In the heart of Bangkok, under the sweltering heat of a Wednesday morning, the saga of student activism against the backdrop of Thailand’s strict royal defamation laws took another twist. Three young souls, armed with nothing but their convictions and voices, found themselves ensnared in the iron grip of the law, their fate hanging in the balance within the austere walls of the Criminal Court. The day began with an air of tension as Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatuanon and Natthanon “Frank” Chaimahabud were escorted to court, facing charges that could easily be a subplot in a dystopian novel: sedition, attempting to disrupt a royal motorcade, and the audacity of defying a police summon. By 7:25 a.m., the atmosphere thickened with anticipation and dread as Tantawan, a beacon of resistance, made her way into the court, closely followed by Natthanon, their spirits unbroken but futures uncertain. The charge? An incident that unfolded…
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In an intriguing turn of events, the director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DCD), Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn, unveiled on a sunny Wednesday that a revolutionary initiative is taking root in the bustling heart of Siam Square. Imagine a world where grabbing a condom or an HIV self-test kit is as easy as picking up your favorite pack of chips. Thanks to Sun Vending Technology (SVT), this vision is turning into a reality. SVT is stepping up to the plate as the pioneering champion of DCD’s ground-breaking “condom anytime, anywhere” policy. Starting this Thursday, their vending machines nestled in the vibrant Siam Square will embark on a mission far beyond their usual snack-dispensing duty. This initiative, part of SVT’s CSR programme, is blazing a trail towards making health essentials effortlessly accessible to the masses. Thongchai’s enthusiasm was palpable as he shared insights into the DCD’s endeavors. With a burgeoning stockpile of…
Welcome to a tale of modern-day rebellion, where the spirit of dissent brews amidst the chaos of a bustling city. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill story; it’s the account of Tantawan Tuatulanon and Natthanon Chaiyamahabut, two activists who found themselves in the grip of the law one fateful Tuesday evening. The stage was set at the Criminal Court, not typically known for its drama outside the courtroom. But that day was different. Tantawan and Natthanon arrived to beam their support for a duo caught in the crosshairs just a day prior: a Prachatai reporter and a freelance photographer, whose only crime was their quest for truth. However, fate had a peculiar twist in store. Our protagonists were charged with public disturbance under the daunting Article 116 of the criminal code, a shadow that looms with a maximum penalty of seven years behind bars. The clock ticks aimlessly as investigators weave through…
Imagine a setting where the warmth of tradition meets the serenity of nature, all unfolding in the lush embrace of Thailand’s Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. This was precisely the scene in Chon Buri on a certain Valentine’s Day, where love transcended the ordinary and embarked on a journey that was nothing short of magical. What made this celebration extraordinary wasn’t just the union of hearts but the grandeur of the participants’ chosen steeds: elephants, dressed to impress and carrying eager couples ready to profess their love in the most enchanting way possible. In a spectacle that seamlessly wove together the threads of Thai culture and the universal language of love, nine couples, clad in traditional attire, mounted these majestic beasts. With the air filled with anticipation and the tranquil beauty of the garden serving as a backdrop, these lovebirds chose to exchange their vows in a mass wedding ceremony that…
In a world where rainbows shine brighter in some places than others, Thailand is about to become a beacon of equal love and fairness, glittering brightly on the international stage. With the Same-Sex Marriage Act nearing its final lap of consideration—currently standing tall and proud at a 70% completion mark—the country is on the cusp of rewriting history not only for itself but for the entirety of Asia, setting the stage for a monumental stride towards inclusivity. The remarkable journey towards this legislative milestone is being navigated by a dedicated team of advocates and lawmakers, among whom Danuporn Punpankan of the Pheu Thai Party shines as a guiding light. Leading the charge with the Same-Sex Marriage Committee, Danuporn and their team have been laboring tirelessly to weave the fabric of equality into the legal tapestry of Thailand, ensuring that the vibrant threads of the LGBTQ+ community are represented and celebrated.…
Under the blanket of a hazy morning, the city of Bangkok found itself enveloped in an invisible but palpable threat. The air, usually bustling with the life and energy of the capital, carried a silent danger – PM2.5. This term, which might sound like a cryptic password to the uninitiated, refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter. These microscopic particles, although invisible to the naked eye, pose a significant threat to public health, being linked to a range of chronic diseases such as lung and heart problems. On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday, the levels of PM2.5 escalated to a troubling high across the metropolitan sprawl, reaching readings of 75 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) in over 20 districts. This figure starkly overshadows Thailand’s set safety standard of 37.5µg/m³ for a 24-hour average, catapulting the situation from concerning to critical. The air quality readings, which indicated…
Imagine waking up at the crack of dawn, the air filled with anticipation, much like the grandeur of a fairytale wedding, yet amidst the bustling city of Bangkok. This is not just any day; it’s Valentine’s Day, a day when love is celebrated in its myriad forms. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) decided to turn this day of love into a monumental celebration at the majestic Jewellery Trade Centre building located in the heart of Bang Rak district. The event? A testament to love’s infinity. Bang Rak, a name that translates to “the district of love,” becomes the epicenter of matrimonial bliss each year on February 14th. Couples, hand in hand, flood the district office, eager to pledge their eternal love to one another. It’s a scene straight out of a romantic novella – love literally is in the air. In the spirit of romance, Wiroj Khammoon and his bride,…
Picture this: Thailand’s bustling streets and vibrant markets brimming with life, yet beneath this colorful facade, a silent specter looms large – the gargantuan shadow of debt swallowing the country whole. Surapol Opasatien, the astute chief executive of the NCB, paints a rather alarming picture of the financial fiend threatening to eclipse Thailand’s economic sun. As of November 2023, the ledger of woes tallies a staggering 2,674,081 cases of debt, with a total weight of 15.99 trillion baht, nearly mirroring the country’s hefty household debt of 16 trillion baht and dangerously flirting with the GDP’s dancefloor at 17 trillion baht. It’s a fiscal fandango of figures that would make even the savviest of accountants swoon. Of those chilling cases, 1.05 million have seen the gavel fall in favor of the creditors, amassing to about 15 trillion baht. Yet, here’s the twist – they’re still tiptoeing around the actual collection. Imagine…
Once upon a recent Monday, the virtual realms buzzed with a new sensation – a video that was more stirring than the usual fare of dancing pets and culinary feats. This wasn’t your typical Internet fluff; it was a glimpse into a quaint café nestled in the heart of Phuket’s Rassada subdistrict, where patrons could sip their lattes alongside an unusual companion, a lion cub. Viewers across the globe were captivated, yet one question lingered in the digital ether: Was this enchanting or alarming? The video, a deft mix of wonder and worry, showed the tiny king of the jungle making the café his kingdom, and it wasn’t long before it sparked a heated debate. Amidst the awe, a crucial query arose – was this legal? Or, veering beyond legality, was it right? As if summoned by the collective concern of the Online Realm, the next day saw action. Enter…
Imagine the towering skyline of Bangkok, a city where the buzz of street vendors harmoniously clashes with the rhythm of the bustling city. In the heart of this vibrant, ever-pulsating metropolis lies Sukhumvit – an area famed not just for its illustrious nightlife but for housing some of the most luxurious highrises you can set your eyes on. Yet, amidst the sparkle of city lights, a chilling story unfolds on the 23rd floor of a Sukhumvit highrise, turning the usual tranquility of a Klong Toey district night into the scene of a grim investigation. In the early hours of Wednesday, a tale as old as time about business and betrayal took a deadly turn. A 53-year-old businessman from Myanmar found his life’s final chapter penned in a luxury apartment, his body telling the silent tale of a brutal encounter. The story? A tale of two Scotsmen, business partners turned suspects,…