Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana is stirring the pot once again, as he petitions the Election Commission (EC) to scrutinize the People’s Party (PP), the latest form of the disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), for potential breaches in party regulations. If Ruangkrai’s suspicions prove accurate, the PP’s August 9th decision to appoint new party executives would be null and void. According to Ruangkrai, he has already mailed his formal petition to the EC. At a special meeting on that contentious day, the PP elected Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut as party leader, Chutima Kotchapan as party treasurer, Natthawut Buapratum as party registrar, and Phicharn Chaowapatanawong to the party’s board, among other key roles. The controversy stems from Regulation No. 52 of the Thin Kakao Chaovilai Party—the PP’s former identity—which dictates that meetings must be publicly announced a week in advance. Given that the MFP was dissolved only on August 7th, Ruangkrai claims the August…
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(Photo: Reuters) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially opened registration for monkeypox (mpox) diagnostic test kits, as concerns about the spread of this viral infection continue to rise. Lertchai Lertwut, the FDA’s deputy secretary-general, announced on Thursday that the agency is streamlining the registration process for both manufacturers and importers. Mr. Lertchai emphasized that this move aims to fast-track approval, ensuring that these test kits become available as swiftly as possible while maintaining public health security. More detailed information about the FDA-approved test kits can be found at FDA’s website. Manufacturers and importers of mpox test kits have been advised to consult the FDA’s guidelines for product registration before submitting their applications. This proactive approach by the FDA comes in the wake of a recent declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO), which labeled a new strain of mpox, specifically the Clade 1b-type, as a “public health emergency…
A person receives an mpox vaccination in New York, the United States, on July 15, 2022. (File photo: Reuters) In a startling turn of events, Thailand has become the first Asian country to identify a new mutated strain of the mpox virus. This striking development comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) raises the alarm on a growing outbreak in Africa, declaring it a new global health emergency. The infection was detected in a European male who had recently arrived in Bangkok from Africa. According to the Department of Disease Control (DDC) of the Public Health Ministry, the 66-year-old patient tested positive for clade Ib. Authorities quickly sprang into action, identifying 43 of his close contacts and placing them under watchful surveillance. For the next 21 days, these individuals will be closely monitored for any signs of the virus, such as fever, rashes, or swollen lymph nodes. A ministry statement…
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a noteworthy appearance at the ‘Vision for Thailand’ event held by Nation Group on Thursday, generating a buzz among those keen to envision the country’s future. (Photo: Reuters) In a significant move, the Pheu Thai Party-led government has secured an additional budget to bolster its flagship digital wallet policy. Announced on Friday through the Royal Gazette, the royal endorsement confirms a whopping 122 billion baht to fund the initiative, taking effect on Saturday. This heartening development could bring a much-needed boost to the country’s economy. Thaksin, speaking passionately at the Vision for Thailand forum, emphasized the necessity of the party’s handout plan to invigorate a sluggish economy that has been staggering for too long. “We need to stimulate the economy as our country has grown slowly for a long time,” Thaksin remarked, underscoring the numerous benefits of the handout scheme—a pivotal campaign promise during…
In an ambitious leap towards enhancing water tourism safety, the National Telecom Public Company Limited (NT) is collaborating with Thaicom and HPG to launch the Smart Pier Project, complete with a satellite-based maritime tourist tracking and emergency response system. This initiative aims to develop a fully functional smart pier prototype that promises to elevate water tourism safety standards to meet international benchmarks. On 22 August 2024, a pivotal moment unfolded at Building 9, NT Headquarters, Chaeng Watthana, where Colonel Sanpachai Huvanandana, President of NT, joined hands with Mr. Phatthaphop Suwansiri, Chief Executive Officer of Thaicom Public Company Limited, and Mr. Thepparit Ritthongpitak, Project Manager at HPG Technology Company Limited. Together, they signed a collaboration agreement to launch the Smart Pier Project, marking a new era in maritime safety and tourism. The collaboration between these three formidable organizations is driven by a shared commitment to revolutionizing maritime safety standards. By integrating…
An aerial view of the flooded residential zone in Tha Wang Pha district in Nan, one of the provinces in the North hit by flooding. (Photo: Disaster Response Association of Thailand Facebook) The government assured that the floods in the North will not impact Bangkok and other downstream provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasized that the caretaker administration has the situation under control. On Thursday, Mr. Phumtham stated that authorities have mobilized additional resources to combat the floods affecting Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai. According to information from the Meteorological Department and Royal Irrigation Department, the floods across the North are due to run-off from higher ground following the monsoon rains, rather than storms or other weather anomalies. These floods are expected to begin receding in the coming days. The Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province, a key dam in the region, is currently only 60% full and…
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has stirred quite a buzz, accusing a former chief of the Marine Police Division and two other high-ranking officers of obtaining wealth that raised more than a few eyebrows. Let’s dive into the intriguing sagas unraveling under the NACC’s watchful eye. First, we find ourselves in the muddy waters with Boonsueb Praithuen, once the chief of the Marine Police Division under the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). According to NACC’s secretary-general, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, Boonsueb was caught in a net of his own making, allegedly demanding monthly kickbacks from a group of oil smugglers and legitimate fuel dealers. These illicit funds, amounting to a whopping 36.77 million baht, were funneled into five bank accounts held by him and his wife. With the convenient extra income, Boonsueb indulged in lavish life insurance policies, among other things. But his extravagant lifestyle did not go unnoticed. The NACC has now…
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is pushing forward with an ambitious project to develop a state-of-the-art light rail system in four key provinces: Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Phitsanulok. In total, this groundbreaking initiative will require an estimated budget of 77 billion baht, marking a significant investment in Thailand’s transportation infrastructure. According to Deputy MRTA Governor Wittaya Phanmongkol, the proposed costs are as follows: 35 billion baht for Phuket, 30 billion baht for Chiang Mai, 7 billion baht for Nakhon Ratchasima, and approximately 5 billion baht for Phitsanulok. These projections are part of a comprehensive study comparing various project models and investment options, which are slated to be submitted to the Office of the Commission for the Management of Road Traffic. Bidding for these transformative projects is anticipated to commence in 2026 and should wrap up by 2027, paving the way for construction to begin around…
In a whirlwind of political maneuvering, activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has taken center stage yet again, this time setting his sights on the People’s Party (PP). Ruangkrai has filed a petition with the Election Commission (EC) to investigate whether the PP, which rose from the ashes of the disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), has veered away from adhering to crucial party regulations. Should these allegations hold water, the PP’s August 9th appointment of party executives might be declared unlawful. Ruangkrai stated that he has already dispatched his petition to the EC through the mail. Detailing the disputed appointments, the PP’s extraordinary meeting on August 9 saw Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut assume the role of party leader, Chutima Kotchapan take on responsibilities as party treasurer, Natthawut Buapratum become the party registrar, and Phicharn Chaowapatanawong join the party’s board, among others. However, a shadow of doubt looms over these new roles. According to Regulation No…
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially opened registration for mpox diagnostic test kits, amid an escalating concern over the spread of this viral infection. Lertchai Lertwut, the FDA’s deputy secretary-general, announced yesterday that the agency is streamlining the registration process for both manufacturers and importers. Mr. Lertchai emphasized that these efforts are aimed at speeding up registration approvals, ensuring the timely availability of the kits, and upholding public health security. For more details on the FDA-approved kits, he directed interested parties to visit this website. Manufacturers and importers of mpox kits can reach out to the FDA for product registration guidelines before submitting their products for review. This announcement from the FDA followed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent declaration of a new strain of mpox, identified as Clade 1b-type, as a “public health emergency of international concern” after cases were reported in more than 10 African countries.…