Under the watchful eyes of towering ancient stupas, thirty-six Thai monks finally set foot on the sacred grounds of Borobudur Temple in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This monumental moment wasn’t just the end of a journey spanning over 2,500 kilometers, but a triumphant testament to unwavering faith and interfaith camaraderie. These intrepid monks embarked on this pilgrimage from Thailand, destinations etched in the heart as they celebrated Vesak Day, a festival honoring the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. The International Thudong 2025, a remarkable Buddhist pilgrimage that challenges both spirit and soles, saw its inception on February 6th at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang. Winding their way through Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, the monks persevered, their gazes fixed on Indonesia’s iconic Borobudur — a Unesco World Heritage site admired as the largest Mahayana Buddhist temple in the world. Supriyadi, the director general overseeing Buddhist Community Guidance within Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs,…
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In a world where diplomacy is both a fine art and a pressing necessity, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is gearing up for a notable diplomatic mission. On May 15-16, she will shuffle off to Vietnam in a bid to bolster bilateral relations and push forward with a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the pinnacle of diplomatic status that Vietnam bestows upon its allies. Such a partnership promises a bouquet of benefits, as the two nations look to seal their camaraderie with more than just a metaphorical handshake and courteous nods. The visit showcases the much-anticipated 4th Thailand-Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat (JCR). Here, like-minded ministers from both sides, under the leadership of PM Paetongtarn and her Vietnamese counterpart, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, will engage in high-stakes conversations. These talks aim not only to cement political trust but also to explore vistas in economic collaboration and regional security. Among the flurry of…
Last November, a group of students embarked on a fascinating journey, visiting a workshop in Bangkok that shed light on the educational opportunities available for children with disabilities. This event was more than just a gathering; it represented a beacon of hope for many families striving to secure a brighter future for their children. The Senate sub-committee on the elderly, the disabled, and the underprivileged, led by the dedicated Sen Charnnarong Phanrungroj, is fervently pushing for legislative amendments to ensure that children with mental disabilities are never left behind in Thailand’s education system. At the heart of this mission lies the “Voices from Down Syndrome” forum, a platform where voices are amplified and change is catalyzed. Sen Charnnarong paints a vivid picture of the hurdles that children with disabilities face. He passionately conveys that education, a cornerstone for unlocking potential, remains out of reach for many due to various barriers.…
As the wind whips through the bustling northern city of Phitsanulok, a sense of somber stillness settles over a tragic scene that has captured the community’s attention. It was late on a Saturday night when the sound of police sirens echoed through the quiet streets, leading to an apartment where a grim re-enactment was about to unfold. The stark reality of a crime of passion had cast a pall over the town, drawing murmurs and whispers from curious onlookers. In the small yet vibrant province, a 30-year-old man stood accused of committing an unthinkable act—strangling his young girlfriend in a fit of rage. The suspect, Surasak Khamtanode, who had seemed an ordinary man working with racing car paints, suddenly found himself thrust into an extraordinary spotlight. A respected figure among the local racing community, he became the central figure in a tragic tale that was rapidly unfolding before everyone’s eyes.…
In a reassuring yet cautionary update, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has confirmed that no new anthrax cases have emerged recently. The somber air around this announcement comes with a clarion call for continued vigilance, particularly within high-risk zones. Residents, heeded by wisdom and pragmatism, are advised to steer clear of interacting with, dissecting, or shifting animal carcasses, and to resist the temptations of consuming tempting but perilous raw meats. On a sunny Sunday, Minister Somsak shed light on the current tally of anthrax cases in the serene Mukdahan province: just four cases in total. Despite the seemingly low number, the grim reaper had claimed one life. Yet, there is a glimmer of hope as two of the afflicted are receiving medical care, while one has victoriously walked away from the grasp of the disease. Extensive monitoring of 636 people in proximity to these cases has mercifully turned up zero…
The atmosphere in the political realm is rife with anticipation and speculation as the Pheu Thai Party gears up for a crucial juncture in its legislative agenda—the passage of the 2026 Budget Bill. With the shadows of previous political maneuvers still looming large, this pivotal moment is prompting a dance of diplomacy and subtle machinations, with key players holding their cards close to their chests. Picture this: It was a vibrant scene last June when the House of Representatives buzzed with fervor, debating the 2025 Budget Bill. Fast forward to today, and the Pheu Thai Party remains optimistic that their significant coalition ally, Bhumjaithai, will lend its support to the upcoming budget deliberations slated for May 28 to 30. Wisut Chainarun, a seasoned Pheu Thai list MP, addressed the whispers swirling around potential dissent from Bhumjaithai. His dismissal of these rumors was as forthright as a midnight rooster’s crow. As…
In a groundbreaking move, Bangkok has revolutionized its approach to waste management by pivoting from voluntary tactics to a regulation-driven methodology. While it’s too soon to judge the success of this new strategy, one thing remains clear: the real game-changer hinges on whether Bangkok’s citizens choose to step up and play their part. Flashback to 2017, when Bangkok generously distributed free bins to households willing to participate in a district-led crusade for waste separation. Fast forward to 2024, and following years of mixed yet earnest awareness campaigns, the city declared that those diligent in sorting their waste would be spared from fee hikes—rewarding those who comply with the freshly minted policy. Yet, a pervasive speed bump emerged in the form of public scepticism. Despite citizens’ efforts at home, some had spotted waste collectors blending separated garbage, a demotivating sight that fueled spirited discussions across social media and in local forums.…
The skyline of Bangkok recently witnessed a surprising twist, as the majestic 30-floor State Auditing Office building in the bustling Chatuchak district was reduced to mere rubble. On the fateful day of March 28, what should have stood as a testament to architectural prowess ended up as a massive heap of concrete and construction debris, leaving passersby agape with disbelief. The photograph snapped by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration captures a haunting yet captivating image of what was once poised to become an iconic part of the cityscape. Meanwhile, in an unrelated yet equally significant development, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department gears up for a comprehensive cell broadcast test scheduled for 1 PM on Tuesday. This anticipation-fueled exercise will span across five key Thai provinces, including the lively heart of Thailand, Bangkok. This extensive trial comes in the wake of a limited test held on May 2 at the Government…
In an unfortunate and heartbreaking incident, a family of three, comprised of a father, his young daughter, and mother-in-law, met with a tragic fate in a motorcycle crash on the vibrant streets of Phuket. On the evening of May 10, at around 5 PM, tranquility shattered on Sakdidet Road in Phuket’s bustling Mueang district when their motorcycle veered off course and slammed into a streetlight. The tempest unfolded on a four-lane expanse, where pink plastic fragments lay scattered across the tarmac, stark reminders of the mishap, and a streetlight bore the brunt of the collision with evident damage. The grey Honda PCX motorcycle, with the registration number 1กน 302 Phuket, was left irrevocably damaged, mirroring the lives affected on that ill-fated journey. Near this site, the lifeless body of Preeya Pleekarn, a 50-year-old woman, and a child whose identity remains a mystery lay silent by the roadside. The father, severely…
In the heart of the Khamcha-i district, located in the serene Mukdahan province of Thailand, an unexpected drama unfolded during the vibrant Bun Bang Fai festival. Known for its festive rockets and spirited celebrations, this year’s festival took an unforeseen turn when a heated altercation erupted, leaving festivalgoers both perplexed and concerned. The scene, captured in a now-viral video shared by the I Am Mukdahan page, presents a tense, two-minute-and-forty-three-second engagement, unlike anything this community had anticipated. Amidst the jubilant backdrop of the festival, the video shows a tumultuous clash between a group of teenagers and an unsuspecting lottery vendor. The altercation escalated quickly, culminating in noticeable facial injuries to the vendor, who, unfortunately, became the unlikely center of this chaotic scuffle. As fists flew and emotions soared, the clip closed with the wounded vendor holding his face, blood trickling down—a somber reminder of the disorder that had momentarily disrupted…