The Pheu Thai Party extended an olive branch to the Democrat Party on Wednesday, officially inviting them to join the new coalition government, thereby putting longstanding rivalries to rest. The symbolic gesture took place at the parliament where Pheu Thai’s secretary-general, Sorawong Thienthong, handed over the formal invitation to his Democrat counterpart, Det-it Khaothong. The invite wasn’t just a paper exchange; it was a headline-grabbing event with MPs from both parties in attendance. The invitation, which the media quickly pounced on, read: “The Pheu Thai Party, as the leader in the formation of the government, believes the Democrats have the capabilities, knowledge, and ideologies to work with Pheu Thai. We would like to invite the Democrat Party to join the government and work together in running the country for the benefit of the people.” When probed about the cabinet post distribution to the Democrats, Mr. Sorawong mentioned that Prime Minister…
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Water from the Nam Songkhram River, a vital tributary of the mighty Mekong, overstepped its boundaries and inundated about 5,000 rai of paddy fields in Sri Songkhram district of Nakhon Phanom province on Wednesday. (Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai) Speculation had been circulating that the Jinghong Dam in Yunnan, China, might’ve played a significant role in causing the overflow that wreaked havoc in Thailand’s northern and northeastern regions. However, China swiftly debunked these theories. In a statement from its Bangkok embassy, China firmly asserted that their dam had not been up to anything fishy, emphasizing that no water had been released recently from the reservoir. The embassy took a proactive approach by consulting with various state agencies, which confirmed that Chinese rivers were behaving as expected for this time of the year. From August 18 to 25, reservoirs attached to the Lancang River—the name for the Mekong in China—were actually holding back…
In a dramatic turn of events, the teenage son of a Chaiyaphum mayor’s secretary was safely returned to Thailand on Wednesday after being kidnapped to Cambodia for ransom. Chaitawat Keeratirat, the worried father, rushed to file a complaint with Muang Chaiyaphum police on Tuesday when he discovered his 17-year-old son had vanished from his university dormitory in Pathum Thani, only to be taken across the border to Cambodia. The harrowing ordeal began when the young man contacted his father through the Line app, revealing his captivity in an unknown Cambodian location. Panic-stricken, Mr. Chaitawat soon received a chilling online message demanding a ransom of 2 million baht for his son’s release. The kidnappers ruthlessly threatened to end the teenager’s life if their demands were not met, plunging Mr. Chaitawat and his family into a nightmare. With time running out, Mr. Chaitawat immediately involved the police. Analysis of the boy’s mobile…
Two bogus doctors are seen during a raid on a cosmetic treatment clinic in an image that paints a stark picture of deception and illegal practice. In a robust operation sweeping across Rayong, Phuket, and Phangnga, a total of six unregistered medical practitioners along with a clinic operator were taken into custody. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham) Authorities disclosed on Wednesday that these arrests were the result of comprehensive raids conducted by the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) alongside health officials targeting unregistered medical and cosmetic clinics. The crackdown spanned across multiple locations, including three clinics in Rayong and one in the picturesque island of Phuket. Pol Maj Gen Witthaya Sriprasertparp, the commendable commander of the CPPD, reported that during these meticulous operations, six individuals were detained. Among them were five unlicensed doctors and a clinic owner, whose shady practices had been under the radar. The quintet of women posing as doctors…
Dr. Yunyong Thaicharoen (second from left), the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Wealth Banking Officer at Siam Commercial Bank, joined forces with Mr. Komkrit Kietduriyakul (second from right), a seasoned Director and partner specializing in banking and capital market practices at Baker & McKenzie Co., Ltd., to announce a groundbreaking strategic collaboration. This innovative partnership is poised to deliver unparalleled legal and tax advisory services to SCB WEALTH clients, specifically focusing on family asset and inheritance management, the establishment of holding companies, the drafting of comprehensive family constitutions, and the savvy structuring of family businesses. The ultimate goal? To ensure that inheritance and asset management practices foster long-term stability and sustainability for generations to come. The announcement, which took place at Siam Commercial Bank’s Head Office, was also graced by the presence of Mr. Sornchai Suneta, CFA (far left), the First Executive Vice President of the Investment Office and…
Prime Minister and Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrives at Shinawatra Tower 3 to attend a meeting with party MPs on Aug 20. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattanasill) Thailand’s political landscape recently got a bit more interesting as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the newly minted Prime Minister and Pheu Thai Party leader, found herself in the crosshairs of prolific petitioner Ruangkrai Leekitwattana. On August 20, at Shinawatra Tower 3, Ms. Paetongtarn stepped into a whirlwind of controversy that could threaten her premiership. Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, never one to shy away from stirring the political pot, has requested the Election Commission (EC) to scrutinize Paetongtarn’s eligibility to hold office. The bone of contention? The exact date she vacated her roles in a whopping 21 companies within her family’s sprawling business empire. Mr. Ruangkrai made headlines on Wednesday when he dispatched his petition via express mail service, hoping to set off a chain reaction that could…
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In the bustling district of Bang Bon, Bangkok, an illegal liquor production facility was dramatically raided by excise officials and police back in 2016. This notorious incident marked a turning point in the city’s history, particularly due to its tragic consequences. (File photo: Chanat Katanyu) The toll of Bangkok’s methanol-laced moonshine scare has sadly risen by two, pushing the fatalities to a grim count of six. As investigators delve deeper beyond the northern suburbs, they strive to unearth and dismantle the sinister network responsible for producing and distributing this lethal rotgut. On a somber note, Dr. Pairoj Surattanawanich, deputy director-general of the Department of Medical Services, revealed that two more individuals succumbed to methanol intoxication on Tuesday. One victim tragically passed away in the hospital after a valiant but ultimately futile resuscitation attempt, while the other was found lifeless at home. Disturbingly, a total of 22 individuals who had unwittingly…
In the wake of relentless rain on Wednesday morning, the serene island of Phuket found itself grappling with nature’s unpredictable fury. The Muang district bore the brunt of this torrential downpour, which triggered a landslide, leaving nine homes battered though, fortunately, no injuries were reported. As the clock struck one in the morning, the heavens unleashed their watery wrath, upending trees and turning roads into rivers. Flash floods swept through several areas, obstructing traffic and heightening the sense of urgency among residents and officials alike. Particularly in tambon Choeng Thale in Thalang district, ominous cracks and ground subsidence marred the road stretching between Khok Tanot and Layan beach. Authorities swiftly erected caution signs to ward off potential accidents, recognizing the perilous state of the thoroughfare. Meanwhile, in tambon Talat Yai, Muang district, a 2-meter high wall succumbed to the downpour, collapsing behind a house amidst a thunderous storm. The clangor…
Prime Minister and Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra was recently seen arriving at Shinawatra Tower 3 on August 20 to engage in discussions with party MPs. The photograph capturing her arrival was taken by Pattarapong Chatpattanasill. Notorious petitioner Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has stirred the political waters once again by urging the Election Commission (EC) to scrutinize the legitimacy of Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s prime ministerial role. His primary concern revolves around the exact date she resigned from a slew of positions in the Shinawatra family’s sprawling business empire. Mr. Ruangkrai, with his usual fervor, revealed on Wednesday that he had dispatched his latest petition to the EC via express mail service (EMS). According to Mr. Ruangkrai, Ms. Paetongtarn was officially elected as the prime minister by the House of Representatives on August 16. However, he questioned whether she had indeed stepped down from all her executive roles within the family’s companies by…