Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, radiant in her civil service dress uniform, flashed a cheerful mini-heart gesture during a group photo session with her cabinet ministers on the picturesque lawn of Government House on Sept 7. The joyful moment captured by photographer Nutthawat Wichieanbut quickly became the talk of the town, with reactions ranging from admiration to outrage. In a surprising twist, serial petitioner Ruangkrai Leekitwattana swooped in with yet another complaint aimed at Ms. Paetongtarn. Known for his knack for stirring political pots, Mr. Ruangkrai has now accused the Prime Minister of committing a grave offense by simply making a mini-heart gesture in her official attire. Not one to shy away from legal skirmishes, he’s already pursuing the dissolution of the Pheu Thai Party, alleging it is unduly influenced by Ms. Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin Shinawatra. Mr. Ruangkrai has submitted meticulous paperwork to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), calling into question…
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Picturesque Vang Vieng, nestled amidst breathtaking karst mountains, is located 154 kilometers north of Vientiane, the capital of Laos. (File photo) The state-run Transport Co is gearing up to reinstate the Udon Thani-Nong Khai-Vang Vieng bus service this November. Vang Vieng, a charming town in the Lao province of Vientiane, serves as a halfway point to the cultural haven of Luang Prabang. The town is celebrated for its stunning vistas, dramatic limestone cliffs, and intriguing caves that beckon adventurers from around the globe. After a recent meeting held in Vientiane between Thai and Lao land transport officials on September 4-5, Transport Co’s acting general manager, Atthawit Rakchamroon, announced the eagerly anticipated reopening of this bus route. Starting at Udon Thani airport and traveling through Nong Khai province, the service will once again connect travelers to the enchanting township of Vang Vieng. Scheduled for an early November kickoff, the service will…
The venerable Nishitetsu Group, famously known as The Nishi-Nippon Railroad Company, Ltd., celebrated a significant milestone on the 9th of September, 2024, by inaugurating its first ‘CROOM’ brand hotel outside Japan—Nishitetsu Hotel Croom Bangkok Silom. Nestled in the frenetic heart of the Silom area, one of Bangkok’s premier business districts, this venture marks the group’s second foray into the city’s hospitality scene, building on the success of the Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Bangkok, which opened its doors in 2020. Based in Fukuoka, Nishitetsu Group is distinguished as one of Japan’s ‘Big 16’ private railroad companies. Beyond its well-paved tracks, this diversified conglomerate spreads its wings across a multitude of sectors, operating buses, supermarkets, real estate ventures, travel agencies, and extending its influence to hotel management, logistics, and distribution services on a global scale. The strategic placement of the new Silom hotel, conveniently near the MRT (Subway) and BTS (Skytrain), positions guests…
The CBA Foundation has recently unveiled the Chula WISE program (Chula Wisdom for Self-Enrichment) designed for students at Chulalongkorn University. This innovative initiative has evolved from the highly successful ChAMP (Chulalongkorn Alumni Mentorship Program) pioneered by the Chulalongkorn Business School (CBS), which has been a cornerstone for undergraduate mentorship, facilitating invaluable learning experiences from alumni. This model has transcended educational boundaries, becoming a benchmark for several public and private organizations alike, thus setting a new course for personal and professional development. Given the soaring demand from students eager to unlock their potential, ChAMP ingeniously embraced online technologies, giving birth to Chula WISE—an online platform that transcends traditional classroom boundaries, epitomizing the essence of lifelong learning. In this ‘New Normal’ era, universities are tasked with empowering undergraduates, fostering strong foundational growth essential for thriving in an ever-evolving global landscape. Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, Acting President of Chulalongkorn University, emphasized that the…
The Transport Ministry has swiftly instructed the Marine Department to accelerate their efforts in enhancing maritime connectivity across the enchanting Andaman Sea provinces, aiming to invigorate economic activities in the region. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri emphasized that the ambitious 740-million-baht initiative is a crucial element of a renewed drive spearheaded by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. This initiative seeks to elevate the logistical framework and promote tourism in the area. The centerpiece of this transformative project involves the construction of two spanking new piers: Ao Po Ferry Pier in the picturesque Phuket and Tha Len Pier in the breathtaking Krabi. Additionally, substantial upgrades are planned for Manoh Pier and Chong Lard Pier, located in the serene Koh Yao district of Phangnga. Upon completion, Ms. Manaporn highlighted, these piers will seamlessly link Phuket, Phangnga, and Krabi, collectively forming the remarkable Andaman Triangle. This region, while brimming…
The Department of Tourism’s Thailand Film Office (TFO) is gearing up to make a significant splash at the Thai Movie Festival 2024, slated to run from September 12 to 15 at the illustrious National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) in Mumbai. This cinematic extravaganza, orchestrated in tandem with the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Mumbai, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Information, and India’s National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), seeks to elevate Thailand’s soft power and underscore the nation’s allure as a premier filming haven for Indian filmmakers. Chaturon Pakdevanich, the forward-thinking Director-General of the Department of Tourism, underscored the monumental influence of the Indian movie industry, a colossal market teeming with films, TV series, and diverse forms of entertainment. “From January to August this year alone, we saw 35 Indian movies being shot on Thai soil,” he revealed, with a gleam of excitement. This enthusiastic influx brought in…
Yesterday, former commerce minister Phumtham Wechayachai proudly touted a series of remarkable achievements of the Commerce Ministry during his initial year at the helm. These triumphs include securing higher prices for agricultural produce, alleviating the public’s cost of living, and amplifying the competitive edge of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Now serving as the defence minister in the Paetongtarn government, Phumtham held a vibrant press conference to shed light on the successful commerce-focused endeavors under his watch. Phumtham enthusiastically detailed how the ministry fostered collaboration among Thai conglomerates and government entities, orchestrating a collective effort to procure both primary and secondary crops. This initiative injected approximately 200 billion baht into the coffers of Thai farmers, significantly boosting their incomes. Such measures reflect the concerted efforts to bolster the agricultural sector, making it a cornerstone of the nation’s economic stability. Moreover, the ministry’s endeavors were not limited to just bolstering farmers’…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra must act swiftly to boost public confidence in her administration’s ability to tackle the myriad problems facing the nation. This was the strong recommendation from political analyst Assoc Prof Thanaporn Sriyakul during a Monday press conference. He emphasized that the first crucial step involves clearly outlining the measures her government intends to implement in order to address these issues comprehensively. Most importantly, the Prime Minister should detail the financial strategies her administration will employ to secure the necessary funding for urgent policies. “A transparent plan will allow her to shine brighter than her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra,” Sriyakul suggested, highlighting the potential for Paetongtarn to carve out her unique political legacy. However, he issued a warning: if her policies mirror Thaksin’s vision too closely—as outlined in his forum speech on Aug 22—both Paetongtarn and the Pheu Thai Party could find themselves under investigation for…
Anti-drug authorities in Thailand have made a significant dent in the battle against narcotics, capturing a staggering 1,607 suspects across six northern provinces this year. With a renewed vigor, they are pledging to intensify their efforts as they move into the next fiscal year, starting just next month. The regions primarily in the spotlight include the robust and picturesque territories of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Nan, and Tak. These provinces aren’t just known for their scenic beauty and cultural riches; they’ve unfortunately become vital links in a sprawling drug network. Estimates reveal there are tens of millions of methamphetamine pills and hundreds of kilograms of crystal methamphetamine stockpiled near the Thai border. These stashes are poised to make their way into central and southern Thailand, and even as far as Malaysia, wreaking havoc on communities. Held on a crisp morning, a press conference saw Pol Lt…
In a recent announcement, the Surat Thani Provincial Education Office sought to clear the air regarding the closure of the Myinttar Yeink Learning Centre. Authorities emphasized their efforts to integrate its students into Thai education schools, only to face cooperation challenges from the centre. This announcement follows the National Human Rights Commission’s concerns about the shutdown of an unlicensed migrant children’s learning centre in tambon Bang Kung of Muang district on September 4, which triggered the closure of all Burmese language learning centres in the province. This sudden shutdown has left over 2,000 migrant children in the region grappling with an abrupt halt in their education. Chokdee Srathakan, head of the Surat Thani Provincial Education Office, addressed the media to elaborate on the efforts and legal processes involved. According to Chokdee, multiple discussions were held with the Myinttar Yeink Learning Centre, but legal actions became inevitable due to persistent non-compliance.…