In a recent turn of events, the Pheu Thai Party has decided to withdraw its promised 10,000-baht handout plan initially announced during its election campaign. The party cites the high cost of the Move Forward Party’s welfare programs as the primary reason behind this decision, making the handout unfeasible. At present, the two parties form a key partnership in an eight-party coalition. Although Move Forward has gained ten more seats than Pheu Thai after the May 14 election, their united front shows signs of strain. Pheu Thai remains committed to supporting the Move Forward leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, as the next prime minister and has no intention of abandoning the coalition. However, the competition for the House speaker’s seat has highlighted the rivalrous dynamic between the two parties. Amidst calls for unity, rumors are circulating that Pheu Thai may join an alternative coalition if the current arrangement collapses. The Pheu Thai…
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As Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), addressed business leaders at the Thai Chamber of Commerce, uncertainty loomed about his political future. Two prominent members of the ruling coalition, including MFP spokesman Rangsiman Rome, have voiced concerns over caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam suggesting new elections could be held if the shareholding complaint against Limjaroenrat is upheld. Rangsiman Rome declared that his party is prepared to clarify Limjaroenrat’s shareholding in iTV Plc and dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. While questioning Wissanu’s motives, Rome accused him of disrespecting voters’ intentions and attempting to influence senators. Rome also advised the public to not take his words seriously and called upon caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to take action. Wissanu, a known legal expert, outlined various outcomes of the shareholding complaint depending on its interpretation. If the complaint targets Limjaroenrat’s eligibility as an MP, he could still be…
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is exploring the possibility of implementing a central kitchen system, similar to the one used in Japan, to improve the quality and nutritional value of school lunches in Thailand. This concept was introduced to the BMA by Nobuko Tanaka, a former school lunch specialist with Japan’s School Health Education Division. In a central kitchen system, food preparation and cooking for school meals are consolidated at a single location, leading to increased efficiency and economies of scale. The prepared food, which can be fresh, cooled or frozen, is then transported to individual school kitchens for portioning, heating, and serving. Each central kitchen caters to multiple schools located in the same area. Deputy city clerk of BMA, Dr. Wantanee Wattana, has expressed interest in adopting the Japanese model and is currently surveying potential sites in Bangkok for a pilot phase of the project. At present, the BMA…
A flu vaccination campaign is currently underway in Thailand, with the National Health Security Office (NHSO) urging citizens to register for their shots, particularly those who qualify for the free program that expires in late August. Jointly organized by the NHSO and the Ministry of Public Health, this initiative aims to curb the spread of influenza and other respiratory illnesses by offering flu vaccinations to all Thai residents, irrespective of their health insurance status. NHSO Secretary-General Jadet Thamatthat-aree highlights a significant change this year: the eligibility criteria have broadened, as previously, only those enrolled in an NHSO-administered health insurance program could obtain free flu shots. Despite these efforts, the uptake remains low, with only 292,615 individuals, or roughly 10% of the government’s target, having received the flu vaccine as of this week. The NHSO carefully outlines the priority groups that can receive free flu shots, ensuring that these at-risk individuals…
Irrawaddy dolphins gracefully swim in the waters off the coast of Trat, capturing the hearts of everyone who has the chance to witness their presence. As their natural habitat faces increasing threats, researchers are proposing a novel approach to conserving these beautiful creatures and their environment. Through the certification of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Trat, Trang, and Pattani provinces, it is hoped that not only will marine life be protected, but that a profitable return can be achieved to help fund further environmental initiatives. Wiparat Dee-ong, the NRCT director, believes that by gathering empirical evidence of the benefits of MPAs, they will be able to secure funding for environmental protection and management policies, reaping the rewards in the long run. Independent researcher Orapan Srisaowalak further explains that the primary goal of this research is to discern whether environmentally friendly policies that restrict commercial activities can eventually lead to financial…
Despite efforts to improve service efficiency, the Airport Rail Link (ARL) in Thailand continues to face challenges, including declining ridership and significant financial losses. The ARL, operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), has reported a staggering monthly loss of 70 million baht, primarily due to a drop in passenger numbers compared to pre-pandemic times. In 2019, approximately 2.5 million commuters utilized the ARL each month. However, this number has plummeted by 25%, with only 1.87 million passengers per month currently. The decrease in ridership has been attributed to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has disrupted travel plans and activities around the world. To address these challenges, the SRT decided to join forces with a private company, Asia Era One. In October 2021, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that allowed Asia Era One, the concessionaire for the high-speed rail system linking the three airports, to…
A tragic incident occurred in Sangkhla Buri district of Kanchanaburi province late Wednesday night, when an illegal migrant from Myanmar was killed and 10 others were apprehended following the overturning of a pickup truck smuggling them. A police officer was also injured after being struck by one of the three pickup trucks involved in the smuggling operation. At around 10pm, a joint team consisting of soldiers, police, and local authorities noticed three suspicious pickup trucks speeding along a local road at Sanehpong village, Moo 3, in tambon Nong Lu. The officers signaled the vehicles to halt for an inspection; however, the drivers chose to accelerate and evade capture instead. During the pursuit, one of the trucks hit Pol Capt Pathiphan Yawan, deputy crime suppression chief at Sangkhla Buri station, resulting in his urgent transportation to Sangkhla Buri Hospital for treatment. Not long after the initial confrontation, the team was alerted…
The Election Commission has recently made the decision to dismiss multiple petitions that urged the examination of the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign promise of providing a 10,000-baht digital handout to all citizens aged 16 and above. These petitions inquired if this bold promise was in violation of Section 73 of the Member of Parliament election laws. Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a former election nominee of the Palang Pracharath Party, and Sonthiya Sawasdee, a former consultant to the House committee on law, justice, and human rights, were the individuals who initiated these petitions. Section 73 of the law clearly forbids election contenders or anyone acting on their behalf from promising voters any form of assets, money, or other advantages. Moreover, it bans them from providing misleading information about their policies. This section also states that a political party may be dissolved…
The Cabinet recently approved the extension of employment contracts for over 200,000 migrant workers, allowing them to retain their jobs until the new government assumes office, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam announced. The decision extends the employment opportunities for workers from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Initially, the Cabinet had denied the Labour Ministry’s request for an extension, as they believed it could impose an excessive burden of responsibility on the upcoming government, which should make its decision regarding the matter. However, the Cabinet changed its position and granted the extension due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the government’s formation, which could result in a significant labor shortage. Wissanu explained that if the extension wasn’t granted, migrant workers would have had to return to their home countries and wait for the government to take power before resuming their jobs in their host nation. He emphasized that the contract extension would only…
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on revealed that he plans to resign as Democrat secretary-general after the party chooses its new leader and executives on July 13. The decision on whether to select a younger individual as the party’s new leader will be left to a committee during the general assembly. Jurin Laksanawisit announced his resignation as party leader after the May 14 election’s unofficial results revealed the country’s oldest party had won far fewer House seats than anticipated. When questioned about the likelihood of the party forming a political alliance with Pheu Thai, should the Move Forward Party fail to obtain sufficient support from parliament members for a new coalition, Mr. Chalermchai said such an arrangement would require approval through a formal party resolution. Upon leaving his role as secretary-general, Mr. Chalermchai plans to continue as a general member. He also dismissed rumors that the Democrats have engaged in…