Welcome to a tropical bonanza where vibrant flavors burst under the sun’s blessing, and the feast stretches as far as the rolling hills of Thailand. In this exotic realm, fruits aren’t just nature’s candies; they are gold mines churning out an impressive US$5.06 billion—a staggering 31.9% growth from the previous year. Imagine, if you will, 1.74 million tons of these juicy treasures, from the spiky durian to the succulent mangosteen, traveling across seas and borders to bring a taste of Thai paradise to fruit aficionados worldwide. Let’s peel back the layers of this fruit empire where durians reign supreme, tipping the scales at 965,284 tons exported. These thorny monarchs are followed by the fragrant longan, the luxurious mangosteen, the beloved mango, and the tangy pineapple. Each fruit, a character in a luscious narrative that has hooked the palate of an international audience. And who, you may ask, is the largest…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine stepping into a bustling bus terminal expecting the hum of activity and the ease of modern conveniences, only to find yourself navigating a labyrinth of broken amenities. This was the stark reality presented to Move Forward Bangkok MP Suphanat Minchaiynunt, who sounded the alarm bell after a recent inspection of the terminal that makes up the heart of Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. Suphanat uncovered a list of woes that would dishearten even the most patient of commuters: A symphony of stillness where five escalators should’ve soared. The ghostly silence of absent lifts. A discouraging sight of fire extinguishers, with 10 out of 15 surrendering to disrepair. The crucial first-aid room, shrouded in inaccessibility. A hidden alcove for breastfeeding mothers, barred and forgotten. Bus platforms sweltering in the tropical heat, devoid of the cool respite of air-conditioning. Lonely ticket vending machines, collecting dust instead of dispensing tickets. Paths unwelcoming to those…
Picture this: a winding road weaving its way up to a majestic temple perched atop a breezy 830-meter zenith. While the throngs of tourists might create a bit of a squeeze, the laughter and lively chatter infuse the air with a celebratory vibe that’s simply infectious. That’s exactly the scene described by an affable temple official named Ekachai Kasetkorn, amidst a backdrop of enthusiastic visitors gathered to greedily drink in the stunning sunrise and the enchanting sea of fog that envelops the peak where the temple stands proud. Ekachai notes, with a glint of pleasure in his eyes, that despite the human traffic jam, the place was abuzz with joyful reverence amplified by the crisp, cool weather that seemed to dance through the crowds. The temple, he remarks, rolls out its spiritual carpet as early as 5 in the morning and only tucks it away come 7 in the evening,…
Welcome to Khon Kaen, the Northeast province of Thailand, recently spotlighted not for its vibrant culture or delicious food, but for a more somber statistic: it topped the charts with a staggering 24 car crashes on a single Friday. This revelation came courtesy of Chotenarin Kerdsom, the Interior Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary who can probably recite traffic stats faster than a street racer shifting gears. Chotenarin took to the stage – figuratively, of course, this is government, not Broadway – on a calm Saturday to deliver some less-than-calm news from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). Apparently, not only did Khon Kaen win the dubious honor of having the most crunched metal, but it was also where 23 unfortunate souls collected cuts and bruises from those roadside tangos. Why so many automotive ballets? Well, Chotenarin pointed his finger at the usual culprits – that dastardly duo of speeding,…
Hold on to your hats, political enthusiasts, because the word on the street is that there’s a storm brewing in the hallowed halls of Thai politics, and it’s promising to be quite the spectacle! Step right up and meet the ringleader of the upcoming showdown, the deputy leader of the Move Forward Party, none other than Sirikanya Tansakun. She’s not your average politician—she’s got her eye on the prize and is ready to take on the Herculean task of holding the government’s feet to the fire, much like her party did with the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration. Buckle up, folks, this ride is going to be as turbulent as it is thrilling! That’s right! According to the deputy leader, there’s no time for slacking, no room for idle hands in the robust arena of government scrutiny. “Expectations are sky-high with an elected government,” she proclaims, eyes gleaming with the reflection of…
Imagine this: You’re minding your own business, perhaps sipping a refreshing Thai iced tea under the tropical sun, when suddenly—ZIP! ZAP!—bullets are raining down from the heavens like a deadly metallic monsoon. The culprit? Clouds don’t pack heat, my friends; these lethal projectiles are courtesy of reckless celebratory gunfire slicing through the sky. But never fear, the guardians of the peace in Thailand are on high alert and this is where the venerable Pol Colonel Chanchai Rattanapanit, a paragon of protection and the deputy spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, enters the narrative stage. On a serene Saturday, Pol Colonel Chanchai took a stance against the gravity-defying bullets that sadly, once propelled into the atmosphere with joyous abandon, transform into grim harbingers of chaos on their earthbound journey. Picture Chanchai with concern etched upon her face, warning of the velocity with which these misguided missiles return to terra firma—a velocity…
Picture this: a political chessboard where the pieces, rather than vying for a checkmate against an opponent, are rallying in an introspective battle to outdo their previous plays. It’s a fascinating strategy, one that Move Forward party’s current spearhead, Chaithawat Tulathon, passionately advocates. On an ordinary Saturday, you might expect tales of impending showdowns with political adversaries, but Chaithawat, with the poise of a seasoned statesman, expressed his conviction that the true contest lies within. Let’s rewind a bit — Chaithawat ascended to the role of party leader under rather unique circumstances. The former leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, found himself entangled in a legal web, suspended as an MP amidst allegations of a potential conflict of interest with a dormant media enterprise. His ordeal spurred him to step aside, nudging Chaithawat into the leadership limelight. Now, the pivot point of this political saga hinges on a forthcoming decision by the Constitutional…
On a bright autumn day, the radiant Paetongtarn “Ung-Ing” Shinawatra stood before an audience of Pheu Thai Party members, basking in the light of new beginnings as she assumed her role as party leader. The assembly hall, which hosted this pivotal moment on October 27, was charged with an atmosphere of anticipation, immortalized in a photograph captured by the keen lens of Somchai Poomlard. But this was just the prelude to Paetongtarn’s vibrant journey into Thailand’s defence episteme. A fresh and invigorating curriculum at the National Defence College (NDC) beckons her to traverse the corridors of military strategy and leadership. The Ministry of Defence, with a stroke of genius, has tailored something that steers the ship of traditional education towards newer horizons—welcome to the mini-NDC course. Unlike its predecessor, this innovative programme casts its net into the vivacious pool of Thailand’s younger talents. Aimed at the bright sparks aged 35–42,…
Ah, Hat Yai! The jewel of Thailand’s south, beckoning travelers with its vibrant markets and the promise of unforgettable experiences. And guess what? The ever-reliable Tourism Authority of Thailand has let it slip that the city is about to cash in a whopping 760 million baht during the New Year festivities. Yes, you heard it right—Hat Yai is set to dazzle more than it did last year, from December 30 to the stroke of midnight welcoming January 1. How thrilling is that? Nongyao Jirundon, the esteemed director of the TAT’s Hat Yai office, could hardly contain her excitement as she detailed the influx of tourists. The city has been abuzz since the week kicked off, brimming with anticipation and, most notably, welcoming a delightful surge of visitors from neighboring Malaysia, who’ve been flocking in since Christmas. It appears Santa decided to give tourism a little nudge this year! Breathless with…
Welcome to the season where the sky lights up with dazzling fireworks and the air is filled with festive cheers! But hold on to your party hats, folks, because there’s an important update from the corridors of the Interior Ministry that’s aiming to ensure that our countdown to the New Year is not only fabulous but safe. The man with the plan, interior permanent secretary Suttipong Juljarern, announced yesterday with the kind of urgency that would make Santa’s sleigh stop in its tracks – a total ban on the public packing of heat. Yes, you heard it right. If you were planning to accessorize your New Year’s eve outfit with a sidearm, think again. Our Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has drawn a firm line in the sand—or, in this case, the snow. Administrative offices across the board have been given strict instructions: No permits for taking…