According to the Ministry of Public Health, in recent times, some parts of Bangkok and other provinces have been grappling with moderate to unhealthy levels of fine dust pollution. Known as PM2.5, this type of pollution is particularly harmful to individuals with long-term health conditions who are advised to monitor air quality indices before venturing out or participating in outdoor activities. Fine dust pollution regularly occurs during the cool season and is largely attributed to the seasonal crop burning practice. In addition, vehicle emissions significantly contribute to the density of these dust particles in the atmosphere. It’s hence of utmost importance for people to remain informed about PM2.5 levels, which is why the Ministry of Public Health vigilantly oversees these readings and proceeds with issuing public health warnings when appropriate, says Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the Ministry’s permanent secretary. One can turn to the Pollution Control Department’s air quality website for…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
Drilling deep into the verdant greenery of Phuket, local farmers painstakingly tap the sap of rubber trees. Meanwhile, recent research unravels a startling revelation, suggesting that the devastation of forests due to rubber cultivation in Southeast Asia may be substantially larger than previously accounted for. This discovery shines a glaring spotlight on the pressing challenges importers face in adhering to sustainably sourced supply chain practices. Escalating demands for global rubber outputs are spearheading relentless pressure on pristine forests, causing catastrophic losses in biodiversity. According to a team of internationally renowned researchers, Southeast Asia, which shoulders a staggering 90% of worldwide rubber production, is bearing the severe brunt of this destruction. The researchers, whose findings were published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature, indicated that previous accounts had considerably understated the deforestation caused by rubber production, especially in contrast with impactful commodities like soy and palm oil. However, cutting-edge high-resolution satellite…
In a twist of events, the Thailand government has set back the launch of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, citing the need to establish a secure system, announced Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Previously, the government had planned to begin disbursing these digital funds on February 1st, but it seems the timeline will shift to the end of the first quarter. Julapun Amornvivat, who also holds a membership in the Pheu Thai party and represents Chiang Rai, said, ‘While we are aware that people anticipate this scheme, we must not compromise security for swiftness.’ These remarks came on the back of an instruction by the Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for the preparations of the digital cash handout to commence from February 1st. The initiative to deliver 10,000 baht digitally to Thai individuals aged 16 and above forms the heart of the Pheu Thai Partyโs strategy to jump-start the economy. The…
At the helm of an ambitious initiative is a group of six Thai students – all from the Shrewsbury International School, Bangkok. The youthful ensemble collectively steer the Intanin Racing team, presently making their presence felt at the 2024 F1 in Schools World Finals; an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the thriving engineering talent amongst Thai students in an international STEM arena. The team comprises Ariya Taechamahaphan, Na Chan Trisiricharoen, Pirachat Karnasuta, Nichapa Ariyapongpairoj, Thanakrit Phunyasit, and Xinyuan Cao. For the uninitiated, F1 in Schools is a not-for-profit project integrally linked to the Formula One World Championship Limited. The aim of the project is to enable students from all over the world to emulate the intricacies of the F1 teams, putting theoretical knowledge to the test โ quite literally. The projectโs scope involves the design, manufacture, and racing of miniature Formula One cars, powered by air and racing on…
In the bustling city of Bangkok, amidst the flurry of shoppers casually interacting with cash deposit machines and automatic teller machines, a financial predicament is brewing unnoticed by the busy masses. An unprecedented wave of fraud is quietly unfolding within the banking landscape, with an alarming number of illicit โmuleโ accounts identified by none other than the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo). This issue parallels a compelling narrative akin to a detective novel, with up to half a million bank accounts fingered as potential mule accounts, utilised to streamline fraudulent transactions. However, Amlo is not standing idle. A comprehensive action plan is being rolled out to stamp out this burgeoning issue. From next month, the requirement of detailed identity verification for all cash deposits via ATMs will be implemented to facilitate more effective transaction tracking. Out of a massive 121 million bank accounts currently harnessed nationwide, Amlo’s spokesman, Witthaya Nititham revealed…
The esteemed faculty dean, Bannakij Lojanapiwat, accentuated the primary goal behind the integration was to curtail door-to-door time for patients thus increasing their survival and recovery odds. He explained that patients grappling with acute coronary syndrome require prompt medical intervention where “every ticking minute is consequential”. In a significant announcement made on Wednesday, the Maharaj Nakhon Chiang Mai Hospital, an integral segment of Chiang Mai University’s esteemed Faculty of Medicine, shared that the confluence of the Catheterization Lab and Cardiac MRI facilities into the emergency room (ER) has morphed the hospital into Thailand’s leading one-stop-service ER in the North. Striving to offer critical and timely treatment, a life-saving factor, the hospital has initiated the use of state-of-the-art ambulances for patient transit. Consequently, the diagnosis of patients’ symptoms could commence during the journey, and as soon as the patients step foot in the hospital, surgical operations could be initiated, as explained…
Respected scholar Associate Professor Dr. Aat Pisanwanich expressed his opinion that achieving an ambitious โgolden numberโ will undoubtedly present certain difficulties, yet the target is not unattainable. Swift economic structural modifications initiated by the government could pave the way to this ambitious milestone. Barely a month into his tenure, Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s government has been proactive, rolling out several stimulating economic initiatives. However, Dr. Aat voices concern over the escalating public debt resulting from the focus on populist policies. If the growth rate does not eclipse the amount being borrowed, it may plunge the country into a deep economic abyss, he cautioned. Zooming in on the “Golden Number” He drew attention to the digital wallet policy by the Pheu Thai-led government. While this may induce a short-term economic fillip, Dr. Aat opined that it hardly provides a strong foundation for long-term sustainability. Moreover, it could topple the dominos…
One fateful day, on October 3, when a young 14-year-old adolescent unleashed terror in the bustling Siam Paragon shopping centre, leaving two dead and many others injured, a brave figure took a courageous stand. Pol Cap Thanamorn Nunat of the renowned Pathumwan Police Station, mustered courage and tactical skills, initiated rapid response and masterfully put down the juvenile offender, thus restoring order and stemming further harm. A fort-night later, in recognition of his valor and dedication in the face of grave danger, Pol Gen Torsak duly revived an revered tradition of the police department by his gesture of gifting the heroic Pol Cap Thanamorn with the esteemed Knight’s Ring. Tracing back to its origins in the halls of the Royal Thai Police in 1957, the Knight’s Ring is a symbol with deep-rooted significance and high prestige. It was originally conceptualized by the then Director-General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol…
The atmospheric conditions across Thailand are indicative of the normal monsoonal pattern, with a moderate monsoon trough making its presence felt across the upper regions of the Gulf of Thailand and the eastern districts. This couple up with the southwest monsoon exerting its influence over the Andaman Sea sets the stage for occasional heavy showers over the lower Central region of the nation, including prominent areas like Bangkok’s metropolitan, the East, and the South. Such meteorological developments call for a cautious approach. Flash floods and sudden overflows, are a distinct possibility, especially near the foothills situated close to water bodies and other lower lying areas. This situation necessitates an enhancement in the degree of caution used in transport activities across these areas. The department has issued an advisory warning to this effect, emphasizing on the likelihood of disruption in certain areas. As for the maritime conditions, the department has issued…
It was indeed an extraordinary day in Chon Buri when locals stumbled upon a rather oversized occupant in a parked pickup truck. The uninvited escapist – a large python, had comfortably found its way into the vehicle during the owner’s momentary halt for a quick pit-stop. Thanks to the adept action of the Tri Khun Tham Chon Buri Foundation’s rescue unit, the snake was safely caught and subsequently escorted back to its natural habitat. An ordinary day turned extraordinary when a large python was spotted smoothly sliding into a civilian’s pickup near the roadside. This unusual spectacle took place along the Ban Suan-Ban Bueng route in Ban Suan Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chon Buri Province. The poised rescue unit of the Tri Khun Tham Chon Buri Foundation was immediately alerted to the situation. The site of the unusual encounter was a bronze Toyota Vigo pickup truck, identifiably local with its Chon…