The Defence Ministry is on a mission to turbocharge Thailand’s defence sector by revising four key legislative acts to pave the way for exporting Thai-made weapons. This ambitious policy is set to enhance the nation’s defence industry and create a new revenue stream for the country. Recently, a high-stakes meeting of the Defence Ministry’s task force on national security legislation was held, spearheaded by Gen Somsak Rungsita, an esteemed adviser to Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang. The gathering featured Vice Defence Minister Jumnong Chaimongkol and an ensemble of high-ranking officials from the Defence Industry Department, the Defence Technology Institute, and the Defence Industry and Energy Centre. In an engaging and somewhat electrifying tone, Vice Minister Jumnong painted a picture of Mr. Sutin’s vision. “Mr. Sutin has a transformative agenda,” he explained. “Our ministry is not just about safeguarding the nation; it’s also about driving industrial growth and generating much-needed revenue.” However,…
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The National Committee on Migrant Workers Management is stepping up to tackle Thailand’s labor challenges with a three-pronged approach designed to alleviate the workforce shortfall while addressing the concerns surrounding undocumented workers. This dynamic proposal is slated to make its way to the cabinet for the final green light soon. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn shed light on the situation following the committee’s brainstorming session on Wednesday. He pointed to the political turmoil in Myanmar, where the clash between junta forces and ethnic rebel factions has triggered a mass exodus into Thailand. Many of these individuals arrived without proper documentation, throwing a wrench into national security apparatuses. Adding fuel to the fire, a number of Myanmar workers, having reached the end of their employment contracts, have chosen to remain in Thailand due to the unrest back home. The movement disorder isn’t confined to Myanmar alone; workers from neighboring countries, including Laos,…
Thailand is setting its sights on becoming a Tier 1 country on the US State Department Trafficking in Persons watchlist, as announced by Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa. The Minister emphasized the critical importance of tackling the surge in scams, such as bogus job offers and online trafficking operations, that are intricately linked to human trafficking. This bold proclamation was made on the occasion of National Anti-Human Trafficking Day. “Human trafficking is an egregious transnational crime that blatantly violates human rights,” Mr. Varawut stated solemnly. “It is imperative that we adopt proactive measures to combat this menace. In parallel, we must evolve and adapt to the rapid advancements in technology to keep pace with the burgeoning cyber scams and cyber trafficking,” he added. The Minister elucidated that the government is adopting a coordinated and inclusive approach to anti-trafficking efforts, engaging stakeholders from all sectors through the 3P…
On Friday, the Election Commission (EC) is slated to shed light on the implications of a recent decision by the Constitutional Court. This decision, announced on Wednesday, involves the hearing of a petition questioning whether four contentious provisions in the organic law governing the Senate election violate the constitution. The court’s verdict precedes the district-level voting slated for Sunday, although it did not issue an injunction, citing a lack of significant consequences from proceeding with the Senate poll. The crux of the controversy revolves around Sections 36, 40(3), 41(3), and 42(3) of the Senate election law. Section 36 focuses on the self-introduction of the candidates, while the others pertain to voting across various levels, encompassing district, provincial, and national scopes. The court reached an 8:1 vote in favor of determining if these provisions contravene Section 107 of the charter, which details the selection process for the Senate. It has also…
The air was thick with suspense on Thursday as police made a grisly discovery near the serene Chiang Rak canal in Pathum Thani. Floating amidst the calm waters, in stark contrast, were the severed hands of an 18-year-old girl, believed to have been brutally murdered by her boyfriend. This shocking revelation came just a day after her lifeless body had been discovered beneath the towering pillars of an elevated expressway in Muang district. The chopped hands, carefully stashed in a black plastic bag, were unearthed about 4 kilometers away from the original dump site of the body. But the discoveries didn’t end there. Alongside the hands, officers found a collection of seemingly mundane items – a lock of long hair, women’s clothes, a couple of towels, some snacks, and baby wipes. All these were meticulously packed off for further examination, each piece potentially holding a clue to unravel the mystery.…
Mps were gathered in a parliament meeting in August 2023. (Bangkok Post File Photo) The ruling Pheu Thai Party‘s recent push to include lese-majeste offenses under a proposed political amnesty bill has stirred up a cauldron of controversy. This bold move could potentially spell the government’s early demise, as cautioned by a deputy government spokesman on Thursday. Speaking on the matter, Karom Polpornklang from the Bhumjaithai Party expressed his party’s cautious approval of the amnesty bill. “We welcome efforts to pass the amnesty bill,” said Karom. “It would help resolve ongoing political conflicts and foster unity within society.” However, Karom also issued a strong warning. “A blanket pardon for lese-majeste offenders can reignite old conflicts and lead to the downfall of the government,” he said, echoing sentiments recently expressed by Bhumjaithai leader and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. “Bhumjaithai has no problem with Section 112, and we will leave it alone,”…
People use sports equipment at Wachirabenchathat park in Chatuchak district of Bangkok on Thursday. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya) Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt has admitted to finding unusual patterns in gym equipment procurement—like a treadmill that cost as much as a car— for two sports centres operated by City Hall. Mr. Chadchart addressed public suspicion on Thursday about the procurement for the sports centres at Waree Phirom Park in Khlong Sam Wa district and Wachirabenchathat Park (aka Suan Rod Fai) in Chatuchak district. The governor vowed to intensify the investigation and assured that legal action would be taken against any officials found involved in wrongdoing. He emphasized City Hall’s commitment to administrative transparency. “I insist on being transparent,” he declared during a press conference held by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The issue came into the spotlight when the Strong Thailand Anti-Corruption Club posted an update on Facebook on Tuesday, revealing that…
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has firmly pledged to disregard a warning from the Constitutional Court, which advised against public statements that could impact court proceedings. As the party faces a case that might lead to its dissolution, Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon, on Thursday, declared their intention to proceed with a planned press conference on Sunday. This event aims to lay out to the public how they intend to defend themselves in the ongoing legal battle. “The explanation will remain consistent with what has already been detailed in the defence statement submitted to the court. Thus, the press conference should not influence the court’s deliberation,” asserted Mr. Chaithawat. The court is scheduled to hear the case next Wednesday, but the timeline for a ruling remains uncertain. The defence statement was submitted to the court on Tuesday, following the last of three 15-day extensions granted by the court. Both the Election…
The picturesque waters of the Chao Phraya River turned chaotic on Thursday afternoon when an unexpected collision occurred at the Tha Phra Chan pier in Bangkok. The bow of a longtail tour boat dramatically pierced through the roof of a navy ferry, causing an alarming scene that left three Chinese tourists injured. The incident, which took place at around 4:50 PM, involved a spirited tour boat laden with Chinese tourists. The boat, navigating along the bustling Maharaj Road waterway, crashed into a navy craft docked at the pier. The force of the impact was enough to send shivers through onlookers and left three tourists—one man and two women—nursing injuries. As the chaos unfolded, dedicated staff and officials sprang into action, rendering aid to the injured and rushing them to a nearby hospital for treatment. Thankfully, there were no reports of anyone missing in the watery commotion, offering a breath of…
Picture this: Sleek touchscreen controls gleam under the ambient cockpit lights of a Boeing 737-9 aircraft. It was during an event in September 2021 at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, that showcased the many updates to this modern marvel. But back in Thailand, a crucial debate raged about flight operations and the future of local pilots. The Thai Pilots Association is vocally opposing a government proposal to temporarily lift restrictions on foreign pilots flying with Thai carriers. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pointed out that the sluggish resumption of flights post-pandemic is a significant hurdle for the tourism sector—a sentiment shared globally by many airlines grappling with a personnel shortage. In an effort to rejuvenate tourism, the government has urged airlines to ramp up their flights and expand their fleets. This plea was made during PM Srettha’s visit to the Thai offices of Agoda, the world’s largest travel booking platform. Yet,…