Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is facing a tense moment as he waits for a critical Constitutional Court ruling that could determine his political future. Despite this looming uncertainty, the government has been adamant that the much-publicized 10,000-baht digital money handout scheme will proceed as planned. This promise was solidified when it was officially declared in parliament, affirming that the initiative will move forward irrespective of Mr. Srettha’s fate. The prime minister’s potential dismissal has stemmed from a controversial decision to appoint Pichit Chuenban, an ex-convict, as a PM’s Office Minister during the last cabinet reshuffle. A total of 40 senators submitted the motion for Mr. Srettha’s dismissal, arguing that appointing Pichit—an individual convicted of contempt of court for attempting to bribe Supreme Court officials in a 2008 land case involving former PM Thaksin Shinawatra—was a clear violation of the charter. Despite these clouds of contention, both Mr. Srettha and PM’s…
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In a vivid snapshot from October 2021, a health worker diligently tests a person for coronavirus, underscoring the critical role of healthcare professionals in our society. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) This week brings a beacon of hope for Thailand’s healthcare sector as a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan is set to be presented to the cabinet. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin announced this transformative initiative on Sunday, marking a significant step forward for the country’s healthcare system. This ambitious plan is the brainchild following the cabinet’s approval in July, aiming to address a pressing issue—the shortage of healthcare workers in the public sector. Mr. Somsak highlighted that the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has set a robust goal for the next decade. They plan to bolster the ranks of healthcare professionals with 31,074 new graduate doctors, 124,558 nurses, 9,800 pharmacists, 18,169 practitioners of Thai traditional medicine, and 36,993 public health workers. These…
The Ministry of Defence has taken decisive action, mandating the establishment of a committee to delve into alleged instances of assault against privates committed by senior officers within the ranks of the army. This move comes after a distressing incident came to public attention, thanks to a heartfelt complaint by the younger sister of one of the affected soldiers on the popular Facebook page ‘Sai Mai Tong Rod’. The shocking events are said to have unfolded at the 25th Cavalry Battalion of the 4th Cavalry Regiment, King’s Guard, located in Chiang Mai this past Saturday. According to her harrowing account, over ten privates stationed at Adisorn Military Camp were abruptly summoned in the middle of a chilly, rain-soaked night by their superiors – a sergeant major first class and a corporal. The report suggests that these officers appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The privates were then allegedly…
Health workers test a person for coronavirus in October 2021. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) Prepare to witness a revolution in Thailand’s healthcare sector! Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin announced a bold, transformative 10-year strategic plan, set to unveil before the cabinet this Tuesday. This plan, born from the cabinet’s July 9 approval, sets out to tackle the glaring shortage of healthcare professionals in the public healthcare sector and is sure to have far-reaching impacts. At the heart of this ambitious project is a noble goal: to bolster the ranks of graduate doctors, nurses, pharmacists, Thai traditional medicine practitioners, and public health workers by staggering numbers — 31,074 doctors, 124,558 nurses, 9,800 pharmacists, 18,169 traditional medicine practitioners, and 36,993 public health workers respectively over the next decade. “The healthcare worker shortage needs immediate attention to ensure the universal healthcare scheme operates seamlessly,” Minister Somsak emphasized. He added, “Especially now that the government…
Amid the bustling heart of Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district, just a stone’s throw from the revered San Chao Pho Suea (Tiger God Shrine), a lively scene unfolded on August 1st. Eager patrons of a local eatery, against a backdrop of mouth-watering aromas, found themselves tapping away on their smartphones with notable enthusiasm. It wasn’t about sharing their latest food pics though; they were registering for the much-anticipated digital wallet programme, marking the first day of sign-ups. (Bangkok Post photo) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his heartfelt gratitude on Sunday, acknowledging the invaluable support from government agencies aiding in the smooth registration process for the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout. Spokesperson Chai Watcharonke echoed this sentiment, highlighting the cooperative spirit among state agencies and the private sector. As of 9:30 am on Sunday, a staggering 23.7 million people had already jumped on the registration bandwagon. “The overwhelming response and high sign-up rates…
In a twist straight out of a crime novel, the unsuspecting tranquil environment of Bang Pakong district in Chachoengsao province shook up last Saturday with the arrest of a 25-year-old man. Meet Manaswin Thongkham, a.k.a. James Bang Bon, who found himself in hot water over alleged burglary and unauthorized entry into a policeman’s apartment in Bangkok. According to a police statement made on Sunday, Mr. Thongkham had been secretly sneaking into a law enforcement officer’s residence in the bustling Bang Kae district of Bangkok, leading to his arrest under an outstanding warrant issued by the Thon Buri Criminal Court on July 25. The accusations against him were both peculiar and intriguing – burglary and the unauthorized use of someone else’s key card. The tale took an exciting turn when a police inspector, the unwitting victim of this caper, began noticing peculiarities. Items began disappearing from his apartment, setting off alarms…
A thrilling turn of events unfolded at the picturesque Rajjaprabha Dam in the southern province of Surat Thani, Thailand, as a white tourist van took an unexpected dive into the crystal-clear waters of the reservoir on a serene Sunday morning. Caught on a dramatic screenshot, the van’s perilous plunge immediately became the talk of the town. The incident, which took place around 10am, jolted the tranquil atmosphere at a busy pier nestled in the scenic tambon Khao Phang of Ban Takhun district. Here, tourism personnel were enthusiastically welcoming visitors looking forward to exploring the tranquil beauty of the reservoir by boat. Out of nowhere, a seemingly possessed white Toyota van accelerated towards the edge of the high concrete pier. In an instant, it hurtled off the pier, nosediving into the azure reservoir waters below. The van’s front end hit the bottom near the bank with a resounding crash, while its…
In a bizarre turn of events, a 48-year-old transgender woman, known as Uthai Nanthakhan or Amy, found herself in handcuffs yet again on a fateful Saturday night. This apprehension is the latest incident in a string of deceitful escapades dating back a decade, targeting primarily unsuspecting Japanese men and racking up a staggering total of 26 million baht. According to reliable police sources, the latest arrest of Amy unfurled after a 36-year-old Japanese individual lodged a complaint at Thong Lor police station. The victim recounted a tale that began in January when he first crossed paths with Uthai. Posing as a visitor from Hong Kong, she seamlessly weaved her way into his trust. With every meeting, she skillfully executed her con, persuading him to part with his money. The modus operandi, as revealed by the police, was almost like clockwork. Uthai would typically spin a heartfelt sob story to her…
A dramatic turn of events unfolded in the bustling heart of Bangkok on Saturday as the local police swooped in on a rather unconventional beauty service operator. Jetiya Nakeesang, a 39-year-old entrepreneur with a flair for the clandestine, found herself in handcuffs for running illegal cosmetic filler injection services out of a hotel room, painting a stark tale of ambition gone awry. According to Pol Maj Gen Withaya Sriprasertparp, the head of consumer protection police, it was the end of the road for Jetiya’s illicit operation. On that fateful Saturday in the lively Sukhumvit area, authorities apprehended her with five syringes brimming with filler substances. The arrest followed a tip-off about a woman masquerading as a doctor, offering illicit vitamin, filler, and Botox injections—no doubt, an offer too tempting for many beauty aficionados to refuse. Jetiya’s services found their clientele through Facebook, where she would set up appointments in the…
As the political scene in Thailand heats up, all eyes are on the Constitutional Court’s upcoming ruling regarding the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP). The decision could potentially dissolve the MFP, igniting a firestorm in the country’s political landscape. The drama began when the court, on January 31, delivered a controversial verdict. According to the ruling, the MFP’s movement to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code—often referred to as the lese majeste law—was seen as an attack on the constitutional monarchy. The court commanded the MFP to halt any attempts to revise Section 112 and forbade any non-legislative procedures to alter the section. This decision laid the groundwork for the Election Commission (EC) to request the party’s dissolution, alleging violations of Section 92 of the organic law on political parties. This particular section permits the court to dissolve any party that poses a risk to the constitutional monarchy. The…