As legal proceedings hang in the balance, the leadership mantle of the Move Forward Party (MFP) has been temporarily passed on to 45-year-old Chaithawat Tulathon. This development came about due to the resignation of former leader, Pita Limjaroenrat. The changeover is designed to smoothen the shift to a fresh opposition leader while Pita’s status as an MP is clouded due to an impending court verdict regarding his iTV media shareholding case. Chaithawat, along with the executive board, was ushered into leadership after Pita relinquished the reins of the MFP earlier this month. Until a decision is reached in Pita’s case, the party’s rise as an opposition leader has been momentarily frozen. After his appointment, Chaithawat said, the switches in the headship are merely stop-gap measures. He sees himself merely as a stand-in for the 43-year-old ex-leader Pita, who is currently ensnared in his legal trouble. Following a complaint lodgement, Pita…
Posts published in “Thailand”
A recent poll conducted by the National Institute for Development Administration (NIDA) threw light on a crucial issue that involves a significant chunk of government staff and employees of state enterprises being shouldered with debt. Moreover, this group of respondents resonated in their support for a government policy that suggested the initial monthly pay for graduates should be 25,000 baht. The poll spearheaded by NIDA, which spanned from September 19-21, was based on phone interviews with 1,310 employees across the age of 18 and higher. These participants held positions in government offices and state enterprises throughout the nation. The main purpose revolved around gathering their thoughts on salaries of state officials, which touched various educational levels and incomes. The poll revealed an interesting data – 44.81% of the participants believed their salary, apart from the legally procured extra payments, wasn’t sufficient to cover their expenses and contribute towards their savings.…
In the midst of escalating tensions between the United States and China, the Thai government, led by newly-minted Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is navigating the ever-complex waters of international diplomacy. The Prime Minister’s inaugural overseas trip was to the bustling metropolis of New York City, serving as a delegate at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78), amongst other co-occurring meetings. The PM’s diplomatic engagements were diverse in nature – traversing discussions with other national leaders, heads of international organizations, and influencing figures in both bilateral and multilateral platforms. Notably, Srettha held conversations with the likes of Tesla’s celebrity CEO, Elon Musk, exploring possible avenues of investment into Thailand. In addition, other influential business leaders took part in these forums, including those belonging to Microsoft, BlackRock, Google, Goldman Sachs, and Estee Lauder. Upon the conclusion of his U.S. visit, the Thai prime minister plans to travel to…
In the heart of Saraburi province, a vexing mystery has gripped the army quarters – the inexplicable vanishing of over 200,000 litres of diesel from the Ordnance Materiel Rebuild Center. This startling news was brought to light by a representative of the army. The second in command army spokesperson, Major General Sirichan Ngathong relayed that a potential anomaly was discovered after an internal army audit team scrutinized the oil use of this army unit. As reported by the Bangkok Post, this discovery triggered an intensive investigation by the army headquarters, the results of which are eagerly anticipated. Major General Sirichan Ngathong duly noted that the procedural norm of the army entails deploying internal audit teams to efficiently manage and monitor critical supplies such as oil, explosives, weapons, and ammunition. This applies to all army installations nationwide. Recent investigations have unveiled an alarming fact: around 215,897 litres of B7 high-speed diesel…
The respected director of the Centre of Addiction Studies, Dr. Rasmon Kalayasiri, has made a compelling argument for the complete prohibition of cannabis, particularly the variants high in Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), primarily cultivated for recreational use. Notably, he proposes re-submission of these substances to the list of controlled narcotics. This stance is a significant endorsement for the Health Minister, Cholnan Srikaew’s proposed adjustments to the Cannabis and Hemp bill, which was initially forwarded by the previous minister Anutin Charnvirakul and later dismissed by the erstwhile House of Representatives. Preceding the presentation of the said bill to the House, a ministerial ordinance had delisted cannabis and hemp as Category 5 narcotics under the Narcotics Act. Dr. Rasmon emphasizes Minister Cholnan’s idea to refine the draft bill such that the consumption of cannabis and hemp would be permitted strictly for the sake of medical and health-related purposes. Under the revised proposal, recreational usage…
In the international city of Phuket, a tragic incident unfolded at the buzzing hub of Phuket International Airport. A Swiss man, aged 53, took his life by leaping from the airport’s car park on a sobering Friday night. The unsettling piece of news shook the lively atmosphere of the locale, adding a somber note to typically exhilarating travel proceedings. The heartrending scene unfolded around 7:30 pm when local police were alerted to an incident involving a foreign man. The report insinuated grave injuries inflicted as a result of a plunge from the parking structure of the usually lively airport. The man in question was quickly transported to the Thalang Hospital in a desperate attempt to preserve his life. The blood-stained ground marked the gruesome site of the incident. The police authorities, led by Pol Col Salan Santisatsanakul, chief of Sakhu station, arrived promptly to evaluate the situation. The arrival of…
The robust nations of Thailand is actively partnering with its bordering nations to take solid action against the plaguing issues of call center scams and propagation of fake news. Puangpet Chunlaiad, a minister working closely with the central office of Prime Minister, shed light on these developments. During recent meetings with the Information Ministers of both Cambodia, Neth Pheaktra, as well as Vietnam, Nguyen Manh Hung, she highlighted the efforts to maintain digital tranquility within the regions. These crucial discussions came to fruition during the 16th annual meeting of Asean Ministers Responsible for Information (also, known as AMRI) as well as the 7th AMRI Plus Three assembly. The delegates convened in the scenic town of Danang, Vietnam, where they congregated over a period of two days. Highlighting the urgency of this matter, Chunlaiad stated that innocent Thais have been ensnared viciously by these labyrinthine call center scams. Several people, lured…
The National Water Resources Office (ONWR) in Thailand is taking progressive steps in conservation as it collaborates with Phuket hotels on a pioneering water preservation initiative. The campaign aims to lower the hospitality industry’s water usage, a stark necessity given Phuket’s fluctuating water supply and treatment problems. Surasee Kittimonthon, the esteemed secretary-general of the ONWR, acknowledged the profound water-related challenges Phuket faces. As domestic and international tourism to this stunning island continues to boom, the ever-growing demand for water becomes even more pressing. One viable solution proposed by Mr. Kittimonthon is to repurpose canals into water storage systems, preventing any precious drops from simply flowing out into the vast sea. An additional measure suggested fitting these revitalized canals with water gates, thus ingeniously restricting the amount of precious liquid being wasted. Further, there are currently nine local administrative organizations that lack wastewater treatment facilities. The ONWR advises allocating resources to…
The esteemed Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, made his presence felt at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York. He used this significant international platform to announce that Thailand is once again opener to external investors, marking a significant step in its economic recovery process. Prime Minister Srettha addressed the media after his keynote at the UNGA78 general debate at the hallowed halls of the UN headquarters, expressing optimism about the future. He emphasized that Thailand is not just ready but eager for inbound and outbound investment opportunities, creating avenues for foreign investors and Thai companies to explore and expand in foreign markets. An attitude of gratitude was shown towards the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Board of Investment of Thailand by Mr. Thavisin for their tireless efforts in attracting foreign investments into the nation. He stressed that Thailand’s application to become a…
The elaborate dance of diplomacy can often present a complex matrix of challenges and rewards. Striking precisely the right balance especially when caught in the ongoing global rivalry between the United States and China, could prove to be a tricky task for any government. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand has indeed found himself in this predicament, however, he seems to have handled it with expertise. Marking his first overseas trip after assuming the premier’s position, the Prime Minister set his course to New York. His agenda revolved around the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York and related meetings. While there, he engaged in talks with national leaders, key individuals at both bilateral and multilateral levels, and heads of international organisations. He also found some time to mingle with executives of global leading companies, such as Tesla’s Elon Musk, to discuss possible investment opportunities…