The bustling corridors of the Social Security Fund (SSF) offices are buzzing with palpable tension these days, after the SSF Board recently turned down a proposed new pension formula for being “too complicated”. The air of disappointment was shared by many, none more so than Assoc. Prof. Sustarum Thammaboosadee. As a board member and coordinator for the Progressive Social Security Team, he expressed his regrets over not being able to persuade the board to accept the new pension calculation methodology. However, like any persistent advocate worth their salt, he’s gearing up for a renewed attempt at the forthcoming meeting this March. This new pension mechanism is crucial, particularly for those insured individuals under Section 39 — individuals who have transitioned from employment to self-managed SSF contributions. A staggering 300,000 people find themselves in this bracket, and the proposed formula aims to adapt their pensions in sync with inflation and the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Commuters navigating the bustling cityscape of Bangkok on a typical Wednesday morning found themselves in a bit of a pickle when a sudden malfunction hit the MRT Blue Line. This unexpected hiccup brought the usually reliable service to a standstill, striking at the heart of the notorious morning rush. As you might imagine, chaos ensued, albeit briefly. The snag reared its pesky head around 8:30 AM, right in the thick of the morning hustle between the familiar Chatuchak and Phahon Yothin stations. For passengers packed into MRT trains and bustling platforms, minutes ticked by agonizingly slowly as they awaited information. Yet, like a minor gust of wind disturbing a page-turner novel, the disruption was fleeting. By 9:15 AM, the trains were back on track, literally, and commuters were once again whizzing through the city’s veins. The operator, Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc, or BEM as it’s more commonly known, swiftly…
Wednesday morning dawned like any other hustle of the week in bustling Bangkok, with commuters poised for the usual chaotic waltz of urban transit. However, an unexpected glitch had other plans for them, as the MRT Blue Line suddenly decided to take an unplanned pause, leaving passengers in a lurch between Chatuchak and Phahon Yothin stations. The clock ticked unwaveringly at 8:30 am, right in the heart of rush hour, as the subway seemed to have temporarily flirted with the idea of a strike. The unexpected halt brought a ripple of anxiety amidst the morning commuters who resemble so many sardines packed in a tin during their routine journeys. The 10-minute delay felt like an eternity, especially amidst the symphony of tapping feet and exasperated sighs echoing through the station halls. Yet, as fleeting as it was, the hiatus was remedied, with normal service rhythmically restored by 9:15 am, much…
In the midst of a thrilling and suspenseful midnight operation, Pattaya police orchestrated a dramatic takedown of a notorious motorcycle theft ring, catching the culprits red-handed thanks to the sharp eyes of observant locals. As the clock struck 12:30 a.m. on February 25th, officers from the Bang Lamung Police Station launched a stealthy raid in the Khao Ta Lo area, responding to invaluable tips from exasperated residents, according to a report from Pattaya News. What awaited them was a scene straight out of a heist movie: six motorcycles, stripped to their skeletal frames, lay concealed under an inconspicuous tarpaulin behind an unassuming wall. Scattered around like pieces of a mechanical puzzle, the scene spoke volumes of the gang’s illicit activities. The police quickly turned their scrutiny towards a shady repair shop tucked away in a corner of the building. This dodgy den was helmed by a 35-year-old man, known only…
Today, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has signalled an alert that might just put even the bravest among us on an edge—as if Thailand wasn’t already teeming with enough excitement! Across 24 provinces, the heavens are revving up for a deluge, potentially unleashing heavy rain, flash floods, and forest runoff, with impromptu lakes popping up at any moment. Coastal dreamers might want to avoid their beach plans as sea waves threaten to measure up to a stomach-churning 3 metres high, all thanks to the moody weather gods. Taking a peek at the TMD’s magnifying glass-like 24-hour forecast, we learn that the usually reliable easterly and southeasterly winds, known for hauling in moisture from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, are clocking out early. Conversely, a dramatic wave from the west is orchestrating an atmospheric ballet, pirouetting through the north, northeast, and northern Laos. The result? A sprinkle…
In a bold maneuver under the cover of night, Pattaya police orchestrated a seamless high-stakes operation, bringing an end to a brazen motorcycle theft ring in an adrenaline-pumping standoff that could rival any Hollywood heist movie. On the night of February 25, as the clock struck 12:30 a.m., officers from the dedicated Bang Lamung Police Station, armed with hot tips from exasperated locals, descended with precision upon the shadowy stretches of Khao Ta Lo. The scene was something out of a gritty crime drama—six stripped-down motorcycles lying beneath a tactically placed tarpaulin, tucked away behind an inconspicuous wall, each a ghost of its former self. The thrill didn’t end there. Nearby, a suspiciously dubious repair shop, run by a 35-year-old known only as “Benz,” became the officers’ next target. This labyrinth of metallic chaos was teeming with motorbike parts—a somber graveyard for stolen rides. The shop held two intact motorcycles…
Amidst the sunlit beaches and vibrant cities of Thailand’s ever-bustling tourist destinations like Phuket and Bangkok, a brewing concern is captivating the attention of the hospitality industry insiders. At the heart of this unease is the flurry of foreign investors seizing the opportunity to buy up hotels, sprawling pool villas, and luxurious residences. It’s becoming quite the phenomenon, sparking numerous discussions and raising eyebrows among local stakeholders. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, the esteemed President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), is among the many voicing their apprehension. His concern isn’t just a whisper in the crowded market but a resonating alarm, drawing attention to the particular practices of certain Russian property owners. These foreign investors, it seems, have been stealthily dabbling in the daily rental business, potentially bypassing the established norms and regulations of the Thai property market. Meanwhile, the condominium scene in Bangkok is bustling with a fresh, albeit controversial trend.…
In the early hours of a fateful February morning, the tranquility of Prachin Buri was shattered by a tragic accident. At precisely 3:30 AM, a coach bus, once filled with the lively chatter of passengers on a promising journey, lay overturned beside Road Number 304. The catastrophic crash into a traffic barrier resulted in at least 17 lives lost, while numerous other passengers clung to life amidst the chaos of twisted metal. The scene resembled a suspended breath, as officers from Wang Khon Police Station in the Nadee district sprang into action. Temporary road closures ensued, transforming the area into a makeshift rescue operation as they worked tirelessly to extract the trapped driver, a bus worker, and any surviving passengers from the crumpled vehicle. As the first rays of morning light glistened across the wreckage, rescuers unearthed 17 bodies from the mangled remains. The heartbreaking toll cast a somber shadow…
Today, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has set the airwaves buzzing with an urgent weather warning designed to keep the good people of Thailand safe and sound. Across 24 provinces, residents are urged to be as vigilant as a cat eyeing a canary for signs of sudden downpours, unexpected flash floods, and sneaky forest runoff. Those living along the coast are in for a bit of a thrill ride with sea waves potentially rising to daredevil heights of over 3 meters due to the playful antics of Mother Nature. The TMD has pulled back the curtain on a 24-hour weather forecast, unveiling a tale of winds—a battle of easterlies and southeasterlies pulling in moisture from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, now losing some of their earlier swagger over upper Thailand. Meanwhile, a new entrant, a westerly wind wave, is making its way through the northern territories,…
In the heart of Thailand’s vibrant tourism landscape, a silent storm brews. The whispers among insiders in this sprawling industry have grown louder, echoing apprehensions over the burgeoning interest from overseas investors snapping up hot properties in buzzing locales like Phuket and Bangkok. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, the distinguished head of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), has joined this chorus, signaling his increasing unease. His primary concern gravitates towards Russian property owners who operate under the radar, slyly circumventing legalities by renting out their luxurious abodes on an impromptu basis. In the sprawling urban jungle of Bangkok, a new trend is rearing its head. Both Thai and foreign investors, envisioning dollar signs, are aggressively acquiring entire floors of condominiums, eager to dive into the lucrative pool that is the short-term rental market. Not far behind are the ambitious investors from China, who are tightening their grip on luxurious housing developments, replete with…