The excitement is palpable as Bangkok gears up for a monumental leap in its transportation landscape. The MRT Orange Line, a cutting-edge electric railway system linking the city’s vibrant east and bustling west, is poised to provide smoother commutes and unparalleled convenience. Anticipated to be fully operational by November 2030, the project will see its eastern section welcoming passengers as early as 2028. A key milestone was reached on Thursday when Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit presided over the investment contract signing for the MRT Orange Line Project, connecting “Bang Khun Non-Min Buri (Suwinthawong)” between the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM). The ceremony was graced by an array of high-level dignitaries, including Pichet Kunadhamraks, the chief of the Department of Rail Transport (DRT), Sarawut Songsivilai, MRTA board chairman, and Plew Trivisvavet, BEM board chairman. The atmosphere was filled…
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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently cast a spotlight on a troubling violation of human rights by police officers in a case that shook the nation. The incident revolves around the horrifying events of last October, when a 14-year-old boy went on a tragic shooting rampage at Siam Paragon, resulting in the loss of three lives. The NHRC has condemned the law enforcement’s decision to release photos and video clips of the young perpetrator, making this brutal episode even more wrenching. According to NHRC Commissioner Wasan Paileeklee, the commission was alerted by the Union for Civil Liberty in November. The uproar stemmed from the dissemination of deeply disturbing images and videos of the young offender across social media platforms. Such actions, Paileeklee underscored, were a glaring infringement on the boy’s human rights. Children, Paileeklee emphasized, are unequivocally protected under robust layers of legal frameworks. These include the constitution,…
In the serene but bustling canals of Sanam Chai and Khok Kham in Samut Songkhram, an unexpected culinary event was held thanks to the presence of the invasive blackchin tilapia fish. The BKK Food Bank activity at the Bang Khunthian district office in Bangkok on Friday was marked by the presence of this unusual delicacy, cooked and served to the community, in a wonderful blend of environmental awareness and gastronomy. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) Meanwhile, a government subcommittee has been dedicatedly probing into the spread of these tenacious invaders in Thailand’s waterways. This zealous taskforce will be meeting at the Department of Fisheries on Tuesday to dive into importation records and examine the storage conditions of fish carcasses. Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, an ardent Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok and deputy chairman of the subcommittee, passionately revealed on Friday that they aim to scrutinize the import protocols for such foreign species to…
The scene outside the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) was a blend of fervent determination and rising frustration, as the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and a forceful cadre of Bangkok community representatives showed up to make their voices heard. The protesters, numbering over 100 and encompassing representatives from 28 vigorous communities, handed a letter to Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, sounding a collective alarm against the proposed city planning blueprint. (Photo: Supoj Wancharoen) The TCC, led by the spirited Secretary-General Saree Aungsomwang, minced no words in their opposition to the current trajectory of the BMA’s city planning initiative. There was a clarion call to halt the ongoing public hearings. Saree and her allies are ready to elevate the matter to the Administrative Court should their objections be ignored. The blueprint, according to them, flouts the fundamental tenets of the City Planning Act and violates Section 72 of the Thai constitution. Saree articulated that…
In an enlightening exchange at the 2024 Global News Forum, co-organized by the esteemed Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and Thai PBS, panelist and National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) member, Pirongrong Ramasoota, delivered eye-opening insights on a pressing issue that teeters the balance of modern journalism. Prominent and trustworthy news agencies find themselves grappling for recognition among the cacophony of digital platforms and mobile apps. Ms. Pirongrong passionately urged governments and civil society to join forces, advocating for a collaborative effort to champion credibility in the news domain. The enigma of our age—the internet—has facilitated a rampant surge of disinformation, clickbait, and sensationalism, Ms. Pirongrong observed. “Today’s platforms rely heavily on algorithms engineered by data. News quality plays second fiddle to user interaction, driving a wedge between authenticity and engagement,” she lamented. As digital migration becomes inevitable, news agencies find their prominence dictated not by journalistic ethics but by insidious algorithms,…
On January 21, 2024, with the bustling streets of Bangkok as their stage, motorcycle taxi drivers united in a spirited campaign against drugs, putting the city’s safety and welfare at the forefront. Captured by the lens of photographer Varuth Hirunyatheb, this commendable effort sheds light on a significant issue gripping the metropolis. In a stride towards modernization and enhanced public service, Viput Srivaurai, a dedicated city council member representing Bang Rak district, has called upon the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to leverage technology for an innovative transformation of motorcycle taxi services. Emphasizing the use of cutting-edge applications, Srivaurai envisions a future where passenger safety and fare transparency are paramount. Spearheading this tech-savvy approach, Srivaurai envisions a sophisticated data management system that would streamline the motorcycle taxi industry. This proposed system would encapsulate a myriad of crucial details, including driver credentials and vehicle specifics, ensuring that passengers have full visibility and…
In a dramatic series of events that unfolded across Nonthaburi and Chon Buri, four Colombian nationals were apprehended for their purported involvement in a spate of residential burglaries that had been plaguing Bangkok and its neighboring provinces. The sophisticated sting operation that led to their arrest was a collaborative effort between immigration officers and police, which culminated in the capture of three suspects at a condominium in Muang district, Nonthaburi, and the fourth at a hotel in South Pattaya, Chon Buri, this past Thursday, as confirmed by Pol Maj Gen Panthana Nuchanart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau. Charged with theft in collusion, the quartet was found in possession of an array of incriminating items that included screwdrivers and assorted burglary tools, as well as rented motorcycles they reportedly used for their illicit activities. The treasure trove of stolen goods seized from the suspects was staggering—125 items of stolen valuables…
In a collaborative effort between the Thai Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), thirty luxury cars that had been smuggled into Thailand are now back on British soil. This cross-border mission underscores the importance of international crime-fighting partnerships. The vehicles, worth over £2.4 million (approximately 100 million baht), were part of an operation triggered by the UK’s request under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to recover 35 high-end cars stolen between 2016 and 2017, as revealed by the DSI’s acting director, Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam. Known as “Operation Titanium,” the special task force kicked off in 2017 with an ambition to crack down on this luxury car smuggling racket. They executed raids at nine locations across Bangkok, recovering 30 out of the 35 stolen vehicles. Among the treasures discovered were eight Mercedes Benzes, five BMW M4s, five Porsches, three Nissan GT-Rs, a Lamborghini…
A lively coalition of 36 self-proclaimed independent senators has thrown its weight behind Boonsong Noisopon, a distinguished former judge, for the esteemed position of Deputy Senate Speaker. This decision comes hot on the heels of a spirited meeting held on July 18, where the cohort delved into the nitty-gritty of the impending selection of the Senate Speaker and two deputies. According to Nikhom Makrungchang, a prominent voice among the senators, Boonsong’s credentials were simply too outstanding to ignore. Boonsong boasts an illustrious legal career, having held significant roles in the Courts of Justice. His resume reads like a legal thriller, featuring stints as President of the Court of Appeal Region 7 and a judge at the Supreme Court. Adding a feather to his cap, he is also a former member of the Election Commission. With such a decorated background, it’s no wonder the senators are rallying behind him. Nikhom revealed…
In an extraordinary collaboration between the Thai Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), thirty stolen luxury cars have been triumphantly returned to the United Kingdom. This dazzling operation underscores the seamless international cooperation under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam, the acting director of the DSI, recently disclosed the eye-popping details of this captivating saga. Picture this: Between 2016 and 2017, a staggering 35 opulent vehicles mysteriously disappeared from England, boasting a combined worth of over £2.4 million, or more than 100 million baht. The orchestrators behind this thrilling heist? A cunning syndicate spearheaded by a Thai national known as Intharasak, alias Boy Unity. Enter “Operation Titanium”—a special task force launched in 2017 that swooped into action, raiding nine locations across Bangkok. The outcome? A glittering treasure trove of 30 high-end automobiles, including eight Mercedes Benzes, five BMW M4s, five…