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Posts published in “Thailand”

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Faces New Political Turmoil Over Surapong Piyachote Appointment

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…

Moo Deng the Pygmy Hippo: Global Sensation Draws Massive Crowds to Khao Kheow Open Zoo

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…

Terror in Songkhla: Insurgent Attack Shatters Tranquil Saba Yoi with Explosive Force

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…

Bangkok Couple Arrested for Exploiting Child Labor in Nocturnal Food Operation: A Grim Tale Unfolds

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…

Nong Khai Province Flooded: Mekong River Surges to Record Levels Amid Nonstop Rainfall

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…

Khon Kaen Flood: Governor Kraisorn Kongchalard Details Torrential Downpours and Traffic Chaos

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…

Sia Jampathong Calls Out Pheu Thai Party Over Unmet Labor Promises in 2024

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…

Sia Jampathong Criticizes Pheu Thai Party for Unfulfilled Minimum Wage Promises

The political landscape sizzled with sharp critiques yesterday as opposition MP Sia Jampathong took the floor during the final day of a joint parliament session. Jampathong pulled no punches, lambasting the ruling Pheu Thai Party for its unfulfilled promises, particularly the much-touted 600-baht minimum wage. He accused the government of neglecting its labour initiatives, which he claims were a cornerstone of their election campaign. “Labour wasn’t even in the top 10 most urgent policies discussed by this government,” bemoaned Jampathong, a stalwart of the People’s Party (PP). This omission was perplexing, given the Pheu Thai Party’s grand pre-election declarations. Their promises included not only a 600-baht minimum wage but also a minimum salary of 25,000 baht for fresh graduates and enhanced labour rights protections. Jampathong didn’t mince words: “Were these promises merely bait to win votes?” he questioned aloud, his voice tinged with both frustration and suspicion. “Apart from the…

Mass Arrests in Srinagarindra Dam National Park: Weera Khunchairuk Leads Crackdown

Yesterday, a significant law enforcement action led to the arrest of thirty individuals, including nine children, for illegal border crossing and substantial environmental damage within the pristine Srinagarindra Dam National Park in Kanchanaburi. This coordinated effort was spearheaded by Weera Khunchairuk, the deputy director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, alongside military personnel and local police officers. The crackdown followed a tip-off received on Thursday about a group of stateless individuals encroaching upon protected forest areas in the renowned park, inciting fear among the residents of the Ban Ong Lu community in the Na Suan subdistrict of Kanchanaburi’s Sri Sawat district. Mr. Weera elaborated that the encroachers had reportedly set up camps within the national park, equipped themselves with firearms, and exhibited intimidating behavior. Alarmingly, they seemed poised to bring additional members into the park, further escalating the already tense situation. The operation culminated in the…

Phra Ajarn Sanprach Panyakamo’s Palliative Care: A Compassionate Sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima

Phra Ajarn Sanprach Panyakamo, the revered abbot of Wat Pa Noen Sa-Ard in Nakhon Ratchasima, is no stranger to bringing peace to those at the end of their life journey. Recently, he sat with a blind woman in her final stage of life. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to him for guiding her towards a peaceful transition from this world. Nestled in the Chok Chai district of Nakhon Ratchasima, Wat Pa Noen Sa-Ard has earned a reputation as a sanctuary for terminally ill patients who do not require aggressive medical interventions. Here, the monks offer more than just spiritual solace; they provide palliative care, helping patients find tranquility and comfort in their last days. Through the compassionate teachings of Buddhism, they ensure these individuals can spend their final moments in peace. This noble practice aligns seamlessly with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal to enhance the quality of life for patients,…