Run-off floods Sukhumvit Highway between Khao Saming and Muang districts of Thailand’s Trat province on Sunday morning. (Photo: Jakkrit Waewkhlaihong) TRAT: Imagine waking up to a Sunday deluge! Heavy downpours turned sections of the renowned Sukhumvit Highway into torrents of water between Khao Saming and Muang district in Thailand’s picturesque eastern province. Communities there received urgent warnings about impending floods as water needed to be released posthaste from a local reservoir, teetering on the brink. The drama unfolded early on Sunday morning, around 5am, when the skies opened up, unleashing run-offs along an eight-section, 20-kilometre stretch of Sukhumvit Highway. These areas, connecting Khao Saming and Muang districts, experienced nature’s wrath after enduring relentless rain for two days. On Saturday alone, Khao Saming district bore witness to a staggering 245 millimetres of rainwater, setting the stage for a watery spectacle on Sunday. The municipality roads of Muang Trat also weren’t spared,…
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The serene charm of Koh Phangan in Surat Thani couldn’t mask the stirring events this past Saturday. Tourist police, led by the astute inspector, Pol Lt Col Winit Boonchit, struck a major blow against illegal activities on the picturesque island by apprehending Kenneth Nnwanelobi, a 47-year-old Nigerian national. This arrest, part of an intense crackdown on foreigners involved in unlawful enterprises, uncovered not just a drug operation but also a tale that could rival a spy thriller. Cloaked in the assumed hospitality of a hotel in Moo 8, tambon Koh Phangan, Mr. Nnwanelobi’s facade of normalcy crumbled dramatically when police arrived for a routine inspection. As he stood in the corridor, perhaps believing in his own cloak of invincibility, the request to view his passport initiated a series of events that culminated in an attempted dash into his room — a fruitless endeavor, as quick-thinking officers swiftly pursued and detained…
Blackchin tilapia, a predatory fish species originating from Africa, have taken Thailand’s waterways by storm. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) Thailand’s Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has put the Fisheries Department on a deadline: seven days to pinpoint the source of this sudden surge in the blackchin tilapia population. Prayoon Inskul, the ministry’s permanent secretary, stated on Saturday that a comprehensive plan to tackle this fishy invasion has been drawn up, targeting an outbreak spanning 16 provinces. Initially, a committee will be tasked with reigning in the tilapia population by September of next year and bumping its market price to 15 baht per kilogram, up from the current rate of eight baht. Mr. Prayoon mentioned that the committee will delve into how the import of this species is impacting local ecosystems and investigate how this explosion began. The department must have its findings wrapped up and ready within the seven-day window, after which…
In a heartwarming move to commemorate His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday, a remarkable initiative involving 72,000 rai of state land, once under military use, is set to change the lives of countless farmers. This noteworthy announcement was made by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his recent weekly broadcast. He highlighted that many farmers across the nation suffer due to the severe shortage of farmland. The government has taken a pivotal step by soliciting land from the military, including the air force, army, and navy. These unused lands will be allocated to landless farmers, enabling them to rent at minimal rates. This transformative project is scheduled to kick off in the picturesque northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom as part of the grand celebrations for the King’s birthday on July 28. But that’s not all! The government, in its benevolence, has also distributed an impressive 72,000 sets of prosthetics and mobility…
Paroled ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra recently made waves with his visit to Surin—a province in the lower northeastern region. The buzz began when he arrived at Wat Suwan Wichit in Prasat district on July 14 to oversee the ordination of 334 novice monks, celebrating the sixth cycle birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King. Though the visit was primarily religious, it’s hard to ignore the political undercurrents swirling around it. Last year’s polls jolted Surin’s political landscape. Once a stronghold of the Pheu Thai Party, which bagged five out of the seven seats in the 2019 elections, the region shifted allegiance. Bhumjaithai Party surged ahead, capturing five out of eight seats as Pheu Thai’s share dwindled to three. Thaksin’s visit, thus, has stoked speculation that the former bastion is becoming a central arena for the next general election. Following his parole six months ago, Thaksin has been on a provincial tour,…
In the surreal stillness of early Sunday morning, a shocking scene unfolded at a three-story building in the DK Rama 2 housing estate, Bang Bon district, Bangkok. Police had swarmed the area after reports arrived of a mentally unstable man wielding several guns and holding his family hostage. As the news spread, tension rippled through the neighborhood. By 9:45 PM on Saturday, the Royal Thai Police were on the scene, led by Pol Lt Col Kittichon Janyarom, a respected 59-year-old deputy chief of the Tha Kham police station. Pol Lt Col Kittichon’s mission was clear: to negotiate, to de-escalate, and to bring the family to safety. In an unfortunate twist of fate, this brave officer was met with tragic violence. During his attempt to reason with the gunman, he was shot three times—once in the chest and twice in the hand. Despite their swift arrival at Mali Hospital, doctors were…
As the dim evening light began to fade, an unusual tension enveloped the DK Rama 2 housing estate in Bangkok’s Bang Bon district. It was a crisp Saturday night when police forces were alerted to a dire situation—a mentally distressed man was wielding a firearm, holding his own family hostage inside a three-storey building. By 9.45 PM, the area swarmed with police officers and emergency personnel. Chaotic scenes unfolded as the gravity of the standoff became evident. Leading the negotiation effort was Pol Lt Col Kittichon Janyarom, aged 59, a respected deputy chief from the Tha Kham police station. Unwavering in his commitment to ensure a peaceful resolution, Lt Col Kittichon cautiously approached the house, while officers and onlookers alike held their breath. In a shocking turn of events, loud, sharp noises shattered the night’s silence. The distressed gunman had fired, hitting Lt Col Kittichon three times—once in the chest…
In an urgent bid to stem the tide of the blackchin tilapia population explosion, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has issued a strict seven-day deadline to the Fisheries Department. According to Prayoon Inskul, the permanent secretary for the ministry, a comprehensive plan has been formulated to tackle the unprecedented outbreak across 16 affected provinces. Tasked with taming this aquatic invasion, a dedicated committee has been assigned to bring the situation under control by the end of September next year. A key goal is to boost the market price of blackchin tilapia from a meager eight baht per kilogramme to a more lucrative 15 baht per kilogramme. Mr. Prayoon noted that the committee will meticulously investigate the ramifications of this fish species on local ecosystems and pinpoint the origins of its sudden proliferation. The Fisheries Department has been given a tight deadline of seven days to produce a detailed report, which…
A total of 72,000 rai of state land, previously used by the military, is ready to be handed over for distribution to poor landless farmers to mark the occasion of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced. Speaking in his weekly broadcast on Saturday, Mr. Srettha said many farmers across the country are struggling because of a shortage of farmland. The government enlisted the cooperation of the military, including the air force, army, and navy, to allocate unused lands to landless farmers at a low rental rate. This noble initiative aims to ease the plight of farmers and give them the opportunity to cultivate and sustain themselves. The farmland distribution project will kick off in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom as part of the celebratory events for the King’s birthday, which falls on July 28, he said. The government and the armed forces are excited…
Amidst the lush, emerald expanses of rice fields in Phak Hai district, nestled in the northwestern part of Ayutthaya province, central Thailand, a significant discussion unfolds. The serene landscape, captured beautifully by Karnjana Karnjanatawe, serves as a picturesque backdrop to a pressing issue of national importance. In the heart of Thailand’s agricultural sector, the National Rice Policy and Management Committee faces a pivotal decision. There’s a ring of disputes and criticisms echoing around the 30-billion-baht fertilizer subsidy program, crafted for the benefit of 4.68 million tireless rice farmers. Originally envisioned as a measure to ease the financial load on farmers, the scheme now finds itself mired in contention, primarily due to its co-payment stipulation. The mechanics of the subsidy seemed straightforward at first glance: farmers would receive a maximum of 500 baht per rai, capped at 10,000 baht per farmer. However, the crux of the problem lies in the prerequisite…