In a dedicated effort to ensure the welfare and fair treatment of Thai berry pickers laboring in the scenic landscapes of Sweden, officials from Thailand’s Labour Ministry embarked on an insightful journey last week. The mission was spearheaded by the ever-committed Somchai Morakotsriwan, the director-general of the Department of Employment (DoE). Accompanying him were delegations from prominent agencies, including the National Human Rights Commission and the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare. Their destination: the quaint town of Munkfors. Mr. Somchai’s agenda was multifaceted. A significant highlight was the meeting with representatives from Ransaters Invest AB, a reputable company engaged in the buying and processing of wild berries. Discussions revolved around various critical aspects of the Thai workers’ welfare, focusing on working conditions, wages, taxes, working hours, benefits, and skill training. It was a robust dialogue, ensuring each issue was addressed comprehensively. Beyond boardrooms and formal discussions, Mr. Somchai ensured…
Posts published in “Thailand”
On a visit to the flood-slammed Chiang Rai province last Friday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra immersed herself in the concerns of the affected residents, her government’s goals churning in the backdrop. Economists and political pundits are keenly observing the fledgling administration’s policy maneuvers, eager to see how planned reforms will sculpt Thailand’s economic landscape. In her government’s policy statement delivered to parliament last Thursday, Ms. Paetongtarn emphasized enhancing economic welfare and boosting the state’s coffers. Key initiatives include easing the debt burden, especially home and auto loans, and providing relief for informal borrowers. Ambitious plans for entertainment hubs, which intriguingly feature casinos, and comprehensive water management to mitigate continual flood and drought problems were also laid out. Before any concrete action, the government is mandated to present this policy framework to parliament. And while the intentions are clear, execution remains the defining test. Focus on Economic Relief Backing Ms. Paetongtarn’s…
People’s Party candidate Nathachanon Chanaburanasak, with a confident smile, snapped a selfie with an enthusiastic supporter this Saturday. He was out rallying ahead of the highly anticipated Sunday by-election in Phitsanulok’s Constituency 1. His goal? To keep the cherished seat, originally snagged by the Move Forward Party last year, firmly in “orange” hands. (Photo: Chinnawat Singha) As tension escalates, Phitsanulok braces for a fierce electoral battle this Sunday. The by-election, spurred by the political fallout following Padipat Santipada’s ten-year disqualification, has captured the nation’s attention. Santipada’s political career took an unexpected turn when the Constitutional Court, in a sweeping decision last August, dissolved the Move Forward Party and handed down decade-long bans to 11 executive members. Their alleged crime? Proposing amendments to the lese-majeste law—a move considered a threat to Thailand’s constitutional monarchy. Despite his strategic attempt to sidestep the ban by orchestrating an expulsion from the party to clinch…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s smile shone bright as she led her cabinet ministers in paying their respects at a solemn shrine at Government House on Friday. Within the picturesque setting, her leadership seemed poised and confident in the face of recent tumult. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) However, the serenity of the scene masks the tumultuous political waters beneath. The indefatigable petitioner, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, once again thrust the political landscape into turmoil by filing yet another complaint with the Election Commission (EC). This time, the spotlight is on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over her controversial appointment of Surapong Piyachote as the deputy transport minister. The turmoil centers on allegations tied to a provincial election corruption scandal. Surapong Piyachote, who had run in the 2020 Kanchanaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) election, became embroiled in controversy when someone acting on his behalf was convicted of vote-buying. Ruangkrai’s complaint hinges on the ethical quagmire this…
Visitors are flocking in droves to catch a glimpse of the internet’s latest sensation: Moo Deng, the utterly adorable pygmy hippo causing quite the stir at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri. This cuteness overload has caused unprecedented crowds eager to see the baby hippo in person, making Saturday an absolute zoo—literally. The photo that captured this viral phenomenon was brilliantly taken by Nannalin Tiengtae. Fans of Moo Deng, arguably the globe’s most beloved baby hippo, will be thrilled yet slightly constrained, as the Khao Kheow Open Zoo has instituted a maximum viewing time of five minutes per visitor. “Why the rush?” you might ask. Well, let’s just say the little celeb has been basking in the limelight ever since she graced the pages of Time magazine and several other prestigious international publications. Zoo Director Narongwit Chodchoi reported an overwhelming turnout, with over 12,000 people showing up. Traffic was…
As dawn was just a distant whisper in the early hours of Saturday, the tranquil town of Saba Yoi in Songkhla province woke to a jarring cacophony. Flames skyrocketed from the Ban Nod tambon administration office, transforming a silent night into a scene from a high-octane thriller. Close by, an ATM booth lay in shambles, victim of an explosive blast that rocked the atmosphere with an air of uncertainty and dread. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan) Songkhla—normally renowned for its stunning beaches and rich cultural fabric—was thrust into the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Suspicions immediately pointed towards insurgents, those shadowy figures whose motivations and actions have stretched this beautiful southern province to its limits. In a vertically ascending moment of terror, the ATM booth located just a stone’s throw from the Ban Nod tambon administration organisation (TAO) office was obliterated by a powerful bomb. The echoes of this explosion must…
In a deeply unsettling turn of events, authorities swooped into a house in Bangkok’s Lak Si district on Saturday, following grim accusations against a couple alleged to have been exploiting child labor. The grim narrative began to unfold when officials from the Department of Provincial Administration, hand-in-hand with the Pracha Chuen police officers, barged into a modest dwelling on Ngamwongwan Road. The raid culminated in the arrest of two individuals, referred to only as Golf, 35, and A, 33, who have come under scorching scrutiny. The Human Rights and Development Foundation (HRDF) has voiced resounding concerns, accusing the detained couple of coercing minors from the Shan state in Myanmar into grueling labor for a nocturnal Mala food operation, which ignited the charcoal burners from 6:30 PM to 4:00 AM. The tale echoes with a haunting start; about two months ago, the couple reached out to the mother of two young…
Two relentless days of torrential rain have transformed parts of the serene Nong Khai province into a sprawling aquatic maze, with floodwaters rising up to 2 metres in some areas. In a bid to safeguard their homes, residents have been propelled into action, stacking sandbags and relocating vehicles to higher ground. According to the Nong Khai Mekong Hydrological Cycle Observation Station, the mighty Mekong River swelled to an alarming 13.67m by Saturday morning. This marks a 57cm surge in just a single day, putting it 1.47m above the flood threshold, thanks to the recent deluge. The station’s forecasters have delivered a sobering prognosis: with non-stop rain anticipated until Monday, water levels are expected to keep climbing, posing a grave threat to the province’s bustling economic centre. The cause of this watery chaos? None other than Typhoon Yagi, a fierce storm that has wreaked havoc across Southeast Asia, from the Philippines…
The bustling streets in front of Northeastern University in Khon Kaen province were transformed into rivers early Saturday morning, thanks to relentless downpours that drenched the town. (Photo: Chumchon Khao Khon Kaen Facebook) In the heart of Khon Kaen’s Muang district, Mother Nature decided to throw a watery tantrum. Starting at 3am and persisting until 5am, the skies unleashed a torrent of rain that left Maliwan Road submerged in up to 50 centimeters of water. This impromptu waterpark wasn’t exactly welcome by the morning commuters. The deluge caused traffic chaos, both coming into and leaving the city. It got so bad that police from the Muang and Ban Phed stations had to spring into action, directing the waterlogged vehicle ballet toward downtown Khon Kaen and its international airport. Ban Kok Road wasn’t spared either. It got its own swampy makeover, with floodwaters ranging from 40 to 60 centimeters deep. Municipal…
The political arena in Thailand is heating up, and at the heart of this fiery debate is a call from the opposition for more action on labor policies. The People’s Party (PP), led by the outspoken Sia Jampathong, is putting the ruling Pheu Thai Party in the hot seat, challenging them to fulfill their promises, particularly the highly-anticipated 600-baht minimum wage. In a spirited address during the final day of a joint parliament session, Sia Jampathong didn’t mince words. He criticized the government’s labor policy—or the glaring lack thereof—as he highlighted that labor wasn’t even among the government’s top 10 urgent policies. This omission, he emphasized, starkly contrasts with Pheu Thai’s election campaign, where labor rights and wage improvements were touted as flagship promises. “Were these just empty promises to win votes?” Sia asked, his eyes narrowing as he glared across the chamber. “We’ve heard a lot about the 10,000-baht…