A vendor in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan caught the public’s eye last month, deftly preparing the famously pungent durian for eager customers. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard) On a related note, the superintendent of Kantharalak Police in Si Sa Ket, Pol Col Narin Bhupta, found himself in the hot seat over reports suggesting he ordered the procurement of these sought-after fruits for a visit from senior officers. Responding to claims made by Move Forward Party (MFP) deputy secretary-general Thanchanon Sriusadawutkul, Pol Col Narin firmly denied the allegations. Thanchanon’s concerns stemmed from a leaked Line chat, which appeared to pressure junior officers into acquiring durians for their superiors’ upcoming inspection. The practice, he claimed, highlighted the deeply ingrained patronage system within the police force. “Even if such actions are seen as traditions within government circles,” he commented, “they should be outrightly condemned.” Thanchanon expressed that such directives, though informal, place…
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Vatana Asavahame, a veteran politician who hightailed it out of Thailand back in 2008 after a power abuse conviction, has yet to set foot back on home turf, according to a close family source. The buzz started when a clip went viral, seemingly showing Vatana, the seasoned Samut Prakan politician, entertaining a group of provincial politicians at a mysterious location that had social media abuzz. Once a deputy interior minister, Vatana was slapped with a 10-year prison sentence by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Persons Holding Political Position over the notorious Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant scandal. This project was greenlighted in 1995 by then Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai’s Democrat-led government. The clip, which first surfaced on June 3 courtesy of Chana Nguanngamsri, a member of the Samut Prakan provincial administrative organisation (PAO), ignited speculation that Vatana might make a triumphant return to Thailand, owing to the 15-year…
Election officials showcased a ballot at a bustling Senate election station set up at Banbangkapi School in Bangkok’s lively Bang Kapi district this Sunday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) The district-level vote in the Senate election on Sunday flowed seamlessly, wrapping up with several prominent political figures snagging this first round of the Upper House race. Winners included former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn. As the excitement builds, provincial-level voting is set to follow next Sunday (June 16), with successful district and provincial candidates standing in the grand national-level vote on June 26. The Election Commission (EC) aims to unveil the final results for the election of 200 new senators by July. Overall, Sunday’s vote was a smooth sail, with only around 22 complaints submitted to the EC about alleged irregularities, which will be formally investigated, confirmed EC chairman Itthiporn Boonpracong. Iceberg or not, these probes, armed…
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a critical recall of 15 pharmaceutical syrup products for children after they were found to be contaminated with the toxic substance, ethylene glycol. In an announcement on Saturday, FDA Secretary-General Dr. Narong Apikulvanich revealed that multiple samples of children’s pharmaceutical syrups were sent to the Department of Medical Sciences for extensive safety tests. To the FDA’s dismay, the tests uncovered that 31 batches from 15 different products harbored unsafe levels of ethylene glycol. This shocking revelation compelled the FDA to order an immediate recall of these products from the market to safeguard public health. Dr. Narong urged consumers to remain calm despite the alarming news. He emphasized that the harmful effects would only manifest if someone ingested a whopping 500 or more bottles of the contaminated syrups—an unlikely scenario. Nevertheless, he advised that consumers should seek medical attention if they experience…
Picture this: cruising through the picturesque Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem on a sleek, on-demand electric boat taxi. This vibrant scene is about to become a reality, as announced by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Slated for a grand debut in July, this innovative boat service isn’t just about reducing traffic congestion; it’s an exhilarating new chapter in Bangkok’s dynamic transport tapestry. Envisioned by Krung Thep Thanakom Co (KT), the commercial arm of BMA, this state-of-the-art electric boat service is designed to seamlessly integrate with Bangkok’s electric rail networks, public bus systems, and motorcycle taxi services. It’s all part of a broader strategy to invigorate the city’s tourism, drawing both locals and visitors into an urban adventure like no other. Tharatporn Techakitkachorn, the forward-thinking managing director of KT, shared his excitement about the upcoming pilot phase. Starting next month, these eco-friendly boat taxis will begin navigating Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem and…
Last August, commuters enjoyed traveling along Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem on boats. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu) Get ready, Bangkok! Starting this July, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is rolling out an innovative on-demand electric boat taxi service, promising to revolutionize your daily commute. This new service, unveiled by Krung Thep Thanakom Co (KT)—the BMA’s dynamic business wing—coincides with another major launch: the city-wide expansion of an app-based motorcycle taxi-hailing service. The electric boat taxi service is engineered to seamlessly integrate with Bangkok’s existing electric rail systems, public buses, and motorcycle taxis. The primary goal? To boost Bangkok’s thriving tourism sector. Tharatporn Techakitkachorn, KT’s forward-thinking managing director, announced that the initial phase would commence in Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem and its tributaries, including Khlong Bang Lamphu, starting next month. “Once we have fully deployed the city-wide service,” Mr. Tharatporn explained, “electric boat taxis will be cruising along several main canals like Khlong…
In an electrifying turn of events, eight individuals suspected of operating a ruthless loan shark operation were nabbed in a dramatic police raid at a house in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district on Sunday. The operation was spearheaded by no less than Pol Maj Gen Montree Theskhan, the commander of the Crime Suppression Division, whose team executed a well-planned search warrant to crack down on these financial marauders. The suspenseful showdown took place on Phahon Yothin 59 Road, following a harrowing complaint from a local vendor. The distressed vendor claimed to have faced alarming threats of physical assault after she failed to comply with the exorbitant interest rate of 2% per day imposed by the shadowy group. As the raid unfolded, police charged the eight suspects with unlawfully running a lending business and levying extortionate interest rates. The head honcho of the gang was identified solely as Mr. Montri, who clocks…
Early on Sunday morning, tragedy struck in Petchaburi’s Khao Yoi district as two big-bike riders were killed in a catastrophic road accident involving an 18-wheeled truck. The ill-fated incident took place outside a PTT petrol station on the outbound Phetkasem Road in the tambon Huay Rong area. Kee p your eyes peeled for the details—this tale is as riveting as it is heartbreaking. The victims, identified as Supatchatra Jit-ngarm, 22, and Rachata Boon-sra, 27, were part of a roaring convoy of more than 100 motorcyclists. The group, speeding through the morning mist, dominated three lanes of traffic, overtaking each other with thrill-seeking flair and reckless abandon. The thrill ride turned tragic when Supatchatra’s and Rachata’s bikes grazed one another, sending them spiraling onto the asphalt. In an instant, their joyride morphed into a nightmare. Both riders were struck by an 18-wheeler trailing closely behind them. The force of the collision…
Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), addressed an anticipatory crowd at the party headquarters on Sunday, amidst the swirling political drama concerning the Constitutional Court’s acceptance to trial the case for the party’s dissolution. Standing firm at the podium, Mr. Pita’s charismatic resolve emanated through his words as he declared that the Constitutional Court has no jurisdiction to dismantle the MFP. He emphasized that a prior ruling about the party’s stance on the lese majeste law bore no relevance to the present trial. The seasoned politician, flanked by his legal team, offered a meticulously prepared argument. They combed through the constitution with the utmost attention to detail, concluding that no clause therein granted the Constitutional Court the authority to dissolve a political party or strip its members of their political rights. “We’ve been thwarted from accessing crucial information and denied the opportunity to adequately defend ourselves,”…
Pita Limjaroenrat, the former leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), addressed a captivated audience at the party’s headquarters on Sunday to speak about the high-stakes disbandment case the Constitutional Court has taken up. Amid flashing cameras and an air of defiance, Limjaroenrat argued passionately that the court has no authority to dissolve the MFP and that previous rulings about the party’s stance on the lese majeste law are entirely irrelevant to the current proceedings. With a mix of gravitas and fervor, Pita revealed that he, along with the party’s legal team, meticulously combed through the constitution and found not a single clause granting the Constitutional Court the power to disband a political party or revoke political rights. “It’s not there,” he declared, “We’ve checked and double-checked. This just isn’t within their jurisdiction.” Lamenting the lack of transparency, Pita contended that the MFP had not been provided with sufficient information…