Month: August 2024

BANGKOK, THAILAND – The Thai Bharat Cultural Lodge (TBCL) proudly hosted a significant event on the 3rd and 4th of August 2024, welcoming a distinguished thirty-member delegation from the Rashtriya Sainik Sanstha of the Indian Army, led by their President, Col. Tejendra Pal Tyagi, Param Vir Chakra.

The event was organized to commemorate and honor the founder of TBCL, Swami Satyananda Puri, along with his esteemed associates Pandit Raghunath Sharma and Deb Nath Das. These individuals were celebrated for their remarkable contributions to socio-Thai cultural exchanges and their courageous participation in freedom struggles during the critical years from 1932 to 1945.

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Members and sponsors of TBCL, alongside the dedicated TEAM TBCL, participated enthusiastically in the event, extending a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. The ceremony not only highlighted the historical bonds between India and Thailand but also reinforced contemporary cultural and social ties.

TBCL is particularly thankful to Mr. Sunil Kothari, a distinguished philanthropist, for hosting a splendid dinner on the evening of August 4th. His generous hospitality contributed significantly to the warmth and success of the event.

The success of the event was echoed in a heartfelt letter from Col. Tejendra Pal Tyagi, praising the organization and hospitality of TBCL. This gesture of appreciation underscores the enduring significance of the cultural and historical connections fostered by Swami Satyananda Puri and his colleagues.

About Thai Bharat Cultural Lodge (TBCL):
The Thai Bharat Cultural Lodge is dedicated to promoting cultural and historical ties between Thailand and India, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation through various educational and celebratory events.

Thailand now ranks 31st at the Paris Olympics, with a total of 1 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals. This achievement underscores the nation’s prowess in various sports on the global stage.

(Panipak Wongpattanakit known as Tennis) 

Panipak Wongpattanakit made history on Wednesday by becoming the first person from Thailand to win two gold medals. She defended her Tokyo title in the taekwondo women’s flyweight division against China’s Guo Qing. Panipak secured the victory with a 6-3, 2-3, 6-2 win, clinching the match with two kicks to the head, each yielding three points. This final match was the most challenging she faced throughout the day, having sailed through all earlier bouts with two-round wins.

In other events, Theerapong Silachai won a silver medal in the Men’s 61 kg weightlifting event. Surajana Khampao also brought home a bronze medal in the Women’s 49 kg weightlifting event.

These accomplishments highlight Thailand’s impressive performance at the Paris Olympics, bringing pride and inspiration to the nation.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Council is urging the Ministry of Transport to implement a 20-baht fare cap for all electric railway systems within the next year to encourage the use of public transport and lower air pollution levels.

Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, an adviser to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit, met with city councilors to discuss the proposed fare cap. The Ministry of Transport recently received a report from the Department of Rail Transport, which highlighted a 26% year-on-year increase in passengers on the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Red Line and the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) Purple Line. The report attributed this growth to the 20-baht maximum fares introduced in October last year.

Pongkawin mentioned that a draft of the Common Ticketing System Management Act is underway. Once enacted, it will standardize fares on all electric rail lines to a 20-baht maximum, expected to be effective by September next year.

Currently, fares on Bangkok’s mass transit systems vary by distance, ranging from 17 to 43 baht on MRT routes and 15 to 62 baht on the BTS Skytrain system. A common ticketing system fund is also being proposed to provide compensation to businesses operating rail lines affected by the new fare policy. This fund is expected to be established by March 2026.

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/nbtworld/news/view/481260/?bid=1

Bangkok, August 5, 2024 – The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Association Thailand organized “Checkmate 2,” an exciting chess tournament that brought together chess enthusiasts from various communities. The event took place on August 4, 2024, at the International Pioneer School, Bangkok, and was marked by a spirit of camaraderie and competition.

The tournament was inaugurated by Shri Sunil Kothari ji, the esteemed patron of VHP Thailand, alongside the president, Smt. Vaishali Tushar Urumkar ji. The opening ceremony also included joint secretary Shri Santosh Purkait ji, head of chess Smt. Neeta Gupta ji, and the head coach of JCA, Sir Jimson, who contributed significantly to the event’s success.

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The entire committee of VHP Thailand was in full attendance, showing their unwavering support and dedication to promoting the game of chess. Distinguished members present included Shri Raju Manwani ji, Shri Praveen Lodha ji, Shri Naveen Batwara ji, Shri Sanjiv Chaturvedi ji, Smt. Hema Pandey ji, Shri Biren Parikh ji, Shri Deepak Kedia ji, Shri Ambrish Nath Tiwari ji, Shri Dinesh Pandey ji, Shri Sudhanshu Singal ji, Shri Darshan Mehta ji, Smt. Shikha Rastogi ji, and Shri Aravind Patra ji.

“Checkmate 2” witnessed participation from over 110 talented chess players, ranging from novices to seasoned competitors. The tournament successfully catered to different communities, fostering an environment of learning and interaction among participants.

Special guests, Smt. Alka Pandey ji and Shri Sanjay Pandey ji, directors of Pioneer International School, made a special visit to the event, lending their support and encouragement to the young minds competing in the tournament.

The VHP Association Thailand is proud to have hosted such a successful event that not only showcased the strategic prowess of the players but also celebrated the unity and diversity of the communities involved. The organizers express their heartfelt gratitude to all participants, volunteers, and sponsors who contributed to making “Checkmate 2” a memorable event.