It seems like yesterday when the bustling streets of Thailand buzzed with anticipation around the corridors of Government House, as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin detailed the exciting rollout of a digital wallet programme that captured the nation’s collective imagination. But like a plot twist in a gripping novel, unforeseen delays have paused this financial fable—at least, that’s the scene from the last snapshot released to the public. “We’ve put in the elbow grease and rolled up our sleeves, pushing forward with a glass-half-full outlook,” shared Mr. Srettha, sporting an air of resolute optimism, even as the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme has hit a speed bump. The economic landscape, he expressed at a recent cabinet meeting, is poised for a glow-up, as Q1 forecasts have the team brimming with enthusiasm. The plot, originally set for a release date somewhere between February and March, has been nudged back in the calendar, but…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The political landscape of Thailand buzzed with fervor on a certain auspicious day late October, when the formidable Paetongtarn Shinawatra emerged as the freshly chosen spearhead of the Pheu Thai Party. This pivotal event unfolded within the animated walls of the party’s headquarters, on the 27th of October, 2023 – an assembly that will be etched as a golden moment in their chronicles. (Photo credit hail goes to the observant lens of Somchai Poomlard.) It was a typical bustling Tuesday when Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai found himself fending off the persistent hum of media whispers — whispers that intimated an imminent reshuffle within the hallowed Cabinet corridors, all staging a grand entrance for the Pheu Thai’s new trailblazer, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. With the poise of a political sage, Mr. Phumtham dismissed these murmurings as nothing more than speculative fiction. He regaled with a knowing chuckle, “None of these fanciful tales…
Imagine the sun-kissed shores of Pattaya, where tranquil azure waters meet endless stretches of golden sands. This slice of tropical paradise is more than a picture-perfect postcard—it’s a destination that captivates the hearts of millions. The Pattaya pulse is quickening, as the city braces for a tsunami of tourists, aiming to captivate a staggering 27 million souls in 2024, according to the local tourism virtuoso, Urai Mukpradapthong. Urai, the maestro at the helm of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Pattaya office, is buzzing with confidence. The goal for 2024 is bold, yes, but far from a flight of fancy. The previous year’s tally is poised to hit the lofty heights of 23 million, and Urai’s eyes sparkle with certitude—it’s a mere stepping stone to what’s to come. The tail end of 2023 was a spectacle to behold as waves of both domestic and international leisure-seekers cascaded upon Pattaya’s shores. A…
Picture this: A Yellow Line train is gliding smoothly above the bustling Lat Phrao Road, an everyday scene in the local urban tableau. Suddenly, there’s drama in the air! Imagine the surprise and horror as a rebellious train wheel decides to take a leap of faith, embarking on an unexpected journey from the elevated monorail, only to meet an unsuspecting taxi on the road below. It feels like a scene straight out of an action movie, doesn’t it? But let me tell you, dear readers, this was no scripted stunt. This was the real deal. As the operator, Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co (EBM) feverishly reported, the root of all this commotion was none other than a case of defective ball-bearings. These tiny rolling components, one might say the unsung heroes of our train’s wheels, had suffered damage. Their compromise resulted in the wheel’s dramatic detachment and descent onto Thepharak Road,…
In the early twilight of a fateful Wednesday morning, the serenity of Ayutthaya’s Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district was shattered by a harrowing episode that would leave tire tracks on the hearts of its people. As the dawn kissed the sky with its rosy hues, a van, embroiled in its steadfast journey from Nakhon Phanom to the buzzing metropolis of Bangkok, met with an unsparing fate, embracing a roadside tree in an unyielding clasp which claimed the life of a woman and shook the very core of 15 other souls. The dire incident unfolded on the Rojana Road, leading towards Ayutthaya, as the vehicle wove its tale near an intersection, shadowed by a PTT petrol station in the quaint tambon Pratuchai, recounted Pol Maj Senee Phachob, the investigation chief with a solemnity reserved for such grave recounting at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya police station. Time stood still around 5 a.m.…
Visualize this: you’re cruising through the bustling streets of Samut Prakan, the air imbued with the fervor of city life, when suddenly, an object akin to a rogue comet plummets from above! What was it? A wheel from the overhead Yellow Line monorail, embarking on its own unexpected journey, comes crashing down! Such a spectacle occurred on an otherwise mundane Tuesday night, as the city became an unwitting stage for the wheel’s dramatic descent. Captured by the lenses of onlookers, the renegade wheel struck an unsuspecting taxi, thankfully, without serious injury. (Photo credit: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan) In the wake of this bewildering event, it’s clear some wheels on the Yellow Line monorail trains weren’t just spinning their usual tales – they were defective, and now the whole fleet’s been benched, like players in a game of mechanical roulette. Enter the Deputy Transport Minister, Mr. Surapong Piyachote, who on Wednesday, with the…
Welcome, esteemed readers, to the bustling corridors of power, where the anticipation is palpable and the stakes couldn’t be higher. As the sun climbed the sky on a rather unassuming Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a figure of stoic confidence, made his way to the parliamentary stage, 2024 Budget Bill in tow—a document destined to stir both accolades and uproar in the heart of Thailand’s political arena. Stoic as ever, Mr. Srettha, holding the dual hats of Prime Minister and Finance Minister, exuded an air of composed readiness. The night prior, a veritable swarm of some 50 government MPs had poured over impending queries, much like diligent students before a stringent examination. Our prime minister assured the public, “It’s our duty,” brushing off the notion of concern with the ease of a seasoned chess player calmly moving a pawn. The treasury’s coffers are set to brim with a hefty…
Ladies and gentlemen, real estate aficionados, and those with a keen eye for exceptional development, lend me your screens! We’re about to embark on a riveting ride through the grandeur of the Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards 2023. This glittering event unfolded at the resplendent Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chaophraya River, where industry titans mingled, the champagne flowed like enchanting conversations, and the Bangkok skyline was lit with celebratory pyrotechnics. Heralding the night of nights, 46 crown jewels of the Southeast Asian real estate cosmos were anointed, with the crème de la crème being Asset Wise PCL of Thailand, who clinched the much coveted Developer of the Year 2023 accolade. The limelight didn’t just shine on the titans of Thailand, for the Philippines’ RLC Residences stole hearts with Le Pont Residences, seizing the illustrious Project of the Year 2023 title. While we traverse turbulent economic tides and navigate the…
Welcome to the bustling heartland of Thailand, where the New Year festivities usher in a symphony of celebrations and, alas, the sobering reality of holiday road statistics. Picture the scene: a crawl of cars inching along the Mitraphap Highway in Non Sung district, a vivid snapshot of the Bangkok-bound exodus. Metallic beasts of burden under the scorching Thai sun, windows down, radios playing local hits—this is the slow dance of travel in peak season, captured by an eagle-eyed photographer this past Tuesday. It’s a sight as quintessentially holiday-season as overambitious resolutions and fireworks that scatter stardust over city skylines. Yet, woven into the tapestry of revelry is a thread of somber news. As the country celebrated, the dance of life paused for some. The latest dispatches from the frontlines of road safety bring both a sigh of relief and a moment of reflection. In the days stretching from December 29th…
Imagine a treasure hidden beneath the earth, a source of wealth and wonder that has captured the imagination of many. Today, I’m thrilled to invite you on a virtual tour to such a place, none other than the legendary Sirikit Oilfield at S1 Project. It’s a gem that nestles in the heart of Thailand’s lush landscapes and is operated by the esteemed company, PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), renowned for its expertise and innovation in the energy sector. On this fine day, our journey begins with the arrival of 200 esteemed shareholders, who, with eager anticipation, stepped onto the grounds of this majestic oilfield located in the serene district of Lan Krabue, Kamphaeng Phet Province. Spearheading this warm welcome were the distinguished figures of PTTEP – Ms. Yaninee Wajeepratubjit, the esteemed Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Assurance Division; Mr. Anan Amornprabharwat, the dynamic Senior Vice President,…