Imagine a serene Buddhist temple, a haven for meditation and spirituality, basking under the warm sun’s caress. Now, picture two visitors, more attuned to the beach vibes than the tranquil whispers of sacred grounds, laying out their towels and soaking in the golden rays – right in the heart of this holy place. It’s a scene that trigger both astonishment and a touch of mirth, depending on who you are. Into this tableau steps the acting abbot, a monk more accustomed to stillness and scripture than the flashbulb of media attention. Drawing a deep, patient breath, he sought to quell the growing tempest with a gentle voice, recounting the incident with a measured calm. He describes how the sunbathing spectacle, which played out like a comedy of culture clashes, was brief – a fleeting misadventure that evaporated as swiftly as it had appeared. His serene demeanor belied the undercurrent of…
Posts published in “Thailand”
As the sun rose on a bustling Monday, one pivotal individual’s absence was on everybody’s lips. The grand steward of Thailand’s maritime defense, Admiral Adung Phan-iam, was navigating foreign waters on duty. With his return eagerly anticipated on Tuesday, the gears of decision were set to turn with his arrival. “I will meet him after he returns, so the issue can end as soon as possible,” declared Sutin, cloak-and-dagger plans brewing for post-admiral discussion. Sutin’s next chess move? A rendezvous with the Cabinet, once the Office of Attorney-General (OAG) dispatches its precious feedback on the hot-button subject of the submarine project. But last week’s engagement with the OAG seemed to Sutin like a tango where the music stopped abruptly — “it said ‘nothing at all’,” he lamented. Hence waits the Cabinet, ready to spring forth with a definitive resolution. An unexpected twist in our nautical narrative came when Germany, with…
Greetings Globe-trotters and Wanderlust Warriors! Have you heard about Thailand’s latest buzzword in hospitality? It’s “Thais Always Care”, and it’s not just a snappy slogan—it’s the heart and soul of the Siam Experience that’s guaranteed to make your travels as unforgettable as the country’s spicy cuisines. At the helm of this initiative is TAT governor, the visionary Thapanee Kiatphaibool. She’s lighting up the Land of Smiles with an inspiring message: Thailand strives to be the gold standard in hospitality—an unparalled ‘Land of Care.’ This isn’t just about smiles and sunshine; it’s a solemn pledge that when you step onto Thai soil, your well-being becomes the nation’s pride. Imagine stepping into a realm where the warmth of your hosts eclipses the tropical sun—that’s the Thai way! The goal here is grand, folks! TAT isn’t aiming for a pat on the back; they’re targeting eyeballs, and no less than 100 million are…
Imagine this: Amidst the bustling heart of Thailand’s economy, whispers ripple through the corridors of power, and at the epicenter stands Piti Disayatat, the valiant assistant governor charged with steering the financial helm of the Bank of Thailand (BOT). But as the air brims with anticipation, Piti stands firm: there will be no special sessions, not today, not before the scheduled gathering on February 7 concerning the Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) agenda. Why the steadfast resolve, you might ask? Let’s dive into the economic saga that’s got the entire business world on tenterhooks. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a voice of fervent advocacy for the commercial heartbeat of the nation, has issued a clarion call to the BOT to consider the unthinkable—a reduction in the policy interest rate, currently nestled at a snug 2.5% per annum. His reasoning? Negative inflation has been the chafing sock in the economic shoe for three…
Picture this: Thailand’s economy is navigating through waters rougher than a stormy day at Phi Phi Islands, and here comes Piti Disyatat, the Monetary Policy Committee’s secretary of the Bank of Thailand (BOT), surfing the financial waves with a media briefing that was anything but dry. Diving deep into the country’s economic nuances, he lays out the situation with the finesse of a seasoned economist. Now, let’s set the scene – imagine a marketplace bustling with energy but light on the cash flow. That’s where we are. Disyatat gives us the lowdown, revealing that the so-called disinflation, which is like the tide pulling back on high prices, springs from a cushion of government measures. However, don’t pop the champagne just yet. The real demand within Thailand’s borders is more like a calm stream than the River Kwai at full flow when pitted against other competitors. Exports, too, seem to be…
Imagine waking up to a sun-dappled farmland, your hands grazing over golden crops, the very symbol of your hard-earned heritage. For centuries, Thai farmers toiled on their land with love and dedication, yet with no proper deed to call it their own. Alas, the winds of change are rustling through the rice fields of Thailand, thanks to a groundbreaking initiative recently launched by the Pheu Thai Party. Under the dazzling spell of fulfillment, a promise made has transformed into a promise kept. In a heartwarming gesture that has painted smiles on the faces of a thousand farmers, the dashing figure of Thammanat – often seen walking the corridors of power with a decisive gait – along with his equally passionate counterpart, Deputy Agriculture Minister Chaiya Promma, descended upon the enchanting Bangsai Arts and Crafts Centre in the storied province of Ayutthaya. With a grace inherent to those who truly understand…
In the bustling heart of Nonthaburi province, amidst the heat of Thailand’s tropical climes, August 2022 found people from all walks of life queuing with a shared purpose. Their anticipation was palpable as they awaited a booster shot—a beacon of hope in the ongoing battle against Covid-19. (Let’s not forget that captivating picture captured by the lens of Pattarapong Chatpattarasill, which perfectly depicts the scene.) But, what if this very solution—a vaccine thought to shield us from the ravages of the virus—is rumored to have a darker side? Consider the provocative claims made by leading academics: Prof Dr Thiravat Hemachudha from the esteemed Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre at Chulalongkorn University, and Panthep Puapongphan, the visionary dean of the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University. Together, they’ve stirred the pot by heralding that the aftermath of lengthy Covid-19 infections, coupled with the multiple vaccine jabs…
Picture this: a grand chessboard where the pawns and knights are swapped out for trade agreements and economic policies—a strategic game where every carefully planned move could turbo-charge a nation’s prosperity. Welcome to the art of economic diplomacy, a skill that the government, under the keen eye of its spokesman Chai Wacharonke, is masterfully playing. Diving into the heart of the matter with the enthusiasm of a savvy economist, Mr. Chai recently unraveled the fabric of Thailand’s trade tactics. It’s a glowing tapestry, composed of 14 free trade agreements (FTAs) that bind together the fortunes of the Land of Smiles with 18 other countries. But wait—there’s more on the horizon! Eleven more contracts are poised on the negotiation table, each brimming with potential. Let’s roll out the red carpet for the newest member of this illustrious club—Sri Lanka. This gem of an island nation and Thailand have woven their economic…
Imagine a city where the once-clear skyline is now a mere silhouette, shrouded by a seemingly unending grey veil. Bangkok, the vibrant heart of Thailand, renowned for its glittering temples and bustling markets, finds itself enveloped in a haze that stubbornly clings to every corner and spire. As the numbers on the pollution indices inch upward, the city holds its breath – quite literally – as a formidable foe, invisible yet omnipresent, casts a shadow over the metropolis: ultra-fine micropollutants known as PM2.5. The city’s denizens, long accustomed to the rhythm of urban living, received advisories not unlike storm warnings, as experts from the Pollution Control Department projected worsening air quality until the midweek horizon. Diving into the heart of the matter, PCD chieftain Preeyaporn Suwanakate unraveled the mystery behind these unwelcome visitors. The suffocating grip of pollution, it appears, springs from stagnant air that’s lost its way, trapped by…
Picture this: an intrepid group of youthful artists from the tropical climes of Bangkok, unleashing their creative sorcery on the icy canvases of Harbin, China. These aren’t just any typical students—they’re the bright and tireless sculptors from Saowabha Vocational College, whose hands shape not just clay, cement, and ice, but also the future of ‘snow art’. Their journey to the top was frosty but filled with fiery passion, which culminated in their triumphant snagging of the first prize at the prestigious 16th International Collegiate Snow Sculpture Contest. Not too shabby for a nation where snow is a myth, right? Under the vigilant eyes of Sornchai Chanasuk, a sensei of sculpture if there ever was one, these apprentices became masters of the alchemy that turns humble materials into magnificent frosty wonders. “They put in the muscle and the heart—dedicating countless hours from dawn to dusk, chiseling away with barely enough time…