Posts published in “Thailand”

Welcome to a whirlwind visit that has captured the imagination and headlines alike: Thaksin Shinawatra, the former premier with a penchant for stirring the pot, made quite the splash in Chiang Mai, turning heads at Waroros Market. Ah, the spectacle unfurled on a fine Friday, not just any Friday, but one that heralded the return of a figure wrapped in controversy, charisma, and an undeniable knack for being at the heart of the narrative. Picture this: Thaksin Shinawatra, stepping onto the soil of his home province, a bastion of unyielding support amidst the lush landscapes of Chiang Mai. The air, thick with anticipation and the murmur of the crowds, seems to whisper tales of a homecoming long awaited. After a sojourn that saw him away from the realm of Thailand for a staggering 17 years, marked by a self-imposed exile, our protagonist finds himself back, navigating the tumultuous waters of…

It was a weekend of political intrigue and unexpected reunions in Chiang Mai, as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made headlines with his nuanced navigation of political waters, subtly brushing aside the whispers of a nation perplexed by the notion of “dual prime ministers”. Amidst the lush landscapes of this northeastern province, Prime Minister Thavisin’s engagement with none other than the charismatic and controversial figure, Thaksin Shinawatra, became the center of attention. On a serene Saturday, the air in Chiang Mai was thick with anticipation as Srettha, harmoniously blending the roles of a state leader and an inquisitive student, drew upon the economic wizardry of Thaksin. Their gathering wasn’t just a meeting; it was akin to a masterclass with Thaksin, whose stewardship once upon a time painted Thailand’s economic canvas with broad, ambitious strokes. Amidst sizzling delicacies and an ambiance filled with the spirit of camaraderie, their conversation meandered through the…

Imagine a bustling city where cars and motorcycles zip through the streets, a place where the rumble of engines is the soundtrack of daily life. This was Bangkok, a city pulsating with life yet grappling with the challenges of urban mobility. But nestled within this concrete jungle, a revolution is brewing, spearheaded by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Thailand Walking and Cycling Institute Foundation (TWCIF). Their mission? To transform six roads in the historic Bamrung Muang area into havens for pedestrians and cyclists, beckoning a new era of ‘active mobility’. The stage for this transformative tale was set at the Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, a spectacular gathering that drew together some 200 visionaries from 52 cities across 40 countries. Among them was Kelly Larson, the dynamic director of Bloomberg Philanthropies, whose opening remarks echoed the promise of healthier, more sustainable urban futures.…

Oh, Thailand, the land of smiles, spicy cuisine, and breathtaking beaches, is now flipping the script with a forecast that reads more like a science fiction novel than a travel brochure. This year, Thailand is bracing itself for a summer that promises to be hotter than a Bangkok street food vendor’s wok. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has already reported temperatures reaching a sizzling high not seen in the last 73 years. Imagine, a whopping 44C in Mae Hong Son, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Tak, and Udon Thani. It’s as if the country decided to set up its sauna experience, but outdoors! As if the bustling city of Bangkok needed more heat beyond its fiery street eats and sun-kissed rooftops, the capital is expected to feel the burn with temperatures soaring to at least 40C on April 27. This is not your average summer glow-up; this is Thailand turning up the heat…

The 43-year-old Russian was no ordinary tourist looking forward to soaking up the sun on the gorgeous islands of Thailand. Instead, he was the target of a manhunt, with the Koh Samui Provincial Court issuing a warrant for his arrest back on the 3rd of October, 2022. The charges stacked against him would fit right into any crime drama – collusion in theft, assault, and coercion through the dark arts of implied threats. It was a storyline that had law enforcement biting at his heels, determined to bring him to justice. In the dramatic twists of an international crime saga that sounds like it’s straight out of an action-packed thriller, a Russian suspect found himself handcuffed and escorted by the authorities across the skies, flying back to the heart of the drama: Koh Samui, Thailand. The man in the spotlight, Danil Ugay, was captured in Kazakhstan after eluding the law…

Imagine a world where being prepared isn’t just recommended, it’s mastered. This is exactly the sort of world that Rhino Rescue is striving to create. With a splash of innovation and a whole lot of care, Rhino Rescue, a titan in the professional first aid realm, recently hosted a one-day training extravaganza that was nothing short of revolutionary. This wasn’t your average, run-of-the-mill workshop. Oh no. This was a deep dive into the life-saving world of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), sponsored by none other than Rhino Rescue itself. For those not in the know, TCCC isn’t just any program. Developed by the superheroes at the US Department of Defense’s Defense Health Agency (DHA) Joint Trauma System (JTS), it’s the golden standard in battlefield trauma care. The TCCC All Service Members (TCCC ASM) course offers a thrilling 7-hour adventure into the world of medical heroism, designed to arm service members…

Let’s take a whimsical stroll into the heart of Thailand, a country known for its vibrant culture, exotic landscapes, and a history of pioneering moves in gender equality. Flashback to 1932, and Thailand emerges as a visionary in Asia, bestowing upon women the right to vote. A commendable stride toward balancing the gender scales, one might say. However, fast forward to the present day, and the shimmer seems to have dulled. According to the “Freedom in the World 2024” report by Freedom House, a den of political advocacy that sits in the US, the situation appears less rosy. Despite its early progressive steps, Thailand’s political realm seems to have relegated women to the sidelines, leaving their voices muffled in the halls of power. The report throws a spotlight on a rather grim scene, awarding the Kingdom a modest score of two out of four in its “political rights and electoral…

Amidst the bustling atmosphere of a press conference held on a vibrant Saturday, the air was thick with anticipation as Thailand’s former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, took to the podium. With the wisdom of years etched upon his face, Thaksin proposed a unity seldom seen in Thailand’s political theater. “The journey ahead,” he began, with the gravitas of experience, “is a Herculean task, far surpassing the tribulations of the Tom Yum Kung crisis.” For those unfamiliar, this reference wasn’t to the tantalizing spicy prawn soup that has become a global ambassador for Thai cuisine. Rather, it harks back to the financial tumult of 1997 that sent a shiver through Asia’s economic spine, originating from Thailand’s own backyard. At 74 years young, Thaksin, regarded as the venerable patriarch of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, steered by the dynamic Paetongtarn – his youngest daughter and a beacon of youthful promise at 37,…

Imagine, if you will, the scenic landscapes and hearty communities of Nakhon Ratchasima, a province nestled in the heart of Thailand’s northeastern plains. Here, in the agricultural heartland, where the rhythm of life ebbs and flows with the seasons, an invisible crisis lurks beneath the surface, threatening to disrupt the delicate balance of rural existence. Enter the protagonists of our story: the steadfast rice farmers of Nakhon Ratchasima, grappling with a challenge as old as time itself—water scarcity. Our tale unfolds in the parched expanses surrounding Nong Kok Reservoir, located in the district of Non Thai, a vital lifeline now gasping for breath in the throes of a merciless dry season. With merely 498,000 cubic metres of water to its name, a mere 16.78% of its once-glorious capacity, this reservoir’s dwindling reserves embody the plight of a community at the mercy of the elements. Rice farmers, the unsung heroes of…

Imagine a world where the gentle hum of airplane engines is powered not by the conventional fuel sources we’re used to, but by something far more extraordinary and sustainable. This isn’t a scene from a futuristic movie; it’s a reality being meticulously woven at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University, where a team of visionary researchers is leading the charge in transforming yeast – yes, the same humble ingredient that causes your bread to rise and your beer to fizz – into a powerhouse biofuel producer. Hold on to your hats, folks, because this tale of transformation is bound to leave you astounded. Under the guidance of the illustrious Prof Warawut Chulalaksananukul, a magician in his own right within the realm of botany, this team has taken the unassuming Saccharomyces cerevisiae (for the less scientifically inclined, let’s just stick with S. cerevisiae) and turned it into a veritable fat-producing machine. This isn’t…