In a move that has sent shockwaves through Thailand’s political landscape, Anutin Charnvirakul, lead figure of the Bhumjaithai Party, finds himself in the eye of a legal storm. On Wednesday, Attorney Pattharpong Supassorn, known to many as An Buriram, approached the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) with serious allegations. Alongside Anutin, the party’s secretary-general, Chaichanok Chidchob, is also under scrutiny. Their alleged crime? Involvement in a contentious land grab in the verdant expanses of Khao Kradong Forest Park located in Buri Ram. The specifics revolve around a sprawling 5,083-rai plot belonging to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). According to the petition, the Chidchob family has allegedly annexed a portion of this land, repurposing it for the expansion of a race circuit and a football stadium. Meanwhile, Anutin Charnvirakul’s name has been dragged into allegations of land encroachment within the confines of the forest park. The implications are severe, but the…
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An intriguing scene unfolded in the bustling Pathumwan district of Bangkok on August 10, capturing the attention of onlookers and media alike. A board hanging proudly displayed the People’s Party’s eye-popping amount of donations, much to the delight of its organizers. But behind the scenes, the celebration raised a flurry of legal questions, as highlighted by none other than Constitutional Court Judge Udom Sittiwirattham. Judge Udom, speaking passionately at a seminar about the Constitutional Court’s vital role in protecting people’s rights and freedom, threw a spanner in the works by questioning the legality of the fundraising activities. The People’s Party (PP), which emerged like a phoenix from the ashes of the disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), had managed to amass at least 17 million baht in donations, setting tongues wagging and causing quite a stir. The judge’s thought-provoking comments were swiftly shared in a Facebook post by user Tanyatorn Rojmahamongkol,…
In a heartwarming show of support, a woman clutches a piece of paper bearing a message championing the government’s ambitious 10,000-baht digital wallet initiative from last year. This scene, etched in a file photo, underscores a community rallying behind progressive change. The Pheu Thai Party, committed to its promise, is pushing forward with its flagship digital wallet scheme, aiming to distribute 10,000 baht to around 50 million eligible citizens. While the path seems rocky following the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of Srettha Thavisin as prime minister, hope remains afloat. The scheme is notably far from abandonment; instead, it’s poised for a strategic overhaul. Insiders reveal a pivot towards prioritizing aid to vulnerable groups through the existing welfare card system — a move dating back to the Prayut administration. The project’s financial framework is anchored on a 122 billion baht budget, ensuring targeted assistance to those in need. The diligent Deputy Finance…
Somsak Thepsutin arrived at Government House on August 13, framed by a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. The caretaker public health minister had some news to share but not the kind that everyone wanted to hear. The eagerly awaited pilot project—offering medical care at hospitals all across Bangkok for just 30 baht—was going to have to wait. Yes, you heard that right, a full-blown pause button, pending the formation of the new cabinet. (Snapshot courtesy: Chanat Katanyu) On a typical Wednesday, while people were busy planning their weekends or dreaming about the upcoming holiday, Somsak dropped this bombshell that grounded the high hopes of many Bangkok residents. This was supposed to be a part of Thailand’s universal health coverage scheme (UHCS), also charmingly known as the “gold card,” which made its debut back in 2002. The scheme’s old way had people stuck to their assigned hospitals unless they needed specialized…
Wandering through the lively maze of the Phitsanulok market, one can’t help but notice the surprising buzz around the banana stalls. The once modestly priced namwa bananas now demand a princely sum, with further price hikes lurking on the horizon, according to seasoned wholesalers. Ms. Suchada Kongpunt, a 38-year-old banana wholesaler with a discerning eye for quality, shared her concerns over the surge. “A bunch of namwa, our beloved variety, is now flying off shelves at 50-60 baht. That’s nearly double what it was just a few months ago!” she exclaimed, balancing a radiant smile with a hint of worry. But what has driven this fruity favorite to such heights? The culprit, it appears, is April’s merciless summer. With searing heat waves and a stubbornly absent rain cloud reducing young banana trees to mere memories, the market is grappling with an acute shortage. As Ms. Suchada pointed out, “We’re really…
Hovering under the high ceiling of Thailand’s political arena, a dramatic shake-up was unfolding within the ranks of the Thai Sang Thai Party. On June 21, 2023, within the storied halls of parliament, Khunying Sudarat Keyurapan stood resolute, a commanding presence in the fiery tapestry of Thai politics. With a solemn but firm demeanor, Sudarat, leader of the opposition Thai Sang Thai Party (TST), was flanked by the party’s MPs as they reported to the hallowed halls of the legislature. Little did the public know, the tranquility was a veneer, barely concealing the turbulent waters roiling beneath the surface. Fast forward to a hot Wednesday in August, and the steely gaze of the party’s ethics committee pierced through the air. Its members, led by the formidable Pokin Polakul, had deliberated, debated, and ultimately decided. A grim determination hung over their decision to expel one of their own—Ms. Supaporn Salapsri, a…
On a typical sun-soaked Wednesday in the vibrant paradise of Koh Phangan, a twist of intrigue emerged amidst the idyllic surroundings of this popular tourist haven. Law enforcement officers, alongside immigration and local police, orchestrated a meticulous raid that uncovered a deep web of clandestine commerce within a seemingly unassuming grocery store. This grocery, inconspicuously managed by a 36-year-old Myanmar woman named Aye Ae Khaing Oo, quickly became the epicenter of a scandal that’s setting tongues wagging and sparking widespread interest. The raid, executed with the precision of a blockbuster heist, revealed a treasure trove of contraband goods. Shelves teemed with items that, at first glance, suggested a typical corner store: instant noodles, canned fish, and coffee. However, the eagle-eyed officials identified these as smuggled goods, including a stash of foreign cigarettes that some say, if you squint, gleamed with a hint of international intrigue. Each item, every packet, now…
In a rousing development on the vibrant island of Koh Phangan, a raid led to the arrest of a Myanmar woman operating an illicit grocery store. This bustling island in Surat Thani, known for its stunning beaches and full-moon parties, became the scene of a dramatic police operation on a seemingly ordinary Wednesday. Local officials, in tandem with immigration authorities and local police, swooped in on the unsuspecting shop, uncovering a hidden trove of contraband goods. The owner, Aye Ae Khaing Oo, a spirited 36-year-old, was taken into custody amidst the sea of prohibited items. Lurking among the store shelves were a variety of concealed products, including instant noodles, canned fish, coffee, and an assortment of foreign cigarettes. The authorities scrutinized each item, unraveling the threads of a contraband network stitched into the fabric of this quaint grocery. Aye Ae Khaing Oo faced charges for conducting business unlawfully as a…
Shinji Maeda, a 51-year-old Japanese garment exporter, stands defiant as he holds up his formal complaint submitted to the Crime Suppression Division. He’s accusing a shadowy Thai “fixer” of swindling him out of a whopping 300,000 baht, promising—but never delivering—a permanent visa. To add insult to injury, Shinji claims a cybercrime police officer extorted an additional 10,000 baht from him under the guise of helping him recover his money. (Photo supplied by Wassayos Ngamkham) Maeda’s story reads like an international thriller, full of promises, deception, and dead-ends. Accompanied by social media activist Thamanat Taengtim and his secretary Namtan Phetphatcharaprasit, Maeda filed his complaint on a sticky Wednesday, determined to see some justice. He’s no rookie to the land of smiles; his company has been successfully exporting clothes to Japan from the bustling Bo Bae and Pratunam wholesale markets. The fraudulent saga began back in 2019 when Maeda first dreamt of…
IRPC Public Company Limited recently marked a watershed moment with the grand inauguration of its cutting-edge Innovation Center in Rayong. The event gathered an illustrious assembly of industry leaders, executives, and strategic partners, all of whom bore witness to this pivotal step forward in the company’s technological advancement initiatives. Steering the event was Prof. Dr. Bundit Euaarporn, Chairman of IRPC, alongside Mr. Kris Imsang, President and Chief Executive Officer, and influential figures from the PTT Group. The occasion signified the dawning of a new chapter in innovation, one that zeroes in on sustainability and global competitiveness. The highlight of the launch event was an insightful lecture titled “From Frontier Technology to Sustainable Innovation” delivered by Prof. Dr. Jumrus Limtrakul, the President of VISTEC. His discourse delved deep into the intricate relationship between technological development and groundbreaking innovation, emphasizing their critical role in global R&D endeavors. According to Dr. Limtrakul, these…