Imagine a world where the glow of candles and the smoke of incense sticks are replaced by the lush, vibrant green of newly planted seedlings. This isn’t a scene from a futuristic novel; it’s the vision that the Tree Planting Foundation is bringing to life in Thailand for the celebration of Makha Bucha day. This Saturday, amidst the traditional festivities, they’re championing a revolutionary change: swapping burning candles and incense for the planting of seedlings. A change, they say, will cultivate acres of green space across the nation and foster a new era of environmentally-conscious merit-making. Under the enthusiastic leadership of Director Tawatchai Tositrakul, the foundation is not just talking the talk; they’re walking the walk. Tositrakul passionately points out a sobering truth: the remnants of our customary offerings – smoldering incense, wilted flowers, and half-melted candles – morph into pollutants and waste quicker than one can say “Makha Bucha.”…
Posts published in “Thailand”
On an ordinary Sunday in Bangkok’s Bang Phlat district, the Ban Chan Song La residence, belonging to the Shinawatra family, became a spectacle of anticipation and curiosity. Amidst the thriving greenery surrounding this illustrious home, a gathering of fervent supporters and eager reporters awaited a glimpse of the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, or perhaps a morsel of news regarding his recent parole. Thaksin, a figure whose political saga continues to captivate and divide the nation, embarked on a startling return to Thailand, not having to endure the confines of a cell for even a single night—a development that churned the waters of public and political discourse. Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, caught in the whirlpool of interrogation and criticism, found himself addressing pointed questions from Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, a spirited MP from the Move Forward Party, during a parliamentary rendezvous that Thursday. Nattacha, armed with the meticulousness of a…
Imagine stepping into the enchanting world of Khon Kaen Zoo, where the unexpected sight of three black swan chicks—or cygnets, as the connoisseurs call them—have recently made their grand entrance, courtesy of their first successful breeding program for these majestic creatures. Early this February, the zoo’s tranquility was pierced by the soft chirping of these newborns, a sound as captivating as the mystery that surrounds their ebony feathers. The zoo’s verdant expanses, typically known for their vibrant assemblage of fauna, became the cradle for these rare beauties under the watchful eyes of a team of dedicated veterinarians. Thipawadee Kittikhun, acting as the zoo’s director-general, shared the thrilling journey of a seven-year-old swan, the proud mother, who laid her eggs in the serene December of last year, only for them to hatch into life on the 9th and 10th of February. A tale that sounds almost as if plucked from the…
Imagine this: the bustling city of Bangkok, with its vibrant street life and iconic tuk-tuks, could transform its public transportation system into a cost-effective haven for commuters. Picture the scene – a forum bustling with energetic discussions, a melting pot of around 100 individuals, ranging from fiery residents to passionate advocates, all converging under one roof. Their mission? To champion the cause of making mobility in the heart of Thailand both wallet-friendly and efficient. This dynamic assembly, hosted by the zealous collective of the House committee on consumer protection, Thailand Consumers Council (TCC), and the Foundation for Consumers, sought to capture the pulse of the people on how to elevate Bangkok’s transportation narrative. In the heart of this dialogue, voices from various corners of Bangkok and its picturesque suburbs conveyed a shared sentiment – the journey through the city, aboard its tapestry of public transport options, often teeters between a…
In the tranquil stretches of Songkhla, a heart-rending incident unfolded on a Wednesday like no other. In the bustling life of tambon Samnak Kham within the Sadao district, a quiet day took a tragic turn when a pickup truck, with fate’s cruel twist, veered off its path and struck a group of unsuspecting students. This calamity resulted in the untimely demise of two bright souls and left 13 others bearing the scars of this misfortune. The driver behind this catastrophic event was identified as Wissanu Tongsai, a 35-year-old whose lineage traces back to a political figure of the locale. The weight of his actions brought severe charges upon him, encompassing reckless driving that led to the death of innocents and the stains of illicit substances in his veins. Following the wake of this incident, a beacon of concern and care, Chanaporn Uetrakul from Songkhla’s Provincial Education Office, embarked on a…
In a twist that sounds ripped straight from the pages of a thriller novel, Thailand’s Deputy National Police Chief, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, found himself in the spotlight, emphatically batting away rumors of his involvement in the murky world of online gambling networks. On a rather ordinary Thursday that quickly turned anything but, he addressed the swirling speculations head-on, stating with a clear tone of defiance that not a single charge had been laid at his doorstep following the widely covered search of his residence the previous year. The plot thickened as Surachate, also known as “Big Joke” in some circles for his no-nonsense approach to crime-fighting, revealed that while eight others had not been so fortunate, finding themselves ensnared in the legal net, he remained untouched by the arms of the law. But the drama didn’t stop there. With the stage set and the audience leaning in, Surachate found…
Welcome to the enchanting realms of Thailand, where the beauty of nature is as vast and varied as the colors of a rainbow after a soft summer rain. Sadly, this picturesque scene is occasionally marred by the occurrence of wildfires, an issue that has recently come under the spotlight. Ten provinces, namely Tak, Lampang, Chiang Mai, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, and Kamphaeng Phet, have been identified as the frontline in this battle against nature’s fury. But what sparks these unwelcome flames? The answer lies in the ancient practices of local agriculture. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) sheds light on this, attributing the blazes to traditional methods where land is cleared by fire both before planting new seeds and after the harvest has been collected. It’s an age-old rhythm of life and survival, yet it poses a new-age challenge. The battlegrounds of these…
Welcome to a riveting tale of innovation, environmental stewardship, and the quest for a cleaner future, spearheaded by the visionary minds at BIG. At the helm of this trailblazing initiative is none other than Piyabut Charuphen, a man whose leadership and commitment to green technology are as refreshing as a breath of pure oxygen. Today, we delve into BIG’s groundbreaking “Generating A Cleaner Future” project – a testament to the power of ingenuity in tackling the challenges of water quality management. Imagine a world where our waterways, the lifeblood of our ecosystems, are revitalized through the magic of science. BIG’s innovative approach brings this vision to life by injecting life-giving oxygen into water, transforming stagnant ponds into thriving aquatic ecosystems. This isn’t just any oxygen, my friends. We’re talking about pure oxygen, delivered through the marvels of high-efficiency mass transfer technology, all at a cost that won’t make your wallet…
In the heart of Thailand, where the air buzzes with the energy of bustling streets and the whisper of change, Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon became a beacon of resilience and hope. On a regular Thursday that was about to be engraved in history, Tawan was carefully transferred to Thammasat University Hospital. It was the ninth day of her hunger strike, a protest that had started echoing far beyond the confines of her cell, capturing the hearts and minds of many across the nation. The image shared on social media captured not just a moment but a movement, as Tawan, frail yet unyielding, became a symbol of resistance against the backdrop of a society in turmoil. Her comrade-in-arms, Natthanon “Frank” Chaimahabud, another valiant soul from the Thalu Wang protest group, was battling the same fight, albeit from a different location—the Department of Corrections Hospital. February 14, a day marked by expressions of…
In an unexpected turn of events that felt more like a scene from an action-adventure movie than a peaceful holiday, a tour bus trip in the stunning Bo Phloi district of Kanchanaburi turned harrowing for a group of Malaysian adventurers. On a sunny Thursday afternoon, tranquility was shattered when their vehicle met with an unforeseen mishap, leaving all aboard navigating a rather unwanted detour. The serene backdrop of Bo Phloi, with its lush landscapes and whispering winds, was dramatically interrupted around the vicinity of kilometre markers 14 and 15 on the Bo Phloi-Lat Ya Road. A distress call made at around 1.30pm brought the incident to light, summoning a brigade of police, rescue squads, and medical teams to a scene right out of a suspense thriller. Arriving at the site, rescuers found the tour bus, now a tableau of chaos, with its 39 passengers in various states of distress. Among…