From the humble rubber plantation to bountiful greenhouse gardens, the tale of Somsak Jantrakul is a testament to the sheer transformative power of innovative farming. Hailing from Khuan Kalong District in Satun Province, Somsak’s journey from a straightforward rubber plantation farmer to an illustrious figure in the field of agricultural success stories is nothing short of inspiring. Somsak drew a line under his previous venture as a rubber plantation owner and dove headfirst into the challenging world of vegetable cultivation. Much to his surprise, this bold departure from his comfort zone proved to be a golden goose, significantly elevating his income and problem-solving acumen. His initial strides into this new realm involved supplying vegetables to local supermarkets. As his efforts started gaining recognition, the supportive agriculture office of Khuan Kalong showered him with funds, shaping his dream of setting up his own greenhouse for unique melon cultivation. An unforgettable saga…
Posts published in “Thailand”
One could argue there’s nothing more alarming than a false promise, especially when it relates to our health. Unfortunately, today, we unravel a deceitful scheme led by Vietnamese investors who were caught red-handed, profiteering from a specialized milk powder product with misleading health benefits. A meticulously planned operation by the esteemed Royal Thai Police (RTP) exposed the perpetrators, ultimately turning their multi-million baht scheme into a regrettable nightmare. Emblazoned on the forefront of this crusade against these fraudulent practices was Police Lieutenant Colonel Witya Sripaoprapha, the stout-hearted RTP Commander. His associate, Police Lieutenant Colonel Supachai Poomhaem, the 4th Battalion Commander of the RTP, along with representatives from the Food and Drug Administration, spearheaded this operation. It resulted in the exposure of this deceptive international network catering to a gullible market with unfounded health promises. Ironically, their product was more than just milk powder. It was masqueraded as a medical marvel,…
The early morning tranquility of Mae Tam intersection was abruptly shattered by the heartrending catastrophe of a three-vehicle collision. The incident, a tragic pageant of shattered metal and shattered lives, claimed the mortal existence of a young man, entangled within the gruesome jaws of his demolished pickup truck. Time, unmoving in its relentless march, registered the calamity at 2.30 am, as the plaintive sirens of Phayao local police and rescue squads shattered the hushed stillness. Initial investigations brought to light the heart-rending detail that the decedent bore the name Peerapat and was full of life at 34 years of age. The depiction of ‘Icarus fallen’ was brought to life as he lay entrapped within the wreckage of his twined pickup truck. The specialized apparatus and the dedicated hands of the officials, subtly combating their visceral responses, managed to extract his mortal remains. A somber journey then embarked to the hospital,…
It was a scene plucked straight from a spine-chilling thriller. In the serene southern province of Thailand known as Surat Thani, a horrifying murder occurred. Sangiam Penrum, an unsuspecting 53-year-old resident, was found lifelessly sprawled outside his residence. The catch, however, was the bizarre absence of his head that shocked locals and bred talk of gruesome human sacrifice. Kung, a local Thai resident, soon drew suspicion; his odd actions and strange rituals gave rise to a cloud of suspicion. His known rituals included acts of sacrifice and treasure hunting. Police didn’t delay detaining Kung to probe further, but the results of the interrogation remain a locked secret, confined only to the investigators. However, the mystery of Sangiam’s decapitated head and the identity of his killer were of paramount importance. After five days of tireless detective work, officers traced a repulsive stench to a water tank some 300 meters away from…
The Ministry of Public Health in Thailand has boldly announced its ‘Give Birth, Great World’ initiative; a daring drive designed to stimulate the country’s surprisingly stagnant birth rate. The spirited campaign is the brainchild of Public Health Minister, Cholnan Srikaew, who envisions a brighter future for Thailand, borne on the shoulders of a new generation. This innovative endeavour seeks to ignite the spark of parenthood among young couples – a spark that has been dimming due to a variety of factors causing couples to postpone or even completely forgo the thought of starting a family. “We are tasked with challenging the misguided conviction that an increasing number of children earmarks a family’s descent into poverty. This is a particularly pervasive belief among those hailing from wealthier demographics,” remarked the voracious Dr. Cholnan. His vision is to bolster the competitive muscle of Thailand in the global stage by enriching its populace.…
At the heart of the discussion at the “Future Food System Synergies by Tastebud Lab” forum, one cohesive theme stood out – the crucial need for a regenerative food system. Born out of a collaboration between multiple organizations, the forum was staged at the esteemed Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. This critical discourse forms part of the larger global event, “Asean-Asset 2023: Global Summit on the Future of Future Food — Global Protein Integrity,” underscored the importance of a sustainable food supply. Tastebud Lab and Bio Buddy, steered at the helm by the visionary CEO and co-founder, Santi Abakaz, stirred an insightful dialogue about the future of food. Santi noted that our food industry was the most robust employment sector in the world, absorbing a significant 60-70% of the global workforce. However, a stark contrast surfaced in that this sector’s lowest rung workers also garnered the least remuneration compared to…
As the sun set over a bustling trade fair in Bangkok one June day, invisible tensions hung heavy in the air. There was an undeniable sense that Thailand’s economy stood on a precipice. The local governmental bodies were being assertive – a drastic fall was imminent, they echoed, and a lifeline, a hearty stimulus package, was needed to rescue the situation from further downfall. At the heart of this discourse was a proposed 10,000-baht handout scheme, designed to bolster the struggling economy, but which was met with skepticism and critique. While the theoretical buoy was promised to pave the way for potential recovery, the question of legitimacy loomed large, was Thailand’s economy really drowning? In a candid conversation with the Bangkok Post, Prommin Lertsuriyadet, the right hand of the Prime Minister, voiced his apprehensions. Pointing out how the country lagged behind its regional counterparts in economic growth, with household debt…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently stated that later this month, the government is set to unveil a fresh financial aid package. This progressive initiative will notably extend relief to various borrower categories including ex-students servicing their education loans, educators, and small to medium scale entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the aid package will also encompass those who are indebted to non-banking financial entities. This bold move comes hot on the heels of new guidelines drafted by the government’s special committee, dedicated to combating escalating debt issues. The new regulations set forth by the committee are optimally designed to alleviate the financial strain on ex-students grappling with their loan repayments. However, it doesn’t stop tailoring solutions merely for student loans. Their expansive umbrella also covers other significant debt issues plaguing different segments of society. These issues too will be directly addressed under the imminent debt relief package, as assured by the Premier. Lawaron Saengsanit,…
The global commemoration of World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2023 saw the Danish Embassy in Thailand joining forces with the Diabetes Association of Thailand, the Thai NCD Network, and Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand), organising an enlightening rendezvous centred on ‘Public-Private Partnership – The Bridge to Overcoming the Burdens of Diabetes and Obesity in Thailand’. This event sewed together a tapestry of stakeholders from the public and private sectors, blending with healthcare experts, fanning out information about diabetes, obesity, and NCDs. Its goals branched out to boosting the government and its associates in their collective endeavour to curtail diabetes prevalence and facilitate better access to medication and healthcare perks. Held inspondently, distinguished personalities such as Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, and Dr. Jadej Thammatacharee, Secretary General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO), graced the seminar. Housed within the Embassy of Denmark in Thailand,…
Pausing for a moment to capture their journey in a collective snapshot, 23 Thai men, members of a larger group of 41 stranded compatriots in Myanmar, underscore the human resolve to overcome adversity. Evacuated from the beleaguered Laukkaing to the sanctuary of Kengtung amidst military confrontations, these civilian survivors are eager for their impending repatriation to Thai soil. As reported by the 3rd Army Region’s Pha Muang Force, the group of thirty men and eleven women arrived in Kengtung late Wednesday night, after escaping the tumultuous northeastern region of Myanmar. Patiently they wait en route to the country they call home, braving the ordeal with undaunted spirit. The plan of action following their arrival in Kengtung, as of Thursday morning, involves carrying out all necessary legal formalities. Thereafter, they will be directed towards the Mak Yang border checkpoint in Tachilek, tucked away in Myanmar’s border town. Here, they are to…