The government is eagerly counting the days until the 2025 fiscal year’s budget bill clears its second and third readings in parliament, which Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira optimistically predicts will happen a full month ahead of its September deadline. Following his selection as chairman after the inaugural meeting of a House committee dedicated to dissecting the budget bill, Mr. Pichai revealed that sub-committees will meticulously examine each portion of the bill. However, he stayed mum regarding the opposition’s threats to have the Administrative Court nix the government’s hotly debated digital wallet handout scheme if the budget bill passes its third reading. The grand plan? The government intends to allocate a sum of 152.7 billion baht from the 2025 budget’s central fund to fuel its flashy digital wallet scheme, one of the three primary sources of funding. In its first dramatic reading in the House of Representatives last Friday, the ambitious…
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Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has issued a stringent ultimatum to the Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO), demanding a thorough investigation into the winning bidder of an auction for 15,000 tonnes of old rice. With rampant public speculation about the financial stability and potential political ties of the bidding victor, V8 Intertrading Co Ltd, the stakes are high, and the countdown is on. The ministry, still holding out on official announcements, is under pressure to scrutinize V8 Intertrading Co Ltd. Amid whispers of dubious affiliations, V8 Intertrading attracted attention by placing the top bid of 19.07 baht per kilogramme, translating to an enormous 286 million baht for the entire rice lot. Speculatively, V8 Intertrading Co Ltd, originating from Kamphaeng Phet province, is a relatively recent entrant in the business world, having been established on March 6, 2020, with a modest capital investment of merely two million baht. Initially, the company reported zero…
Amidst the bustling polling unit in Bang Kapi district on May 14, 2023, where citizens queued up in cubicles to cast their votes, an intriguing political narrative has emerged. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) The ruling Pheu Thai Party has found itself at the center of a whirlwind rumor suggesting a seismic shift in electoral strategy. The buzz? Allegations that they aim to dismantle the party-list electoral system to outmaneuver the burgeoning Move Forward Party (MFP) in the next election. Dramatic, right? To dispel the speculation, enter Noppadon Pattama, a Pheu Thai list MP, who promptly stated that the notion was purely fictitious. “I’ve never heard of such a plan,” he proclaimed, brushing off the idea as nothing more than a figment of someone’s imagination. The rumor mill got another spin from none other than Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, who claimed she received intel from a Pheu Thai insider. According to her, the…
The father of a 5-year-old girl is planning to press charges against the parents of two 12-year-old girls who cruelly coerced his young daughter into engaging in inappropriate activities with a 7-year-old boy while being filmed. The disturbing footage has prompted authorities to dive deep into an investigation, offering the young victims ongoing evaluation and support. On a recent Monday, officials from the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, along with the Shelter for Children and Families, met with the family of the 5-year-old girl in Kamphaeng Phet province. This urgent gathering came after the traumatic recordings had circulated in their community, causing widespread concern and outrage. The previous day, the families of both the 5-year-old girl and the 7-year-old boy, escorted by Pol Sgt Prachakkrit Saithip—a well-known administrator of a Facebook page dedicated to receiving complaints in Kamphaeng Phet—visited the provincial police station to lodge formal complaints against the…
Amidst a backdrop of high-stakes competition, Senate candidates in Bangkok assembled to cast their votes in the provincial-level election at the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre on June 16. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) Despite receiving a staggering 333 complaints, including 39 fraud-related cases, the Election Commission (EC) assured that the result of the Senate election would be announced as scheduled. EC secretary-general Sawang Boonmee clarified that while 90 of these complaints involve corruption, the depth of investigation required means we could be looking at a lengthy process. Many complaints spotlight candidates with dubious backgrounds applying for professional group seats they aren’t eligible for. To preempt further election fraud before the final voting round, the EC has enlisted election officials, including police, to keep a vigilant eye on activities deemed suspicious. The EC secretary-general emphasized the illegality of politicians or political parties meddling in the senatorial elections, yet he…
Deputy police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, affectionately known to many as “Big Joke,” did not mince words this Monday when he threatened to file a malfeasance complaint against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The crux of the matter? An order that temporarily dismisses him from the police force—a move that he deeply believes to be illegitimate. Surachate has already set the wheels in motion by appealing to the Police Virtue Protection Committee and petitioning the premier, in his role as chairman of the Police Commission, to have this contentious order reviewed. If Srettha fails to act, Surachate plans to lodge a formal complaint, charging the prime minister with neglecting his duties. Not just a lone questor, Surachate enjoys some heavyweight backing: the Council of State, an advisory body to the government on legal matters, has also declared the dismissal order illegitimate. Earlier information hints that a crucial meeting of the…
A lawmaker from the opposition Thai Sang Thai Party (TST) has raised the alarm over a proposal by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to procure digital transceivers, arguing that the quoted price is astronomically high compared to the market rate. Chatchawan Paettayathai, a TST representative for Roi Et, disclosed that he received inside information revealing the Directorate of Communications and Electronics is planning to purchase 40 Jotron TR-7750 digital transceivers at a staggering 956,250 baht per unit, totaling 38.25 million baht. During a House meeting devoted to the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Mr. Chatchawan vocalized his concerns, pointing out that a quick online search reveals the actual market price of the same model is significantly lower. According to his findings, the transceivers can be found online for just 367,500 baht per unit. This means the total cost for 40 units should hover around 14.7 million baht, not…
Victims of the Stark embezzlement scandal converged in front of the Office of the Attorney General on Monday, eager to catch a glimpse of Chanin Yensudchai, the former CEO of the Stark Corporation. The atmosphere was tense, charged with anticipation and emotions running high. The police presence was strong, ensuring everything was under control as this high-profile moment unfolded. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has officially pressed an array of severe charges against Chanin, ranging from money laundering to document forgery. Speaking on the matter, DSI’s acting director Yutthana Praedam elaborated on additional charges including negligence, fraud, embezzlement, and violating the Securities and Exchange Act of 1992. As of now, Chanin staunchly denies all accusations, a fact reiterated by Pol Maj Yutthana. Pol Maj Yutthana also emphasized that the DSI is in collaboration with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), particularly focusing on any suspicious transfers exceeding 8 billion baht…
SInce its release, the RIMOWA Original suitcase has been a go-to companion for discerning travelers, revered for its iconic design and the German Maison’s masterful craftsmanship. Over the years, the case has been reimagined in a series of distinctive colors. Now, the collection continues to evolve, offering travelers a striking new option with the introduction of Emerald. Resonating with the natural beauty of the coveted stone, the RIMOWA Original suitcase’s metallic grooved surface now comes in a rich and captivating shade of green reminiscent of the gem. For a coordinated look, the new release is accompanied by a made-to-match RIMOWA Aluminum Personal Cross-Body Bag in the vibrant new hue. Paired with the RIMOWA Original suitcase in Emerald, the seasonal capsule collection echoes the natural qualities cherished in the stone, with RIMOWA’s emblematic grooves mirroring the intricate inclusions that lend emeralds their unique character. The gleaming aluminum exterior of both novelties…
As the season of blooming flowers arrives, ICONCRAFT beckons those with refined tastes to revel in the art of joyful living with its exquisite “Maison des Fleurs” collection. This latest offering of tableware and home fragrances from SIRIVANNAVARI MAISON, by the illustrious brand SIRIVANNAVARI, will be showcased at its inaugural pop-up store at ICONCRAFT, situated on the 4th floor of ICONSIAM, from June 20 to July 21, 2024. Debuting in 2010, SIRIVANNAVARI MAISON celebrates the essence of elegant living. ‘Maison,’ the French term for ‘home,’ perfectly encapsulates the owner’s curated aesthetic and hospitality, ready to embrace cherished guests. The term ‘fleur,’ meaning ‘flower,’ beautifully unfolds its petals to nurture our spirits. In 2024, the ‘Maison des Fleurs’ Collection by SIRIVANNAVARI MAISON captures this blossoming essence, flowering into a limited-edition series that promises to enhance any sophisticated setting. This collection features elegantly crafted ceramic tableware made from Bone China, a material…