Picture this scene: a bustling night in the heart of Bangkok, where the vibrant pulses of Khao San Road usually promise excitement and adventure. Yet on this fateful Sunday night, the vivid lights were overshadowed by flashing sirens as firefighters arrived at The Ember Hotel—a fittingly named establishment that became the center of a fiery drama. Located on Tanee Road in the iconic Phra Nakhon district, the hotel was no stranger to travelers seeking budget-friendly accommodations and a touch of local flair. But this was a night that would etch the hotel into the city’s darker chronicles. At precisely 9:26 PM, guests who had been winding down from an evening of cultural exploration and lively energy were jolted into alarm. A blaze erupted on the fifth floor of the six-story hotel, rapidly evolving into a situation that would call for the valor of Bangkok’s bravest. The relentless flames unfurled their…
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In the heart of Bangkok, where the vibrant pulse of Khao San Road never ceases to thrum, an unexpected darkness fell upon The Ember Hotel in Phra Nakhon District on a sultry Sunday night. As visitors strolled through the bustling streets, blissfully unaware, a blaze erupted at precisely 9:26 PM, sending waves of alarm rippling through the night air. The fire, which ignited on the fifth floor of the otherwise serene six-storey accommodations, turned a typical evening into a scene of chaos and urgency. Witnesses reported seeing flames lick at the windows, casting a haunting glow against the night sky. It was as if the hotel itself had become an unwilling beacon, drawing both concern and attention. Bangkok’s seasoned firefighters were swift on the scene, their efforts a testament to well-rehearsed efficiency and teamwork. In just about an hour, the tenacious flames were subdued, their threat quelled by streams of…
In recent developments, the Industry Ministry has taken a bold step to ensure cleaner skies over Lop Buri by suspending a noticeable sugarcane mill. Yes, you heard that right. The sugarcane giant, Sugar TN Industry Co Ltd, has been asked to put a pause on its operations in Tha Luang district. But why, you ask? Well, amidst swirling clouds of controversy and quite literally, black smoke, the factory’s operations were found to be out of sync with the Ministry’s air quality standards. Factory giants around the country have been on the Ministry’s radar, each being asked to install the futuristic-sounding Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS). For Sugar TN Industry Co Ltd, however, the plots thickened when an inspection revealed their CEMS was more rebellious than compliant, sending a billowing sign of its irregularities up into the sky. Complaints had been bubbling under the surface from nearby residents. They lamented the…
In the vibrant sphere of social security, new waves are being set in motion as the Labour Ministry diligently urges the government to double down on its investment in the Social Security Fund (SSF). Just picture this: a leap from the modest 2.75% to a more stout 5%, a move inspired by trail blazers with remarkably advanced social security frameworks. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn recently took the spotlight at a significant meeting with a trio of subcommittees that wield substantial influence over the management of SSF investments. Enter the scene: the dynamic investment management subcommittee, the vigilant risk management subcommittee, and the avant-garde alternative asset investment advisory subcommittee. Amongst the esteemed attendees was Aree Krainara, the sharp secretariat to the Labour Minister, flanked by the seasoned Marasri Jairangsee, secretary-general of the Social Security Office. Amidst this meeting of minds, Minister Phiphat unveiled a grand vision — to supercharge the efficiency…
In a strategic move to boost and diversify economic ties, the Commerce Ministry, alongside the Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, has announced the creation of a Joint Trade Committee (JTC). This momentous initiative is designed to stimulate cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, agriculture, and tourism, unlocking the inherent potential between the two nations. Recently, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan and his Egyptian counterpart, Hassan El-Khatib, formalized this collaboration through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during a video conference, symbolizing a steadfast partnership that has been evolving for 70 years, commemorated this year in 2024. Mr. Pichai expressed his enthusiasm for the JTC, describing it as a critical instrument for both nations to cultivate economic strategies and deepen existing relationships. By tapping into this joint mechanism, the duo aims to ease trade barriers and bolster investment cooperation, promoting beneficial economic synergies over the next five years. The JTC’s…
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has recently shed light on a daring and rather audacious scheme involving a baby gorilla smuggling network, with its sinister operations centered around the bustling Chatuchak Market. At the heart of these revelations is Atthapol Charoenchansa, the DNP’s resolute director-general, who has fearlessly taken the lead in cracking down on this illegal trade involving one of the world’s most endangered species. Someone tried to sneak in a baby gorilla from Türkiye, a feat that reads like the gripping plot of a high-stakes thriller! Mystery shrouds the identity of the buyer, save for one tantalizing detail: he’s a millionaire businessman whose passion for collecting exotic wildlife borders on obsession. His exact whereabouts and identity remain a closely guarded secret, but the DNP is not backing down and has ordered an unrelenting crackdown on the market. This isn’t just any transaction; we’re…
The saga of former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra continues to unfold in riveting fashion, captivating both domestic and international observers. In the latest development, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) finds itself at the heart of swirling allegations and denials. The drama unfolds around claims that attempts were made to influence the commission’s handling of an investigation into Thaksin’s rather luxurious stint at the Police General Hospital (PGH) instead of behind the less opulent prison bars. NACC secretary-general, Sarote Phuengramphan, who doubles as the commission’s spokesperson, took center stage to firmly refute allegations of lobbying aimed at reshuffling the commissioner managing the case. The allegations, tempestuous as they are, emerged from a live session on Facebook hosted by outspoken activist and former red shirt leader, Jatuporn Prompan. On December 25, Jatuporn dropped the bombshell assertion that an underhand attempt was in play to persuade Commissioner Ekkawit Watchawanku to step aside, thereby…
Imagine a haven of natural beauty, crowning the heart of Loei, Thailand—a place so enchanting it draws in local tourists like flowers attract bees. Welcome to Phu Kradueng National Park, a beloved sanctuary where breathtaking landscapes meet the challenge of responsible tourism. From October 1 to December 27, visitors have generated over a staggering 4.5 tonnes of waste, according to park chief Adison Hemathanon. But don’t let this daunting figure blemish your imagination of this picturesque refuge, for there’s a proactive initiative in place to preserve its pristine allure. In a bid to keep the trails and verdant vistas as immaculate as ever, starting December 23 when the park reopened, authorities urge adventurers to become custodians of cleanliness—inviting them to whisk away any litter they find along their journey. This eco-conscious campaign has seen success, as hikers have claimed ownership of about 60.5 kilograms of waste. It may seem like…
Walking along the Yellow Line monorail tracks isn’t how we usually envision our daily commute, but for some passengers in Samut Prakan, it became an unexpected adventure. Picture this: just a few months after the Yellow Line monorail was launched in July 2023, a train decided to bid farewell to one of its wheels near Si Thepha station. What a dramatic way to mark the end of 2024 New Year celebrations! But worry not, the wheel landed on a taxi, and surprisingly, everyone walked away without a scratch. Phew! Who needs an action movie when you’ve got the Yellow Line monorail keeping everyone on their toes? Yet again, this raised a few eyebrows about the system’s safety. This wasn’t the first hiccup on Bangkok’s tracks. The Pink Line, a sibling of the Yellow, had its moment in the spotlight when part of its conductor rail decided to call it a…
Amid the bustling hub of Bangkok’s legal proceedings, a figure of political intrigue resurfaces: former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whose controversial past continues to captivate the public’s attention. She last made headlines on a sultry August day in 2017, standing before the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions, delivering a closing statement on a much-debated rice-pledging case that seemed to weigh heavily on the nation’s conscience. In a surprising twist to this prolonged drama, the possibility arises that Yingluck, now a fugitive from justice, might soon find a way to live outside prison walls, thanks to Thailand’s evolving correctional policies. The Department of Corrections chief, Sahakarn Phetnarin, revealed on a tranquil Sunday morning that an innovative regulation could be introduced as soon as next month, allowing convicts like Yingluck, whose sentences do not exceed four years, the chance for out-of-prison detention. Yingluck’s complex saga includes a…