With the increasing convergence of science, technology, and public health, two Thai institutions, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), have pooled their resources and expertise to create an innovative tool. This joins hands with the country’s Ministry of Public Health and the Department of Disease Control to present a mobile application dubbed “RooTun.” RooTun, a Thai term which translates to ‘Know Now,’ is a beacon of proactive vigilance and disease control in your palm. The mastermind behind the idea, Dr. Naina Sahavejchaphan, who heads the Simulation and Data-Drive Research Team, fills us in on how this works. Essentially, the RooTun App gathers key data about the prevalence and intensity of dengue in various locations around the country. It then uses this highly-specific location information to warn users about potential risks in areas they’re planning to visit or currently are. Beyond…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Renowned assistant governor of the Bank of Thailand, Chayawadee Chai-anant, has recently opened up about her concerns regarding the nation’s economic future. She believes that political instability forms a part of the triple-threat faced by Thailand’s economic stature. The other two causes for concern comprise global economic fortitude and the skyrocketing cost of living. Chai-anant is worried that an extended hiatus in the establishment of the government could hamper the distribution of the budget intended for state agencies. She holds the opinion that the aftermath of this could be grave and severely detrimental to the economy. “The magnitude of resulting impact would be directly proportional to the length of the delay. If it’s too lengthy, it might dampen investor confidence,” she clarified. Post the May elections, the Move Forward and Pheu Thai-led coalition, comprising eight parties, has yet to successfully constitute a government. The primary hindrance being the resistance from…
This coming Friday, the Parliament is set to assemble for a united session that is specifically dedicated to selecting the next premier of the nation. “If we want to see the nation progress and the establishment of a new government in the near future, it is essential to temporarily put to rest discussions on Section 112 [of the Penal Code],” expressed Srettha during a recent Tuesday address. “Presently, Pheu Thai places the greatest emphasis on issues concerning the economy and the welfare of the general populace. Instead of focusing on other areas, it is crucial to focus on economic enhancement and ensuring that the populace has access to essential and basic necessities,” he added further. The hallmark economic revitalization policy that Pheu Thai pledged during its election campaign season was the initiation of a 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, which is expected to set the government coffers back by approximately 560…
Deputy Director-General Duangarthit Nidhi-u-tai of the Department of Trade Negotiations, under the auspices of the Commerce Ministry, has indicated enhanced cross-border trade opportunities, fruitfully impacting industries, particularly those oriented toward agriculture. He cited the removal of trade barriers as a significant contributor. According to Duangarthit, the revamping of the agreements is foreseen to boost innovations from all associated parties, solidifying economic growth for not only the region but its associates as well. The pivotal meeting occurred over July 14-15, where negotiators and representatives of the ASEAN nations dissected each FTA, resulting in several amendments. Duangarthit highlighted the 39th meeting of the ASEAN Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA), stating noteworthy advancements in the tax reduction tables from the years of 2017 to 2022. Such progress, approved by nine of the ASEAN states, would undoubtedly catalyze and make ASEAN-Korea trade even more transparent. Additional advancements within AKFTA were identified, which included the…
Thailand’s tourism industry has raised a loud call for the re-establishment of the visa fee waiver program, targeting an increase in visitor numbers from densely populated nations such as China and India. This appeal closely follows a less than favourable recovery in several key sectors and is regarded as crucial to enhancing visitor intake this year. Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, the President of the Thai Hotels Association, accentuated the strategic importance of targeting countries with large populations. For this, countries such as China and India are especially attractive, as their tourists majorly stay in popular Thai destinations including Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. Despite the encouraging numbers of high-spending tourists contributing to Thailand’s tourism sector, the significance of budget travellers and large tour groups hasn’t waned, Marisa pointed out. Emphasizing this notion, she stated, “While Thailand has been attracting quite a substantial number of high-spending tourists, we must not overlook the reliance…
Prepare the raincoats and secure the boats, Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) is predicting abundant rainfall across the northern and northeastern provinces, which might make things a bit wet and wild. Up to 45 provinces, including the thriving city of Bangkok, have been forewarned for a sudden bout of flooding and quick-as-a wink flash floods, especially in the lower lying locales and neighborhoods by the serene waterways. Your friendly weather predictor, the TMD, has it on good authority that the impending southwestern monsoon is riling up in strength, already spreading out its robust winds over the tranquil Andaman Sea, all of Thailand, and the turquoise Gulf of Thailand. The heart of the matter is a monsoon trough that’s maneuvering its way towards a low-pressure area over northern Vietnam, via the picturesque landscapes of Laos and Thailand. What does this signify for Thailand’s almost tropical rainforest climate? Most likely an increase in…
In a renowned cannabis café situated amidst the bustling Walking Street, in the vibrant city Pattaya, a tragic incident shook its regular night dwellers. An alien man, now identified as Hamad Alblaiher, aged 52, exprienced a bitter fate that ended abruptly with his death. The grief-stricken incident took place on the early hours of July 30th. The unwelcoming sight of Alblaiher lying unconscious inside the café was unveiled to the crew of Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre in Pattaya, at exactly 3:46 am. According to multiple eyewitness accounts, Alblaiher had apparently exhibited evident symptoms of distress before his collapse, which invoked confusion and anxiety among fellow guests. The café’s personnel immediately undertook revival attempts, but could only accompany the man until he was declared dead at a proximate hospital. The team awaits further examination from the forensic experts to confirm the cause of his sudden demise. However, initial statements from…
Bringing together their resources and shared vision, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have embarked on an intriguing journey to foster ‘astronomical tourism’. The core idea is to establish Dark Sky Reserves – unique sites free from artificial light pollution, perfect silent witnesses to the most awe-inspiring celestial spectacles. From the hundreds of potential sites, this year a total of 18 sites have been sanctified as Dark Sky Reserves. Part of their joint initiative, aptly titled ‘The Amazing Dark Sky in Thailand Season 2 Project’, is to introduce these chosen gem spots to star enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The fusion of astronomy and tourism is undoubtedly a new driver providing a boost to Thailand’s visitor attractiveness, but it also carries a significant environmental message – raising the flag against the light pollution that muffles the beauty of our night skies.…
An ambitious initiative is underway by the National Health Security Office (NHSO), wherein they intend to expand their ‘Gold Card’ or Universal Healthcare (UHC) pack to deploy health services to a wider populace. Spearheading this plan is Dr. Jadet Thammathat-aree, the secretary-general of the NHSO, who confidently laid out the elaborate plan in conjunction with the Pharmacy Council of Thailand (PCT). Last November, a pilot scheme was set up with 1,090 pharmacies spread out nationally. The surprising subscriptions which escalated to 189,035 as of July 14th, lends an optimistic lens towards the plan. This further fuels the ambitious undertaking. According to Dr. Jadet’s observation, the demand for medicines seems to gravitate towards common conditions such as cold, musculoskeletal pains, irritations of the skin including rashes, gastric discomfort, and eye irritation. The impending challenge right now is setting the gears in motion to have additional 17,000 pharmacies on board in this…
The prominent Senator Wanchai Sonsiri, shared his decision to support the prime ministerial candidate of the Pheu Thai party, irrespective of the stance maintained by the Move Forward party. He also intriguingly suggested that by distancing itself from the aims of the Move Forward initiative, Pheu Thai would be better positioned to clinch the crucial parliamentary majority needed for their candidate to accede to the prime ministership. Wanchai’s declaration is of significant note, given that he was amongst an exclusive group of 13 senators who had initially favored Pita Limjaroenrat, the candidate from Move Forward during the initial round of voting on July 13th. Following an untimely deceleration of Pita’s political race in the second round, the victors of the election, Move Forward, gracefully passed on the responsibility of spearheading the next government formation to Pheu Thai, the runner-up. The Pheu Thai political entity has unveiled plans to nominate the…