Picture this: a scenario straight out of a suspense thriller set in the sultry locales of Phatthalung’s Na Node district, where Chavalit “Boss Paeng” Thongduang emerges as the central character. On a fateful September night in 2019, the walls of an unsuspecting pub witnessed a chilling attempt at murder, orchestrated, prosecutors would have you believe, by Chavalit and his eight accomplices. Yet, little did the patrons clinking their glasses anticipate that they’d be sipping on their beverages amidst a plot most vile. Speed forward to the reckoning moment and the curtains are pulled back in the hallowed halls of justice. Four from the nine-man ensemble had already heard their fate, sentenced to the haunting infinity of life behind bars. Yet, Chavalit proved to be the Houdini of his troupe, eluding captivity with a disappearance act that postponed the final act of this real-life drama originally scheduled for November 20. Let’s…
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Hanging by his knees, a young daredevil gazes into the camera with a triumphant smirk, his world quite literally upside down in the midst of a rock-climbing adventure—a scene captured on National Children’s Day at none other than Bangkok’s Children’s Discovery Museum. The vibrancy and exhilaration of childhood are palpable in that one spontaneous shot, encapsulating the sheer joy of January 14th’s festivities in the bustling heart of Chatuchak district. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) But beneath this snapshot of carefree youth lies a narrative that demands serious attention. Enter Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, a force of nature and the UN’s Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, who brings to light the undercurrents that swell beneath Thailand’s serene surface. In a candid conversation with the Bangkok Post, Dr. M’jid spotlights a truth that is too often overlooked—the protection of children is not a goodwill gesture; it is, instead, a…
On an unassuming Sunday morning along Tiwanon Road in Nonthaburi, the tranquility was shattered. An overhead piece of a monorail’s heart—a conductor rail—abruptly bid adieu to its beam, taking an unscheduled descent to the world below. This metallic misadventure didn’t merely kiss the street; it unleashed a symphony of clatters as it collided with the unfortunate trio of cars and a lone motorcycle below. The air was thick with fortune, however, as reports confirmed a miracle—no souls injured, though the Pink Line monorail’s dignity certainly took a hit. Trouble had not brewed beyond the wee hours—4:45 am, to be precise—where the daily choreography of inanimate urban metal welcomed an unwelcome twist near the dance between Cholaprathan Market and Khae Rai. The conductor rail, all ten by five centimeters of its crucial being, was supposed to be the silent companion to trains easing across 3.8 kilometers of cityscape. Instead, it preferred…
Greetings, fellow politics enthusiasts! Today, let’s unravel the dynamic tapestry of Thai politics, with the spotlight on the Pheu Thai Party’s vibrant quest for improved voter connectivity and influence. Our guide through this intricate political maze is none other than the astute Sorawong Thienthong, the man with a plan, the party’s newly-minted secretary-general with a legacy that shines as brightly as Thailand’s tropical sun. You see, Mr. Sorawong is not just any run-of-the-mill politician. He hails from Sa Kaeo, bearing the emblem of a political dynasty, with his lineage traceable to the legendary Sanoh Thienthong. At the youthful age of 48, he has already scribed an indelible mark on the political parchment, advocating tirelessly for the commons. Despite Pheu Thai’s unwavering commitment to community needs and proactive stance, Sorawong reveals that its biggest hurdle lies in lacing up its communication boots tighter. In a world buzzing with digital conversations, they…
Welcome to Bangkok! A city where the rich tapestry of culture, street food that dances on your taste buds, and skyscrapers stretch to kiss the sky. However, even the Jewel of Asia isn’t immune to the elements, and as I took a glance outside my window on January 9th, 2023, Bang Sue was wrapped in a blanket—not a cozy, woven one, but a shroud of smog, ominously captured by photographer Pornprom Satrabhaya. The buzz in the city might sound a little hoarse these days as public hospitals nationwide brace themselves for an inbound swell of wheezing chests and gasping breaths. The Ministry of Public Health has sounded the alarm, expecting a spike in respiratory problems courtesy of our uninvited guest – air pollution. Lat Krabang to Prawet, Thon Buri to Yannawa, particles fine enough to evade our body’s defenses are making themselves a little too comfortable, exceeding 37.5 µg/m³—that’s microgrammes…
Amidst the bustling streets of Bangkok, where vibrant markets hawk an array of tantalizing wares, a new sign has begun to make its presence felt. Bold letters emblazoned on a notice, eclipsing the familiar hum of bartering voices—a statutory warning for those seeking the comforts or curiosities provided by kratom-laden delicacies. Such is the latest edict ushered in by the Thailand Ministry of Public Health, turning a new page in the kratom chronicles with a regulation that’s hot off the press. The law unfurled its details in the regal columns of the Royal Gazette, declaring that from this moment forth, any purveyor of kratom-infused fare—be it the most scrumptious of snacks or the most invigorating of beverages—must be adorned with a sign, a badge of responsibility. This beacon must boldly deter the youth under 18, along with those mothers-to-be or nursing, from partaking in the psychoactive indulgence of Mitragyna Speciosa,…
Picture this: it’s a new dawn on the political stage, and the air is electrifying with the buzz of upcoming budgetary battles. The esteemed Democrat Party, with its eyes set on a cherished comeback, is gearing up for an epic scrutiny showdown concerning the government’s expenditure for the year 2024. The dates are marked and the clocks are ticking down to January 3–5, the slated days of reckoning. On a fine Sunday—or so the whispers in the corridors of power tell us—the dashing Chanin Rungsaeng, a new deputy leader with fire in his belly, briefed the press with a steely determination that could only be inspired by the grand old Democrat Party. The word is out: leader Chalermchai Sri-on, with a master strategist’s flair, has rallied the troops, calling on every single MP to give it their all on the debate floor as they aim to recapture the hearts of…
As the golden hues of dawn touch the vibrantly bustling streets of Thailand, there’s a palpable undercurrent of debate that comes to life just as fervently. At the heart of this debate are the forward-thinking advocates of harm reduction, who have voiced their concerns with an air of undeniable urgency. Thailand’s Narcotics Code stands under scrutiny, particularly for its attempt to straddle the fence between the sharp lines of drug decriminalisation and the compassionate embrace of harm reduction. In the quaint yet lively city of Cebu, Philippines, at a forum shimmering with intellect and passion—an event spearheaded by the International Drugs Policy Consortium—a call was sounded. Here, amidst the symphony of voices championing drug law reform in Southeast Asia, advocates implored law enforcement agencies to marry their operations with the internationally upheld principles of human rights in the heart of harm reduction policies. Through the looking glass of Thailand’s Narcotics…
Picture this: a serene stretch of railway, nestled in the lush landscapes of Thailand’s deep south, suddenly transformed into chaos by nature’s unyielding forces. On an early Monday morning, the skies wept, and the downpour followed, swamping the section of rail track between two seemingly serene stations – Tanyongmat and Pa Phai in Narathiwat’s Rangae district – in a dramatic scene right out of an adventure novel. Blame it on the torrential rain, for it indeed played villain, causing the rail track’s unfortunate subsidence and bringing the iron horses to a standstill. Imagine the dismay of eager travellers and bustling locals as they learned train services from Yala to Sungai Kolok would be suspended! An invisible stop sign was hung on the tracks, as the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) declared a weather-induced hiatus in transit. With the tracks submerged, the rhythmic clacking of wheels against rails was hushed. Local…
As the festive season descends upon us in 2023, a splendid alliance has emerged from the land of smiles, Thailand, dazzling the discerning eyes with a grace that’s both timeless and contemporary. SIRIVANNAVARI, under the visionary guidance of the esteemed HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, as Creative Director, has joined forces with the renowned Thai jeweller, Beauty Gems, unveiling the stunning “Heirlooms of Elegance” collection—the latest narrative in the saga of High Jewellery splendor. It was an event of luminous sophistication: a gala dinner on a Friday night to remember, where fashion and finery intertwined. The who’s who of Bangkok’s elite gathered to witness a showcase of 41 magnificent pieces exclusive to this collection, paraded by top models and further exuding glamour by a surprise entrant, Anntonia Porsild. Ms. Universe Thailand 2023 and recent Miss Universe’s 1st runner-up, Porsild, captivated the attendees in her SIRIVANNAVARI-designed ethereal beige gown, her aura…