Picture this: a political chessboard where the pieces, rather than vying for a checkmate against an opponent, are rallying in an introspective battle to outdo their previous plays. It’s a fascinating strategy, one that Move Forward party’s current spearhead, Chaithawat Tulathon, passionately advocates. On an ordinary Saturday, you might expect tales of impending showdowns with political adversaries, but Chaithawat, with the poise of a seasoned statesman, expressed his conviction that the true contest lies within. Let’s rewind a bit — Chaithawat ascended to the role of party leader under rather unique circumstances. The former leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, found himself entangled in a legal web, suspended as an MP amidst allegations of a potential conflict of interest with a dormant media enterprise. His ordeal spurred him to step aside, nudging Chaithawat into the leadership limelight. Now, the pivot point of this political saga hinges on a forthcoming decision by the Constitutional…
Posts published in “Thailand”
On a bright autumn day, the radiant Paetongtarn “Ung-Ing” Shinawatra stood before an audience of Pheu Thai Party members, basking in the light of new beginnings as she assumed her role as party leader. The assembly hall, which hosted this pivotal moment on October 27, was charged with an atmosphere of anticipation, immortalized in a photograph captured by the keen lens of Somchai Poomlard. But this was just the prelude to Paetongtarn’s vibrant journey into Thailand’s defence episteme. A fresh and invigorating curriculum at the National Defence College (NDC) beckons her to traverse the corridors of military strategy and leadership. The Ministry of Defence, with a stroke of genius, has tailored something that steers the ship of traditional education towards newer horizons—welcome to the mini-NDC course. Unlike its predecessor, this innovative programme casts its net into the vivacious pool of Thailand’s younger talents. Aimed at the bright sparks aged 35–42,…
Ah, Hat Yai! The jewel of Thailand’s south, beckoning travelers with its vibrant markets and the promise of unforgettable experiences. And guess what? The ever-reliable Tourism Authority of Thailand has let it slip that the city is about to cash in a whopping 760 million baht during the New Year festivities. Yes, you heard it right—Hat Yai is set to dazzle more than it did last year, from December 30 to the stroke of midnight welcoming January 1. How thrilling is that? Nongyao Jirundon, the esteemed director of the TAT’s Hat Yai office, could hardly contain her excitement as she detailed the influx of tourists. The city has been abuzz since the week kicked off, brimming with anticipation and, most notably, welcoming a delightful surge of visitors from neighboring Malaysia, who’ve been flocking in since Christmas. It appears Santa decided to give tourism a little nudge this year! Breathless with…
Welcome to the season where the sky lights up with dazzling fireworks and the air is filled with festive cheers! But hold on to your party hats, folks, because there’s an important update from the corridors of the Interior Ministry that’s aiming to ensure that our countdown to the New Year is not only fabulous but safe. The man with the plan, interior permanent secretary Suttipong Juljarern, announced yesterday with the kind of urgency that would make Santa’s sleigh stop in its tracks – a total ban on the public packing of heat. Yes, you heard it right. If you were planning to accessorize your New Year’s eve outfit with a sidearm, think again. Our Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has drawn a firm line in the sand—or, in this case, the snow. Administrative offices across the board have been given strict instructions: No permits for taking…
Amidst a symphony of camera shutters and the cheerful chatter of an expectant crowd, the charismatic figure of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra emerged at Don Mueang airport. Waving to his sea of supporters, Thaksin’s presence captivated onlookers as he made his heralded return on August 22, joined by his daughter, the influential Paetongtarn Shinawatra, current torchbearer for the coalition-leading Pheu Thai Party. Fast forward to a scene of measured contemplation, where the House committee on police affairs, led by Chairman Chaichana Detdecho of the Democrat Party, readies for a meticulous inspection of the Police General Hospital scheduled for January 12. The goal? A transparent evaluation of the treatment accorded to inmates, Thaksin Shinawatra being amongst the most high-profile beneficiaries of their care. Chaichana, wielding the dual swords of scrutiny and fairness, has his sights set on the hospital’s procedures and quality of care for detainees, juxtaposed against the backdrop…
Picture this: majestic wild elephants, true icons of the untamed beauty of Thailand, find themselves meandering away from the security of the Salakpet wildlife reserve. Their grand silhouettes cast shadows over the waters of the Kwai Yai River as they embark on an earnest quest for sustenance in areas adjacent to human civilization, such as the Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University. Plainly put, these gentle giants are sparking quite the buzz around town, emphasizing the delicate balance between the wilderness and our own backyards. But why, you might ask, do these peaceful creatures stray from their leafy abodes in the abundant Salakpet reserve? Well, meet Paithoon Intharabut, the intrepid chief of this lush sanctuary. Under his vigilant gaze, a bold plan unfolds to carve out a colossal 4,000 rai sanctuary nestled between picturesque mountains, intended as an elephant safe haven. The fascinating twist? The terrain within the reserve’s half-million rai domain challenges…
Imagine the twinkling lights and celebratory cheers as spellbound travelers glide through the bustling corridors of Thailand’s airports, all ready to usher in the New Year with an explosive burst of joy and jubilation. It’s not just holiday magic in the air—it’s the hum of increased activity that has Kerati Kijmanawat, the illustrious president of Airports of Thailand (AoT), brimming with anticipation. He knows the dance of the busy terminals well as he strides through Chiang Mai airport on his mission to ensure everything is in top-notch condition for the wave of passengers about to spring forth. With the spark of celebratory fireworks on the horizon, AoT predicts a veritable flood of footfalls across the thresholds of the nation’s international airports. Kerati comprehensively scoured the sprawling spaces of Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and Chiang Mai airports, leaving no stone unturned and no service unchecked. The preparation is as meticulous as the…
Picture this: the hallowed halls of Bangkok’s parliament, steeped in political gravity and history, astonishingly captured in a single frame on a warm July day, the air heavy with the silent intensity of power plays and debates to come (Photo credit to the talented Nutthawat Wichieanbut). Come January 3-5, these same halls will reverberate with the clashing swords of words as the government stands ready, shields up, to defend its vision for Thailand’s future wrapped up in the budget bill for the fiscal year 2024. It’s akin to setting up a war room—not with artillery, but with compelling info-charged dossiers primed for the imminent intellectual skirmish. Secretary-General of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, the astute Sorawong Thienthong, has rallied the MPs into a rigorous boot camp of bill breakdowns, ensuring they’ve dissected every digit and discussed every dot. The agenda? An impressive gamut ranging from national security to creating a…
2023 brought us an environmental rollercoaster with stories as unpredictable as the weather itself. Let’s delve into a tapestry of events where human error, environmental challenges, and heartfelt victories intertwine. March’s Mysterious Missing Caesium-137 Imagine waking up to the news that a radioactive nemesis is on the loose near your home. That’s exactly what happened in Prachin Buri when a Caesium-137 tube vanished into thin air from a facility. Panicked authorities turned every scrap metal shop inside out and even dangled a cash carrot for clues, while villagers within a stone’s throw of the site tossed and turned with worry. After a nerve-wracking search, the prodigal tube’s radioactive remains were discovered by the Office of Atoms for Peace, having taken an unwitting molten dive in a local foundry. Though officials reassured that the menacing dust was contained and that fruit from the area was still safe to devour, the fearful…
As the skies rendered their unyielding deluge, the Southern Thai provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani found themselves submerged under a relentless downpour, manifesting into a flood crisis of historic proportions. The once-tranquil streets of Balo village in Raman district transformed into waterways as railway officials rallied to evacuate beleaguered villagers, a snapshot of humanity’s resolve amidst nature’s fury captured in a poignant photograph. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan) The rising tide of calamity has claimed no fewer than 12 souls across this dampened landscape. While Yala and Narathiwat are seeing a glimmer of relief as waters timidly retreat, the predicament in Pattani escalates—its cry for help echoing across swollen rivers and inundated roads. In the thick of this aquatic assault, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew stood, receiving grim updates; the numbers spoke of eight lives extinguished in Narathiwat, a trio in Yala, and a solitary soul in Pattani. The merciless floods…