As the serene landscape of Thailand’s countryside lay swathed in the soft hues of the early morning light, its tranquility was disrupted by the relentless rise of floodwaters. This past weekend, a two-kilometer section of Highway 29 in Nong Ki district, Buri Ram, was transformed into a watery expanse, a tangible testament to nature’s might. Captured in vivid clarity by the keen eye of photographer Surachai Piragsa, it was a sobering scene that mirrored the broader region’s plight. While the sun’s first rays kissed the rooftop peaks of distant temples, they also illuminated a less welcoming sight— the vast pools of water that stilled the usual buzz and hum of everyday life in no fewer than 20 provinces. Mostly impacting the rugged terrains of the North and Northeast, the floods cast a wet shadow over more than 30,000 families on the subsequent, rapidly warming Sunday. The Department of Disaster Prevention…
Posts published in “Thailand”
There seems to be no respite for the resilient folks residing in Thailand’s North and Northeast regions as vast amounts of water continue to swamp their landscapes. On a recent Saturday, a somewhat surprising yet dramatic scene unfolded—a two-kilometer stretch of Highway 29 in Nong Ki district, Buri Ram, vanished beneath a relentless flood. The rush of Mother Nature continued unabated, presenting more than just a spectacle as residents watched in awe and concern. (Photo: Surachai Piragsa) Fast forward to Sunday, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation had a sobering update ready. Despite the dreamy beauty of the weekend, no fewer than 20 provinces found themselves in Mother Nature’s grip, mostly clustered around the picturesque North and Northeast regions. A staggering 30,000-plus families were having anything but a restful Sunday as the waters stubbornly lingered. The department painted the grand scale of the deluge, as it swept across names…
The early morning tranquility of Bangkok was disrupted when a dramatic car accident turned Soi Lat Phrao 48 Road into a scene of chaos. The crash, which occurred around 6:20 a.m. on a Sunday morning, saw a car collide with a power pole and create an unexpected domino effect, bringing down about ten poles in total and causing a significant traffic snarl. The typically bustling neighborhood of Huai Khwang district found itself facing an unexpected pause in its routine as the once energetic road was blocked entirely. Rescue workers, drawn swiftly to the scene by the urgency of the situation, arrived to find the stark image of a white car, visibly crumpled beneath the weight of a fallen power pole. Their arrival brought a semblance of relief to the situation as they worked efficiently to extract the occupants from the unfortunate vehicle. Miraculously, and much to the relief of everyone…
In the heart of Pathum Thani’s Rangsit area, a solemn line of flowers marks the scene of a harrowing bus fire tragedy. Mere words can hardly convey the heartbreak experienced by the families affected by last Tuesday’s incident on Phahon Yothin Road. On this ill-fated day, twenty students and three beloved teachers from Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam School lost their lives when their school excursion bus was engulfed in flames. Amidst the melancholy, a complex web of compensation claims has emerged. According to the Office of the Attorney-General, some parents, who had not been actively involved in their children’s upbringing, are now stepping forward to claim the government-approved compensation of 1.21 million baht per child. These claims have raised eyebrows at the provincial prosecution office in Uthai Thani, leading to thorough investigations led by Kosolwat Inthuchanyong, head of the rights protection and legal assistance office under the OAG. The tragedy…
Amidst the labyrinthine corridors of political maneuvering, a poignant tale unfolds, capturing the imagination and fueling debates across the nation. The enchanting cast in this real-life drama includes none other than Deputy House Speaker Pichet Chuamuangphan, who, in a move reminiscent of courtroom suspense, approved a sick leave request for Pheu Thai Party list MP Pisal Wattanawongkiri. This isn’t your average medical absence, however, as it might just allow Gen Pisal to sidestep the looming Tak Bai massacre case, a specter from the past clinging to his heels. Originally camouflaged as mere official paperwork, the leave approved by Pichet spans from August 26th to October 30th, ostensibly to facilitate Gen Pisal’s overseas medical recuperation. To the unassuming, Gen Pisal might appear just another lawmaker in a sea of suits. Yet, his history as the former commander of the Fourth Army Region ties him inexorably to the harrowing events of the…
In a recent cautionary announcement, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) has put forth a critical advisory for the public: steer clear of undercooked pork to avoid the lurking threat of Streptococcus suis, a menace that has tragically claimed 12 lives across four provinces in Thailand’s lower northeastern region. The specter of this microscopic culprit has been specifically brought to light by Dr. Taweechai Wisanuyothin, the head of DDC Office 9, who highlighted the startling statistics on a recent Saturday. Since the start of the year, 149 cases of hearing loss triggered by this stubborn bacterium have been recorded in the at-risk provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, and Chaiyaphum, with the figures based on surveillance spanning from January 7 to September 3. Nakhon Ratchasima came out on top of this grim tally, reporting 89 cases, which sadly included six fatalities. This was followed by Chaiyaphum with 31 cases…
Picture this: a serene paradise where elephants roam freely, surrounded by the lush landscapes of Chiang Mai’s Mae Taeng district. This is the Elephant Nature Park, a place that has been a sanctuary for these majestic creatures and many other animals. However, fate dealt a crushing blow recently as the park faced a calamity that left everyone scrambling to save its animal residents. It all began on an unassuming Saturday when disaster struck. The unforgiving floodwaters raged into the park, claiming the lives of two of its cherished elephants. Despite the valiant efforts to relocate 126 elephants to safer, elevated grounds, the water kept rising, overpowering barriers and threatening their very survival. Tragically, among the fallen were Phang Fah Sai, a beloved female elephant, found near the Sibsan Resort, and Plang Mae Khor, a gentle soul bearing a disability. As darkness loomed over the park, the heartache was palpable. Conservationist…
In a deeply moving event that has prompted shift discussions across educational and transport sectors, a tragic bus fire claimed the lives of 20 students and three dedicated teachers on what was intended to be a mind-broadening field trip. The heartfelt loss has sparked a contemplation: should school excursions be altogether banned for the sake of safety? Or is there, perhaps, a greater lesson in safeguarding the journeys of discovery and enlightenment for students? The devastating incident triggered by a sudden inferno engulfing a bus en route on a field trip has led Education Minister, Permpoon Chidchob, to suggest putting such educational outings on hold. The minister emphasized that if these trips are determined necessary, stringent safety inspections by provincial land transport offices must be an absolute precondition. An air of caution now hovers over field trips, with the government considering curbs like involving parental accompaniment for younger students and…
More than 2,000 foreign nationals have found themselves detained on charges of illegal work across the sun-kissed shores of Thailand over the last few months, confirmed the Labour Ministry. This remarkable wave of enforcement stems from a robust crackdown campaign characterized by the no-nonsense slogan: “finding, arresting, and extraditing.” The impressive strides made since its inception speak volumes about the ministry’s dedication to regulating workplace legality. Between June 5th and October 2nd, inspectors diligently combed through a staggering 20,152 locales, where a whopping 277,770 migrant workers find their daily bread. Among this legion of hardworking souls, 209,435 hail from Myanmar, forming the largest contingent. Meanwhile, the tireless spirits of 42,766 Cambodians, 16,481 Laotians, 181 Vietnamese individuals, and 8,907 from various other nationalities contribute to this vibrant tapestry. However, of the inspected workplaces, 844 outfits were pinpointed for employing migrant workers without the requisite paperwork. Consequently, a total of 2,063 individuals…
Imagine this—the hustle and bustle of a media briefing, as Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul strides with determination past towering stacks of contraband goods seized by the ever-vigilant Excise Department. It’s not just an average day at the office; it’s a showdown against the wily world of smuggling and tax evasion in the vibrant heart of Thailand. This past 2024 fiscal year, wrapping up on September 30, was no ordinary year for the Excise Department, dear readers. The department managed to notch up an impressive tally—33,000 cases of smuggling involving anything from cigarettes and liquor to motor vehicles, marking a spike of 28% from the previous year. This isn’t just numbers; it’s a tale of intrigue populated with 2.6 million cartons of illegally imported smokes and 300,000 cartons of domestic cigarettes that just couldn’t escape the long arm of the law. And as if patting their backs was not enough,…