Lisa takes crown in bustling city of plenty

Ready to rock: Lisa from Blackpink takes centre stage in a music video teaser released to promote her new solo song 'Rockstar'. The video is set in the Yaowarat area of Bangkok, or Chinatown.
In a music video trailer released to showcase her new single track” Rockstar,” Lisa from Blackpink takes center stage. The film is set in the Yaowarat region of Bangkok, or Chinatown.

1 Lisa’s Marketing work go viral as capital shines

Some stories have generated as many world enthusiasm as the special efforts of Lalisa” Lisa” Manobal, the Thai K-pop actor.

On June 28, Lisa unveiled her music videos Rockstar, filmed in the lively, bustling night-time food city of Yaowarat, Bangkok’s classic Chinatown. Fans flocked to the filming place to follow in her footsteps after the launch sparked a major trend.

The global impact of this celebration was obvious. After the Rockstar trailer was released online, it garnered over 4.9 million views on YouTube, becoming the product’s top trending picture at the time.

However, her related Instagram and TikTok comments received over 3.3 million loves and 4.5 million views, both.

In Thailand, celebrities and stars joined the Rockstar pattern, recreating Lisa’s iconic moments in Yaowarat and turning the happening into a popular feeling.

This isn’t the first day Lisa has spotlighted Thailand’s” sweet authority” on the international stage. In her LALISA music videos, she donned a stunning golden Thai classic clothing, sparking a global interest in traditional Thai attire.

Lisa also played a key role in promoting Thailand’s cooking society. In late 2021, she endorsed the popular” standing meatballs” at Buri Ram railway train during the Covid-19 crisis, when suppliers were struggling. Her influence caused a rise in online orders, with some vendors making tens of thousands of dollars per day.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt expressed his gratitude to Lisa in the midst of the Rockstar craze, saying,” I’d like to thank Lisa for choosing Yaowarat as her filming location. She has already helped us immensely.

” Moving forward, we must develop and improve on our own. Vendors must work together to make it possible for tourists to have a pleasant experience. If visitors come because of Lisa’s music video but leave unimpressed, they won’t return.”

He emphasised the importance of enhancing public facilities, including restrooms, pedestrian walkways, traffic management, and the fair treatment of tourists. Proper care for visitors, he noted, would not only boost their experience but also stimulate the local economy.

2 End of days for Lao Market

Clearing the cables: The Lao Market ( Klong Toey ), Bangkok, is reclaimed to alleviate traffic congestion. The Public Works Department began demolishing on December 7, and the Electricity Authority cut the market's power supply on December 2. Somchai Poomlard

Clearing the cables: The Lao Market ( Klong Toey ), Bangkok, is reclaimed to alleviate traffic congestion. The Public Works Department began demolishing on December 7, and the Electricity Authority cut the market’s power supply on December 2. Somchai Poomlard

The” Lao Market,” a section of Klong Toey Market, has been a significant news item for almost 20 years, having been located along Rama IV Road from 2005 to 2005.

Back then, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) designated the area as a zone exempt from the usual restrictions, initially hosting 96 vendors.

The Khlong Toey District Office at the time even constructed a roof over the location to make things convenient for both vendors and customers.

However, over time, vendors began leaving their goods permanently in the 300-metre-long market space on the footpath.

This caused inconvenience to residents, who had to walk on the road because the footpath was obstructed.

In addition to obstructing the footpath, drivers like tuk-tuks and delivery trucks caused severe traffic congestion in the area, which added to local complaints.

As a result, the BMA announced the end of the exempted zone on Aug 30, 2018. However, vendors appealed for leniency and requested an extension.

Around that time, the Covid-19 pandemic struck, leading the district office to grant an extension, allowing vendors to carry on at the site.

Once the Covid-19 situation improved, the district office resumed negotiations with Lao Market vendors, urging them to move to inner Klong Toey Market.

The vendors finished their relocation on December 1 after the discussions ended in agreement.

The BMA’s three-day demolition of the Lao Market, which took place from December 2 through December 4, officially ended this month.

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority and the BMA have since collaborated on improvements to the general area, including installing new water pipes and installing new power lines underground.

The BMA’s long-running campaign to restore footpaths to pedestrians has had mixed success at best since the removal of the market.

3 BMA hit with hefty skytrain debt

One of the expanded routes that Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc ( BTSC ) operates is the Bearing-Samut Prakan section of the Green Line.

One of the expanded routes that Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc ( BTSC ) operates is the Bearing-Samut Prakan section of the Green Line.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) and its business arm, Krungthep Thanakom, were ordered by the Supreme Administrative Court on July 26 to pay the outstanding debts to Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc ( BTS), the operator of BTS Skytrain.

The costs associated with hiring BTSC to manage the electric train service on two additional Green Line routes and provide maintenance services for the electric rail system were covered by the hiring.

Of the debts, 2.34 billion baht must be paid for the first extension, consisting of the Saphan Taksin-Bang Wa section and the On Nut-Bearing section, while 9.4 billion baht must be paid for the second extension consisting of the Mo Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot section and the Bearing-Samut Prakan section.

The defendants must pay overdue debts to the plaintiff, BTSC, by around Jan 21 next year.

The Prayut Chan-o-cha government, which decided to extend the BTSC concession for another 30 years after it expired in 2029, and postpone the debts related to both lines ‘ operations and maintenance, was responsible for the debts.

Before Chadchart Sittipunt assumed the governorship, the proposal remained stalled in the cabinet due to the restrictions imposed by the Transport Ministry and the Public-Private Partnerships Act.

4 Rate cut for trash sorters

Catch up on recycling: To reduce waste, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is urging people to separate their recycled goods from non-recyclable ones.

Catch up on recycling: To reduce waste, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is urging people to separate their recycled goods from non-recyclable ones.

To help reduce the amount of waste produced in the city, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) will offer a discount on garbage collection fees to households that sort their trash before disposing of it.

City Hall has amended the rule that was set at 80 baht per month, which opponents deemed too high, according to deputy governor of Bangkok Jakkapan Phiewngam.

Households that sort their own trash will now be required to pay 20 baht in monthly collection fees, while those who do not separate recyclable food waste will be charged 60 baht.

The amendment was approved by the BMA Council on Oct 30 and will come into effect 180 days after its announcement, he said.

To be eligible for the lower garbage collection fee, households must register online or at their neighborhood district office. Out of over two million households in the city, only about 50, 000 sort their recyclables from wet waste before collection.

With disposal costs averaging 2, 300 baht per tonne, unsorted waste is putting a strain on the city’s finances, according to BMA.

5 Trok Pho fire a wake-up call

City Hall officers inspecting the damage: On July 6, a fire destroyed the Trok Pho community.

City Hall officers inspecting the damage: On July 6, a fire destroyed the Trok Pho community.

A fire at the Trok Pho community, an old community in Bangkok’s Samphanthawong district, in July, shocked the public when it damaged 66 houses in this century-old community in Yaowarat Soi 7.

On July 6, the fire started at 8:40 p.m. For nearly four hours, fire engines from 11 stations with more than 30 trucks battled the flames. Since the houses were made of wood, the fire spread quickly. Access was challenging because the alley into the community was only two meters wide.

An area of more than 1 rai wide was damaged by the fire. Additionally, the fire destroyed portions of two hotels and adjacent commercial buildings, as well as restaurants and food establishments. Five residents were hurt in the fire, which damaged at least 200 million baht and caused at least 200 million baht in damages.

The century-old Trok Pho was hidden away in Yaowarat, a road known worldwide as a street food capital. Due to the abundance of numerous Bodhi trees, known as ton pho in Thai, the Trok Pho community, which was formerly known as Tai Zi Eia, later changed its name to Trok Pho.

Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok, inspects fire hydrants in a number of old neighborhoods to ensure public safety following the fire. He also focused on fire drills.

To put in place safeguards to protect other historic areas of the city, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation joined forces with neighborhood volunteers, traffic police, and the district office.

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Pheu Thai, BJT reaffirm their unity

Coalition has’ balance’, says Anutin

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is surrounded by leaders and core members of coalition parties at Government House last month. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Next month, partnership party leaders and key members of the government were gathered around Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at Government House. ( Photo: Chanat Katanyu )

In an effort to minimize tensions between them, the Pheu Thai Party and its coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party ( BJT), have reaffirmed their commitment to coalition unity.

Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of Bhumjaithai and interior secretary, claimed that the government enjoys a higher degree of stability and that there are no risk factors that may threaten it.

” In recent years, no state has commanded as big a majority in the House of Representatives as this management”, Mr Anutin said.

” Prime Minister Paetontarn Shinawatra has evidently demonstrated her management abilities and ability to lead the government,” Shinawatra said. The users of the coalition are also cooperating easily.

Minor problems can become resolved between coalition parties, which is true. There is no significant issue that cannot be resolved,” Mr Anutin added.

When asked about a photo of him playing golf with ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra last week in Pathum Thani and whether BJT may continue to oppose Pheu Thai, Mr. Anutin replied that BJT was never trying to oppose Pheu Thai.

Bhumjaithai simply expresses its position and opinions on issues that it believes will help the country. At the same time, the group respects the majority voting,” Mr Anutin said.

Mr. Anutin claimed that the events were not required to work up, but that the alliance state feels compelled to work hard for the people in response to criticism that the coalition government was created because they were.

No one is necessary, he said when asked whether the state may remain without BJT.

” When the day comes, anyone you part ways. Everything is essential, “he said.

Mr. Anutin questioned whether the coalition may remain in place until it had served its full time and whether the coalition’s parties would continue to coexist in the next administration. The case is in charge of running the nation.

” In a partnership state, the prime minister is the obvious head. He said that coalition party leaders may not meet the cabinet if they refuse to listen to the PM.

The House of Representatives ‘ function in the legislative branch is distinct from that of the state. All Members have the right to express their opinions, he added.

The Khao Kradong land dispute in Buri Ram, Bhumjaithai’s political hotspot, is also downplayed by Mr. Anutin because it could lead to an open conflict between the State Railway of Thailand ( SRT ) and the Department of Lands ( DoL ), which could cause tensions between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai.

Mr. Anutin remarked that all parties involved may waited until the Administrative Court issues a decision.

Transport Minister Suriya Jungrangreangkit of Pheu Thai oversees the SRT, while Mr. Anutin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, who leads Bhumjaithai, is in charge of the DoL.

The debate centers on 5, 083 land plots in the Khao Kradong region of Buri Ram’s Muang area, totaling 5, 083 rai.

The SRT is attempting to regain these narratives, accusing the DoL of being dishonest because it has issued area papers to undocumented residents. Also, the Chidchob community, which runs several firms, including the Buriram International Circuit and a 32, 600-seat sports facility, is linked to the discussion.

After the Supreme Court determined that the property belonged to the SRT in 2021, the SRT requested that the DoL withdraw its 900 area name activities and remove all tenants from its home in a lawsuit filed with the Administrative Court in September 2021. Of the 900 area title deeds, 12, which cover 179 ray, apparently belong to the Chidchob home.

Phumtham Wechayachai, a vital figure in Pheu Thai politics, reaffirmed unity among partnership functions on Saturday, saying that despite their differences on some issues, they all share the same goal of moving the nation forward.

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Bhumjaithai cleared of receiving illegal donations

Election Commission rejects requests centered on former ministers ‘ businesses.

Deputy Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul arrives at Government House on Dec 24. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Anutin Charnvirakul, the vice prime minister, and Bhumjaithai Party head, arrives at Government House on December 24. ( Photo: Chanat Katanyu )

In response to a lack of information that the Bhumjaithai Party received illegal gifts, the Election Commission rejected four requests for the breakdown of the organization.

No proof was found to support claims that Bhumjaithai, the second-largest gathering in the state alliance member, had purposefully accepted donations from illegal sources, according to the ballot body.

The requests were submitted by previous massage parlor tycoon-turned-politician Chuwit Kamolvisit as well as Phattarapong Supaksorn, Srisuwan Janya and Teerayut Suwankesorn.

The requests cited Section 92 of the law’s resolution and Area 72 of the healthy law’s prohibitive provisions for parties to receive money from illegal sources.

One of the complaints was that Bhumjaithai reportedly received donations from Burijaren Construction, a business that Saksayam Chidchob, a former minister of travel in the previous authorities, and former party secretary-general, was reportedly holding.

The Constitutional Court, which determined that Mr. Saksayam had a majority stake in Burijaren Construction, gave him the authority to run the business, removed him from office in January of this year. A government minister is prohibited by the law from having such a interest in a profitable enterprise.

Mr. Chuwit claimed that Mr. Saksayam was in charge of the department of transportation, and that some of the proceeds went to a group that has long been associated with his Buri Ram-based family.

The Election Commission stated in a statement that there is no evidence that Bhumjaithai received gifts with the knowledge that they were improper or suspected to be from improper options.

” If new evidence emerges in the future of the donors breaking the law on bid submissions to state agencies, the registrar of parties]the EC’s secretary-general ] will take up the case for consideration again”.

Other sources of illegal donations to Bhumjaithai, according to the petitioners, were Silachai Buriram ( 1991 ) Co, and a man identified as Supachai Kasemsutthi. The pollster also cited a lack of supporting information for those claims.

Sawang Boonmee, the agency’s secretary-general, recently said the claims made against Mr Saksayam did not give grounds for party defection.

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Heavy rain and runoff hit Koh Phangan

Pickup truck slammed into the water on Surat Thani as storms sterling the holiday island

A pickup truck is swept into the sea at Thong Nai Phan on Koh Phangan on Saturday as heavy rain pounded several districts in Surat Thani province. (Photo: Koh Phangan Facebook)
As large rain pounded several towns in Surat Thani state on Saturday, a delivery vehicle was swept into the ocean at Thong Nai Phan on Koh Phangan. ( Photo: Koh Phangan Facebook )

Sur THANI — On Saturday, heavy rain slammed some districts in this southern Thai state and sparked runoff on Koh Phangan, a popular tourist island.

In Thong Nai Phan community Moo 5 in tambon Phan Tai, an unoccupied pickup truck parked on a street was swept into the water by surging runoff from nearby rocks.

A picture of the delivery being swept ahead was shared online and went viral.

The visitor island’s Ban Thong Nai Phan class was likewise flooded. Under 30 centimeters of water were present in one college building and its restaurant. School staff couldn’t move their belongings to higher ground in due course because of the powerful current’s rapid entry into the substance. Luckily, the school was closed for the New Year vacations.

According to rock discharge, floodwaters on the main street in front of the Koh Phangan city hall, Super Cheap retailer, and convenience stores even kept rising. The street was impassable for smaller cars.

Somewhere, in Tha Chana city of Surat Thani, heavy rains overwhelmed drainage outlets at town Moo 10 in tambon Samorthong, sending excessive fluids to storm roads. The flood and forest discharge hit tambon Pak Mak in the Chaiya area. &nbsp,

Ban Thong Nai Phan school on Koh Phangan isalso hit by floodwater. (Photo: Koh Phangan Facebook)

The Ban Thong Nai Phan class on Koh Phangan is flooded with water because of the floodwaters. ( Photo: Koh Phangan Facebook )

( Video: Yingyung Thamonzz Facebook )

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52 killed on Thai roads on first ‘dangerous day’

318 accidents at start of ‘ 10 harmful days ‘ New Year holiday travel time

Rescue workers perform a CPR on a 45-year-old man who was seriously injured after his motorcycle was hit by a car in Sichon district of Nakhon Si Thammarat on Friday. He died while the car driver fled. (Photo: Nujaree Raekrun)
A 45-year-old gentleman who was critically injured after his motorbike was hit by a car in the Nakhon Si Thammarat district on Friday has been CPR performed by rescue workers. While the car’s vehicle fled, he died. ( Photo: Nujaree Raekrun )

Fifty-two people were killed and 318 injured in road accidents across Thailand on Friday, the first of the” 10 harmful time” of the New Year vacations. Speeding was the main cause.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation’s Road Safety Directing Center reported on Saturday that 322 road accidents occurred across the country on December 27.

Authorities this time expanded the New Year’s Road Safety Campaign from seven to ten days in order to raise public awareness and encourage more responsible driving. The plan runs through January 5 from December 27 through January 5.

Speeding was the primary factor in 39.4 % of the crashes reported on Friday, followed by cutting in front of other vehicles at 20.5 %.

As in previous years, most of the vehicles involved in accidents were scooters, at 85.2 %.

The highest number of accidents, 47.8 %, happened on Department of Highways roads, and 28 % on village roads. The day of incidents was between 6 and 7 p.m. The 50 to 59 age group had the highest proportion of injuries or fatalities among all age groups.

Nakhon Si Thammarat recorded 17 injuries and the most injuries, along with 17 accidents. The southeastern province and Bangkok each had 4 deaths, with the highest rate in each.

A year ago, a total of 284 people were killed and 2, 307 injured in 2, 288 traffic fatalities during the” seven dangerous time” of the New Year vacation.

Thai streets have long been ranked among the world’s most dangerous. According to the most current data collected by the World Health Organization to 2021, Thailand ranked 16th out of 175 locations in most highway fatalities per 100, 000 people, at 25.4. That same year, the WHO recorded 18, 218 road traffic fatalities in the country, an average of 50 per day.

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Arrest made in influencer’s alcohol challenge death

During a raid to search for gambling data, officers take a Chanthaburi guy into custody.

Police officers seize mobile phones, a pistol and other items during a raid on the house of a man with an alleged link to a gambling operation. He also faces charges for allegedly hiring a young social media influencer to guzzle alcohol in exchange for 30,000 baht, leading to his death. (Photo: Police TV)
In a raid on a man’s home that is thought to have been linked to a gaming operation, police officials seize mobile phones, a revolver, and other things. Additionally, he faces charges for allegedly hiring a young social media influencer to allegedly bribe him in exchange for$ 30,000 in cash, which led to his death. ( Photo: Police TV )

Police have detained a person who they claim hired a young social media influencer to pour 350ml of vodka after which the latter was killed at a Chanthaburi group.

Officials raided the suspect’s home on Saturday to look for information that may link him to a gambling website, which led to the arrest.

In tambon Huai Sathon in the eastern province of Tha Mai, officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB ) and local police in Chanthaburi raided the home of Ekkachart Meephrom, aka” Em Ekkachart,” in the district of Tha Mai.

During the attack, Mr. Ekkachart was present at the residence. To find out whether he was connected to the gaming website curriculum51, the soldiers seized a revolver, bank certificates, mobile phones, and SIM accounts for evaluation.

The soldiers also made known to him during the activity that they had obtained an arrest warrant for him on suspicion of reckless conduct causing dying.

The warrant was issued following Thanakarn Kanthee’s, aka” Bank Leicester, “‘s death, which was allegedly hired by Em to pour a bottle of whisky at a party in Chanthaburi on Wednesday night.

The dying sparked a slew of negative comments from both government officials and citizens.

A picture that was widely shared on the internet shows Thanakarn sipping immediately from a small whisky bottle while the party was taking place. Thanakarn officially vomited before being taken to the hospital where he died.

Thanakarn, a Bangkok bouquet seller known for putting on improvised music songs to entice customers, had been featured in some videos that demanded money to consume alcohol quickly. He claimed he was willing to carry out the action to help his ailing home.

Em Ekkachart, right, is held for hiring Bank Leicester to drink a350ml bottle of whisky that led to the death of the social media influcer. (Photo: Police TV)

After a drinking problem, a police officer issues Ekkachart Meephrom about his position in the demise of social media star” Bank Leicester.” ( Photo: Police TV )

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Tensions still simmering

Srettha: Lacked political prowess
Srettha: Had social skills

Despite the alliance government’s apparent lack of unity, the league changed hands this year.

But, this unity has been put through a “durability check” and is far from watertight, according to a political cause.

Most institutions in Thai record have fallen as a result of a military coup, an inner collapse marked by the departure of alliance partners ‘ assistance, or a prime minister who was removed by court order.

The Constitutional Court in August saw the resignation of the top as Srettha Thavisin’s government’s fate.

Mr Srettha may be a real estate tycoon, but he failed to transmit social skills.

His steadfastness as prime minister was viewed as being entirely due to the support for him from the judgement Pheu Thai Party.

” Mr Srettha’s legs were not planted firmly on the ground, but to speak”, the source said.

He received criticism for failing to demonstrate strong leadership and initiative skills.

Pheu Thai’s premier 10, 000-baht digital wallet handout plan, for example, struggled to get off the drawing table under him despite the policy being the party’s primary election promise, required by law to get implemented.

He was also one of the region’s most globe-trotting prime ministers, having made 12 foreign visits to 16 countries in scarcely a season, from Aug 22, 2023, to Aug 14, 2024.

According to the cause, Mr. Srettha may have been chosen by the ruling party to serve as the president’s “face,” while the stalwarts in Pheu Thai were in charge of the party’s social affairs in the background.

According to the source, that is how Mr. Srettha avoided hot potatoes falling into his lap during the government’s honeymoon after the general election next year.

But, as prime minister, he could not manage to continually skirt around social issues, some of which were potentially dangerous to the alliance government’s survival.

Notably, one tender concern Mr Srettha could not dance around concerned his declared purpose to relist cannabis as a narcotic, which properly pitted Pheu Thai against Bhumjaithai, the next largest partnership party, which championed cannabis ‘ legalisation.

Mr. Srettha revealed his plan to stop cannabis use after it became illegal in 2022 to the media shop France 24.

He argued that the social benefits of legalizing cannabis outweigh the financial benefits of the plant being used for clinical and research purposes, and that reclassifying it as a narcotic should be done.

Mr. Anutin criticised the proposed hemp recriminalization strategy in July, claiming it lacked compelling evidence to support re-classifying the plant as a narcotic.

He urged the prime minister to conduct more research before re-inspecting marijuana as a opiate.

Mr. Srettha reversed in August after being under pressure from growing opposition in some circles, including those that had invested in cannabis-related research and clinical developments.

He and Mr. Anutin made a compromise on the cannabis-related matter by passing a bill to control its use, a sign that the plant may be removed from the drug list.

But, Mr. Srettha’s apparent facial reduction was only a slap on the wrist in comparison to what was to come and what would ultimately determine his fate.

The appointment of former prisoner Pichit Chuenban as a government secretary was found by the Constitutional Court on August 14th. After less than a month in business, the decision led to Mr. Srettha being removed.

Mr Srettha was succeeded by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest child of Pheu Thai’s de facto leader, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. One of Pheu Thai’s two remaining excellent minister individuals was Ms. Paetongtarn.

Although her government visits weren’t completed until September 3, Ms. Paetongtarn took over the company two days after Mr. Srettha was ousted.

Observers concur that the Srettha leadership has inherited a love-hate partnership with Bhumjaithai.

Specifically, the Khao Kradong land controversy in Buri Ram, Bhumjaithai’s political stronghold, has grabbed headlines as it threatens to ignite a dispute between the State Railway of Thailand ( SRT ) and the Department of Lands ( DoL ), which could escalate into open conflict and strain relations between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai.

After all, Bhumjaithai’s travel secretary Suriya Jungrangreangkit of Pheu Thai oversees the SRT, while Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is in charge, oversees the DoL.

Also, the Chidchob community, which runs several firms, including the Buriram International Circuit and a 32, 600-seat sports facility, is linked to the discussion.

The debate centers on 5, 083 area plots in the Khao Kradong region of Buri Ram’s Muang area, which total 5, 083 ra. The SRT is attempting to regain these narratives, accusing the DoL of being dishonest because it has issued area papers to undocumented residents.

After the Supreme Court determined that the property belonged to the SRT in 2021, the SRT requested that the DoL withdraw its 900 area name activities and remove all tenants from its home in a lawsuit filed with the Administrative Court in September 2021. Of the 900 area title deeds, 12, which cover 179 ray, apparently belonged to the Chidchob home.

A new topic appeared that appeared to be causing a wedge between Pheu Thai, United Thai Nation, and the opposition’s Palang Pracharath group as the Khao Kradong dispute was far from resolved.

The problem was the act that Pheu Thai list-MP Prayut Siripanich proposed to amend the Defence Ministry Administration Act, which he thought lacked a clear invitation for politicians to get involved in the Defence Ministry’s affairs.

Mr Anutin spoke out against the bill, insisting it would not prevent a coup, contrary to Mr Prayut’s argument. He explained that if politicians did not use a pretext for a coup, no law was watertight enough to keep a lid on it.

Eventually, Mr Prayut agreed to pull the bill for revisions. He insisted, though, that he would submit it to parliament for consideration after the revisions were finished.

Thaksin: Lost his charm

Thaksin: Lost his charm

Too reliant on just one man

There are still many people who are still committed to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, despite the split between the red-shirt movement.

The party’s success in these two northeastern provinces was still heavily dependent on Thaksin, according to the victories of the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s victory in the Provincial Administrative Organization ( PAO ) chairman elections in Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

In the Udon Thani election on Nov 24, Pheu Thai candidate Sarawut Phetphanomporn captured 327, 487 votes, defeating his rival from the main opposition People’s Party ( PP ), Kanisorn Khurirang, with 268, 675 votes.

In last Sunday’s poll in Ubon Ratchathani, Pheu Thai candidate Karn Kalptinan secured a decisive victory, with unofficial results showing Mr Karn, a former PAO chief, winning with 387, 456 votes.

Both winners credited their victory to Thaksin’s support during campaigning.

However, Olarn Thinbangtieo, a political science lecturer at Burapha University in Chon Buri, told the Bangkok Post the PAO wins are no cause for celebration.

Pheu Thai’s run of victories has failed to grow its red-shirt fan base, he said, adding that Udon Thani’s party vote increased by only 1,600 despite the party having invested significant resources in election preparation.

” With a result like this, to me, Thaksin has already lost”, he said.

Mr. Olarn claimed that hard-core red-shirt supporters have allegiance to the orange camp, making reference to the main opposition party, and are not likely to return.

Stithorn Thananithichot, director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, said most PAO election wins in 29 provinces to date are shared between Pheu Thai and coalition partner Bhumjaithai.

The chairs resigned before their terms ended in a bid to win re-election, so the polls were held. Elections will be held on February 1 in the remaining provinces to elect replacements for those who finished their terms this month.

Prior to Thaksin’s return, according to Mr. Stithorn, the party had never given much thought to local elections, which suggests that it is working hard to regain its strength and take back the top spot in national politics.

The ruling party lost to the PP’s predecessor, the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, in last year’s general election.

Due to the MFP’s position on the lese majeste law, it is now leading the coalition government.

Pheu Thai intends to win at least 200 seats in the 2027 general election, and the party thinks its election results will help it achieve its goals.

Mr. Stithorn cited the unbreakable bond between Thaksin and some of the red-shirt movement, as evidenced by the PAO poll victories in both Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

Despite Thaksin having been in self-imposed exile for nearly two decades, the connection between him and certain red shirts runs strong, he said, calling this group” Thaksin-red”.

But he pointed out the “ideology-bound red shirts”, who once revered Thaksin as a democratic icon, no longer support him. Thaksin has reached out to this group, but his call went unanswered.

” It’s probably safe to say that Thaksin has lost his charm with the ideology red shirts”, said the analyst.

Thaksin has no way of regaining the support of the Orange Camp, which has since changed camps. According to Mr. Stithorn, the former premier doesn’t seem to understand what younger voters want.

Pheu Thai’s control of the country’s 140 House seats and boosting its vote-rigging lead to a more likely outcome of 200 seats.

However, the strategy would involve poaching MPs from coalition partners.

Pheu Thai may hope to win 10 more seats by poaching candidates from Bhumjaithai, which currently has 70, and half from the United Thai Nation ( UTN) Party, which currently has 36.

The UTN’s support base may shrink as former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha retires from politics, and Pheu Thai could take many of its seats.

The Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ), which may face a change in its leadership before the upcoming election, may receive more seats. The 40-MP PPRP, which was excluded from the Paetongtarn administration, will likely struggle in the lead-up to the next polls.

More than 20 MPs have joined the Kla Dharma Party, which divides the party in the middle. With its diminishing popularity and resources, the rest, who opted to remain with party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, will face a difficult election battle.

According to Mr. Stithorn, Pheu Thai will have to do whatever it takes to increase its MP numbers, most likely at the expense of its coalition partners. As a result, the next government, which Pheu Thai hopes to lead, is predicted to have a thin majority.

Even if the opposition party wins the next election, these parties and Pheu Thai won’t cooperate with the PP.

The current coalition will need to unite under Pheu Thai’s leadership, which would require a government that can barely maintain its head above water, he said.

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Political tensions still simmering

Srettha: Lacked political prowess
Srettha: Had social skills

Despite equivalent cohesion within the alliance state, this year saw the league change hands.

But, this unity has been put through a “durability check” and is far from watertight, according to a political cause.

A military coup, an inner decline marked by the departure of support from coalition partners, or a prime minister’s ouster by court order have all caused governments in Thailand to have fallen.

The Srettha Thavisin management came to an end when the Constitutional Court in August removed the top from business.

Mr Srettha may be a real estate tycoon, but he failed to emit social skills.

His steadfastness as prime minister was viewed as being entirely due to the support for him from the judgement Pheu Thai Party.

” Mr Srettha’s legs were no planted firmly on the ground, so to speak”, the source said.

He received criticism for failing to demonstrate strong leadership and initiative skills.

Pheu Thai’s premier 10, 000-baht digital wallet handout plan, for example, struggled to get off the drawing table under him despite the policy being the party’s primary election promise, required by law to get implemented.

He was also one of the region’s most globe-trotting prime ministers, having made 12 foreign visits to 16 countries in scarcely a month, from Aug 22, 2023, to Aug 14, 2024.

According to the cause, Mr. Srettha may have been chosen by the ruling party to serve as the president’s “face,” while the stalwarts in Pheu Thai were in charge of the party’s social affairs in the background.

According to the source, that is how Mr. Srettha avoided hot potatoes snatching up in his chest during the government’s wedding after last year’s general election.

But, as prime minister, he could not manage to continually skirt around social issues, some of which were potentially damaging to the alliance government’s survival.

Notably, one tender concern Mr Srettha could not dance around concerned his declared purpose to relist cannabis as a narcotic, which properly pitted Pheu Thai against Bhumjaithai, the next largest partnership party, which championed cannabis ‘ legalisation.

Mr. Srettha revealed his plan to halt cannabis usage, which was made illegal in 2022, to the France 24 news channel.

He argued that the social benefits of legalizing cannabis outweigh the financial benefits from the plant being used for clinical and research purposes, and that reclassifying it as a narcotic should be done.

Mr. Anutin criticized the proposed hemp recriminalization program in July, claiming it lacked compelling evidence to support reclassifying the plant as a narcotic.

He urged the prime minister to conduct more research before re-inspecting marijuana as a opiate.

Mr. Srettha reversed in August after being under pressure from growing opposition in some circles, including those that had invested in cannabis-related studies and health developments.

In order to compel a bill to control its use, he and Mr. Anutin made a compromise in the cannabis-related debate, indicating that the herb may be removed from the drug list.

But, Mr. Srettha’s apparent facial reduction was only a slap on the wrist in comparison to what was to appear and what would end his fate.

The Constitutional Court appointed former convict Pichit Chuenban as a government minister on August 14 and found Mr. Srettha guilty of a flagrant ethical infraction. Following the ruling, Mr. Srettha was voided after less than a year in business.

Mr Srettha was succeeded by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest child of Pheu Thai’s de facto leader, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. One of Pheu Thai’s two remaining prime minister individuals was Ms. Paetongtarn.

Although her government visits weren’t completed until Sept. 3, Ms. Paetongtarn took over the company two days after Mr. Srettha was ousted.

Observers concur that the Srettha leadership has inherited a love-hate connection with Bhumjaithai.

Specifically, the Khao Kradong land controversy in Buri Ram, Bhumjaithai’s political stronghold, has grabbed headlines as it threatens to ignite a dispute between the State Railway of Thailand ( SRT ) and the Department of Lands ( DoL ), which could escalate into open conflict and strain relations between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai.

After all, Bhumjaithai’s travel secretary Suriya Jungrangreangkit of Pheu Thai oversees the SRT, while Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is in charge, oversees the DoL.

Also, the Chidchob community, which runs several firms, including the Buriram International Circuit and a 32, 600-seat sports facility, is linked to the discussion.

The debate centers on 5, 083 land plots in the Khao Kradong region of Buri Ram’s Muang area, which total 5, 083 ra. The SRT is attempting to regain these narratives, accusing the DoL of being dishonest because it has issued area papers to undocumented residents.

After the Supreme Court determined that the property belonged to the SRT in 2021, the SRT requested that the DoL withdraw its 900 area name activities and remove all tenants from its home in a lawsuit filed with the Administrative Court in September 2021. Of the 900 area title deeds, 12, which cover 179 ray, apparently belonged to the Chidchob home.

A new topic appeared that appeared to be causing a wedge between Pheu Thai, United Thai Nation, and the opposition’s Palang Pracharath group as the Khao Kradong dispute was far from resolved.

The problem was the act that Pheu Thai list-MP Prayut Siripanich proposed to alter the Defence Ministry Administration Act, which was perceived as an open invitation for politicians to veer from the interests of the Defence Ministry.

Mr Anutin spoke out against the bill, insisting it would not prevent a coup, contrary to Mr Prayut’s argument. He argued that if politicians didn’t use a pretext for a coup, no law was strong enough to halt a coup.

Eventually, Mr Prayut agreed to pull the bill for revisions. He insisted that after the revisions were finished, he would submit it to parliament for consideration.

Thaksin: Lost his charm

Thaksin: Lost his charm

Too reliant on just one man

There are still many people who are still committed to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, despite the red-shirt movement’s split into “different shades of red.”

The party’s success in these two northeastern provinces was still heavily dependent on Thaksin, according to the results of the Provincial Administrative Organization ( PAO ) chairman elections held in Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

In the Udon Thani election on Nov 24, Pheu Thai candidate Sarawut Phetphanomporn captured 327, 487 votes, defeating his rival from the main opposition People’s Party ( PP ), Kanisorn Khurirang, with 268, 675 votes.

In last Sunday’s poll in Ubon Ratchathani, Pheu Thai candidate Karn Kalptinan secured a decisive victory, with unofficial results showing Mr Karn, a former PAO chief, winning with 387, 456 votes.

Both winners credited their victory to Thaksin’s support during campaigning.

However, Olarn Thinbangtieo, a political science lecturer at Burapha University in Chon Buri, told the Bangkok Post the PAO wins are no cause for celebration.

Pheu Thai’s run of victories has failed to grow its red-shirt fan base, he said, adding that Udon Thani’s party vote increased by only 1,600 despite the party having invested significant resources in election preparation.

” With a result like this, to me, Thaksin has already lost”, he said.

Mr. Olarn claimed that hard-core red-shirt supporters have allegiance to the orange camp, making reference to the main opposition party, and are not likely to return.

Stithorn Thananithichot, director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, said most PAO election wins in 29 provinces to date are shared between Pheu Thai and coalition partner Bhumjaithai.

The chairs resigned before their terms ended in a bid to win re-election, so the polls were held. On February 1, elections will be held in the remaining provinces to elect replacements for those who finished this month’s terms.

Prior to Thaksin’s return, according to Mr. Stithorn, the party had never given much thought to local elections, which suggests that it is working hard to regain its strength and position of power in national politics.

The ruling party lost to the PP’s predecessor, the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, in last year’s general election.

However, it is leading the coalition government because other parties fought against the MFP because of its opposition to the lese majeste law.

Pheu Thai intends to win no fewer than 200 seats in the 2027 general election, and the party thinks its election results will help it stay on course to meet its goals.

Mr. Stithorn cited the unbreakable bond between Thaksin and some of the red-shirt movement, as evidenced by the PAO poll victories in both Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

Despite Thaksin having been in self-imposed exile for nearly two decades, the connection between him and certain red shirts runs strong, he said, calling this group” Thaksin-red”.

But he pointed out the “ideology-bound red shirts”, who once revered Thaksin as a democratic icon, no longer support him. Thaksin has reached out to this group, but his call went unanswered.

” It’s probably safe to say that Thaksin has lost his charm with the ideology red shirts”, said the analyst.

Thaksin has no way of gaining back the support of this organization, which has shifted to the orange camp. According to Mr. Stithorn, the former premier appears to be unable to comprehend what younger voters want.

Pheu Thai’s control of the next general election’s 140 House seats and adding 60 more are more likely to result in Pheu Thai capturing 200 of those seats.

However, the strategy would involve poaching MPs from coalition partners.

Pheu Thai may hope to win 10 more seats by poaching candidates from Bhumjaithai, which currently has 70, and half from the United Thai Nation ( UTN) Party, which currently has 36.

With former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the UTN’s founder, retiring from politics, the organization could see its support base shrink and many of its seats could be taken over by Pheu Thai.

The Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ), which may have a change of leadership before the upcoming election, may receive more seats. The 40-MP PPRP, which was excluded from the Paetongtarn administration, will likely struggle in the lead-up to the next polls.

More than 20 MPs have joined the Kla Dharma Party, which divides the party in the middle. With its diminishing popularity and resources, the rest, who opted to remain with party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, will face a difficult election battle.

According to Mr. Stithorn, Pheu Thai will have to do whatever it takes to increase its MP numbers, most likely at the expense of its coalition partners. As a result, the next government, which Pheu Thai hopes to lead, is predicted to have a thin majority.

Even if the opposition party wins the next election, these parties and Pheu Thai won’t join forces with the PP.

The current coalition will have to unite under Pheu Thai’s leadership, which would require a government that is only able to raise its head above water, he said.

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Tests show high levels of pesticide in fruit

Yet one sample of lion fruit that was qualified natural contained dangerous residues.

Many kinds of fruit are displayed for sale at a market in Bangkok. (Bangkok Post File Photo)
At a business in Bangkok, many different kinds of fruits are available for sale. ( Bangkok Post File Photo )

The Thai Pesticide Alert Network ( Thai-Pan ) randomly tested fruit samples that contained dangerous residues that were above the safety standard, particularly jujubes and oranges.

Thai-PAN representative Prokchol Ousap said on Friday that the system collected 85 specimens of grapes, lion fruit, guava, jujubes and oranges, both imported and internally grown, from supermarkets and new markets across 12 provinces, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Rayong from Nov 27 to Dec 11.

She claimed that 419 substances were tested for multi-residue at BVAQ Laboratory in Thailand. She claimed that the study revealed chemical residues that exceeded the safety standard for all fruit types tested.

Also, internally grown fruits were found to contain chlorpyrifos, a dangerous agricultural chemistry that Thailand banned as a Type 4 toxic element, prohibiting its creation, import, export and possession since June 1, 2020, she said.

The results revealed that six tests containing chlorpyrifos at high levels, and that all 15 fruit samples had toxic residues that exceeded the health standard.

For the oranges, three out of the 17 samples had residues within safe limits, while 14 exceeded the safety standard.

Notably, chlorpyrifos was found in four samples, including two domestically grown from Phichit and Chiang Rai and two imported mandarins from China.

In terms of apples, the results revealed that only four samples had pesticide residues, and only one had residues that exceeded the accepted standards. For guava, only one sample was residue-free, while six were within safe limits, and 10 had residues that exceeded the standard.

Two samples had no chemical residue, whereas 15 had toxic residues, of which nine had residues greater than the standard value, including one that had been identified as an organic product with a PGS ( Participatory Guarantee System ) certificate.

According to Ms. Prokchol, Thai-PAN will send the findings to the appropriate government authorities for their analysis of the organic certification standard.

Similar tests were conducted by Thai-PAN in October on Shine Muscat grapes sold in Thailand, and the results were comparable and showed unsafe residue levels.

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Tests show high levels of pesticide

Many kinds of fruit are on sale at a market in Bangkok. (Bangkok Post File Photo)
Numerous different grapes varieties are available for purchase at a business in Bangkok. ( Bangkok Post File Photo )

The Thai Pesticide Alert Network ( Thai-Pan ) randomly tested fruit samples that contained dangerous residues that were above the safety standards, particularly jujube and oranges.

Thai-PAN representative Prokchol Ousap said on Friday that the system collected 85 specimens of grapes, lion fruit, guava, jujube and oranges, both imported and internally grown, from supermarkets and new markets across 12 provinces, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Rayong from Nov 27–Dec 11.

She claimed that 419 compounds were tested at the BVAQ Laboratory in Thailand for multi-residue before being tested on the fruit. Pesticide residues were found to be exceeding the health common in all fruit varieties tested during the examination, she said.

Also, internally grown fruits were found to contain chlorpyrifos, a dangerous agricultural chemistry that Thailand banned as a Type 4 toxic element, prohibiting its creation, import, export and possession since June 1, 2020, she said.

The results revealed that six tests containing chlorpyrifos at high levels, and that all 15 fruit samples had toxic residues that exceeded the health standard.

For the oranges, three out of the 17 samples had residues within safe limits, while 14 exceeded the safety standard.

Notably, chlorpyrifos was found in four samples, including two domestically grown from Phichit and Chiang Rai and two imported mandarins from China.

In terms of apples, the results revealed that only four samples had no pesticide residues, and only 13 samples had residues that exceeded the standard values. For guava, only one sample was residue-free, while six were within safe limits, and 10 had residues that exceeded the standard.

The dragon fruit test revealed that two samples had no chemical residue, whereas 15 samples had toxic residues, of which nine had residues over the standard value, including one that had been identified as an organic product with a PGS certificate.

According to Ms. Prokchol, Thai-Pan will forward the findings to the state to review the organic certification standard.

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