The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has made a firm decision not to prolong the public hearing for its fourth city plan revision. Despite fervent appeals from various quarters, BMA asserts that Bangkok’s residents from all six district groups have already voiced their opinions. The revised plan is slated to come into effect towards the end of next year. The proposed fourth draft of BMA’s Bangkok City Plan has garnered significant criticism from numerous civil society organizations. Critics argue that the plan falls woefully short in addressing the capital’s enduring problems, including the perennial traffic jams, inadequate water management, and the dearth of affordable living spaces. Furthermore, they claim that public consultation has been sorely lacking throughout the process. Deputy Bangkok Governor Wisanu Subsompon has highlighted that the primary concerns raised by Bangkokians revolve around changes to the city’s color-coded zoning, rules surrounding land expropriation, and the insufficient provision of open…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The corridors of power buzzed with anticipation as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, newly elected prime minister, announced on Monday that the line-up for the new cabinet had been finalized. With a thorough vetting process ensuring the qualifications of all 35 candidates, she confidently shared that the finalized list would be submitted for royal endorsement by the end of the week. Ms Shinawatra was elected by the House of Representatives on Aug 16, marking a dynamic change in leadership. This came after the dramatic exit of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, who faced dismissal by the Constitutional Court over a “gross ethics violation” concerning his controversial appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a former convict, as a minister in the PM’s Office. With Ms. Shinawatra at the helm, the political landscape is poised for transformation. In a seamless blend of tradition and renewal, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed that if the line-up receives royal…
The resplendent Thi Lo Su waterfall in Thailand’s Tak province recently reopened its doors to nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. After a two-month respite to allow Mother Nature her due time to recover, this breathtaking haven welcomed its first group of tourists on Sunday. At the helm of the reopening ceremony was Manot Poniam, the diligent chief of Umphang district. With a flourish, he sent off eager tourists aboard inflatable rafts, their eyes wide with anticipation as they embarked on a journey through the heart of the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. Amid the joyous festivities, a word of caution came from Amnat Fongchai, the astute director of Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. Due to the rugged terrain and the delicate dance of the soft soil along the 25-kilometre route, only four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed to navigate the treacherous path to the falls. Details on how far other vehicles may venture into this…
In a recent turn of events, a motion in the Senate, which aimed to probe a Constitutional Court judge over his controversial remarks about the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP), was effectively dismissed on Monday. The motion, originally introduced by Senator Nanthana Nanthawarophas, focused on a comment made by Constitutional Court Judge Udom Sittiwirattham during a seminar last week. The judge’s remarks pertained to the disbanded Move Forward Party and its newly emerged counterpart, the People’s Party (PP). During the seminar, Judge Udom half-jokingly suggested that the MFP’s dissolution might not necessarily spell doom, considering the recent, highly successful fundraising efforts by its successor, the PP. In just a few days, the new faction managed to amass millions of baht, a fact that the judge highlighted. Nonetheless, this lighthearted comment did not sit well with Sen Nanthana. She argued that the judge’s remarks were mockingly inappropriate and called…
After a refreshing two-month hiatus, the beloved Thi Lo Su waterfall in Tak has once again opened its arms to eager visitors. This closure allowed the breathtaking natural wonder to rejuvenate and restore its untouched beauty. Leading the opening ceremony, Manot Poniam, the chief of Umphang district, proudly waved off the first batch of tourists who embarked towards the renowned falls via inflatable boats, setting off an adventure in the heart of the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. In a move to safeguard the pristine environment and ensure visitor safety, Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary’s director, Amnat Fongchai, announced that only four-wheel-drive vehicles will be permitted to tackle the rugged, 25-kilometer journey to the waterfall. The challenging route, characterized by its soft soil, demands vehicles equipped to handle tough terrains. He reassured that further guidelines regarding the access of other vehicles would soon follow, ensuring that all plans prioritize the preservation of the sanctuary.…
The Senate was abuzz on Monday as a motion calling for an investigation into a Constitutional Court judge’s remarks was humorously yet contentiously dismissed. Senator Nanthana Nanthawarophas had earlier raised the motion, demanding a probe into Constitutional Court Judge Udom Sittiwirattham’s comments about the now-obsolete Move Forward Party (MFP) and its reborn version, the People’s Party (PP). During a seminar last week, the judge had wryly remarked that dissolving the MFP might not be entirely negative, pointing to the impressive fundraising efforts of its successor, the PP, which shockingly amassed millions of baht within just a few days. This comment, while half-joking, was enough to ignite a political firestorm. Sen Nanthana argued that Judge Udom’s comments were not just jest; they were a sign of disrespect and impropriety. She insisted that the judge’s behavior was unbecoming and warranted an ethical investigation. Thus, she called upon her colleagues in the Senate…
The enchanting Thi Lo Su waterfall in Tak has made a grand reopening this past Sunday, after a two-month hiatus designed to let this natural wonder refresh and rejuvenate. The event was spearheaded by Manot Poniam, the dedicated chief of Umphang district, who ceremoniously launched the first wave of eager tourists in an inflatable boat, setting them on an exhilarating journey to the waterfall nestled within the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. With an eye on preserving this slice of paradise, Amnat Fongchai, the director of Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, unveiled new measures to protect the area. Due to the treacherous terrain and soft soil along the 25-kilometer route, only four-wheel-drive vehicles are granted access to the waterfall. This approach ensures the safety of visitors while reducing wear and tear on the natural landscape. Mr. Amnat indicated that further announcements on vehicle access would be forthcoming, ensuring a balance between nature conservation and…
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) proudly hosted an engaging and insightful event dedicated to unveiling the comprehensive assessment report and detailed recommendations from the “Reinforcing Thailand’s Anti-Corruption Framework” project. This ambitious initiative forms part of the Country Programme Phase 2, a collaboration between the Government of Thailand and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Held on a significant date, 30th August 2024, at the prestigious The Okura Prestige Hotel in Bangkok, the gathering aimed to spotlight key findings while outlining strategic actions required to enhance Thailand’s anti-corruption mechanisms, aligning them with esteemed OECD standards. The grand opening ceremony was marked by thought-provoking remarks from Pol. Gen. Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, the esteemed President of the NACC, and Ms. Elodie Beth, the highly-regarded Senior Manager of Global Relations within the Anti-Corruption Division at OECD. They emphasized the creation and implementation of this vital project, which has been in the works since…
Minor International Public Company Limited (MINT) is thrilled to announce a milestone achievement in its hotel expansion strategy with its inaugural entry into Singapore—a bustling metropolis and pivotal Asian gateway. This landmark move comes through a collaborative partnership with Kajima Development Pte. Ltd. (“Kajima”) and Alwathba Investment LLC (“Alwathba”), paving the way for a lifestyle hotel in the heart of Singapore, adjacent to the Central Business District (CBD) and Chinatown. Forging this path, MINT, Kajima, and Alwathba leverage their longstanding partnerships, spanning projects across Thailand and beyond. Once the transaction is finalized, the ownership of the hotel will be split among Kajima (50%), MINT (25%), and Alwathba (25%). Marking MINT’s debut in Singapore’s hospitality arena, the plan is to develop a 13-story hotel with 200 keys at 24 Peck Seah Street, a prime location near Tanjong Pagar MRT. The hotel proudly carries the “Avani” brand, making its maiden appearance in…
Dataxet has just unveiled DXT360 Essential, an ingenious dashboard designed to revolutionize brand tracking. Imagine having real-time insights from TV, radio, print, websites, and social media, all at your fingertips! This breakthrough platform offers marketing professionals a swift and comprehensive way to monitor and analyze brand mentions, turbocharging their strategy planning and decision-making processes in the fast-paced digital era. Dataxet Limited, renowned for its media intelligence prowess and leading the news agency pack in Thailand, has crafted DXT360 Essential to untangle the often messy web of data collection and analysis. This innovation squarely targets the pain points of marketers and PR experts who juggle multiple media sources. The allure of DXT360 Essential lies in its all-encompassing 360-degree news tracking capability. On a single, user-friendly dashboard, it collates brand mentions from a wide array of media—both online and offline. This holistic view enables businesses to keep a close watch on evolving…