UAV has ambitious goals. Beyond just flying these high-tech gadgets, the center will specialize in testing, maintenance, development, and extensive research on UAVs. The PSU-UAV’s robust support system is built on a network of partnerships with esteemed external…