In the vibrant city of Bangkok, where the traditional and contemporary seamlessly blend, a groundbreaking event unfolded, uniting both national and international sexual health advocates. Enter—The 6th Asia-Pacific Chemsex Symposium, a confluence of minds dedicated to reshaping perceptions and fortifying healthcare services for an often-marginalized community. With the launch of a pioneering chemical sex health toolkit, this symposium, conducted under the auspices of notable UN agencies, underscored a crucial mandate: to provide health service providers with tools to assist individuals engaging in chemical sex in accessing apt healthcare, free from the chains of stigma. Chemical sex—more colloquially known as chemsex—involves using certain substances to augment or elongate sexual experiences. It’s a practice whispered in hushed tones, yet very much a reality for many. Recognizing this, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime unveiled this toolkit during the thrilling two-day symposium…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
In the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand has orchestrated an inspiring tale of transformation, slashing poverty rates dramatically over a mere handful of years. Yet, the vivid tapestry of progress has its shadows. According to the 2024 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), an initiative by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Institute (OPHI), the cracks in Thailand’s foundation remain conspicuous, namely in its rural regions where living conditions leave much to be desired. This comprehensive index gazes beyond the narrow lens of income, delving into a wide array of indicators such as nutrition, child mortality, schooling, access to health services, housing quality, sanitation, clean water availability, and reliable electricity. Across the globe, the 2024 MPI scrutinized 112 nations, identifying a staggering 1.1 billion individuals—out of a colossal 6.3 billion—trapped in acute multidimensional poverty. Thailand’s strides in tackling poverty are nothing short of remarkable. In…
In the vibrant city of Kunming, China’s lively capital of Yunnan province, the air was alive with a palpable buzz of excitement as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra graced the plenary session of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit. The focus of the summit had a particular zing this year, with its compelling theme, “Toward a Better Community Through Innovation-driven Development.” It was here that Shinawatra unveiled her ambitious 3Cs strategy, an approach poised to elevate the GMS into a beacon of prosperity. With an energetic sparkle in her eye, Shinawatra laid out the 3Cs: connectivity, competitiveness, and community. These would serve as the foundational pillars upon which a brighter, more prosperous region could emerge. She conveyed that innovation coupled with technology wasn’t just part of the future, it was the future—a dynamic duo promising untapped opportunities and enhanced livelihoods for people all over the GMS. The first of the 3Cs,…
Under the grand illuminations and vibrant atmosphere of Impact Muang Thong Thani, Thailand Space Week 2024 has made its stellar debut. In a ceremonious ribbon-cutting, Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong officially launched the event, ushering in an era of astronomical ambition that promises to propel Thailand to the forefront of space innovation and investment. Amid the cosmic buzz that filled the hall, it was clear—Southeast Asia’s most prestigious space technology event aimed to blast barriers and gravity-defying innovations alike, into the stratosphere by Saturday’s closing session. Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, a magnetic presence exuding optimism, painted a vivid picture of the event’s pivotal role. He shared insights into Thailand’s grand plans, emphasizing that by integrating space technology into key economic sectors, the nation is setting its course as a leader in the ‘S-Curve’ economy. “This is more than an event; it’s a launchpad for growth, as we converge technology…
As the looming deadline edges ever closer, Thailand finds itself captivated by a saga that seems straight out of a political thriller. The center of attention is none other than former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who has again become embroiled in a high-stakes legal drama, further testing the resilience of the nation’s constitutional monarchy. In an ongoing case that has kept the media buzzing, Thaksin and his political bedfellow, the ruling Pheu Thai Party, are accused of attempting to infringe upon foundational aspects of the state. Yet, like a magnetic force field warding off unwanted testimony, Thaksin has so far remained hush-hush on the issue, keeping everyone on tenterhooks. The spotlight has instead fallen on Teerayut Suwankesorn, the legal mind behind the petition challenging Thaksin’s beneficence towards the monarchy. In a vivid session with the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG), Teerayut brought forth his charges, joined later by Chousak Sirinil, Pheu…
As tension simmered at the Thai-Myanmar border, Thai soldiers maintained their vigilance near the 2nd Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge. A raging conflict on Myanmar’s side between the Karen National Liberation Army and the Myanmar army had pushed the soldiers into high alert in Mae Sot, Tak on an ominous day in April 2024. A photo from Reuters captured this intense scene, encapsulating the precariousness of the situation. In the midst of such turmoil, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra found herself engaging in a unique diplomatic dance with Myanmar’s junta chief during a regional summit in China. This meeting in Kunming offered a bout of international bravado complemented by an intricate character study of a general knee-deep in civil conflict. Since seizing power in a dramatic 2021 coup, Myanmar’s military has been entrenched in a battle against a defiant rebellion. This conflict was born out of deep-rooted dissatisfaction and escalated as calls…
As dawn breaks in the bustling heart of Bangkok, motorists seamlessly merge and weave their way past the iconic Democracy Monument perched proudly on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. This monument has stood as a silent witness to the political currents that surge through Thailand. It seems fitting that right here, amid the hubbub and horns, a political drama unfolds that could lead to a historic compromise between the House of Representatives and the Senate, centered on the nuanced dance of constitutional amendments. The air was thick with anticipation on a recent Thursday, as the joint House-Senate committee, tasked with scrutinizing the charter referendum bill, convened. For weeks, the Lower House had been adamant in their position that a simple majority of participating voters should suffice to pass the referendum for the government’s ambitious constitutional rewrite. On the other hand, the Upper House insisted on a more conservative double majority, demanding at least…
In the vibrant heart of Khon Kaen, where bustling marketplaces meet local legends, an incredible tale of ambition, betrayal, and discovery has captured the attention of many. It’s a story woven with the delicate threads of gold ornaments and the intricate dance of deception. At the center of this saga is a maid, a modest figure once considered part of the family, now sentenced to an astounding 235 years behind bars for her audacious escapades. It all began innocuously enough in Ban Pai district—a place known more for its warm smiles and communal feasts than for intrigue and theft. The gold shop, glittering with treasures, had always been a beacon of prosperity. Yet, as fate would have it, beneath the sparkle lay shadows, slowly taking form in the figure of a long-serving maid, Somjit Khumduang. Suspicion first flickered into life one ordinary afternoon, as the shop’s owner caught sight of…
In a shocking turn of events that unfolded in the usually serene district of Rueso, nestled within the southern border province of Narathiwat, chaos struck when Wichet Thaithongnum, the revered mayor of tambon Rueso, met an untimely and tragic end. Known affectionately by locals as “Mayor Arm,” Wichet was not just a political figurehead; he was a beacon of industrial innovation and community support, owning the well-regarded Hand-in-Hand garment factory where this grim saga played out. This fateful Thursday morning, as the clock ticked to 11:40 am, an eerie silence descended upon the factory’s usually buzzing environs. The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4 confirmed that the violence erupted at this precise moment, shattering what began as an ordinary day into a nightmare that few could have envisioned. The tranquility of Yalaebor Village Moo 5 was pierced by the sharp staccato of gunfire, which resounded ominously in the meeting…
In a delightful convergence of forward-thinking minds and pioneering technologies, the “Lancang-Mekong Green Cooperation Exhibition” recently wrapped up at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in vibrant Bangkok, Thailand. The event, orchestrated by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and adroitly managed by Shanghai Pudong International Exhibition Co., Ltd., turned out to be a resounding success, drawing the attention of thousands and putting a spotlight on a decade of thriving collaboration between the nations entwined by the Lancang-Mekong river system. Among the distinguished attendees were Xu Genluo, the Vice President of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Jiraporn Wiriyapongsakul from the Federation of Thai Industries; Yang Dongsheng, a leading light as Vice President of CCPIT Shanghai; and Zhang Xiaoxiao, esteemed Counselor of the Commercial Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand. They were joined by Zhou Guangyao, a CCPIT…