Imagine a tranquil oasis nestled in the arms of the Gulf of Thailand; Surat Thani’s Koh Taen, a gem in the seascape of Koh Samui district, is at the heart of a bubbling controversy that has the local community and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) at odds. As the sun rose yesterday, the air was thick with anticipation as locals, led by the spirited Thanakom Ruenpanich of the Rak Koh Taen Club, rallied together. With determination in their steps, they carried a petition, a beacon of their collective hope, to Kampanat Klinsaowakon, the district chief. Their message was clear and resonant: a fervent plea to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to halt the inclusion of their beloved island and its surrounding serenity in the newly proposed Hat Khanom-Mu Koh Thale Tai National Park. Koh Taen is no ordinary island. Its roots are deep, with a vibrant…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine strolling down the sun-drenched streets of Thailand’s most beloved destinations – Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, and Chon Buri – where the vibrant pulse of tourism beats the strongest. Yet, beneath the surface of these bustling tourist havens lies a complex web of business operations that has caught the eye of Thailand’s Business Development Department. Auramon Supthaweethum, spearheading the department, has unveiled a fascinating labyrinth of over 400 companies tapping into the lucrative vein of tourism through an intriguing method – the use of nominees. In an operation that seems straight out of a detective novel, the department’s eagle-eyed staff embarked on a mission to unearth firms potentially cloaking foreign enterprises under local guises. Focused like lasers on the hospitality cosmos – that galaxy comprising starry-eyed tour guides, mouth-watering restaurants, adventurous car rental services, cozy hotels, and the broad expanse of real estate – they dived deep. And…
In the heart of Thailand, an ambitious plan is brewing, not just any plan, but one that could very well change the face of the nation’s healthcare and economic landscape. Spearheaded by the National Committee on Drug System Development, Thailand is on the cusp of a pharmaceutical revolution, aiming to wean itself off the dependence on imported medicines and leap into the future with its own, innovatively manufactured domestic drugs. Imagine, if you will, a future where Thailand is not just a paradise of breathtaking beaches and mouthwatering cuisine, but also a powerhouse of pharmaceutical innovation. Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, a visionary in his own right, chaired a groundbreaking committee meeting, akin to the Knights of the Round Table, but for healthcare. In a move that signaled Thailand’s bold steps towards self-reliance, the committee unfurled plans to invest a staggering sum of over 10 billion baht (that’s a lot…
Imagine a picturesque region where the serene beauty of Chumphon and Ranong beckons both locals and tourists alike. This tranquil setting, however, is at the heart of a burgeoning controversy that has ruffled more than just a few feathers. Enter the scene: conservation groups armed with nothing but their conviction and a letter, standing at the brink of a battle against a titan – the government’s much-debated Land Bridge project. The air was thick with anticipation as representatives from the formidable alliance of the Chumphon-Ranong Conservation Group and the spirited Rak Phato Network made their way to the House of Representatives. Their mission was clear – to hand over a letter to not one, but four stalwart committees. These weren’t just any committees, mind you, but the guardians of national security, environmental preservation, political development, and the ever-critical watchdogs against corruption. Their letter was not just a mere collection of…
Imagine stepping into a world where time stands still, a place where the past whispers to you through the breeze that ruffles the leaves of ancient trees and the cobblestone paths beneath your feet tell tales of centuries gone by. Such is the allure awaiting in the southern province of Songkhla, Thailand, where a quartet of historic town clusters has recently been spotlighted for their exceptional cultural heritage. In a move that could forever change the landscape of global heritage recognition, these mesmerizing enclaves have been recommended for inclusion in Unesco’s esteemed list of potential new World Heritage sites. Under the discerning eye of Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, who presided over the pivotal committee meeting, it was agreed that these clusters, each a mosaic of communities and sites bonded by the life-giving waters of Songkhla Lake, deserved to step into the limelight. Picture…
Imagine this: The relentless journalist and indefatigable community hero, Chutima Sidasathian, stood confidently, a beacon of hope and resilience amidst an ocean of supporters. This was no ordinary Wednesday outside the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court. It was the day justice sang a song of freedom for Chutima, acquitting her of three daunting charges of criminal defamation in a spectacle that had gripped the nation’s attention. The stage for this courtroom drama was set by none other than a local mayor from Nakhon Ratchasima, who saw his questionable dealings brought to light by Chutima’s fearless reporting. This was not your everyday gossip; this was about exposing alleged shady transactions tied to the Village Fund programme’s microcredit lending, facilitated through the corridors of the state-owned Government Savings Bank (GSB) and laid bare for the world to see on the grand stage of Facebook in the early months of 2022. Enter the antagonist,…
In the endlessly vibrant and bustling streets of Bangkok, an incident unfolded early Monday morning that seemed straight out of a movie – only it was all too real. It involved an eclectic mix of characters: two Filipino nationals, six Thai transgenders, and a mysterious figure known as “Mr. Champ”. The backdrop? The neon-lit Sukhumvit Soi 11/1, a place where every night tells a different story. The drama began when police were called to a scene that looked more like a choreographed dance gone wrong. A total of 20 individuals were locked in a melee, sparking intrigue and confusion. At the heart of this tumult were two Filipinos, whose night out took a turn for the worse, leading them into an unexpected confrontation. Pol Maj Gen Withawat Shinkham, a name that commands respect in the Metropolitan Police Division 5, detailed the incident with the precision of a seasoned storyteller. The…
Picture this: an audacious heist straight out of a Hollywood caper, but instead of diamonds or priceless artworks, the loot, bizarrely, involves 87 wild animals, including the oh-so-adorable and Instagram-famous red panda. The masterminds behind this audacious operation? Six Indian nationals who found their cunning plan unravel at Bangkok’s bustling Suvarnabhumi airport. The scene, ripe for a dramatic score, unfolded as the individuals attempted to smuggle these creatures right out of the land of smiles, Thailand, and into the bustling streets of Mumbai aboard a Thai Airways International flight. The plot thickened when the sharp eyes of customs officers noticed something amiss, not with a cloak-and-dagger signal but with the modern-day wizardry of an X-ray machine reading. The images on the screen didn’t show the usual suspects of suitcases stuffed with clothes but hinted at a trove of wildlife treasures. Enter the heroes: officials from the Department of Natural Resources,…
Picture this: a sprawling site alive with the vibrant hues of exotic flowers, the gentle hum of industrious eco-friendly technologies, and an air of excitement as the world converges on Thailand for the 2029 International Horticultural Expo, affectionately dubbed the Korat Expo 2029. This isn’t just an event; it’s a vision of the future, an eco-utopia brought to life in the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, set to dazzle up to 4 million visitors from November 10, 2029, to February 28, 2030. The stage for this green marvel was set in an international bidding war, a tale of ambition and eco-passion, where 32 member countries threw their hats into the ring. But it was Thailand, with its blend of cultural richness, agricultural acumen, and vibrant biodiversity, that won the day. A team of Thai visionaries, representing the crème de la crème of the nation’s ministries and bureaus, journeyed to Doha, Qatar,…
On a bright Wednesday morning, amidst the hum of anticipation, Kriengkrai Thiennukul, the distinguished chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), took the helm at the JSCCIB meeting. With a keen eye on the horizon of Thailand’s economic landscape, Thiennukul shared insights that painted a picture of cautious optimism mingled with a dash of concern. The Thai economy, akin to a boat navigating the choppy waters of global market trends, finds itself facing headwinds that could temper its journey forward. Among these, the ebb in the flow of exports and a tourism sector that’s dancing to a slower rhythm than anticipated play leading roles. It’s a time when the allure of foreign shores isn’t quite beckoning to travelers as it once did, particularly to our friends from China, who now find a certain charm in exploring the treasures within their own borders. Indeed, the number of Chinese tourists gracing…