Imagine embarking on an extraordinary odyssey, not by choice, but driven by sheer necessity and an iron-clad will. This is the story of Monthon Phetsung, a 48-year-old man, whose epic journey from the quaint town of Tambon Mae Sam in Sukhothai’s Si Satchanalai district, all the way to the bustling city of Bangkok, captured the heart of a nation. Spanning over 824 kilometres, Monthon’s journey wasn’t just about distance, but about determination, resilience, and the quest for justice. It all unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Sunday, when TV screens across the country became windows into Monthon’s arduous adventure. Viewers sat transfixed as they watched Monthon, with a fortitude that defied his physical limits, painstakingly propel his ingeniously modified wheelchair towards the capital, inch by tireless inch. His destination? The Comptroller General’s Department in Bangkok, with an aim as clear as day – to prove his eligibility for his rightful monthly…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine a world where a group of economic wizards, also known as the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), are gearing up for their inaugural assembly of the year 2024. It’s a Wednesday like no other, as these financial conjurers are being whispered to by none other than the Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin. With a dual hat of leading the nation and managing its coffers, PM Thavisin, along with his band of cabinet sorcerers, is gently nudging these wizards to wave their wands and lower their mystical policy rate from the heights of 2.5% per annum. Why, you may ask? Well, in a land where the dragon of inflation has been tamed, sliding down the economic mountains for several moons, the leaders of the realm see no reason for these wizards to guard their treasure at such a lofty rate. Yet, the guardians of the Kingdom’s coffers, known to the…
When Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet steps off the plane in Thailand this Wednesday, it’s not just a routine state visit. Picture the scene: A grand welcome at Phnom Penh International Airport, with the host country’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin by his side, hinting at the significance of this meeting. It’s a page straight out of diplomacy’s grand playbook, with high stakes discussions on the horizon that could alter the course of economic and environmental cooperation between these neighboring nations. The agenda? A tantalizing mix of issues promising to strengthen ties, from solving long-standing border conundrums to enhancing trade, transport, and investment initiatives. Foremost among them is the hotly anticipated dialogue on jointly developing the treasure trove of natural resources lying dormant within the disputed maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Thailand. Imagine a scene where, in the hallowed halls of Government House, the two leaders, armed with decades of…
Imagine stepping into a world where the tapestry of ancient traditions blends seamlessly with the pulse of modern innovations. This is the promise that has thrust the notion of visa-free travel to China into the spotlight, courting the imaginations of up to 800,000 adventurers, according to Charoen Wangananont, the esteemed president of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA). The year 2019 saw a commendable influx of 600,000 visitors, but the winds of wanderlust, spurred by ease of access, whisper of numbers soaring higher. Picture a voyage that tugs at the heartstrings of exploration and luxury, with the allure of five-day-four-night tour packages guiding you to the treasure troves of Chengdu and Chongqing. These gems of China, according to Charoen, are at the heart of an accelerated endeavor to refine and expand tourist attractions and facilities, making every moment an invitation to delve deeper into the heart of China’s splendor. But…
Picture this: The bustling energy of travelers, the roar of airplanes taking off, and the seamless flow of operations at three of Thailand’s soon-to-be most advanced regional airports. Yes, you heard right! Udon Thani, Buriram, and Krabi airports are all set to embark on a spectacular journey towards modernization and enhanced capacity, thanks to the Airports of Thailand (AOT). But, before all these exciting changes take place, there’s a significant milestone we’re all eagerly waiting for—the official green light from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). The countdown has begun, as the CAAT is putting the final touches on issuing public airport certifications for these three dynamic hubs. With the buzz in the air and anticipation reaching its peak, it’s expected that in just six short months, or by the middle of this vibrant year, we’ll hear the much-awaited news. Pol Gen Wisnu Prasatthong-osot, the visionary chairman of AOT’s…
In a world where history is often found more in glass cases and grand halls than its original hearths, the tale of the “Golden Boy,” a magnificent statue of the Hindu deity Shiva, and a mysterious kneeling female figure, arms raised in eternal supplication, stands out as a saga of return and redemption. The players in this narrative are none other than the esteemed Fine Arts Department and the venerable Metropolitan Museum of Art, embarking on a journey to return these treasures to their ancestral home. The intricacies of this tale unfurl with the Fine Arts Department at the helm, having been charged with the noble task of collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Their mission? The repatriation of the two enigmatic artifacts back to the land of smiles, Thailand. This intricate ballet of diplomacy will pirouette through the Royal Thai Consulate-General in New York, with the museum graciously…
Welcome to Phuket, where the streets buzz with excitement and the air is thick with anticipation! Embarking on a festive journey like no other, Phuket International Airport is bracing itself for a spectacular influx of tourists as we sail into the Lunar New Year festival. From the onset of Sunday stretching all the way until February 16, this vibrant island expects a daily average of 49,000 tourists flocking to its shores, eager to embrace the festivities and the warm, welcoming embrace of Thai hospitality. Monchai Tanod, the esteemed Airport Director, shared with bubbling excitement that the island is set to welcome an astounding 640,000 visitors, including a whopping 430,000 international guests during this 13-day extravaganza. The skies above Phuket will be a dance of arrivals and departures, with the airport scheduled to handle 3,915 flights, a mix of 2,298 international dalliances and 1,617 domestic rendezvous. As you might imagine, preparing…
In the soft glow of the moonlight, illuminated on the tranquil shores of Phangnga, a miracle of nature was on the verge of unfolding last night. The sandy beach, usually a serene escape, became the stage for a dramatic event. Within the buried depths of this picturesque setting, dozens of leatherback turtle eggs, laden with the promise of new life, neared their moment of emergence. The scene was one of bated breath and whispered hopes, especially poignant because their journey to this pivotal moment was shadowed by tragedy. Assoc Prof Thorn Thamrongnawasawat, not just any marine expert but a guardian of the ocean’s secrets at Kasetsart University, shared this heartwarming anticipation with the world through the realm of social media. His Facebook post wasn’t merely an update; it was a beacon of hope, drawing eyes from across the globe to the sands of Phangnga in collective awe. One egg, in…
In the charming yet usually peaceful amphitheatre of Amphawa district, nestled within the heart of Samut Songkhram, a situation unfolded on a cool Saturday evening that seemed more akin to a high-paced action movie rather than the usual serene evenings locals are accustomed to. Picture this: the golden hues of the setting sun casting long shadows on the Samut Songkhram-Bang Phae road, a scene dramatically interrupted by the blare of sirens and the unexpected choreography of an unforeseen incident. It was around 6:30 PM, a time when the sky begins to don its twilight robe, that Pol Sen Sgt Maj Nichet Huayyaem found himself performing the ballet of traffic coordination. With the precision of a seasoned conductor, he was there, amidst the hum of engines, ensuring the seamless passage for HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s convoy, destined for a ceremonial honouring at King Rama II Memorial Park. Little did he…
In the bustling city of Bangkok, nestled among the urban sprawl and towering skyscrapers, a beacon of hope shines brightly in the fight against lung cancer. The Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (BDMS), in a groundbreaking partnership with AstraZeneca (Thailand) Co Ltd, has embarked on an ambitious journey to revolutionize lung cancer treatment. This dynamic duo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the commencement of a pilot phase set to unfold at the prestigious Bangkok Cancer Hospital Wattanosoth. As the grim reaper of diseases, cancer claims the throne as the undisputed cause of death in 48 nations worldwide, Thailand included. Dr Thiravud Khuhaprema, the esteemed director of Bangkok Cancer Hospital Wattanosoth, paints a harrowing picture of the situation. Thailand grapples with a staggering number of 190,000 new cancer cases annually, culminating in a devastating death toll of 120,000. This translates to the grim reality that every hour,…