Posts published in “Thailand”

Oh, Thailand, the land of smiles, spicy cuisine, and breathtaking beaches, is now flipping the script with a forecast that reads more like a science fiction novel than a travel brochure. This year, Thailand is bracing itself for a summer that promises to be hotter than a Bangkok street food vendor’s wok. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has already reported temperatures reaching a sizzling high not seen in the last 73 years. Imagine, a whopping 44C in Mae Hong Son, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Tak, and Udon Thani. It’s as if the country decided to set up its sauna experience, but outdoors! As if the bustling city of Bangkok needed more heat beyond its fiery street eats and sun-kissed rooftops, the capital is expected to feel the burn with temperatures soaring to at least 40C on April 27. This is not your average summer glow-up; this is Thailand turning up the heat…

The 43-year-old Russian was no ordinary tourist looking forward to soaking up the sun on the gorgeous islands of Thailand. Instead, he was the target of a manhunt, with the Koh Samui Provincial Court issuing a warrant for his arrest back on the 3rd of October, 2022. The charges stacked against him would fit right into any crime drama – collusion in theft, assault, and coercion through the dark arts of implied threats. It was a storyline that had law enforcement biting at his heels, determined to bring him to justice. In the dramatic twists of an international crime saga that sounds like it’s straight out of an action-packed thriller, a Russian suspect found himself handcuffed and escorted by the authorities across the skies, flying back to the heart of the drama: Koh Samui, Thailand. The man in the spotlight, Danil Ugay, was captured in Kazakhstan after eluding the law…

Imagine a world where being prepared isn’t just recommended, it’s mastered. This is exactly the sort of world that Rhino Rescue is striving to create. With a splash of innovation and a whole lot of care, Rhino Rescue, a titan in the professional first aid realm, recently hosted a one-day training extravaganza that was nothing short of revolutionary. This wasn’t your average, run-of-the-mill workshop. Oh no. This was a deep dive into the life-saving world of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), sponsored by none other than Rhino Rescue itself. For those not in the know, TCCC isn’t just any program. Developed by the superheroes at the US Department of Defense’s Defense Health Agency (DHA) Joint Trauma System (JTS), it’s the golden standard in battlefield trauma care. The TCCC All Service Members (TCCC ASM) course offers a thrilling 7-hour adventure into the world of medical heroism, designed to arm service members…

Let’s take a whimsical stroll into the heart of Thailand, a country known for its vibrant culture, exotic landscapes, and a history of pioneering moves in gender equality. Flashback to 1932, and Thailand emerges as a visionary in Asia, bestowing upon women the right to vote. A commendable stride toward balancing the gender scales, one might say. However, fast forward to the present day, and the shimmer seems to have dulled. According to the “Freedom in the World 2024” report by Freedom House, a den of political advocacy that sits in the US, the situation appears less rosy. Despite its early progressive steps, Thailand’s political realm seems to have relegated women to the sidelines, leaving their voices muffled in the halls of power. The report throws a spotlight on a rather grim scene, awarding the Kingdom a modest score of two out of four in its “political rights and electoral…

Amidst the bustling atmosphere of a press conference held on a vibrant Saturday, the air was thick with anticipation as Thailand’s former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, took to the podium. With the wisdom of years etched upon his face, Thaksin proposed a unity seldom seen in Thailand’s political theater. “The journey ahead,” he began, with the gravitas of experience, “is a Herculean task, far surpassing the tribulations of the Tom Yum Kung crisis.” For those unfamiliar, this reference wasn’t to the tantalizing spicy prawn soup that has become a global ambassador for Thai cuisine. Rather, it harks back to the financial tumult of 1997 that sent a shiver through Asia’s economic spine, originating from Thailand’s own backyard. At 74 years young, Thaksin, regarded as the venerable patriarch of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, steered by the dynamic Paetongtarn – his youngest daughter and a beacon of youthful promise at 37,…

Imagine, if you will, the scenic landscapes and hearty communities of Nakhon Ratchasima, a province nestled in the heart of Thailand’s northeastern plains. Here, in the agricultural heartland, where the rhythm of life ebbs and flows with the seasons, an invisible crisis lurks beneath the surface, threatening to disrupt the delicate balance of rural existence. Enter the protagonists of our story: the steadfast rice farmers of Nakhon Ratchasima, grappling with a challenge as old as time itself—water scarcity. Our tale unfolds in the parched expanses surrounding Nong Kok Reservoir, located in the district of Non Thai, a vital lifeline now gasping for breath in the throes of a merciless dry season. With merely 498,000 cubic metres of water to its name, a mere 16.78% of its once-glorious capacity, this reservoir’s dwindling reserves embody the plight of a community at the mercy of the elements. Rice farmers, the unsung heroes of…

Imagine a world where the gentle hum of airplane engines is powered not by the conventional fuel sources we’re used to, but by something far more extraordinary and sustainable. This isn’t a scene from a futuristic movie; it’s a reality being meticulously woven at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University, where a team of visionary researchers is leading the charge in transforming yeast – yes, the same humble ingredient that causes your bread to rise and your beer to fizz – into a powerhouse biofuel producer. Hold on to your hats, folks, because this tale of transformation is bound to leave you astounded. Under the guidance of the illustrious Prof Warawut Chulalaksananukul, a magician in his own right within the realm of botany, this team has taken the unassuming Saccharomyces cerevisiae (for the less scientifically inclined, let’s just stick with S. cerevisiae) and turned it into a veritable fat-producing machine. This isn’t…

Imagine standing amidst the serene, unspoiled forests of Finland, the air crisp and fresh, as you reach out to pick the juiciest, most luscious wild berries. This picturesque scene was once a reality for many Thai workers, who ventured to these Nordic woods, seeking not only adventure but also a unique opportunity to earn. However, recent developments as of November 2022 have cast shadows over this idyllic image, igniting debates and leading to significant policy changes by the Finnish government. Deep within these tranquil landscapes, captured in a snapshot, were two Thai workers, their hands delicately selecting the finest of Finland’s natural bounty. Yet, behind this moment of apparent harmony and connection with nature, lie complex, stirring stories that have led Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs to make a bold move. In a surprising turn of events, the Ministry has announced the suspension of visa applications for wild-berry pickers hailing…

Imagine a scene straight out of a political thriller—but with a twist of unity and reconciliation at its heart. The setting is a plush, dazzled-up dining hall where the aura of power mingles with the aroma of exquisite Thai cuisine. Here, under the shimmering chandeliers, gathered a constellation of Thailand’s political bigwigs for what can only be described as a dinner of significance, a testament to the intricacies and camaraderie within the corridors of power. Yet, despite the swirling rumors, this was no ordinary gathering of ‘three prime ministers’. In this electric atmosphere, former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat set the record straight. “I might have once steered the ship of our nation, and the same goes for Thaksin, but those days are behind us,” Somchai announced, shimmering with the wisdom of a statesman whose eyes have seen the arc of political fortunes rise and fall. “Our prime ministerial days may…

On a cloudy morning on August 17, 2023, a passionate congregation of civic group members assembled at the doorstep of the Finance Ministry, their voices united in protest. Their banners fluttered in the breeze, each one a vibrant testament to their cause: challenging the caretaker government’s proposition to allocate a monthly allowance solely to the impoverished senior citizens. In the heart of this determined crowd, the energy was palpable, a potent mix of determination and hope, captured beautifully in the lens of Nutthawat Wichieanbut’s camera. The winds of change are sweeping through the corridors of power, heralded by the recent endorsement of a revolutionary state pension system by the Committee on Social Welfare. This landmark decision, securing House approval, sets the stage for an ambitious execution plan set to unfold in the fiscal year of 2030. This refined iteration of the pension scheme represents a significant leap from its predecessor,…