Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra received a warm reception from the red-shirt supporters in Nakhon Ratchasima this past May. Thaksin, now on parole, is on a mission, traversing the former strongholds of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Pathum Thani. His itinerary included informal meetings with key political dynasties, the power brokers behind the red shirts, at various ceremonies and parties. Although these gatherings seemed casual, the underlying intent was profoundly serious. The ruling Pheu Thai Party is striving to reclaim its dominance after losing its status as the leading party to the Move Forward Party in the last general election. Despite Thaksin’s consistent denial of any involvement with Pheu Thai — he is not formally a member — his provincial tours were clearly a strategic move to rekindle waning support for the party, which traces its origins back to the…
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An early Saturday blaze wreaked havoc on Karon Plaza, a beloved shopping and dining destination in tambon Karon, Muang district, Phuket. While the fire left a trail of destruction, there were fortunately no casualties reported. The inferno erupted around 1:30 AM, as confirmed by Pol Maj Ekkasak Khwanwan, the chief investigator at the Karon police station. As the flames crackled and roared through the night, it wasn’t long before firefighters and fire trucks rushed to the scene. Despite their swift response, it took nearly two grueling hours to tame the fiery beast. Unfortunately, many cherished shops and restaurants couldn’t be saved from the blaze’s clutches. As dawn began to break and the smoke started to clear, investigations into the cause of the fire were already underway. Police, determined to pinpoint the fire’s origins, began a meticulous examination of the charred remains. Karon tambon municipality mayor Jadet Witcharasorn shared harrowing details…
Early Saturday morning, a voracious fire wreaked havoc on Karon Plaza, a bustling shopping and dining destination in the Muang district of Phuket. Fortunately, amidst the chaotic flames and plumes of smoke, no casualties were reported. The inferno erupted around 1:30 AM, as detailed by Pol Maj Ekkasak Khwanwan, the chief investigator at the Karon police station. As the alarm was raised, firefighters and fire trucks were promptly dispatched to the scene, battling the fierce blaze for nearly two agonizing hours before finally bringing it under control. Despite their determined efforts, the fire had already ravaged a significant portion of the area. Numerous shops and restaurants, once teeming with life and activity, were left in charred ruins. The Karon tambon municipality mayor, Jadet Witcharasorn, revealed that the fire rapidly spread to various shops peddling a variety of goods such as clothes, body oil, cream conditioners, and soap. The quick spread…
The Election Commission (EC) has been thrown into the spotlight as they’ve been called to scrutinize the eligibility of the candidate who amassed the highest votes in the recent Senate election. Sonthiya Sawatdee, a former adviser to the House Committee on Law, Justice, and Human Rights, took a bold step on Friday, filing a petition demanding an investigation into Senator Keskamol Pleansamai’s qualifications. Sonthiya claimed to possess a revealing document that the senator used to promote her credentials during the election campaign. He alleged that the educational history outlined in the document might be fabricated. According to Sonthiya, he has urged the EC to verify whether Dr. Keskamol meets the standards prescribed by the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) and to assess if any false information was relayed to government officials. Citing the organic law governing Senate elections, Sonthiya stressed that it is a serious offense for candidates…
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is back in the spotlight, stirring up a storm as he attempts to reconnect with his once-loyal red shirt supporters across Thailand. Thaksin, who is now on parole, paused his political exile to visit former red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) strongholds in Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Pathum Thani. His visits, though wrapped in informal settings like ceremonies and parties, had a very clear objective—regain support for the Pheu Thai Party. Despite denying any direct ties to Pheu Thai—he’s technically not a member—Thaksin’s provincial tours seem meticulously designed to revive the eroded base of a party that evolved from the Thai Rak Thai Party, once led by Thaksin himself before it crumbled under electoral fraud allegations in 2007. The strategy is clear: reconnect with the red shirts who helped secure a landslide victory for Pheu Thai in the July 2011 general…
In a rather curious turn of events, a man from Cyprus found himself in hot water for allegedly conducting some rather underhanded practices in Thailand. The 36-year-old, who authorities have chosen to identify only as Nicholas (surname withheld), was apprehended following a warrant issued by the Nakhon Pathom Provincial Court. The charges? Trespassing and property damage during the twilight hours, all in the quest to stalk his ex-Thai girlfriend. The specifics of Nicholas’s nocturnal activities remain shrouded in mystery as the authorities have been tight-lipped about the exact nature of his transgressions. However, what we do know is that his antics were intrusive enough to warrant legal action. The case came to light after his suspected escapades were allegedly recorded, culminating in a rather dramatic arrest late Thursday night in the Ratchathewi vicinity. Returning to his temporary lodgings around 9 PM, Nicholas was greeted not by the warm bed he…
The Election Commission (EC) has been tasked with delving into the qualifications of the candidate who clinched the most votes in the recent Senate election. Sonthiya Sawatdee, a former advisor to the House committee on law, justice, and human rights, submitted a formal petition last Friday, urging the EC to scrutinize the eligibility of Senator Keskamol Pleansamai for her senatorial position. According to Sonthiya, he acquired a document used by Senator Keskamol to promote her academic credentials before the election. The document, he alleges, may contain falsified educational qualifications. He thus called on the EC to assess whether Keskamol meets the criteria delineated by the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) and whether she provided false information to government officials. Sonthiya referenced the organic law on Senate elections, emphasizing that it is illegal for candidates to present misleading educational evidence to other candidates. In her defense, Dr. Keskamol firmly…
The debate intensified as the special House committee, charged with examining an amnesty bill for political prisoners, clashed over whether to include offences under Section 112, the lese majeste law, and Section 110 of the Criminal Code. Section 110 pertains to acts of violence or attempts thereof against the Queen, the heir-apparent, or the regent. Nikorn Chamnong, the committee’s secretary, revealed that no firm decision came from this week’s meeting due to the deeply divided opinions among members. Consequently, the committee chose to defer the issue for now. However, Mr. Nikorn emphasized that the perspectives of each committee member will be included in a comprehensive study report to be submitted to the House of Representatives. “Opinions are split into three distinct camps,” Mr. Nikorn explained. “One camp advocates for the exclusion of these offences, another supports their inclusion, and the third group wants these offences included but with special conditions.”…
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai recently led reporters on an intriguing visit to inspect old rice stocks in the picturesque province of Surin this past May. This field trip has shed light on the government’s effort to conclude the sale of a significant leftover rice stockpile—around 15,000 tonnes—from former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s rice-pledging scheme. The intent behind this expedition was clear: transparency and progress in resolving this lingering agricultural conundrum. Fast-forward to the present: the Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) has been directed to expedite discussions with the remaining trio of bidders. The urgency comes as three other bidders were disqualified due to their affiliations with companies that have faced legal troubles linked to earlier PWO auctions. Among the disqualified entities are V8 Intertrading Co, Thanasan Rice Co, and SSMR Karnkaset Plc. According to insider information, while these companies did not directly inflict harm on the PWO,…
Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke announced on Friday a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing Thailand’s agricultural sector. The project, known as “One Tambon One Digital,” envisions providing each tambon (a local governmental unit) with a drone designed specifically for farming. This ambitious endeavor aims to boost crop yields while cutting down on farming costs, creating a win-win scenario for farmers across the nation. This innovative scheme is the brainchild of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who sees it as a cornerstone for developing a new digital ecosystem in Thailand’s agricultural landscape. “The aim is to generate more income from higher crop yields and lower production costs,” says Chai. By integrating advanced technology into traditional farming practices, this plan could usher in a new era of agricultural prosperity. Importantly, the drones must be locally produced, ensuring that the initiative not only benefits farmers but also supports local manufacturing industries. From monitoring crop health…