Senate candidates in Bangkok eagerly converged at the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre on Sunday, casting their votes for the provincial-level election. The excitement and anticipation filled the air as the groundwork was laid for the national round of voting, set to take center stage on June 26. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) The path to this pivotal moment had its bumps, but it got a unanimous green light from the Constitutional Court on Tuesday. All nine judges concurred that the Senate election did not trample on the charter. The claims made by six petitioners, five of whom were gunning for Senate seats, didn’t hold water. Specifically, four sections of the organic law on the Senate’s composition were deemed constitutionally sound. In light of the court’s undisputed ruling, the Election Commission (EC) swiftly reassured the public that the national-level Senate election will indeed kick off on June 26, just…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The constitutional tremors set off on a typical Tuesday by the Constitutional Court could decidedly reshape the political future of Thailand. Mark your calendars, folks. July 3 is D-Day for the Move Forward Party (MFP), as the Court gears up to adjudicate the highly controversial dissolution case against the prominent opposition party. This time, the stakes are as high as they get. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation. The Court has laid down the procedural gauntlet, prompting all parties involved to submit their facts and opinions within an electrifying span of just seven days. No time for hesitations; this accelerated timeline promises to keep the political adrenaline pumping. Now, the main players—MFP and the Election Commission—have their moment in the spotlight on July 9, presenting their heavy-hitting witnesses and potential game-changing evidence. Intrigue and secrecy hover around the specifics, as the Court has teased no additional details. But brace yourselves…
Culinary innovation meets sustainability as the Western Australian Beef & Lamb Competition by Aussie Meat Academy makes its grand debut in Thailand. Hosted by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) in collaboration with the Government of Western Australia (WA), this groundbreaking event, held at the prestigious Lenôtre Culinary Arts School, promises to showcase the very best of Australian beef and lamb while nurturing the culinary stars of tomorrow. The Western Australian Beef & Lamb Competition brought together ten exceptionally talented junior chefs from five luxurious Marriott, Okura Nikko, and IHG five-star hotels around bustling Bangkok. These rising stars were given a unique platform to unveil their creativity and skills. Split into two captivating challenges, five chefs competed in a tantalizing Thai culinary challenge, while the other five immersed themselves in a Western culinary challenge. Through this journey, participants not only honed their culinary craft but also gained invaluable insights into the…
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…
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…