The Election Commission (EC) is gearing up to announce the official Senate poll results next week, following a wave of calls to delay the announcement due to reports of election process irregularities. Initially, the EC intended to release the results yesterday, but minor concerns such as certain candidates’ background checks necessitated a brief postponement. A grand venue to welcome the newly-elected 200 senators, alongside another 100 reserve candidates from 20 professions, was set up by the Senate Secretariat Office on the ground floor of the Parliament Complex in Bangkok’s Dusit district. According to an inside source, this preparation underscores the importance of the occasion. The names of the new senators will be made public in the Royal Gazette. Once officially announced, the first Senate meeting will ensue, during which the senators will take their oaths of office, marking the commencement of their duties. This event will also feature an election…
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Thaksin Shinawatra’s storied past seems to be catching up with him, and as his legal troubles resurface, the ramifications could profoundly impact Thailand’s conservative-bloc parties. The former premier, who once fled overseas to avoid a conviction over the Ratchadaphisek land deal, is now back in the limelight. Despite securing parole and what many saw as preferential treatment — including an immediate transfer to the Police General Hospital rather than serving time behind bars — he still faces new indictments. The timing of these legal affairs couldn’t be worse for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, whose influence over national politics Thaksin still appears to wield from the shadows. Thaksin returned to Thailand last August to serve a drastically reduced sentence — eight years cut to one, thanks to a royal pardon. However, his active political presence raises eyebrows, with critics suggesting that, despite formal imprisonment, he remains politically untouchable and continues…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is poised to amplify the triumph of the “Thacca Splash — Soft Power Forum 2024” by championing 11 soft power industries, aspiring to generate a staggering 4 trillion baht for Thailand within the next four years, as stated by government spokesman Chai Wacharonke. On Thursday, Mr. Chai revealed that the prime minister’s vision includes nurturing an ecosystem that fosters growth in Thai soft power industries and hones the skills of their workforce. This initiative takes its cue from the remarkable success of the Thacca Splash — Soft Power Forum 2024, which was recently held and garnered overwhelming acclaim. According to Mr. Chai, the forum served as an invaluable platform for sharing ideas, experiences, and activities, thereby guiding the government in shaping pivotal policies. The event’s enthusiastic reception by audiences and participants across all age groups marked a pivotal step in strategically promoting Thailand’s 11 creative industries…
The governor of Pattani, Pateemoh Sadeeyamu, has recently laid down some specific procedures that “Tadika” Islamic schools need to follow when organizing their events. This move comes in the wake of several schools conducting activities in support of Palestinians. In a bid to streamline the coordination, Governor Sadeeyamu has communicated these guidelines to every district chief, emphasizing the importance of sticking to protocol during the “Tadika Samphan” sports and academic competitions. According to the new directives, every school is now required to submit a detailed plan of their intended activities well in advance. This plan must gain initial approval from a district cultural committee before it moves up the chain of command to the district’s cultural council. The role of the cultural council is pivotal—they hold the authority to give the final thumbs-up or even postpone or cancel events that deviate from the approved plan. The announcement was met with…
In a dramatic twist of events in Pathum Thani, Charn Phuangphet, the freshly minted chairman of the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), finds his victory bittersweet. Though Charn, a Pheu Thai Party candidate, clinched the prestigious position on June 30, his tenure might be fleeting. Inside sources from the Interior Ministry reveal that the moment he takes office, a suspension notice will await him. The Pathum Thani provincial authorities have already tipped off the Department of Local Administration about the actions they intend to take. This revelation comes as no surprise to those familiar with Charn’s checkered past. Over a decade ago, during his previous stint as PAO chairman, Charn was embroiled in a scandal concerning the procurement of relief supplies following the 2011 floods. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) found substantial evidence in 2012 suggesting Charn may have engaged in misconduct. The stakes grew higher when the NACC transferred the…
Former Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara has made a compelling case for the Thai government to shake off economic lethargy and adopt transformative measures. In a detailed and passionate address at the 27th commemorative event of the National Press Council, Mr. Parnpree urged the powers that be to restructure the economy and take cues from global competitors to keep Thailand on a progressive trajectory amidst today’s slowdown. Parnpree, who has also held the role of Foreign Minister, vividly described the urgency of this restructuring. Why? Because the Thai economy is “hypersensitive,” reeling from both internal political tremors and international tensions. Over the past 15 years, geopolitical upheavals and digital disruptions have laid the groundwork for economic woes, even before the relentless Covid-19 pandemic knocked the wind out of global markets. “All these dynamics have morphed our domestic economic landscape, and any governmental misstep can trigger severe economic crises, much like…
Car enthusiasts flocked to this year’s Bangkok International Motor Show on March 26, as the city buzzed with excitement. (Pattarapong Chatpattarasil) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently called upon BYD, China’s electric vehicle titan, to safeguard local consumer interests and implement a fair pricing strategy. This move came after a number of BYD dealers offered dramatic discounts, causing a stir among customers who had previously purchased vehicles at higher prices. During a meeting with BYD Chief Executive Wang Chuanfu on Friday, PM Srettha emphasized the importance of managing customer expectations and ensuring buyers are protected. Mr. Wang was in Thailand to celebrate the grand opening of BYD’s first Southeast Asian factory in Rayong on Thursday. The Prime Minister also urged the company to leverage local supply chains and maximize production output as per their agreement with the Thai government. In response, Mr. Wang assured that future pricing strategies would be fair,…
(Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) In a scene right out of a modern-day drama, Bangkok’s famous Khao San Road witnessed an official meticulously checking the licence of a shop selling cannabis. This April 2023 snapshot captured a pivotal moment in the tug-of-war over cannabis in Thailand. Fast forward to now, a critical decision has been made, tilting the scales back toward tighter regulation. The winds of change blew through the Ministry of Public Health as a special committee, charged with overseeing the control of illegal drugs, cast their votes. Dr. Surachoke Tangwiwat, the committee chair and deputy permanent secretary at the ministry, declared that the majority had spoken – cannabis and hemp would be reclassified as narcotics come January 1 of next year. Dr. Surachoke, in his earnest demeanor, explained that the committee’s votes mirrored a shared belief: cannabis should strictly be a tool for medical treatment. They drew a hard line…
The Ban Tha Sen crossing in Muang district of Trat is currently a bustling hub of activity, albeit only three days a week, as it serves as a pivotal point for border trade with Cambodia. Behind its promise lies a hope shimmering among provincial officials—a dream for this crossing to become a permanent checkpoint, a bridge connecting aspirations and economies. (Photo: Ministry of Commerce) TRAT: The National Security Council (NSC) is embarking on a diligent journey to unravel the myriad trade benefits and security concerns tied to this ambitious plan of inaugurating a new permanent border checkpoint with Cambodia. This revelation came from a senior official on a bright Friday, setting the stage for potential transformation. Authorities in Trat province are fervently advocating for Ban Tha Sen in Muang district to be granted the stature of a permanent checkpoint following cabinet approval, with the crucial backing of the NSC hanging…
Army vehicles rolled down a rugged road along the vibrant Thai-Myanmar border, stretching from Phob Phra to Tha Song Yang district in Tak on a serene March morning in 2024. The scene was picturesque, adorned with the sight of military patrols maintaining a watchful eye over the borderlands. (Photo: Wassana Nanuam) In a dramatic turn of events, twelve Moroccan nationals, who had been lured by a nefarious call center syndicate and trapped in the heart of Myanmar, were finally liberated and welcomed into Thailand on a fateful Friday. The Moroccan embassy in Bangkok had raised the alarm, urgently appealing to the Thai government and relevant authorities to rescue 21 Moroccans held hostage in Myawaddy district. These unfortunate souls had been ensnared by ruthless scammers who had spun a global web of deceit. Rangsiman Rome, a member of the Move Forward Party and the chairman of a House committee on state…