The ever-buzzing world of retirement planning in Thailand is on high alert as the Social Security Office (SSO) toys with a recommendation that could upend the golden years of many a future retiree. Whispered by none other than the International Labour Organization (ILO), the notion of bumping up the retirement age for pension eligibility from a sprightly 55 to a more seasoned 65 has been floating around since 2017. Before you worry about adding another decade to your work life, rest assured: it’s not a done deal. Yet. Marasri Jairangsee, the SSO’s very own guardian of pension plans, shed light on the tentative change, revealing its status as merely a study and far from a locked-in decision. Of course, such a sweeping change would require navigating a labyrinth of legal entanglements. Lucky for you, dear readers, no legal amendments have been cast in stone just yet. In the spirit of…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The Royal Thai Police Force is facing a situation that could very well be described as right out of a gripping drama. Imagine this scenario: a police colonel, a figure of authority no less, caught in an act of deception during a crucial examination. This story, embroiled in elements of suspense and intrigue, takes us deep into the corridors of examination halls where not just any mundane test unfolds, but one that determines the selection of new judges for the Administrative Court in Thailand. Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch, the national police chief, has cast a decisive net over the events by ordering Provincial Police Region 8 to thoroughly investigate this scandal. One can’t help but wonder how a high-ranking officer, mired in deceit during an examination hosted by none other than the Administrative Court itself, could let it come to this. The exam, notable for its rigour, unfolded at the…
In a fervent display of civic engagement, over 50 spirited students from Ramkhamhaeng University’s Student Council and Student Organisation recently conveyed their vehement disapproval to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra regarding the government’s contentious initiative to legalize online gambling and establish glittering entertainment complexes adorned with casinos. The students, embodying their message through a symbolic and yet creative act, donned humble cardboard boxes during a protest at Government House. Their attire poignantly illustrated the potential financial ruin that gambling could unleash. Leading this outspoken movement was the student council president, Worathep Pannen, who voiced sharp criticism towards the government’s plans to amend a triad of key laws to pave the way for legal online gambling. While proponents of the amendments cherish them as a panacea for the unbridled scourge of illegal gambling, Worathep and others foresee a path fraught with pitfalls should the entertainment complex bill pass, likely heralding legal casino…
In a dramatic turn of events, parliament squared off in a heated debate yesterday and delivered its final verdict on a proposed alteration to the anti-corruption laws. The spotlight was on an amendment that aimed to shift military corruption cases from the military’s own judicial domain into the open arms of the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. However, the anticipated legislative shift was thwarted at its third and decisive reading. In a striking show of political muscle, a robust coalition of 415 MPs and senators firmly opposed the amendment, overshadowing the 163 lawmakers who cast their votes in favor. On the sidelines, 12 members decided to dance diplomatically, choosing neither side and abstaining. At the heart of this political theater was a passion-driven bill conjured up by the People’s Party’s lively and irrepressible MP, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn. The legislation sought to meticulously dissect five specific sections of the existing…
Buzzing with proactive ambition, Bangkok’s City Hall is setting its sights high, aiming to greenify the city’s eastern suburbs with a staggering plantation of 1.06 million trees by April next year, as announced by the city’s dynamic governor, Chadchart Sittipunt. Nested within the verdant vision are nine bustling districts, where Nong Chok is poised to become a verdant paradise with a lush canopy of 400,000 new trees. Klong Sam Wa and Lat Krabang are diligently following suit, each nurturing 300,000 budding saplings, while the remaining areas will be modestly adorned with 10,000 newly-planted verdancies each. This rejuvenating initiative is sprinting towards its climax, with most districts brimming with greenery sooner rather than later. The project in Klong Sam Wa looks set to flourish by March of the upcoming year, whilst Nong Chok, with an avid fervor, is pegged to wrap up by the subsequent month, as outlined by the ever-enthusiastic…
In a striking revelation from the buzzing realm of digital defenses, Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong jubilantly shared an impressive triumph against the notorious scourge of call scams. With a strategic flair worthy of a cinematic spy thriller, the Thai government took decisive action, cutting power in areas along the border believed to be the operational nexus of such devious crime syndicates in Myanmar. And oh, how the tides turned! As the calendar flicked to February 5th, something intriguing happened. The lights went out, the digital chatter dwindled, and the once-bustling hustle of internet-driven deception felt the keen edge of governmental intervention. Since that bold move, a palpable ripple of relief seems to have swept across the digital corridors of Thailand’s populace. Minister Prasert stood on solid statistical ground when he declared that reported cybercrimes had dropped noticeably—by no less than 20%! Imagine that, in the blink…
Deputy Commerce Minister Suchart Chomklin finds himself entangled in a whirlwind of political intrigue and alleged scandal as he stands at the forefront of a defamation lawsuit against two members of the People’s Party (PP). The recent accusations have sparked a fierce debate, with Mr. Suchart denying any involvement and vowing to clear his name. In a fiery address, Mr. Suchart, who once served as Thailand’s Labour Minister under the banner of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), rebuffed claims made by PP MPs Rukchanok Srinork and Sahassawat Kumkong. They allege that Mr. Suchart had a hand in the highly contentious purchase of the SKYY9 Centre by the Social Security Office (SSO), a deal valued at a staggering seven billion baht. The accusations don’t stop there. Ms. Rukchanok argues that the purchase was plagued by irregularities that led to losses in its management. She pointed out that the building’s net income,…
In the vibrant political landscape of Thailand, the aroma of blooming flowers isn’t the only thing wafting through the air. Early this month, Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister, graciously accepted floral tributes from his supporters during a visit to Sichon district in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Amid the resonant clamor of admirers, the Pheu Thai Party stalwart found himself at the heart of another political storm, one that his family had unwittingly found themselves embroiled in. The People’s Party (PP), a formidable opponent in the political ring, submitted a rerouted no-confidence motion on a contentious Monday. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the focal point of this political maneuvering, found her father, Thaksin, notably absent from the revised document, replaced with the mysteriously bland moniker “a family member.” This linguistic dance orchestrated by opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut was a deft stroke to ensure that Parliamentary President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha would table…
In a whirlwind of international controversy, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has stepped forward to calm the waters, reassuring the public that the recent US-imposed visa sanctions against Thai officials are nothing to lose sleep over. The debacle centers around the deportation of at least 40 Uyghurs to China, a move sparking uproar across the international stage. On Monday, Thaksin emphasized that the US authorities acted upon outdated intel and maintained that Thailand’s actions were firmly grounded within the boundaries of international and humanitarian laws. Sitting back for a moment to provide a bigger picture, Thaksin elaborated that these Uyghur individuals had found themselves in a peculiar limbo, detained for illegal entry for a staggering 11 years without any country stepping up to provide sanctuary. “The US and our friends in Europe didn’t roll out the welcome mat either,” he pointed out. The individuals’ roots lay squarely in China,…
The Thailand Structural Engineers Association (TSEA) has once again voiced a stern critique of the government’s oversight, or lack thereof, concerning safety in construction sites along the bustling Rama II Road. This prominent route, which acts as a vital conduit linking Bangkok to the southern reaches of Thailand, has unfortunately gained notoriety not just for its heavy traffic, but for the frequency of construction-related mishaps. On a somber note, the latest calamity unfolded on a Saturday, claiming the lives of six workers. TSEA’s president, Amorn Pimanmas, expressed deep concern, emphasizing that the tragic incident starkly underscores the dire consequences of sidestepping prescribed safety norms. “It’s not just the workers at peril; passers-by face the brunt of these oversights too,” he lamented. Construction isn’t an easy feat; it’s a demanding undertaking that hinges on cutting-edge engineering prowess and stringent safety measures. Prof Dr. Amorn made an ardent call to contractors to…