Certain zoo personnel were seen wiping tears from their eyes as they stood before a display, showcasing pictures of the prestigious park’s most beloved attraction. Heaps of flowers accumulated at the entrance of the zoo’s Panda House, where heartfelt tributes were offered in memory of Lin Hui, a cherished female giant panda that was given to Thailand by China nearly twenty years ago as a symbol of friendship between the two nations. The Panda House, adorned with life-size representations of Lin Hui, depicted her in various playful positions at her preferred spots throughout her habitat. The exhibit welcomed the public on Saturday. In addition, an exhibit featuring a plethora of Lin Hui’s photographs was established, providing an opportunity for admirers to pen condolences and pay their respects. A designated area to lay flowers within the Panda House has also been made available, enabling mourners to further honor Lin Hui’s memory.…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
On a recent Friday, Prayut and fellow UTNP MP candidates journeyed to Chiang Mai, a historically staunch Pheu Thai Party territory, to garner voter support. During their visit to the Mae Chaem district’s Mae Raem area, local mayor Wichit Metha-Anankul questioned Prayut about his party’s stance regarding the ongoing land dispute between the ethnic villagers residing on Mon Chaem Mountain and the Royal Forest Department (RFD). Prayut replied that should his party achieve victory in the elections, everyone involved would receive justice. At the heart of the conflict, the Royal Forest Department has filed lawsuits against 116 ethnic families for allegedly “misusing” land designated for agricultural and residential use. The villagers, many of whom belong to tribes that have resided in the area since 1906, dispute the RFD’s claims, arguing that the department is relying on outdated information when classifying land usage. They maintain that the Mae Raem town has…
In a recent lawsuit, concerned citizens have held the prime minister, the National Environment Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Thai Capital Market Supervisory Board responsible for the alarming rise in PM2.5 pollution levels in 17 northern provinces over the past two months. The plaintiffs claim that the prime minister and these agencies have been negligent in addressing the issue and have called for their “right to clean air”. PM2.5, also known as fine dust with a size less than 2.5 microns in diameter, has been recorded at levels exceeding safety thresholds, posing significant health risks to local residents. Chiang Mai and other northern cities have experienced numerous episodes of dangerous PM2.5 spikes, placing them among the world’s top 10 cities with the most hazardous dust pollution levels. The predominant cause of PM2.5 pollution has been attributed to local farmers’ practice of burning farm waste, both in Thailand…
Deputy Bangkok Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon recently attended the inauguration of a new weekend farmers’ market aimed at providing local farmers with a platform to sell their agricultural produce, processed goods, and health products. This innovative initiative will take place every Saturday and Sunday, from 6 am to 11 am, and offers customers access to a wide variety of local delicacies from adjacent districts such as Khlong Sam Wa, Wang Thong Lang, Prawet, Lat Phrao, Bueng Kum, and Bang Kapi. In a unique and environmentally friendly twist, shoppers are rewarded with vegetable seedlings for every 100 baht they spend at the market. With more than 300 seedlings of popular garden vegetables, like bird’s eye chillies, eggplant, and sweet basil, this innovative approach encourages customers to cultivate their own plants and contribute to the local green movement. To date, several hundreds of seedlings have been distributed to loyal customers. Sanon Wangsrangboon highlighted…
The Nation Group recently conducted a comprehensive survey, collecting opinions from 39,687 participants across Bangkok’s 33 constituencies and eight regional zones during the second week of April. The survey delved into various topics, such as preferred political parties, prime ministerial candidates, and preferences for constituency and party-list MP candidates. Kriengsak Chareonwongsak, a distinguished professor and president of the Nation-Building Institute, expressed his views on the methodology employed for the survey. “I have always been skeptical of opinion polls conducted via telephone, as they often rely on data collected from prior polls to cut costs. This leads to sample groups that lack sufficient breadth and diversity,” said Kriengsak on Friday. Well-regarded for his expertise, Kriengsak is not only a lecturer at several esteemed universities but also a former Democrat MP. He emphasized the need for surveyors to physically approach respondents at their doorstep in order to gather genuine opinions. This method…
Once again, a massive fire broke out near Khao Tabak in the Muang district of Nakhon Nayok on Thursday. The military was swiftly deployed to help control the raging inferno, with the provincial governor also contributing firefighters and officer cadets from the prestigious Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (CRMA). Heavy smoke clouds were initially spotted around the mountain pass. However, accessing the area proved challenging due to strong winds fueling the fire. Reinforcements from the wildfire station and Forest Resource Management Bureau 9th were also sent in to tackle the blaze. As of yesterday morning, the fire continued to burn, with additional personnel deployed to help contain it. Athapol Charoenshunsa, acting chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, explained that officials were working diligently to control the fire. The flames had already spread to Khuean Srinagarindra National Park in Kanchanaburi and Mae Ping National Park and Mae…
Phantawat “Nott” Nakwisut, a renowned CEO, found himself amongst 41 individuals indicted on money laundering charges last Friday. The case revolves around an incident where Phantawat purportedly provided winning lottery tickets worth 53 million baht to Atthakarn, whose last name remains withheld. Atthakarn then allegedly deposited these winnings into Phantawat’s bank account. Interestingly, the so-called lottery winner remains at large. Phantawat, together with 16 other defendants, appeared in court on Friday to face these serious accusations. However, 20 individuals connected to the case are still unaccounted for, while four others are in custody. During the court proceedings, Phantawat informed the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) that he had only encountered Atthakarn once. This meeting occurred through an agency and involved Atthakarn claiming winnings from the Government Lottery Office on Phantawat’s behalf for unspecified “business reasons.” According to Phantawat, this transaction transpired when the online lottery platform was initially established. In…
Visitors seeking a refreshing escape from the blazing summer heat in Bangkok can now indulge in a delightful winter wonderland at ‘Ice Magic: Fantasy on Ice,’ located on Floor G of The Market on Ratchadamri Road. This much-anticipated indoor snow park opened its doors on April 18 and will continue to enchant guests until July 16. However, as the city revels in this frosty attraction, energy activists and politicians are expressing concern over a decision by an Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) subcommittee to reduce electricity rates from May to August. They argue that this temporary solution does not address the real cause of skyrocketing power bills. On Friday, the subcommittee approved the fuel tariff (Ft) rate adjustment, which reflects changes in fuel costs and other variables. The full ERC board will vote on the proposal on Monday. If accepted, the adjustment would reduce household electricity bills by 1.5% to 4.70…
Escape to a winter wonderland in the heart of Bangkok with “Ice Magic: Fantasy on Ice”, an exciting indoor snow park experience. Located on Floor G at The Market on Ratchadamri Road, this snowy paradise has been delighting visitors since its arrival on April 18 and will continue to do so until July 16. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) Energy activists and politicians are voicing their concerns over a decision made by an Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) subcommittee to reduce electricity rates from May to August. They argue that this action does not address the real reasons behind the high power bills that citizens are facing. On Friday, the subcommittee approved the fuel tariff (Ft) rate adjustment, reflecting changes in fuel costs and other variables. The full ERC board is expected to vote on the proposal on Monday. The recommended adjustment would result in a 1.5% reduction in household electricity bills, lowering…
Two individuals have been apprehended in Pathum Thani’s Khlong Luang district for operating unlawful money lending services with excessively high interest rates, reaching a staggering 304% annually. After receiving complaints regarding their financial activities, the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) conducted a raid on a residential property, resulting in the arrest of Thanachai Ruangphueng, 43, and Natthajaree Muangthong, 42. The pair face charges of colluding to offer private loans without the proper authorization and operating illegal money lending services with interest rates beyond legal limits. The ECD, under the command of Pol Maj Gen Phutthidet Boonkraphue, discovered the duo’s unlawful business practices through an investigation sparked by complaints filed against them. According to reports, the suspects allegedly advertised their services on a Facebook page, enticing customers to borrow money to buy gold jewelry and high-end products with installment plans carrying exceedingly high-interest rates. Yearly interest rates for debtors were alarmingly…