A whirlwind of controversy surrounds the investigation into whether former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has genuinely served his prison sentence. The Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Persons Holding Political Positions has rolled into action, launching a probe to dig into this pressing question. This follows a recent legal hoopla, where ex-Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak’s petition was rejected due to him not being directly affected by the case. However, this has not deterred the court from flexing its authoritative muscle to unravel the truth behind Thaksin’s so-called prison stint. The court has tasked the governor of Bangkok Remand Prison, the director-general of the Department of Corrections, and the director-general of Police General Hospital with the responsibility of clarifying Thaksin’s prison accommodations. You see, the crux of the matter sits snugly in the debate whether Thaksin’s brief pit stop at Police General Hospital and his subsequent parole can rightfully be…
Posts published in “Thailand”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the charismatic leader of the People’s Party (PP), took center stage at a lively discussion hosted by his party. With a glint of determination in his eyes, he addressed a gathering of impassioned supporters, economists, and political aficionados, navigating the intricate labyrinth that is Thailand’s economy amidst swirling global and domestic challenges. Meanwhile, behind the scenes of Thailand’s political theater looms a contentious issue that could alter the very fabric of the nation’s educational landscape. The People’s Party, ever the sentinel of justice, has beckoned the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation to wield the sword of scrutiny upon international study programs suspected of facilitating the clandestine entry of Chinese nationals on student visas. These individuals, accused of weaving their way into the tapestry of Thailand’s workforce, allegedly toil…
In the heart of Nakhon Nayok, a fiery spectacle unfolded last evening at the Rong Kluea Market, a vibrant hub known for its bustling commerce. As the clock chimed 10pm on April 30, the tranquil night was shattered by reports of flames dancing hungrily at a shoe warehouse, casting an eerie glow over the Sarika subdistrict. Responding with the urgency befitting such events, the courageous officers from the Mueang Nakhon Nayok district sprang into action, joining forces with emergency services and sending fire trucks roaring toward the scene. At the heart of this inferno lay a shoe warehouse, its soles and goods succumbing to the crackling blaze, threatening the contiguous shops with fiery fingers of destruction. In a remarkable display of community spirit, residents and shopkeepers banded together, forming a determined line of defense against the advancing flames. Their collective effort bore fruit, and they heroically confined the fire within…
In a tale that could rival the most thrilling of crime novels, a 43-year-old man has finally been captured after a daring 11-year run, eluding the grasp of justice until he unwittingly led authorities right to his bedside in a Songkhla hospital. The scene of his long-overdue arrest was none other than the tranquil Kho Hong subdistrict in the bustling Hat Yai district, marking the end of a manhunt that began with a warrant from Thung Song Provincial Court issued way back on December 17, 2014. This engrossing drama unfolded over a decade prior, on January 6, 2005, amidst the serene backdrop of Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Surasak, with dreams of a simpler life guiding his tractor along the roadside in Ban Lam Nao subdistrict, found his peace shattered by Decha, a fuel truck driver. With a vehicle larger than life and a horn to match, Decha blasted through the…
In a significant stride towards bolstering trade with China, Bangkok Bank has unveiled a swift new way to transfer Chinese yuan, turning the gears smoothly for businesses eager to tap into the bustling Sino-Thai trade lane. Pipat Assawamongkol, the astute assistant manager at Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, proclaimed that this latest service now accommodates faster yuan transfers. This innovation is courtesy of an all-important endorsement from China’s central bank, permitting the use of the CIPS—or the snappily named Cross-border Interbank Payment System. With this system, Bangkok Bank can conduct unhindered, direct transfers to fellow CIPS member banks. This not only scrubs away the cumbersome need for intermediary banks but also trims the fat off the expenses typically dragging down importers and exporters. The ripple effect is a boon for cash management efficiency, while swinging open doors to wider global trade opportunities. Thus, the bank cements its standing as a…
Imagine a future where the gentle roar of the Mekong River is punctuated by the hum of a massive construction project—a dam, standing as both a marvel and a potential menace. Recently, the undercurrents of a diplomatic dance between Thailand and Laos have surfaced in the form of the Sanakham Dam proposal. Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, who doubles as a deputy prime minister and the stalwart chairman of the National Mekong Committee, has sounded the alarm on this ambitious venture. In a recent unfolding that could rival the plot of an environmental thriller, concerns over this dam’s potential shadow loom large, casting doubts especially on its location—just a mere two kilometers from the Thai frontier. The Thai government, armed with a dossier of concerns, has made a formal overture to their Laotian counterparts, urging them to rethink their geographical strategy before the first shovel breaks ground.…
The political landscape in Thailand has recently been stirred by a captivating drama involving the People’s Party (PP) and some eyebrow-raising allegations. At the heart of this storm is the PP’s call to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, seeking a thorough investigation into some rather intriguing international study programs. These programs, primarily involving Chinese nationals, have come under suspicion for allegedly facilitating student visas—supposedly a cover for illegal work activities across the nation. Leading the charge is Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the ever-vigilant deputy leader of the PP. He’s not one to mince his words, and he’s pointing fingers at a practice he describes in no uncertain terms as the “zero-dollar” business model. For those unacquainted, this model is essentially a ruse, designed to produce no tangible income for Thailand or its local business partners. It’s a tactic that’s been linked with foreign operators—most notably, Chinese—who’ve now expanded…
Marking this year’s Labour Day with a fervent call to action, a coalition of labour groups has rolled out an impressive roster of demands aimed at amplifying the voices and rights of workers everywhere. At the heart of these pleas, there’s a resounding insistence on the establishment of a risk insurance fund, a move seen as pivotal in safeguarding employees from unfair dismissals and ensuring they receive their rightful severance packages. This initiative, championed by Panus Thailuan, the esteemed president of the National Congress of Thai Labour, seeks to offer a lifeline to workers caught in the treacherous waters of abrupt business closures. Panus underscores the gravity of this demand with the haunting reminder of Yarnapund Public Co Ltd, a notorious case where employees were left high and dry, owed a staggering 400 million baht in severance pay. The proposed fund, Panus suggests, could be brought to fruition by tweaking…
Amidst the rubble and rumors swirling from the March 28 collapse of the State Audit Office’s (SAO) brand new headquarters in Thailand, Auditor-General Monthien Charoenpol finds himself in an unusual hot seat. Fresh off a four-hour grilling session with the House committee on corruption and misconduct prevention and suppression, Monthien is not just defending his choice of high-ticket furnishings meant for the now-crumpled edifice—he’s also untangling the misunderstandings enveloping these luxury items. Let’s set the record straight, shall we? Visionaries were employed to craft the architectural dreams and designs needed for the SAO’s new home. Their blueprints included detailed specifications for the dazzling equipment and furnishings intended to elevate each floor. But hold your horses—while the vision sparkled on paper, the dream was tragically cut short by an unexpected earthquake rumbling far away in Myanmar, causing the building’s premature demise. Until then, these furnishings were yet to make their physical…
In what is quickly becoming a political hot potato, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has called out the Prachin Buri Provincial Administration for what he describes as an “inappropriate” appointment of a Chinese adviser. The move has sparked a flurry of online debates, prompting Mr. Anutin, who doubles as the Interior Minister, to issue a public apology—a gesture aimed at assuaging the swirling suspicion that foreign interests might be quietly weaving their way into local governance. To set the stage: Mr. Anutin received word about the controversial appointment of Zhu Juncheng, a Chinese national, as an adviser to Prachin Buri’s provincial governor, Weerapun Dee-on. The appointment, dated April 21, was thrust into the spotlight when CSI LA’s Facebook page shared it, igniting speculation on the propriety of allowing a foreign national so close to the proverbial wheelhouse. As this intrigue percolated online, Mr. Anutin sought to quash any insinuations of…