Located in the idyllic eastern province of Trat, the tropical paradise of Ko Kut and Ko Chang is a go-to holiday destination for many. On this particular Friday, the islands witnessed thousands of enthusiastic tourists who were eager to embark on an invigorating six-day-long vacation. The buzzing Laem Sok boat pier in the district of Ao Yai was an astonishing sight, as hoards of travelers, along with their vehicles, lined up eagerly to board the five ferries scheduled to depart for the islands. Ensuring the safety of these thrill-seeking individuals were officials from the Marine Department and the navy’s Thailand Maritime Enforcement Command Centre. They were on duty at the bustling pier to make certain that every tourist’s journey was safe. The safety teams were led by Atthapol Klinthap, the commendable manager of a top-notch ferry company. The company was ready to welcome an influx of about 1,500 tourists on…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Fishing out the political series of events in Thailand, we find ourselves glued to the narration of our insider, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha – a man of many clues who presently sits as Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of Parliament. Thursday was a day of revelations as he cited the potential delay of the prime minister elections if the court agreed to the hearing plea from the Ombudsman’s Office. The ripples of this decision could bring about postponement, presenting a new chain of events. A join meeting of both Houses had previously been fixed for August 4, expected to weigh upon the Move Forward Party’s bill. This bill proposed changes to Article 272 of the Constitution. Article 272 currently offers the Senate the right to unite with the Lower House and participate actively in the selection process of Thailand’s prime minister. But this particular power bestowed upon…
The bustling province of Nonthaburi in central Thailand was stirred into an anticipative frenzy as a tenacious python snake ensconced itself within a surprisingly small gap in a brick wall. Not only did the snake’s uncanny choice of abode result in an epic two-hour standoff with the rescuers but it also ignited a surge of lotto fever in the neighborhood. The unwary homeowner could only speculate whether good fortune had chosen a rather unusual messenger in the form of the robust snake, and promptly announced plans to buy lottery tickets. Local emergency services received the distress call about the sizable python snugly stowed away in a homely wall in the serene Pak Kret District, at around 5.30pm on the eve of July 26. Swiftly, a proficient rescue team with the necessary equipment was dispatched to apprehend the elusive reptile. The rescuers’ arrival at the scene revealed the snake coiled snugly…
In conjunction with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), an impressive gathering of over 130 tour and travel experts from Thailand was facilitated, providing them the opportunity to network with stakeholder representatives from Odisha. Distinguished ambassador Nagesh Singh, India’s envoy to Thailand, provided an enlightening keynote speech, showering great acclaims on the calculated measures initiated by Odisha’s government to augment tourism in the region. “Navigating this networking occasion will uncover additional aspects for two-sided commerce relations between our regions,” he professed. “Odisha Tourism’s extensive range of offerings will undoubtedly entice individuals in Thailand to discover India’s finest concealed secret, with the advantage of newly initiated direct flights reducing travel time significantly.” Odisha Tourism’s esteemed Director, Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, delivered an educational presentation detailing the organization’s innovative programs. The emphasis was on interweaving Odisha’s opulent historical, cultural, and natural heritage into sustainable tourism. As he underscored Odisha’s…
The insightful Rector of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), Thanavath Phonvichai, unveiled a piercing revelation at a widely-attended press briefing session. The discussion that took place on Thursday revealed an alarming statistic – a staggering 99.8% of the 1,300 individuals who participated in a nationwide survey carried out between 17th and 21st July, admitted to being saddled with debt. The study found an intimidating figure of 559,408.7 baht representing the average household debt, an amount which is unprecedented and the highest recorded in the past 15 years, as per Thanavath. He further demonstrated that typically, each household was burdened with the daunting task of shouldering approximately 16,742 baht on ‘debt-service’ each month. The outcome of the survey shed light on the important fragments of this economic puzzle. It painted a revealing picture wherein it found that a vast majority, precisely 80.2% of the participants, confirmed that…
Noted Thai business and community leader, Sanan Angubolkul, who chairs both the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade anticipates a surge in domestic tourism during the forthcoming extended holiday period. Angubolkul predicts ‘5-7 billion baht’ to change hands during this period, breathing a new lease of life into hotels, dining establishments, and shopping centers, amongst other businesses. The holiday period kick-off coincides with His Majesty the King’s birthday on Friday (July 28) and stretches until Wednesday (August 2), marking the beginning of Buddhist Lent. This elongated festive period offers the perfect opportunity for Thai citizens to explore their country further, contributing to the local economy as they do. In a move designed to facilitate and encourage travel, the caretaker government delineated Monday (July 31) as an additional public holiday – a decision that should ease the journeys for those venturing to hometowns scattered throughout the nation. From…
Following a pivotal board meeting on Wednesday, it was determined that the Airports of Thailand (AOT) will orchestrate a major reshuffle, repositioning 68 high-ranking officers in an effort to enhance overall operational efficiency. These sweeping changes are set to commence on August and October 1 of this year, signaling a new era for one of Thailand’s premier providers of aviation services. Included among these dramatic shifts is a significant change in leadership for Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, one of the busiest hubs in the sector. Karun Thanakuljeerapat, the current director of the airport, is to move into an advisory role at the core AOT headquarters. Stepping up to fill the grand shoes left vacant by this move is Wijit Kaesaithiam, who will bid farewell to his current position as head of Chiang Mai International Airport. This substantial reassignment comes in the wake of the in-depth investigation launched by…
Throughout the past year, a notable 2,748 cases were taken up for formal investigation by the national enforcement agency. The individuals deemed responsible for the remaining cases were justly passed onto the relevant law enforcement bodies. This admission comes directly from the mouthpiece of the agency, General Secretary Niwatchai Kasemmongkol. Remarkably, the majority of corruption allegations — a whopping 34.59%, or 1,548 of all investigated instances — were made against local administration organizations. Only trailed by the Interior Ministry and the Royal Thai Police, fielding 507 and 409 cases, respectively. These tallies underscore the gravity of systemic corruption in our country’s institutions. The recurring theme among these allegations? The culprit appears to be the stark violation of section 157 of our nation’s Criminal Code. This section addresses nonfeasance or dereliction of duty by state officials — an issue that seems troublingly rampant. So, what’s the cost of such rampant corruption?…
Announcing the recent conclusion of the 2023 International Mediation Competition, the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) praised the stellar performance of the team representing the Royal Police Cadet Academy (RPCA) named THAC RPCA. This critical competition was intensely contested from the 19th to the 21st of July, from the heart of Bangkok’s Watthana district in the prestigious Bhiraj Tower. The THAC RPCA team, which secured the commendable position of the runner-up, consisted of the very best of cadets – Nattakit Tothap, Prawanwit Champeethong, Thiraphat Bucharum, and Kornthon Chingduang. This team benefited greatly from the prolific guidance of mentors such as Pol Lt Col Siriyos Saensuk and Captain Thaksana Mektrairat. Captain Thanchanok Yiwijittakul managed the team efficiently, and the valuable advice of Supamas Kaewborisut saw them through the competition. This esteemed competition saw participation from both local and international teams of prodigious students, with universities from all across Thailand and the globe…
In an exciting development for Thailand’s cultural development, Atikhun Kongmee, who presides over the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta), recently announced the acceptance of the provinces of Chiang Rai and Suphan Buri into the Unesco City of Culture Network (UCCN). Boasting of rich cultural and creative initiatives, Chiang Rai is joining as a city of design while Suphan Buri takes its place as a city of music, as stated by Atikhun. Since its introduction in 2004, the UCCN has thrived as a Unesco flagship initiative to foster cooperation among cities that have strategically emphasized culture and creativity as catalysts for sustainable urban progress. The network proudly seats nearly 300 cities from around 90 different countries, reflecting a diverse cultural profile that began to take form in its earlier years. The UCCN encapsulates seven creative dimensions which include: Crafts and Folk Arts Design Film Gastronomy Literature Media Arts Music…