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…
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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…
An image from the music video for SOTUS, released in 2020 by Rap Against Dictatorship, vividly sheds light on abusive hazing rituals prevalent in Thailand. SOTUS stands for “Seniority Order Tradition Unity and Spirit,” but, in reality, these rituals often involve senior students bullying and humiliating freshmen, causing great distress and harm. (Photo: Rap Against Dictatorship Facebook Page) In a resolute step towards eradicating violence in educational institutions, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has vowed to put an end to these brutal practices following a shocking hazing incident that left a first-year engineering student gravely injured. Suchada Taensap, acting as secretary to the caretaker minister, affirmed the ministry’s commitment to fully cooperate with police investigations after engaging with officials at Muang Nonthaburi police station on Saturday. The horrific incident was reported by the victim’s parents, who lodged a formal complaint with authorities on August 15. Their…
An evocative still from the “SOTUS” music video by the revolutionary group Rap Against Dictatorship, released in 2020, starkly highlights the grim reality of abusive hazing rituals that plague Thailand. The acronym SOTUS represents “Seniority Order Tradition Unity and Spirit,” yet, paradoxically, these rituals often subject freshmen to severe bullying and humiliation. (Photo: Rap Against Dictatorship Facebook Page) The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has now vowed to put an end to such violent practices within educational environments, catalyzed by a particularly harrowing hazing incident that left a first-year engineering student gravely injured. Suchada Taensap, the secretary to the caretaker minister, revealed that the ministry would collaborate comprehensively with police authorities. This announcement followed a meeting with investigators at the Muang Nonthaburi police station on Saturday. The distressed parents of the victim lodged a formal complaint on August 15th, after their 20-year-old son, a freshman at Rajamangala…
A heartwrenching yet ultimately hopeful tale unfolded as a young Thai woman, initially deceived and forced into the sex trade in Dubai, made her way back to her homeland, touching down at U-tapao Airport in Rayong on a sunny Saturday. The image of relief and resilience, her homecoming was a moment of triumph against a backdrop of harrowing experiences. Authorities, alerted by the gravity of her ordeal, vowed to deepen their investigation into the nefarious networks responsible for such human trafficking atrocities. The woman, a 21-year-old from the serene province of Lampang, was greeted by Kosolwat Inthuchanyong, the vigilant director-general of the Office of Rights Protection, Legal Aid, and Enforcement. He confirmed that she had received essential assistance and emphasized the next steps in her recovery. Officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security were poised to conduct interviews, aiming to piece together her nightmarish journey and firmly…
Thai media will be pivotal in fostering informed discourse within Thailand regarding the United States presidential elections and engaging the Thai public in understanding the US electoral system, according to US Ambassador Robert Godec. Speaking at the commencement of a workshop on the elections held on Saturday, Mr. Godec highlighted the initiative’s significance, particularly in the current media landscape, where disinformation and fake news flourish, manipulated by those aiming to undermine democracy globally. “Your role as journalists, in upholding accurate reporting and championing transparency, is therefore more vital and relevant than ever for democracy,” he emphasized. Mr. Godec underscored the crucial role journalists play in ensuring transparency in a democracy, especially during critical junctures like elections. “Take the time to verify information with reliable sources, including contacting our press team at the embassy. We are here to help answer your questions or direct you if something doesn’t seem right,” he…
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, alongside her party’s MPs and executives, made a grand entrance at the Voice TV building in Bangkok on Friday, following her historic election as the 31st prime minister in the House of Representatives. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) In a congratulatory gesture, China has extended its warm regards to Paetongtarn on her new position, as stated on the Chinese Embassy’s Facebook page in Bangkok. This diplomatic message was shared during an engaging Q&A session when a curious reporter queried a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry about Ms. Paetongtarn’s ascendancy to leadership. The reporter eagerly inquired about the ministry’s perspective on this significant development and probed whether the Chinese government harbors any new expectations for its relationship with Thailand. Responding with confidence, the spokesperson extended hearty congratulations to Ms. Paetongtarn, expressing optimism that Thailand is poised to achieve even greater milestones on its developmental…