(Photo: Royal Thai Air Force) The government is fast-tracking a comprehensive compensation plan for tourism businesses devastated by the recent floods in Thailand’s Nong Khai province, announced an official. Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sorawong Thienthong, revealed on Saturday that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration had deliberated on the plan since Wednesday. “We’re rolling out several measures, including a one-month exemption on tap water and electricity bills for households impacted by the floods,” Sorawong stated. The government isn’t stopping there; they’re also extending soft loans with low-interest rates to affected tourism businesses. Sorawong emphasized the importance of feedback from operators to fine-tune the compensation scheme, stating, “We welcome any suggestions that will enhance the success of our compensation plan. Your insights are crucial for assessing the damages accurately.” The aid measures aim to be operational in about two weeks, as various sectors continue with their damage assessments. The Ministry of…
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An unprecedented attack disrupted the serene wilds of the Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary in Waeng district, Narathiwat, on a fateful Saturday night. What started as a tranquil evening took a sudden, violent turn when about 20 heavily armed men stormed the sanctuary armed to the teeth and clad in ominous black attire. These men with faces veiled plunged the sanctuary into chaos, targeting the very office that serves as a sanctuary for nature and knowledge. Attapon Charoenchansa, the steadfast director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, revealed the distressing details. Four officials, peacefully resting in their living quarters, found themselves yanked into a nightmare. The assailants, reeking of malice and armed to hilt, held the officials hostage, shaking the peace of this natural haven. The clamor of blasts and the roar of flames engulfed the night as the attackers bombarded and set ablaze four buildings within…
In a night that shook the serene surroundings of Narathiwat, the Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary office in Waeng district found itself under siege. The tranquillity of this wildlife haven was shattered when about 20 heavily armed men stormed the sanctuary on a fateful Saturday evening, turning it into a fiery battleground. Attapon Charoenchansa, the director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, revealed the chilling details of the brazen attack. Under the cover of night and dressed in black, the attackers who had meticulously concealed their identities descended upon the sanctuary with a strategic, almost cinematic fervor. The assailants, armed to the teeth, forcibly took four of the sanctuary’s officials hostage, effectively trapping them in their living quarters. With cold precision, they bombed and torched the sanctuary’s buildings, including houses and a tourist bungalow, painting the night sky with harsh, fiery hues. The entire ordeal—abduction and arson—unfolded…
In a move to bolster road safety, Thai authorities have introduced a new regulation that permits police to collect urine or blood samples from drivers who refuse to comply with breathalyser tests. This update, published in the Royal Gazette on Friday, supersedes the older ministerial regulations from 1994 and 2017, which relied heavily on breathalysers as the primary tool for detecting intoxicated drivers. The refreshed rule aims to adapt alcohol testing methods to better fit current circumstances and enhance the efficiency of legal measures against drunk driving. However, it’s still unclear how significantly this change will impact the number of offenders caught under the new system. According to the regulation, officers can now collect urine samples from drivers suspected of being under the influence. If a driver refuses to urinate in a designated container, they can be transported to a hospital for a blood test instead. The first step, however,…
On Thursday, parliamentarians are set to gather and vigorously debate whether an amnesty bill should extend its clemency to offenders of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also widely known as the lese majeste law. According to Nikorn Chamnong, the diligent secretary of the special House committee dedicated to scrutinizing this amnesty bill, the final version has been polished and ready for over a month. However, because of a rather jam-packed parliamentary agenda, the committee’s thoroughly prepared report will finally take center stage on September 26. The special panel, boasting an impressive array of specialists, has meticulously prepared responses to a wide spectrum of questions about the report. These range from the bill’s most contentious points to the intricate details of forming a dedicated committee that will finesse the ultimate version of the legislation. Nikorn disclosed that after much deliberation, the special committee found themselves at an impasse regarding the…
On a vibrant National Labour Day in Bangkok, representatives of workers’ organisations proudly marched, filling the streets with their demands for fair treatment and acknowledgement. Yet, behind the scenes, a pivotal decision hung in the balance. The much-anticipated nationwide wage hike faced another setback as the crucial vote by the tripartite wage committee hit a stalemate. Originally scheduled for Friday, the vote on the 400-baht wage increase proposal was postponed due to an insufficient number of attendees. The meeting was rescheduled for Tuesday, but the hurdles seemed far from over. To proceed, at least 10 members of the 15-member committee must be present, but this quorum was not met. A source revealed that only nine members turned up for the meeting; notably absent were six members, including four government representatives and two from the employee side. All five employer reps were remarkably present, a sign of readiness from that quarter.…
Picture this: the vibrant, spirited tradition of “Um Phra Dam Nam,” which translates to “the bathing of a Buddha image,” is set to cast its mesmerizing spell over Phetchabun once more. Come October 2, the picturesque Pa Sak River adjacent to Wat Bot Chanamarn will be the stage for an event steeped in history and reverence (Photo: SOONTHORN KONGWARAKHOM). This annual spectacle, unique to Phetchabun, is anticipated to lure about 200,000 visitors, pouring approximately 80 million baht into the local economy over its 10-day run. Kicking off on the first new moon of the 10th lunar month, this year, it aligns perfectly with the dawn of October 2, shared by Mr. Seksan Niyompeng, the dynamic mayor of Muang Phetchabun municipality. Tradition dictates that the provincial governor extends an invitation to the sacred image of Phra Phuttha Maha Dhamma Racha from Wat Tri Phum to join in the ceremony. This is…
Khao Kheow Open Zoo has become a whirlwind of excitement, all thanks to its latest star, Moo Deng. This adorable two-month-old baby pygmy hippo has captured hearts worldwide, leading the zoo to initiate live streaming sessions dedicated entirely to her. From September 1st to 19th alone, the zoo experienced an overwhelming influx of visitors, raking in over 12 million baht. The zoo’s director, Narongwit Chodchoy, projects that this interest will skyrocket their annual earnings to a staggering 200 million baht, with an expected one million visitors by the end of their fiscal year this month. Mr. Narongwit revealed that the public’s obsession with Moo Deng has caused a remarkable 50% rise in zoo attendance. Between September 1st and 19th, a whopping 81,786 people visited Khao Kheow Open Zoo, contributing to the phenomenal 12.97 million baht in ticket sales. With forecasts setting high expectations, the zoo is set to welcome over…
Opposition is swelling against a move by the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the main opposition People’s Party (PP) to tweak parts of the 2017 constitution, focusing especially on the ethical standards mandated for political office-holders. The Bhumjaithai Party, a senator, and coalition partner, has thrown its weight behind the growing clamor to preserve these charter provisions. The Pheu Thai Party had submitted its partial charter amendment bill to the House last Wednesday. This came hot on the heels of a similar proposal by the PP the previous week. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha announced that the House’s deliberation on these bills would likely commence around mid-October. He reassured that there would be no delays beyond this month. The contentious provisions targeted for amendment include Section 160, which outlines the prerequisites for aspiring cabinet ministers. This section demands that candidates must be evidently honest and have not committed severe…
Parliamentarians are set to lock horns on Thursday over a highly anticipated debate: Should an amnesty bill extend to offenders under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly known as the lese majeste law? Nikorn Chamnong, the secretary of the special House committee tasked with studying the amnesty bill, recently revealed that the bill has been ready for over a month. However, given the jam-packed parliament meeting agenda, lawmakers will only get their chance to debate the bill’s coverage on September 26th. Nikorn noted that a special panel has meticulously prepared answers to a plethora of questions regarding the report. These questions range from the bill’s controversial points to the composition of the committee that will be responsible for designing the final version of the legislation. Despite the extensive preparation, the special committee remains divided on whether the amnesty should extend to Section 112 offenders. This 35-member panel was established…