The Department of Land Transport (DLT) recently addressed a controversy involving a Chinese tourist who appeared online holding a Thai driver’s license. This image, featured in an ad on the Chinese e-commerce platform Xiaohongshu, touted “fast-track” services for obtaining official documents. The post ignited furor among Thai netizens after it was shared by a local social media user. The claim was that the woman depicted had effortlessly secured her Thai driver’s license in Chiang Mai, bypassing the mandatory theory training and practical tests. However, the DLT was quick to set the record straight. On Sunday, they affirmed that the woman had indeed acquired her license legally from a DLT office in Chiang Mai. The twist? Her photograph had been misused without her consent to promote the illicit service. Imagine the frustration! The department strongly advised foreign tourists against falling prey to such dubious advertisements, often crafted by scammers. They warned…
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Photo: Jakkrit Waewkraihong If you were ever to imagine paradise within reach, endemic with crystal-clear waters and verdant rainforests, you’d find yourself picturing Koh Chang. This gem of Thailand, positioned off the coast of Trat Province, is now at the crossroads of preservation and commercialization. National Parks chief Chaiwat Limlikhit-aksorn is sounding the alarm bells over a disturbing trend on this serene island: extensive acquisitions of land by investors tied to shadowy operations. On a bright morning, Mr. Chaiwat, director of the National Parks Office under the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Centre, revealed, “Private investors have secured substantial land parcels from the island’s locals. And trouble lurks in the background.” His expressions turned grave as he mentioned, “These investors might be linked to less-than-legitimate businesses. We must be vigilant, both the government and local officials.” As larger corporations establish their footprint on the island, the once-thriving…
The Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Centre 2 in Samut Sakhon province has set up an innovative bamboo barrier designed to stave off coastal erosion. Meanwhile, Bangkok isn’t sitting idle—plans are underway to construct a similar bamboo wave barrier in the Bang Khunthian district. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) Intriguingly, an idea is gaining traction that could reshape the coastal landscape dramatically. Imagine a new city built from reclaimed sea areas spanning about 300,000 rai, from Samut Prakan’s Pak Nam of Muang district to the Tha Chin River’s mouth in Samut Sakhon. This ambitious land reclamation project doesn’t just aim to provide new living space; it doubles as a crucial mechanism to protect Bangkok from looming flood threats and tackle the persistent issue of coastal erosion in the Bang Khunthian district, nestled between Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon. The brainchild behind this vision is none other than former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.…
Next to the majestic Lancang-Mekong River, diplomats and journalists from six vibrant nations gathered for an event that promised both enlightenment and camaraderie. The “Lancang-Mekong International Video and Photography Week 2024” in the picturesque Yushu, Qinghai Province of China, brought together representatives from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand. The atmosphere was charged with a shared mission: to collectively address pressing cyber issues and protect the digital well-being of the younger generation. The summit, graced by local officials from Qinghai Province and keen observers from Canada and the United States, quickly became a melting pot of ideas and initiatives. Conversations buzzed with the earnest intent to combat the rampant spread of fake news and the lurking dangers of cybercrime. The unanimous sentiment was clear: fostering cooperation across borders was crucial for a safer online world. Media representatives played a significant role in these discussions, emphasizing that the battle against…
Amid the dazzling lights and roaring applause at the Royal Thai Navy Conference Hall, an event of monumental significance unfolded on a memorable Saturday night. The 13th edition of ‘Thai Silk: Road to the World 2024’ was nothing short of spectacular, emanating sheer elegance and a vibrant celebration of heritage. This gala was graced by esteemed personalities, including Caretaker Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol (sixth from left, front row) and the venerable former deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam (fifth from left, front row), now an ardent adviser to the Association of Thai Silk and Culture Promotion. Together with distinguished guests, designers, and models, they posed for a grandiose group photo, encapsulating the event’s essence – a testament to the reverence held for Thai silk, inspired by the visionary Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. The event’s playlist was a harmonious collaboration orchestrated by the Culture Ministry, the Association of Thai…
On a sunny Sunday, around 150 spirited residents from Tambon Sa-Ieab in Phrae’s Song district came together to vocally oppose the proposed Kaeng Sue Ten dam. Their main concern? The project threatens to disrupt thousands of households and annihilate over 10,000 rai of lush, prime forest. The protest, which took place at the tranquil Wat Sri Don Chai temple, saw impassioned speeches denouncing politicians eager to revisit the dam plan in the wake of recent floods. Leading the charge was Nattapakul Srikhampha, the vibrant chief of the Sa-Ieab Tambon Administrative Organisation. Energized and unyielding, Nattapakul expressed deep concerns over the caretaker deputy prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s plan to revive a colossal 200-billion-baht water management project to alleviate flooding in the Yom River basin. Similarly, he critiqued former deputy prime minister Plodprasop Suraswadi’s suggestion to green-light the Kaeng Sue Ten dam. With conviction, Mr. Nattapakul articulated to the assembly and reporters…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra greeted a throng of eager reporters at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in vibrant Bangkok on August 20. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpatarasill) According to former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the government under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is poised to navigate the political landscape and remain in power until the end of its three-year tenure. It seems none of the coalition parties are in any rush to trigger an early general election, busying themselves instead with efforts to convince voters of their credibility for future elections. However, trouble might be brewing on the political horizon. Public confidence in Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai Party-led government has been waning, a sentiment that could be further exacerbated by any potential misconduct, warned Mr. Abhisit. This could very well spiral into a full-fledged crisis. When asked if history could repeat itself with Ms. Paetongtarn facing a military coup like her father Thaksin and…
The government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is expected to hold its position until the end of its tenure, with around three years left, as none of the coalition parties seem prepared for an early general election, according to former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. Mr. Abhisit noted that these parties are still grappling with the challenge of convincing their voters that they are worthy of re-election. However, a significant weakness of this new coalition lies in the dwindling public confidence in the Pheu Thai Party-led administration. Any fresh negative developments, including misconduct, could worsen the situation and escalate into a full-blown crisis, as per the former Democrat Party leader. When queried about the possibility of Ms. Paetongtarn being ousted in a military coup like her father, Thaksin, and her aunt, Yingluck, Mr. Abhisit expressed that Ms. Paetongtarn being the third prime minister from the Shinawatra family isn’t a valid reason…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, the Thai-Japanese Stadium in June 2021 was more than just an ordinary arena; it became a beacon of hope as Social Security Fund subscribers patiently stood in line, waiting for their turn to receive a much-needed Covid-19 vaccine. However, as the world grapples with various challenges, another issue looms on the horizon for Thailand—the future sustainability of the Social Security Fund (SSF). On a sunny Sunday, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn made a solemn pledge. His mission? To delve into innovative measures that would prevent a potential financial collapse of the SSF within the next decade. According to insights from the Thailand Development Research Institute and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the SSF currently holds a hefty 2.6 trillion baht. While projections suggest that this figure will balloon to at least 4 trillion baht by 2034, the anticipated growth doesn’t necessarily guarantee sustainability. Why, you…
A research team from Chulalongkorn University has triumphed, clinching this year’s prestigious United Nations Public Service Award (UNPSA) for Innovation in Public Institutions. The stellar team, hailing from the university’s Faculty of Science, was recently presented with the award in Seoul for their groundbreaking research titled, “Academic Insight into Action for Pandemic Response.” This accolade aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerning health, well-being, and clean water management. Jatuwat Sangsanont, a dedicated lecturer from the Department of Environmental Science and the head of this trailblazing research team, shared insights into their focus on utilizing wastewater analysis as a pivotal tool for the early detection of disease outbreaks. This innovative approach was catalyzed by the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Jatuwat expressed his ambition to leverage his academic expertise to devise swift and efficient responses to future disease outbreaks by utilizing wastewater measurement data for informed decision-making…