On June 9, a gathering took place at the Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council where men and women were briefed on the prerequisites for a marriage ceremony. (Photo: Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council Facebook) In the scenic southern provinces of Thailand, an interesting phenomenon has emerged—Malaysian men are increasingly choosing these locales for their ceremonial polygamous marriages. According to the Bernama news agency, no less than 30 couples from Malaysia take part in this ceremony at the Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council every month. While most of these couples originate from the neighboring Malaysian states of Kelantan and Terengganu, it’s not uncommon for some to come from as far afield as Kuala Lumpur. This rising trend has piqued the curiosity of many. However, it’s far from a simple procedure. “Getting married in southern Thailand isn’t as straightforward as one might think. There are rigorous conditions to meet, including thorough background checks on the…
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Ms. Woraphanit Ruayrungruang, the dynamic CEO of International Business at Reignwood Group, the visionary developers behind the illustrious Reignwood Park, has recently inked an exciting agreement that promises to elevate Thailand’s sporting scene. Partnering with Mr. Thomas Brookes, the innovative Founder & CEO of Icons Series, this collaboration is set to bring a groundbreaking sports event to Thailand. Icons Series is renowned for orchestrating thrilling golf tournaments that feature genuine global sports legends, and this upcoming event is sure to be nothing short of spectacular. The remarkable event will gather a constellation of elite athletes, all set to compete in a special match hosted at the stunning Robinswood Golf Club. This championship-standard, 18-hole golf course stretches an impressive 7,636 yards and boasts a design that not only challenges the best but also aligns seamlessly with other prestigious golf courses under the Reignwood umbrella. Think along the lines of the esteemed…
In a startling turn of events, a 39-year-old Indian man found himself in handcuffs at Don Mueang airport after authorities discovered a staggering 5.7 kilograms of cocaine hidden in his luggage. The bust, which unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Sunday afternoon, has since made headlines, with the drugs’ street value pegged at an eye-watering 17 million baht. The drama kicked off when the man, whose name remains under wraps, touched down in Bangkok from Luang Prabang, Laos, aboard a flight that landed around 4:40 pm. His behavior quickly set off alarm bells among eagle-eyed customs officials at the airport, prompting an immediate investigation. According to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, a thorough inspection commenced shortly after suspicions were raised. As the man’s bags were whisked through the X-ray machine, their unusual weight became glaringly apparent, escalating the scrutiny. What the customs team found exceeded their wildest guesses. Nestled within two…
In a significant achievement, Mahidol University has surged to the top position in Thailand according to the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, recently revealed. The university achieved an impressive overall score of 94.9 out of 100, securing the 19th spot on the global stage. The Impact Rankings spotlight institutions excelling in various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). With individual rankings for each SDG and an overall ranking encapsulating broad accomplishments in fostering global sustainable development, these rankings highlight the multifaceted commitments of universities worldwide. A total of 2,152 universities from 125 countries and regions were scrutinized in the overall ranking assessment, underlining the competitive nature of this recognition. Mahidol University particularly stands out in Thailand for its exceptional performance in five key SDGs: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life On Land), and…
Under the gaze of a setting sun, Marine Police tirelessly inspected the boats that had just docked in Songkhla on Monday night. The resounding buzz of discoveries echoed through the air, as each vessel held tales of undercover operations and daring escapades. In the historical city of Songkhla, law enforcement carried out an intriguing mission. Picture this: three fishing boats, seized and confiscated for smuggling diesel, spirited away from a pier in Chon Buri, only to reappear like ghost ships near Malaysia! These were not just any vessels; these were the Kamraingoen, JP, and Daorung—a trio of notorious boats loaded with 330,000 liters of contraband fuel. When discovered on that fateful Sunday, they were a shadow of their former selves. One carried the fresh hue of a hasty paint job, while another sputtered and groaned, its engine far from operational. By 7:35 PM on Monday, these storied ships were towed…
Thaksin Shinawatra found himself surrounded by a sea of supporters as he made his entrance at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in March 2024. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) The Criminal Court has made a notable move by releasing former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on bail set at 500,000 baht. This follows his arraignment on charges related to lese-majeste and violations of the Computer Crimes Act, stemming from remarks he made during a 2015 interview. Thaksin reported to public prosecutors early Tuesday morning before being escorted to the Criminal Court for his official arraignment, as confirmed by the Office of the Attorney-General’s spokesperson. Justice spokesman Prayut Phetcharakhun detailed that the court formally accepted the case at precisely 8:56 AM, thereby recognizing Thaksin as a defendant. Last month’s end saw the Office of the Attorney-General publicly state its intention to indict Thaksin, who had been out on parole. Although the initial date for…
Amid a throng of passionate supporters, Thaksin Shinawatra made a grand entrance at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in March 2024. Captured by the sharp lens of Varuth Hirunyatheb, the former prime minister’s presence electrified the atmosphere (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb). Tuesday morning saw Thaksin report to public prosecutors and was subsequently escorted to the Criminal Court for arraignment concerning his lese-majeste case, as revealed by Prayut Phetcharakhun, the spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG). The court formally accepted the case at precisely 8:56am, thus officially branding Thaksin as a defendant. Late last month, the OAG had declared its decision to indict Thaksin, despite him being on parole. Originally, the indictment was scheduled for an earlier date but was postponed until Tuesday, June 18, due to Thaksin’s unfortunate bout with Covid-19. The 74-year-old former premier is accused of defaming the monarchy during an interview with the South Korean newspaper…
Thailand is at a pivotal moment with its cannabis policies. The government has proposed reclassifying cannabis buds as Category 5 narcotics starting January 1, 2025, reversing the 2022 decriminalization. This move has ignited a strong public response, with over 25,000 people voicing their opposition. The majority are concerned about the impact on patients relying on cannabis-based medicine and the potential for industry monopolization by large capital groups. It’s not too late to submit your feedback: HERE Advocacy groups, like the Writing Thai Cannabis’ Future Network, have been vocal against the reclassification. They argue that this change will harm patients and small businesses, pushing the industry into the hands of a few large players. The group walked out of a meeting with Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, criticizing his refusal to establish a joint fact-finding committee to explore the implications of the reclassification. They plan a large rally on July 8, 2024,…
On a bustling Sunday at the esteemed Centara Life Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre in Bangkok, Senate candidates gathered to cast their votes in the pivotal provincial-level election. The event, captured vividly by the keen lens of Varuth Hirunyatheb, marked a significant step in the political landscape. However, amidst the democratic fervor, a call for urgency arose. Caretaker senator Somchai Swangkarn implored the Election Commission (EC) to hasten their investigation into alleged election irregularities, particularly in Buri Ram, where certain candidates astonishingly amassed an unusually high number of votes from their peers. Somchai’s plea came in response to the startling outcomes of the weekend’s election, where out of the 23,645 hopefuls that passed the district-level selection on June 9, only 3,080 were shortlisted for the next stage. These contenders, with eyes on the grand prize of 200 Senate seats, are now poised for the national-level contest on June 26…
Excitement is brewing in the world of Thai politics as the government-sponsored referendum bill stands poised to pass its first test. Chartthaipattana Party list-MP, Nikorn Chamnong, at the helm of a sub-committee dedicated to the charter referendum, recently shared insights after a productive meeting with opposition whips. According to Nikorn, the bill, which aims to revise the Referendum Act of 2021, is now prepped and primed for House deliberation. The Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, who also heads a government panel focused on public votes necessary for charter amendments, will be the one to propose the bill to the House of Representatives today. Phumtham is set to passionately address the House, steering the conversation around the significance of the proposed revisions. Ever since its inception, the bill has been thoughtfully sculpted with public input. Initially posted on the Permanent Secretary’s Office website of the PM’s Office, it…