Strolling down Walking Street in Pattaya, the neon lights and bustling atmosphere hardly hint at the stringent alcohol advertising regulations in Thailand. The Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (Tabba) is making waves, calling for a much-needed rethink on these strict rules. At the heart of this movement, Tabba, along with the Craft Beer Association, recently hosted a seminar titled “32 Civilised, No More Total Ban: Reforming Alcohol Control Laws for a Better Society.” The gathering aimed to spotlight the pressing need to amend Section 32 of the Alcohol Control Act, which many believe is draconian in its current form. Khemika Rattanakun, the chairwoman of Tabba, emphasized that while social responsibility and safeguarding minors from alcohol remain priorities, the current law’s strictness stifles practical regulation. She pointed to studies showing persistent underage drinking as a sign that the rigid rules aren’t effective. The Thailand Development Research Institute even suggested revising Section…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a tragic incident that unfolded in the bustling Thong Lor area of Bangkok, a window-cleaning platform plummeted from a high-rise building on Sukhumvit Soi 24. The catastrophic fall, which occurred on a seemingly ordinary Saturday, resulted in the death of a dedicated worker who was in the midst of cleaning the building’s towering glass facade. The first responders, including police and rescue workers, arrived promptly to a scene of chaos and destruction. The scaffolding, designed to be a sturdy support for those maintaining the pristine windows of the high-rise, lay shattered on the ground. Nearby, they discovered the lifeless body of the victim, a male worker whose identity had not yet been disclosed. Eyewitness accounts from the worker’s colleagues painted a somber picture of the moments leading up to the fall. The deceased had been diligently carrying out his duties, scaling the heights to ensure the windows sparkled. However,…
As his daughter Paetongtarn gazes attentively, Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, addresses a swarm of reporters outside his Bangkok residence. It was an uncharacteristically vibrant July 26, as the house opened its gates to visitors, festooned in celebration of his 75th birthday. In a dramatic turn of events, Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted an early release as part of a royal pardon for prisoners, his lawyer Winyat Chartmontri revealed on Saturday. Initially scheduled to end his parole at the month’s conclusion, Thaksin’s freedom comes two weeks early. This surprise move is linked to a general royal pardon granted to 7,500 well-behaved prisoners in honor of His Majesty the King’s recent birthday, Winyat explained. Coincidentally, this announcement follows on the heels of an unprecedented achievement by Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn, who at 37 had just been elected the youngest prime minister in Thailand’s history. This makes her the third…
Police nabbed a Vietnamese man at the bustling Khlong Luek immigration checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo on Friday night. Authorities claim he played a crucial role as the driver for a group of Chinese men who audaciously robbed a compatriot at his residence in Pathum Thani earlier that week. (Screenshot from TV 3) The man, identified as 35-year-old Nguyen Ba Hien, was driving a Toyota Vios sporting Bangkok license plates when police and immigration officers took note of the vehicle at 7 PM. Their suspicions proved fruitful; Nguyen was precisely the individual wanted in connection with the robbery that took place on Wednesday. The crime, which could be straight out of a high-octane thriller, happened at the home of Chinese businessman Ke Jibao in tambon Ban Mai, Muang district, Pathum Thani, in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. Ke Jibao and his wife were fast asleep when four…
As members of the House were called one by one to cast their votes for the new prime minister on Friday, the air was abuzz with anticipation. This significant occasion, captured vividly by photographer Nutthawat Wichienbut, was a critical moment for the nation. Post-election, the ruling Pheu Thai Party wasted no time in outlining their plans. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai addressed the media, emphasizing that the freshly elected Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is now vested with the authority to make pivotal political decisions. “The ministerial positions will not be constrained by previous quotas. The last administration’s rules no longer apply,” he declared. “Now, it’s up to the new prime minister to navigate the political landscape by discussing and negotiating with the party leaders,” he added with a confident smile. Mr. Phumtham’s optimism was palpable as he stated, “I strongly believe the present circumstances will foster a sense of collective thinking.…
In a momentous occasion at the new headquarters of the Pheu Thai Party on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, Thailand’s prime minister-elect, greeted her supporters and the media with boundless enthusiasm. This came after the House of Representatives’ historic vote, making her the country’s 31st prime minister on Friday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut). At just 37 years old, Ms. Paetongtarn is not only the youngest prime minister in Thailand’s history but also a beacon of new hope. Addressing the media, she vowed to work tirelessly to create opportunities and enhance the quality of life for all Thais. The daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra stood confidently in the limelight, acknowledging the monumental support from the House of Representatives. With an impressive tally of 319 votes, which included backing from all six MPs from the opposition Thai Sang Thai Party, Ms. Paetongtarn secured her position without any competition. The final…
It’s often whispered in the corridors of power that major political parties can’t escape being directed by unseen hands. They’re often not steered by their official leaders but by those who pull the strings from behind the curtain — be they called chaperones, puppet masters, or the power behind the throne. According to sources, Thai politics has been long intertwined with these “de facto leaders” who find it incredibly tough to relinquish their hold on power. Fast forward to today, and we’re seeing history repeat itself, the source noted. Prime examples are the ruling Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties. Between the two, they command nearly half of the MPs in the House of Representatives, showcasing how “manipulative democracy” has firmly taken root in the nation. Mark your calendars for August 22nd because Pheu Thai will probably throw a fiesta. Why? Paroled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra will be officially done with…
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has embarked on a comprehensive investigation into 44 former MPs of the recently dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP). These politicians are under scrutiny for signing an agreement to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, more widely recognized as the lese majeste law. The inquiry, which is predicted to extend over the next six months, marks a significant step in addressing potential misconduct. According to the NACC’s secretary-general, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, preliminary fact-finding has established legitimate grounds for the allegations against the former MFP MPs. They were previously declared guilty by the Constitutional Court on January 31, accused of attempting to undermine the constitutional monarchy. Mr. Niwatchai elaborated on the forthcoming procedures, which involve the gathering of corroborative evidence and issuing notifications to the accused, allowing them the opportunity to counter the accusations. Following this phase, the NACC will compile a comprehensive summary of the findings…
It’s often whispered in the corridors of power: major political parties can’t escape being manipulated, but the strings aren’t pulled by their registered leaders. Enter the shadow figures—chaperones, puppet masters, the power behind the throne—who pull the levers and turn the knobs that steer the political machinery. A source in the know tipped me off that Thai politics has long been entangled with these “de facto leaders” who find it excruciatingly hard to let go of their control. Over the years, key political parties have often been under the thumb of larger-than-life personalities, wielding significant sway over policy decisions and party direction. Fast-forward to today, and the likes of Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties find themselves in a similar scenario. These giants control nearly half the representatives in Thailand’s House. The manipulative politics have some calling it a “manipulative democracy,” deeply embedded in the country’s political ethos. And guess what?…
The hum of excitement filled the air as the Defence Council passed a newly amended draft of the Defence Ministry Administration Act, setting the stage for a significant shift in military governance. This groundbreaking amendment empowers the prime minister to suspend any military personnel suspected of being intricately involved in plotting a coup. Defence spokesman, Rear Admiral Thanitpong Sirisawetsak, revealed that alongside this pivotal draft, the council also approved the Military Court Authority Act, both of which are now on their way to the Secretariat of the Cabinet for cabinet approval. The innovative Defence Ministry Administration Act, championed by Defence Minister Sutin Klungsaeng, was proposed on April 19, detailed Jamnong Chaimongkol, the caretaker vice minister of defence. Just in the nick of time, the council wrapped up the amendment approval before the Constitutional Court’s decree to oust former prime minister Srettha Thavisin on a dramatic Wednesday. Mr. Jamnong elaborated that…