Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pongsitthithavorn has recently issued a directive for the Muang Chiang Mai Municipality to collaborate with the 7th Fine Arts Office in expediting the restoration of the historic Suan Dok Gate. This urgency comes amid growing concerns from local residents that the compromised wall might crumble and fall onto the nearby road in Muang district’s tambon Sriphum. A noticeable two-meter vertical crack has appeared on the north side of the gate, raising alarm among the community. The crack has widened to the extent where people can even see through it to the other side of the wall. Locals are now increasingly worried that the wall might collapse onto the adjacent road that runs alongside it, similar to the Chang Phuak Gate, which crumbled after heavy rainfall in September of the previous year. Despite their concerns, Therdsak Yenjura, the director of the ancient ruins for the 7th Fine…
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As the highly anticipated reopening of the Tham Luang Cave site in Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non National Park, Chiang Rai province, approaches this July, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has revealed the safety measures that will be put in place for visitors. The Tham Luang Cave was propelled into international fame back in 2018 when it was flooded, trapping 12 young Wild Boars football players and their coach for 18 days before their miraculous rescue that captivated the world. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the Marine and Coastal Resources Department, is visiting the Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non National Park this weekend to survey the area. He is joined by Chaiwat Limlikhit-aksorn, director of the National Park Office; Chutidech Kamonnachanut, director of the Conservation Area Administration Office 15 Chiang Rai; and Vernon Unsworth, a British cave diver who was instrumental in the 2018 rescue mission. The…
The Public Health Ministry of Thailand is preparing to send off 42 medical personnel who will accompany Thai Muslims participating in the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia this year. Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, permanent secretary of the ministry, and his assistant Dr. Suppachok Wetchaphanphesat, will be present at Suvarnabhumi Airport to see off the first medical team joining the pilgrims. Dr. Suppachok has revealed that approximately 12,000 Thai Muslims, the majority of whom are from the South, will undertake the journey to Mecca between May 21 and June 23, with their return scheduled for July. All participants are required to undergo a series of health checkups as well as receive vaccinations or boosters for influenza, meningococcal disease, and COVID-19. The ministry has issued vaccine certificates as evidence of their inoculations. In addition to providing medical personnel, the ministry has also trained Hajj health volunteers who will coordinate with pilgrims and collaborate…
The potential of conflict and another coup taking place is a looming concern if the Move Forward Party (MFP) fails in its attempt to form a coalition government, according to a political academic. However, the military has given its assurance that it will work to maintain order and has ruled out the possibility of another coup occurring. Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket, a program director for politics and development strategy at the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), outlined possible scenarios on Facebook for the outcome if the MFP succeeds or fails in forming a government. In order to form the new government, the MFP-led coalition, which currently has 313 MPs in total, will need the backing of at least 66 senators. According to Mr. Phichai, the MFP has the legitimacy to form a government, with its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, standing out among other prime ministerial contenders, as he has international…
As part of a continued effort to combat financial crimes and sexual misconduct among monks, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) have teamed up with the National Office of Buddhism (NOB). This partnership comes in the wake of recent allegations against Phra Vajirayankosol, Wat Pah Dhammakhiri’s founder, and Phra Maha Wuthima Thaomor, its abbot. Both officials were stripped of their titles and defrocked for allegedly stealing roughly 300 million baht from temple funds and engaging in sexual relations. Once revered monks, Khom Khonggaew and Wuthima Thaomor are now imprisoned laymen, arrested since May 8th. An astounding 130 million baht of stolen temple funds have been found in Mr. Khom’s bank account, with 51 million baht in cash discovered at the home of his sister, Jutatip Pubodeewachorupan, who faces arrest as well. This seizure and subsequent police investigation have drawn significant public attention, prompting the ACD to…
South Korea’s renowned shipbuilding company, Samsung Heavy Industries, is actively seeking to employ 1,227 skilled Thai workers to bolster its workforce, according to Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin. The highly sought-after positions include 527 welders, 500 painters, and 200 electricians, offering attractive monthly salaries ranging from 2.5 million to 3 million Korean won, equivalent to approximately 90,000 to 108,000 Thai baht. Suchart emphasized that the Labour Ministry has maintained a strong relationship with Khoshipa, the Korea Offshore and Shipbuilding Association, ensuring a smooth process for Thai workers to obtain E-7 visas for skilled labor in South Korea. As a result, local job placement firms have informed the ministry that they have contractual obligations to provide 4,477 workers for seven different shipbuilding companies, with 711 individuals already sent to South Korea. South Korea’s aging population has led to a shortage of skilled workers, prompting higher salaries and overtime offerings to incentivize foreign…
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat recently held a press conference, joined by the leaders of seven potential coalition partners, to announce their intention to form a new government and endorse Mr. Limjaroenrat as the next prime minister. As of now, these potential governing coalition parties are still in the process of agreeing on the terms of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which is expected to be announced shortly. A top MFP official, Secretary-General Chaithawat Tulanon, stated that the party plans to meet separately with representatives from each potential coalition party to finalize the terms of the MoU, encompassing not only the MFP’s agenda but also those of other parties. Key issues include peace efforts in the southern border provinces and ending market barriers to competition in the alcoholic beverage market. The MoU will also address the legalization of same-sex marriage to promote social diversity. According to Mr. Chaithawat,…
A rally has been scheduled for May 23rd in front of the Parliament building in Bangkok’s Kiak Kai area, with the goal of urging the 250 members of the Senate to support the people’s desire for the Move Forward Party to form a government led by Pita Limjaroenrat as Prime Minister. The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) announced the rally plans on their Facebook page this past Sunday. The UFTD believes that elections are a vital instrument to showcase the will and needs of the people. They argue that when citizens have voiced their desire for change, the democratic system should adapt accordingly. However, the 2017 constitution allows the 250 unelected senators to vote in the election of the Prime Minister. The UFTD stated in a Facebook post, “No matter how much this election has demonstrated the people’s true intention, some senators have shown disagreement with the democratic…
The Election Commission (EC) announced the cancellation of voting in Bang Khaem Subdistrict Administration Office in Muang district, Nakhon Pathom, at 4:45 pm on May 14, after severe thundershowers and strong winds caused the polling station tents to collapse. As a result, some eligible voters were unable to cast their votes before the decision was made to call off the proceedings. EC Chairman Itthiporn Boonprakong stated that there are a total of 943 eligible voters registered at this polling station, with a portion of them already having voted on the morning of May 14. To ensure that everyone has a fair chance to exercise their right to vote, the EC’s Nakhon Pathom office has been instructed to invite all registered voters to return to the same polling station on May 21, from 8 am to 5 pm, to cast their votes once again. Meanwhile, in the six constituencies of Nakhon…
Social media platforms, especially Twitter, erupted with chatter as officials of the BTS Skytrain announced at 8:50 AM that their services were disrupted on the Lat Phrao to Mor Chit line section. This unfortunate event resulted in a 30-minute delay, which also had a domino effect on the Sukhumvit line. Consequently, a significant number of passengers were left stranded at the Lat Phrao intersection station. The situation at the station escalated quickly, with overcrowding becoming a pressing issue. As the trains were unable to accommodate the growing number of passengers, the crowd at the platform continued to inflate with people disembarking from trains arriving from Chatuchak station, further contributing to the chaos. As news of the BTS disruption spread, social media users made it their mission to keep others informed. Though it was not just the train delays that were causing grievances. Passengers were also perturbed by a malfunction in…