A woman proudly hoists a placard bearing the message, “Vote for change, not to be dissolved,” as she joins a throng of supporters rallying at the Move Forward Party (MFP) headquarters in Bangkok. The scene is electric as they await the Constitutional Court’s verdict on August 7. Among the crowd, a wave of student activism is also surging, lighting the fuse for an intense campaign against two notable Constitutional Court judges, who double as guest lecturers at prominent universities. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) The ripple effect of this political tremor reached the esteemed campuses of Thammasat and Chulalongkorn universities. In reaction to the court’s contentious ruling that led to the MFP’s dissolution, student activists swiftly launched campaigns against the judges involved. Last Saturday, an open letter from the Thammasat University Student Council Rangsit Campus and the Faculty of Law’s student committee materialized on social media, galvanizing law students to sign a…
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The government is poised to unveil a special law aimed at shielding victims of technology crimes and expediting their financial recovery, announced Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong yesterday. Mr. Prasert emphasized that this legislation is crucial to combatting the surge of technology-related crimes. This initiative is driven by a recently agreed-upon special law during a committee meeting dedicated to suppressing and preventing technology crimes. The committee delved into a range of pressing issues, notably why victims are compelled to await the conclusion of their cases in order to reclaim their funds, despite the authorities already freezing the assets. Other key discussions included the possibility of extending jail sentences for those involved in the purchase or sale of private data from one to five years, curbing illegal money transfers via digital assets, and bolstering information exchange between agencies. Mr. Prasert revealed that a subcommittee on legal affairs has…
The Election Commission (EC) confirmed yesterday that the People’s Party (PP), the reincarnation of the disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), had successfully established party branches as legally mandated. This confirmation arrives amid allegations from Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom, who is preparing to file a petition against the PP over its predecessor, Thin Kakao Chaovilai, failing to register enough party branches. It is worth noting that Thin Kakao Chaovilai was taken over by members of the MFP after their party was dissolved by the Constitutional Court last Wednesday for allegedly undermining the constitutional monarchy. The party rebranded itself as People’s Power, officially launching last Friday. However, Dr. Warong contends that Thin Kakao Chaovilai had managed to establish only two branches in the North and one in the Central Plains, leaving the South and Northeast regions unrepresented. According to the law, a political party must maintain at least one branch…
Student activists at Thammasat and Chulalongkorn universities have ignited campaigns against two Constitutional Court judges who serve as guest lecturers at their institutions. The move comes in the wake of a controversial court ruling last Wednesday that resulted in the disbandment of the Move Forward Party (MFP). On Saturday, the Thammasat University Student Council Rangsit Campus, along with the committee of law students, posted an open letter on Facebook. The letter urges law students at Thammasat to sign a petition seeking the dismissal of Udom Rathamarit, a Constitutional Court judge, from his role as a special lecturer. The student groups accuse Judge Rathamarit of failing to exemplify ethical standards and bringing embarrassment to the legal community with a constitutional interpretation in the MFP ruling that contradicts his own teachings. The students plan to submit the petition, accompanied by signatures, to the dean of Thammasat’s Faculty of Law tomorrow. Meanwhile, the…
The government is putting its best foot forward at the upcoming Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) meeting, aiming to rally neighboring nations in a united front against the rising tide of call center scam gangs. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has laid down the gauntlet, instructing Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa to place this issue high on the agenda. With cross-border crime evolving into a sophisticated menace, it’s a critical topic at the 9th MLC meeting set for Thursday and Friday in the picturesque city of Chiang Mai. Mr. Maris emphasized that regional teamwork is the secret sauce in the recipe for combatting transnational crime. The spotlight isn’t just on fraud but also on other menacing threats like the narcotics trade and human trafficking. With nations like Laos, China, and India recognizing the urgency, there’s a burgeoning consensus to bolster mutual cooperation to tackle these shadowy enterprises. Thailand, not to be outdone, is poised…
In an intriguing twist over the weekend, authorities took swift action, seizing an astonishing 14,400 tonnes of improperly stored dross from two aluminum smelters located in Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon. Pol Col Arun Wacharasisukanya, the diligent deputy commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, unveiled the findings and provided a deeper dive into the saga. It all began on a seemingly routine Saturday, when vigilant highway police in Nakhon Pathom halted a semi-trailer truck. To their surprise, the truck was brimming with massive bags of aluminum dross, lacking the requisite permissions. The clandestine cargo was en route to an aluminum smelter nestled in the Muang district of Samut Sakhon. Upon reaching the destination, that just so happens to be the domain of Taibao Aluminum Co, what the police discovered was nothing short of staggering. They were greeted by a silent and eerie smelter, completely devoid of activity,…
The double-track railway along the State Railway of Thailand’s southern line, stretching from Nakhon Pathom to Chumphon, has officially opened its doors (or tracks, rather) to improved logistical wonders, the agency proudly announced yesterday. Ekarat Sri-arayanpong, the head honcho at the SRT governor’s office, beamed with excitement as he revealed that this spanking new track will turbocharge logistical operations along its 421-kilometer expanse. With journey times slashed by up to a whopping 90 minutes, rail travel on the southern line is now as appealing as a frosty beverage on a hot day in Bangkok! Trains heading in opposite directions no longer need to do the awkward wait-and-pass dance, which also means a boost in the system’s overall safety. Ding ding! All aboard the efficiency express! The journey kicks off in Nakhon Pathom, cruising through scenic landscapes and bustling towns like Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and finally pulling into Chumphon.…
The House Committee on Political Development, Mass Communications, and Public Participation is urging Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to explain his delayed endorsement of 16 critical financial bills. Recent reports highlight that People’s Party (PP) list-MP Parit Wacharasindhu, acting as the committee’s chairman, extended an invitation to Mr. Srettha, his secretary-general Prommin Lertsuridej, and House of Representatives secretary-general Acting Pol Sub Lt Arphat Sukanan for a crucial meeting on Thursday to dissect the predicament. Intriguingly, the prime minister has chosen to send his deputy secretary-general in his stead, adding a layer of suspense to the proceedings. Mr. Parit pointed out that the crux of the matter is identifying the criteria the House speaker utilizes to categorize a proposed bill as financial. Moreover, the committee is keen to untangle the timing of decision-making involved in this process. Details reveal that 65 financial bills have landed on the prime minister’s desk for deliberation,…
The Industry Ministry is joining forces with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, along with various related agencies, to draft an urgent plan aimed at helping regions recently afflicted by chemical waste contamination, announced Nattapol Rangsitpol, the permanent secretary of the Industry Ministry, on Monday. Reflecting gravely on the illegal dumping incidents across Rayong, Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Phetchabun, Nattapol emphasized their commitment to a long-term solution. In a strategic move, the ministry has deployed a specialized team to monitor severe complaint zones as they tirelessly work on a permanent fix. In response to the escalating environmental crisis, the Industry Ministry has formed a potent alliance with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Department of Industrial Works, the Department of Pollution Control, and the Department of Groundwater Resources. Together, they are crafting an action plan to curb and eventually eradicate chemical leaks, particularly focusing on six…
The tender, wide eyes of the young dugong calf have now found solace and care at the Natural Resources and Environment Institute, nestled within Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya’s Trang Campus. A heartwarming snapshot captured by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources is a testament to this little marine mammal’s journey from peril to sanctuary. In the serene waters surrounding Koh Poda in Krabi, the lonely calf was first spotted by observant tourists on a tranquil Saturday. These good Samaritans promptly alerted the Andaman Sea Lower Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre officials, and the chain of rescue swiftly swung into action. Pinsak Suraswadi, the vigilant director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, shared details of this miraculous rescue operation. Soon after its discovery, the young dugong was tenderly provided with initial aid by dedicated officials. Recognizing the urgency of the calf’s condition, they transported the vulnerable…