On August 19, 2024, the spotlight was undoubtedly on former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as he appeared at the Criminal Court in Bangkok for a scheduled hearing concerning lese majeste charges. Captured in a poignant moment by photographer Apichart Jinakul, Thaksin stood at the center of Thailand’s ongoing political drama. In the meanwhile, the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) had been busy canvassing public opinion about Thaksin’s potential role in the government led by his youngest daughter, Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra. The results of the poll, conducted via telephone interviews with 1,310 respondents aged 18 and over from various backgrounds, painted a vivid picture of the prevailing sentiments among Thais regarding Thaksin’s influence on the new administration. The key question burning in everyone’s mind was the likelihood of Paetongtarn running the country independently of her father’s influence. The poll responses represented a mix of skepticism and tempered optimism: 59.01% of…
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Rescue workers are diligently laboring at the spot where a railway tunnel partially caved in during construction late Saturday night in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert) In the vibrant heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, the atmosphere turned tense as rescue workers initiated a strenuous mission to reach three individuals who found themselves entrapped inside a high-speed railway tunnel that unexpectedly collapsed. The calamitous incident occurred under the cloak of darkness, at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, in the serene locale of tambon Chan Thuek. At the stroke of misfortune, two workers were deeply engrossed in their tasks, maneuvering backhoes to further the tunnel dig. Unbeknownst to them, a foreman, just having arrived in his car, became the third unfortunate soul ensnared by the sudden collapse. Interestingly, the night sky remained obstinately clear, offering no hint of rain that might have precipitated such a disastrous cave-in. The collapse occurred approximately…
Phuket: The relentless pursuit persists as the search for those still missing continues, following the devastating landslides triggered by torrential downpours that have claimed the lives of 13 individuals in this picturesque island province. The severe flash floods and landslides are the aftermath of unceasing heavy rain that began its downpour on Thursday morning, swallowing several areas within the province. Caretaker Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised embarked on a tour of the island yesterday, setting foot in one of the most affected areas on Soi Patak 2 in Muang district’s tambon Karon. The scene was a stark reminder of nature’s fury with streets buried, homes shattered, and the lives of many turned upside down. The catastrophic impact wasn’t limited to just one locality. Entire stretches, including Moo 1–4 in tambon Karon, Moo 12 in tambon Rawai, and Moo 8–10 in tambon Chalong, were declared disaster zones in the wake of…
The need for mpox vaccines emerges primarily for individuals in high-risk groups rather than the general population, as declared by a leading virologist. Dr. Yong Poovorawan of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine shared on Facebook this Saturday that vaccination against mpox — recently declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to rising cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and spread to neighboring nations — is unnecessary for those outside high-risk groups. High-risk groups encompass homosexual men, individuals involved in casual sexual activities, and those who have recently traveled to regions where mpox is prevalent. Dr. Yong emphasized that mpox does not spread as easily as Covid-19. Transmission primarily occurs through physical or sexual contact and by sharing a bed, for instance. Moreover, he pointed out that during its initial stages, mpox is less severe compared to Covid-19. Interestingly, adults…
The Transport Ministry is currently exploring the notion of creating an infrastructure fund dedicated to repurchasing mass rapid transit projects from private enterprises. This bold move could pave the way for a flat fare of 20 baht per ride, revolutionizing public transportation in Thailand. On Saturday, Caretaker Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed that the ministry is keen on advancing a proposal put forth by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his riveting “Vision for Thailand” event on Friday. Mr. Thaksin’s ingenious suggestion involves the government buying back private electric train projects and setting an affordable ticket price of 20 baht per trip. He also recommended introducing congestion charges for car users to subsidize public transport, alongside expanding local airports to bolster tourism. Responding to these proposals, Mr. Suriya said that the ministry is aligned with the idea and is setting plans in motion to establish an infrastructure fund specifically for this…
Imagine the scene: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, flanked by a cadre of high-profile Pheu Thai Party members, heroically trudging through knee-deep floodwaters on a mission of mercy. Their destination? The inundated province of Nan. The objective? To deliver much-needed relief supplies to beleaguered residents. The Pheu Thai Party even snapped a few pics to immortalize the moment! It’s one of those heartwarming political moments that doubles as a photo op. The scope of the disaster was daunting. More than 20,000 households across seven provinces found themselves at the mercy of unyielding floodwaters. The bodies of three individuals who had gone missing in Nan were recently discovered on a somber Saturday, adding a tragic backdrop to an already dire situation. According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, a whopping 21,971 households felt the sting of the flooding. However, there’s a silver lining—those ever-persistent waters are finally starting to recede.…
Thaksin Shinawatra clasped the hand of his daughter Paetongtarn during the royal endorsement of her prime ministerial post at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok on August 18. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) Observers are already buzzing with concerns that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her new government might hit stormy waters if they allow former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to pull the strings. Jade Donavanik, a legal scholar and president of the College of Asian Scholars, told the Bangkok Post that Thaksin’s penchant for micromanagement could spell trouble for both Paetongtarn and her leadership. “The more he speaks publicly and behaves like he’s managing from behind the scenes, the more resistance he will face from his opponents. If Paetongtarn and her Pheu Thai Party allow themselves to be visibly influenced by him, they could be in a heap of trouble,” Mr. Jade pointed out. This cautionary note follows Thaksin’s appearance…
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s first public address in Thailand on Thursday evening has stirred a whirlwind of controversy, slicing through the heart of the nation with sharp, impassioned criticism from his relentless detractors. Thaksin, who made his dramatic return last August after 17 long years in self-imposed exile, faces accusations of wielding power as if the entire country was his to command, according to Jatuporn Prompan, a former leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and an influential political figure allied with the ruling Pheu Thai Party. This grand reentry into the spotlight saw the ex-premier addressing an audience teeming with politicians and business magnates at a forum dubiously titled “Vision for Thailand 2024”, held in the pulsating heart of Bangkok on that fateful Thursday night. In a fiery rebuke, Mr. Jatuporn continued, decrying Thaksin as someone the public should steer clear of, highlighting that…
Picture this: The vibrant ambiance of the Pattaya Floating Market, where tourists from around the globe glide through tranquil waters in traditional wooden boats. These markets, with their bustling stalls brimming with exotic fruits, handcrafted souvenirs, and tantalizing street food, are a magnet for adventure seekers and culture enthusiasts alike. (Photo: Pattaya Floating Market Facebook) What you wouldn’t expect amidst this picturesque setting is a covert operation by the local tourist police. In an unexpected twist, law enforcement swooped into action, resulting in the arrest of a 41-year-old Chinese national named Wang Hao. The scenic market located in the Bang Lamung district of this enchanting resort city became the backdrop to this drama last Thursday. Wang Hao, who had been reveling in the local culture and perhaps even making a decent living for himself, found his clandestine activities coming to an abrupt halt. The Pattaya tourist police, having kept a…
On a quiet Friday night in Sa Bot district, Lop Buri, a disturbing event unfolded that has left the community in shock. A 14-year-old boy was apprehended by police for the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old, driven by a whirlwind of jealousy over online interactions. The tragic incident took place at the Nong Krathum intersection, shaking the otherwise serene neighborhood. Pol Lt Col Chayan Seekiang, an officer at the Sa Bot police station, recounted the harrowing details of the night. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, but the scene they encountered was heart-wrenching. They found the victim, identified as Suphakit, lying lifeless on the pavement, a fatal gunshot wound piercing his chest. Despite their efforts, Suphakit succumbed to his injuries before they could get him to the hospital. An eyewitness, a friend of Suphakit, provided a vivid account of the attack. He explained that they were simply on a routine motorbike ride…