Mark Gooding, the British Ambassador to Thailand, and Remco van Wijingaarden, the Netherlands Ambassador, share their experiences at the Bangkok Post Pride Every Day forum on Wednesday at Lido Connect. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard) Despite Thailand’s tremendous success in passing the same-sex marriage bill, the nation still needs to focus on other LGBTQ+ issues to ensure continuous equality and pride. This powerful message came from two ambassadors to Thailand — Mark Gooding of the United Kingdom and Remco van Wijingaarden of the Netherlands — during the Bangkok Post Pride Every Day forum. Both the UK and the Netherlands had enacted similar laws long before Thailand stepped up as a leader in Southeast Asia. At the forum held on Wednesday at Lido Connect Hall in Siam Square, the diplomats shared their insights and experiences. Both gentlemen agreed that while passing such bills is a great achievement, it is only a starting point.…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Natthineethiti Phinyapincha, founder of TransTalents Consulting Group, along with Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, Bangkok Pride Youth and Global Outreach Representative, and Nachale Boonyapisomparn, Vice President of The Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human Rights, engaged in a vibrant panel discussion on the topic of “What after Thailand’s Marriage Equality,” during the Bangkok Post’s inaugural Pride event forum on Wednesday. The event was graced by the eloquence of captivating personalities, shedding light on the next steps post-marriage equality in Thailand. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard) Nachale Boonyapisomparn, a beacon of advocacy within the transgender community and vice president of the Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human Rights, emphasized that some laws still warrant updates following the passing of the equal marriage bill. Reflecting on the panel discussion’s theme, Boonyapisomparn remarked how the landmark legislation is but the tip of the iceberg, necessitating a concerted effort to realign the legal mosaic and cultural tapestries with…
Amplifying the voice of LGBTQ+ individuals not only fosters a delightful working ambiance but also substantially benefits employees both financially and in terms of life quality, according to Richard Kua, Brand General Manager at Kiehl’s Thailand. Speaking on the panel titled “What do allies think?”, Mr. Kua highlighted that the company operates in numerous countries where same-sex marriage is legal, making inclusivity a cornerstone of its corporate philosophy. Emphasizing their comprehensive benefits package, Mr. Kua noted that the company extends support to all employees, irrespective of sexual orientation. These benefits cover partners, children or adopted children, and even include insurance provisions. “We’re very open about this because we spend eight to ten hours of our daily lives at work. You shouldn’t suffer in silence. Allowing everyone to express themselves openly is crucial. We strive for an environment where everyone can freely express their sexual orientation,” he explained, adding that such…
Media outlets in Thailand have reported a tragic incident involving Gwendoline Cretton, a 24-year-old Swiss passport holder, who was found dead at her residence in Bangkok’s Prawet district last Thursday night. The young fashion model, previously associated with the same agency that represented stars like Gaile Lok and Danielle Graham, met a devastating end under deeply suspicious circumstances. According to Thai media, Gwendoline was brutally stabbed nine times in what appeared to be a gruesome attack. Following the horrifying assault, three men—her partner and two neighbors—carried her lifeless body to a car. The neighbors had rushed to the scene after hearing cries for help but were unable to save her. Her husband, whose identity remains undisclosed, took her to the hospital, later claiming she had attempted suicide. However, the Thai police were skeptical, suspecting that he orchestrated the whole scene to cover up the murder. Gwendoline, an established model, had…
Her Royal Highness Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (centre) takes a photo with ministers and key partners of MHESI Fair’s partners from both public and private sectors, including Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Miss Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and Mr. Permsuk Sajjapiwat, Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, together with Mr. Edison Xu, Board Director of Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd (standing 9th from right). Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd has teamed up with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) to boost digital knowledge and foster high-quality digital talents in Thailand. This collaboration is set to elevate the nation’s digital prowess and align with its vision of becoming the digital economy hub of ASEAN. Presently, the collaboration between Huawei and MHESI is in full swing. Various agencies under the ministry, such as the…
One of the accused officers, Pol Sub-Lt Praderm Sarai, 54, then with the rank of police sergeant major, sings “ตำรวจจะมา (Police will come)”. (video capture from post by Police TV Facebook) In a bizarre and riveting tale that seems to step right out of a crime thriller, two policemen and three civilians are now facing charges of extorting 700,000 baht from two illegal Chinese nationals on the motorway leading to Pattaya. The story has all the elements of a gripping drama — a talented singing policeman, a daring highway apprehension, and a courtroom waiting to see justice served. The Pattaya Provincial Court on Tuesday gave the green light for arrest warrants against Pol Sgt Thitiwat Rujiwong, 30, of Provincial Police Region 2, and Pol Sub-Lt Praderm Sarai, 54, now a deputy inspector at the Central Investigation Bureau. The list of accusations reads like a laundry list of nefarious activities: abuse…
Thailand waits with bated breath as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s fate will be revealed on August 14th. This crucial verdict from the Constitutional Court could potentially reshape the nation’s political landscape. The tension is palpable, and the stakes are high. In a move that has captivated both political insiders and everyday citizens, the Constitutional Court revealed on Wednesday its intent to decide whether PM Srettha will continue his tenure. “The Constitutional Court has considered and finds the case is a legal matter and there is sufficient evidence to decide the case,” stated an official release from the court. Let’s rewind a bit. The roots of this legal saga sprouted in May, when 40 military-appointed senators filed a complaint. At the heart of the controversy is the appointment of Pichit Chuenban as a minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. The murmurs of discontent turned into an official petition accepted by the…
Srettha Thavisin’s fate hangs in the balance as the Constitutional Court gears up to announce its verdict on August 14—a date that holds the key to his continuance as Prime Minister. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) The backdrop of this high-stakes drama traces back to May when 40 military-appointed senators filed a complaint, igniting a legal firestorm. The case, which the charter court accepted, scrutinizes the contentious appointment of Pichit Chuenban as a Prime Minister’s Office minister. Under the microscope of Sections 170 (4) and (5) of the charter—which concentrates on the ethics of cabinet ministers—the senators questioned whether Srettha and Pichit should be ousted from their posts. The crux of the controversy lies in Pichit’s tainted past. In 2008, he and two accomplices were embroiled in a scandal involving a failed bribe to Supreme Court officials, neatly stashing 2 million baht inside a lunch box. This blemish led to a six-month…
According to a leaked Fisheries Department document, 11 companies exported a whopping 230,000 blackchin tilapia fish to 17 countries from 2013 to 2016, prior to the implementation of a ban, raising some serious questions about what may have happened to any leftover stock. A source in the exotic fish industry, who obtained the document, revealed that blackchin tilapia were a hit both as ornamental and edible exports. The document highlights that 11 Thai-registered companies were engaged in exporting the West African fish, with the largest exporter alone sending 162,000 blackchin tilapia overseas during that period. Other exporters played a part too, selling between 2,900 to 30,000 fish each during those bustling years. The source inferred that blackchin tilapia in Thailand came from diverse sources before the 2018 export ban came into place. This revelation has sparked a myriad of questions: Did these businesses manage to export all of their blackchin…
Waves crash against the formidable sea wall as Typhoon Gaemi makes its ominous approach towards Keelung, Taiwan. Picture this: it’s one of those classic, electrified pre-storm days with newscasters bustling around, warning of the tempest heading straight for us. (Photo by Reuters) Meanwhile, our fellow Thai compatriots in Taiwan have received a stern advisory to stick closely to the directives issued by local authorities as Taiwan braces for the impact of Typhoon Gaemi. With the massive storm expected to make its grand entry by Wednesday evening, caution is the name of the game. The Thailand Trade and Economic Office highlighted the importance of cooperation with Taiwanese officials and heightened vigilance during this critical period. As Gaemi barrels through, it’s already left its watery mark on the Philippines and is eyeing Taiwan to unleash its downpours and howling winds. Financial markets have slammed their doors shut, folks have been granted a…