Mae Sai, Chiang Rai—In the throes of rising waters, police officers valiantly rescued a local resident from his submerged home on Thursday, as the relentless floods continued to devastate the region. The Royal Thai Police captured the heart-wrenching moment, painting a stark picture of the ongoing crisis. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, reacting swiftly to the unfolding catastrophe, convened an urgent meeting of cabinet ministers shortly after delivering the government’s policy statement in parliament. Her marching orders were clear: expedite relief measures for those tormented by the floods, with a laser focus on the Northern provinces, especially Chiang Rai. During the emergency session, Ms. Paetongtarn instructed the Interior Ministry, the Defence Ministry, and the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to spearhead the evacuation of both people and livestock. Furthermore, the Interior and Defence Ministries were tasked, alongside the Public Health Ministry, with providing care at evacuation centers, ensuring medical supplies were available…
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Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, with a charismatic wai and a gentle smile, acknowledged the cheers of his supporters after securing his position as the leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) during their general assembly on September 6th. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) Yet storm clouds are gathering on the horizon for the 79-year-old leader. A former Pheu Thai Party spokesman, Prompong Nopparit, has ignited a controversy that threatens to rock PPRP to its core. Prompong has formally sought an investigation into Gen Prawit’s conduct, spurred by a set of leaked audio recordings that were aired during the Inside Thailand TV show on MCOT. The controversy hinges on four audio clips that Prompong alleges feature none other than Gen Prawit himself. In his dramatic appeal to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), he urged them to scrutinize the tapes for any signs of unethical behavior, warning that such acts could warrant a lifetime ban…
On October 25, 2019, members of the Muslim Students Federation converged on a skywalk in the bustling Pathumwan district of Bangkok. This gathering solemnly marked the 15th anniversary of the Tak Bai massacre, a dark stain on Thailand’s history. The tragedy unfolded in 2004, leaving a trail of sorrow and unresolved justice, and the shadow of this event continues to loom large today. Fast forward to the present, and the Narathiwat Criminal Court is ramping up efforts to bring closure to the wounds of Tak Bai. Arrest warrants have been issued for six defendants who failed to appear for questioning on a recent Thursday. They were part of a group of seven individuals slated to stand before the court for witness questioning and evidence examination, but inexplicably, none of them showed up. Adding to the complexity of the case, a summons has been issued for the seventh defendant, former Army…
The John Deere logo stands tall and proud on a sign outside a dealership in Taylor, Texas, representing a powerhouse in agricultural and construction equipment. Yet, beneath the green and yellow emblem lies a saga that has shaken the company’s foundations and caught the attention of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Thailand. The NACC is hot on the trail of a high-stakes bribery scandal that came to light during a legal proceeding in the United States. Deere & Company, an American titan in the realm of heavy machinery, agreed to shell out a hefty $10 million to settle charges initiated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The bone of contention? Bribes doled out by Deere’s Thai subsidiary, Wirtgen Thailand, to secure lucrative procurement contracts with various Thai state agencies. Among those implicated in this tangled web of corruption are the Royal Thai Air Force, the Department of…
ASEAN tourism statistics from 2023 reveal that Thailand welcomed the highest number of foreign tourists among ASEAN countries, recording a whopping 28.09 million visitors. This remarkable figure is anticipated to rise steadily each year. To bolster this growth, the Department of Tourism is on a mission to elevate the standards and capabilities of personnel in the tourism and service industries, ensuring they meet ASEAN’s stringent competency benchmarks. To achieve these ambitious goals, the Department orchestrated the ASEAN Master Trainer (MT) course from August 19 to August 29, 2024, and the ASEAN Master Assessors (MA) course from July 29 to August 9, 2024. These courses form a crucial part of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals (MRA on TP) for the 2024 fiscal year. Jaturon Phakdeewanit, the Director-General of the Department of Tourism, elaborated that the Department’s Tourism Professional Development Division meticulously selected 12 participants each for the ASEAN…
Thailand has taken a collective dive into infatuation with the adorable Moo Deng, a two-month-old pygmy hippopotamus who has become the pride and joy of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri. Yet, amid the buzz and excitement, zoo authorities are urging visitors to exercise some basic decency around the tiny star. In response to circulating videos on social media, showing overenthusiastic visitors carelessly tossing what seemed like shellfish at the precious baby hippo during her nap, zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi felt compelled to issue a formal request. “We ask our visitors to refrain from throwing objects at Moo Deng,” he stated, emphasizing the potential risk of injury to the young animal. The concern doesn’t end there. Another clip that raised a furor among netizens featured a visitor thoughtlessly splashing water on the slumbering Moo Deng, further stressing the need for better visitor decorum. Such actions, while perhaps well-meaning,…
The Muang district of Chiang Rai woke up to a daunting sight on Thursday morning, with floodwaters overwhelming the area. The Kok River’s relentless overflow has resulted in water levels reaching waist-deep depths and steadily climbing. The severe flooding has wreaked havoc, compelling Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport to announce its closure, with a Thai AirAsia flight at 1.10pm marking the last departure before operations were halted. Authorities swiftly responded by shutting down several major roads and bridges, restricting access to critical locations such as Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport, the bustling five-way Pho Khun intersection, and the provincial hall. The situation became increasingly dire on Wednesday night, prompting swift evacuations. Many residents had no choice but to abandon their ground-floor homes due to the strong, swift currents. Jet skis were dispatched to assist in rescuing those who found themselves trapped amidst the rising floodwaters. In…
Newly appointed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took center stage in parliament Thursday morning, dazzling attendees with a robust policy statement aimed squarely at elevating the financial well-being of Thai citizens while simultaneously boosting state revenue. Clad in a sleek, confident demeanor, Ms. Paetongtarn delivered her 58-minute address with the passion and commitment expected from the leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party. Addressing a wide array of economic issues, she particularly focused on comprehensive debt restructuring. Highlighting plans to ease the burden of home and car loans, she reassured the nation that aiding informal debtors would not rock the country’s financial stability boat. “We must build a foundation where every Thai citizen can stand tall and thrive,” she declared, her voice echoing through the parliament hall. Energy costs—which have long been a hot-button issue—were not left untouched. She vowed to trim down energy prices and public utility fees. “We will…
On a rather watery Thursday morning, locals and tourists were advised to dodge Chiang Rai’s gateway to the world—Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport—by the ever-vigilant Transport Minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit. Why, you ask? Well, it turns out that the access road leading to the airport was transformed into an impromptu river, courtesy of Mother Nature. Minister Suriya mentioned that Airports of Thailand (AOT) had given him the heads up about the dire situation. “I strongly advise people to steer clear of Chiang Rai airport until things clear up,” he said in what could be considered the understatement of the year. The flood impact was severe enough to halt airline operations and left airline staff, as well as travelers, stranded and questioning their travel plans. To make matters even more complicated, Vietjet Air, Lion Air, and Thai Airways International all hit the brakes on their Thursday flights, adding another layer…
Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited), a front-runner in Thailand’s fintech landscape, is thrilled to announce the 3rd annual Krungsri Tech Day 2024! Set to take place under the intriguing theme “Technology for People,” this event will showcase the latest innovations and solutions from Krungsri alongside top-tier global tech partners. Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 19, 2024, as True Digital Park West’s 1st and 3rd floors will become the epicenter of tech talks, workshops, and groundbreaking technology exhibits. Mr. Sayam Prasitsirigul, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “For the third year in a row, Krungsri Tech Day provides a unique venue where tech aficionados, business professionals, and enthusiasts can explore emerging trends, bolster business performance with practical solutions, and elevate their tech expertise.” This year, Krungsri has teamed up with an impressive lineup of partners to introduce advancements…