An eye-stopping image greets viewers from the sky – the alarming aftermath of a fireworks eruption that claimed a dozen lives and inflicted injuries on scores of people in Sungai Kolok district, Narathiwat. Mid-afternoon on Saturday, the clock hands came to a halt as tragedy unfolded. The news broke out with urgency. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha demanded immediate aid for the victims. In a statement made by the deputy government spokesperson, Rachada Dhnadirek, assurances of encompassing aid – financial and emotional – were expressed for the survivors. The devastation from the blast was not only emotional, but physical. Over 290 homes were damaged, fifty among them were completely destroyed. The blast painted a grim picture on the canvas of tambon Muno around 3pm. Rachada confirmed that unconditional emergency assistance had been provided to all victims, and the governor of Narathiwat orchestrated temporary accommodation arrangements at the athletic field of the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
What led to the unsuccessful government bid by the Move Forward Party (MFP) with Pita Limjaroenrat at its helm? According to a survey conducted by Nida Poll, it was the party’s unyielding stand on certain policies that became its undoing. In the eyes of most people, the party’s inability to secure a compromise on these key policies was the primary catalyst for their failure. The poll, which was carried out over the course of three days between the 24th and 26th of July, received responses from over a thousand people. These respondents, ringing in at a total of 1,310, represented a broad demographic mix. They spanned various age groups, starting from 18 years and upwards, and came from diverse professional, educational, and income backgrounds from across the country. When quizzed about the potential missteps that led to the MFP’s downfall, a compelling 42.98% identified the party’s refusal to relinquish some…
After a self-imposed exile that has spanned over 17 years, rumors are circulating about the potential homecoming of Thailand’s former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. Reliable sources within both the Pheu Thai Party and the Royal Thai Police (RTP) have confirmed plans for Thaksin’s arrival at Don Mueang airport on August 10 at approximately 10.30 am. However, skepticism surrounds this announcement, with detractors Jatuporn Prompan and Chuvit Kamolwisit publicly questioning the legitimacy of such claims, dismissing Thaksin’s return plans as mere rumors. In an apparent gesture of support, the Pheu Thai Party has been releasing a series of video chronicles via its Facebook page, documenting the significant highs and lows of Thaksin Shinawatra’s political journey. This video series includes Thaksin’s rise to the country’s premier in 2001, through to the political shift in 2014 when a military coup designed by the National Council for Peace and Order resulted in the overthrow…
At 23 years old, Chainarong Maneewong is passionate about education, all thanks to the Bangkok Post Foundation scholarship that funded his studies in Thai language from the Faculty of Education at Chiang Mai University. Now a proud graduate, Chainarong is bracing himself to fulfill his childhood passion of fostering knowledge, teaching in his home province of Chiang Mai. Chainarong’s passion for the underprivileged is part of his future teaching career. He aspires to use his gained knowledge to give back and help a great number of needy children, securing scholarships for them to make their educational dreams a reality. Chainarong’s strong dedication to education was fuelled by his humble background. His father, a taxi driver, and his mother, a jewelry store assistant, struggled to make ends meet. However, his father’s untimely demise left his mother the Herculean task of catering to Chainarong and his elder brother. Although Chainarong’s brother had…
From crisis emerges a beacon of hope, and that beacon in Thailand was no other than Thai Traditional Medicine (TTM). Following the striking onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, this age-old discipline has made great strides forward. It has been identified as a vital part of the Thai cultural tapestry, tying together various aspects from age-old religious convictions to mouth-watering street delicacies. The 20th National Herbs Expo, which fell between June 28 and July 2, facilitated by the Ministry of Public Health, solidified this position. An overarching increase in Thai herb usage was noticeably evident — an outcome, experts believe, of the ongoing pandemic. This forum allowed attendees – comprised of experts, entrepreneurs, and visitors – to share and acquire wisdom on the marvel that is Thai traditional medicine. Unfortunately, a cloud of doubt engulfs the effectiveness of herbal remedies, however, the pandemic saw the demand for traditional herbs skyrocket. The…
Chiang Rai prides itself being a vibrant city, brimming with creativity and individuality. In a remarkable display of talent and artistic prowess, local authorities and businesses teamed up to unveil the “Tattoo Body Artists” and “Amazing Body Art @ Chiangrai” promotions. The grand event took place at the bustling Central Chiang Rai shopping mall on Saturday, showcasing the ingenuity of local tattoo artists. Boasting a collection of spectacular body art, this exciting event put on show the promising creations of local tattoo shops. The attendees witnessed a mesmerizing blend of ink and skin, weaved into stories through tattoos that proudly adorned bodies of various shapes and sizes. Luethaipat Pimonsree, the esteemed deputy director of the University of Phayao’s Innovative Learning Institute, presented the event as part of Chiang Rai’s ongoing and highly successful “Creative City of Design” campaign. The campaign aligns perfectly with the Creative Cities global network spearheaded by…
Marking what can be seen as a new dawn to waste management and a more robust economy, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Department of Industrial Works, and the National Science and Technology Development Agency have inked a pact. The trio are on a quest to combat waste by working collaboratively. The president of FTI, Kriengkrai Thiennukul, sounds an urgent clarion call. His thesis centres on how Thailand can bolster its competitive streak. He channels his focus not in one or two, but three essential points, namely; robust investments in burgeoning high-tech industries, bracing for an ageing society which he predicts could see a shocking drop from the current 75 million to a mere 33 million individuals by the time we reach 2075, and fortifying alignment with global trade rules corresponding to environmental, social and governance norms. Every layer of the industrial ecosystem, ranging from waste producers through to waste…
Think about a picturesque marine location, where suddenly, the crystalline blue waters become a vibrant green. It’s positively mesmerizing, and it’s not magic but a purely natural scientific phenomenon commonly known as a plankton bloom. This transformation occurs when there’s an abundance of sunlight married with an excess of nutrients, causing a surge of micro-organisms so immense, they tint the surrounding waters. Just like an underwater artist, named Sorasak Thongbongpetch, who isn’t simply an artist but also the secretarial aide to the president of the illustrious Koh Larn community. Sorasak elaborates that plankton blooms are rather seasonal phenomena. You can typically witness them happening two or three times every year, specifically during the early phase of the rainy season. The freshwater, flowing generously into the sea, acts as a catalyst for these blooms. The seawater, which usually boasts a translucent appearance, gets a green makeover, but this isn’t permanent. The…
The meteorological department has recently issued a warning about the potential of strong, gusty winds occurring in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea regions. This is due to a low-pressure zone building up within the heart of the Gulf of Thailand, in combination with the heavy southwestern monsoon hovering over the Andaman Sea. This interaction creates a volatile climate conducive to these strong winds. With this potent mix, the weather forecast predicts a significant deluge set to affect both northern and southern provinces, along with the northeastern, eastern, and central areas. The country’s denizens have been advised to stay vigilant as the anticipated rainfall could trigger a series of flash floods in hilly terrains, adding to the potential risk of rivers and streams overflowing in low altitude areas. Hence, everyone is advised to stay informed and prepared for this incoming severe weather episode. The list of the regions and…
The captivating coastal city of Bang Lamung in a district unassumingly concealed in the heart of Pattaya was the setting for an unfortunate incident. The Sawang Boribun Thamma Sathan Rescue Centre, armed with a team of stellar lifesavers leapt into action posthaste when a distress call at the untimely hour of 3.46am painted a grim picture – a foreign tourist had succumbed to an unforeseen ailment within the comforting confines of a local cannabis café in the unassumingly tranquil region of Tambon Nong Prue. United in their unwavering commitment to save a life in the line of duty, the tireless team from the Rescue Centre and a team of leading medical expert from the renowned Pattaya Hospital raced to the café. Time was of the essence, and on reaching the café, they were met with the jarring sight synonymous with the weight of their profession; the hapless tourist lay motionless…