Posts published in “Thailand”

On a day imbued with the gravity of justice, the anticipation within the bustling city finds its epicenter at a courtroom on Chaeng Wattana Road. The air hangs heavy with expectation as the clock ticks inexorably toward an event that could ripple through the corridors of Thai politics: at 2pm sharp on Wednesday, the decisive moment will arrive. The court is poised to deliver its much-awaited verdict concerning the former vanguard of political change, Pita Limjaroenrat, over his entanglements with the defunct media giant, iTV. Justice, they say, does not merely demand to be done, but to be seen to be done — and it is within this spirit that the Metropolitan Police Bureau has taken every conceivable step to ensure the sanctity and security of this pivotal occasion. Officers have been deployed with a measured blend of discretion and vigilance, respecting the profound solemnity of the day while shrouding…

Imagine, if you will, a world where digital wallets are so bountiful they could rival the fruitfulness of Thailand’s enchanting markets. That’s the vision of Pheu Thai’s flagship campaign, which, according to a recent Facebook musing by Korn—a former finance minister turned political abstinence advocate—is about as likely to materialize as snow in Bangkok’s sweltering heat. In a candid online soliloquy, Korn juxtaposed his once-politician-now-concerned-citizen hat to express his qualms. As someone who’s navigated the labyrinthine corridors of financial affairs, he posed a rhetorical question, trenchant and simple: Is Thailand amidst a crisis of such severity, akin to the 1997 Tom Yum Kung fiasco, the great floods of 2011, or the global Covid-19 upheaval, to justify a colossal loan of 500 billion baht for the tech-savvy scheme? Spoiler: He doesn’t think so. Before Korn washed his hands of the political world—quitting the Chart Pattana Kla Party with the flair of…

Welcome to the Land of Smiles! Thailand, renowned for its breathtaking beaches, delectable cuisine, and the ever-welcoming warmth of its people, has been a tale of economic ebb and flow that’s as colorful as a Bangkok street market. Let’s dive into the economic currents that have recently directed this stunning Southeast Asian nation. Picture this: It’s 2025, the hustle and bustle of Bangkok’s streets is rhythmic as ever, but there’s a whisper in the air that things are slowing down a smidgen. The IMF, in its “2023 Article IV Consultation with Thailand” report, like a fortune teller reading tea leaves, suggests that Thailand’s economic growth is set to downshift to a 2% yearly cruise by the time we reach 2025. Last Monday, as the report fluttered into the hands of economists and laymen alike, it painted a picture of Thailand’s economic dance not quite hitting the same frenetic pace it…

With the kind of pomp and ceremony often reserved for royal announcements, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin graced the throngs of reporters with his presence in Ranong, the picturesque coastal jewel of Thailand. Radiating an aura of optimism that could outshine the Andaman sun, he broke the news of a sumptuous 350 million baht development smorgasbord destined to transform the resplendent Andaman coastal provinces into a utopia of connectivity and growth. The buzz of excitement was palpable as the Prime Minister elucidated on how six Andaman gems – Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun – would be the lucky recipients of a generous slice of the 2023 central budget pie. Imagine: 350 million baht en route to fund a grand total of thirteen visionary projects. Ah, lucky number thirteen – the harbinger of change and prosperity on the horizon! Now, the Prime Minister was as coy as a bride on…

Imagine the shocking revelation in a quiet district of Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand, where the serene surface of a pond mirrored a dark secret from the depths below. On January 12, the air was pierced with disbelief as Buaphan’s body was found, her features marred by grisly wounds that spoke silently of her violent end. But hold onto your detective hats, folks, because this story twists like a pretzel in a tornado. The hubby, Panya, was behind bars quicker than you can say ‘miscarriage of justice.’ That is until surveillance footage waltzed in, broadcast by the intrepid Channel 8 News team, unwrapping the truth like a late holiday gift—a gang of teenagers had turned violent, and poor Buaphan was their tragic target. As the footage rolled, couch sleuths gasped and pointed—the real wrongdoers! In a turn of events more suited for a prime-time drama, the five teenagers were rounded up…

Imagine the gentle rush of waves caressing the shore of Thailand’s serene beaches in the Khao Lampee-Had Thai Mueang National Park. On a morning that should have brimmed with the tranquil beauty of nature, there was a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between life and human activity. On the sands that cradle life, lay a majestic marine creature, a leatherback turtle, its journey tragically ended. The sight that greeted the park authorities was as heart-rending as it was sobering—a female leatherback, a behemoth of the sea, spanning 105 centimeters across and measuring 181 centimeters in length, ensnared in an unyielding net meant for catching squid, no longer in the realm of the living. The mighty ocean traveller, now motionless on the sands. Our sentinel of conservation, Attapol Charoenchansa, the esteemed director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, declared that the unfortunate turtle would be subject…

Picture this: the sun-kissed shores of Phuket, the pulsating beats of a Patong nightclub, and amid it all, a story unfolds that feels straight out of a high-stakes crime drama. Enter the central character, Achmal, a man with a past shadowed by sinister undertones and the subject of an international manhunt. With a story that could dazzle and intrigue at a dinner party, let’s dive into the life of this 36-year-old Belgian-Moroccan with a flair for drama and, apparently, a knack for spinning tracks as well as a web of mystery. Our tale begins in Belgium, back in the colder climate of January 19, 2014. It was on this fateful day that Achmal, fueled by the heat of road rage, brandished a firearm with the intent to kill. It’s the stuff of Hollywood – but for Achmal, this was no movie script. Fast forward, and the Belgian courts are none…

Amidst the bustling corridors of power, Wiroj stood firm on a Tuesday that seemed like any other, but with a twist of political intrigue. The weight of decision-making rested heavily on his shoulders — to accept or not to accept an invitation that could ripple through the waters of governance, blurring the lines between the legislative and executive branches. His voice carried a note of resolve as he addressed a gathering that hung on his every word. “My dear compatriots,” Wiroj began, his gaze sweeping over the attentive crowd, “we find ourselves at a crossroads, where the inviting hand of participation could very well unsettle the delicate dance of checks and balances we so cherish. To sit upon the committee as an overseer of the defense minister’s project may seem like a badge of honor, but I fear it is a siren call, luring us towards unintended complicity.” The room…

Imagine an audacious 35-tonne cache of contraband pork, no ordinary shipment, but one clandestinely navigated away from the prying eyes of the law. This isn’t the plot of an adrenaline-laced heist film, dear readers; this scandal unfurled in the very corridors of the Customs Department, captivating spectators as they unveiled the illicit booty in September 2022. A tableau straight from a crime thriller, replete with smugglers and deceit, and now, the saga continues to spin its complex web. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) The hallowed halls of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) are now abuzz with the sort of vigorous activity that precedes the unraveling of a grand mystery. We’re delving into a major probe, one that’s set to pitch the richness of drama against the shadowy world of meat smuggling. Acting director-general Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam, a man who seemingly lives for the thrill of the chase, announced on Tuesday…

Envisage a world where every lost soul wandering the streets finds a beacon of hope, receives necessary care, and embarks on a heartfelt journey back into the welcoming arms of family. This isn’t a utopian dream; it’s a mission set in motion on a recent Monday, marked by the union of various Thai organizations through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The Social Development and Welfare Department, Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), the Mental Health Department, the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, alongside the altruistic efforts of the Mirror Foundation, have all joined forces with an ambitious aim. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill agreement; it’s a pioneering endeavor to intricately weave a safety net by synchronizing databases— a digital embrace to catch the homeless, hospital patients, and the missing. Dr. Sirisak Thitidilokrat, the Mental Health Department’s deputy director-general, sparked a light on the plight of mentally unstable homeless…