Posts published in “Thailand”

Imagine waking up every day surrounded by the lush, green embrace of Khao Kho’s forest complex in the serene district of Phetchabun. For the residents of 35 rural communities here, this isn’t just a daydream; it’s their reality. Yet, this idyllic existence has been overshadowed by a cloud of unease and controversy. The core of the issue? A tug-of-war over land rights that pits these local dwellers against park authorities, a drama that recently took a new turn as they rallied for the intervention of two House committees. At the heart of this unfolding drama stands opposition leader Chaithawat Tulathon, a man who found himself the bearer of the community’s pleas. The petition, handed over to him with hopes high and spirits fueled by desperation, was spearheaded by Buppha Chanpheng – a name representing not just an individual, but the voice of those living in the shadow of uncertainty within…

Welcome to Thailand, a vibrant country known for its breathtaking landscapes, sumptuous cuisine, and… its sizzling summer temperatures! The Meteorological Department has just rolled out the red carpet for what seems to be an exceptionally hot season, with temperatures forecasted to sashay their way past the 40C mark in all corners of this tropical paradise, this month and April. Leading the weather orchestra is the dynamic Kornravee Sitthichivapak, the director-general of Thailand’s weather agency. She has struck the chord with an announcement that has everyone talking—this summer, the temps are not just dancing to the usual tune. They’re expected to leap 1-2C above the seasonal average, turning Thailand into a large, natural sauna. But before you start envisioning every day as a walk through an oven, let’s add a sprinkle of flavor to this hot pot of news. The extremely hot weather is playing hide and seek. It is not…

In the vibrant yet sometimes unexpected tapestry of life in Trang, a small town in Thailand, a story emerged that seemed more like a dramatic screenplay than a slice of real-life. At the center of this story is Dieter Matthias Straumann, a 62-year-old Swiss man, whose actions at a local mall would send ripples through the tranquil waters of this community. The incident unfolded at a bustling Big C store in the Muang district, a place where locals frequently gather to shop and socialize, never anticipating that it could become the backdrop for a harrowing episode. Straumann, in a moment that stunned onlookers, launched into a shocking physical assault on Natchanan Khikkham, a 58-year-old Thai woman, after a seemingly mundane request for politeness escalated dramatically. The consequence of this altercation left Khikkham with serious injuries, including a broken nose, swollen eyes, and back, alongside considerable difficulty in breathing. It was…

In the tranquil heartlands of Buri Ram, a province famed for its tapestry of cultures and serene landscapes, an event unfolded that seemed plucked straight from a gritty drama. Imagine this scene: the sun is high, students are milling about, enjoying their lunch break, basking in the carefree ambiance that typically shrouds school corridors. Just next door to this scene of adolescent idyll at Wat Chai Mongkol, a tale of turmoil and tragedy was about to ensue. On this fateful Wednesday, the clock struck 12.30 pm, and the air was pierced by the sound of gunfire—a stark contradiction to the usual hum of student chatter. Two teenagers, both 16, found themselves caught in a vortex of violence, allegedly at the hands of a fellow student, a 15-year-old, over a dispute that had been simmering for far too long. The battleground? None other than the sacred boundaries of Wat Chai Mongkol,…

On a rather brisk March morning, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made his way to the iconic Government House, setting the stage for a shift towards frugality and forward-thinking financial management. In a move that had attendees at a recent assembly nodding in agreement, Mr. Srettha rolled out a plan that resonated with the essence of responsible governance – slashing superfluous governmental expenditures to make room for essential investments aimed at propelling economic vitality. It was on this illustrious Thursday that Chai Wacharonke, a spokesperson with a knack for translating political jargon into layman’s terms, relayed Prime Minister Srettha’s vision. The directive was clear: optimize public funds to fuel the country’s journey towards development that not only charts a path but also leaves long-lasting footprints. Imagine the scene at the March 3 cabinet meeting, a gathering buzzing with the anticipation of charting a new fiscal course. Mr. Srettha, after being briefed…

On a day marked by anticipation and the hustle and bustle typical of significant political movements at Government House, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made his way into the heart of Thailand’s political arena on March 1. With a sense of purpose reflecting the weight of his office, Prime Minister Srettha didn’t just step through those doors for the routine day’s work. He arrived with a vision, a plan that promised to reimagine the flow of national wealth for the greater good of his people and the propulsion of the nation into a brighter, thriving future. In a world where government spending often vanishes into the black hole of bureaucracy, Prime Minister Srettha took a stand. With a directive that echoes the dawning of financial sensibility, he declared a war on unnecessary expenditures. “Let the money flow not into the drains of redundancy and extravagance, but into the rivers that will…

On a lively and bustling day outside the parliament, the atmosphere was charged with the animated voices of workers and members of the Labor Network for People’s Rights. The date was February 28, a day that saw a gathering united for a singular cause: to champion the progression of a labor bill that promised to reshape the work landscape in Thailand. Amid the throng, cameras clicked and reporters took notes as the people made their stand, their resolve captured perfectly in a snapshot by none other than Nutthawat Wichieanbut. Inside the halls of the House of Representatives, the air bristled with anticipation and, perhaps, a hint of controversy. The matter at hand? A labor welfare bill tabled by the ever-progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), which teetered on the brink of making history. Yet, as the debate unfurled, it became clear that this bill, promising as it was, would not see…

In the lush tropical paradise of Koh Samui, where the turquoise ocean kisses sandy shores and palm trees sway like dancers in the breeze, a tale of intrigue unwraps in the least expected of places – a beauty clinic. Beneath the facade of bliss and relaxation, the Alspa beauty clinic became the epicenter of a dramatic police operation that would have the island buzzing for days. It was a day just like any other in Surat Thani’s gem, Koh Samui, until the calm was shattered by the arrival of law enforcement. Led by the astute Pol Col Denduang Thongsrisuk, chief of Bo Phut police station, a contingent of police and health officials descended upon the unsuspecting Alspa beauty clinic nestled in the heart of tambon Bo Phut. Their mission? To unveil the truths lurking behind its closed doors. The person at the helm of this operation, Pol Maj Gen Sermphan…

Imagine stepping into the future where banking isn’t confined to the walls of grand buildings, where a single click brings your bank to you, anytime, anywhere. This isn’t just a distant dream anymore, thanks to an exhilarating shift led by no other than the Bank of Thailand. Spearheaded by Wipawin Promboon, the Senior Director of the BOT’s Financial Institutions Strategy Department, Thailand is on the brink of welcoming an era of virtual banks, transforming the landscape of financial services through the enchanting power of digital channels. With a vision as clear as the Thai skies, the Bank of Thailand aims to unveil a world where banking services aren’t just a transaction but an experience. One that caters seamlessly to everyone from the bustling markets of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to those who’ve been left behind by the traditional banking system. “It’s about creating a banking realm that’s accessible, user-friendly,…

In a scene straight out of a high-stakes drama, nestled within the bustling heart of Bangkok in the illustrious Rama IX neighborhood, a lavish residence cloaked in luxury was the stage for an operation that seemed to leap from the pages of a cyber-crime thriller. This was no ordinary house; it was a nerve center for a sophisticated online gambling empire, ingeniously helmed by a cadre of 18 Vietnamese masterminds. The architect of this digital domain? None other than the youthful and audacious Le Thi Kim Oanh, a mere 20 years old, alongside her band of 17 accomplices. Their currency? The art of persuasion, beckoning the unsuspecting into the magnetic pull of gambling with a mere click. But every empire has its foil. Enter Pol Lt Gen Ittiphol Itthisarnronchai, the tenacious Immigration Bureau chief, who spearheaded a meticulously planned raid that would be the envy of any detective novel protagonist.…