Next week, as the UN General Assembly in New York is abuzz with political conversations, Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to seize a key opportunity. He intends to negotiate with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier about procuring a German-engineered powerhouse to drive the Chinese-built submarine Thailand is in the process of purchasing. This crucial revelation was shared with the media by Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara following a routine cabinet meeting on Wednesday. “Our contact with Germany is well underway, however, we’re still in anticipation of final confirmation,” shared an expectant Mr. Parnpree. It’s a significant negotiation that carries substantial political and national security implications, given the specifics of the Royal Thai Navy’s submarine contract with China. The unique stipulation is that the submarine should come equipped with an engine of German make. However, the situation is not as clear cut as it seems due to Germany’s reticence over selling…
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Highlighted in the headlines, Samut Sakhon province was the site of a significant seizure operation involving 10 tonnes of illicit frozen pork in June, brought to light by the diligent efforts of the Department of Livestock Development as shown on their official Facebook page. In an effort to maintain the integrity of the agricultural industry, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Thamanat Prompow stepped up to curb illicit imports. He took the bold measure of ordering the disposal of a staggering 4,300 tonnes of apprehended pork at a landfill in Sa Kaeo. This massive lot, taken into custody in July by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) during a raid at Laem Chabang port, constituted 161 containers and had a hefty value of over 500 million baht. Preventing the influx of illegal agricultural products, notably the steady stream of smuggled pork, has become a critical focus area for the Ministry. Their goal…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has announced a special amnesty scheme, offering an ultimatum of 30 days to illegal gun owners. These individuals have been given a month’s respite to turn in their unlicensed firearms to the nearest police station. Upon the expiry of the grace period, they would be subjected to an aggressive crackdown. This declaration was made on Wednesday during a joint operation by a force of roughly 100 police personnel and other staff, who meticulously sifted through 21 different locations in Nakhon Pathom. The team was successful in confiscating approximately 16 revolvers and 200 rounds of ammunition that were associated with a network mimicking mafia behavior. This operative network has links with last week’s incident where a highway police official was fired upon during a dinner event organized at the residence of a known local chieftain and constructor, Praween Chanklai, also referred to as “Kamnan Nok”. Stewarding the…
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, many airports may struggle to accommodate the increased flight demand. The perfect remedy, however, noted Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, lies in enhancing their capabilities through expansion initiatives. Both the Airports of Thailand (AOT) and the Department of Airports (DOA) will conduct extensive research on the expansion of existing airports in addition to the creation of new ones, all in an effort to support the escalating demands of travel. A key point of discussion included the limitations surrounding the expansion of Phuket Airport due to the increase in passenger volume. A solution proposed was the construction of another airport in close proximity, specifically in Phang Nga. Thorough research suggests that the Khok Kloi Subdistrict of Phang Nga would be an ideal location for this new airport venture. Currently, the ministry is examining whether the new airport should operate as a private-public cooperative or remain under…
On a recent Wednesday, Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, delighted many by announcing a recently approved policy that is set to lure visitors from China and Kazakhstan to Thailand. This ground-breaking initiative removes the requirement for tourists from these countries to pay for a visa for a five-month period spanning from the end of September to the end of February. The aim is clear – stimulate tourism in the region known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Following this proclamation, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the Transport Minister, shared plans that Ministry officials and Cabinet members will head on an exploratory visit to Chiang Mai International Airport. Slotted for September 15 and 16, the purpose of this mission is to gauge the readiness of the airport facility to cope with an expected surge in tourists influx. Closely related is the progress review of the construction works of the second…
Severe weather alert! The Thai Meteorological Department cautions residents of an impending drenching, with a vast 70-80% of northern, northeastern, central, eastern, and Bangkok regions set to experience this heavy downpour. All this due to an aggressive monsoon trough currently traversing over Myanmar and Northern Laos, expected to shift into a low-pressure cell over northern Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin shortly. This weather system, aligning with the moderate southwest monsoon reigning over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, is a recipe for copious rains, particularly concentrated in specific areas within the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern territories. Inhabitants of these regions are highly recommended to be on guard for any resultant hazards from the substantial precipitation and potential flash floods particularly in elevations adjacent to water bodies and low-lying areas. In the northern territories, anticipate thunderstorms enveloping approximately 80% of the region, inducing heavy rain in…
Weaving an intricate tapestry of diplomacy and mutual learning, the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives recently illuminated Bangkok with the 23rd convention of the Thailand-Australia Joint Working Group on Agriculture. This prestigious event witnessed the synergy of two nations coming together to exchange agronomical wisdom, knowledge, and innovative strategies. The guest delegation was astutely led by the First Assistant Secretary of the Trade and International Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry. The quintessential aim of this skilled diplomat was to facilitate in-depth discussions about the interchange of agricultural policies, with a special focus on sustainable agricultural development methods practiced by both nations. This marked an important step to broaden the horizons of academic cooperation across a multitude of domains. The symposium had invaluable discussions revolving around Sustainable Development Goals, a brainchild of the United Nations, as confirmed by the Thai ministry. Thailand seized this golden opportunity to showcase…
The brainchild behind the innovative ‘Robotics for Kids’ (R4K) project, www.r4kclub.com, rests in the vision of a single individual. His ambitious vision? Empowering underprivileged children throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia with foundational knowledge in robotics and programming. Why? Because he’s passionate about bridging the learning opportunity gap and tackling educational inequality head-on. I had the recent pleasure of speaking with this inspiring individual, Kris, exclusively for The Nation. Unsurprisingly, Kris chats about his lifelong creative tinkering, dating back to his childhood where LEGO sets were his preferred canvas. His curiosity eventually found a new obsession: robotics. “Discovering robotics was like crossing paths with a black hole – I was irresistibly drawn in,” Kris explains, his eyes lighting up. “Here was something I could engineer, something tangible, something that could move and interact with the real world. I dove headfirst into robotics courses, eventually making my way to prestigious competitions like…
Thailand boasts over 35,000 enterprises directly influencing or benefiting from the space economy. These contribute an aggregated economic worth of approximately 56 billion baht annually, states KMITL’s rector, Associate Professor Komsan Maleesee. The proposition of a regional space hub kindles the prospect of novel career possibilities in a vast array of professions. Along with showcasing exhilarating career prospects, a regional hub would enable local authorities to deploy space technology for disaster prediction and monitoring. This would facilitate the tracking of natural calamities like floods and droughts, PM2.5 air pollution, forest fires, and climate change repercussions, thereby promoting public safety. International space organizations have conducted extensive research and chosen Chumphon province as a promising location for this groundbreaking project. Its proximity to the Equator makes it an ideal spot for a spaceport erection. With the establishment of the new space hub, Thailand joins the elite association of top-notch launch facility hosts,…
The reins of the committee are firmly gripped by the premier, who will exercise his dual role of both leader and finance minister, as revealed by Julapun Amornvivat, the dynamic Deputy Finance Minister. On the 11th of September, an unwavering policy declaration was issued to Parliament by the gallant Pheu Thai-led coalition. They voiced their pledge that the grand handout of a 10,000 baht digital wallet is well-intentioned. It was presented as an apostle of financial prudence and won’t be a menace to the country’s public debt. The funding for the project comes from the vast coffers of the budgetary framework, promising robust financial backing at least in the initial phase. The narrative on the allocation process, as well as the all-important timeline, are subtle elements that are yet to be divulged. Srettha, in his inaugural visit to the hallways of the Finance Ministry, is slated for this Thursday, where…