The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) has unveiled the 2024 PWA Father’s Land Project, a heartfelt initiative to honor His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great. On a vibrant Friday morning, 7 June 2024, the scenic village of Ban Pa Sakngam in Luang Nuea, Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, was abuzz with activity and excitement. Chakapong Kamchan, the Deputy Governor (Operation 2) and current acting Governor, passionately shared, “In line with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s unwavering dedication to forest conservation, the PWA is fervently advancing the Father’s Land project through the Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) framework at Ban Pa Sakngam, Luang Nuea, Chiang Mai. Beyond simply planting more trees to expand the local forest, this endeavor plays a critical role in restoring ecosystem balance.” Imagine walking through lush green landscapes where the hum of bees is a sweet symphony of nature. Yes, this project also encourages apiculture farming,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
On a serene yet fateful Tuesday morning in Phuket, the unexpected roar of the ocean reminded us of its formidable power. Rescuers discovered the lifeless body of James Du Bois, an American tourist, nestled within the rocky enclave of Nai Harn Beach. This heart-wrenching discovery brought a somber conclusion to a desperate search that had gripped the community since Sunday. The 48-year-old Du Bois had ventured into the inviting waves of Nai Harn Beach with his beloved wife and child. The trio’s sunny afternoon quickly turned perilous as a robust current ensnared them, transforming a picturesque day into a frantic struggle for survival. While the vigilant efforts of lifeguards successfully saved his wife and child, Du Bois tragically vanished into the treacherous depths. Amidst the crashing waves and under the stern gaze of grey skies, the search for Du Bois became an arduous journey. Tambon Rawai Municipality officials coordinated a…
Flashing lights and the powerful spray of fire hoses marked a distressing scene at the still-smoldering Sri Somrat animal market in Chatuchak district early Tuesday morning. Firefighters fought valiantly to tame the inferno, but as the smoke cleared, the scale of the devastation was heart-wrenchingly apparent. The blaze, which erupted at around 4:10 AM, tore mercilessly through the market, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The Chatuchak district office reported that the Sri Somrat market, home to 118 pet shops sprawled across a 1,400-square-meter area, was the epicenter of the tragedy. Nestled behind the bustling JJ Mall shopping center on Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road, the market had been a haven for animal lovers and exotic pet enthusiasts alike. Firefighting teams from numerous local stations raced to the scene, battling the flames for a grueling half-hour before finally bringing the blaze under control. Despite their best efforts, the devastation…
Bagna-Trad is the star of the year, serving as the essential gateway to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) special development zone. With the government pouring investments into transport infrastructure, the EEC line stretches to three coastal airports and runs along the busy Bangna-Trad highway, making it a prime hub of activity and opportunity. Landmark Location and Future Innovation District The announcement of the EEC special development zone has spurred a whirlwind of activity, drawing investors and developers to hotspots like Bangna-Trad. Projects have proliferated along the Bangna-Trad highway to Chonburi and from Sukhumvit Road to Samut Prakan, stretching all the way to Bangna-Trad KM10. Enterprising visionaries are back in the game, crafting remarkable landmarks after a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 crisis. Since the pandemic subsided in 2022, Bangna-Trad has witnessed a renaissance of sorts, outpacing other locations with a diverse array of property developments. Investments—ranging from tens to hundreds…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has dutifully submitted his defense to the Constitutional Court, following intense scrutiny over the much-debated appointment of Pichit Chuenban as a PM’s Office minister. While Mr. Srettha confirmed that his defense was handed to the court last Friday, he deftly sidestepped discussing the intricate details of his argument when probed by the media. “It’s more of a clarification. I have the duty to clarify, and I think I’ve covered it all,” Mr. Srettha stated with an air of composure, leaving the press to speculate over the crux of his written defense. The prime minister faced a looming deadline, needing to submit his defense by Saturday. This urgency followed the Constitutional Court’s decision to entertain a petition calling for his removal—an outgrowth of a controversial cabinet reshuffle that saw Pichit’s contentious appointment. The petition, spearheaded by a faction of caretaker senators, raised questions under Section 170 (4)…
The upcoming round of Senate elections is stirring up controversy, with caretaker senator Somchai Swangkarn raising red flags about potential manipulation. According to Senator Swangkarn, several individuals have been strategically hired to influence the votes, aligning with certain political parties or interest groups. As he reviewed last Sunday’s district-level voting outcomes, he noticed an alarming trend: while some candidates were overwhelmingly favored, others didn’t receive a single vote. Senator Somchai pointed out a critical loophole in the organic Senate election law, which permits candidates to cast votes for themselves or other candidates. This gap, he alleges, has been exploited by some parties or interest groups, funding individuals to run for election merely to tip the scales in their favor. “It’s a game being played. If we closely monitor the provincial voting on June 16, collusion will become evident. Only those backed by strong parties and interest groups will advance,” he…
Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa is stepping up efforts to curb the alarming rate of domestic violence, which has shockingly accounted for nearly 70% of all reported violence cases in the last two months. After a high-level meeting with ministry officials on Monday, Mr. Varawut announced robust measures to tackle this pressing issue. The Human Security Emergency Management Center has been working vehemently to safeguard the wellbeing of citizens facing domestic strife, and now, they’ve launched a 24/7 rapid deployment task force ready to serve people across the nation. The urgency of the situation is further underlined by the sobering findings from the Human Security Emergency Management Centre’s recent report covering April and May. The survey, which targeted 6,655 individuals receiving state assistance, painted a worrisome picture. Inadequate income, strained domestic relationships, and violence surfaced as the leading challenges regularly faced by these individuals. The report highlights…
The hustle and bustle of Bangkok’s streets are no stranger to controversy, but this one is a real potboiler. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has tasked the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) with probing a thinly veiled allegation of corruption in the police ranks. The whole drama unfolded faster than you could say ‘slot machine’. It all started with a zing! Pol Col Pairoj Namuangrak, the superintendent of Phasi Charoen police, dropped a bombshell in a Line group chat. He accused one of his superiors, a police major general, of twisting his arm into allowing a local gambling syndicate to plant slot machines all over his turf. Talk about a high-stakes gamble! Rumor has it, this explosive message was swiftly removed from the chat, which had a whopping 393 members. But, in the age of screenshots, nothing disappears for long. A savvy group member snapped a screenshot and let it spread like…
Local residents were seen making the most of the fitness equipment at Wachirabenjathat Park, known affectionately as Suan Rod Fai, in Chatuchak district on June 6. The scene, captured vividly by Pornprom Satrabhaya, depicts the serene environment of the park in stark contrast to the brewing storm behind its serene facade. Rumblings of corruption have stirred within the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), prompting a deeper dive into the recent procurement of exercise equipment for public parks across the city. In a press conference following the BMA’s board meeting on Monday, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, along with BMA deputy permanent secretary Nathapong Disayabutra, laid out plans for a broadened investigation, hinting at a possible malfeasance scandal. Mr. Nathapong divulged that initial probes have unearthed several suspicious activities that point towards possible corruption in the city’s exercise equipment procurement processes. These revelations cast a shadow of doubt over some projects which, it…
Police stood guard as passionate cannabis advocates gathered to voice their dissent against the government’s controversial plan to relist the beloved plant as a narcotic. On that crisp Monday morning, the energy was palpable as the throng of protesters vowed to continue their demonstrations until a satisfactory law regulating the plant was passed. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin appeared unruffled by the gathering of these fervent advocacy groups outside Government House. They were led by the dynamic Prasitthichai Nunual, a key representative of the People’s Network for Cannabis Legislation in Thailand. As the sun rose on Sunday, around 300 militants for the green cause assembled, ready to oppose the blacklisting and prepared for an extended rally. Addressing the media on Monday, Mr. Somsak acknowledged the protesters were merely exercising their constitutional right to be heard by the nation’s senior government figures. However, he pointed out that the prime minister had…