In a majestic move to harmonize the coexistence of wild elephants and the local communities of Chachoengsao and neighboring provinces, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has rolled out a grand plan. Spearheading the initiative is the dynamic Sonthirat Sonthijirawong, the chairman of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s dedicated group tackling the wild elephant conundrum – a tale as old as time but with a modern twist. The setting for this unfolding drama was none other than the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, a lush paradise in Chachoengsao province, where the second meeting of minds took place. It’s a story of conflict, empathy, and innovation, as Sonthirat elaborated on the ministry’s multifaceted strategy to mend the rift between man and majestic beast across five provinces including Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chantaburi, and Sa Kaeo. At the heart of their strategy, the ministry vows to…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Picture this: a bustling, vibrant South Korea, a country known for its rapid technological advancements, delicious cuisine, and rich cultural heritage. Now, add to this image a significant number of Thai workers, approximately 150,000, toiling away, contributing to the growth and dynamism of the South Korean economy. However, there’s a twist in the tale: these diligent workers find themselves in a grey zone of legality, prompting a call from the Thai Labour Ministry for an extraordinary measure of compassion and pragmatism—an amnesty. In a tale of diplomacy and advocacy, Thailand’s Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn recently took to the bustling city of Seoul. His mission? A heartfelt discussion with his counterpart, the South Korean Employment and Labour Minister, Lee Jeong-sik. The agenda was clear and pressing: the future of 150,000 Thai workers, their skills honed through years of hard work, their lives woven into the fabric of South Korean society, yet standing…
Imagine the skies filled with the swift grace of fighter jets, glinting under the sun as they execute maneuvers that defy gravity. In a thrilling plot twist in the world of aeronautics, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has embarked on an ambitious journey, spearheaded by the visionary ACM Phanpakdee Pattanakul, to procure the cutting-edge stars of the skies – either the formidable Swedish-built Gripen E-series or the indomitable US-made F-16 Block 70 fighter jets. This pivotal decision was disclosed during an exhilarating address to the air force’s crème de la crème attending executive training at the RTAF headquarters, setting the stage for a new era in Thailand’s aerial defense narrative. With the dream of acquiring the US F-35 fighter jets slipping beyond reach, the RTAF’s gaze has shifted towards these two aerial titans. The Gripen E-series, a marvel of Swedish engineering, and the F-16 Block 70, an American powerhouse,…
In a world where the clock is ticking louder and faster towards the deadline of 2030, Sue Allchurch stands as a beacon of both warning and wisdom. As the Outreach & Engagement Chief of the illustrious UN Global Compact, Ms. Allchurch embarked on a mission to the vibrant landscapes of Thailand, not for leisure but to sound a clarion call that rings of urgency and unity. The message was clear: to foster a healthier global community, a symphony of more ambitious collective actions from all corners of society is crucial. Yet, as the velvet Thai skies bore witness, this task is dauntingly under threat. The roots of sustainable development have burrowed deep into the world’s consciousness, yet the tree of progress grows at a pace that can only be described as sluggish. Ms. Allchurch painted a vivid picture of a world navigating through a labyrinth of trials – geopolitical turbulence,…
Welcome, dear readers, to a tantalizing preview of political theatre, unfolding in the heart of Thailand! Mark your calendars for April 3rd and 4th, as the hallowed halls of the Thai Parliament are set to witness a riveting general debate, the likes of which could very well paint the town red – metaphorically speaking, of course. In the thick of it all, we find ourselves amidst whispers and warnings that echo through the corridors of power, hinting at a potential legal tempest if the saga of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra dares grace the debate floor. Ah, politics – the stage where drama and decree intertwine in an endless dance. According to the maestro orchestrating the sequence of events, chief government whip Wisut Chainarun, this political concerto will not summon the cast to vote, abiding by the tranquil tunes of Section 152 of the constitution. Instead, our protagonists – the opposition,…
Welcome to the high-stakes world of international diplomacy, where Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently shared center stage in Berlin’s Federal Chancellery, lighting up the room not just with the glow of the spotlights but with talks of forging stronger ties between their nations. Picture this: A huddle of journalists, cameras at the ready, capturing every moment as Srettha Thavisin takes the podium, his speech setting the tone for a future where Thailand and Germany stand shoulder to shoulder on the world stage. Thailand, with its eye on the global economic prize, is courting Germany’s favor in a bid to clinch a coveted spot in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). You could almost hear the collective anticipation in the room as Mr. Thavisin, with a blend of diplomacy and charm, pitched Thailand’s case. His words, a bridge extending towards Europe, invited…
In the lush landscapes of Chiang Mai, a political saga more enthralling than any soap opera unfolds, featuring none other than the enigmatic former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The air was thick with anticipation as Thaksin, the prodigal son of Thai politics, made a grand entrance back to his native soil on Thursday. This was no ordinary visit; it was a strategic maneuver aimed at recapturing the hearts and political loyalties of the region for the Pheu Thai Party, following a bruising defeat to the Move Forward Party (MFP) in the May 14 election. A loss felt deeply, especially in Chiang Mai, deemed the stronghold and “capital” of Pheu Thai, which found itself outpaced by the MFP in a stunning turn of events. The electoral battleground of Chiang Mai, with its 10 constituency seats, witnessed a seismic shift last year. The MFP clinched seven, leaving Pheu Thai grasping at straws…
Imagine you’re landing at Mo Chit 2, the bustling heart of Bangkok’s commuting system, where the air is thick with anticipation and the ever-present hum of conversation mingles with the distant rumble of buses. Amid the chaos, a queue snakes its way towards the taxi stand, people eagerly awaiting their turn to hop into a cab and head into the city. This scene, reminiscent of a high-stakes game of musical chairs, is a daily reality for travelers at Mo Chit 2. But not all is as seamless as it may appear. Enter the Professional Association of Public Taxi Motorists, a group of crusaders for change in this concrete jungle. Led by the valiant Khanesuan Gamkhuntod, they’ve taken a stand against the dark underbelly of the Mo Chit 2 taxi landscape: the notorious “mafia” taxis. For years, these unregistered cabs have been a thorn in the side of both legal taxi…
In the verdant expanses of the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, a team of dedicated veterinarians embarked on a mission that rivaled the plot twists of a prime-time wildlife documentary. Their protagonist, a majestic male Indochina tiger named Balago – a name meaning Khlong Lan in the Karen dialect, borrowed from the very lands it once roamed freely. Picture this scene unfolding: nestled in the heart of Uthai Thani, the sanctuary became an emergency room under the open sky. Balago, with a gaze that once struck awe and fear into the hearts of the wild, was found wandering near Kamphaeng Phet about a month ago, his eyes speaking volumes of the pain he must have endured. This tiger, believed to be around two years of age, was about to embark on a journey of resilience and survival. Pimchanok Songmongkol, a senior vet with a heart as brave as her patient,…
Welcome to Phuket, Thailand’s island paradise, where the sun kisses the azure waters, and the vibes are as warm as the local hospitality. However, even in paradise, not all that glimmers is gold. Recent investigations have cast a shadow over this tropical haven, particularly concerning the practices of nine local companies. So, grab a coconut, sit back, and let’s unravel this tropical tale of intrigue and regulation dances. At the heart of our story is the picturesque Green Elephant Sanctuary Park, a place where majestic elephants roam, offering guests a unique opportunity to connect with these gentle giants. But the sanctuary, and its operator, Urs Fehr, a 45-year-old Swiss entrepreneur with a penchant for the exotic Thai lifestyle, find themselves in the eye of a regulatory storm. Fehr recently made headlines not for his conservation efforts but for an unfortunate contretemps involving a disagreement with a female doctor at his…