The landscape of Thai politics has been set ablaze, following the revelation of the current Prime Minister and Finance Minister’s proposition to take former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra under his wing. In an exclusive with Bloomberg Television, Srettha Thavisin spoke highly of Thaksin, alluding to the former premier’s nationwide popularity and citing it as reason enough to seek his counsel. But the pathway through the treacherous terrain of politics is rarely smooth, and this comment saw its fair share of opposition in the hallowed halls of the Parliament. A voice of dissent echoed from Senator Somchai Sawangkarn’s quarters. An worrisome unpacking of potential fallouts from associating with Thaksin formed the crux of his Friday address. In no uncertain terms, Somchai warned of the consequences of putting a man, tainted by a trio of convictions, on a pedestal. Despite his lenient one-year jail term, granted via a royal pardon, Thaksin’s courtroom…
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Strolling along the historic walls of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo, tourists are immersed in the grandeur of Bangkok’s finest attractions. These places are but a glimpse of the rich tapestry of culture that attracts a multitude of tourists to the capital. One particular group of tourists expected to significantly increase in number, are Chinese nationals. This is because of the recent announcement by the Airports of Thailand (AOT) of an anticipated 120,000 Chinese visitors expected to land at both Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports during the first week when visa exemptions for Chinese and Kazakh nationals come into effect. This notable change, made public in the Royal Gazette on September 19, inaugurates a visa-free scheme that permits a 30-day stay for citizens of China and Kazakhstan. This scheme, moored to run until February 29 next year, is believed to offer a significant surge in the volume of…
Recently, the State Railway of Thailand’s board (SRT) gave the green light to a proposal for a flat 20-baht fare applicable on both the SRT’s Red Line and MRT’s Purple Line, a move in tandem with the government’s initiative to alleviate the hefty cost of living. Next week, the proposal for the 20-baht-only fare is anticipated to go before the Transport Ministry for further examination. Once the ministry approves, the idea will be brought forward to the cabinet for final proceedings. On this matter, SRT governor Nirut Maneephan states that the Finance Ministry will conduct a review to ensure harmony with Section 27 of the monetary and fiscal discipline law. This law requires any state agency planning a project or measure that could substantially affect its revenue to delineate a spending plan, a timeline for implementation, and expected benefits of the action. As a part of this entire procedure, Nirut…
Itthipol Khunpluem, the ex-minister of culture, has indicated his readiness to acquiesce to the recent arrest warrant released against him. This revelation comes from Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, the secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), who reported that Mr. Itthipol had initiated contact and assured to submit himself to the law enforcement agencies. Mr. Niwatchai conveyed that Mr. Itthipol has the option to liaise directly with the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 2. The court was responsible for issuing his warrant. Alternatively, he can approach any other government establishment. Aged 50, Mr. Itthipol, along with two additional accomplices, finds himself embroiled in controversy surrounding the unlawful erection of a residential condo complex in Pattaya. During the time of this infraction, Mr. Itthipol held the post of city mayor and had a part to play in authorizing the construction of the Waterfront Suites and Residences in Pattaya back in…
From the bustling streets of New York to the serene rainforests of Malaysia, the long shadow of the wildlife black market extends worldwide. A key player, Teo Boon Ching, a Malaysian national, covertly known amongst circles as the ‘Godfather’ of wildlife smuggling, has finally been apprehended and sentenced. The court pronounced a sentence of 18 months imprisonment for his participation in the illicit trade of rhinoceros horns to the tune of several million dollars. The enormity of Ching’s enterprise was brought to light, illuminating the breaking down of regulations safeguarding endangered wildlife species – a cruel and blatantly disregard for nature’s exquisite biodiversity. As the gavel of justice struck on the languished hardwood surface amidst the urban cacophony of New York, it marked the conclusion of the court proceeding in a swanky New York court room. The announcement came straight from the woodwork of the US embassy in Thailand. The…
The vivid image of Democracy Monument, standing guard amidst anti-government rallies in Bangkok, Thailand, triggers a profound contemplation. Framed by two deputed policemen, the picture captured by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill in October 2021 encapsulates the prevailing political atmosphere of the period. The story unfolding at this historical moment revolves around talks of a potential constitutional rewrite, fueled by demands from various quarters. In response to these discussions, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Phumtham Wechayachai, underscored the government’s perspective on Friday. He highlighted the escalating costs associated with executing multiple referendums pertinent to the possible constitutional change. Mr. Phumtham, currently leading the creation of an advisory panel for referendum design, stated that each voting round could carry a hefty price tag of 3-4 billion baht. Furthermore, he predicted it might require three to four such rounds to finalize the amendment, dramatically inflating the overall expense. This prospective panel, he elaborated, would feature…
Recent discoveries in an ongoing police investigation have linked a man currently detained on suspicion of his young daughter’s murder, to a pair of mysterious infant deaths from 2013 and 2014. Songsak Songsaeng, a man of 46 years, and his present consort, Sunan Nahuanin, 40, are currently under arrest regarding the alleged murder of their 2-year-old daughter. Throughout his investigation, Mr. Songsaeng confessed to the tragic taking of four of his sons, each a product of a previous marriage. As spearheaded by Pol Maj Gen Wathee Assawutmangkul, head of the forensics division, DNA testing has unveiled grim insights. The samples obtained from Mr. Songsak, his past spouse Jessada Meepian, and the deceased infants share an irrefutable genetic match. The victims, whose bodies were uncovered in the Bang Sue district, were posthumously found to be descendants of Mr. Songsak. The eldest, a boy of roughly ten months, was discovered in 2013,…
On a momentous Saturday, the Move Forward Party announced Chaithawat Tulathon, the party’s secretary-general, as its new linchpin following the stepping down of Pita Limjaroenrat due to a persisting ambiguity around his MP status. Chaithawat, however, asserts that the alteration might be short-lived, in light of legal complexities hindering Mr. Pita from exercising his duties as the opposition leader. “If Mr. Pita is reassumed into his MP duties, myself and the newly appointed members of the executive committee are all prepared for a possible retreat,” stated Chaithawat at the general assembly of the party held over the weekend. Armed with a staggering 330 votes secured through an electronic voting system, Chaithawat only had 5 objection votes and 3 non-voting members against his leadership, he was the lone nominee making the decision almost unanimous. Our new leader hails from Songkhla and is a 45-year-old environmental engineering graduate from Chulalongkorn University. This…
In a case that has stunned the nation, the one-time spouse of Mr. Songsak Songsaeng, a suspect accused of perpetrating the horrific crime of killing five of his kids from two marriages, has been taken into custody as authorities continue their investigations. Jessada Meepian, a 33-year-old woman and the second wife of the alleged murderer, found herself on the way to the Central Women’s Correctional Institute following her appearance in the Criminal Court. In light of further evidence and witness testimonies that urgently need to be scrutinized, the court authorized the police request to detain her for an initial span of 12 days. This is pending the attention to 10 additional witnesses and anticipated forensic results. Absence of bail applications from Ms. Jessada or her family solidified her incarceration. The cloud of dread surrounding Ms. Jessada pertains to her suspected involvement in four deaths, resulting in a battery of five…
The Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok recently played host to an enlightening seminar that brought together some of the brightest minds in sustainability and environmental preservation. With panelists hailing from diverse backgrounds, this high-profile gathering brought into the limelight the urgent issues of our times, such as global climate change, carbon neutrality, and sustainable development across nations. The talks were centered around ideas tapping into a common theme – the immense pressure we as collective societies and economies face due to the ever-worsening impact of climate change. Perspectives were shared on how countries globally are adopting and implementing steps to cut down greenhouse gas emissions. This included insightful references to the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Clean Competition Act of the United States. Wannipa Bhakdibutr, president and CEO of Osotspa, highlighted the urgent need for collaboration amongst different sectors and parties for sustainability and achieving carbon neutrality.…