Thaksin Shinawatra, the charismatic former prime minister, was surrounded by his ardent supporters as he made his entrance at the Pheu Thai headquarters last March. The scene was electric with enthusiasm, as captured vividly by Varuth Hirunyatheb. As the calendar flips to another critical date, supporters of the red-shirt movement are once again rallying in full force. They are expected to converge at the Criminal Court on Tuesday morning to throw their unwavering support behind Thaksin. The reason? The former prime minister is slated to hear the Office of the Attorney-General’s decision regarding a lese majeste case against him. Yet, despite all the fervor, it appears Thaksin will be notably absent—reports suggest he has been admitted to the hospital once again. The rally was organized despite these swirling rumors, with Worachai Hema, a former Pheu Thai MP for Samut Prakan and a leader of the red-shirt movement, declaring the case…
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Critics have accused the Move Forward Party (MFP) of trying to paint itself as a victim of political persecution as it grapples with a case that could lead to its disbandment. Last Sunday, the MFP held a press conference at its headquarters, where it articulated arguments countering the allegations leveled against it in the dissolution case. This move came despite the Constitutional Court’s stern warning that involved parties—namely, the MFP and the Election Commission (EC)—should refrain from sharing opinions on the matter during an ongoing trial. According to the court, such actions could skew public perception and influence the trial’s outcome. During the press conference, the MFP asserted that the court lacks the authority to dissolve the party, and argued that its previous stance on the lese majeste law was irrelevant to the disbandment case. Pita Limjaroenrat, MFP’s chief adviser and former leader, stated that after meticulous study of the…
In the wake of the Senate election, the buzz has swirled around the slew of complaints arising from the seemingly tumultuous process. However, Election Commission chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong has assured the public that the investigations will not put a damper on the scheduled announcement of the final results. With his eye firmly on the finish line, Mr. Ittiporn addressed the media post-Sunday’s provincial-level elections, where the EC tallied 80 complaints ranging from irregularities to outright collusion. “These complaints arrived thick and fast, but we are committed to addressing them expediently,” Mr. Ittiporn remarked, emphasizing the EC’s resolve to uphold justice and fairness in the election process. While 78 of these complaints were district-level grievances, the remaining two were flagged during provincial-level elections. Allegations have surfaced accusing some candidates of being hired to participate, thus flouting election laws. In spite of this, Mr. Ittiporn remains staunch: “Announcing the final results by…
Stretching far and wide during low tide, Koh Mak’s long beaches in Trat province are a captivating sight. (File photo: Karnjana Karnjanatawe) In an ambitious plan to boost trade, investment, and tourism, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam are looking to establish a maritime route linking the islands near Trat province with Cambodia’s Sihanoukville province and Vietnam’s Kiên Giang. This initiative is also set to enhance the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry. Trat governor Natthapong Sanguanjit recently led discussions on this initiative at the CVTEC-Trat Business Roadshow 2024. The meeting saw participation from the deputy governors of six provinces across the three nations, Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) president Chamnan Srisawat, and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) senior vice president Puripan Bunnag. Mr. Chamnan highlighted the TCT’s efforts in advocating for the Cambodia-Vietnam-Thailand Economic Corridor (CVTEC) conference, with TCEB acting as a co-organizer and the primary sponsor. According to…
Calypso Cabaret performers are turning heads at Bangkok’s Mahanakhon Skywalk as part of the vibrant “Proud Pride Month” event. Co-organized by King Power, these dazzling performances are gracing the skywalk every Friday throughout the month, offering a spectacular treat to visitors. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) In an exciting bid for international LGBTQ+ recognition, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Khon Kaen are all vying to host the prestigious 2025 InterPride World Conference, according to Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). The Thai government will announce the winning city on July 11, and subsequently introduce it at this year’s event in Colombia in October. The InterPride World Conference is an annual, five-day event that gathers approximately 600 Pride organizations from 40 countries to discuss LGBTQ+ movements and share experiences in promoting gender equality. Having been organized 41 times since 1982, primarily in Europe and North America, this…
Confiscated vessels are seen anchored at the marine police pier in Sattahip district of Chon Buri before three of them went missing. (Photo supplied) In an unexpected twist of fate, three vessels, reportedly carrying a whopping 330,000 liters of contraband diesel, vanished from a police pier in Chon Buri last week. According to authorities, the boats had embarked on a high-seas adventure, even making pit stops in Cambodian and Vietnamese waters before being tracked down off the southern coast of Thailand. Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, the deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, stated on Sunday that a coordinated effort with neighboring countries’ police forces pressured those aboard to surrender. “We’re receiving excellent cooperation, and the possible outcome looks positive,” he commented, oozing confidence amidst the maritime mystery. The deputy commissioner assured everyone that the police were hot on the trail of these elusive vessels, stressing that the theft,…
Two women savoring the delightful taste of ice cream at a house in Bangkok’s charming Sam Phraeng neighbourhood, captured in a picturesque moment on July 7, 2022. Against this serene backdrop, Thailand has something extra to rejoice about — a noteworthy leap of 11 places in this year’s Global Peace Index. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) Indeed, Thailand’s standing in the Global Peace Index (GPI) has experienced an upswing. The latest 2024 GPI report unveiled that Thailand is now ranked as the 75th most peaceful country worldwide, climbing up the ranks from its previous position last year. The Global Peace Index, an authoritative measure produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace based in Sydney, evaluates 163 countries and territories, covering a staggering 99.7% of the global population. It’s an intricate dance of numbers and insights, meticulously calculating peace using three domains: social safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and…
Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang, holding a microphone and beaming warmly, thanked his supporters from a pickup truck brimming with campaign spirit during a Friday rally aimed at drumming up support for the upcoming Pathum Thani Provincial Administration Organisation election. As the crowd cheered back, it was clear that this was no ordinary rally. With the decisive date set for June 30, the anticipation in the air was palpable. (Photo: Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang Facebook account) According to a recent Nida poll, Kamronwit Toopkrajang has edged slightly ahead of his main competitor, Chan Puangpetch, in the high-stakes race for the chairmanship of the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO). With only a couple of weeks remaining before the big day, the poll results released on Sunday showed Kamronwit with the endorsement of 31.87% of surveyed voters, while Mr Charn was supported by 28.68%. The final outcome could hinge on…
Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang stood triumphantly on a pickup truck, warmly thanking his supporters during a lively rally on Friday. He was galvanizing the crowd ahead of the highly-anticipated Pathum Thani Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) election set for June 30. The atmosphere was electric as the audience cheered, buoyed by their collective enthusiasm. (Photo: Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang Facebook account) As it stands, Kamronwit Toopkrajang has taken a slight lead in the fierce contest for the top spot at the Pathum Thani PAO. According to a recent Nida poll, Kamronwit holds the edge with 31.87% support from surveyed voters, leaving his main competitor, Chan Puangpetch, trailing at 28.68%. With just two weeks to go until election day, the race is tighter than ever. The election is poised to be a nail-biter, partly due to the significant chunk of undecided voters—8.98% to be exact. Additionally, a noteworthy 17.43% of…
The Move Forward Party wasn’t just holding an ordinary press conference on January 31; it was a dramatic scene at the parliament, and people’s curiosity was piqued by the unfolding political narrative. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) In an unexpected twist, the Election Commission (EC) has upped the ante in its legal maneuvers against the opposition’s Move Forward Party (MFP) by submitting additional paperwork to the Constitutional Court. According to the EC’s secretary-general, Sawaeng Boonmee, these documents delve deep into the legal nuances surrounding the case and were handed over to the court last Friday. What’s particularly surprising is that the EC didn’t bother to round up a list of witnesses. It’s relying on a previous court ruling about the MFP’s stance on the lese majeste law to substantiate its case. Sawaeng is confident that this ruling alone provides ample groundwork to proceed against the MFP. He even brushed off the MFP’s…