Stepping into the bustling world of Bangkok this April 2025, Chulalongkorn University in a groundbreaking alliance with Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand) Ltd., unveiled an ambitious new initiative, “Chulalongkorn x Novo Nordisk: Enhancing Obesity Management through Innovative Collaboration.” This dazzling event took center stage at the chic Rattanawithayapat Building, housed within the prestigious King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. This avant-garde initiative shines a spotlight on the compelling collaboration between public institutions and the private sector. Its aim? To raise the bar on obesity awareness and management through the digital realm. Here’s the situation: the scales are tipping alarmingly with over 40% of Thais now labeled as overweight or downright obese. The stakes are high; the economic ramifications of this largesse are already looming at 1.2% of the GDP, and, according to experts, it could balloon to a hefty 4.9% if left unchecked. This program underscores the exigent requirement for a united front…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) has taken a bold step to tackle the rising tide of vaping among students by instructing schools to conduct bag searches for e-cigarettes. The new directive, set to kick off as the academic year starts in May, underscores escalating concerns over the popularity of vaping among the young crowd. This initiative was tabled at the E-Cigarette Control Policy Committee meeting, chaired by the astute Vice Minister of Education, Phitsanu Phonlathee. This directive comes as part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at bolstering school regulations concerning e-cigarettes. Schools are mandated to diligently hunt for vaping devices within their premises, and take the necessary steps to confiscate and dispose of any found during their inspections. It’s a strong-arm tactic designed to create a more stringent and vape-free educational environment. Beyond this hands-on approach, Obec is ramping up a public awareness crusade aimed at enlightening…
The vibrant energy and effusive revelry of Thailand’s Songkran festival are as iconic to the nation as the luscious street food that lines the bustling Bangkok streets. Yet, as the calendar flips to April, a shadow looms over the upcoming festivities—this time, it’s an intoxicating one. The government, echoing concerns as crisp and clear as the monsoon rains, is being urged to tighten the reins on alcohol regulations to prevent potential debacles during the much-anticipated celebration. Recently, in a seminar that buzzed with earnest discussions and fervent calls for action titled “Expanding Drinking Zones vs Increased Risks During Songkran,” leading organizations like the Alcohol Prevention Network and the Social Synergy Network Foundation came together. Their common aim? To keep the intoxicating waters from drowning the joy of Songkran in calamity. Wisanu Sritawong, the impassioned chairman of the Social Synergy Network Foundation, eloquently voiced a plea, doused with concern, that the…
As the azure waters lapping at the shores of Koh Larn sparkle under the tropical sun, a wave of change is quietly cresting over this idyllic island. The future here holds a promise—a promise to transform Koh Larn into a hub of eco-friendly tourism that stands as a beacon of sustainability for the region. On a breezy day at the start of April, the island played host to a significant visit. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet and Pattaya’s Chief Strategic Advisor Sontaya Kunplome arrived to witness firsthand the progress of the island’s much-anticipated waste incineration project. This wasn’t just an ordinary check-in; it was a testament to the resolve of making Koh Larn’s sustainability dreams come true. Nearly 80% complete, the waste-to-energy incinerator is poised to be operational by the tail end of May. It’s a significant cog in Pattaya’s broader efforts to step into a greener future. This facility, shimmering with…
Welcome to a whirlwind tour of the latest escapades and escapades across vibrant Thailand and its neighbors. The headlines are as colorful as the nations they belong to, featuring a wild cast of characters and events that could rival any blockbuster script. Let’s start in the bustling city of Bangkok, where a Hungarian tourist seemed to have swapped the words “vacation” and “commotion” in his itinerary. Fueled by a mixture of alcohol and misplaced urgency, our unsteady traveler arrived at a building collapse site, convinced that his friends were trapped within the rubble. With all the determination of a man on a mission and possibly one too many drinks, he attempted to breach restricted zones while calling for rescue efforts that were, according to him, sorely lacking. Only after a heated taxi fare duel did he make his way to the cut-and-dried offices of law enforcement to sort out the…
In the vibrant and bustling city of Bangkok, a dramatic clash unfolded between the personable Governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, and a member of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) over the city’s urgent priorities. As the curtain rose on this political tête-à-tête, the spotlight was on a tragic building collapse in the city’s Chatuchak district. The crumbling edifice, a grim reminder of life’s fragility, took center stage as Chadchart, ever dedicated, made it his mission to oversee the rescue operations. The story starts on the somber morning of April 2. Amidst the clamor of City Hall, Chadchart and 50 BMC councillors gathered to pay their respects to those lost in the devastating Myanmar earthquake. A poignant minute of silence echoed through the chamber, a prelude to what would soon become a heated debate. With the gravity of the collapsed building casting a shadow over their proceedings, a passionate councillor from the Chatuchak…
In a startling series of events that seemed plucked straight from the pages of a strange crime novel, a Thai woman has taken to social media to reveal the bizarre antics of a local taxi driver. This tale unfolds in Nonthaburi province, not far from the bustling streets of Bangkok, where parking disputes have turned downright bizarre. Meet the protagonist, or rather the victim, of this bizarre saga – Thitima, a 40-year-old woman who’s found herself the target of a taxi driver with a rather unsavory method of expressing his displeasure. The antagonist in this story, an unnamed taxi driver, has taken territorial disputes to an entirely new, albeit grimy, level of madness. The saga began in a typically mundane setting: a public area near a bus stop on the Bang Si Meuang–Wat Bot Don Prom Road in Nonthaburi. Here, our dastardly taxi driver staked his claim, refusing to share…
In the aftermath of last week’s catastrophic earthquake, Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has swung into action, conducting meticulous inspections of hospital buildings throughout the country. Meanwhile, a swift and life-saving response is being prepared for Myanmar, which bore the brunt of the earthquake’s fury. During a high-level meeting held on April 2, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin acknowledged the ministry’s rapid mobilization, particularly in providing care for the multitude of affected patients. Minister Somsak lauded the tireless dedication of healthcare workers and underscored the critical nature of maintaining the safety and soundness of hospital infrastructures. The meeting brought to light that an alarming total of 480 hospitals were impacted by the seismic event. Remarkably, most of these institutions have resumed operations. However, a select few, notably Rajavithi, Phrae, Wisetchaichan, Samut Sakhon, and Phra Yuen hospitals, remain in limbo, eagerly awaiting clearance to reopen their doors. To bolster public confidence and…
In the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, where the hum of progress never seems to quiet down, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Mr. Chakkaphan, decided to roll up his sleeves and take a hands-on approach to a pressing issue. His journey took him to the sprawling RYE Huamak 2 construction site, nestled amidst the tangled web of city roads like Soi Sangobsuk, running parallel to the famous Highway 7 (Motorway). Here, two statuesque eight-storey residential buildings stand testament to the city’s continuous evolution. But Chakkaphan’s visit was not just a nod to architectural marvels; it was about ensuring the city’s air didn’t get more polluted with PM2.5 particles—a mission for White Siam Development, the project’s orchestrators. These operators find themselves in the formidable embrace of regulations, both ancient and new, like ministerial regulation no. 4 B.E. 2526 (A.D. 1983) and the more recent, no. 67 B.E. 2563 (A.D. 2020). Toss in the…
The world of Thai traditional massage is set to experience a revolution. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has unveiled a pioneering initiative that plans to elevate 20,000 traditional Thai masseurs into the esteemed rank of certified Thai traditional doctors’ assistants. This provocative move promises to empower these skilled individuals to professionally address seven specific muscle-related conditions, paving the way for an enriched service landscape. On April 2nd, Dr. Somruek Chungsaman, the department’s visionary leader, extolled the virtues of traditional Thai massage as a potent remedy for muscle-related ailments. With the wind at the department’s back, an enriching upskilling program will hone masseurs’ expertise to tackle the likes of frozen shoulder, trigger finger, piriformis syndrome, herniated disc, hemiparesis, paralysis, and knee pain. This ambitious educational journey underscores a wider Ministry of Public Health ambition—to amplify the stature and efficacy of traditional Thai medicine within Thailand’s healthcare realm. In…