The Singaporean government has put forth an exceptional proposition to enhance training opportunities for their technical trainees. In a recent meeting, the Labour Ministry was urged to extend the visa duration for Singaporean trainees in Thailand. The current three-month period, they argued, is insufficient for substantial skills development. They propose an extension to six months without the need for trainees to return home intermittently, a move both logical and compassionate. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the caretaker minister, demonstrated his support for this initiative by welcoming Catherine Wong Siow Ping, Singapore’s Ambassador to Thailand, along with her distinguished delegation, on an engaging Wednesday morning. The meeting buzzed with proactive discussions centered on visa guidelines for these technical trainees who venture from the island nation to enrich their expertise in Thailand’s robust training milieu. Mr. Phiphat, exuding confidence, affirmed the Labour Ministry’s commitment to addressing the matter. Tasking the Department of Employment with this…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In an unexpected twist of events, activist Jatuporn Sae Ung finds herself granted bail by the Supreme Court, days after being convicted for impersonating Her Majesty the Queen during a heated demonstration back in 2020. Jatuporn’s legal journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, captivating the attention of both supporters and critics alike. Jatuporn Sae Ung, a vibrant 25-year-old member of the Buri Ram Plod Ak (Free Buri Ram) group, stirred quite the controversy when she donned the regal attire of the Queen at a protest held in Bangkok’s bustling Silom area on October 29, 2020. This act of theatrical defiance was a call for reform within Thailand’s royal institution, an appeal that resonated loudly amidst the clamor of protestors but led to Jatuporn facing severe legal repercussions under the country’s stringent lese majeste laws. Section 112 of the Criminal Code, notoriously known as the lese majeste law, has…
Pita Limjaroenrat, a vibrant and dynamic assistant campaigner for the People’s Party, is set to return to his academic roots at Harvard University. This isn’t just a nostalgic homecoming; Pita will be taking on the prestigious role of a Democracy Fellow at the illustrious Harvard Kennedy School. “This is an exciting opportunity to continue my commitment to promoting leadership and democratic principles across the ASEAN region,” he shared exuberantly on his Facebook page, adding a splash of optimism and a clear vision to his storied journey. During his fellowship, Pita aims to achieve two pivotal goals— “sharing” and “learning.” He is resolutely committed to pouring forth his rich tapestry of experiences in leadership, political struggles, democracy, and public policy. His journey is a testament to the power of resilience and innovation in the face of adversity. Now, as he embarks on this intellectual sojourn, he is poised to not only…
A free trade agreement (FTA) between Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is on the horizon, with expectations for its conclusion by next year, according to Canadian and Thai officials privy to the discussions. Surin Thanalertkul, the Canadian embassy trade commissioner, and Martin Sullivan, senior market development officer at the Canada Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO), shared their insights with the Bangkok Post. This took place during the Catch of Canada event, co-hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Thailand, the Canadian embassy, and Canada IPAAP in Bangkok, aimed at promoting Canadian seafood and agricultural products in Thailand. Both officials expressed optimism that the Canada-Asean FTA would soon be finalized, significantly boosting trade between the two markets, including with Thailand. Mr. Surin highlighted that these negotiations would streamline bilateral trade between Thailand and Canada, overcoming existing hurdles. Currently, while trade between the two nations is healthy,…
The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) has taken a bold stance, urging the public sector to subsidize public transport fares through funds generated from personal vehicle, land, and windfall taxes. This significant suggestion emerged from the inaugural meeting of the Consumer Council for Public Transportation Users, with a mission to exchange ideas and foster projects aimed at developing a safer and fairer public transport system. Boonyeun Siritham, the TCC president, voiced his concern regarding the development of Thailand’s public transport system—lamenting the exclusionary nature of planning which fails to involve consumer participation. Moreover, he highlighted the authorities’ disproportionate focus on enhancing services in Bangkok and its environs, often neglecting the provincial regions. Siritham elaborated that much of the development work has been skewed toward road infrastructure, favoring personal vehicles. Consequently, Thailand is evolving into a metropolis dominated by cars and motorcycles. He argued that the lack of input from actual users…
In the bustling province of Samut Prakan, an ordinary Wednesday morning took an unexpectedly daunting turn for local resident, Tanat Tangtewanon. Tanat, who religiously follows his early morning routine, was in for quite the shock on this rainy day. As he groggily made his usual visit to the toilet, little did he know that terror was lurking within the porcelain depths. It happened in a mere moment, a sudden, searing pain erupted from his testicles. Startled and confused, Tanat glanced down, only to discover the horrifying truth; a python, of all creatures, had sunk its fangs into his scrotum. Yes, you read that right—a python! Still reeling from the shock and wincing from the pain, Tanat’s initial reaction was to stand up abruptly. Fortunately, this spontaneous movement startled the snake enough that it loosened its grip and fell back into the bowl, disappearing from sight. However, Tanat’s ordeal was far…
In a proactive move to tackle the deluge of low-cost Chinese products swamping both online and traditional markets in Thailand, caretaker Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced on Wednesday that the government is likely to establish a dedicated panel. This panel’s mission? To become the central authority for monitoring and responding to the influx of inexpensive Chinese goods, which are perceived to be damaging the livelihoods of local traders. The government plans to finalize the measures to mitigate this issue by the end of this month. Presently, this problem is being addressed by multiple organizations, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the Ministry of Industry, the Office of the Consumer Protection Board, and the Department of Special Investigation, according to Mr. Phumtham. If necessary, stringent application of World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations, such as the anti-dumping agreement, will be enforced in an effort…
In a move that has sent shockwaves through Thailand’s political landscape, Anutin Charnvirakul, lead figure of the Bhumjaithai Party, finds himself in the eye of a legal storm. On Wednesday, Attorney Pattharpong Supassorn, known to many as An Buriram, approached the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) with serious allegations. Alongside Anutin, the party’s secretary-general, Chaichanok Chidchob, is also under scrutiny. Their alleged crime? Involvement in a contentious land grab in the verdant expanses of Khao Kradong Forest Park located in Buri Ram. The specifics revolve around a sprawling 5,083-rai plot belonging to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). According to the petition, the Chidchob family has allegedly annexed a portion of this land, repurposing it for the expansion of a race circuit and a football stadium. Meanwhile, Anutin Charnvirakul’s name has been dragged into allegations of land encroachment within the confines of the forest park. The implications are severe, but the…
An intriguing scene unfolded in the bustling Pathumwan district of Bangkok on August 10, capturing the attention of onlookers and media alike. A board hanging proudly displayed the People’s Party’s eye-popping amount of donations, much to the delight of its organizers. But behind the scenes, the celebration raised a flurry of legal questions, as highlighted by none other than Constitutional Court Judge Udom Sittiwirattham. Judge Udom, speaking passionately at a seminar about the Constitutional Court’s vital role in protecting people’s rights and freedom, threw a spanner in the works by questioning the legality of the fundraising activities. The People’s Party (PP), which emerged like a phoenix from the ashes of the disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), had managed to amass at least 17 million baht in donations, setting tongues wagging and causing quite a stir. The judge’s thought-provoking comments were swiftly shared in a Facebook post by user Tanyatorn Rojmahamongkol,…
In a heartwarming show of support, a woman clutches a piece of paper bearing a message championing the government’s ambitious 10,000-baht digital wallet initiative from last year. This scene, etched in a file photo, underscores a community rallying behind progressive change. The Pheu Thai Party, committed to its promise, is pushing forward with its flagship digital wallet scheme, aiming to distribute 10,000 baht to around 50 million eligible citizens. While the path seems rocky following the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of Srettha Thavisin as prime minister, hope remains afloat. The scheme is notably far from abandonment; instead, it’s poised for a strategic overhaul. Insiders reveal a pivot towards prioritizing aid to vulnerable groups through the existing welfare card system — a move dating back to the Prayut administration. The project’s financial framework is anchored on a 122 billion baht budget, ensuring targeted assistance to those in need. The diligent Deputy Finance…