The ongoing saga of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra reads like a political thriller that just won’t fade into obscurity. The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand retains its sharp focus on Thaksin, probing his alleged orchestration of the Pheu Thai Party and the claimed meddling in the coalition government. Despite the Constitutional Court’s recent decision to dismiss a petition accusing Thaksin and the Pheu Thai Party of attempting to dismantle the constitutional monarchy, the EC remains relentless in its investigation. According to Sawang Boonmee, the EC secretary-general, the reason for this persistence lies in the difference between the laws governing the two bodies. Although the court rejected the petition based on its legal perspective, the EC continues its inquiry under distinct legal provisions. The court’s assessment hinged on Section 49 of the Thai constitution, which addresses acts of misconduct and potential threats to the monarchy. However, the EC is…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, along Rama VI Road in Ratchathewi district, there stands a beacon of hope for those in need of medical supplies – the Government Pharmaceutical Organization outlet. This place, always abuzz with the chatter of concerned citizens, has recently found itself at the center of a heated debate that has stirred emotions across Thailand. A spirited civil society group, led by the impassioned voice of Saree Aongsomwang, secretary-general of the Thailand Consumer Council (TCC), is voicing its discontent over a legal tussle that could set back healthcare advancements. The Medical Council of Thailand, in a move as contentious as it is surprising, has launched a legal action against the National Health Security Office (NHSO) over its policy of providing free medicine to those with 16 common ailments under the country’s universal healthcare scheme. The ailments in question are those that can sneak up on us…
Political analysts have their fingers abuzz with chatter, and it seems the tea leaves are signaling an imminent homecoming for Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand’s former Prime Minister turned fugitive. With her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, fanning the flames of anticipation, Yingluck’s potential return is stirring the political cauldron.(Photo: @PouYingluck X account) Thaksin’s intriguing remarks in Udon Thani Province, unveiled by Nikkei Asia, hinted that Yingluck could be back on Thai soil as soon as the Songkran festival in April. The timing couldn’t be more dramatic, evoking an image worthy of a political epic. Her journey back, if realized, would mark a significant turn of events since her disappearance in 2017—a self-imposed exile sparked by a controversial rice-pledging program that left the country short of at least 500 billion baht. Despite a court sentence looming over her like a storm cloud—five years, to be precise—speculation about her return gained ground when the Supreme…
A riveting saga unfolds in Thailand as the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases faces a seismic challenge, involving a land ownership debacle of epic proportions. The controversy has ensnared nine individuals, including Interior permanent secretary Ansit Sampantarat and the Department of Land’s (DoL) director-general, Pornpoth Penpas. At the heart of the turmoil? The sprawling Khao Kradong lands in Buri Ram province, embroiled over a colossal 5,083 rai of contested plots. Natthaporn Toprayoon, once the wise adviser to the Chief Ombudsman, has boldly taken up arms, filing a petition grounded in his constitutional rights as outlined in Chapter 3. The allegations levied are grave: negligence and ethical misconduct, stemming from not executing the court’s directive to annul the contentious Khao Kradong land rights document. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT), like a knight determined to reclaim its rightful kingdom, has accused the Department of Land of erroneously granting…
In the heart of lush green Thailand, an exciting new chapter unfolds as the Royal Forest Department steps up its game with a fresh arsenal of locally-crafted powerhouses. For the first time ever, they’re arming themselves with modern submachine guns, thanks to a groundbreaking collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. This strategic upgrade aims to bolster the safeguarding of an awe-inspiring 32 million rai of precious forest land. Just last week, the department, in a show of camaraderie with the Defence Industry and Energy Centre, marked this milestone with an impressive handover ceremony—a proud lineup of 20 gleaming NIN9 submachine guns. These cutting-edge weapons are a testament to the government’s visionary policy to propel the domestic weapons industry to new heights, ensuring self-reliance in defence weaponry development. The anticipation in the air was palpable as Bannarak Sermthong, the ever-dedicated deputy chief of the department, shared insights on the grand plans…
A wave of change is rippling through the veins of Thai civil society as an ambitious campaign makes its way into the public arena. Determined to tackle the entrenched discrimination against vulnerable groups, an impressive consortium of 80 civil organizations recently convened at the illustrious TK Palace Convention Centre in Bangkok. The event, aptly named “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,” was orchestrated by a trio of formidable forces: the Foundation for Action on Inclusion Rights (FAIR), People’s Movement to Eliminate Discrimination (MovED), and the ever-innovative Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth). This coalition is urging the government to consider five groundbreaking recommendations, ushering in an era of fairness and inclusivity. In a remarkable showcase of unity and resolve, the event’s attendees underscored the need for legislative reforms that echo a commitment to an equitable society. The first proposal champions the enhancement of knowledge and awareness surrounding diversity. A clarion call is being…
Amid the bustling scene at a Government Pharmaceutical Organization outlet on Rama VI Road in Bangkok’s vibrant Ratchathewi district, a serious debate is brewing, much to the chagrin of shoppers. It’s a classic case of a civil society group pitted against a medical authority. The bone of contention? The Medical Council of Thailand’s decision to take legal action against the National Health Security Office (NHSO)’s policy of providing free medicine for 16 common ailments under the universal healthcare scheme. Saree Aongsomwang, the charismatic secretary-general of the Thailand Consumer Council (TCC), made waves on Saturday. She voiced her concerns about the ongoing dispute, which transcends mere bureaucratic wrangling to touch the very nerve of patient welfare. The Supreme Administrative Court had just agreed to hear the Medical Council’s complaint, marking a potential turning point. This issue wrestles with free access to medicine at pharmacies, tackling everyday symptoms like headaches, joint pain,…
Political pundits are abuzz with speculation, all eyes turned towards the imminent return of Yingluck Shinawatra, a name once synonymous with Thailand’s bustling political scene. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck’s brother, recently stirred the pot with hints of her impending return in April next year, coinciding with the vibrant Songkran festival. His comments, shared during a campaign stop in Udon Thani, have reignited public fascination with her story. Yingluck, aged 57, has been living as a fugitive since August 2017 after she failed to appear in court for a case concerning her alleged misconduct related to the rice-pledging program—a venture that resulted in massive financial losses. The court sentenced her to a five-year prison term, and an arrest warrant looms over her from the shadows of this unresolved case. However, legal tides may be shifting in her favor. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court halted a high-stakes case involving…
Nestled on the border between Thailand and Myanmar, the town of Mae Sot in Tak province has garnered notoriety as a hotbed of cross-border human trafficking and transnational organized crime. These operations primarily stem from Chinese mafia syndicates, weaving a web of crime and corruption that spans borders. Yet, despite the gravity of the situation, governmental response has been palpably inadequate. During a recent visit aimed at ramping up anti-human trafficking operations, Pol Lt Gen Prachuab Wongsuk, acting deputy national police chief, flagged Mae Sot as Thailand’s leading hotspot for cross-border human trafficking, online scams, gambling, and other illicit activities. A disheartening acknowledgment, yet not an unexpected one. Annually, Mae Sot becomes the conduit for thousands of victims lured by spurious promises of lucrative job offers in Thailand, only to be seamlessly funneled to Myawaddy, the Myanmar town just across the border, to unwittingly become cogs in Chinese scam operations.…
As the sun rose over the stunning scenery of Thailand’s Surat Thani province on what seemed to be an ordinary Saturday, tranquility shifted to crisis when a tour boat carrying a group of French tourists encountered treacherous waters. In the serene yet sprawling environs of the Rajjaprabha Dam in Ban Ta Khun district, a sudden squall wreaked havoc, turning a pleasant excursion into a race against time. Among the dozen travelers was Rene Mary Corre, an elder whose age remains undisclosed, embarking on what promised to be a delightful journey across the majestic reservoir. This group of ten French adventurers, accompanied by a dedicated tour guide, a vigilant caregiver, and a seasoned boat operator, set forth from the pier with the anticipation of picturesque landscapes and unforgettable experiences. Yet, as they approached the scenic beauty of Khao Sam Kloe, nature had other plans. The winds picked up with violent force,…