Phuket, Thailand’s beloved resort island, is a magnet for tourists around the globe. Last year alone, it hosted an astonishing 11 million visitors, both local and international. Compare that to the 5.7 million who came in 2002, and you get a sense of just how popular this tropical paradise has become. But with great popularity comes great responsibility—and a mountain of trash. (Photo: Tourism Authority of Thailand) With the post-pandemic boom in tourism, Phuket is grappling with an ever-growing pile of garbage. “Every day, 1,100 tonnes of waste are carted off to our disposal plant,” says Deputy Governor Norasak Suksomboon. This reflects a dramatic rise from the 742 tonnes in 2022 and 961 tonnes just last year, according to data from the provincial statistics office and Pollution Control Department. Mr. Norasak highlighted these challenges at the 25th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy Forum, which saw 150 global tourism leaders and policymakers convene…
Posts published in “Thailand”
EBC Financial Group (EBC) is fervently fortifying its strategic alliance with the internationally acclaimed football club, FC Barcelona, for an extended period of three and a half years. This groundbreaking partnership, which launched in April 2024, has catapulted EBC’s global visibility, signifying a monumental fusion of finance and sports. From the electrifying LaLiga stage, EBC Financial Group’s presence underscores the robust nature of this collaboration. Recognized as an official partner of FC Barcelona in APAC, LATAM, the Middle East, and Africa, EBC’s brand has resonated vividly, particularly during the LaLiga matches in Greater China, captivating millions of ardent football fans. The Evolving Landscape of Sports Partnerships The synergy between financial institutions and football clubs has undergone a significant transformation over the years. What used to be straightforward sponsorship agreements have now blossomed into dynamic collaborations aimed at fostering community engagement and participation. FC Barcelona, a club steeped in history with…
In a twist of tragic fate in Ubon Ratchathani, a 49-year-old man’s life was cut short under chilling circumstances. Found face down in his cozy, single-storey home in tambon Kham Hai Yai of Don Mot Dang district on a quiet Wednesday, his body bore the horrifying marks of a gruesome encounter. Police revealed on Friday that the unfortunate victim had fallen prey to a brutal attack by a pair of half-bred pit bull and half-bred Rottweiler dogs. His head was viciously bitten, with ears torn in what could only be described as a scene from a nightmare. Strewn items told a silent tale of chaos inside the modest house, a back door ominously left open. Initially, the grief-stricken relatives jumped to the worst conclusion: foul play. They believed some malicious human hand had struck him down before the dogs turned on their defenseless master. The haunting fear lingered until forensic…
JAI by ONESIAM, the renowned luxury lifestyle club that crafts extraordinary experiences for its elite members, recently hosted an exceptional meet-and-greet and breakfast event with Williams Racing Formula 1 driver Alex Albon. Albon, one of the most celebrated athletes representing Thailand in the high-octane world of F1, met with JAI members at The Ritz Carlton, Singapore, just ahead of the electrifying Singapore Grand Prix. This intimate gathering provided JAI members with a unique opportunity to interact with Alex Albon in a way that few fans ever experience. Event Highlights: In a moment few fans ever get to experience, Alex Albon shared his practice helmet from the Singapore Grand Prix, allowing members to physically engage with this critical piece of his racing gear. He delved into the inspiration behind its design—a captivating collaboration with Monsoon Valley and international artist Gongkan, who is one of JAI by ONESIAM’s founding members. This blend…
In a gripping twist of fate, 42-year-old Song Xiuhua, who fell prey to a devious Chinese call center gang, was discovered safe and sound in a modest apartment room in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district. This unexpected reunion took place at the hands of the vigilant officers from Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division (CSD), earning acclaim from both local and international quarters. Ms. Song, a Chinese national who had mysteriously vanished, had left her family heartbroken and anxious. After being tricked into transferring a whopping 8 million baht by a sophisticated scam operation, her fate seemed uncertain. Tensions heightened when her distressed family reached out for help, resulting in a collaborative search spearheaded by the CSD, following a nudge from the Chinese embassy in Bangkok. The elaborate scam began to unravel following an alarming message sent to Ms. Song’s mother, Li Jianshe. Scammers, cloaked in digital anonymity, contacted Ms. Li via…
Frasers Property is taking center stage at the “Sustainability Expo 2024 (SX2024),” the largest sustainability exhibition in ASEAN, with a comprehensive showcase you won’t want to miss. From September 27 to October 6, 2024, head to the Better Community Zone in Hall 4 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where you’ll experience a deep dive into pioneering real estate solutions under the theme “Creating Better Living for a Sustainable Future.” Brimming with innovative ideas aimed at enhancing quality of life through sustainable practices, Frasers Property is committed to pushing the envelope in various sectors—including commercial & business parks, hospitality, industrial & logistics, residential, and retail. Their ambitious target? Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Here’s what you can expect to explore: Frasers Property’s Group ESG Goals Frasers Property’s ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) approach is not just a checkbox; it’s intricately woven into their business strategy. This tactic not…
Thailand’s tourism sector stands at a pivotal moment in history, teetering at the crossroads of traditional practices and stringent global sustainability standards. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted a game-changing seminar titled “Action Alert! Accelerating Towards Sustainable Tourism in Thailand” on September 26, 2024, at the Avani+ Riverside Hotel in Bangkok. Partnering with international sustainable tourism leaders, TAT aimed to arm Thai tourism businesses with the essential knowledge and tools to navigate the impending environmental regulations mandated by the European Union, set to roll out within the next two years. With over 1,000 industry stakeholders gathered, the urgency for transformation was palpable. In his opening remarks, Mr. Teerasil Tapen, Deputy Governor for Digitalisation, Research and Development, underscored that sustainability is no longer just a buzzword but a prerequisite for global business partnerships. Elaborating on the forthcoming EU regulations—the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)…
Traditional rice farming, while rich in heritage, poses significant environmental challenges. Practices such as burning leftover straw post-harvest and submerging fields throughout the growing season lead to wasted water resources and the release of harmful greenhouse gases, chiefly methane. These effects are detrimental not only to the environment but also to human health. Fortunately, sustainable alternatives are emerging as viable solutions. One such method involves introducing dry cycles during rice cultivation. By alternating between wet and dry periods, farmers can significantly reduce carbon emissions. This practice not only conserves water but also minimizes methane production. Furthermore, incorporating straw back into the soil enriches it and eliminates the air pollution caused by burning. Adopting these greener methods offers a multitude of benefits: it decreases greenhouse gas emissions, preserves precious water resources, reduces farming costs, and enhances agricultural efficiency. Leveling rice paddies to optimize water use, in combination with adopting efficient techniques,…
The government needs to accelerate its efforts to drain excess water from flood-stricken areas in the North and Northeast, as more torrential rain is expected to lash upper Thailand in the coming days, according to the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) yesterday. Paiton Kengkarnchang, the ONWR deputy secretary-general, mentioned that a new storm system is forming over the Philippines. While the storm is unlikely to directly hit Thailand, it is forecasted to bring increased rainfall to the lower North, upper Central Plains, the Northeast, and East around Monday and Tuesday next week. In light of this, all agencies managing the country’s flood situation have been urged to speed up their flood-draining efforts through various channels leading to the Gulf of Thailand, according to the ONWR deputy chief. According to the Meteorological Department’s forecast yesterday, a southwest monsoon is also currently blowing across the Andaman Sea, bringing heavy rain to…
The Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat has been accelerating its water drainage efforts. As a result, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has issued a warning to 11 central provinces that lie along the Chao Phraya River, urging them to prepare for higher water levels. These provinces include Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Bangkok. RID’s acting Director-General, Det Lekwichai, emphasized the urgency of the situation in his communication to the governors of these provinces on Thursday. He stated that the Royal Irrigation Department plans to increase its water outflow from 1,500 to 2,000 cubic meters per second due to an uptick in water volume coming from the North. Forecasts from the agency indicate that the water flow rate through the C2 water measurement station in Nakhon Sawan could reach up to 2,100 cubic meters per second…