A passionate civil society group is gearing up to present an ambitious bill to parliament, aimed at turbocharging climate action while safeguarding the rights of local communities to their invaluable natural resources. Kritsada Boonchai, the spirited coordinator of Thai Climate Justice for All, revealed that this draft law—an unprecedented initiative for the group—seeks to enhance the global effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions. “The battle against climate change is currently trudging at a snail’s pace,” lamented Mr. Kritsada. “Our bill, however, targets achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 instead of 2050, and net zero emissions by 2065 rather than the same year. It’s grounded in the fundamental global principles of human rights.” Mr. Kritsada emphasized that accelerated climate goals are within reach if the government swiftly phases out fossil fuel consumption, ramps up renewable energy production, and encourages a shift from single-crop plantations to eco-agriculture. “Such measures are critical in slashing…
Posts published in “Thailand”
On a fateful Saturday night, a blaze erupted in an age-old, half-concrete, half-wooden house previously owned by General Chatichai Choonhavan. This historic abode, now home to Tisana Choonhavan, an MP for Bangkok under the Move Forward Party (MFP), faced a swift but intense fire. Thankfully, the flames, which caused significant damage to approximately half of the building, were promptly extinguished within thirty minutes, with no injuries or fatalities reported. This was confirmed by Pol Capt Chirasak Bunyuennan, the deputy chief investigator at Phaya Thai police station. According to Pol Capt Chirasak, the fire ignited in the innermost section of the house, likely due to a short circuit. He mentioned that the charred structure was one among several buildings located on an expansive 8-rai plot on Soi Ratchakhru, off Phahon Yothin Road, in the Phaya Thai district. The legacy of the house was significant; it had been handed down from Gen…
The Interior Ministry is planning to request from the cabinet an extension on the current operation fee waiver for hoteliers for an additional two years, aiming to further assist the tourism sector’s resurgence, according to spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul. The proposed regulation would extend the exemption of the 40-baht-per-room annual fee for hotel operators from July 1 of this year through June 30, 2026. Presently, the hospitality industry encompasses 677,493 rooms, which implies that continuing this measure will cost the government around 54 million baht over the next two years, Ms. Traisuree noted. She emphasized that this proposal aligns seamlessly with the government’s broader agenda to bolster the tourism industry’s recovery. This strategy encompasses both attracting more tourists and alleviating existing financial burdens on hotel operators. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has directed the agencies under his jurisdiction to explore viable measures to support this initiative, she added. The foresight of the…
Imagine soaring to the stars from a classroom seat! That’s exactly what happened for two exceptional students from Rayong, Thailand, who recently snagged the prestigious Kibo-ABC Award with their out-of-this-world project for the Asian Try-Zero G 2023 programme. This saga of scientific ambition and youthful curiosity unfolded when their experiment was broadcast from Japan’s Kibo module at the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this year. Chularat Tanprasert, the eloquent Executive Vice-President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), was gleaming with pride as she announced the triumph. The winning project, catchy named “Starfish Exercise for Microgravity,” was the brainchild of Wanwalee Channgam and Phuttima Prakobchart. These two bright Mathayom Suksa 6 (Year 12) students from Rayongwittayakorn School went above and beyond in conceptualizing a space exercise that was not only motion-capture-worthy but also groundbreaking in its potential health benefits for astronauts. So, what exactly did these youthful masterminds…
Thailand’s economy has found itself in a quagmire, and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva believes that a simple injection of funds, such as the current government’s 500-billion-baht digital money handout scheme, won’t be the panacea it hopes to be. In a riveting interview with the Bangkok Post, Abhisit stresses the necessity of restructuring laws that obstruct the development of modern, green businesses—a strategy he deems essential for revitalizing the sluggish economy. Legal challenges are major roadblocks for Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s endeavors to lure top-tier international companies to Thailand. Abhisit isn’t shy about critiquing Srettha’s performance. Despite Srettha’s global business meetings, the tangible outcomes have fallen short of expectations. International investors are antsy about Thailand’s absence of essential laws, regulations, and technologies needed for modern business ventures. According to Abhisit, the government has yet to articulate a clear business direction, and the administration’s focus on low-growth sectors isn’t helping. Coupled…
Surat Thani: In a curious turn of events on the sun-soaked island of Koh Phangan, a French national found himself in hot water, legally speaking. The individual, identified as Evariste Douabou Koudoukouho, 39, who purportedly took on the mantle of a religious leader, was apprehended this past Sunday. His crime? Staying in Thailand way past the expiration date of his visa. The saga unfolded with police receiving reports about a foreigner loitering around a mosque in tambon Ban Tai. The man wasn’t just loitering; he was allegedly inviting locals to partake in religious activities, perhaps preaching devotion with a rather expired 30-day tourist visa in his back pocket. The tourism police, tasked with investigating the situation, soon found themselves face-to-face with Koudoukouho, a man who perfectly matched the description provided in the complaint. When officers requested to see his passport, things quickly took a turn for the comical yet grave.…
TRANG: The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) has launched a thorough investigation into a tragic incident involving a 14-year-old boy who succumbed to an electric shock from a water dispenser at a school in Kantang district. The fateful event unfolded around noon on Friday, coinciding with the school’s sports day. The young victim has been identified as Grade 8 student, Wayu. The local media outlet Trang Today reported that the incident occurred amidst heavy rainfall when a teacher instructed Wayu to power down the water dispenser. However, school authorities later contradicted this, claiming the dispenser had been out of use. A witness recounts that Wayu and a friend were walking near the water dispenser when Wayu suddenly collapsed. The friend, in a brave attempt to assist, also received a shock but managed to recover and alerted the teachers for help. Tragically, attempts to save him were futile, despite efforts…
The legal whirlwind surrounding Chanin Yensudchai, a pivotal figure in the startling Stark Corporation embezzlement scandal, took an intriguing turn on Sunday. His lawyer, Ruangsak Suksiangsri, firmly dismissed swirling rumors that Chanin had funneled over 8 billion baht abroad. This revelation follows Chanin’s unexpected return to Thailand from the United Arab Emirates after an eight-month absence. Mr. Ruangsak clarified that his client was not apprehended upon his arrival. Instead, it was Chanin, the erstwhile CEO of Stark, who proactively reached out to Thai authorities to facilitate his return and confront the allegations head-on. The lawyer highlighted that the sudden return had left them unprepared for a bail application, raising concerns about potential denial, given the history of similar cases involving other suspects. Adding a layer of intrigue, Mr. Ruangsak cited Mr. Chanin’s family, who claimed he fled out of fear for his life. Yet, the details of these supposed threats…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin Pushes for High-Speed Railway to Transform Eastern Economic Corridor
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin Pushes for High-Speed Railway to Transform Eastern Economic Corridor
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, with a keen eye and a determined stride, leaned in to absorb every detail during a briefing on the development of U-Tapao airport. This airport is a critical node in the ambitious high-speed railway project set to unify three premier airports. The briefing took place in the picturesque Rayong province, a sunny Sunday backdrop adding a touch of charm. (Photo: Government House) Fasten your seatbelts, folks! RAYONG is the name on everyone’s lips. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is gearing up to champion a high-speed railway project that promises to link the region’s essential airports. His mission? To transform the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) from a promising blueprint into a pulsating engine of economic activity. Expect some good news about the railway project next month, as he hopes to breathe life into this long-overdue venture. During his visit to the aviation hub of U-Tapao airport in Ban…
One of the more heartwarming and intriguing stories recently shared on the Reddit social network revolves around a user’s endeavor to reunite his father with a long-lost love. This tale takes us back to the tumultuous era of the Vietnam War, and more specifically, to the serene yet remote northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom in Thailand. Last week, a Reddit user detailed how his father, an American, spent time near Nakhon Phanom between 1968 and 1971. He shared that during this period, his father had a romantic relationship with a Thai woman endearingly referred to as “Oi.” The user’s heartfelt post hinted at a tale of love interrupted by circumstances beyond their control, and it painted a vivid picture of a young American soldier deeply smitten by his Thai companion. The user nostalgically described growing up in a home where his father’s poignant memories of Oi were ever-present. “My dad…