The vibrant city of Bangkok is turning green in more ways than one! Thanks to an innovative and humanitarian effort spearheaded by City Hall, the BKK Food Bank initiative has been a beacon of hope for many. Since its launch on August 8th, this groundbreaking project has amassed a jaw-dropping 315 tonnes of surplus food, transforming what would have been waste into over 1.3 million nourishing meals for the city’s needy and vulnerable residents. Pornphrom Vikitsreth, adviser to Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt on sustainability, proudly shared that individuals and businesses across Bangkok have united in generosity, donating an impressive 315,741.42 kilograms of surplus food. This spirit of giving has reached 67,449 residents who were previously struggling to find their next meal. But the project isn’t just about feeding the hungry. It’s also making a significant environmental impact. By repurposing surplus food that would otherwise contribute to growing landfills, the BKK…
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Experiencing Pattaya City from the vantage point of Phra Tamnak Hill in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district is nothing short of breathtaking! (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard) Pattaya has emerged as an unparalleled magnet for tourists, alluring more than 12 million visitors in the first half of this year—surpassing last year’s count by a cool million, as reported by the local Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office. Urai Mukpradabtong, the dynamic director of TAT Pattaya, highlighted that Chon Buri province experienced a superb 9.32% uptick in tourists, rising from the previous year’s 11.61 million during the same timeframe. Among the 12.69 million who flocked to Chon Buri and Pattaya City from January to June, Thai nationals led the charge, numbering a remarkable 7.2 million, with the remaining 5.49 million being globe-trotting foreigners, according to Ms. Urai. The TAT is optimistic about adding another million visitors to Pattaya in the latter half…
The launch of JAI by ONESIAM, a groundbreaking luxury lifestyle club, represents an exquisite leap for Siam Piwat, a frontrunner in real estate development, catapulting luxury experiences to uncharted heights. This venture not only cements Siam Piwat’s dominance in luxury retail but also captivates Thailand’s elite clientele and extends its wings on a global scale. JAI by ONESIAM transcends the concept of a mere private club—it’s a thriving collaborative ecosystem that fosters innovation through co-creation. The club’s exclusivity is fortified by non-tradable, soul-bound NFTs, which serve as both a sophisticated security measure and a golden gateway to bespoke experiences and global events. At the Techsauce Global Summit 2024, Southeast Asia’s premier tech conference, hosted at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Momori Hirabayashi from Siam Piwat Co. Ltd., along with visionary founding members Chayapa Chutrakul, CEO of The Pink Lab, and Gabriel Yang, Deputy CEO of ARC, unveiled the triumphs…
Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn recently addressed reporters outside the Bangkok South Criminal Court after filing a defamation suit against a senior police officer on June 24. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham) Any hope Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn had of ascending to the position of national police chief this year has dissipated with his official dismissal announced in the Royal Gazette. The high-profile officer, known to many as “Big Joke,” was removed from his duties due to an investigation into a serious breach of discipline, the announcement stated. This termination order was backdated to April 18. The Royal Gazette announcement, endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, mentioned a royal command to dismiss Pol Gen Surachate under Sections 140 and 179 of the Royal Thai Police Act BE 2565 and the Police Commission regulations had been issued. This dismissal disqualifies Pol Gen Surachate from being in the running for the position…
In a twist akin to a suspense thriller, a Bangkok hotel room became the scene of a harrowing tragedy on July 16. The evidence? Six lifeless bodies of Vietnamese nationals and sinister cyanide-tainted teacups. It sounds like a plot from a movie, but this chilling event was heartbreakingly real. Fast forward to the investigation’s latest development. Phan Ngoc Vu, a 35-year-old Vietnamese man, turned from witness to detainee. Arrested on a fateful Friday morning, Mr. Vu was caught meeting a group of tourists at a hotel nestled within Soi Rang Nam, in the bustling Ratchathewi district of Bangkok. Little did he know his guiding days were about to come to an abrupt halt. Let’s rewind to the gruesome discovery that started it all. Six Vietnamese tourists were found dead in a room at the opulent Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. The initial shock reverberated across the community, drawing urgent attention from…
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a thorough investigation into a rather alarming incident involving an 11-year-old schoolboy who suffered finger injuries after experiencing an electric shock at a bus stop. When officials meticulously inspected the bus stop situated near Sukhumvit Soi 71, no evidence of any electrical circuit malfunction or faulty devices was found, revealed Bangkok Deputy Governor Wissanu Sapsompol. Although the initial inspection didn’t uncover any immediate hazards, the BMA is taking proactive steps to ensure heightened public safety. All power units at bus stops across the city will now be encased in protective materials to prevent similar mishaps in the future. This marks a significant move towards reassuring Bangkok’s citizens that their commuting infrastructure is as safe as possible. Furthermore, the BMA has pledged to cover the medical expenses incurred by the young victim. According to local media, the boy’s ordeal began when he inadvertently placed…
Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi, sitting third from the left, joins Eksiri Pintaruchi, permanent secretary of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is fourth from the left, alongside other dignitaries representing Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, at the ninth Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) foreign ministers’ meeting held in the bustling city of Chiang Mai on Friday. (Photo credit: Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs) This high-profile gathering placed human security at the forefront of discussions, with Thailand and China co-chairing the event. The consensus among the participants was crystal clear: bolstering security at the regional level is not just beneficial but essential for the inclusive growth of the greater Mekong subregion, which comprises China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Human security, being a multifaceted regional challenge, demands concerted efforts. Eksiri Pintaruchi aptly articulated this notion, emphasizing the need for collaboration to combat persistent security threats, notably transboundary crime. According…
In a delightful twist of political fate, Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, recently extended his heartfelt congratulations to Paetongtarn Shinawatra on her historic election as the new Prime Minister of Thailand. Through a warm message released by his office, Hun Manet expressed, “This stands as a testament to the trust and confidence the Thai people have in your leadership.” Hun Manet’s congratulatory note further emphasized the cherished, long-standing ties between Cambodia and Thailand. He stated, “Sharing a long history of cultural ties and mutual respect, Cambodia and Thailand cherish longstanding bilateral relations and close cooperation which have brought tangible benefits to our peoples. I firmly believe that, under your leadership, we will continue to enhance our strategic partnership.” Indeed, the two neighboring countries now share a unique bond: both nations are led by prime ministers who are the progeny of former leaders. After his father, Hun Sen, stepped down in…
In the early hours of Friday, the residents of Phayao found themselves grappling with the aftermath of a significant flood that swept through the region following relentless rain. This sudden deluge transformed bustling roads into makeshift canals and left locals scrambling to clean up the mess left behind. As dawn broke over the picturesque northern province, the devastation caused by breached reservoirs became starkly evident. Authorities were quick to caution the community, emphasizing that the situation could potentially worsen with more reservoirs on the brink of overflowing. The main artery connecting Chiang Rai province to Chun district bore the brunt of Mother Nature’s wrath. The usually bustling route was submerged under a torrent of water when a reservoir succumbed to the unyielding downpour on Thursday night. Local farmers in the Ban Si Chom Chaeng community faced the heartbreaking reality of damaged fields, their crops drowned by the unforgiving floodwaters. By…
Under the sweltering sun of July 24, 2024, a sea of determined workers gathered along the iconic Sukhumvit Road, right in front of Thaioil’s Refinery in Si Racha District, Chonburi Province. These workers had reached their limit, driven to protest by the non-payment from the subcontractors of the Unincorporated Joint Venture (UJV) formed by Samsung E&A (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Petrofac South East Asia Pte. Ltd., and Saipem Singapore Pte. Ltd. It was a scene charged with tension and the hope for justice, a chant of solidarity echoing through the streets. This standoff continued until August 9, 2024, when a pivotal meeting was held at the grand halls of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare. The Ministry of Labour threw its weight behind the workers, represented by the tireless Minister of Labour, the Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, and other senior figures. At the negotiating table,…