Amidst the hustle and bustle of Thailand’s vibrant streets, a digital revolution is quietly empowering the very heart of its urban soul—motorcycle taxi drivers and street food vendors. This long-overdue transformation comes courtesy of two innovative platforms launched on May 19 by the collaborative efforts of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation and Chulalongkorn University’s Asia Research Cluster for Social Solidarity and Inclusive Economy. These platforms, “Nong Khoei Ma Thao Rai?” (“Have You Been Here Before?”) and “Tamsang-Tamsong” (“Order and Deliver”), are poised to disrupt traditional models, offering hope to small-scale entrepreneurs by charging a mere 5 to 6 baht per transaction, a pittance compared to the whopping 35% scooped by mainstream solutions. As Akkanat Wantanasombat, the lead researcher behind these groundbreaking ventures, so poignantly puts it, “This is about fairness, community, and putting money back into people’s pockets.” These platforms aren’t just leveling the playing field—they’re reshaping it entirely, offering…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Thailand is buzzing with excitement right now, and no, it’s not just because of the mouthwatering street food or the captivating beaches. This time, it’s the Korat Zoo that’s caught everyone’s attention by pulling off a remarkable feat that has everyone ready to shell-ebrate! This renowned zoo has made history by successfully hatching not one, not two, but eleven Aldabra giant tortoise babies. It’s a milestone as they become the first zoo in the entire country to breed this rare species. Picture this: on a leisurely Sunday, May 18, amidst the lush greenery and curious visitors, these hatchlings decided to make their grand debut, much to the delight of zookeepers and conservationists alike. The first glimpse of these tiny yet incredible creatures arrived to a flurry of excitement. Just imagine the joy on the face of Korat Zoo’s director, Thanachon Kensingh, as he declared on May 21 that these 11…
In a dramatic twist of events in Nonthaburi, the evening of April 20 became a heart-thumping ordeal for Suchart Kaewpradit, a former village headman and aspiring candidate for the Bang Rak Noi subdistrict administrative organisation chief role. Breezing through the tranquil roads of Pak Kret district, Suchart was driving his white Toyota Yaris, emblazoned with the registration number 5 กท 6007 Bangkok, when his journey was abruptly interrupted. As the clock struck 9pm, Suchart was returning from a funeral when unknown assailants fired at his car, giving him a chilling brush with fate. Suchart recounted the unnerving moment while he navigated his vehicle onto Rattanathibet Road, close to the Bang Rak Noi BTS station. The harrowing sound of four gunshots shattered the night’s peace, and the realization that his car had been hit sent a shiver down his spine. In an adrenaline-fueled decision, he veered into a nearby petrol station,…
In a scenario that reads like a page out of a wildly entertaining novel, a surging army of iguanas is making themselves uninvited guests in central Thailand, with their antics sending local wildlife officials into action-packed overdrive. Despite their sun-loving and seemingly placid demeanor, these reptiles are causing a ruckus, wreaking havoc in the tranquil province of Lopburi. Remember, folks, this place was once famous for its cheeky macaques, but oh, how the tables have turned! The skyline at Khao Phraya Doen Dong Mountain has become one give-and-take game board of nature versus lizard. Between May 13 and 17, a crack team of wildlife officials executed the ultimate game of hide and seek, capturing a dazzling 94 iguanas who made the mistake of thinking they could pull a fast one on Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Villagers, like vigilant neighborhood watch members, were quick to report…
The serene and spiritual province of Nakhon Pathom, steeped in Buddhist tradition, recently found itself at the center of a swirling storm over a rather unconventional depiction during a parade celebrating Atthami Bucha Day. This annual festival, celebrated at Wat Mai Sukhontharam, reveres an event pivotal in Buddhist history—the cremation of the Buddha—in the sacred city of Kushinagar, India. Though intended to be a solemn homage to the life cycle truths Buddhism honors, this year’s parade took a contentious turn that has ignited a fierce debate online. The Atthami Bucha celebration, held from May 17 to 19, is known for its riveting showcase of vibrant parades that weave the narrative of the Buddha’s life through elaborate floats and dramatic reenactments. This year’s installment was particularly notable, not for its fireworks finale, but for a provocative tableau that has since stoked the fires of outrage among internet commentators worldwide. On the…
In a scene that could easily make the cut for an epic action-adventure film, the Royal Thai Navy executed an impeccable high-seas operation, collaring two Indonesian fishing boats along with their 18 crew members. These vessels, which dared to intrude on Thai waters, met their match in the vigilant naval forces. The thrilling encounter took place on the high seas on Monday, May 19, approximately 80 nautical miles southwest of the sun-drenched paradise of Phuket, deep within Thailand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This heart-pounding mission was orchestrated by none other than the Region 3 branch of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre, fondly known as Thai MECC 3. It all kicked off with a snippet of crucial intelligence, the kind you only get from an extensive network of diligent local fishermen, who noticed something fishy—figuratively and literally—on May 15. They reported dubious foreign vessels operating sneakily about 56 miles from…
In what seemed like a promising escape to the sun-drenched shores of Pattaya, dozens of tourists found themselves ensnared in the clutches of an elaborate online deception orchestrated through Facebook. This high-tech swindle managed to lure holidaymakers into a cleverly woven trap, and now, several savvy tricksters are seeing the inside of a jail cell. On May 20, a significant breakthrough was made as law enforcement officials apprehended three suspects masterminding a fraudulent scheme that impersonated well-known Pattaya hotels using sophisticated fake Facebook pages. Their cunning operations succeeded in extracting over 700,000 baht from unsuspecting victims, dashing dreams of sun-soaked relaxation. The Tourist Police Bureau detailed their tactical triumph, explaining that the culprits were chased down through meticulous operations in Chanthaburi, Bangkok, and Ayutthaya after arrest warrants were issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. A spokesperson divulged the sinister methods the scammers employed: “These individuals crafted Facebook pages resembling reputable…
In the heart of Thailand’s Samut Sakhon province, a rather intriguing episode has unfolded. It seems that the sacred halls of the Ketumadee Sriwararam Temple have been flung into the digital spotlight, starring a rather unexpected crew—nuns donned in wigs! Yes, you read that right. Wigs, hats, and even a jaunt to the beach, all wrapped up in a scandalous package courtesy of the Facebook page CSI LA. Now, before you start imagining a clerical version of “Girls Gone Wild,” let me take you through the juicy details. The drama began to unfold when photos hit the internet showcasing a handful of nuns from the temple, frolicking on the sandy shores and engaging in karaoke with the kind of joy that only a brief liberation from stringent norms can incite. The images depicted these spiritual sisters abandoning their traditional white robes for a day of sun-kissed leisure. Facebook’s investigative page,…
A historic pact between Thailand and the Maldives promises to revolutionize public healthcare in the Indian Ocean archipelago. Marking a significant leap towards enhancing health standards, this groundbreaking agreement was formalized on May 21, at the prestigious World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. Both nations have put their best foot forward, with Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Public Health, Dej-is Khaothong, and the Maldives’ Minister of Health, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, officially sealing the deal. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) promises to usher in a new dawn of regional health collaboration. In an enthusiastic declaration from Geneva, Deputy Minister Dej-is captured the high stakes and greater vision behind this alliance, “This partnership reflects our commitment to elevating health systems and sharing technical expertise for long-term impact.” It’s more than just words on paper; it’s a robust framework aimed at revolutionizing the public health landscape in the Maldives. The comprehensive agreement sets a…
In a pivotal move to transform education, the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) has set its sights on reclaiming lost students in the educational tapestry of Thailand. Their mission? To coax at least 55,000 school dropouts back into the learning fold during the 2025 academic year, armed with a smorgasbord of flexible learning options. At the helm of this visionary expedition is Pattanapong Sukmadan, the eloquent assistant manager of EEF, who emphasized the initiative’s foundational belief that education should be both omnipresent and versatile, offering a bespoke learning experience that reflects personal aspirations and the unique tapestry of local communities. As the academic year unfolds, Mr. Sukmadan enthusiastically announced, over 1,000 former dropouts have already found their way back to the educational path through unconventional yet effective methods — mobile schools and community-based learning centers. These educational lifelines are vital stepping stones, empowering students to navigate toward completing their primary education,…