Posts published in “Thailand”

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is on a mission to supercharge Thailand’s economic ties, pledging to enhance cooperation under the Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA). Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke made the announcement after delegates from the Commerce Ministry and the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) participated in the 21st AANZFTA Joint Committee Meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, from May 26-31. With the goal of keeping current markets strong while also seeking new economic partners, Prime Minister Srettha is committed to fostering robust international economic alliances. This initiative aligns with a broader strategy to adapt to global changes and leverage new economic models. The essence of these efforts lies in an expanded AANZFTA, which is set to be launched this year. This upgraded agreement aims to ease trading restrictions, streamline tax measures, and shore up economic cooperation. Such efforts are expected to provide a significant boost to Thailand’s domestic economy, making…

The buzzing metropolis of Bangkok joined forces with the Department of Disease Control (DDC) and various corporate partners to tackle an unwelcome visitor – dengue fever. As climate change paves the way for an expanding mosquito habitat, bringing these disease-carrying pests closer than ever, the city’s guardians are ramping up awareness efforts. To spotlight the menace of dengue fever, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) collaborated with Kao Industrial (Thailand) Co Ltd, Takeda (Thailand) Limited, and others to host a vibrant event named “Dengue Heroes Towards Zero Death”. This noteworthy gathering took place at the iconic Airawat Pattana building within the bustling City Hall complex in Din Daeng on June 15, marking the significance of Asean Dengue Day. Aligning with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ambitious goal of achieving zero dengue-related deaths by 2030, local residents were called upon to adopt preventive measures that could shield their communities from the lurking…

The main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) has prepared an impressive lineup of more than 30 MPs to rigorously debate the budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year during its first reading from Wednesday to Friday. Front and center in this discourse is the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s controversial digital wallet handout scheme. Parit Wacharasindhu, MFP spokesman and party-list MP, announced that each MP is slated to scrutinize the government on a variety of crucial topics, encompassing the economy, politics, and social concerns. Parit voiced his skepticism about the efficacy of the proposed budget allocations, suggesting that they fall short of promising a brighter future for the nation. Despite the significant funding earmarked for the government’s digital wallet handout initiative, he highlighted the potential consequences: a reduction in spending on other vital projects. “The budget appears to be rechanneling financial resources initially reserved for other essential purposes, redirecting them towards…

In a race against the ticking clock, Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), the operator behind the iconic BTS Skytrain, is fervently working to get Bangkok’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system electrified and operational by September 1. This ambitious deadline follows a contract they inked with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on April 30, committing to procure 23 electric buses (EV) and operate them over five years for a comprehensive cost of 478 million baht. The journey from contract to operation is laden with trials, particularly a mandatory one-month testing period for these buses. This stipulation has cast a shadow of uncertainty on whether the vehicles will be road-ready by the looming deadline. Surapong Laoha-Unya, the CEO of BTSC, addressed these concerns, revealing that while they are sourcing bus chassis from China, the final assembly will take place in Thailand. It’s a logistical ballet with multiple steps and any misstep…

In a riveting turn of events that could easily be mistaken for the plot of a maritime thriller, the Marine Police yesterday dispatched boats and officers to recover three elusive vessels that had vanished with a staggering 330,000 liters of contraband diesel. These renegade oil boats were last seen skirting dangerously close to Malaysian waters. According to police sources, they’re expected to dock at the Port of Songkhla today. The curious disappearance occurred from a police pier in Chon Buri on a seemingly ordinary Wednesday. Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, the no-nonsense commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, assured the public that an update on the enthralling chase would be provided today at the Songkhla Marine Police Division headquarters. Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, the deputy commissioner of the CIB, unraveling the mystery bit by bit, shared that these diesel-loaded vessels had embarked on a thrilling journey through Cambodian and…

The Department of Airports (DoA) is turbocharging its efforts on a 941-million-baht project to construct a parallel taxiway at Krabi airport, ensuring it wraps up right on schedule. The project has impressively hit the 76% completion mark! Wittawas Pakdesontiskul, the dynamic DoA deputy director-general, recently rolled up his sleeves for an inspection visit and attended a crucial progress-tracking meeting. This pivotal gathering included representatives from Nawarat Patanakarn Public Co Ltd, the lead contractor; the sophisticated minds at We Engineering Consultants Co Ltd, Integrated Engineering Consultant Co Ltd, and Teamwork Consultant Co Ltd; plus key officials from Krabi airport. This ambitious venture kicked off on October 29, 2020, fueled by a 941-million baht investment. By May 28, the project had impressively reached 76.7% completion. Once the construction phase blitzes to a close, Krabi airport will soar in capacity, accommodating a dazzling 24 flights per hour, a significant leap from its current…

Imagine the enthusiastic buzz at the Swedish Aeroplane Corporation’s headquarters in Stockholm, as they recently hosted reporters from Thailand. Nestled among the innovation and cutting-edge technology, SAAB unveiled their plans to replace Thailand’s ageing F-16 fighter jets with their formidable Gripen E models. This could be a game-changer for Thailand’s air force. During the gripping tour at the House of Gripen, Thai journalists were treated to an exclusive sneak peek into the manufacturing line of the Gripen E/F fighter jet. It’s not every day you get to see such a marvel of modern aviation technology brought to life. The highlight was undoubtedly the Gripen E flight simulator, showcasing the fighter’s state-of-the-art nautical control systems with stunning accuracy. It turns out, the Gripen E/F is Thailand’s preferred choice in their 19-billion-baht quest for new fighter jets, seemingly overshadowing the enduring legacy of the US-made F-16. This revelation came as a source…

Thaksin Shinawatra, the charismatic former prime minister, was surrounded by his ardent supporters as he made his entrance at the Pheu Thai headquarters last March. The scene was electric with enthusiasm, as captured vividly by Varuth Hirunyatheb. As the calendar flips to another critical date, supporters of the red-shirt movement are once again rallying in full force. They are expected to converge at the Criminal Court on Tuesday morning to throw their unwavering support behind Thaksin. The reason? The former prime minister is slated to hear the Office of the Attorney-General’s decision regarding a lese majeste case against him. Yet, despite all the fervor, it appears Thaksin will be notably absent—reports suggest he has been admitted to the hospital once again. The rally was organized despite these swirling rumors, with Worachai Hema, a former Pheu Thai MP for Samut Prakan and a leader of the red-shirt movement, declaring the case…

Critics have accused the Move Forward Party (MFP) of trying to paint itself as a victim of political persecution as it grapples with a case that could lead to its disbandment. Last Sunday, the MFP held a press conference at its headquarters, where it articulated arguments countering the allegations leveled against it in the dissolution case. This move came despite the Constitutional Court’s stern warning that involved parties—namely, the MFP and the Election Commission (EC)—should refrain from sharing opinions on the matter during an ongoing trial. According to the court, such actions could skew public perception and influence the trial’s outcome. During the press conference, the MFP asserted that the court lacks the authority to dissolve the party, and argued that its previous stance on the lese majeste law was irrelevant to the disbandment case. Pita Limjaroenrat, MFP’s chief adviser and former leader, stated that after meticulous study of the…

In the wake of the Senate election, the buzz has swirled around the slew of complaints arising from the seemingly tumultuous process. However, Election Commission chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong has assured the public that the investigations will not put a damper on the scheduled announcement of the final results. With his eye firmly on the finish line, Mr. Ittiporn addressed the media post-Sunday’s provincial-level elections, where the EC tallied 80 complaints ranging from irregularities to outright collusion. “These complaints arrived thick and fast, but we are committed to addressing them expediently,” Mr. Ittiporn remarked, emphasizing the EC’s resolve to uphold justice and fairness in the election process. While 78 of these complaints were district-level grievances, the remaining two were flagged during provincial-level elections. Allegations have surfaced accusing some candidates of being hired to participate, thus flouting election laws. In spite of this, Mr. Ittiporn remains staunch: “Announcing the final results by…