The adventurer of the sea, the tsunami-warning buoy numbered 23461, had fallen radio silent since the last day of July, and it ceased its noble duty of keeping guard off the shores of the Andaman Sea. Having strayed approximately 340 kilometers northwest of the renowned island of Phuket, it had been found and retrieved by a devoted navy vessel, according to an announcement from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). The waves and wind hadn’t been kind. The buoy had separated from its usual station and for a considerable amount of time, had not been able to transmit crucial data that could predict disasters. But as they say, rough seas make skilled sailors. The skilled sailors here were from the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre in tandem with the 3rd Naval Area, working under the guidance of DDPM. Together, they undertook the noble cause of retrieving the silent…
Posts published in “Thailand”
He proposed a revision to the existing tax laws to encompass not only businesses operating within Thailand’s borders, but also over-the-top (OTT) service operators based overseas that generate revenue through the provision of their services in Thailand. An over-the-top (OTT) media service is a specialized terminology referring to any online content provider that delivers streaming media as an independent product. On a House of Representatives meeting convened on a Saturday, Takorn put forward his observation that millions of Thai people are now turning to their smartphones for shopping and availing other online services. He ventured further into the detailed mechanics of these transactions, stating that they lean on the OTT system as a means to transfer money. A unique feature of these transactions, as he explained, is that the money is initially transferred outside Thai boundaries and then funnelled back into the country. He suggested that such transactions should attract…
The integrity of higher education in Thailand is facing a serious challenge, with alleged instances of academic plagiarism threatening to undermine its value. Stepping up to address the issue, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) has taken legal action against approximately five online vendors found to be involved in the transaction of plagiarised academic works. This move was triggered by concerns raising suspicions of nearly 100 scholars across 33 universities potentially acquiring research papers off the Internet, a serious breach in academic ethics. Supachai Pathumnakul, the Deputy Secretary of MHESI, brought this issue to light, stating that an investigation involving 109 scholars suspected of such unethical practices is currently underway. The initial findings suggest nine academics to be in breach, having purchased research articles from the web, with 21 individuals cleared of the accusation. Yet, investigations on the rest are yet to conclude. It was an…
In light of recent actions against both stateless children and the head of their school, Khattiya Sawasdipol, a representative from the Pheu Thai party, took to social media to urge governmental agencies to defend and uphold the right of education for every child, irrespective of their legal status. Her call to action occurred as 126 ethnically distinct students from the Ang Thong province were exiled back to Myanmar. Through her social media outreach, Sawasdipol emphasized the failure of the “education for all” policy purportedly bestowed by the government, as exemplified by these recent events involving the children’s deportation. She demanded a convergence of four crucial government sectors – the Interior Ministry, Education Ministry, Social Development and Human Security Ministry, and the Immigration Bureau – to formulate an action plan to safeguard the rights of stateless children. Faced with this widespread ousting from their educational institution, consequent to a police raid…
In the sparkling kingdom of Thailand, the tourism industry has been bustling vibrantly, trumping its previous records. From the frosty breath of January to the sun-drenched days of July, the country has welcomed more than 15 million eager globe-trotters. This represents a staggering surge of 384% compared to the same time frame the prior year, as acknowledged by Deputy Government Spokeswoman, Traisuree Taisaranakul. Not only has the number of tourist footprints left on the Thai sands increased, but the economic contribution from the tourism sector gives every reason to celebrate. Thailand’s lush landscapes and crystal-clear waters have enticed both national and international visitors, culminating in a smashing revenue of 1.08 trillion baht. A cool 638.16 million baht of this impressive total is credited to the pocketbooks of international tourists. Thailand, armed with its tropical charms and impeccable hospitality, has set a towering target to weave at least 25 million wandering…
The political landscape of Thailand reverberated on Friday as members of the Pheu Thai Party circled their wagons around Srettha Thavisin. Thavisin, the party’s prime ministerial candidate, has recently been at the heart of allegations concerning tax evasion. Despite these accusations, his party has remained steadfast, declaring that his candidacy was not marred by any kind of ethical issues during the screening process. The allegations were raised by political activist Chuvit Kamolvisit in a press conference. He shared alleged evidence that pointed to anomalies in a land acquisition transaction by property development firm Sansiri in August 2019. At that time, Thavisin was functioning as the chief executive of the company. Kamolvisit revealed that Thavisin had authorized the acquisition and subsequent sale agreement of a 1,600-square-metre plot of land located on Sarasin Road. The land, costing 1.57 billion baht, was acquired from 12 individuals who owned it under a single title…
It was a memorable Friday when the leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), Pita Limjaroenrat, laid down the gauntlet to young minds at Thammasat University. With a pressing need for their innovative prowess, he implored the students to be the harbingers of change, thereby redefining the democratic state of Thailand. His insightful discourse was marked by the themes of democracy, liberty, and fairness – fundamentals standing as the three bulwarks of an innovative society. During his impassioned speech to the freshmen, Mr. Limjaroenrat delineated the discouraging truth of global democracy, which despite being the norm for more than 50% of the globe’s nations appears to be backsliding rapidly. This state of affairs mirrored itself in a stinging evaluation of economic inequality, with the world’s wealthy in possession of a staggering 50% of total Earth’s assets while the rest only claim a meager 2%, a substantial magnification from past times…
In a powerful move towards the elimination of cross-border trade barriers, Duangarthit Nidhi-u-tai, the esteemed deputy director-general at the Department of Trade Negotiations, Commerce Ministry, announced an array of innovative strategies. The focus of these strategies is geared towards bolstering both the agricultural and industrial sectors. The projected outcome of these refinements is an invigorating boost to innovation across all allied parties, set to fortify the economic health of all involved regions and their partners. As such, the stakes of this meeting, conducted on the 14th and 15th of July, were quite significant. The forum witnessed ASEAN negotiators engaging in enriching discussion with representatives from each country, leading to an assortment of enhancements to every Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In a triumphant announcement, Duangarthit relayed that the 39th ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) had seen remarkable upgrades in the form tax reduction tables spanning from 2017 to 2022. Following this…
The grand occasion unfurled in the sacred confines of Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, popularly known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, nestled in the heart of Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district. His Majesty embarked the ceremonious event by exhibiting deep devotion to the Emerald Buddha, followed by the statues of King Rama I and King Rama II. The highlight of the event was the lighting of the lent candle by his majesty, thus symbolizing the commencement of the Buddhist Lent. He amplified the holy ambiance by presenting offerings to a gathering of twenty esteemed Buddhist monks led by none other than His Holiness, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. The scenario metamorphosed into a royal scenario with the entrance of Her Majesty, the Queen. Graced by the presence of the royal family, privy councilors, and senior state officials, the Queen led everyone into presenting offerings to a total of 215…
It’s critical to remain vigilant in the face of the imminent risks brought about by heavy downpours and built-up rainfall. Such weather extremes can trigger sudden deluges and flash floods, specifically in elevated regions, adjacent to rivers, and in low-lying territories. Prevention is always better than cure, so a higher level of caution is recommended when navigating areas with frequent thunderstorm activities. On a lighter note, Bangkok seems positioned to enjoy a rather dry spell, with rainfall probabilities scaled down to a mere 60%. So, while the city braces itself for possible showers, it’s not all gloomy clouds and damp pavements. Bangkok affords both residents and visitors an exhilarating experience as they navigate the city’s vibrant lifestyle against the backdrop of an unpredictable yet enchanting weather pattern. The city presents a perfect case of weather incongruity, taking you from potential downpours to possible dry spells in a matter of minutes.…