Amid the dazzling lights and roaring applause at the Royal Thai Navy Conference Hall, an event of monumental significance unfolded on a memorable Saturday night. The 13th edition of ‘Thai Silk: Road to the World 2024’ was nothing short of spectacular, emanating sheer elegance and a vibrant celebration of heritage. This gala was graced by esteemed personalities, including Caretaker Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol (sixth from left, front row) and the venerable former deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam (fifth from left, front row), now an ardent adviser to the Association of Thai Silk and Culture Promotion. Together with distinguished guests, designers, and models, they posed for a grandiose group photo, encapsulating the event’s essence – a testament to the reverence held for Thai silk, inspired by the visionary Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. The event’s playlist was a harmonious collaboration orchestrated by the Culture Ministry, the Association of Thai…
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On a sunny Sunday, around 150 spirited residents from Tambon Sa-Ieab in Phrae’s Song district came together to vocally oppose the proposed Kaeng Sue Ten dam. Their main concern? The project threatens to disrupt thousands of households and annihilate over 10,000 rai of lush, prime forest. The protest, which took place at the tranquil Wat Sri Don Chai temple, saw impassioned speeches denouncing politicians eager to revisit the dam plan in the wake of recent floods. Leading the charge was Nattapakul Srikhampha, the vibrant chief of the Sa-Ieab Tambon Administrative Organisation. Energized and unyielding, Nattapakul expressed deep concerns over the caretaker deputy prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s plan to revive a colossal 200-billion-baht water management project to alleviate flooding in the Yom River basin. Similarly, he critiqued former deputy prime minister Plodprasop Suraswadi’s suggestion to green-light the Kaeng Sue Ten dam. With conviction, Mr. Nattapakul articulated to the assembly and reporters…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra greeted a throng of eager reporters at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in vibrant Bangkok on August 20. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpatarasill) According to former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the government under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is poised to navigate the political landscape and remain in power until the end of its three-year tenure. It seems none of the coalition parties are in any rush to trigger an early general election, busying themselves instead with efforts to convince voters of their credibility for future elections. However, trouble might be brewing on the political horizon. Public confidence in Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai Party-led government has been waning, a sentiment that could be further exacerbated by any potential misconduct, warned Mr. Abhisit. This could very well spiral into a full-fledged crisis. When asked if history could repeat itself with Ms. Paetongtarn facing a military coup like her father Thaksin and…
The government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is expected to hold its position until the end of its tenure, with around three years left, as none of the coalition parties seem prepared for an early general election, according to former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. Mr. Abhisit noted that these parties are still grappling with the challenge of convincing their voters that they are worthy of re-election. However, a significant weakness of this new coalition lies in the dwindling public confidence in the Pheu Thai Party-led administration. Any fresh negative developments, including misconduct, could worsen the situation and escalate into a full-blown crisis, as per the former Democrat Party leader. When queried about the possibility of Ms. Paetongtarn being ousted in a military coup like her father, Thaksin, and her aunt, Yingluck, Mr. Abhisit expressed that Ms. Paetongtarn being the third prime minister from the Shinawatra family isn’t a valid reason…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, the Thai-Japanese Stadium in June 2021 was more than just an ordinary arena; it became a beacon of hope as Social Security Fund subscribers patiently stood in line, waiting for their turn to receive a much-needed Covid-19 vaccine. However, as the world grapples with various challenges, another issue looms on the horizon for Thailand—the future sustainability of the Social Security Fund (SSF). On a sunny Sunday, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn made a solemn pledge. His mission? To delve into innovative measures that would prevent a potential financial collapse of the SSF within the next decade. According to insights from the Thailand Development Research Institute and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the SSF currently holds a hefty 2.6 trillion baht. While projections suggest that this figure will balloon to at least 4 trillion baht by 2034, the anticipated growth doesn’t necessarily guarantee sustainability. Why, you…
A research team from Chulalongkorn University has triumphed, clinching this year’s prestigious United Nations Public Service Award (UNPSA) for Innovation in Public Institutions. The stellar team, hailing from the university’s Faculty of Science, was recently presented with the award in Seoul for their groundbreaking research titled, “Academic Insight into Action for Pandemic Response.” This accolade aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerning health, well-being, and clean water management. Jatuwat Sangsanont, a dedicated lecturer from the Department of Environmental Science and the head of this trailblazing research team, shared insights into their focus on utilizing wastewater analysis as a pivotal tool for the early detection of disease outbreaks. This innovative approach was catalyzed by the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Jatuwat expressed his ambition to leverage his academic expertise to devise swift and efficient responses to future disease outbreaks by utilizing wastewater measurement data for informed decision-making…
The government is poised to resurrect a 200-billion-baht water management initiative aimed at alleviating the persistent flooding woes in the Yom River basin in the North. This move comes amidst renewed debates around the contentious Kaeng Sua Ten Dam project. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, announced this revival alongside the distribution of 200 relief bags to flood-stricken residents in Sukhothai province. Phumtham stated his intention to pitch to the cabinet on Tuesday, urging the prioritization of water management with a substantial 200 billion baht budget. This ambitious plan, initially rolled out under the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, was derailed by a coup. The latest drive comes in response to heavy floods in Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phrae, which have resulted in increased water flow into downstream regions like Sukhothai and Phitsanulok. The Yom River, with its origins in the Phi Pan Nam Range in Pong district, Phayao…
As Thaksin Shinawatra waded through a sea of supporters, the atmosphere inside the headquarters of the Pheu Thai Party in Bangkok buzzed with anticipation. It was a pivotal meeting with the party’s MPs held in March, and the energy was palpable. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) In what has become a whirlwind of political intrigue, Election Commission (EC) chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong found himself in the eye of the storm. During a visit to the quaint province of Ratchaburi on Sunday, Mr. Ittiporn addressed the rumor mill that’s been churning with reports of an anonymous request to dissolve the coalition-core Pheu Thai Party. “I haven’t seen any such request,” Mr. Ittiporn declared, his tone a mix of calm assurance and underlying exasperation. “The Office of the EC hasn’t informed me about any such petition either.” The chairman’s words were like a cool breeze in the sweltering heat of political speculation. The process, as…
Police and volunteer rescuers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were dispatched to a tragic scene at a family residence in Muang Lop Buri district, Lop Buri province, on Saturday. The youngest son of the family had been viciously attacked and killed by three dogs that had been brought home by his older brother. (Photo: Ruamkatanyu Foundation’s branch in Lop Buri) In the central province of Lop Buri, an 18-year-old man named Adisak Chansakulnee met a grim fate on Friday night, felled by the very pets his brother had recently acquired. These formidable American Bully dogs were brought into the household by 23-year-old Abhisit Chansakulnee, who had acquired them from Bangkok just a week prior, according to Pol Maj Nattapong Wongwang, a police investigator from Tha Hin police station. Security camera footage from the room where the dogs were kept reveals a heart-wrenching story. Adisak entered the room on the second floor,…
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is embracing modern technology in an effort to care for Thai nationals living overseas through the gold card universal health scheme. On January 17, the NHSO introduced an innovative telemedicine service tailored for Thais abroad, ensuring they have reliable access to primary healthcare. Imagine being miles away from home but having the comfort of your local healthcare available at your fingertips! It’s a game-changer for many, especially considering how surpassing cultural and linguistic barriers can be in foreign lands. Let’s talk specifics. To support approximately 20,000 Thai nationals in Singapore, the local Thai embassy recently hosted NHSO officials, providing the community with comprehensive details about this game-changing telemedicine service. It’s the NHSO’s way of saying, “No matter where you are, we’ve got your health covered.” Dr. Atthaporn Limpanyalert, the NHSO’s deputy secretary-general, emphasized that this initiative isn’t just about health—it’s about reducing the financial…