Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited made waves recently by securing a coveted spot in the inaugural Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list—a comprehensive ranking of the leading 500 companies in Southeast Asia, meticulously compiled by Fortune magazine. Rising to the occasion, Bangchak clinched an impressive 24th position. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, the Group Chief Executive Officer and President of Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, couldn’t hide his pride. “On behalf of Bangchak, I am honoured that the company is ranked among the top 25 of the 500 companies in Southeast Asia. This achievement reaffirms our position as a leading company in the region and is a clear testament to our robust performance and dynamic growth.” He continued, “It reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability, green innovation, and excellence, prioritising the balance of the energy trilemma: energy security, sustainability, and affordability for the country. This honour is a result of our diverse growth engines…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Suspended deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn has taken a bold step, filing a petition with the House Speaker on Tuesday. This proactive move calls for an investigation into the allegedly unusual wealth of a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) member, who is quite ironically on the committee examining a money laundering case against him. Backed by the signatures of 20,000 supporters, the petition demands the removal of the unnamed NACC commissioner, citing severe ethical violations and corruption. “This is indeed a historic moment,” Pol Gen Surachate declared. “For the first time, constitutional rights are being utilized to bring charges against a state official from an independent organization.” He emphasized the authenticity of all the collected signatures, asserting that his actions are driven by principle, not personal vendettas. In what he touts as a groundbreaking movement for Thailand, Pol Gen Surachate is mobilizing the public like never…
BBIX Thailand, a dynamic joint venture formed by BBIX Japan and True IDC, and BBSakura Networks, a celebrated network solutions provider, are ecstatic to unveil a groundbreaking collaboration. They have officially signed an agreement to launch Thailand’s inaugural Open Connectivity eXchange (OCX). What makes this a monumental milestone is that, for the first time, OCX services will be hosted locally within a Thai data centre. This bold initiative is set to substantially elevate Thailand’s digital framework, drive digital transformation, optimize local business efficiency, and amplify regional connectivity across Southeast Asia. The Open Connectivity eXchange (OCX) isn’t just a network platform; it’s a revolutionary cloud-based and self-service framework. It’s engineered to provide seamless, high-speed, direct, and reliable internet connectivity across global data centers and public cloud environments. By anchoring OCX within a local data centre, BBIX Thailand and BBSakura Networks are poised to significantly upgrade network performance. This move will drastically…
The House of Representatives on Tuesday took a significant step forward in their ongoing efforts to simplify constitutional amendments by accepting for consideration four bills looking to amend the Referendum Act during their first reading. With an overwhelming majority of 450 MPs giving their nod, save for one abstention, the path to a potentially transformative change has been set in motion. A dedicated 31-member panel is now tasked with vetting these proposed changes. These bills were championed separately by key political factions: the cabinet, the ruling Pheu Thai Party, the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), and the Bhumjaithai Party, each aiming for a unified objective. The crux of these proposed changes lies in abolishing the stringent “double majority” requirement laid out in the current Referendum Act. All four bills favor a more streamlined process, advocating for a single majority or more than half of the votes cast to validate a…
Suspended deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn has been a figure of considerable intrigue lately. On a brisk Tuesday morning, he made headlines by filing a petition with the House Speaker, imploring an inquiry into the suspiciously amassed wealth of a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) member. This very member, whose identity remained shrouded in secrecy, also sits on the committee scrutinizing a money laundering case against Pol Gen Surachate himself. Quite the conundrum, isn’t it? The petition, which boasted the impressive endorsement of 20,000 signatories, fervently requested the removal of the said NACC commissioner due to accusations of corruption and severe ethical breaches. “This marks a historical moment where constitutional rights are employed to challenge a state official from an independent organization,” declared Pol Gen Surachate with a palpable mix of gravity and pride. Emphasizing that all signatures were authentic and devoid of personal vendettas, Pol…
Police forensic science officers are meticulously collecting evidence aboard the ‘Kamraingoen,’ a vessel that has undergone a rather sly transformation with modifications and a fresh coat of paint. This ship is one of three oil-smuggling vessels that have been recovered and are currently anchored at the Port of Songkhla. The operation has caught the attention of NBT Narathiwat, amplifying its notoriety. Authorities have vowed to bring the masterminds behind this oil-smuggling syndicate to justice. Pol Col Anek Taosupap, the Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), announced on Tuesday that, alongside the investigation into the missing vessels, police have also apprehended more suspects and witnesses. These new developments add additional layers to an already intricate case. Evidence surfacing from the investigation indicates a connection between the ships and at least four key suspects believed to be the brains behind the operation. Before moving forward with the arrests, police intend…
The Pride Caravan, a vibrant symbol of celebration, made its triumphant arrival at Government House on Tuesday, following a joyous journey from the parliament. This jubilant parade came in the wake of a remarkable milestone—the Senate’s approval of the marriage equality law, a victory long-awaited by Thailand’s LGBTQ+ community. (Photo credit: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) In a groundbreaking move, Thailand is poised to become the first country in Southeast Asia to legally recognize same-sex marriage. The transformative marriage equality legislation successfully navigated the Upper House, earning a resounding affirmation with a 130-4 vote, accompanied by 18 abstentions. LGBTQ+ advocates exulted as the gavel fell, marking a pivotal moment in their relentless pursuit of equal rights. The excitement was palpable outside the parliament on Tuesday. As the Senate’s final reading of the bill progressed, advocates who had gathered to witness the historic vote could barely contain their anticipation. When the results were announced,…
On a nerve-racking Tuesday, the Constitutional Court set the stage for a political showdown by instructing all engaged parties in Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s intricate ethics case to present their evidence within a stringent 15-day window. With the court’s next session scheduled for July 10, the uncertainty looms, leaving the government anxiously awaiting its fate. The contentious case circles around the stormy appointment of politician Pichit Chuenban as a Minister in the PM’s Office during the latest cabinet reshuffle. This tempest was whipped up by a faction of 40 resolute senators who insisted that both Prime Minister Srettha and Pichit violated crucial cabinet minister ethics. The senators implored the court to judge whether the pair deserved to be ousted from their positions, citing Sections 160 (4) and (5) of the constitution, which govern ministers’ ethical conduct. The crux of their argument lay in Pichit’s controversial past. He had previously served…
Members of the LGBTQ+ community reacted with anticipation and joy as they arrived ahead of the critical passing of the marriage equality bill during its second and third readings by the Senate on Tuesday. (Photo: Reuters) The Senate decisively passed the final reading of a groundbreaking marriage equality law on Tuesday, opening the door for the country to become the third territory in Asia to recognize same-sex unions, following the trailblazing paths of Nepal and Taiwan. The Senate’s overwhelming vote of 130-4, with 18 members abstaining, signals a resounding support for equality. This crucial legislation now awaits royal approval, and will take effect 120 days post-publication in the Royal Gazette. LGBTQ+ advocates heralded this move as a “monumental step forward,” positioning Thailand to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to adapt marriage equality laws. Thailand has long been celebrated for its vibrant LGBTQ+ culture and its inclusive and tolerant…
In a groundbreaking move, a new regulation has been put into effect, redefining the approach towards drug abusers by allowing them to possess a limited amount of methamphetamine without facing prosecution. Under this new directive, individuals with just one methamphetamine pill or merely 20 milligrams of crystal meth, commonly known as “ice,” now qualify for rehabilitation rather than criminal charges. The Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsuthin, announced the implementation of this regulation this past Monday. “If you’re caught with a single meth pill, you will indeed be detained, but you’ll also have the right to seek rehabilitation,” Minister Somsak elaborated. “However, there must be concrete proof that you are truly a drug addict, and this responsibility is in the hands of the police,” he explained. Emphasizing the importance of this regulation in combating drug abuse effectively, the minister pointed out that law enforcement must persuade apprehended drug offenders to disclose…