Amidst a sea of shimmering stars and the boundless expanse of space, a young Thai scholar who had been chosen for a prestigious space science event in Japan found his dreams come crashing down. Despite his elation at being selected, the lackluster funding response from the Thai government led to him losing this life-changing opportunity. The National Science and Technology Development Agency’s (NSTDA) SPACE Education programme spotlighted this unfortunate event, highlighting a tragic consequence of underfunding. The Japanese programme, dubbed JAXA Asian Try Zero G, is renowned for hosting elaborate space science events. For several years, it has been a hub for young scholars from ASEAN countries, offering a unique platform for them to engage in competitive space experiments. Japan’s grand strategy adopts an interesting blend of hard power and soft power elements. While the country’s cutting-edge technology and robust economy define its hard power prowess, its soft power appeal…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Attention, folks of Thailand! The time has come to dust off your jackets and prepare your umbrellas. The Meteorological Department informs us that a significant change in climate is just around the corner. So let’s decipher what this impending weather variation entails, shall we? While those in the north and northeast are swapping their summer clothes for some cozy knitwear, as they brace for a drop in temperatures, their counterparts in the south and bustling Bangkok are winding up for thunderstorms and powerful gusts of wind. Two dedicated squadrons of high-pressure systems, otherwise known as cold masses, are orchestrating this climate symphony, one reigning over the upper half of the country and another spreading its influence to southern China. Thunderstorms and gusty winds are merely the opening act, before these high-pressure systems fade into cold weather and forceful winds. If we were to put a spot on the ‘weather map’,…
The economic prospects within the vibrant lands of Thailand are currently shrouded in a gloomy mist, necessitating a swift economic boost to halt its precipitous decline. This urgency forms the backdrop of heated debates regarding the true health of the nation’s economy. Detractors question the government’s proposed stimulus package- US$313 million dole-out strategy. This approach, however, necessitates incurring a formidable debt of US$15.6 billion. The renowned scribe of the Thai Prime Minister, Prommin Lertsuriyadet, has put forward compelling signs of the slow-paced growth that Thailand treads on compared to its regional counterparts, an alarming rise in household debt being one of them. These indicators paint a grim picture, trapping the nation in the swirling winds of an economic storm-speeding headlong without any sign of abating. Should the government remain passive and allow the economy to sink or swim, we might be steering towards a precarious economic future, warns Prommin. Envisioning…
The transfer of 41 Thai citizens, caught in the crossfire of conflicts between the Myanmar military and ethnic rebel groups in Laukkai, a frontier town straddling China and Myanmar, is anticipated to occur today. This news was confirmed by no less than the prime minister himself. This group of Thais is part of a larger contingency of 164 Thai citizens, who were heroically extricated by Myanmar officials from the clutches of illicit employment and human smuggling rings. During a sojourn to the vibrant city of San Francisco, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin enlightened representatives of the press on Tuesday, sometime around 4pm in the American Pacific Time Zone, about the judicious plans of the Defence Ministry. The ultimate goal – to reunite these citizens with their homeland from Tachileik, a Myanmar frontier town – by today, November 16, or if fate so dictates, no later than Friday. The Third Army Area…
From the humble rubber plantation to bountiful greenhouse gardens, the tale of Somsak Jantrakul is a testament to the sheer transformative power of innovative farming. Hailing from Khuan Kalong District in Satun Province, Somsak’s journey from a straightforward rubber plantation farmer to an illustrious figure in the field of agricultural success stories is nothing short of inspiring. Somsak drew a line under his previous venture as a rubber plantation owner and dove headfirst into the challenging world of vegetable cultivation. Much to his surprise, this bold departure from his comfort zone proved to be a golden goose, significantly elevating his income and problem-solving acumen. His initial strides into this new realm involved supplying vegetables to local supermarkets. As his efforts started gaining recognition, the supportive agriculture office of Khuan Kalong showered him with funds, shaping his dream of setting up his own greenhouse for unique melon cultivation. An unforgettable saga…
One could argue there’s nothing more alarming than a false promise, especially when it relates to our health. Unfortunately, today, we unravel a deceitful scheme led by Vietnamese investors who were caught red-handed, profiteering from a specialized milk powder product with misleading health benefits. A meticulously planned operation by the esteemed Royal Thai Police (RTP) exposed the perpetrators, ultimately turning their multi-million baht scheme into a regrettable nightmare. Emblazoned on the forefront of this crusade against these fraudulent practices was Police Lieutenant Colonel Witya Sripaoprapha, the stout-hearted RTP Commander. His associate, Police Lieutenant Colonel Supachai Poomhaem, the 4th Battalion Commander of the RTP, along with representatives from the Food and Drug Administration, spearheaded this operation. It resulted in the exposure of this deceptive international network catering to a gullible market with unfounded health promises. Ironically, their product was more than just milk powder. It was masqueraded as a medical marvel,…
The early morning tranquility of Mae Tam intersection was abruptly shattered by the heartrending catastrophe of a three-vehicle collision. The incident, a tragic pageant of shattered metal and shattered lives, claimed the mortal existence of a young man, entangled within the gruesome jaws of his demolished pickup truck. Time, unmoving in its relentless march, registered the calamity at 2.30 am, as the plaintive sirens of Phayao local police and rescue squads shattered the hushed stillness. Initial investigations brought to light the heart-rending detail that the decedent bore the name Peerapat and was full of life at 34 years of age. The depiction of ‘Icarus fallen’ was brought to life as he lay entrapped within the wreckage of his twined pickup truck. The specialized apparatus and the dedicated hands of the officials, subtly combating their visceral responses, managed to extract his mortal remains. A somber journey then embarked to the hospital,…
It was a scene plucked straight from a spine-chilling thriller. In the serene southern province of Thailand known as Surat Thani, a horrifying murder occurred. Sangiam Penrum, an unsuspecting 53-year-old resident, was found lifelessly sprawled outside his residence. The catch, however, was the bizarre absence of his head that shocked locals and bred talk of gruesome human sacrifice. Kung, a local Thai resident, soon drew suspicion; his odd actions and strange rituals gave rise to a cloud of suspicion. His known rituals included acts of sacrifice and treasure hunting. Police didn’t delay detaining Kung to probe further, but the results of the interrogation remain a locked secret, confined only to the investigators. However, the mystery of Sangiam’s decapitated head and the identity of his killer were of paramount importance. After five days of tireless detective work, officers traced a repulsive stench to a water tank some 300 meters away from…
The Ministry of Public Health in Thailand has boldly announced its ‘Give Birth, Great World’ initiative; a daring drive designed to stimulate the country’s surprisingly stagnant birth rate. The spirited campaign is the brainchild of Public Health Minister, Cholnan Srikaew, who envisions a brighter future for Thailand, borne on the shoulders of a new generation. This innovative endeavour seeks to ignite the spark of parenthood among young couples – a spark that has been dimming due to a variety of factors causing couples to postpone or even completely forgo the thought of starting a family. “We are tasked with challenging the misguided conviction that an increasing number of children earmarks a family’s descent into poverty. This is a particularly pervasive belief among those hailing from wealthier demographics,” remarked the voracious Dr. Cholnan. His vision is to bolster the competitive muscle of Thailand in the global stage by enriching its populace.…
At the heart of the discussion at the “Future Food System Synergies by Tastebud Lab” forum, one cohesive theme stood out – the crucial need for a regenerative food system. Born out of a collaboration between multiple organizations, the forum was staged at the esteemed Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. This critical discourse forms part of the larger global event, “Asean-Asset 2023: Global Summit on the Future of Future Food — Global Protein Integrity,” underscored the importance of a sustainable food supply. Tastebud Lab and Bio Buddy, steered at the helm by the visionary CEO and co-founder, Santi Abakaz, stirred an insightful dialogue about the future of food. Santi noted that our food industry was the most robust employment sector in the world, absorbing a significant 60-70% of the global workforce. However, a stark contrast surfaced in that this sector’s lowest rung workers also garnered the least remuneration compared to…