This week, the bustling city of Chiang Mai is set to host an exciting occasion. On Friday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will lead her team of cabinet ministers to this vibrant northern province for a significant meeting and a whirlwind tour of the region, including a visit to its neighboring province, Chiang Rai. This four-day visit, kicking off on Thursday, promises to be much more than mere politics — it’s a showcase of Thailand’s rich northern culture and a call to revive tourism post-flood challenges, according to government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub. The northern mobile cabinet meeting is just one of many dynamic events planned during this tour. Why, you ask? Well, the government is on a mission to energize northern tourism, which took quite a hit due to the devastating floods. By putting Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai on the map again, they’re hoping to jazz up the local economy…
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In the heart of Thailand’s Phetchabun province, an exhilarating motorcyclist event unfolded last weekend, grabbing the attention of local highway police and thousands of enthralled young riders. The “Trip Nam Mai Arb,” a whimsical “No Shower Trip,” swept through the picturesque landscapes of this lower northern province, promising a winter adventure unlike any other. As hordes of motors roared towards the celebrated Phu Thap Boek and Khao Kho National Park in Lom Kao district, an estimated 6,000 youthful thrill-seekers revved up their engines, eager to take in the chill of a November breeze. However, merriment was tempered by firm oversight from Phetchabun’s alert highway police force. Eager to ensure adherence to traffic laws, the highway police, instructed by Pol Maj Gen Kongkrit Lertsitthikun, swung into action. Pol Lt Col Warabordin Lertsupasinsathit, a vigilant officer from Highway Police Station 5 of Sub-Division 1, led a formidable operation. It saw three strategic…
In a headline-grabbing twist worthy of a gripping drama, the serene corridors of Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Division 1 were abuzz with intrigue as the ex-wife and daughter of Dr. Boon Vanasin, the illustrious founder of Thonburi Healthcare Group, found themselves in the center of a multi-billion-baht storm. The iconic leader, known for shaping the healthcare landscape of Thailand, now cast an overshadowing spotlight with allegations of mind-boggling fraud, leaving both kin and kingdom reeling in its magnitude. Amidst swirling allegations, Jaruwan Vanasin, the 79-year-old former spouse, and her daughter Nalin, a sprightly 51, were ensnared in a web they vehemently claimed not to have spun. Brought before the investigative lens on a perilous Saturday night, they stood accused of public fraud, fraudulent borrowing, and a slew of money-laundering machinations. Stalwartly, they denied all charges, painting a picture of innocence amid the cascade of accusations. Pol Maj Gen Atthaporn Wongsiripreeda, the…
In the intriguing, sleepless nights of Nakhon Ratchasima, where the moon casts a silvery glow over the undulating landscapes, tales of humans versus nature unfolded in a dramatic standoff. Imagine the scene: it’s Saturday night, and a group of intrepid farmland protection volunteers finds themselves squared off against a formidable adversary—an assembly of wild elephants. The tranquil setting of Khon Buri district in northeastern Thailand was disrupted when these gentle giants decided to venture too close for comfort to the boundaries of Thap Lan National Park. At around 9 PM, under the cloak of the night, the alarm was raised. Volunteers, as sharp as eagles, spotted the silhouettes of approximately 20 elephants inching closer to the lush greens of Taling Chan village. With sugarcane, cassava, and cornfields at stake, time was of the essence. Rallying around a shared goal of safeguarding their rich farmlands, a courageous battalion of about 50…
In the bustling district of Bang Bua Thong, nestled in Nonthaburi, a rather astounding discovery was made that reverberated across both local and international wildlife protection communities. Authorities confiscated three fully intact Sumatran tiger carcasses, unearthed from within the confines of a seemingly unremarkable house. The tale of this peculiar case, involving a 60-year-old man and his clandestine dealings, is nothing short of intriguing. The careful and coordinated raid on this fateful Saturday was orchestrated by Thailand’s diligent Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED). At the center of this operation was a certain Mr. Charlie Meepra. As the moonlit night enveloped the town, Charlie, oblivious to the impending swoop, found himself ensnared by a sting operation that could easily match the plot of a crime thriller. Pol Col Arun Wachirasrisukanya, the astute deputy commander of NED, was the mastermind behind this strategic bust. Acting on an anonymous tip,…
In the vibrant heart of Bangkok, a determined battalion of change-makers gathered at the TK Palace Convention Centre, rallying under the bold banner of “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers.” This spirited congregation, featuring representatives from an impressive coalition of 80 civil society groups, wasn’t just a regular meet-up. It was an emphatic clarion call for justice as they urged the Thai government to embrace a series of transformative recommendations, each designed to dismantle discrimination against the country’s most vulnerable populations. The event, orchestrated by the Foundation for Action on Inclusion Rights (FAIR), People’s Movement to Eliminate Discrimination (MovED), and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), sought to weave a fabric of solidarity and strength within the society. Their mission was clear: Advocate for legislative changes that would foster a more equitable and inclusive society. At the heart of their campaign lie five pivotal proposals. The first focuses on enhancing the understanding…
The ongoing saga of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra reads like a political thriller that just won’t fade into obscurity. The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand retains its sharp focus on Thaksin, probing his alleged orchestration of the Pheu Thai Party and the claimed meddling in the coalition government. Despite the Constitutional Court’s recent decision to dismiss a petition accusing Thaksin and the Pheu Thai Party of attempting to dismantle the constitutional monarchy, the EC remains relentless in its investigation. According to Sawang Boonmee, the EC secretary-general, the reason for this persistence lies in the difference between the laws governing the two bodies. Although the court rejected the petition based on its legal perspective, the EC continues its inquiry under distinct legal provisions. The court’s assessment hinged on Section 49 of the Thai constitution, which addresses acts of misconduct and potential threats to the monarchy. However, the EC is…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, along Rama VI Road in Ratchathewi district, there stands a beacon of hope for those in need of medical supplies – the Government Pharmaceutical Organization outlet. This place, always abuzz with the chatter of concerned citizens, has recently found itself at the center of a heated debate that has stirred emotions across Thailand. A spirited civil society group, led by the impassioned voice of Saree Aongsomwang, secretary-general of the Thailand Consumer Council (TCC), is voicing its discontent over a legal tussle that could set back healthcare advancements. The Medical Council of Thailand, in a move as contentious as it is surprising, has launched a legal action against the National Health Security Office (NHSO) over its policy of providing free medicine to those with 16 common ailments under the country’s universal healthcare scheme. The ailments in question are those that can sneak up on us…
Political analysts have their fingers abuzz with chatter, and it seems the tea leaves are signaling an imminent homecoming for Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand’s former Prime Minister turned fugitive. With her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, fanning the flames of anticipation, Yingluck’s potential return is stirring the political cauldron.(Photo: @PouYingluck X account) Thaksin’s intriguing remarks in Udon Thani Province, unveiled by Nikkei Asia, hinted that Yingluck could be back on Thai soil as soon as the Songkran festival in April. The timing couldn’t be more dramatic, evoking an image worthy of a political epic. Her journey back, if realized, would mark a significant turn of events since her disappearance in 2017—a self-imposed exile sparked by a controversial rice-pledging program that left the country short of at least 500 billion baht. Despite a court sentence looming over her like a storm cloud—five years, to be precise—speculation about her return gained ground when the Supreme…
A riveting saga unfolds in Thailand as the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases faces a seismic challenge, involving a land ownership debacle of epic proportions. The controversy has ensnared nine individuals, including Interior permanent secretary Ansit Sampantarat and the Department of Land’s (DoL) director-general, Pornpoth Penpas. At the heart of the turmoil? The sprawling Khao Kradong lands in Buri Ram province, embroiled over a colossal 5,083 rai of contested plots. Natthaporn Toprayoon, once the wise adviser to the Chief Ombudsman, has boldly taken up arms, filing a petition grounded in his constitutional rights as outlined in Chapter 3. The allegations levied are grave: negligence and ethical misconduct, stemming from not executing the court’s directive to annul the contentious Khao Kradong land rights document. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT), like a knight determined to reclaim its rightful kingdom, has accused the Department of Land of erroneously granting…