Election Commission to seek Move Forward's dissolution
(Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Election Commission on Tuesday resolved to ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve the election-winning Move Forward Party, citing the court's recent finding against the party's policy on the lese majeste law. Based on the recent finding of the Constitutional Court, the EC argues that the MFP is in violation of Section 92 of the organic law on political parties. The section gives the Constitutional Court the power to dissolve any political party that is seen to threaten the constitutional monarchy. The court also said that Mr Pita and the party continued to call for the amendment of Section 112 during election campaigning last year. MFP won the May 14, 2023, general election, getting 14.4 million votes, but was unable to form a coalition government.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 12, 2024 11:01 UTC
Oscar winners watch as trophies receive their name plates
Oscar winners including best actress Emma Stone and best supporting actor Robert Downey Jr had their name plates placed on their Oscars immediately following the star-studded ceremony on Sunday (March 10).
Source:Bangkok Post
March 11, 2024 22:59 UTC
Move Forward Party leader downplays dissolution effort
Move Forward Party leader downplays dissolution effortMove Forward Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon speaks to party members and supporters in Mukdahan province on Sunday. (Photo: Move Forward Party)Move Forward Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon on Sunday downplayed speculation regarding the prospects of the MFP being dissolved over its stance against the lese-majeste law, saying the party is ready to deal with it. Responding to a party member who asked about the prospects of the party's disbandment, Mr Chaithawat tried to allay that concern. The [now-dissolved] Future Forward Party and the MFP have pushed for changes this far." It is also examining the Political Party Act, and the full court ruling to prepare a report for the EC.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 11, 2024 15:01 UTC
Alarm sounded for tainted fruit, vegetable imports
Alarm sounded for tainted fruit, vegetable importsA vendor sells vegetables at a fresh market in Bangkok. "Thailand continues to import fruit and vegetables contaminated by chemicals banned in many countries," said Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI. One option is to increase the number of inspection officials examining imports of fruit and vegetables, said Mr Kriengkrai, which would build greater confidence among consumers. In January of 2024, the value of imported fruit and vegetables increased by 8.4% year-on-year to 13.2 billion baht, according to the FTI. Some of these products require inspection as they may not meet the required safety and environmental standards, the FTI noted.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 11, 2024 14:55 UTC
Overwhelmed by success
He said there is strong demand from Russians, Chinese, Eastern Europeans and North Americans seeking long stays in Phuket. WEAK STRUCTUREDespite booming private development, Phuket still lacks sufficient public infrastructure, as existing services have not caught up with the island's fast growth. "Phuket is no longer dependent on tourism, and that's probably a good thing, but we need infrastructure," Ms Prakaipeth said. Locals are awaiting airport development, as demand at Phuket airport outstrips capacity. "The government should support medical and wellness tourism in other provinces to boost the local economy," said Mr Kriengkrai.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 11, 2024 01:39 UTC
Suvarnabhumi can shine again
Suvarnabhumi can shine againWhen it was opened to the public in 2006, Suvarnabhumi Airport reflected the mood and aspirations of the entire nation. Just four years after it was inaugurated, Suvarnabhumi was named one of the world's best airports, competing with the likes of Singapore's Changi, Doha's Hamad and Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports. In fact, the combination of all these gripes has led to Suvarnabhumi Airport being awarded the distinction of being one of the region's worst airports by Business Financing -- a UK-based financial consultancy website. As recently as last week, the premier pledged to help Suvarnabhumi reclaim its status as one of the world's top airports within five years. Gates will need to be expanded, too, now that Suvarnabhumi has been adapted to accommodate Airbus A380s.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 10, 2024 15:47 UTC
A-bomb survivor hopes 'Oppenheimer' stokes debate in Japan
Teruko Yahata was eight when the first atomic bomb was dropped on her home city of Hiroshima, knocking her unconscious and levelling swathes of the Japanese city. Now 86, she is eager to be among the first to see the film "Oppenheimer" at its delayed opening in Japan on March 29, hoping the biopic of the scientist who led the development of the bomb will reinvigorate debate over nuclear weapons.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 10, 2024 15:46 UTC
Masked dance at World Heritage site
The Fine Arts Department organised a masked dance of the Ramakien epic at Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya province on Saturday and Sunday. The ancient Buddhist temple stands in the Historic City of Ayutthaya, a World Heritage site listed by Unesco. (Video: Jetjaras Na Ranong)
Source:Bangkok Post
March 10, 2024 14:53 UTC
Bangkok Post - It's known as extinction
Some 56 million years ago the earth underwent an extreme climate change event. A surge of carbon dioxide levels sent already warm global temperatures soaring. With sea levels 220 feet higher than now and temperatures 5-9 degrees warmer than during the peak greenhouse (Paleocene) period, a freshwater sea formed around the north pole. The nitrogen-fixing capability of Azolla and its symbiont Anabaena has led to its widespread use as a fertiliser, especially in parts of Southeast Asia. The plant has bolstered agricultural productivity in China for over 1,000 years and helps Thai farmers improve their rice production today.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 10, 2024 12:22 UTC
Woman arrested for alleged '3XL' sex service
Woman arrested for alleged '3XL' sex serviceA police officer reads a charge during the arrest of Sopang Thongdonmuean at a hotel in Bang Khen district on Saturday night. (Photo supplied)Bangkok police arrested an overweight woman for alleged prostitution in a sting operation after seeing an online advertisement for sex services by overweight women. According to the commander, arrested in the sting operation was Sopang Thongdonmuean, 49. It offered unlimited sex services in a party with overweight women with a 1,800-baht fee for each woman. She brought seven overweight women with her on Saturday.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 10, 2024 11:46 UTC
Macaque assault victims to get compensation
Monkeys enjoy the annual buffet festival staged for them at Phra Prang Sam Yot in Lop Buri. A macaque attacked and injured local woman Arikanta Kanchanasinmetha, in Lop Buri, on March 6, as it attempted to take her food. Atthapol Charoenchansa, the DNP director-general, told officials to visit the injured woman in Lop Buri to assess her injuries. The macaque population in Lop Buri was 5,709 at the end of last year, Mr Atthapol said recently, including 2,206 in the municipality. She was sent to Lop Buri Hospital by rescue volunteers and discharged.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2024 23:22 UTC
Beijing needs a reset. Xi's got bigger problems
Xi's got bigger problemsChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress in Beijing on Thursday. Mr Wang may bring a steady hand, but he's also quick to call Washington out over its policies, particularly around China's access to advanced chips. The episode highlighted the secretive nature of the party's inner workings but also shone a glaring spotlight on Mr Xi's personnel choices, given Mr Qin was his pick. A new foreign minister would go a long way to help explain Beijing's global viewpoint. The fact that he was not announced should tell you that the focus for Mr Xi is what's going on at home, not overseas.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2024 13:49 UTC
Airlines contend high fares are justified
Airlines contend high fares are justifiedThai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air jets sit at a terminal at Don Mueang airport. As consumers cry foul over expensive domestic airfares, Thai AirAsia says ceiling prices should not be slashed as airlines have carried a higher cost burden since the pandemic. However, airlines can help by increasing flights during Songkran to reduce average fares, said Santisuk Klongchaiya, chief executive of Thai AirAsia. He said Thai AirAsia will maintain appropriate prices, differing on each route based on seasonality and passenger demand. Thai AirAsia is targeting 15-20% revenue growth this year as it expands its fleet to 60 aircraft with a seat capacity of 23.3 million.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2024 13:43 UTC