Divers on a rescue boat searched for victims amidst the chilling darkness of the Chao Phraya River after a heart-wrenching collision in the Phra Pradaeng district of Thailand’s Samut Prakan province on Saturday night. SAMUT PRAKAN: Two lives were tragically lost, and two others were injured in a harrowing accident involving an actor’s jet ski and a motorboat. The unfortunate event took place around 9 pm, shattering the serene night on the river near Wat Bang Krachao Nok. In the blink of an eye, the jet ski rammed into a small motorboat that was making its way across the river. The impact was devastating, sending the ferry’s 44-year-old passenger Parichat Hoiman and its 64-year-old driver Prayoon Uampathum plunging into the murky depths. They vanished into the river, leaving their loved ones and onlookers in agonizing suspense. As hope waned, the rescue team brought in an echo sounder from Pathum Thani…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Political dynamics are set for a seismic shift with Pheu Thai’s nomination of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the new Prime Minister. This move signals that Thaksin Shinawatra, the party’s unofficial leader, is gearing up to bolster the party’s support and counter the People’s Party (PP), according to political analysts. Amidst skepticism regarding her political experience, the 37-year-old Paetongtarn secured substantial backing from the House of Representatives, succeeding Srettha Thavisin, who was ousted by the Constitutional Court. Last year, Pheu Thai partnered with conservative factions to establish the government, branding itself a new conservative power that could rival the PP. This new incarnation of the progressive Move Forward Party was dissolved on August 7, setting the stage for intense political rivalry. According to Stithorn Thananithichot, Director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, Paetongtarn’s ascent underscores a conservative strategy to challenge the main opposition without relying on proxies.…
In an exhilarating turn of events, newly-elected Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a name that echoes prestige and political legacy as the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin, has vowed to swiftly form a government while ensuring meticulous vetting for her cabinet members. Demonstrating her gratitude and dedication, Ms Paetongtarn took to her X account to express heartfelt thanks to the House of Representatives for bestowing upon her what she deems as the pinnacle of honor for any Thai citizen. “Coalition parties are ready to work to move Thailand forward for the benefit of all Thais,” she confidently proclaimed. A trusted source from Pheu Thai party revealed that preparations are in full swing for Ms Paetongtarn’s royal appointment as the 31st prime minister. This grand occasion is set to take place today at the VOICE TV building, marking a historic moment at 9 am. In concurrence with this, House Speaker…
“` Hundreds of Myanmar migrant workers took a bold stand this past Friday, blocking the entrance to an under-construction factory in the industrial heart of Prachin Buri’s Sri Maha Phot district. Can you imagine the desperation driving such an act? After working hard for two months without any paycheck, these workers were left scraping the bottom of the barrel, struggling even to buy food. The protest had quite the ripple effect. Out of 779 workers, only about 100 dutiful souls turned up for their shifts the day after the demonstration. These 100 were luckier, still receiving regular pay from one of the 11 Thai construction companies hired for the project. The rest of the workforce, fed up with broken promises and empty vows, resorted to this extreme measure to demand their much-delayed dues. The project at stake? A three-story factory in the high-profile Rojana Industrial Estate, contracted by a Chinese…
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is gearing up to set the stage for a transformative leap in Bangkok’s urban transportation. With the planned expropriation spanning across seven buzzing communities in the Prachasongkhroh enclave of Din Daeng district, this initiative aims to kickstart the construction of the much-anticipated western route of the Orange Line electric railway system. Initially, the announcement caused quite a stir, with residents bracing to legally challenge the MRTA over perceived disputes. However, addressing the public outcry, the MRTA clarified that the land expropriation blueprint would strictly adhere to essential needs as delineated in a recent Royal Decree, considerably scaling back the initial expropriation proposals. Slated to commence in October, the MRTA plans to embark on a meticulous land survey. In a gesture of transparency and community consideration, affected residents will receive formal notifications at least 15 days prior to the start of any disruptive…
Thaksin Shinawatra appeared before reporters accompanied by his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, right beside him, at his residence on his birthday, July 24. (Photo supplied) The decision to nominate Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn as Thailand’s new prime minister reveals Thaksin’s resolve to reestablish their support base and fend off the People’s Party (PP), according to a seasoned political analyst. Though known for her limited political experience, Ms. Paetongtarn, 37, secured an overwhelming endorsement from the House of Representatives on Friday, stepping in to succeed Srettha Thavisin, who was recently ousted by the Constitutional Court. After forming an alliance with conservative factions last year, Pheu Thai now emerges as what some consider the new conservative power, poised to challenge the PP—a new incarnation of the progressive Move Forward Party dissolved on August 7. Stithorn Thananithichot, Director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, interprets Ms. Paetongtarn’s ascension as…
The Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) has set its sights high, aiming to transform peatland areas in the ASEAN region into haze-free zones by 2030. Spearheading this environmental endeavor is DNP Director-General Athapol Charoenshunsa, who recently took the helm at the 9th meeting of the ASEAN Task Force on Peatlands under the influential ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP). Held in the bustling city of Bangkok on August 15th, the gathering brought together officials from a diverse array of ASEAN countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste. Representatives from various environmental and governmental agencies also graced the event, adding to its significance. Mr. Athapol underscored Thailand’s dedication to this cause, emphasizing the collaborative spirit vital to tackling haze pollution across borders. Through the active exchange of information and meticulous review of progress reports, ASEAN is gearing up to…
The first group of 309 Thai workers to return to Israel since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked the country last year before their flight left Suvarnabhumi Airport on June 25. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) Attention all Thai workers with dreams of heading to Israel or Lebanon for work! The Ministry of Labour (MoL) has issued an urgent advisory for you to hit the pause button on your travel plans. Why? Recent escalations in the region post the July 31 assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran have turned the area into a hotspot of heightened tensions. This critical advisory, penned by Somchai Morakotsriwan, director-general of the Department of Employment (DoE), has been dispatched to all provincial governors. Compiling insights from a rigorous assessment by the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv along with the Office of Labour Affairs in Tehran, the letter paints a picture of a worsening security landscape…
Thaksin Shinawatra, flanked by his daughter Paetongtarn, addressed reporters at his residence, making waves on his birthday, July 24. Paetongtarn’s nomination as Pheu Thai’s new prime minister signals Thaksin’s determined march to rebuild support and challenge the People’s Party (PP). A political analyst observes this as Thaksin’s move to solidify a power base. Despite her perceived inexperience, the 37-year-old Paetongtarn clinched resounding support from the House to replace Srettha Thavisin, unseated by the Constitutional Court. After forming alliances with conservative parties last year, Pheu Thai has emerged as the new conservative force poised to contest the PP, a revived version of the progressive Move Forward Party dissolved earlier. A Direct Challenge Stithorn Thananithichot, heading the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, suggested Paetongtarn’s ascension hints at the conservatives’ strategy to counter the opposition, this time without a proxy. Reports indicate key coalition leaders convened at Thaksin’s Ban…
As his daughter Paetongtarn looks on, Thaksin Shinawatra addresses reporters outside his Bangkok home, which had its doors flung open to visitors on July 26 to celebrate his 75th birthday. (Photo supplied) Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has just been included in a royal pardon for prisoners, setting the stage for his parole to conclude this Sunday, announced his lawyer Winyat Chartmontri on a lively Saturday. Initially, Thaksin’s parole was supposed to end at the close of the month, but an early release has been granted. This early release aligns with a general royal pardon bestowed upon 7,500 well-behaved prisoners, commemorating His Majesty the King’s birthday last month, explained Mr. Winyat. This news comes hot on the heels of an even more exciting development—Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn, 37, has blazed a trail by becoming the youngest person ever elected Prime Minister of Thailand. Interestingly, she is the third member of the…