“` Imagine the vibrant, bustling streets of Thailand during Songkran, the country’s most celebrated festival. It’s a time when joy fills the air, water splashes in every direction, and people come together to honor tradition. Part of this beautiful tradition is the practice of releasing fish and turtles into natural water bodies, a gesture aimed at earning merit – a deed as pure as the waters they wish to rejuvenate. However, lurking beneath this well-intentioned practice is a potential ecological catastrophe. It is something the Fisheries Department of Thailand is deeply concerned about. The director-general, Mr. Bancha Sukkaew, has raised an alarm that should catch the attention of every environmental enthusiast and lover of Thai culture alike. According to Mr. Sukkaew, not all aquatic beings are meant to find freedom in Thailand’s rivers and lakes. Specifically, there are five groups of foreign fish and turtle species that could cause more…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine a morning bustling with life, where the scent of fresh produce fills the air and the sound of lively chatter surrounds you. This is not your ordinary market scene; it’s the vibrant atmosphere of the morning market during the Songkran holidays, a time when the spirit of celebration takes over the streets. Amidst this bustling environment, a special visitor makes his rounds. He’s none other than Srettha, the prime minister, whose presence adds a layer of excitement to the already electrifying atmosphere. As Srettha navigates through the narrow alleys flanked by stands overflowing with colorful goods, he engages in heartfelt conversations with the merchants. His genuine interest in understanding how their businesses are faring during the Songkran holidays sparks lively discussions. The consensus among the vendors is clear: there’s a palpable improvement this year. One merchant, in particular, the owner of a renowned grilled pork sticky rice shop, cannot…
Imagine this: a serene Sunday morning in Wiang Sa district, Surat Thani, dramatically interrupted as a van makes an unexpected detour into a roadside ditch. This startling event left six people nursing their wounds, serving as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of road travel. But this incident was just the tip of the iceberg in a series of unfortunate events during Thailand’s most vibrant and joyful time, the Songkran festival. (Photo by Supapong Chaolan) As Thailand erupted in festivities, celebrating the Songkran festival, which marks the Thai New Year with water fights, street parties, and boundless revelry, the roads told a different story. Over the first three thrilling days of a road safety campaign week, designed to tame the wild spirit of Songkran’s traffic, the statistics painted a grim picture. With 116 souls lost and nearly a thousand others bearing the brunt of injuries, the festive air was…
In the ever-twisting panorama of international geopolitics, an event unfolded that could ripple through the global economy with impactful waves felt as far off as Thailand. Alongkorn Pollabutr, the deputy chief of the party’s strategic panel with a lens finely tuned to the pulse of global incidents, cast a spotlight on the escalating conflicts in the Middle East that have sent shockwaves across continents. Picture this: Iran, in a bold and alarming move, launched over 200 drone and missile attacks on Israel one fateful Saturday night, an aggressive step that threatened to spiral into a broader conflict. Alongkorn, with a tone laced with concern and foreboding, speculated on the ramifications should Israel decide to retaliate. The proverbial Pandora’s box, once opened, could unleash consequences far beyond the immediate region. This tit-for-tat aggression traced its origins back to an act by Israel, where its forces bombed Iran’s consulate in Syria on…
Imagine a world where exploring the vibrant heart of Southeast Asia becomes a seamless journey, where nothing stands between you and the enchanting allure of Thailand. That world is on the brink of becoming a reality, thanks to a bold move by the Thai government aimed at streamlining the welcome process for international guests. With an urgent message dispatched to the corridors of power within the Foreign Ministry and other vital agencies, the National Security Council (NSC) has sparked a dialogue that could redefine the future of travel to this tropical paradise. The crux of the matter lies in a small, seemingly innocuous document—the TM6 form. For years, this two-part arrival and departure card has been a staple of Thailand’s immigration process, a paper gateway filled out by eager explorers from every corner of the globe. Yet, in a world racing towards digitization, the NSC has flagged an imperative concern:…
Imagine floating gently down the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, the sun casting a golden glow across the waters as you witness a sight so serene it feels like a step back in time. A majestic boat, adorned with vibrant colors and carrying a revered Buddha image, glides past the Temple of Dawn, marking the celebration of Songkran Day. This is not just a procession; it’s a journey through the heart of Thai culture, witnessed against the backdrop of a city that, for a moment, seems to have been wrapped in tranquility. However, this picturesque scene unfolds in a city which, along with 44 other provinces, breathes a sigh of relief with the announcement of safe PM2.5 levels – a brief respite from the grip of air pollution. While Bangkok revels in this serene celebration, a different story unfolds in the northern reaches of the land. The morning after Songkran…
In an unprecedented move that has sent waves of uncertainty and anticipation across the nation, the Israeli government has laid down a series of guidelines that would potentially reshape social interactions and operational paradigms for the foreseeable future. Amidst escalating tensions and the need to safeguard public health and safety, these measures, while drastic, spell out a clear strategy towards maintaining order and resilience in these turbulent times. First off, the air of gatherings has taken a rather serious tone. In an effort to minimize risks and curb the spread of any potential threats, a nationwide directive has been issued: all gatherings exceeding the colossal number of 1,000 people are now prohibited. This sweeping move extends its reach across the entirety of Israel, encompassing all cultural, religious and social events. Furthermore, the bastions of knowledge and learning have not been spared, as all educational institutions have been ordered to close…
In a world swirling with financial speculations and economic projections, one voice, that of Senior Country Officer Marco Sucharitkul, cuts through the noise with a message of optimism for Thailand. Despite recent adjustments by several financial bigwigs, including the Bank of Thailand—trimming the nation’s 2024 GDP growth forecast from an enthusiastic 3% down to a more cautious range of 2.3-2.7%—Marco’s confidence in Thailand remains unshaken. The reason? Weaker-than-expected export growth and a slight stumble in manufacturing competitiveness haven’t dimmed the country’s inherent brilliance as a beacon of hope in Southeast Asia. Marco paints a vivid picture of Thailand’s 2024 economic landscape, one that’s on the brink of a resplendent recovery. According to him, a concoction of fiscal relaxation, a booming revival in tourism, and a welcoming normalisation in service sector employment are the key drivers propelling Thailand towards prosperity. And let’s not overlook the government’s strategic chess moves—extending visas for…
Picture this: a bustling economy where money flows as freely as the Chao Phraya River, vibrantly weaving through the heart of Thailand. This picturesque scene is exactly what the private sector, led by the astute FTI chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul, envisions for the nation. With the discernment of a seasoned enthusiast of economic growth, Thiennukul has tirelessly championed the need for an unbroken cascade of financial infusions into the system. In his latest appeal to the powers that be, Thiennukul has thrown the spotlight on the urgency of bolstering the economy through innovative avenues. His message is clear: it’s high time the government ramped up its game by expediting procurement processes. And why, you ask? The answer lies in the ambitious digital wallet scheme set to hit the ground running in the final stretch of 2024. Picture an initiative so groundbreaking, it promises to arm Thais aged 16 and upward with…
Imagine embarking on a journey through the heart of Bangkok on Songkran Day, where the vibrant festivities are in full swing. Picture this: a boat gracefully wends its way along the Chao Phraya River, amid a grand procession honoring a Buddha image, against the stunning backdrop of the Temple of Dawn. This captivating scene unfolded this past Saturday, symbolizing not just the spiritual depth of Thai culture but also an environmental triumph. The capital city boasted safe levels of PM2.5, standing as a beacon among 45 provinces breathing easier over the past 24 hours. However, not all residents of Thailand woke to such clear skies on Sunday morning. A concerning update by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) at 9 am painted a different picture for three provinces. Mae Hong Son, nestled in the North, registered alarming PM2.5 concentrations at 96.5 micrograms per cubic metre, crossing the threshold…