In a world determined to change its course and combat climate change, Thailand has thrown its gauntlet down, declaring its intensified efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Faced with the stark findings of the first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement, which highlighted the country’s current endeavors as insufficient, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chalermchai Sri-on took a formidable stand at the COP29 climate summit hosted by the United Nations in the exquisite locale of Baku, Azerbaijan. It’s an age of global reckoning, driven by the collective realization that while progress has been made, it’s barely a whisper of what is needed. The objective is crystal clear yet daunting: the world is off track from meeting the ambitious long-term temperature goals set by the Paris Agreement. We’re talking about equipping the world with resilience and aligning financial flows towards climate action, a dance of diplomacy and obligation yet to…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
The Finance Ministry recently rolled out an intriguing plan designed to bring relief to the country’s debt-laden citizens, proving once again that when times get tough, creativity counts. In a bold move approved by the economic stimulus committee, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the government announced a plan to suspend interest payments for a select group of borrowers. This intervention is specifically tailored for those with debts that have gone overdue for up to a year, sparking curiosity and relief in equal measure. The three-year hiatus from interest payments promises to grant a much-needed respite to homeowners, motorists, and entrepreneurs alike. Home loans under 3 million baht, car loans up to 800,000 baht, and loans for small- and medium-sized enterprises amounting to no more than 3 million baht are all eligible for this relief package, as explained by Paopoom Rojanasakul, the deputy finance minister. Considering the staggering 1.31 trillion…
In the vibrant heart of Bangkok, the iconic Supachalasai National Stadium is poised for a transformative makeover that will have both music lovers and sports enthusiasts buzzing with excitement. Nestled along the bustling Rama I Road, this historic venue is set to earn a new lease on life, as plans unfurl to turn it into a premier concert hub. This visionary change is spearheaded by none other than Minister Sorawong Thienthong from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, who envisions Supachalasai as the beating heart of Thailand’s entertainment scene. The impending expiration of the Department of Physical Education’s contract signifies a turning point. Once that contract reaches its finale, the stadium will be returned to its rightful landowner, Chulalongkorn University. However, fret not, concert-goers! Minister Sorawong steps into the role of mediator with a mission: to strike a deal with the university that allows private enterprises to transform the indoor…
The recent emergence of Evali disease in Buri Ram has rung alarm bells at the Department of Disease Control (DDC) as they brace for a potential surge of cases tied to e-cigarettes. Officially dubbed as Vaping-associated pulmonary injury, Evali is a critical lung disease intricately linked to the use of vaping products, according to the DDC. Dr. Chayanan Sittibusaya, overseeing the Division of Tobacco Product Committee, relayed the unsettling details of this year’s initial Evali case. It involved a 32-year-old man who found himself urgently hospitalized in Buri Ram. What first presented as a bit more than a cough quickly escalated to him coughing up blood and hurtling into a severe pneumonia that developed with unsettling speed. “Acute pneumonia isn’t something we’d typically see progressing this rapidly—in just 24 to 36 hours. Ventilation support became critical for his survival,” Dr. Sittibusaya noted. The conventional tests for infections like Covid-19 and…
Thick, inky plumes of smoke curled upwards, creating an ominous cloud over the construction site of a massive Guanyin statue in Thepha district, Songkhla. What was supposed to be a symbol of peace and compassion turned into the epicenter of chaos after a brazen attack left a 9-year-old girl and two adults injured. The attackers fired grenades directly into the site, leaving destruction in their wake. The tranquil morning was shattered around 6:10 a.m. in Ban Pak Bang Sakom, where the statue was being painstakingly erected. First to fall victim was Somporn Namkheow, 45, far from his home province of Chaiyaphum, who suffered serious shrapnel wounds. Close by, the sounds of detonating grenades struck fear into Don Kaewloy, 46, whose left leg bore the brunt of the explosion; and Manthita Withawet, a young girl from Kalasin, who was left with injuries to her head and neck. All the wounded were…
In a recent investigation that echoes the somber tones of a crime thriller, Thailand’s National Police Chief, Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, has plunged into a murky case of alleged misconduct within the ranks of the esteemed Police Cadet Academy. The narrative unfolds with controversial and alarming allegations against a lecturer and police interrogator who are accused of entangling a cadet in a drunken haze, followed by egregious claims of molestation. Set against the backdrop of the academy based in Samphran district, Nakhon Pathom, the scandal has shaken the foundations of the institution tasked with molding the country’s future law enforcement torchbearers. According to sources, the principal suspect is a police major who holds an influential position as an English and law instructor at the academy, adding an unsettling twist to the unfolding drama. The alleged incident transpired last Saturday night, painting a disturbing picture of trust betrayed in the cloistered…
The skies are brewing a tempestuous symphony, as the Meteorological Department raises the red flag over the southern region’s horizon. Batten down the hatches, for a formidable series of thunderstorms is set to descend from Thursday through Saturday, promising not just rain but a veritable deluge accompanied by fierce winds and tumultuous seas. Picture it: heavy, roiling clouds marching resolutely across the sky like a legion on a stormy crusade. The atmosphere crackles with anticipation, as 12 of the 14 provinces lining the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea brace themselves for nature’s exhilarating show of force. Only the resilient provinces of Ranong and Phuket stand exempt from nature’s unrelenting tour de force. The sea itself seems to conspire with the tempest, readying to rise in uproarious waves cresting at a lofty two meters, a grand performance of power and unpredictability. Meanwhile, the solid earth could betray its inhabitants,…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, where streets pulse with energy akin to the city’s unyielding spirit, democracy itself is under intense scrutiny. Within the hallowed chambers of Thailand’s political sphere, the discourse is not a mere whisper; it’s a full-blown discussion surrounding the potential shifts in constitutional amendments that could redefine the nation’s democratic framework. Amid this intense political ballet, Witthaya Kaewparadai, a list-MP with the United Thai Nation party, has emerged as a voice of reason, advocating for what he dubs a “middle path.” As MPs and Senators passionately debate the threshold required to sanction a referendum for amending the constitution, Witthaya’s stance echoes sage counsel: if you’re going to call it a referendum, make sure it’s robust enough to warrant the name. Witthaya, a participant in the joint House-Senate committee attempting to unfurl this legislative knot, underscores the necessity of having at least half of all eligible…
As the bustling city of Baku, Azerbaijan, played host to the COP29 conference, the world once again focused its attention on the urgent need for climate action. On November 19, in this atmospheric backdrop, Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Chalermchai Sri-on, took to the podium with a message of renewed commitment and resolve. Highlighted by lively exchanges and intense negotiations, the conference has been buzzing with delegates strategizing ways to tackle climate challenges, all amidst the charming allure of Baku’s vibrant culture. Acknowledging past challenges and looking forward to future ambitions, Mr. Chalermchai sounded both a warning and a rallying cry. Even as the nation has been striving to meet its obligations under the 2015 Paris Agreement, the latest assessments reveal that Thailand, along with other nations, has been struggling to keep the planet’s warming below the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. With a palpable…
The scene was reminiscent of a high-stakes drama featuring none other than the bustling streets of Bangkok as the central location and the city’s administration team as the main characters. Late Tuesday night, in a surprising twist, City Hall workers found themselves busily restoring a traffic lane previously designated for bicycles on the well-trodden Sukhumvit Soi 39. The transformation was captured in a photograph by the BMA Traffic and Transportation Department, marking the closure of a rather chaotic chapter. The decision came after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) faced the music and issued a heartfelt apology to locals. Just a day earlier, the lane had been heroically closed off to car traffic in favor of a dedicated bicycle lane. The result? An epic tale of congestion that many would prefer to forget—unless, of course, they were spectators watching from afar, amused by the unfolding transportation ballet. Bangkok’s governor, Mr. Chadchart…