Imagine being selected for an exciting international space science event; a golden ticket like no other. However, due to funding constraints, that golden ticket turns to ash in your hands. This was the bitter reality for a Thai student who was unable to partake in the prestigious JAXA Asian Try Zero G competition – a platform hosted by Japan for the robust exchange of ideas and fostering groundbreaking space experiments. Running out of gas before even leaving the runway, the Thai government couldn’t muster the resources needed for this studious representative’s airfare. At the eye of this unfortunate situation is Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) SPACE Education programme, the conveyor belt responsible for shipping genius minds to such international events. For context, JAXA Asian Try Zero G sees young students from ASEAN countries, each more promising than the last, to delve into exhilarating space science experiments. Cunningly,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The bustling office of Tak Immigration in Mae Sot district, Tak, teemed with Myanmar workers, heads bent over heaps of paperwork, carefully filling out their visa applications. This was a common sight last year, as captured in a rather telling photograph which has since been widely circulated. Migrant employees hailing from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, previously permitted to reside and engage in work in Thailand on a temporary basis, have now seen their stay extended. This is applicable as they attempt to secure new visas and work permits in the country, as per the latest declaration from the Ministry of Interior. On Tuesday, the ministry released two crucial announcements tied to the development. These entailed special provision for the migrant labour from the aforementioned nations allowing them an extension of stay. This measure also legitimises their work in Thailand. Both the announcements were featured in the Royal Gazette on…
If you’re a foreign traveler bidding farewell to the exuberant city of Bangkok, you’ll soon be gliding through Suvarnabhumi Airport with ease and convenience. Yep, you heard it right! Starting next month, Suvarnabhumi Airport is upgrading its systems that significantly revamps the immigration check-in experience for outbound international travelers, promising less waiting, less hassle and less congestion. In the heart of this transformative move is Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimphadee, the commander of Immigration Division 2, who is taking passenger satisfaction to new heights. Until now, the auto-processing facility at Suvarnabhumi Airport was an exclusive privilege only for the lucky holders of Thai, Hong Kong and Singaporean passports. But not anymore! The Immigration Bureau is rolling up its sleeves, busy enhancing its computer programming and introducing a slew of amended regulations, to make automatic processing channels available for a wider spectrum of international travelers. And the good news is, the…
On 14th November 2023, ZTE Corporation, a world-renowned ICT solutions provider, marked the opening of its annual 5G Summit & User Congress 2023 in Thailand’s pulsating capital city, Bangkok. This two-day event, swathed in the theme “Embrace the Digital Nexus”, drew industry moguls who divulged valued insights, applicable case studies, and prognostications about future networks and the digital terrain. ZTE’s President of Overseas, Xiao Ming, graced the event with an inspiring opening address. As he spoke, Ming painted a vivid image of an interlinked cosmos, brought to life by the omnipresent network known as 5G-A. The power of this digital force, he expounded, births undreamed realities such as XR and the Metaverse. Akin to a magnetic piston, it drives industries, perpetually propelling human civilizations upwards. Further emphasising ZTE’s commitment to the digital sphere, Ming shared ZTE’s practical experiences and insights. He highlighted the company’s active collaborative efforts with numerous operators…
A tale of deception and international intrigue has unfolded with the recent arrest of a Japanese conman, who made Thailand his grounds for running a telephone scam. Daisuke Ogawa, aged 49, was whisked off to Japan after charges of fraud were levelled against him, marking another significant arrest amidst a string of similar cases where fraud groups have been found exploiting Japanese victims from various corners of Southeast Asia. The alleged conman touched down on the tarmac at Tokyo’s Haneda airport at the cool hour of 5.50 am on a Wednesday, after disentangling himself from the grips of Thai detention. The accusations lining up against him carry a weighty sentence: Ogawa apparently outfoxed a man in his mid-seventies from Gifu Prefecture in central Japan this September. Using his mendacious charm over the phone, he roped the elderly gentleman into parting with his cash card via a postal mail service by…
Metamorphosing conventional businesses into state-of-the-art hubs offering drone-oriented agricultural services, the MDES and depa, Thailand have launched the revolutionary 1 Tambon 1 Digital (Chumchon Drone Jai) Project. This groundbreaking initiative unfolds a vision to instill understanding, knowledge, and hands-on drone skills for agricultural necessities. Sharing a spotlight on Thai communities and farmers, the project seeks to revolutionise how farming communities operate nationwide. In an endeavor to cultivate the integration of drone technology across 500 Thai communities in agriculture, the project aspires to mount an economic worth over 350 million baht. Manifesting in tune with the Growth Engine of Thailand policy, the endeavour focusses on enhancing Thailand’s competitive edge on a global frontier. It illuminates a pathway to setup 50 drone service centres countrywide within a year’s ambit. Mr. Prasert Jantararuangtong, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), emphasised the readiness of MDES to sprint towards augmenting a digitally driven…
The panoramic view at the Asia International Hemp Expo held on the lush premises of Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Center took everyone’s breath away — an unprecedented sight of cannabis plants proudly on display. This momentous visual took place in November of the previous year, a photograph that continues to capture imaginations and spark debates around the world. (Photo credit: Somchai Poomlard) Navigating through the twists and turns of these debates, the government is currently grappling with the burgeoning cannabis industry, contemplating stricter controls to skirt potential misuse. The motivation behind this revision of the draft bill, previously floundered during the anxious times leading to the elections in May. The main spark behind the drastic changes in the text is primarily to address increasing concerns over likely cannabis addiction, as relayed by Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew’s crucial statement. “Myriad aspects related to cannabis come into play — economic…
In what could potentially shake up Thailand’s plans for GDP growth in the coming year, the nation’s proposed digital wallet and e-refund initiatives face significant legal and funding hurdles. Market analysts warn that these challenges could precipitate a drastic scaling back of these high-ticket digital stratagems that have been slated for a rollout in 2024. These obstacles are seen as critical roadblocks that could derail the successful implementation of these ambitious digital plans. The news was reported by Maybank Securities, shedding light on these ominous undercurrents. Notably, a number of legislative roadblock issues have been pointed out by opposition parties. Relevant clauses of the Constitution and the State Fiscal and Financial Responsibility Act that deal with state and emergency funding caps have been called into question. Beyond that, academia point towards possible violations of Sections 20 and 62 of the Public Debt Management Act. All in all, plenty of concerns…
In the heart of the Mae Hong Son Province in Thailand, the majestic mountain of Doi Mae U-Kor stands tall. More than just a mountain, in recent times it has become a bustling hub for tourists from around the globe, all converging to relish in the stunning spectacle of the radiant Mexican sunflower fields that blanket it. Beaming golden hues against verdant emerald greens, these vibrant blooms spread across over 500 acres of the hilly countryside, making for magnificent vistas that are truly a sight to behold. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is buzzing with anticipation, prepared to welcome an influx of no less than 100,000 visitors this winter. Besides the locals, the splendid phenomenon has garnered the attention of international tourists as well, all keen to witness the mesmerising scenery. Thara Chom-Samrong-Lert, who oversees the Mae U-Kor Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Khun Yuam District, attested to this assertion.…
Blanketed in a cool morning fog, the district of Nakhon Thai in Phitsanulok, Thailand, welcomed the official start of winter on Tuesday. Unlike the previous year’s slightly colder onset, this year’s winter season started subtly warmer, according to the Thai Meteorological Department. Marking the commencement of the chilly periods are declining temperatures in the upper provinces, dipping below 23°C alongside northeasterly or easterly winds blowing across 100 to 3,500 metres altitudes – clear signs that winter has wheeled in. Thermometers across the nation have started to record a lower temperature range of around 21-22°C. Interestingly, this is comfier than the biting chill experienced last year, which averaged at approximately 20.8°C across the upper territories. What’s even more noteworthy is that this year, winter has made a stylishly late entrance, arriving about four weeks behind its typical schedule. As suggested by meteorological projections, winter’s reign will stretch up to the end…