The Move Forward Party (MFP) has pledged to revamp the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) after forming the next government. In a recent Facebook post, the party announced that its first order of business would be to disband the Anti-Fake News Centre, an agency under the DES Ministry. The MFP believes that the state should not dictate what is true or false but should instead allow society to scrutinize, debate, and present various versions of the truth. MFP cited Taiwan’s Cofacts as a model, a citizen-driven fact-checking platform designed to combat fake news. The party envisions a DES Ministry focused on contributing to rights and freedom instead of blocking websites. The MFP is also proposing a computer bill aimed at removing state powers that silence people. Another initiative put forward by the MFP is the implementation of a single digital identity policy, which would connect the databases of…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Soldiers discovered a large stash of opium after a skirmish with a drug trafficking gang along the Thai-Myanmar border in the Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai province on Friday. The incident took place when a unit from the Pha Muang task force came across six suspicious individuals carrying backpacks near the Pang Ton Due village in tambon Mae Ai. When the task force signaled for the men to halt for an inspection, they were met with gunfire. The soldiers swiftly responded, leading to a brief gun battle between the two parties. Fortunately, no casualties were reported on either side, and the drug smugglers eventually retreated back across the border to Myanmar. Upon further investigation of the area where the engagement took place, authorities discovered four large bags filled with 51 parcels of opium. The total weight of the opium packages was a staggering 81.6 kilograms, a substantial find that…
Eight high-level police officers in Chon Buri province, Thailand, have been transferred to inactive posts, pending an investigation into allegations of extortion. Among them is Pol Maj Gen Kamphon Leelaprapaporn, the chief of Chon Buri police. National police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas ordered the transfer, accusing the officers of colluding with civilians to extort 140 million baht from online gambling suspects. Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) spokesman, identified the affected officers, including Pol Lt Col Narongrit Wasuphan, deputy Chon Buri chief; Pol Lt Col Sathian Ratchapongthai, deputy superintendent at Nong Kham station in Chon Buri; Pol Maj Pornthep Phetnuan, investigation chief at Wang Chan station in Rayong; Pol Col Damrong Onta, superintendent at the Cyber Investigation Bureau (CCIB); Pol Maj Nakhonrat Nonseelad, Pol Lt Col Pathomphong Meeyu, and Pol Capt Somboon Butdalert. Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, deputy national chief, will lead a special investigative…
Authorities in Sa Kaeo province successfully removed landmines dating back to the Cambodian Civil War, nearly five decades ago, from Thai territory along the border with Cambodia on Friday. The Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC) of the Royal Thai Army was notified of three mines residing in Ta Phraya district via social media. Explosives ordnance disposal (EOD) officers promptly responded and confirmed the presence of the first mine, situated just 300 meters from Sri Pen Road. The other two mines were found further down the same road, only 100 meters from the roadside. With security personnel cordoning off the affected areas, TMAC specialists, along with Aranyaprathet border police and local army rangers, meticulously prepared to neutralize the mines. Throughout the operation, local residents on both the Thai and Cambodian sides of the border were kept informed and vigilant. This action came after a local resident, Samrit Ruayruen, had his leg…
Authorities in Thailand have recently arrested two men accused of colluding to produce and sell counterfeit vehicle registration plates. According to the police Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), Natthawat, 27, was apprehended at a house in the Muang district of Nonthaburi, while Poramet, also 27, was arrested in the Suan Luang district of Bangkok. The suspects’ surnames have not been disclosed. Natthawat is being accused of operating a website that sells fake vehicle license plates and vehicle registration books to customers. He would gather orders and have Poramet hire various shops throughout Bangkok, including one in the popular Pathumwan area, to produce the counterfeit plates and books, as reported by the police. During the investigation at Natthawat’s house, the TCSD seized 37 fake registration plates, 21 books, 84 rubber stamps, a plate embossing machine, a desktop computer, and a book containing customer names. Natthawat claimed to have purchased a machine…
Out of the total 47 stations, the authorities have mandated 16 of them to conduct a recount of the constituency MP ballots, while the remaining 31 stations are required to recount the party-list MP ballots. In the May 14 general election, there were approximately 95,000 polling stations. It is important to note that higher voter turnout may occasionally surpass the vote count, especially if a voter arrives at the polling booth, decides not to cast a ballot for any reason, and subsequently departs the polling station without handing in the ballot. The election watchdog has ultimately chosen to order this recount as they believe the discrepancies could have a significant impact on the final results, the rankings of MP candidates, as well as the overall votes that each party obtained. However, the EC has refrained from disclosing the names of the 47 stations and the provinces they are situated in,…
In a concerted effort to address the current limitations of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) of Thailand has unveiled plans to collaborate with various car manufacturers in order to expand and enhance the charging station network across the country. Prasertsak Cherngchawano, Deputy Governor of Strategic Planning for Electricity Generation at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), observed that a growing number of countries are adopting EVs as a means of transitioning to cleaner energy sources. The consistent increase in electric vehicle sales in Thailand signifies the nation’s continued progress in this sector, and all signs point towards sustained growth in the years to come. Despite these positive trends, Thailand’s EV market still faces the challenge of a limited number of charging stations. This is particularly evident when compared to other nations where private residences are often equipped with convenient EV charging facilities. Furthermore, charging EVs…
As predicted, tourism revenue for the promising year of 2023 is on its way to hitting an impressive 2.38 trillion baht (approx. 80% of the 3 trillion baht garnered in 2019). This resurgence comes after the Covid-19 pandemic took a severe toll on the industry, stagnating it for almost three years. By June this year, Thailand had already seen a whopping 360 billion baht generated by domestic tourists through nearly 100 million trips. On the international front, 10.56 million trips brought in an additional 599 million baht, according to the TAT governor, Yuthasak Supasorn. A surge in foreign visitors emerged in May with 1.97 million tourists entering Thailand. The majority of these visitors hailed from Malaysia, followed by China, India, South Korea, and Laos. National hotel occupancy between January and May registered an impressive 70%. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon, TAT’s deputy governor for the domestic market, has set her hopes on achieving…
In light of the recent change in government, a shift in budget priorities comes as no surprise, according to Wissanu. The differing policies between the previous and current administrations are responsible for this adjustment in resource allocation. The Budget Bureau, under the management of the departing Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, has crafted the fiscal 2024 budget bill, which must be approved by Parliament before the end of September, as the fiscal year commences in October. Wissanu emphasized that the caretaker administration needed to prepare a budget bill as a contingency in the event that the formation of the incoming government faces delays. Earlier, he had projected that the new government would be in place by mid-August. “The new government can modify [the bill],” Wissanu stated, emphasizing that the Move Forward Party, victorious in the May 14 election with 151 MPs, possesses a distinct budgeting strategy compared to the incumbent…
Dmitry Aleynikov, a 44-year-old man, faced a horrifying attack while parked in his car outside a restaurant on Boat Avenue, a bustling outdoor shopping complex. Unexpectedly, four gunshots struck him—landing once in his chest, twice in his left arm, and the fourth bullet grazed his wedding-ring finger. The brazen lunchtime shooting caused panic and fear amongst the island’s Russian community. Authorities quickly apprehended the alleged gunman, Artur Legay, as reported by local news sources. He was taken in for questioning at the Phuket Police headquarters. Security camera footage was crucial in tracking down the suspect. The disturbing footage showed the gunman arriving at the crime scene on a motorcycle at the shopping complex in Thalang district’s Choeng Thalay tambon. After dismounting from his motorcycle, the gunman was seen pacing back and forth, as if waiting for Aleynikov’s arrival. As soon as the unsuspecting victim pulled up to the scene, the…