An unforeseen and unnerving incident unfolded in the vicinity of Yarang Municipality Office at around 10:50 p.m. This heart-rending episode took place during the course of a security patrolling mission carried out by a handful of police officers, cruising in an official car, complemented by two intrepid volunteers bracing the night on their motorcycle. The tranquility of that night was abruptly shattered by the nefarious insurgents’ targeted and coordinated assault. As the unsuspecting team of law enforcement officers and volunteers made their way to the scene, the insurgents perpetrated a malicious act of terror. They detonated a potent explosive, wreaking havoc and causing substantial damage to the vehicles of these brave protectors of peace. But the malevolent insurgents, their hearts devoid of any respect for the sanctity of human life, were not finished. Tightly gripping their lethal military-grade weapons, they unleashed a brutal onslaught of gunfire. Tragically, one of the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The alliance of partners at Map Ta Phut and Smart Park industrial estates in the Eastern Economic Corridor is taking steps towards a cleaner, greener future, confirmed by IEAT Governor Veeris Ammarapala on Tuesday. These prominent industrial areas, swarming with innovation, are conducting detailed studies on the potential role of hydrogen fuel in powering electric buses and contributing to the overall energy generation capacity. This exciting development promises a transformational change in how we view energy production and consumption. The collaborators involved in this ambitious plan include Bangkok Industrial Gas, Hitachi Zosen Corporation, PTT, Thai Takasago, Toyota Motor Thailand, and Toyota Tsusho (Thailand), all bringing their unique expertise and perspectives to the table. These forward-thinking corporates are not only considering future energy solutions but also observing the establishment of clean-energy firms within the industrial estates, along with setting guidelines for seamless transactions. Overall, the study is in line with Thailand’s…
Renowned ecologist from the Department of Fisheries, Ratnavali Poosawat, stated: “Our vast oceans are a vital component in the Earth’s climate system, soaking up almost 90% of the planet’s heat. As the Earth’s temperature rises due to global warming, the ocean’s power to absorb CO2 is affected, leading to a 30% decrease in oxygen levels. This drop in oxygen, in turn, leads to a phenomenon known as ‘ocean acidification’.” According to Ratnavali, global warming not only alters wind patterns but also has detrimental effects on the ocean’s water quality. When you couple this with human-made problems like pollution, marine life is the one that suffers the most. With less fish in the seas, mammals that rely on seafood start to struggle for sustenance. Naturally, this ripple effect also disturbs the human food chain and impacts our food sources. Ratnavali further explained that with the average annual sea levels rising by…
Unveiling in the latest chapter of “Tropical Natural History” – the 23rd issue, an intriguing discovery merits our attention. The scholarly article narrates a tale of discovery by a team of devoted researchers from Thailand, headed by no other than Pan Yeesin. As a prominent member of the Technology and Industries Department within the confines of Prince of Songkla University’s Faculty of Science and Technology in Pattani province, Pan has been making strides and making headlines. This exciting discovery did not happen in isolation. There was an unfettered scientific partnership with fellow scientists from the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum in Songkhla province, alongside the venerable Professor Peter Ng. The latter serves as an eminent scholar from the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, a globally recognized institution for biodiversity research. The spotlight of their research captures the unique ‘Geosesarma Todaeng’ vampire crabs. These…
In a highly attended meeting that took place on Monday, prominent airlines and governing bodies convened to evaluate and strategize the current flight dynamics in Thailand. They also deliberated over new schemes that would instigate a much-needed surge in the tourism sector, particularly for the forthcoming bustling holiday season. Leading airlines including Thai Airways, Thai VietJet Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Smile Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai Lion Air, and Nok Air made their significant presence felt at the crucial meeting. The meeting also witnessed participation from the AOT (Airports of Thailand) and CAAT (Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand). A series of strategic proposals were presented by the airlines, AOT and CAAT to boost air traffic, including a surge of at least 20% in flight frequency, expanding the aircraft capacity to welcome more passengers and targeting big markets like China and India for tourism. There were also discussions surrounding…
In the small hours of the recent Tuesday morning, the typically serene Laem Chabang deep seaport in Tambon Thung Sukla of Si Racha district was suddenly disrupted by an unexpected event. A massive container weighing about 9 tonnes, containing hazardous acidic chemicals, was set ablaze. These containers, particularly this one, are customarily used to house high-risk goods and this one was stored securely on the grounds of the JWD Company located inside the seaport compound. The Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry was the first to confirm the incident, through an announcement given by Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong. A meticulous examination of the situation revealed that the burning container housed approximately 378 boxes of organic peroxides, a group of acidic chemicals notorious for their high-risk nature, with each box weighing an estimated 18 kilograms. Despite the swift response and action of firefighting personnel who extinguished the flames rapidly, a…
The Thailand Meteorological Department has issued a surge of concern due to the looming thunderstorm warning sweeping across 45 provinces, threatening to engulf 60% of Bangkok. This weather turmoil is a result of the low-pressure area building over the Bay of Bengal, overturning the tranquility of Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand with a moderately robust southwestern monsoon blowing over the Andaman Sea. The aged azure skies of the northern, northeastern, eastern, and western southern regions have been traded for melancholic grayness and tempestuous thunderstorms. Stalwart torrents of rain, heavy enough to make Poseidon himself proud, threaten to bring about floodlike conditions. Those residing along the topographical veins of these areas where water flows freely, mountainous and low-lying zones, are advised to remain vigilant and cautious. Traveling through these tempest-infused areas should be a journey undertaken with meticulous caution. The nautical crowd isn’t safe either. Straddling the crests of the…
In the dark, pre-dawn twilight of Bangkok’s Bang Kho Laem district, a terrifying tragedy struck a local Thai household. Seized by a ravaging combination of inebriation, drug influence, and wild jealousy, a man committed the heinous act of killing his girlfriend. This grisly incident, shattering the serenity of the early morning, occurred around 3:45 am today. The victim of this harrowing crime was a young woman, of just 24 years, named Minthira. Her last name has been kept confidential considering the sensitive circumstances. Minthira’s lifeless form was discovered in the bedroom she shared with her supposed murderer, on the second floor of their domicile. Stripped of her clothes and hidden under a yellow blanket, she bore the painful scars of the monstrous attack; Five brutal injuries, caused by a blade, marred her head, face, neck, and both arms. A horrific testament to the savagery of the crime was the bloody…
Recounting the year 2023 for Thailand’s economy, it is evident that the second quarter saw a palpable deceleration in its recovery trajectory. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth figures reveal a drop from 2.6% in Q1, coming down to a disappointing 1.8% in Q2. The National Economic and Social Development Council of Thailand reported these figures on August 21, sparking concerns when they fell short of predictive consensus estimates of 3.1% and the growth projections of 2.9%. The quarter-on-quarter growth turned out to be a modest 0.2% when adjusted seasonally. Underpinned by the unexpected and underwhelming statistics, along with the country’s ongoing economic struggles, BMI – an analytical brainchild of Fitch Solutions – adjusted its Thailand forecast for the whole year. From an initial 3.0%, it fell to 2.8%, dipping below both the consensus expectations of 3.6% and the decade distinction of 3.6% from 2010-2019. Upon closer inspection of the…
In a major step towards enhancing healthcare accessibility in Thailand, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) is mulling over the idea of expanding the benefits of the universally popular 30-baht health care package, also known as “gold card” scheme. Considering the rising prevalence of cancer globally, the additions being discussed notably include cancer care treatments and free health evaluations for individuals who aren’t cardholders. NHSO Secretary-General Jadet Thammathat-Aree shared this potentially groundbreaking news concerning the planned expansion in the scheme towards integrating cancer care treatments and regular check-ups. The NHSO is moving forward with its commitment to offer affordable medical support to patients by also exploring the possibility of adding innovative drugs to its National List of Essential Medicines. Thammathat-Aree gave a glimpse into these efforts, revealing that the NHSO is at the negotiation table with pharmaceutical companies to make targeted therapy accessible, a treatment critically important for several cancer…