Ah, Thailand – land of stunning beaches, mouth-watering cuisine, and, unfortunately, increasingly suffocating air pollution. The National Health Security Office (NHSO) isn’t taking this matter lightly and has jumped into action with an urgent directive aimed right at the heart of this murky menace. With PM2.5, the villainous particulate matter, clouding the air, the call to arms resonates across local administrative organisations and the bustling vibe of Bangkok. As we slid into the new year, signs of worsening pollution began to taint the crystalline blue skies. On a mission to curb this invisible foe, Doctor Jadej Thammatacharee, the NHSO’s Secretary-General, waved the news baton, spotlighting the simmering pollution problem. The health minister, donning the hat of NHSO board chair, tagged along to underscore the urgency of the situation, rallying organisations, agencies, and determined citizens to launch projects on this very subject. Now, picture an assembly line, but instead of churning…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In an extraordinary twist of fate, a 65-year-old South Korean man named Park Sukhee narrowly dodged legal peril while vacationing in the tropical paradise of Phuket. What began as a seemingly innocuous vacation turned into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse worthy of a blockbuster spy thriller. It all unraveled on a regular Saturday night, the date being January 25, when Sukhee, comfortably settled in a hotel in the Thalang district, prepared to jet off to the City of Lights, Paris. However, just as he was about to leave, a strange sensation tugged at his intuition like a persistent mosquito on a humid Thai evening. The source of his unease? One unusually hefty piece of his luggage. This mysterious bag was bestowed upon him by a foreign acquaintance, a man Sukhee had chanced upon during his stay in Phuket. Despite the notion being as fishy as a seafood market,…
As the first rays of dawn kissed the ancient city of Nakhon Ratchasima, a remarkable scene unfolded at the local branch of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. A parade of eager faces, wizened by time yet gleaming with anticipation, lined up early Monday morning. These elderly citizens had come to check or withdraw the eagerly awaited handout from the government, marking a significant moment in their lives. You could sense the blend of excitement and relief hovering in the crisp morning air. This spectacle was part of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s ambitious plan to distribute a 10,000-baht handout to each of 3 million elderly residents. The prime minister, a charismatic figure, had ceremonially set the wheels in motion for this second stage of aid distribution at the distinguished Government House around 10 AM. Yet, the real magic had begun much earlier, as the funds stealthily streamed into accounts…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, where vibrant streets weave tales of urban life, a dramatic episode unfolded on Phaya Thai Road. On a seemingly ordinary day—January 23 to be precise—a motorcyclist named Kwanchai transformed routine traffic into a tragic scene of chaos. Kwanchai’s mistake was unsparing in its swiftness; he stormed past a red light, colliding with a 68-year-old Korean tourist in the sanctuary of a zebra crossing. Phaya Thai Road, nestled amidst the dynamic Ratchathewi district, became the stage for this unfortunate repeat performance. It’s the same tragic spot where, a mere three years before, Dr. Waraluck Supawatjariyakul, a distinguished faculty member from Chulalongkorn University, met a heart-wrenching fate. Struck down by an off-duty police officer’s speeding super bike, her death ignited fires of national outrage. The harrowing event involving Kwanchai was immortalized by the unyielding eye of a dashboard camera. This digital witness unveiled the reckless ballet…
In a scene reminiscent of a dramatic action movie, Phu Lam Yai Mountain has been left with a stark, charred landscape following a raging forest fire that blazed through the area, affecting more than 2,000 rai of precious forest. The aftermath was captured from above by aerial footage that painted a heart-wrenching picture of the destruction, with blackened trees standing as silent witnesses to nature’s fury. The heat was truly on as Vichit Kitwirat, the Deputy Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima and the valiant commander of the incident response team, stepped into the fray. He reported on the fiery saga that gripped not just Phu Lam Yai Mountain but also tested the resolve of communities in the Khon Buri district. The blaze blazed through the boundaries of villages 4 and 9 in Khon Buri Tai subdistrict, and intruded into Udom Sap subdistrict of Wang Nam Khiao district. With a coalition united…
Hold onto your hats, folks! Bangkok is in for a chilly surprise as a fresh blast of cold air from our northern neighbors in China is gearing up to make everyone’s morning slightly brisker. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted that temperatures are set to dip by a noticeable 1 to 3 degrees Celsius. And while we’re talking weather, brace yourself for some lingering dust and haze. Thankfully, these nuisances are expected to clear up soon, like that cousin who overstays their welcome at parties. This cold air mass is not just confined to Bangkok, oh no! It’s spread across northeastern Thailand and wafting over the upper stretches of the South China Sea, bringing a chill to the air and making strong-winded waves in the northeast and central regions. Meanwhile, a moderate northeast monsoon continues its reign over the Gulf of Thailand, the southern region, and the Andaman Sea,…
In the heart of Chon Buri, a series of heart-stopping events unfolded that left many on edge, yet ultimately relieved. Picture, if you will, a 14-year-old boy, wrestling with emotional turbulence sparked by parental disapproval. Labelled a troublemaker by those he holds dear, the young lad found himself teetering on the brink of despair. But fate intervened, threading hope through the nimble fingers of the city’s municipal disaster prevention and rescue team. These unsung heroes swooped in just in time to ensure a safe outcome. This gripping incident took place on January 26, amidst the otherwise peaceful backdrop of a dormitory nestled in Nong Mai Daeng, within Mueang district. As the unsettling commotion subsided, the young boy was entrusted to the care of Chon Buri Hospital, to undergo a thorough psychological evaluation. This crucial step aims to delve into potential mental health concerns that may have contributed to his distress.…
In what has unfolded as a peculiar tale in Nonthaburi, a man has stirred up local attention after being accused of behaving inappropriately towards a couple of young girls at a convenience store. On January 25, this mysterious man, who has refused to identify himself and declined providing fingerprints, found himself the center of controversy on Chaeng Watthana Road in Pak Kret district. This atypical scene resulted in his detainment by well-meaning bystanders until the authorities arrived on the premise. Fast forward to January 26, and the atmosphere at the Pak Kret police station was nothing short of tense. Present were the mothers of the affected girls, identified as 36-year-old Duan and 30-year-old Dao, who had come seeking justice for their daughters. Accompanying their mothers, the young girls courageously stepped forward to assist in the identification of the suspect. Yet, the drama took a twist as the suspect maintained a…
In the tranquil province of Salavan, Laos, where verdant landscapes meet the horizon and serenity is the order of the day, the peace was shattered on January 26. A tourist bus, filled with explorers seeking the lush mysteries of this land, met with a fateful accident that left 25 foreign tourists nursing injuries. Despite the grim circumstances, there was a silver lining – no Thai nationals were reported in the mishap, bringing a modicum of relief to neighboring Thailand. Ubon Ratchathani’s governor, Adisak Noisuwan, became a beacon of hope amid the chaos. As news reached him, he and an entourage of more than 20 volunteers promptly channelled their humanitarian spirits, donating blood at Sappasitthiprasong Hospital in Mueang district. Their altruistic efforts aimed to bolster the health and recovery of the injured tourists. As dawn broke over Khong city in Salavan province, emergency services sprung into action. In this small city,…
In the bustling province of Chachoengsao, where industry and culture intertwine against the backdrop of lush landscapes, a dramatic tale of illicit activities unfolded. Amid the daily hum of factories and local markets, a clandestine operation was brought to light as two Chinese nationals found themselves in the grip of the law. These individuals, known only as Guo, 55, and Li, 42, were charged with the illegal possession of hazardous materials—kickstarting a story that rivals any crime novel. The Natural Resource and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED) had been tracking suspicious activity for weeks. Their meticulous investigation climaxed in a strategic raid over the weekend, targeting a discreet factory nestled in the picturesque district of Phanom Sarakham. This wasn’t just any factory, but a hub for the dangerous transgression of environmental laws, where officers stumbled upon a shocking scene: a veritable mountain, 10-tonnes in weight, of waste laden with dangerous…