It was a Monday unlike any other in the bustling Pathumwan district, where the air buzzed not just with the everyday hum of metropolitan life but with the tension of political drama unfolding. At the heart of this drama stood nine individuals, notably including Pita Limjaroenrat and Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, who found themselves before the stern gaze of the Pathumwan District Court. The matter at hand? A flash mob protest that made waves in 2019, challenging the status quo and thrusting these figures into the spotlight. Pita Limjaroenrat, the articulate chief adviser of the opposition-core Move Forward Party, along with Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit — the charismatic former leader of the now-disbanded Future Forward Party (FFP) — were among the ensemble facing judgement. Joining them were voices equally fervent in their political expression: Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, the movement’s secretary-general, Pannika Wanich the eloquent spokeswoman, along with Pairattachote Chantarakajon, Nattha Mahatthana, Thanawat Wongchai, and Parit…
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Imagine, if you will, the picturesque province of Sukhothai, where a tale unlike any other begins with Monthon Phetsang, a 48-year-old man whose spirit and determination defy his physical constraints. This native of Sukhothai, with vigor in his heart and strength in his arms, embarked on a staggering 400-kilometer voyage to Bangkok, not on foot, but pedaling a tricycle with his hands, setting a narrative that intertwines courage, adversity, and the quest for justice. Three weeks ago, in the tranquil tambon Mae Sam of Sri Satchanalai district, Monthon discovered a troubling truth — his disability allowance, a modest sum of 800 baht per month that he was entitled to, had ceased to find its way into his bank account since 2020. The realization struck him hard, especially since he had neither an ID card nor any documents to prove his identity, all claimed by a merciless flood. Why such a…
Welcome to a fascinating chapter in the unfolding story of Southeast Asia’s diplomatic ballet, where Thai PM Srettha Thavisin is all set to roll out the red carpet for a high-profile visitor from neighboring Cambodia. The guest of honor? None other than Hun Manet, a figure poised to bring with him an air of anticipation and the promise of fruitful discussions that could shape the future of both nations. But hold onto your hats, because this rendezvous is anything but a run-of-the-mill diplomatic meet-and-greet. First up on the agenda is a topic that gets every economist’s heart racing: economic border development. Imagine transecting bustling markets where Thai spices meet Cambodian crafts, creating a tapestry of cultural commerce. Then, there’s the promise of boosting trade and investment. Picture this as the economic equivalent of adding fuel to a rocket destined for prosperity. And if that wasn’t enough to get you excited…
Imagine embarking on an extraordinary odyssey, not by choice, but driven by sheer necessity and an iron-clad will. This is the story of Monthon Phetsung, a 48-year-old man, whose epic journey from the quaint town of Tambon Mae Sam in Sukhothai’s Si Satchanalai district, all the way to the bustling city of Bangkok, captured the heart of a nation. Spanning over 824 kilometres, Monthon’s journey wasn’t just about distance, but about determination, resilience, and the quest for justice. It all unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Sunday, when TV screens across the country became windows into Monthon’s arduous adventure. Viewers sat transfixed as they watched Monthon, with a fortitude that defied his physical limits, painstakingly propel his ingeniously modified wheelchair towards the capital, inch by tireless inch. His destination? The Comptroller General’s Department in Bangkok, with an aim as clear as day – to prove his eligibility for his rightful monthly…
Imagine a world where a group of economic wizards, also known as the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), are gearing up for their inaugural assembly of the year 2024. It’s a Wednesday like no other, as these financial conjurers are being whispered to by none other than the Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin. With a dual hat of leading the nation and managing its coffers, PM Thavisin, along with his band of cabinet sorcerers, is gently nudging these wizards to wave their wands and lower their mystical policy rate from the heights of 2.5% per annum. Why, you may ask? Well, in a land where the dragon of inflation has been tamed, sliding down the economic mountains for several moons, the leaders of the realm see no reason for these wizards to guard their treasure at such a lofty rate. Yet, the guardians of the Kingdom’s coffers, known to the…
When Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet steps off the plane in Thailand this Wednesday, it’s not just a routine state visit. Picture the scene: A grand welcome at Phnom Penh International Airport, with the host country’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin by his side, hinting at the significance of this meeting. It’s a page straight out of diplomacy’s grand playbook, with high stakes discussions on the horizon that could alter the course of economic and environmental cooperation between these neighboring nations. The agenda? A tantalizing mix of issues promising to strengthen ties, from solving long-standing border conundrums to enhancing trade, transport, and investment initiatives. Foremost among them is the hotly anticipated dialogue on jointly developing the treasure trove of natural resources lying dormant within the disputed maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Thailand. Imagine a scene where, in the hallowed halls of Government House, the two leaders, armed with decades of…
Imagine stepping into a world where the tapestry of ancient traditions blends seamlessly with the pulse of modern innovations. This is the promise that has thrust the notion of visa-free travel to China into the spotlight, courting the imaginations of up to 800,000 adventurers, according to Charoen Wangananont, the esteemed president of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA). The year 2019 saw a commendable influx of 600,000 visitors, but the winds of wanderlust, spurred by ease of access, whisper of numbers soaring higher. Picture a voyage that tugs at the heartstrings of exploration and luxury, with the allure of five-day-four-night tour packages guiding you to the treasure troves of Chengdu and Chongqing. These gems of China, according to Charoen, are at the heart of an accelerated endeavor to refine and expand tourist attractions and facilities, making every moment an invitation to delve deeper into the heart of China’s splendor. But…
Picture this: The bustling energy of travelers, the roar of airplanes taking off, and the seamless flow of operations at three of Thailand’s soon-to-be most advanced regional airports. Yes, you heard right! Udon Thani, Buriram, and Krabi airports are all set to embark on a spectacular journey towards modernization and enhanced capacity, thanks to the Airports of Thailand (AOT). But, before all these exciting changes take place, there’s a significant milestone we’re all eagerly waiting for—the official green light from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). The countdown has begun, as the CAAT is putting the final touches on issuing public airport certifications for these three dynamic hubs. With the buzz in the air and anticipation reaching its peak, it’s expected that in just six short months, or by the middle of this vibrant year, we’ll hear the much-awaited news. Pol Gen Wisnu Prasatthong-osot, the visionary chairman of AOT’s…
In a world where history is often found more in glass cases and grand halls than its original hearths, the tale of the “Golden Boy,” a magnificent statue of the Hindu deity Shiva, and a mysterious kneeling female figure, arms raised in eternal supplication, stands out as a saga of return and redemption. The players in this narrative are none other than the esteemed Fine Arts Department and the venerable Metropolitan Museum of Art, embarking on a journey to return these treasures to their ancestral home. The intricacies of this tale unfurl with the Fine Arts Department at the helm, having been charged with the noble task of collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Their mission? The repatriation of the two enigmatic artifacts back to the land of smiles, Thailand. This intricate ballet of diplomacy will pirouette through the Royal Thai Consulate-General in New York, with the museum graciously…
Welcome to Phuket, where the streets buzz with excitement and the air is thick with anticipation! Embarking on a festive journey like no other, Phuket International Airport is bracing itself for a spectacular influx of tourists as we sail into the Lunar New Year festival. From the onset of Sunday stretching all the way until February 16, this vibrant island expects a daily average of 49,000 tourists flocking to its shores, eager to embrace the festivities and the warm, welcoming embrace of Thai hospitality. Monchai Tanod, the esteemed Airport Director, shared with bubbling excitement that the island is set to welcome an astounding 640,000 visitors, including a whopping 430,000 international guests during this 13-day extravaganza. The skies above Phuket will be a dance of arrivals and departures, with the airport scheduled to handle 3,915 flights, a mix of 2,298 international dalliances and 1,617 domestic rendezvous. As you might imagine, preparing…