Amidst a whirlwind of legislative transformations, Thailand is on the brink of legislating marijuana for medical use. This announcement comes from Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, heralding a pivotal shift in Thailand’s cannabis policies and reflecting the government’s evolving stance. The nation first made headlines in 2022 as one of the pioneering countries in Asia to decriminalize marijuana, albeit without instituting a comprehensive legal framework to regulate its usage or deter recreational experimentation. The initiative to decriminalize marijuana, enthusiastically supported by Mr. Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party, sparked a wave of recreational uses, with cannabis cafes popping up in record numbers and sparking public debates about potential misuse. The subsequent societal stir led to Bhumjaithai drafting a bill to regulate cannabis use, a proposal that unfortunately never progressed past its initial reading due to the calling of an election last year. Fast forward to today, and Mr. Anutin, also the country’s interior…
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With the launch of the LONGINES PILOT MAJETEK last year, the winged hourglass brand proudly reintroduced an iconic pilot’s watch that blends historical allure with modern sophistication. As we set our sights on 2024, the spotlight shifts to the LONGINES PILOT MAJETEK PIONEER EDITION, a masterpiece draped in an alluring combination of dark grey and black, rendered in the resilient Grade 5 titanium. This edition is not just any release; it’s a limited production, with only 1,935 pieces available, each chronometer-certified by the respected COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres). This watch continues the legacy of the Longines precision instruments that accompanied legendary pioneers on their daring exploits. On 1 April 1935, Longines etched its name in the annals of horological history by registering the Pilot Majetek model with the International Bureau of Industrial Property in Berne, Switzerland. Initially crafted for aviators, this remarkable timepiece eventually won the hearts of…
The police patrol pickup, now reduced to a skeletal frame of metal and debris, lies silent testimony to the chaos unleashed by the bomb explosion that occurred on a calm Tuesday morning in the heart of Thepha district, Songkhla. This act of violence left three valiant police officers injured, igniting a wave of concern and urgency within the community. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan) In the picturesque yet sometimes tumultuous district of Songkhla, an unsuspecting morning took a harrowing turn. As the clock edged towards 9:30 AM, a deafening blast shattered the tranquility along Thadee-Bor Namsom Road, right by the imposing structure of the Global Green power plant in tambon Koh Saba. The patrol pickup, a symbol of safety and vigilance, became an instant casualty of the explosion, its metal innards exposed to the unforgiving morning light. Inside the beleaguered vehicle were three dutiful police officers, whose routine patrol transformed into a…
Police responded to a tragic event on Monday night in Si Sa Ket province, where an ex-school director from Buri Ram unleashed a fatal assault, leaving four people dead before he ended his own life as authorities pursued him. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham) The harrowing incident took place around 9:32 PM in a house located in tambon Nong Phai, Muang district, Si Sa Ket. The residence, once a haven for Duangduan Kokaphan, 41, who served as the director of Non Ipang Phonwua School, became the scene of the horrific massacre. The late-night violence resulted in the deaths of Duangduan, her new lawyer husband Poramat Saman, 39, her mother Yokmanee Kokaphan, 66, and Yokmanee’s brother-in-law Bunluen Apaiphong, 61. Tragically, a 10-year-old boy in the house managed to escape the brutal attack and immediately sought help from neighbors. The assailant was identified as Pathaphee Meebang, 42, formerly the director of Phanomrung School in…
In an impressive strategic move, ALLY Global Management (“ALLY”) and Range Real Estate Partners (“RANGE”) have collectively made a substantial investment in iBorrow. For the uninitiated, iBorrow is not just any loan originator; it stands out as a fully integrated servicer and proficient asset manager, targeting transitional commercial and residential real estate loans across the sprawling United States. Since its conception, iBorrow has impressively deployed approximately $2 billion in loan capital, effectively providing real estate bridge loans across diverse asset types including industrial, retail, multifamily, and hospitality to professional, experienced, and entrepreneurial borrowers. This timely investment in iBorrow was facilitated through the ALLY USA Real Estate Fund (“AUSRE”), a real estate platform ingeniously founded and managed by ALLY and RANGE. Notably, this platform had an important milestone in March 2024, when it successfully closed its inaugural special situations fund, AUSRE I. This fund attracted an elite group of limited partners…
The tranquillity of Pattani’s serene landscape was shattered on Monday night as a devastating explosion erupted on Road 42 in Nong Chik district. The violent blast catapulted an armoured police pickup truck off the thoroughfare, injuring six brave policemen. This dramatic scene unfolded against the backdrop of a region known for its idyllic sceneries and close-knit communities, a stark reminder of the lurking dangers that exist within. The Internal Security Operations Command’s (Isoc) southern frontline office issued an urgent advisory for motorists traversing through the southernmost province to heighten their vigilance. The unsettling incident occurred on one of Pattani’s principal arteries, Road 42, connecting Songkhla with the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala. This vital route was disrupted by an act that echo through the quiet surroundings, a grim testament to the ongoing unrest in the area. The six policemen, who had just left a duty checkpoint, were en…
Recently, Thai Oil Public Company Limited achieved a remarkable milestone by being selected as a distinguished member of the global sustainability index, known as the “FTSE4Good Index Series.” Remarkably, the company has earned a prestigious spot in both the “FTSE4Good Emerging Index” and the “FTSE4Good ASEAN 5 Index.” The “FTSE4Good Index Series” represents a benchmarking index that evaluates and recognizes the sustainability operations of companies worldwide. Developed by FTSE Russell in the United Kingdom, this index meticulously measures company performance based on their adherence to sustainable business practices, with a keen focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects. The FTSE4Good Index Series is specifically designed to serve as a valuable resource for investors who prioritize ESG factors in their investment deliberations. Securing a place in the FTSE4Good Index Series is a testament to Thai Oil Public Company Limited’s unwavering commitment to sustainable business practices. This recognition not only underscores…
The damaged Bangkok Samui 2 after the collision with a speedboat returning from Rin Beach on Koh Phangan, off Koh Samui in Surat Thani on Monday night. (Photo: Wat Plai Laem Koh Samui Rescue Unit) On a tranquil Monday night near the picturesque island of Koh Samui, two speedboats met with an unfortunate fate. A tragic collision claimed one life and left two individuals injured, casting a shadow over the serene waters. This surprising incident happened around 8:30 pm and was subsequently reported to the local police. The collision involved two speedboats traveling in opposite directions: the Chor Chokchanita 22, operated by Funnyday Co., and the Bangkok Samui 2, owned by Bangkok Samui Hospital. Pol Lt Sirachat Kamunee, an officer on duty at the Bo Phut police station, shared this bewildering news on the following day, leaving the community in disbelief. Onboard the Bangkok Samui 2 were two dedicated hospital…
In recent political developments, the Democrat Party threw a wrench into Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit’s audacious proposal: granting a 30-year extension to the Don Muang Tollway operator in return for fare reduction to 50 baht. The expressway, stretching 21 kilometers, weaves its way from Bangkok’s bustling Din Daeng area to the serene National Memorial in Pathum Thani’s Lam Luk Ka district. The proposal, a bold yet contentious maneuver, emerged as a countermeasure to the concessionaire’s impending fare hike slated for December 22. This hike, set to climb by five to 10 baht per section, would see the rate jump from 80 to 90 baht for the Din Daeng to Don Muang segment and from 35 to 40 baht for the Don Muang to National Memorial stretch. Mr. Suriya posits that extending the concession is the government’s financial panacea, mitigating the burden of compensating for slashed toll revenues. However, Charnchai Issarasenarak,…
The Royal Thai Police’s (RTP) Ordnance Division has come forward to refute allegations about distributing substandard bulletproof vests, following a viral image that showed body armor layered with plywood. Pol Maj Gen Nirandon Sirisangchai, the division’s commander, assured that the RTP has never acquired body armor or armor plates using wood as a primary material. “The purchasing and inspection processes are entirely transparent and verifiable, in strict compliance with the prevailing laws and regulations,” stated Pol Maj Gen Nirandon. He emphasized that every single vest meets the stringent standards established by the National Institute of Justice and is backed by manufacturer guarantees. Nonetheless, Pol Maj Gen Nirandon encouraged any officers who had been injured while wearing the vests or were concerned about their quality to submit them to the division for thorough inspection. This open-door policy, he believes, reassures the officers and the public about the integrity and reliability of…