The corridors of Thai politics have seldom seen a character as steadfast as Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin. This week, Mr. Somsak firmly shut down a chorus of requests from health experts, urging a review of the much-discussed 30-baht gold card scheme. “We have no intention of revisiting the co-payment plan,” declared Mr. Somsak with a tone that left no room for ambiguity. Facing an eager assembly of reporters, Mr. Somsak was interrogated on whether the universal healthcare scheme could withstand the mounting pressure from a network of hospitals and medical professionals. This collective has been vocal about the increasing strain placed upon state-run hospitals, citing a barrage of patient influx, skeletal staffing, and escalating financial deficits. The call for reform aimed at ensuring the financial sustainability of the scheme has grown louder by the day. Let us rewind two decades to the inception of this ambitious populist policy, birthed…
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The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation has urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to investigate the credentials of Chalermchai Sri-on, the newly appointed Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, concerning his alleged possession of 120 rai of state land. According to recent media revelations, the foundation emphasized the necessity for those overseeing natural resources to clear themselves of any connections to state land holdings. Chalermchai, the leader of the Democrat Party, was recently appointed to his ministerial position, sparking widespread criticism among the officials now expected to serve under his leadership. Back in 2008, Chalermchai declared his assets, among which was Phor Bor Tor 5 land—essentially a tax payment document issued to local authorities without conferring legal ownership rights—for an area totaling 120 rai. However, when he assumed the role of Labour Minister in 2010, he did not declare his possession of this land. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is said to be…
PHUKET: The air was thick with anticipation at the provincial hall on March 1st as a crowd awaited the decision concerning Urs Fehr, a Swiss national entangled in a courtroom drama. Fehr and his Thai wife stood firm, hopes pinned on the court’s verdict, spotlighted by the keen-eyed media. The culminated judgment reached out onto the public platform on Wednesday, swinging in favor of Mr. Fehr. The courtroom’s gavel fell, announcing the acquittal of 45-year-old Urs Fehr. He had been accused of allegedly kicking Dr. Thandao Chandam, a 26-year-old doctor, during a full moon night at Yamu beach. As the incident unfurled, accusations led to a heated debate, ultimately leading to a trial that challenged assumptions and dug deep into evidence, or rather, the lack thereof. It was a picturesque night on February 24th at Yamu beach. The moon bathed the steps in a silvery hue near Fehr’s rented villa.…
Mongkol “Busbas” Thirakot is currently being held in Chiang Rai Central Prison. (Photo: iLaw) An appeal court on Wednesday upheld the conviction of a Chiang Rai clothing vendor in a third lese-majeste case, escalating his total prison time for the offences to an unprecedented 54 years and 6 months, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). Mongkol “Busbas” Thirakot had previously been sentenced in two other lese-majeste cases to an aggregate of 50 years in prison, which was also upheld on appeal. “This is by far the longest prison sentence given to a Section 112 defendant, based on available information,” TLHR stated on Wednesday, referencing the section of the Criminal Code that pertains to royal defamation. In the latest case, the Court of Appeal Region 5 confirmed the earlier conviction by the Chiang Rai Provincial Court, finding Mongkol guilty of two counts of lese-majeste and one count of trespassing,…
The newly appointed cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is gearing up for a special meeting on Saturday to outline a policy statement that will set the government’s agenda. With His Majesty the King giving his nod to the 35-member cabinet, the official roster of ministers was published in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday. Ms. Paetongtarn and her cabinet are slated to take the oath of office at the elegant Ambara Villa in Dusit Palace at 5 PM this Friday. In compliance with protocol, the government needs to present its policy statement to the parliament before taking any concrete steps. Ms. Paetongtarn is poised to deliver this crucial statement on September 11, marking the beginning of her official tenure on September 16. The first official cabinet meeting is scheduled for September 17, right before the Pheu Thai Party’s much-anticipated digital wallet handout kicks off, aimed at boosting…
In a remarkable turn of events, public health officials in Thailand have announced the recovery of the first confirmed case of the mpox clade Ib variant detected in the country. The fortunate patient, a 66-year-old European male who embarked on his journey from Africa, touched down in Bangkok on August 14th, and was promptly hospitalized the next day after exhibiting symptoms. On August 15th, just a day after his arrival in the bustling city of Bangkok, the man was admitted to a hospital where rigorous lab tests confirmed that he had contracted the clade Ib variant of the mpox virus. Yet, through diligent medical care and the patient’s resilience, his wounds have now fully healed, allowing him to be discharged from the hospital and return home triumphantly. “The patient’s current state of health is a testament to the effectiveness of our medical interventions,” stated Dr. Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn, the esteemed director-general…
An elderly man defiantly swims out to collect relief supplies in the Bang Ban district of Ayutthaya. His home had been submerged for weeks in 2021. (File photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has issued a stark warning to residents in parts of Ayutthaya, urging them to brace for impending flash floods due to an unrelenting surge in the Chao Phraya River. Authorities are vigilantly monitoring two primary water stations to gauge the situation. Declared on Wednesday, the RID cautioned those living near Khlong Phong Pheng in Ang Thong and the banks of Khlong Bang Ban in the Bang Ban district, alongside the neighboring areas of Phak Hai district in Ayutthaya. These regions, nestled in low-lying plains, are at a heightened risk of flooding. Amid the brewing storm, the ‘Ayutthaya Station’ Facebook page has erupted in criticism, lambasting the government’s inadequate compensation for residents already grappling with rising…
In a glittering ceremony at the headquarters of the Pheu Thai Party in Bangkok on August 18, Thaksin Shinawatra ceremoniously held the hand of his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on the monumental occasion of her receiving royal endorsement for her new role as Prime Minister. The photo, captured by Varuth Hirunyatheb, encapsulates a moment steeped in both familial pride and political significance. Yet, this seemingly heartwarming moment has not escaped the sharp scrutiny of political activist, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana. Ruangkrai, a member of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission (EC), raising serious questions about the nature and legitimacy of Paetongtarn’s ascent to power. His allegations, far from being trivial, delve into two critical issues: her sudden resignation from multiple company directorships and potential undue influence exerted by her father, Thaksin. Ruangkrai’s complaint first addresses the surprising and somewhat bewildering speed with which Paetongtarn distanced…
Amid the bustling chaos of Bangkok’s vibrant markets, vendors take a step toward modernity as they register for the Thang Rath app on August 1. It’s all in anticipation of receiving a generous 10,000 baht in digital cash from the government—a promising initiative that’s generating significant buzz. The scene is captured by Apichart Jinakul’s lens, encapsulating a moment of hopeful transition. However, this ambitious programme hasn’t been without its hurdles. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat recently acknowledged that the government’s 10,000-baht handout requires some fine-tuning, especially considering the array of petitions and feedback that have streamed in. While the initial plan was to distribute digital money to around 50 million eligible Thais aged 16 and above, practical and social dynamics are prompting a re-evaluation. Economists have been vocal, expressing concerns that the 500-billion-baht initiative might not spur the economic vitality that the Pheu Thai-led government envisions. With these expert opinions…
In a startling turn of events, American national Robert Le Roy Koehler, 41, has been apprehended on serious charges in Bangkok. He faces accusations of attempting to commit indecent acts with a minor. Koehler was taken into custody at a condominium in the vibrant Bang Khae district, a locale that bustles with life and the daily cadence of Bangkok’s footsteps. Photographs released by the Phetkasem police show him in a state of denial, asserting his innocence. The narrative begins with Koehler’s double life as an English teacher at a local school. On the surface, he appeared as a dedicated educator, but police allege a darker side emerged on the tragic morning of February 16th. The incident in question involves a 14-year-old girl, whose ordinary school day spiraled into a nightmare. According to police reports, she had been sent to school in the Phetkasem area by her mother, initiating what seemed…