On an early Saturday morning, a remarkable scene unfolded outside the Israeli Embassy in the heart of bustling Bangkok. Amidst the rising sunshine and honking traffic, more than 300 Thai Muslims and Palestinians assembled to express their vehement protest and condemnation of the current events in the Gaza Strip. Their voices, strong and unwavering, rose above the city noise to lambaste both Israel and the United States for the continuing violence. The eclectic crowd of protestors, inclusive of Thai Muslims from the southernmost provinces along with Palestinian residents in the Land of Smiles, convened on the doorstep of the towering embassy building on Sukhumvit Soi 21 in the Watthana district of the metropolis. The anticipated protest kicked off as clock struck 9.30 am following last night’s bombardment in the Gaza Strip. Around the area, a noticeable police presence was coordinated with a legion of officers appointed to ensure the protest…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the tranquil pre-dawn hours, the serenity of Tak Bai, a southern border territory of Narathiwat, was shattered by suspected insurgents. Assaults coordinated with haunting precision unfolded, echoing through the quiet district, forever etching this day in the annals of history. According to the police, a makeshift bomb concealed within a fire extinguisher’s shell, a common vestige of domesticity turned deadly weapon in this instance, wreaked havoc on a local gold shop’s facade in Chehe, a tambon nestled within the district. Pol Lt Col Jarukit Sridech, the acting chief of the Tak Bai station who was roused from his sleep at 1.30am by the distress call, confirmed that the explosion’s devastating effects were isolated to property alone – a fortunate outcome in an otherwise gut-wrenching episode. An as-yet-identified group of gunmen took advantage of the ensuing chaos, directing gunfire towards a nearby security checkpoint, distance barely fifty meters from the…
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has once again emerged into the limelight, this time issuing an urgent advisory to farmers. A renewed outbreak of the dangerous bacterial infectious disease known as Melioidosis, or Whitmore’s disease, has gravely claimed the lives of approximately 10 farmers in the provinces of Buri Ram, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Songkhla. Being comparable to an unseen enemy in a spy thriller, Melioidosis is a cunning and deceptive illness, caused by the stealthy Burkholderia pseudomallei, or B. pseudomallei fungus. This elusive perpetrator has often been exposed hiding in contaminated soil, water, rice paddles, and cropping farms. Despite its usual stealth, Melioidosis has shown to have an unexpected Achilles heel: it seems to be heavily active during the springtime. This worrying seasonal pattern has raised much worry and has stirred up anxiety within medical authorities and communities alike. At the helm of this battle is Dr Taweechai Wisanuyothin,…
Recently, a sting operation by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) led to a significant bust of illicit meat in Bangkok. Following a rigorous investigation, the DSI managed to implicate at least five miscreant companies in this smuggling racket, ultimately leading to three arrests. A triumvirate colloquially known as Manee, Ran, and Mon, now face the ramifications of their illegal endeavours. The triumphant announcement made by the DSI’s investigative team pivoted violently from a dramatic chase in Prawet district, where the sleuths successfully captured the devious duo – Manee and Ran. The narrative then shifted to Lat Prao district, where the final piece of the puzzle, Mon, was nabbed, tying up loose ends of this ill-conceived caper. The executor of this highly intricate and successful crackdown was Witthawat Sukhontharos, the director of the DSI’s intelligence centre. Acting on court-approved warrants issued on October 19, he spearheaded the mission, rightly landing…
Thaksin Shinawarta, the esteemed ex-Prime Minister, was all waves and smiles as he touched down at Don Mueang Airport back on August 22nd, a sight that was a cause of jubilation for his loyal supporters (Photo Credit: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill). Little did the world know, a more challenging episode lay ahead of him. Despite his incarceration, Thaksin, affectionately known as “Thaksin the Great” by his followers, will continue to avail medical treatment at the Police General Hospital, courtesy of an extension bestowed by the stalwart head of the Department of Corrections. The 60-day out-of-prison reprieve that came into effect on Saturday was consequently extended based on the precipitant doctor’s medical advice, as indicated by a public announcement issued by the department’s PR wing on Saturday evening. Medical professionals stationed at the Bangkok Remand Prison mooted the importance of Thaksin’s prolonged stay at the Police General Hospital for ongoing treatment. The nitty-gritty…
In the scenic province of Kalasin, a transformative event transpired in March 2018 – the fitting of an electronic monitoring bracelet on an inmate, captured in a gripping photo by Yongyuth Phuphuangphet. This seemingly minor event sets the stage for a whirlwind of tension and controversy that ensues. We follow the persistent Srisuwan Janya, a political activist known for his relentless pursuit of justice. Friday saw him at the Justice Ministry’s door, petition in hand, fervently demanding an investigation into the alleged manipulation of bids involving the procurement of outdated electronic monitoring (EM) ankle bracelets. An eyebrow-raising sum of 1.6 billion baht had been dropped on these obsolete contraptions. The snag? The equipment was outdated, an inconvenient relic of past years. The tension builds as we realize the sweeping scale of the potential scandal. The plot thickens when Srisuwan explores the connection between the procurement and the mysterious prison release…
On an unforgettable Saturday, over 300 Thai Muslims alongside Palestinians chose to express their frustrations at the escalating situation in Gaza. As their voices echoed off the walls of the Israeli embassy in Bangkok, their message was loud and clear. They were there to denounce the dual roles of Israel and the United States in the unending bombardment of Gaza and to call out what they labeled as “genocide.” The unique and diverse group of demonstrators, consisting of Muslims hailing from the five southern border provinces and Palestinians residing in Thailand, convened at Ocean Tower II, the address of the Israeli embassy in Watthana district. The human wave of outcry formed at the gates around 9:30 AM, brimming with passionate indignation. Although this passionate protest could’ve spiraled out of control, a battalion of police officers neatly threaded around the perimeter of the building ensured a steady order. Their presence was…
With an unwavering commitment to constant progress, Paul Kanjanapas, the renowned Chief Executive Officer of our esteemed organization, has officially revealed the on-going construction of a Pink Line train extension. This new project, under the auspices of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (referred to colloquially as the MRTA), is currently making headway, with a successful 30% of work already completed. Spanning an impressive 3 kilometers, this extension segment will host two state-of-the-art stations, creatively dubbed MT-01, otherwise known as Muang Thong Thani Station, and MT-02 or Muang Thong Lake Station. Excitingly, these architectural marvels are slated to be fully operational by 2025, welcoming commuters with open arms. Not content with merely creating spaces for transit, Paul Kanjanapas ensures that the journey is just as enjoyable as the destination. As construction workers diligently lay the railway tracks and erect the two stations, the corporate division of Bangkok Land will simultaneously be…
With an ambitious strategy to uplift the tourism sector, an enticing offer has been put forth for travelers from China and Kazakhstan. Valid until the final day of February, this unique initiative aims to draw in visitors for an exciting exploration of Thailand’s treasures over a period of five riveting months. The allure of Thailand has always been palpable with travel enthusiasts worldwide. Nevertheless, the volatile statistics documented from recent months showed fluctuating figures that were somewhat disheartening. As per the available data, 21,568 Chinese explorers graced Thailand in August, 12,556 in September, and the count dipped to 7,828 by mid-October. President Supamitr Kijjapipat of the concerned association hypothesized that a unforeseen tragedy at a bustling mall in Bangkok might have contributed to this downturn. On the ill-fated evening of October 3, a 14-year-old teenager unleashed a horrifying frenzy of bullets in a prestigious shopping mall of Bangkok claiming three…
The global monetary landscape is currently on shifting sands, with growth predictions encountering a slump, predominantly due to weaknesses arising from the Chinese and European economies. Compounded by military conflicts in areas like Gaza and Ukraine, and further amplified by the surge of oil prices, with Brent crude surging past $90 per barrel, the global economy is set for an exciting yet unpredictable ride. But the question stands – Just how robust is our global financial structure? Recent crisis with the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Credit Suisse earlier this year gave a premonitory signal that not everything was rosy. However, timely intervention by the Fed and Swiss authorities helped retrieve the dwindling confidence. Today, despite the prediction of interest rates standing ‘higher for longer’, stock prices across the U.S and Europe are almost 10-12% elevated compared to the starting of the year. The overall financial ambiance is not as…