Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn recently addressed reporters outside the Bangkok South Criminal Court after filing a defamation suit against a senior police officer on June 24. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham) Any hope Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn had of ascending to the position of national police chief this year has dissipated with his official dismissal announced in the Royal Gazette. The high-profile officer, known to many as “Big Joke,” was removed from his duties due to an investigation into a serious breach of discipline, the announcement stated. This termination order was backdated to April 18. The Royal Gazette announcement, endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, mentioned a royal command to dismiss Pol Gen Surachate under Sections 140 and 179 of the Royal Thai Police Act BE 2565 and the Police Commission regulations had been issued. This dismissal disqualifies Pol Gen Surachate from being in the running for the position…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a twist akin to a suspense thriller, a Bangkok hotel room became the scene of a harrowing tragedy on July 16. The evidence? Six lifeless bodies of Vietnamese nationals and sinister cyanide-tainted teacups. It sounds like a plot from a movie, but this chilling event was heartbreakingly real. Fast forward to the investigation’s latest development. Phan Ngoc Vu, a 35-year-old Vietnamese man, turned from witness to detainee. Arrested on a fateful Friday morning, Mr. Vu was caught meeting a group of tourists at a hotel nestled within Soi Rang Nam, in the bustling Ratchathewi district of Bangkok. Little did he know his guiding days were about to come to an abrupt halt. Let’s rewind to the gruesome discovery that started it all. Six Vietnamese tourists were found dead in a room at the opulent Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. The initial shock reverberated across the community, drawing urgent attention from…
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a thorough investigation into a rather alarming incident involving an 11-year-old schoolboy who suffered finger injuries after experiencing an electric shock at a bus stop. When officials meticulously inspected the bus stop situated near Sukhumvit Soi 71, no evidence of any electrical circuit malfunction or faulty devices was found, revealed Bangkok Deputy Governor Wissanu Sapsompol. Although the initial inspection didn’t uncover any immediate hazards, the BMA is taking proactive steps to ensure heightened public safety. All power units at bus stops across the city will now be encased in protective materials to prevent similar mishaps in the future. This marks a significant move towards reassuring Bangkok’s citizens that their commuting infrastructure is as safe as possible. Furthermore, the BMA has pledged to cover the medical expenses incurred by the young victim. According to local media, the boy’s ordeal began when he inadvertently placed…
Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi, sitting third from the left, joins Eksiri Pintaruchi, permanent secretary of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is fourth from the left, alongside other dignitaries representing Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, at the ninth Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) foreign ministers’ meeting held in the bustling city of Chiang Mai on Friday. (Photo credit: Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs) This high-profile gathering placed human security at the forefront of discussions, with Thailand and China co-chairing the event. The consensus among the participants was crystal clear: bolstering security at the regional level is not just beneficial but essential for the inclusive growth of the greater Mekong subregion, which comprises China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Human security, being a multifaceted regional challenge, demands concerted efforts. Eksiri Pintaruchi aptly articulated this notion, emphasizing the need for collaboration to combat persistent security threats, notably transboundary crime. According…
In a delightful twist of political fate, Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, recently extended his heartfelt congratulations to Paetongtarn Shinawatra on her historic election as the new Prime Minister of Thailand. Through a warm message released by his office, Hun Manet expressed, “This stands as a testament to the trust and confidence the Thai people have in your leadership.” Hun Manet’s congratulatory note further emphasized the cherished, long-standing ties between Cambodia and Thailand. He stated, “Sharing a long history of cultural ties and mutual respect, Cambodia and Thailand cherish longstanding bilateral relations and close cooperation which have brought tangible benefits to our peoples. I firmly believe that, under your leadership, we will continue to enhance our strategic partnership.” Indeed, the two neighboring countries now share a unique bond: both nations are led by prime ministers who are the progeny of former leaders. After his father, Hun Sen, stepped down in…
In the early hours of Friday, the residents of Phayao found themselves grappling with the aftermath of a significant flood that swept through the region following relentless rain. This sudden deluge transformed bustling roads into makeshift canals and left locals scrambling to clean up the mess left behind. As dawn broke over the picturesque northern province, the devastation caused by breached reservoirs became starkly evident. Authorities were quick to caution the community, emphasizing that the situation could potentially worsen with more reservoirs on the brink of overflowing. The main artery connecting Chiang Rai province to Chun district bore the brunt of Mother Nature’s wrath. The usually bustling route was submerged under a torrent of water when a reservoir succumbed to the unyielding downpour on Thursday night. Local farmers in the Ban Si Chom Chaeng community faced the heartbreaking reality of damaged fields, their crops drowned by the unforgiving floodwaters. By…
Under the sweltering sun of July 24, 2024, a sea of determined workers gathered along the iconic Sukhumvit Road, right in front of Thaioil’s Refinery in Si Racha District, Chonburi Province. These workers had reached their limit, driven to protest by the non-payment from the subcontractors of the Unincorporated Joint Venture (UJV) formed by Samsung E&A (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Petrofac South East Asia Pte. Ltd., and Saipem Singapore Pte. Ltd. It was a scene charged with tension and the hope for justice, a chant of solidarity echoing through the streets. This standoff continued until August 9, 2024, when a pivotal meeting was held at the grand halls of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare. The Ministry of Labour threw its weight behind the workers, represented by the tireless Minister of Labour, the Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, and other senior figures. At the negotiating table,…
BOI, in partnership with the Thai Subcontracting Promotion Association and Informa Markets Thailand, is thrilled to present “MIRA and SUBCON Thailand: The East 2024.” This eagerly anticipated event aims to catapult Thailand into the limelight, positioning it as the epicenter of production and parts procurement within the dynamic ASEAN region. Set to fortify entrepreneurs in the Eastern region, the event promises a dazzling showcase of advanced manufacturing solutions, slated to generate industrial linkage values exceeding 3,000 million baht. Industrialists, mark your calendars for September 4-6, 2024, at Nongnooch Pattaya International Convention and Exhibition Center in Chonburi Province! The first half of 2024 brought a wave of optimism to the investment landscape, with significant spikes in both project counts and investment values. A staggering 1,412 projects applied, bringing in a hefty 458,359 million baht. What’s more exhilarating? The Eastern region captured a lion’s share, about 46 percent of the total investment,…
ASW recently shared its stellar performance for the first half of 2024, achieving a groundbreaking 4.642 billion baht in total revenue, which catapulted the company to new heights with a record profit of 849 million baht. This remarkable achievement signifies a year-on-year surge of 54% in revenue and an astounding 93% increase in profit. The company’s first-half sales figures stood at an impressive 10.73 billion baht, thanks to the overwhelming response to two new projects in Phuket under the “THE TITLE” brand. Following this robust growth, TRIS Rating upgraded ASW’s credit rating outlook to “BBB-/Positive.” Currently, the company boasts a projected backlog valued at 23.678 billion baht. As we move into the second half of the year, ASW plans to launch six new condominium and horizontal projects valued at 11.76 billion baht, alongside a foray into the Health & Wellness sector to bolster its Recurring Income portfolio. The company remains…
In an inspiring venture to uplift Thai education, Octava Foundation and Starfish Education have embarked on a transformative journey through their Future School Transformation Program. This collaboration, which aligns with the shared vision of both nonprofit organizations, aims to harness educational innovations for the holistic benefit of Thai students. Octava Foundation, based in Singapore, and Starfish Education from Thailand, are joining forces to bring sweeping changes to the education sector in Thailand. Their mutual goal is to create a lasting positive impact on society by enhancing educational opportunities, especially for underprivileged children. The program is set to provide substantial support, totaling over 7.5 million Thai Baht, to ten marginalized schools across Thailand over a three-year period, from 2024 to 2026. The Future School Transformation Program has set its sights on three primary goals: Boosting Basic Literacy Skills: The program emphasizes the vital importance of the 3R Innovation curriculum — reading,…