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Former leader of Move Forward Party Pita Limjaroenrat, center, waves to his supporters as he leaves Constitutional Court in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. The court ruled Wednesday that popular politician Pita, who was blocked from becoming prime minister even though his party placed first in last year’s election, did not violate the election law and can retain his seat in Parliament. Photo: Sakchai Lalit / AP

Opinion: Move Forward Party is Prepared for Its “Day Zero:” What About Its Supporters...

It is not unthinkable that the most popular political party in Thailand could be dissolved on Wednesday.
A sign posted at Sanam Luang in Bangkok prohibiting sunbathing on the lawn taken on Jan. 18, 2024.

Opinion: Why We Should Care About “No Sunbathing” Sign at Bangkok’ Sanam Luang

The local authority in Bangkok finally puts up a “no sunbathing” and no wearing of bikinis sign at Sanam Luang on Thursday, a few days after some Thai netizens were outraged at the photos of two scantily clad Caucasian female tourists sunbathing at the lawn in bliss, but oblivious to the backdrop of the Emerald Buddha Temple and the Grand Palace behind.
Health minister Cholanan Srikaew and public health officials pose with children at an event to boost the birth rate on Nov. 15, 2023.

Opinion: The Government Wants More Thais to Have Children. Good Luck with That!

The government is pushing for a new national agenda: trying to convince and incentivize more Thais to procreate. In the words of Health Department Director General Atchara Nitiapinyasakul warns on Saturday Thais need to have more babies or there will be a shortage of workers and taxpayers six decades from now.
The last sunset of 2023 at Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of Dawn) in Bangkok on Dec. 31, 2023.

Opinion: What to Watch Out for in Thailand in 2024

Since time is a continuum, there are issues from 2023 that will continue to be relevant to Thailand in 2024.
Images of Nong Nice meditating as published on his social media. Note: Images are blurred to comply with media regulations on underage individuals.

Opinion: ‘Phenomenal’ Eight-Year-Old Boy ‘Spiritual Leader’ A Damning Verdict on Thai Education System

Thailand’s hottest “spiritual” phenomena over the past months, or basically of the year 2023, is not led by a Buddhist monk, but an eight-year-old boy known as “Nong Nice” (Little Brother Nice).
Bangkok skyline shrouded in dust on Dec. 12, 2023.

Opinion: Thais Are Losing Faith in the Government’s Ability to Tackle PM2.5

A Bangkok school, Pramochwithaya Ramintra School, putting up a banner urging drivers to drive slowly around the site earlier this week in hope of having less PM2.5 kicking back up into the air from the road was indeed a desperate act of individuals handling the hazardous air pollution that both the local and national government have failed to eliminate over the years.
A file photo of Mu Kratha.

Opinion: Can Mu Kratha Become Thailand’s Latest Dish Abroad? Why Not?

Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is also Chair of the government’s Soft Power Committee, recently announced the promotion of mu kratha (also spelled as mookata in English) as Thailand’s latest soft power dish.
Chancery of the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok. Photo: Chinese Embassy Bangkok / Facebook

Opinion: Thailand Doesn’t Need Chinese Embassy Preaching About Press Freedom

The Chinese Embassy has committed a diplomatic faux pas in its recent Facebook post in Thai and English last week admonishing a Thai media interview with Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu.
Computer-generated image of monks racing motorcycles. Image: 5didao / Facebook

Opinion: AI-Generated Images of Naughty Monks Not Real Problem of Thai Buddhism

The quixotic National Office of Buddhism is back on the news. This time they want the individuals behind a few AI-generated photos of naughty monks playing rock music, drinking alcohol, smoking and singing with beautiful ladies at a karaoke bar, and racing motorcycles literally behind bars – citing the Computer Crime Act.

Opinion: From Israel-Palestine Conflict to Thailand’s Deep South Conflict

Beyond whether you are for Israel or Palestine in the latest war, some Thai-Malay Muslims see the latest conflict in the middle east through a different prism. Soon after Hamas’ inhumane attack against Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel’s counterattack, a Thai Malay-Muslim Facebook friend said he feels as if Palestine is Pattani and Thailand is Israel.

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