In a surprising turn of events, Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party dropped a bombshell of an election pledge. This pledge had controversy written all over it – an ambitious promise to distribute 10,000 baht to all Thai citizens aged 16 or above. The intention? To act as a catalyst, to get the economy back on the fast track. But as is the case with every ambitious plan, this one too had to face its share of criticism. This outcry of differing opinions led to a critical meeting of the digital wallet policy committee this past Friday. The chair of this meeting, the ever-so-accommodating Srettha, led the change in perspective. The result? A revised policy regarding those eligible for the handout. At the meeting, Srettha admitted to the press that the popular – and often, unpopular – opinions of the public encouraged him to re-evaluate and amend the eligibility criteria. Under the…
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Sirikanya Tansakun, the distinguished deputy leader of Move Forward, maintains a firm belief that the government is contemplating the utilization of the “Loan Act” as means to finance its ventures, a move that could potentially draw the attention of the Constitutional Court. This could then lead to a blockade on the disputed policy. Sirikanya voiced these thoughts in response to the Friday proclamation made by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pertaining to the 10,000 baht digital wallet policy. The driving force behind her skepticism lies within the questionable source of the budget that the government will be required to tap into, to fulfill the promise of providing 10,000 baht through digital wallets for expenditure to every Thai citizen aged 16 and above. The Prime Minister may have enacted a revision to the eligibility criteria by isolating individuals with a monthly income crossing the 70,000 baht threshold or those with bank savings…
The Thailand Meteorological Agency has issued a warning to citizens about adverse weather conditions expected to hit various parts of the country. This is due to the influence of a moderate high-pressure system stemming from upper Vietnam and the South China Sea, predicted to impact the upper Northeast regions of Thailand on Saturday. Accompanied by easterly winds blowing over the East, the lower Central regions and the South, the atmosphere is bracing for significant changes. Inhabitants have been advised to be watchful of severe conditions that might trigger sudden flash floods and overflow. Such probability is specifically higher along the foothills near various waterways and lowlands. In light of the predicted situation, a call has been made for all transport systems on the roads, in the air or on water to carry out actions with extreme caution. It is anticipated that the Andaman Sea and the Gulf will experience increased…
The heavens over Thailand are preparing a delightful climatic spectacle as a considerable mass of nippy to fairly stern cold air is set to gloriously embark its descent from the 14th through to the 20th of November. This fascinating meteorological happening is projected to envelope the upper realms of Thailand, orchestrating an amplified surge in the intensity of chilling winds throughout this evocatively thrilling period, according to authoritative forecasts from the department. The curtain to this awe-inspiring climatic show will rise with a subtle decrease in rainfall within Thailand’s elevated regions. Although the first act might come with a suspenseful sprinkle here and there as the cold air mass marks its dramatic entrance, particularly around the intriguing date of November 16, this suspense would candidly morph into a fascinating chilly curtain drop. With the mercury plummeting subsequently and formidable winds heralding the commencement of the brisk season, the spectacle promises…
It’s no secret that Thailand has significantly benefited from the power of tourism in the past years. Revealed by the ever-efficient Revenue Department, a staggering 9.4 million globetrotters sought VAT refunds from 2017, marking the total expenditure that exceeded a remarkable 200 billion baht. If that doesn’t speak volumes about the attractiveness of this exotic paradise, then nothing does! The influx of tourists even survived the test of time when we look back at 2020. With 230,000 voyagers willing to spend a whopping 11 billion baht, Thailand’s enchanting beaches and vibrant cities convinced them to part with a considerable fortune. Luck was certainly on their side as they managed to score a refund of 575 million baht. Bet that eased the sting on their high-end shopping spending! Fast-track to 2021 and the picture got even better. Tourists with a sharp eye for bargains sniffed out excellent deals, determined not to…
With a note of approval, French President Emmanuel Macron has vocally extended his support towards the inception of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram, more affectionately known amongst the locals as Wat Pho Paris, right at the heart of the French capital. This historic statement was publicized during a cordial reception held at the prestigious Elysee Palace. The guest of honor was none other than Somdet Phra Maha Theerajarn, the dignified abbot of the legendary Wat Pho in Thailand. Known for his spiritual wisdom and teachings, the revered abbot is currently spreading his influence in France for the grand opening of the Parisian temple. Within a time frame of 45 riveting minutes, Somdet Phra Maha Theerajarn led an engaging meeting with President Macron. The presence of Phra Sri Wichira Thamwithet, the esteemed Sangha chairman of Wat Pho Paris, and Boonyarit Vichienpuntu, the dutiful acting ambassador of the Royal Thai Embassy in…
In Songkhla province, there’s a silent threat quietly taking over – diabetes. The Health Control Office (HCO), in its recent report, revealed an alarming escalation in the incidence of diabetes among its local inhabitants. The numbers are daunting. In health area 12 alone, the count of diabetic patients has spiraled from 4,980 cases in 2021, to 5,148 the following year, peaking at 5,396 cases this year. Phatthalung holds the dubious distinction of the highest number of cases, reporting 7,555 incidents. Trailing close behind are the provinces of Trang and Songkhla, with a patient count of 6,820 and 6,219 respectively. A similar troubling trend is noticeable nationwide. The Health Data Center (HDC) exposes an upward shift in diabetes cases across the country. From a rate of 7,010 diagnosed cases in 2021, the figure shot up to 7,336 the next year, reaching 7,692 per 100,000 population this year. Alarmingly, the surge shows…
The buzz surrounding the government’s digital wallet initiative has finally been won over by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. On Friday, he announced that the program will kick off in May, with approximately 50 million individuals being eligible for a 10,000-baht handout. The state plans to stimulate the economy with an injection of 600 billion baht – 500 billion from the digital wallet program and an additional 100 billion baht fund to strengthen the country’s economic potential. Srettha spoke at a televised press conference about the ambitious plan. Every Thai citizen above the age of 16 and earning less than 70,000 baht per month, with a bank deposit of less than 500,000 baht will be entitled to receive 10,000 baht in digital currency. This is expected to benefit around 50 million people, slightly fewer than the initial target of 56 million. However, those earning over 70,000 baht a month and having…
In the bustling halls of Chiang Rai’s provincial police office, Paveena Hongsakul, founder of the Pavena Foundation for Women and Children, discussed an urgent matter. Three Thai women, fallen victims to a heart-wrenching trafficking scheme in Myanmar, had been rescued and brought home. Accompanied by her, the anxious mother of one of the victims—a vibrant 23-year-old from Chiang Rai named Mai—waited to be reunited with her daughter. As the chilling details of their ordeal were revealed, Hongsakul shared how a tempting offer on the popular social media platform, TikTok, had led them astray. The unsuspecting Ms. Mai had responded to an advertisement for a trip to Myanmar’s Kengtung state, believing it was a golden opportunity to explore and perhaps find work. A decision she would later deeply regret. On May 18, Mai departed for her ill-fated journey to Kengtung state. To her horror, she was sold in Mong Nawng, a…
The Department of Medical Services (DMS) has launched an appeal that resonates with maternal care and love. The call is simple: ‘Got some surplus breast milk? Share it. Let’s collectively nourish the health of ailing or premature babies who, for various reasons, aren’t privileged to their mothers’ milk.’ The plea resonates with an empathy that serves to solidify this bond we call humanity,” indicated Deputy DMS director-general, Weerawut Imsamran. Dr. Weerawut unveiled alarming statistics that underscore the urgency of the message. Annually, around 15 million babies, approximately one in every ten infants, are born prematurely worldwide. Regrettably, about one million of these fragile lives are lost each year. One of the sobering realities, often ignored, is the inability of some of these infants’ mothers to sufficiently produce breast milk or complications that hinder them from breastfeeding. This is where the excess breast milk can make a life-saving difference. “Breast milk…