Author: user user

The alleged collusion in the vote to appoint new Senators is under review by an Election Commission subcommittee before the EC’s main panel pass final judgment.

The EC recently addressed growing criticism over delays in investigating the case, stressing that all actions by itself and its secretary-general, Sawaeng Boonmee, are in line with the law.

The investigation is now in its third stage, it said, with the 36th subcommittee reviewing the case files and preparing recommendations. Once complete, the findings will be submitted to the EC for a final ruling.

The commission also outlined the process for dealing with the case: first, the EC’s provincial offices investigate and forward opinions to its central office; second, the central office reviews and analyses the case; third, the EC’s subcommittees examine the evidence and prepare conclusions; and fourth, the EC makes the final decision.

The clarification followed a complaint filed on Friday by reserve senator Akarawat Phongthanachalitkul, who lodged a criminal complaint against the EC and Mr Sawaeng, accusing them of dereliction of duty under Section 157 of the Criminal Code and Section 172 of the Organic Act on Counter Corruption.

Mr Akarawat argued the move was not political but an effort to defend democratic principles, stressing that as a stakeholder in the Senate election, he has the right to demand transparency.

He also expressed concern about recent appointments within the Ministry of Justice, warning they could undermine judicial independence.

“We have repeatedly asked the EC for answers but have never received a clear one. The public has yet to receive justice. There are several cases that have been left to drag on, even though many facts are already evident. This should not happen in a democratic system.”

Thailand needs a “third way” party that blends tradition with reform to end two decades of cyclical social and political conflict, says Suvit Maesincee, former minister of higher education, science, research and innovation.

He called for a new political alternative that transcends Thailand’s entrenched ideological divide.

Writing on his Facebook page, he proposed the creation of a party that harmonises traditional values with reformist ideals, arguing that such a synthesis could become a “game changer” for the future.

“For over two decades,” he wrote, “Thai politics has been trapped in a vortex of conflict between conservatives who cling to tradition and progressives who demand reform. The result has been polarisation, economic stagnation, and a divided society stripped of its creative energy.”

He identified Thailand’s so-called “deep state” as a key driver of this gridlock — a network of entrenched power, he said, that uses traditional values as a shield for vested interests rather than as a guiding principle for the common good.

At the same time, many reformist movements, he said, have pushed change too aggressively, failing to appreciate the depth of Thai cultural roots — and thereby provoking fierce backlash.

He proposed what he called a “third path” for Thai politics — not merely a centrist compromise, but a new political synthesis that draws on the strengths of both sides.

Tradition, he said, must serve as the foundation of national stability and identity, while reform must act as the creative force driving the country’s transformation in the modern world.

He argued that a party capable of walking this delicate line would not just be a “mediator” between extremes, but a genuine “game changer” that transforms the entire political order.

Such a party, the former minister said, would move Thailand from ideological politics to principle-based politics, from power struggles to collaborative nation-building, and from the protection of narrow interests to inclusive prosperity for all.

“The future of Thai politics will not change as long as we remain trapped in choosing between two extremes,” he said.

A group of armed men robbed a gold shop, stole gold ornaments worth about 24 million baht and shot a soldier at a Big C shopping centre in Sungai Kolok district Sunday night.

The robbery happened at the Big C Sungai Kolok branch on Pracha Wiwat Road at 6.30pm Sunday. Officials said a group of about eight armed men arrived at the shopping centre in two Toyota and Isuzu pickup trucks which they had earlier stolen from two villagers in Sungai Padi district.

The robbers opened fire in the shopping centre and a soldier was shot while he was buying supplies. The injured man was identified as Sgt Burit Radachai. He was sent to Sungai Kolok Hospital.

Road spikes and a suspicious object were placed at a U-turn in front of the Big C store while the robbers escaped from the scene.

Officials estimated the stolen gold ornaments were worth about 24 million baht.

The Pheu Thai Party will unveil its first set of candidates for next year’s election at an event next Tuesday, secretary-general Sorawong Thienthong said.

He said on Saturday the launch will demonstrate the party’s readiness for the next general election, which, according to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, may take place after the House dissolution some time before Jan 31.

The event will also outline the party’s election campaign strategy, which Mr Sorawong said has been planned with public participation at every stage.

Former prime minister and current party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra will deliver the keynote address. Her speech, Mr Sorawong added, will underscore the party’s readiness to “overhaul” both the organisation and the nation’s future.

He said the party’s campaign strategy was shaped by public input as well as feedback from insiders and outsiders.

“Those criticisms have prompted internal discussions and reforms aimed at improving the party. We aim to serve as the people’s true representatives — politically reliable and accountable — hence the importance of this event,” Mr Sorawong said.

The launch will be held at 1.30pm next Tuesday at the party’s headquarters and livestreamed on its Facebook and YouTube channels.

Meanwhile, party-list MP Anusorn Iamsa-ard addressed speculation over a decline in Pheu Thai’s popularity, insisting the party has the full potential to regain ground despite challenges.

He pointed to what he called the party’s “edible democracy” policies — including the 30-baht universal healthcare scheme and the community fund — along with its strong leadership structure, as evidence of resilience.

Rejecting claims the party is in crisis, Mr Anusorn said Pheu Thai remains committed to its role as the opposition, prioritising the public interest while holding the government to account.

“As the opposition, we will continue to find ways to communicate our policies and maintain voters’ trust. Working beyond the four-month deadline is a non-issue — the party can work for the people anywhere,” he said.

Mr Anusorn also voiced confidence in Ms Paetongtarn’s leadership.

“She has ample time to refine policies, which will help make the party a reliable choice for the public once again,” he added.

With millions of Thais suffering from or at risk of serious mental disorders, it is undeniable that mental health problems have become a crisis demanding urgent action.

Health promotion agencies and academic institutes have sounded the alarm for years about the rise in mental health problems among Thai people of all ages.

Despite these warnings, the issue has not gained the necessary traction among policymakers and the general public. The result is more people, particularly the young, are struggling with psychological distress and disorders.

Dr Thananan Numsang, from Phraram 9 Hospital, recently underscored the gravity of the issue. Citing the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the psychologist said mental health problems are increasing at an alarming rate.

DHM data shows that over 1.5 million Thais are suffering from depression, with significantly more having high-risk symptoms but remaining undiagnosed.

When accounting for high stress and suicide risk, the total number of people affected would comprise a substantial portion of the population. As mental health professionals indicate, the actual number is likely much higher, as it excludes those who are suffering in silence — who remain unaware of their condition or avoid seeking help due to social stigma.

This is not just a health concern; it is critical societal and economic ailment that the country can no longer afford to overlook.

According to the DMH, an average of four people attempted suicide every hour in 2024. Overall, more than 5,000 people committed suicide last year, a tragic rate of 7.89 per 100,000 people.

The highest number of deaths occurred among two groups: working adults aged 20-59, followed by seniors aged over 60.

Even more alarming is the data on youth: the suicide attempt rate among teens aged 15-19 reached 136.4 per 100,000 people — the highest of any age group in the country.

But what is truly devastating is the profound lack of accessible care. The number of psychologists — about 800 in the entire country, or a ratio of about 1.2 per 100,000 people — is woefully inadequate to care for the rapidly increasing number of patients.

At present, patients who have to rely on public hospitals could have to wait four to six months for service. The high cost and long duration of treatment are also a major deterrent.

A patient often requires regular visits over the course of nine months to a year, even up to five years in some cases. The total financial burden, which can range from to 5,000 baht to 50,000 baht a month, is unaffordable for many working-class Thais.

This financial and logistic wall explains why the DMH reported that for every 100 patients seeking help, only about 28 gain access to treatment. This means more than 70% of mental health patients are left in the dark, their conditions untreated and their risks unaddressed.

The situation is not unique to Thailand. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that over one billion people globally are living with mental health disorders, with conditions such as anxiety and depression inflicting immense human and economic tolls worldwide.

Suicide remains a leading cause of death among young people across all countries and socioeconomic backgrounds, and global progress in reducing this mortality has been too low, according to the WHO.

Psychologists attribute stress as the leading cause of mental problems. Over the past few years, the Covid-19 pandemic coupled with economic and social disruptions have intensified pressure on certain groups, including working adults, first-jobbers and entrepreneurs.

Dr Thananan said another worrying trend is burnout, which can grow silently and gradually develop into severe conditions similar to depression. Furthermore, heavy reliance on social media can cause feelings of inadequacy that manifest as afflictions like eating and relationship disorders, both increasingly prevalent among Gen Z.

Evidently, the crisis demands more than just awareness campaigns, or free online tests. It requires action to expand treatment access, increase the number of qualified mental health professionals, genuinely de-stigmatise mental problems — especially in the media — and implement preventive measures in every community.

It is true that mental health problems affect not just the patient, but everyone around them. Tackling them requires a collective and genuine effort, starting with a clear acceptance of the severity of the problems.

A comprehensive, well-funded and well-structured action plan is needed to stem the tide of suffering and safeguard people’s mental wellbeing.