The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has initiated a thorough examination scrutinising 20 businesses associated with state construction undertakings. These pertain to projects which were in the long run acquired by firms belonging to Praween Chanklai, colloquially known as Nok. The scrutiny primarily revolves around the establishment of two segments of Highway 375 – one linking Don Toom to Lam Luk Bua in 2017, and the other knitting Lam Luk Bua with Highway 346 in 2021. Initial explorations suggest a possible connivance between Nok’s construction firm and a multitude of other ventures. This unusual alliance seems to have led to irregularities within the bidding process for these state projects. Nok’s business dealings came under the spotlight following his connection with a highly-publicized shooting incident involving highway policeman, Major Sivakorn Saibua. Nok’s company, interestingly, has captured numerous state projects including the likes of road, building and bridge developments, and canal dredging assignments,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the northeastern province of Buriram, Thailand, the deplorable incident of the sexual exploitation of a three-year-old innocent girl at Nong Yai Child Development Centre has shaken the entire community. The suspect in question, Somporn “Noi” Yongram, in his mature years at 59, who held the position of the center’s director, requested plea bargains to escape charges fearing the loss of his pension due for retirement next year. This disgraceful turn of events came into the light when the victim’s mother (referred to as “A” hereafter) reported it to Channel 3. Astonishingly, she was pressurized by a few government departments to discontinue the litigation against Noi owing to his imminent retirement. Given the moral and emotional turpitude, A decided to involve the Pavena Hongsakul Foundation to prevent Noi from dodging his reprehensible actions. Through an interview with Channel 3, she brought her grim situation into public awareness. The articles from…
When the most recently anointed Miss Universe Singapore, Priyanka Annuncia, solemnly pledged her dedication to eradicate human trafficking in Thailand, digital murmurs surfaced amidst Thai netizens. Priyanka was hailed as the latest beauty to claim the 2023 Miss Universe Singapore throne during the final contest at the elegant Amber Lounge nestled in Millenia Walk on a crisp Saturday evening, September 16. Following the esteemed event, she disclosed her vow to combat human trafficking on Thai soil. This gifted young woman, barely into her late twenties, harmonizes her entrepreneurial spirit with her love for personal training. Her intriguing academic journey delves into the realms of Business Law and Criminology, offering her a unique perspective on such matters. Priyanka’s profound wish to rally against human trafficking, particularly in Thailand, lights up her social media pages. Her Instagram handle @bodybypri bares her ardor for this grim issue in an August post. She reveals,…
In a remarkable move towards budget-friendly energy consumption for consumers in Thailand, the national cabinet has endorsed a new proposal made by the Energy Ministry. Upon being given the nod of approval, the ministry, under the guidance of Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, took the initiative to slash electricity tariffs from a charging rate of 4.10 baht per unit to a lowered rate of 3.99 baht. Government spokesperson, Chai Watcharong, confirmed this decision after a recent cabinet meeting. Furthermore, the wheels of this initiative had been set into motion during a cabinet meeting held on the 13th of September. The decision taken then was to mark down the power tariff from 4.45 baht per unit to 4.10 baht per unit, beginning from the subsequent billing cycle. This step was seen as a strategic one to alleviate the financial burden of the consumers in the light of the…
In the wake of intensified joint operations between Thailand and Cambodia, four more Thai nationals, implicated in a notorious scam ring linked to a catastrophic family incident in Samut Prakan, have been apprehended in Poipet. The culprits have been extradited to Thailand to face legal implications. The deportation operation was conducted via the Poipet-Aranyaprathet checkpoint, according to Pol Col Rung Thongmon, the head of Sa Kaeo immigration police. News of their arrest broke on a late Monday evening when Cambodian immigration officials reached out to their Thai counterparts about the impending deportation procedures. They notified Thai law enforcement that they were deporting one Thai male and three Thai females, suspected to be running a phone scam operation based in Cambodia. Earlier in the week, Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn had noted that this nefarious gang had been instrumental in triggering a horrific family tragedy in Samut Prakan,…
Unveiling a landmark initiative set to make a substantial difference in the realm of public health, the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand has declared that treatment centres for drug addicts will be established in government hospitals all across the nation. This declaration was made in the course of a significant seminar focussed on drug prevention and suppression. The seminar was graced with the presence of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew. The pledge to inaugurate rehabilitation centres transpires to reinforce Prime Minister Srettha’s directive to provide adequate and effective help for drug addicts. As an affirmation, Dr. Opas Kankawinpong, a key figure in the Ministry, expounded on the upcoming plans during the insightful seminar. At present, Thailand boasts 42 mini Thanyarak services specifically focussed on treating drug dependency located in state hospitals. In a commendable move, the newly elected government strings together a plan to extend…
Imagine a pyramid-shaped hill, and a landscape adorned with ancient ruins that uncovers the grandeur of Si Thep Historical Park. This striking wonder is located in the northern province of Phetchabun, a corner of the world that carries remnants of history dating back to an incredible 1,700 years. Let’s explore it together. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has recently recognized Si Thep Historical Park as a cultural heritage site, a breaking news shared by Deputy Prime Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan. As the head of a national committee for world heritage protection, he conveyed this exciting information during a function at the historic Bangkok National Museum. The wonder is Thailand’s newest World Heritage site, a sumptuous testament to its rich history and culture. Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich shared that the World Heritage Committee has honored four cultural sites in this prosperous land. The others include Sukhothai Historical Park in Sukhothai province, Ayutthaya…
With the energetic determination of Bangkok’s bustling cityscape in the backdrop, a poised figure stood at the helm of the Pheu Thai Party headquarters. That figure was none other than Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the dynamic and vibrant daughter of the well-regarded former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. Speaking from the podium amid the sound of celebratory merriments ushering in the 16th anniversary of the party, she made a notable announcement. “Should the party choose me to spearhead our further growth, I stand ready to rise to the occasion!” was the rallying call from this prestigious young member of the influential Pheu Thai family. Though the leadership reigns have not yet been transferred, her promise to bring dedication and zeal to the task was clear. It was clear that she was enthusiastic about the prospect, ready to channel her energy for the betterment of the party and the people it serves. With 37…
In the enchanting region of Chiang Rai, Thailand, the International Narcotics Control College (INCC) emerges as a beacon of hope in the battle against drug trafficking. Sharing the lush, historical compound with Thailand’s opium museum, the Hall of Opium, in Chiang Saen district, the INCC is poised to establish itself as a pivotal centre of specialised training for law enforcement agencies and related bodies in the Mekong area. Birthed from a strategic partnership between the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Thailand’s Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the INCC stands as the first institution of its nature in the Mekong region. The UNODC’s representative in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Jeremy Douglas, lauds the establishment as an excellent asset for the ONCB and partner organisations, offering a fresh perspective in responding to drug trafficking. “The INCC will house courses on drug intelligence and analysis, border management,…
In a recent announcement, the office of Julapun Amornvivat, the Deputy Finance Minister, highlighted that an estimated seven million small-scale farmers along with small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are currently deemed eligible for the debt moratorium’s introductory stage. It is projected that this total will be comprised of approximately four million farmers engaged in small-scale activities and three million established SMEs. While disclosing this information, the Deputy Finance Minister abstained from revealing detailed specifics regarding the suspension of debt, revealing that the scale and limitations of this initiative will largely be determined by the government’s fiscal responsibility towards state financial institution interest payments. Amornvivat stated, “Debt relief will be offered to small-scale farmers and SMEs without the need for demonstrating any hardship.” More details of the scheme are anticipated in the upcoming fortnight. The plan is anticipated to be presented at a Cabinet meeting scheduled for the beginning of next…