Honoring Niwat Roykaew, affectionately referred to as Kru Thi, a beacon of hope and change in our current world. Identified as the first Thai honoree of the prestigious Leader on the Frontlines Award, this distinction was bestowed upon him by the globally recognized Asia Foundation, based in San Francisco. At 64, Niwat wears many hats; he chairs the Chiang Khong Conservation Group and spearheads the Mekong School’s Institute of Local Knowledge as its director. With an unwavering commitment to preserving the natural world and local ways of living, Niwat has been a pillar of strength for community-led efforts to protect the unique ecosystem of the iconic Mekong River. His impactful engagement in local advocacy has successfully deterred numerous potentially detrimental blasting and damming projects, a true testament to his dedication to the river and the communities that flank its banks. The Asia Foundation, in commending Niwat, recognized the continuous hard…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
Today, a significant event transpired in Jakarta, Indonesia as H.E. Sujiro Seam, the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to ASEAN, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community H.E. Ekkaphab Phanthavong and the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to ASEAN, H.E. Hjayceelyn Mancenido Quintana, officially initiated the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Weeks 2023. This grand event drew a crowd of over 300 individuals including officials from ASEAN, the EU and its Member States, young people, and individuals with special needs. They celebrated the occasion with a symbolic ride, run, and walk from Jalan Sudirman to Gelora Bung Karno, in the heart of Senayan Jakarta. This marked the commencement of the first regional activities of the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Weeks 2023. Starting 15th to 22nd October 2023, EU Delegations across ASEAN will host various activities in ASEAN Member States to animate the EU Green Diplomacy Weeks 2023.…
In an unfortunate twist of events, a gargantuan cement lorry was swallowed by the waters of a canal when the wooden bridge it traversed gave way under its colossal weight. Despite being clearly warned about proceeding, the confident 55-year-old driver from Amnat Charoen went ahead miscalculating that the bridge was propped up by sturdy concrete pillars. The clock struck half past twelve when the incident unfold itself. The colossal, ten-wheeled leviathan, a regular sight on the roads of Samut Prakan, was found belly up in the deep waters of the Ladnam Chiao Canal. The truck was inundated with its own load, liquid cement, turning it into a sinking tank of despair. Nearby, a wooden beast once known as a bridge, now lay in shambles – a testament to the driver’s costly miscalculation. Lucky to have survived the mishap without a scratch, the driver Sombat Pholharn revealed that he was neck-deep…
Capturing a digital memory of his arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport on the 25th of September, a Chinese visitor seizes the first day of temporary visa waivers for tourists originating from China. This hospitality gift from Thailand to China is set to run its course until the 25th of February next year. (Image credits: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul) Despite the allure of Thailand’s enchanting beauty, around 60,000 Chinese tourists rescinded their travel plans following a chilling incident at the Siam Paragon. The unfortunate event transpired on the 3rd of October, resulting in three mortalities, one of them being a Chinese visitor, alongside four other injuries. Official statistics from Thai airports registered incoming Chinese tourism figures at 590,000 post-event. This number denotes a 9.2% drop when compared with the 650,000 bookings previously recorded, as shared by government representative, Chai Wacharonke, on a Saturday release. Nonetheless, the fluctuating numbers nods towards a routine trend. The…
Break out your star charts and fire up your telescopes! Thailand, the land of shimmering temples and glorious beaches, is lifting its eyes to the skies. Set your calendars for the Thailand Space Week 2023, scheduled to be held between the 25th and 27th of October in the bustling heart of Bangkok. This essential event promises to unveil Thailand’s stellar potential and lucrative business opportunities in the flourishing field of space industry. This monumental event is a harmonious amalgamation of local and international collaborative efforts aimed at space technology advancement and related tenets. Natthawat Hongkarnjanakul, the spokesman for the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda), underscored the event’s vast potential and importance. Gearing up to spotlight the event will be an insightful forum that echoes with the thoughts and words of leaders of some of the most influential space-related companies. The giants of the space industry, Airbus, Japanese Aerospace…
Mekong River guardian and enviromental stalwart Niwat Roykaew, fondly known as “Kru Thi”, adds another accolade to his extensive list of achievements as he becomes the first national from Thailand to receive the distinguished Leader on the Frontlines Award. The accolade is bestowed upon him by the prestigious Asia Foundation, a San Francisco-based philanthropic organization devoted to international developments. At the venerable age of 64, Niwat holds esteemed positions such as the chairman of the Chiang Khong Conservation Group and the directorship of the Institute of Local Knowledge within the Mekong School. His unwavering dedication and unparalleled leadership talent have been instrumental in galvanizing the community, thereby helping to effectively cease several damaging blasting and damming projects. These destructive projects posed a significant threat not only to the river but also to the lives and livelihoods of those residing in the surrounding communities. In a grand ceremony held last Thursday…
The picturesque island of Phuket, renowned for its idyllic marina featuring myriads of boats dotting the cerulean waters, is making strides towards enhancing maritime safety. With winter descending and the holiday season around the corner, measures are being amplified to ensure safe travels across the Andaman Sea, thanks to the Regional Marine Office 5. Envisioning an influx of visitors, from globetrotters to aquatic adventure enthusiasts, the director of the office, Prawet Supachai, revealed the deployment of officials across Phuket, Krabi, Ranong, Phangnga, Satun, and Trang. Their mission? To diligently enforce maritime regulations, conduct inspections of piers and vessels, and screen boat licences and crew work permits, and more. Ensuring that the concerned stakeholders, including operators, are in adherence with safety precautions and maritime rules, is paramount. Ironing out the details of this plan, Supachai expressed the anticipation of an increased number of visitors this season, especially Chinese tourists. This predicted…
On Sunday, the reigning Pheu Thai Party reaffirmed its commitment to the much-debated 10,000 baht digital money handout initiative. Despite widespread criticism, it stands steadfast, asserting that the endeavour will not be suspended. The party promises that by this month end, they will reveal all final details of the project. “The core concept of the project will remain the same. However, certain particulars and conditions might warrant necessary modifications”, stated Treechada Srithada, a veep appointee and Pheu Thai spokeswoman. With a spirit to heed the voices of the people assiduously, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin, in unison with his deputy Julapun Amornvivat, previously pledged that the outlooks from both advocates and adversaries of the schema will be duly weighed while the government gears up for its inauguration. She dropped a hint that an explanation to the perennial question concerning the source of a hefty 560-billion-baht fund to execute…
The Ministry recently convened a special gathering with the Rapid Response Centre, from which key decisions were announced on Saturday. Post the meeting, it was declared that Thai representatives stationed in Tel Aviv will be entrusted with the task of managing and facilitating the withdrawal of 98 Thai nationals through the “flydubai” airline. These citizens will initially embark on their journey to Dubai. As per the schedule, the flight is due to touch down on the airstrip of U-Tapao Airport on Sunday (October 15). In addition, the Thai ambassador and his team situated in Israel will be instrumental in coordinating the departure of another 137 Thai nationals on the same day. For this purpose, military aircrafts have been deployed. These planes are set to reach Don Mueang Airport early in the start of next week, specifically, 4.40am on Monday. Apart from this, the government has secured the provision of distinctive…
Our deepest gratitude extends to the throngs of Chinese visitors who continue to place their trust in Thailand and its leadership,” asserted government spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke, in his most recent address on Saturday. Guided by the firm hand of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, all relevant government branches are working tirelessly to implement enhanced security measures aimed at protecting both structures and visitors in Thailand, added Wacharonke. In his address, he reiterated the government’s unflagging commitment to the safety and welfare of foreign enthusiasts gracing Thai soil. Reminding his audience of a recent incident, the spokesperson delved into details of an event that occurred on October 3. In this horrifying incident, a 14-year-old armed assailant, wielding a makeshift firearm, went on a rampage at the upscale Siam Paragon shopping plaza, leaving two dead and injuring five. A Chinese holidaymaker and one worker from Myanmar tragically lost their lives, while an additional…