As the appointed chief of the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), Deputy Director of the National Water Command, Surasri Kidtimonton, announced on Friday that his department has raised an urgent call to the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS), prompted by heavy rainfall in central parts of Laos, as well as Thailand’s northern regions. Surasri noted that the accumulated rainwater has led to an increase in the water levels of the Mekong River, a grand flow that originates in China and snakes its way through Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. With the National Water Commission (NWC) serving as a host to the secretariat of the Mekong River Commission, it has requested the MRCS to be vigilant in monitoring the river’s water state. In doing so, they aim to offer timely updates to member countries. Such information allows for swift preparation against potential flooding, as detailed by Surasri. He stated, “We…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The luminescent green hue and an unmistakable stench from the sea sparked a mass exodus of tourists from the local beach, sparking concerns over potential skin reactions posed by the unusual marine conditions. An exasperated holidaymaker, hailing from Thailand’s Pathum Thani province, gave voice to her discontent, stating that these unforeseen circumstances had spoiled her family’s anticipatory Mother’s Day celebrations. The mother was forced to restrict her eager children from partaking in their planned escapades in the sea waters, casting a gloomy spell over their holiday spirits. In an attempt to clear the air of rampant speculations, a local merchant, whose store is a stone’s throw away from the infamous beach, chimed in with his observations. According to him, the sea’s odd coloration wasn’t a sign of chemical contamination as many feared, but rather a testament to nature’s unpredictable tendencies. The greenish tint, he explained, was courtesy of seaweeds and…
Recently, a heart-speaking story that unraveled on the popular social media platform TikTok touched countless hearts around the world. A user known as @dyb0u0wv8t8l unfolded a poignant tale of a reunion with a childhood friend, two decades later. The reunion, however, was far from a joyous one as the TikTok user discovered his friend leading a destitute life, physically handicapped and relegated to dwelling under a bridge after losing his house due to a train eviction. The poignant video clip illustrates the disheartening circumstances of his friend, incapacitated owing to a disastrous crane accident and rendered homeless as a consequence of the train eviction. The user is seen expressing his shock and sadness over seeing his friend, once healthy and vibrant, in such a deplorable state. “Two decades apart and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine you in this situation. The crane accident has left you disabled, and…
In the initial half of this year, Thailand’s thriving fruit exports industry experienced extensive growth, thanks largely in part to the benefits of the free trade agreement (FTA) for exporters. It was particularly visible in the increased amount of shipments directed towards China, demonstrating a heightened demand within China’s booming market. Among these shipments, delectables such as durian, guava, mango, and mangosteen took center stage, revealing these as the most sought after fruits during the warmer seasons according to the insightful observations by the Foreign Trade Department’s Director-General, Ronnarong Phoolpipat. With these trends backed by the supportive framework of the ASEAN-China FTA, the monetary value of Thai fruit exports saw an astronomical rise to over US$3.3 billion in the first five months alone. Compared to the same period last year, this represented a remarkable growth of 14.2%. Furthermore, not limiting to fruits exclusively, goods derived from coconuts, including the shells,…
Thirty-young affluents were taken into police custody at a high-end birthday party turned drug bust from an upscale hotel located in the heart of Ram Inthra district. These party-goers were escorted off to the Chokchai Police Station for questioning after the discovery of four packets of crystal methamphetamine. Additionally, over half of the group, precisely 26 individuals, tested positive for drugs. Senior Officer Teerasak, Superintendent of the Chokchai Police Station, alongside his men, were acting on an anonymous tip that hinted at large-scale substance abuse at a certain lavish party. When the law enforcement officers made their unanticipated entrance, the party was booming with men and women engaging in the wild festivities. As the police started their sweep, they spotted four discarded drug packets on the floor. They divided the party-goers into smaller groups based on gender for thorough inspection. They made an alarming discovery of 0.5 grams of methamphetamine…
In a shocking incident in the picturesque southern province of Songkhla, Thailand, a skilled artisan was severely burned while plying his profession. The crestfallen painter faced the grim reality of First-Degree burns as a consequence of an unfortunate electrocution accident at a local condominium block. Renowned local news outlet, Channel 3, reports that this catastrophic event unfolded on an otherwise ordinary morning, signalling a dire turn in what should have been an ordinary day at work for the hapless artist. As our painter rose to adorning the exterior facia of a third-floor balcony by a lustrous layer of fresh paint, an unfortunate collision of his improvised painting tool, an iron rod of four meters, with a high-voltage electrical wire turned an ordinary day to a moment of chilling terror. The unsuspecting onlookers were left gaping in horror as pretty quickly, the painter’s body was seen dancing amidst a blaze of…
Imagine a world where airports no longer run on coal and non-renewable energy resources, but transform to powerhouse seeds of sustainability, utilizing the endless potential of solar energy. This is the magic that Airports of Thailand (AoT) seeks to compound as it embarks on an ambitious mission to unleash the sunshine’s power at Suvarnabhumi Airport. This historic airport, traditionally a hub of travel and transport, now spells a tryst with the green revolution, pioneering Thailand’s first ‘green airport’ blueprint. The masterminds behind this grand vision, AoT and Kerati Kijmanawat, its insightful Director, have weaved a fascinating tapestry of the future. By the next two years, they envision drawing 20% of electricity at the airport from renewable sources. This cascading wave of change, with Suvarnabhumi Airport at its nucleus, aims to echo across other airports in the country, catalyzing a chain reaction of sustainable practices. The solar rooftop project, the beating…
In light of the recent Ashton Asoke event that left the property development community in disarray, financial institutions are holding their cards closer to their chests when considering lending loans or releasing debt instruments to players in the real estate sector. The construction permit withdrawal for Ashton Asoke has made AP Thailand’s chief executive – Anuphong Assavabhokhin – voice concerns on the increasing difficulty to secure bank loans and even predict complications in future debt instrument issuance. Contextually, Anuphong drew attention to middle-tier residential developers who are on the brink of rolling over the debts from their previously issued debt instruments. As Anuphong points out, “If these developers fail to successfully roll over their debts, does that set us on a path akin to the crisis of 1997?” Banking on Ashon Asoke’s recent encounter, a large portion of companies that depend heavily on issuing debt instruments as an alternative to…
Unveiled with the moniker “Thailand’s Next Step”, this innovative initiative aims to drive the nation into the future with an emphasis on bio-circular-green (BCG) sectors, electric vehicles (EV), intelligent electronics, the digital space, and the creative industry. This ambitious plan is spear-headed by Narit Therdsteerasukdi, the distinguished secretary-general of the BOI. “Thailand’s Next Step” is a progressive strategy that will extend beyond typical tax incentives. Its focus will not only be on nourishing an environment conducive to investment within Thailand but also creating effective infrastructure that attracts foreign investment. The goal? To turn Thailand into a thriving international business hub, loaded with top-tier talent and robust supply chains, particularly in sustainable and intelligent industries. Don’t be surprised if you spot the BOI representatives globe-trotting, as they will be conducting roadshows in China, Japan, the United States, and numerous other countries in a bid to charm potential investors. Moreover, the BOI…
On Wednesday, Kerati Kijmanawat, the current president of AOT, proudly announced a major milestone in their sustainability efforts. They have joined hands with the District Cooling System and Power Plant (DCAP), to integrate an impressive 4.4 megawatts of solar power into the airport’s terminal operations. A dynamic shift that emphasizes AOT’s commitment to enriching the travel experience while also safeguarding our planet. The president of AOT was brimming with optimism as he shared, “This revolutionary project is targeted to substantially minimize the terminal’s heat by over 7C. Consequently, we could see a 2% reduction in energy consumed for air conditioning alone”. Such a forecast certainly paints a future where efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand within aviation premises. The practical implications of this green initiative translate to astonishing savings. To put things into perspective, this project could potentially conserve more than 11 million baht annually. Additionally, it is estimated…