Exciting news is on the horizon for low-income individuals and vulnerable groups in Thailand as the government prepares to open registration for a fresh round of state welfare cards. Set to commence next month, this initiative aims to extend support to more people than ever before, with a generous financial aid package of 1,545 baht per month. It’s been two years since the last round of registration, held from September 5 to October 31, 2022, and the anticipation is palpable. To qualify for this state-sponsored lifeline, applicants need to meet a string of criteria – ten, to be exact. The basics? You must be a Thai national aged 18 years or older. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Your individual annual income can’t exceed 100,000 baht, and guess what, the family’s income averaged per head must also stick to this threshold. Another line in the sand is the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the bustling tropical paradise of Phuket, where sun-kissed beaches meet vibrant nightlife, an intriguing tale of mischief and daring was recently woven. On what seemed like a typical night in the lively district of Muang, drama unfolded with a gripping twist that could easily rival a scene from an action-packed thriller. As the clock inched closer to midnight, the serene ambiance around the Khao Rang Place Hotel was suddenly disrupted. At precisely 11:26 PM, a scuffle involving four audacious individuals reached its peak outside the famed establishment, casting a sense of unease through the warm Phuket air. These four men, like shadows in the night, were reportedly caught in the thick of a dubious extortion scheme. Parked conspicuously outside the hotel was a Volkswagen van, seemingly harmless yet secretly holding the stage for this unfolding drama. Inside, amidst tension and adrenaline, sat two Vietnamese gentlemen, Van Trung Phan, a…
As the early morning sun cast long shadows over Narathiwat airport, the air buzzed with anticipation. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, stepping onto the tarmac, carried with him a complex legacy and the weighty hopes of a region yearning for peace. Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, this visit was not just a symbolic gesture—it was a decisive step towards addressing the tangled web of issues facing Thailand’s deep South. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham, a pivotal figure in the current cabinet and a staunch advocate for peace, echoed Thaksin’s sentiments on the critical need to restore tranquility during the sacred month of Ramadan. As reverberations of hope mingled with cautious optimism, Phumtham reiterated the necessity for cooperation from neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. He cited Thaksin’s belief that there is indeed “light at the end of the tunnel,” with…
In a refreshing turn of events, residents of the bustling metropolis of Bangkok awoke to a breath of fresh air — quite literally. As the sun peeked over the horizon on this fine Tuesday morning, the skies over all 50 districts of Bangkok were painted in shades of “green” and “yellow,” signifying air quality that ranged from good to moderate. This welcome report came from none other than the vigilant Air Quality Information Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the city’s frontline sentinel in the battle for cleaner air. The centre’s data for the day revealed an average PM2.5 level dancing at a mere 20.6 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) throughout the city — comfortably below Thailand’s stipulation of a 37.5 µg/m³ norm over a three-hour morning watch from 5am to 7am. Just yesterday, the reading was a loftier 30.95 µg/m³. This significant decrease has the city heaving collective…
The buzz around the world has suddenly tilted towards a fresh chapter in the world of viruses. In a revelation that has piqued curiosity and evoked a sigh of relief simultaneously, the Ministry of Public Health recently confirmed the existence of a novel coronavirus—HKU5-CoV-2. This diagnosis emerged from the stalwart laboratories tucked away in China, more precisely, the prestigious Wuhan Institute of Virology. Though this revelation might ring an ominous bell reminiscent of past pandemics, the authorities assure that there’s no need for any panic at this juncture, as this virus hasn’t made its mark on the human populace—just yet. Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the venerable Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, has stepped forward like a knight in shining armor for the information-hungry masses. He carved out the crucial distinction that HKU5-CoV-2, despite being a potential show-stealer, isn’t a reborn villain or a mutant menace. It belongs to…
Imagine this: a serene evening on Pattaya’s Krating Lai Beach, the gentle waves lapping the shore and a cool breeze weaving through the palm trees. The vibe is calm and idyllic until it isn’t. Emerging from the tranquility is a rather unexpected commotion that has set the local rumor mill alight—a couple engaging in a passionate, but decidedly public, display of affection. It all started with Bew, an 18-year-old local enjoying a chill evening with friends by the beach. They deliberately chose a spot among other beachgoers for safety. Little did they anticipate that their peaceful gathering would be disrupted by sounds that could rival a primetime drama. Convinced something was wrong, the group ventured closer to the source of the cries, only to stumble upon a half-dressed foreign duo who’d temporarily relocated their hotel room to the rocky shores of Krating Lai. Now, one might assume that the embrace…
In the normally serene province of Chaiyaphum, a heartbreaking incident shattered the peace, drawing national attention and stirring intense emotions. February 23rd turned into a day of tragedy when a retired teacher, Prapaisri Kaewkul, found herself at the center of a storm of grief and anger after a fatal accident. Driving along Bamnet-Jaturat Road in the Bamnet Narong district, Prapaisri’s journey was abruptly disrupted by a catastrophic collision that claimed two lives. As the sun dipped beyond the Isaan horizon, officers from the Bamnet Narong Police Station were thrust into a harrowing scene bordered by anguish and disbelief. Prapaisri’s vehicle, a saloon car, had collided with a motorcycle, dragging its passengers, Suchart Klinsisook, 46, and Anake Dansubchak, 30, for a chilling 30 meters. The aftermath was nothing short of devastating: Suchart’s life flickered out on the asphalt, while Anake’s fight for survival ended in the sterile surroundings of a hospital.…
In Kamala, a seemingly routine snake transfer turned into a thrilling adventure involving a slippery escape artist. A king cobra, no less, made a grandiose attempt to flee the scene, causing quite a stir. It all started with Kusoldharm Phuket’s Kuan Yang rescue unit capturing our elusive hero at a local hotel, intending to transport it to the team’s station in Patong. But, like any cunning escape artist, the cobra had other plans. As the rescue team meticulously prepared to transfer the snake into a new container, the daring cobra saw its chance for freedom. A swift bolt from the blue ensued, prompting an impromptu chase under the moonlit skies of Kamala on February 22. In the grandest of escape attempts, the cobra slithered away amidst a flurry of excitement and frantic pursuit. The incident, caught in a heart-pounding 17-second video shared by the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation on social media,…
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong has confidently proclaimed the effective strides made over the past two years with the enforcement of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance BE 2565 (2023). As he took center stage at an event on Monday commemorating this landmark legislation’s second anniversary, held at the Justice Ministry’s headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road, Tawee wasted no time in highlighting the achievements brought forth under this law. The event was graced by a host of dignitaries, including Cynthia Veliko, a representative from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) in Southeast Asia, alongside officials from prominent agencies such as the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC). This assembly of influential figures underscored the gravity and importance of the act’s objectives. In his address, Pol Col Tawee passionately reiterated the indispensable…
In a move set to revolutionize education nationwide, the Ministry of Education is rolling out digital learning devices to an impressive 600,000 students just in time for the second semester this year. This initiative aims to level the educational playing field, ensuring equal opportunities for all students. As announced by Deputy Education Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, the cabinet has greenlit two pivotal programs under this visionary agenda. The first initiative, dubbed the “Digital Skill/Credit Portfolio: Empowering Education” project, holds a grand vision of equipping students with enhanced digital prowess while simultaneously crafting comprehensive educational portfolios. This groundbreaking endeavor is backed by a budget of 4.21 billion baht, reflecting the commitment to raising the digital acumen of the next generation. The second ambitious undertaking, the “Anywhere Anytime” Learning Equipment Project (Phase 2), promises to bring anywhere-anytime educational access into reality. This initiative, scheduled to run from 2026 to 2031, comes with a…