Imagine a world swathed in a haze so fine, it infiltrates every nook and cranny of our lives without as much as a by-your-leave. This isn’t the plot of the latest dystopian bestseller, but rather the real-life scenario millions are grappling with, thanks to the tiny but mighty menace known as PM2.5. These particles, no larger than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, are the ninjas of the pollution world: unseen, but battle-hardened killers. Our protagonists in this tale are none other than our lungs and hearts, locked in an epic struggle against the long-term effects of these minuscule invaders, from chronic breathing issues to heart complications. In a recent turn of events, heroes from lands divided by borders, but united by necessity, came together in Sa Kaeo. At this convergence, spearheaded by the valiant Burapha Commander, Maj-General Theppitak Nimit, a band of Thai and Cambodian officials congregated to declare war on…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine a bustling Bangkok neighborhood, where the chatter of daily life blends with the urban rhythm. Amidst this, a particular housing area owned by the Shinawatra family draws an unusual amount of attention. On a crisp Thursday morning, police patrolled the serene vicinity of the family’s Chan Song La residence, nestled in the heart of Soi Charan Sanitwong 69. The scene, captured by photographer Chanat Katanyu, hints at an unfolding narrative that has kept the city’s gossip mills churning. The tale at the center of this intrigue involves none other than Thaksin Shinawatra, a name that resonates with both reverence and controversy across Thailand. Thaksin, a figure who once helmed the nation as its Prime Minister, finds himself on the cusp of a new chapter. After a spellbinding return from 15 years of self-imposed exile – a dramatic saga of international escapades designed to dodge prison time for a contentious…
In an eloquent setting on November 10th last year, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stood before an eager audience, diving deep into the sophisticated plans of the government’s much-anticipated 10,000-baht digital wallet program, a move that promised to revolutionize the way Thais engaged with finances. The unveiling, captured in a photograph that spoke volumes of the moment’s significance, was only the beginning of a saga filled with intrigue, political maneuvering, and a test of patience for the citizens awaiting the fruits of this digital revolution. The storyline took a fascinating turn when the Thai government, amidst whispers of skepticism and anticipation, announced the formation of a new sub-committee tasked with the critical responsibility of vetting the digital wallet scheme. This was no mere act of bureaucracy; it symbolized a cautious stride into uncharted territories, especially after voices like that of a Move Forward Party (MFP) list-MP hinted at the palpable tension…
In an atmosphere thick with political intrigue and the buzz of anticipation, the serene halls of Thailand’s parliament bore witness to a moment of tense expectation. There, Pita Limjaroenrat, the suave advisory chairman of the Move Forward Party (MFP), and the ever-steadfast party leader Chaithawat Tulathon, stood before a sea of reporters. Their expressions, a study in resilience and determination, mirrored the gravity of the occasion. It was January 31, a day now marked by the Constitutional Court’s pivotal ruling on the party’s daring venture to amend the lese-majeste law, capturing the nation’s rapt attention and sparking widespread debate. The spotlight now turns to the Election Commission (EC), a body poised on the cusp of a decision that could alter the political landscape. Under the meticulous eye of Itthiporn Boonpracong, the EC’s chairman, the matter at hand is no less than the fate of the MFP itself. With a petition…
Imagine a world where snooker, a game rich in history and precision, is finally breaking free from chains that have bound it for nearly a century. This isn’t just a flight of fancy but a reality in the making, as a revolutionary proposal is set to challenge the game’s longstanding classification as a Class B gambling activity. For the first time in 89 years, the verdant baize of the snooker table might just become a symbol of pure sport, rather than a backdrop for betting. Behind this audacious move is a coalition of champions for the cause, spearheaded by the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand. They’re not your ordinary suit-clad bureaucrats but passionate advocates for the game, who recently convened at a significant meeting orchestrated by the House of Representatives’ committee on sports. Their agenda? To strike snooker off the Gambling Act 1935’s list and restore its honor as a…
Imagine a scene where melodies and rhythms become the unseen healers of the mind and body, weaving through the air of Bangkok’s Srinakharinwirot University. Here, two musicians, in a moment captured on November 23 last year, create a sanctuary with their song, offering respite and rejuvenation through a music therapy workshop. This isn’t just an isolated act of artistic expression; it’s a prelude to a groundbreaking journey about to be embarked upon by Thailand’s medical and musical communities. The Department of Medical Services (DMS) of Thailand, with a vision as harmonious as the melodies of its rich musical heritage, has announced an ambitious collaboration with the College of Music at Mahidol University. This partnership isn’t just a meeting of minds; it’s the fusion of age-old Thai traditions with the healing sciences, aimed at amplifying the therapeutic effects of Thai traditional music. The air of anticipation is thick as the DMS…
In the tempestuous seascape of Thai politics, the Bhumjaithai Party, bedecked with the heavyweight title of being parliament’s third-largest party, now teeters on the brink of dissolution. This unforeseen twist in the tale unfolded when Saksayam Chidchob, the party’s former secretary-general and transport minister, found himself ensnared in a web of scandal, accused of artfully dodging asset disclosure laws and manipulating a nominee to clandestinely hold ownership in a company feasting on government construction contracts. On the surface, it seems like a classic tale of political intrigue and alleged corruption. Yet, beneath the headlines, lies a story of familial bonds, political survival, and the relentless pursuit of power. Saksayam, not merely a minister but a scion of the influential Chidchob family, finds his fate intertwined with that of Bhumjaithai, a party co-founded by his older brother, Newin Chidchob. When the Constitutional Court, almost in unison, decreed that Saksayam had indeed…
In a recent gathering that buzzed with urgency and promise, the National Committee on Mental Health, spearheaded by the dynamic Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin, embarked on a mission to revolutionize the realm of mental health care. In a bold move to combat the shadows cast by mental disorders and their often devastating spiral into violence, the committee is rallying for a game-changing amendment to the Mental Health Act (2008). What’s at the heart of this ambitious project, you ask? A visionary plan to establish a rehabilitation fund—a beacon of hope for many teetering on the edge. As the committee convened for its inaugural meeting of the year, the air was charged with a sense of purpose and determination. Somsak, with a resolve as steadfast as the cause he champions, unveiled a startling statistic that set the tone for the discussion: out of 42,629 mental health patients implicated in violent…
In an effort to manage the soaring tide of visa applications, the Thai embassy in Myanmar has recently taken measures that have stirred quite a buzz amongst the local population and beyond. Amidst the backdrop of political upheaval and impending mandatory military service in Myanmar, the embassy declared a daily cap on visa applications, sparking a frenzy among those seeking refuge in the serenity of Thailand. Utilizing its Facebook platform to reach out to the masses, the embassy conveyed this significant change, stipulating that effective Thursday, a mere 400 visa applications will be entertained each day. An intriguing blend of anticipation and anxiety fills the air as hopeful applicants converge at the embassy at the break of dawn, each vying for one of the coveted queue-numbered tickets distributed from 8.30am on working days. This ticket, a bearer of hope and dreams, ties one’s fate to a single application, a rule…
In the heart of a bustling political landscape, the Thai government has leapt into the arena with a digital wallet scheme that’s stirred quite the pot of opinions. In an era where digital transformation is more than just a buzzword, this initiative has become a focal point of debate, especially following some eyebrow-raising comments from the Move Forward Party’s list-MP, which hinted at economic tremors stemming from any delays in the scheme’s rollout. Kittirat Na Ranong, the prime minister’s chief adviser and possibly the calm in the storm, gracefully stepped up to clarify the whirlwind. According to him, the establishment of a new sub-committee to meticulously vet the digital wallet scheme is just protocol. “We’re not dragging our feet,” he seemed to say, brushing off accusations of the government playing a waiting game as if swatting away a pesky fly. Thursday marked the birth of this fabled committee, tasked with…