Thailand has recently joined 12 other nations in being added to Canada’s electronic travel authorization (eTA) program, as announced by the country’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser. Now, travelers who have either held a Canadian visa within the past decade or currently possess a valid United States non-immigrant visa can opt for an eTA instead of a traditional visa when journeying to Canada by air, as stated on the official website, canada.ca. Starting Tuesday, qualified travelers from not only Thailand but also Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay can now take advantage of the eTA program. This development aims to streamline travel to the country and offer enhanced opportunities for connectivity, trade, investment, and cultural exchange, ultimately boosting the Canadian economy. Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) for…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Members of the Thai Frontline Physician Confederation (TFPC) expressed their dissatisfaction with the Public Health Ministry’s response to the issues faced by healthcare professionals, including doctors. While the ministry recognized problems such as overwhelming workloads, personnel shortages, and underpaid staff, it did not provide a clear plan of action to address these concerns. The TFPC attempted to discuss these problems with the ministry’s executives, but they were informed that higher pay or improved positions for doctors couldn’t be guaranteed. The union now hopes that the new public health minister will investigate these issues and resolve them, allowing medical professionals to work with less stress and pressure. Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, public health deputy permanent secretary, stated that the ministry has been actively working on addressing the issues faced by healthcare professionals. He outlined a four-pronged approach: payment, welfare, career paths, and workload management. To implement changes in these areas, the ministry…
The tragic death of Pvt Wanyawut Lampapa, a young conscript at the 27th Cavalry Squadron training center in Saraburi, has triggered an investigation into the circumstances and potential disciplinary action for those responsible. Army chief Gen Narongpan Jittkaewtae confirmed the initiation of the inquiry, which will delve into the discrepancy between the autopsy report’s findings and the military camp’s statement on the cause of death. According to a prominent Facebook page called Big Krian, the autopsy revealed that Pvt Wanyawut suffered a ruptured spleen, which contradicts the military camp’s assertion that he died from a pre-existing chronic disease. In response to this conflicting information, Gen Narongpan Jittkaewtae emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth, stating, “We have to accept the truth no matter what.” If the investigation concludes that the young conscript’s death resulted from harsh military punishment exercises, those involved in his training could face disciplinary action. Amidst this…
Thailand is among the 13 countries that have been newly added to Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program, as announced by the country’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, on Wednesday. This allows travelers who have either held a Canadian visa in the last ten years or currently possess a valid United States non-immigrant visa to apply for an eTA, instead of a conventional visa, when traveling to Canada by air. More details on this exciting development can be found on the official government website, canada.ca. Effective from Tuesday, eligible travelers from Thailand, along with those from the following countries, can now benefit from this convenient program: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. This new initiative aims to make travel to Canada more accessible, thus opening up numerous…
Members of the Thai Frontline Physician Confederation (TFPC) recently expressed dissatisfaction with the Public Health Ministry’s lack of specific measures to address the challenges faced by medical professionals in the country. While the Ministry confirmed issues such as excessive workloads, understaffing, and underpayment, it did not provide concrete solutions. The TFPC attempted to communicate these concerns to Ministry executives, but they were told that these officials could not offer higher compensation or positions to physicians. The union now hopes that the new public health minister will address these issues in a way that reduces the burden on medical professionals. Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, public health deputy permanent secretary, stated on Wednesday that the ministry has been working on remedies for these problems. According to Dr. Taweesin, the Ministry is focusing on four key areas: remuneration, welfare, career paths, and workload. Cooperation with other agencies is necessary to advance these initiatives. For…
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, currently living in exile, is eager to return to his homeland before his 74th birthday on July 26th. However, a source reveals that his family is urging him to delay his return to Thailand until the coalition government has been formed. Thaksin, having fled the country to evade a prison sentence, has expressed his intentions to return home numerous times over the past 17 years. The Shinawatra family is now considering the best course of action for his return. Previously, Thaksin had revealed his desire to return to Thailand on Twitter, explaining that he wants to be there to take care of his grandchildren. This topic was discussed at a recent family gathering in Bangkok, which included Thaksin’s ex-wife Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra, his daughters Pintongta and Paetongtarn, and their spouses. The gathering came after Paetongtarn, one of the Pheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial…
A frantic search is underway for 22-year-old Malaysian woman, Angie Chong Sum Yee, who has been missing since her visit to the border town of Mae Sai in Chiang Rai province, Thailand. Her worried mother, in a bid to gather information about her missing daughter, shared a desperate plea on Facebook in both Chinese and English, accompanied by the photos Angie sent during her trip. The post has since been translated into Thai and garnered widespread attention on various social media platforms, including the “Muang Chiang Mai” Facebook page. Angie embarked on a solo journey to Chiang Mai by air on May 29. During her trip, she would regularly send pictures of the locations she visited in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai to her mother. However, the last set of pictures sent was from Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, which is situated opposite Myanmar’s Tachilek on the border. Among these photos…
Thousands of LGBTQ+ individuals, their allies, and political leaders took to the streets of Bangkok on Sunday to celebrate Pride Month and promote gender equality. The parade, only the second official Pride event in the country, saw attendees wave rainbow flags with messages of inclusivity and love. This year’s attendance surpassed 50,000 people, more than double last year’s event, according to Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Among the political figures joining the parade was Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the progressive Move Forward party, which aims to lead a coalition following their success in the May 14 general election. The party emerged as the favorite choice to end nearly a decade of military and military-backed government rule. Speaking to reporters at the Parade, Limjaroenrat pledged support for several key legislations aimed at fostering equality. “Once the government is formed, we will support the Marriage Equality Act, Gender Identity Act, and several others,…
In Bangkok, a health professional prepares a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for inoculation earlier this month. Health authorities have been encouraging Covid-19 vaccinations for young children to protect their development as the number of daily inpatients continues to rise. According to Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, there were 3,085 Covid-19 inpatients from May 28 to June 3, marking a 4% increase from the previous week. The daily average number of inpatients also rose to 440 from 424. Despite the rise in Covid-19 inpatients, the number of those with lung inflammation fell to 386 from 425, and the number of patients dependent on ventilators also decreased to 243 from 253. However, Covid-19 related fatalities saw an alarming increase, with 68 new deaths last week, a 62% growth from the previous week’s 42 deaths. Dr. Tares notes that 97% of the new fatalities were among elderly…
During the recent long holiday from June 3-5, Khao Yai National Park, a World Heritage Site, attracted thousands of visitors with its stunning landscapes, pristine natural resources, and cool climate year-round. The park, which spans across Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, and Nakhon Nayok provinces, generated approximately 800,000 baht in revenue from entrance fees alone, according to park chief Chaiya Huayhongthong. The park welcomed 13,370 Thai and foreign tourists during the holiday period, with visitors entering from two primary entry points: the Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, and the Noen Hom in Muang district, Nakhon Nayok. The visitors comprised 11,947 Thai adults, 943 Thai children, 394 foreign adults, and 86 foreign children, who arrived in 3,585 cars, 623 motorcycles, and a six-wheel passenger bus. The park amassed a total of 784,590 baht from entrance fees, with elderly visitors aged 60 and above and 54…