In the tranquil waters of Tang Khen Bay, Phuket, a serene yet profound spectacle unfolded as a graceful group of dugongs emerged, captured by the watchful eyes of a drone from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. This moment of beauty takes place against a backdrop of urgency as recent measures are rolled out to safeguard these gentle sea creatures whose very existence teeters on a delicate balance. Recently, the gentle giants of the sea found themselves thrust into the spotlight, but not for the reasons they might wish. Several dugongs were discovered lifeless along the shores, prompting a proactive response from Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on. The primary culprit behind their plight? Declining seagrass meadows, which are essential to the diet of these herbivorous marine mammals, making them the only kind of their species dependent on seagrasses for sustenance. As the lush underwater pastures dwindle, dugongs…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine sitting at home, a mere phone call away from booking your physical therapy appointments without the grueling hours spent waiting in hospital queues. That dream has become a delightful reality for patients across 67 provinces, thanks to the innovative strides of the National Health Security Office (NHSO). The program, spearheaded by NHSO’s visionary secretary-general, Jadej Thammatacharee, ensures that individuals in bustling metropolises like Bangkok, the tranquil streets of Chiang Mai, and the scenic spots of Songkhla can access top-notch physiotherapy clinics close to home. This groundbreaking initiative is part of the esteemed universal healthcare scheme, fondly known as the 30-baht gold card program. It opens the doors to private clinics, now bustling hubs of healing, offering a convenient escape from the traditional labyrinth of hospital systems. As Jadej succinctly puts it, “This allows patients quick access to physical therapy services at clinics near their homes. They don’t have to…
In the bustling academic corridors of Suranari University of Technology, an innovation has emerged that is poised to turn heads and possibly the entire gemstone market. Researchers have pushed the boundaries of traditional ceramic engineering to devise a novel method for creating exquisite ceramic gemstones from the unglamorous confines of agricultural waste, achieving a jaw-dropping price increase of 6,000 times over the original raw material. A feat that promises not only visual splendor but also a resounding environmental impact, courtesy of the creative minds of senior students at the School of Ceramic Engineering: Parnpailin Jaichuei, Chatcha Chuma, and Saowalak Boonpakdi. Ms. Saowalak enthusiastically states that their inspiration was deeply rooted in the fertile agricultural fields of Thailand. With rice and sugarcane as primary contributors to the country’s thriving agro-economy, the inevitable by-product is heaps of agricultural refuse – straw, husks, and most notably, bagasse. Typically, this waste faces a monotonous…
Welcome to the serene sanctuary of wellness nestled within the picturesque grounds of Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) in Chiang Rai! The MFU Wellness Center isn’t just any wellness hub—it’s a blossoming beacon of well-being and health preservation, uniquely tailored to battle the rising tide of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) sweeping across northern Thailand and the vibrant Greater Mekong Subregion. Recently unveiled in its expanded glory, the MFU Wellness Center has actively set its sights on the future of healthcare—emphasizing early health screening as its linchpin strategy. This proactive approach is spearheaded by none other than the center’s dynamic and resolute acting director, Pol Lt Col Boontiwa Boonyuen, whose mission is to nip illness in the bud before it can take root and blossom. It’s a mission rooted in the visionary foundation laid by Adj Prof Vanchai Sirichana, the university’s catalyst founder, back in 2018. Determined to stem the spiraling healthcare…
Picture this: an idyllic evening in Surat Thani’s Chaiya district, turned into a heart-wrenching scene on Wednesday night. A tour bus, filled with hopeful travelers, plunged into a ditch, leaving behind a trail of tragedy. With five souls taken too soon and thirty more injured, the grim reality of road safety in Thailand struck once again. As the courageous rescue workers toiled to retrieve the victims, the nation’s heart ached for the families affected. In a single day—Wednesday, to be exact—Thailand’s roads became a sobering statistic. A heart-stopping fifty lives were lost, and another 346 people were injured amidst the chaos of 339 road crashes. It was a deadly count as the New Year holidays unfolded, already marking 272 lives lost in the first six days of what has been dubbed the “10 dangerous days,” a well-intentioned campaign by the Road Safety Directing Centre of the Department of Disaster Prevention…
The government has undertaken a groundbreaking initiative by linking business registration applicants with a list of individuals flagged as high-risk for money laundering. This move, part of a larger strategy to clobber economic crime, became effective as of yesterday. Names appearing on this high-risk list will face deferred processing in their applications, necessitating the submission of valid supporting documents. Deputy government spokesman Karom Phonphonklang has shed light on a prevalent conundrum: scammers are capitalizing on legal entity registrations to hoodwink the public. By exploiting the credibility and operational leeway businesses offer, these tricksters weave a web of economic crime that the government is urgently striving to untangle. Scammers, with their savvy utilization of legal entity business registration documents, stealthily open bank accounts. This cunning method allows them to channel funds while sidestepping the meticulous financial scrutiny that banks usually enforce. Such fraudulent endeavors have inflicted severe damage on Thailand’s economic…
Imagine this: the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, alive with the festivities of the New Year Countdown. Amidst the noise and cheer, one unexpected incident managed to capture the attention of nearly everyone in town and beyond. It all revolved around a Japanese tourist, Hirano, who found himself caught in a rather fiery situation—quite literally! In the early hours after midnight on Wednesday, Hirano, a 31-year-old traveler eager to participate in the local celebration rituals, stood before the historic Tha Phae Gate with a hot-air lantern in hand. Lanterns like these, typically symbolizing good luck and new beginnings, are a traditional part of many celebrations. However, during this particular event, releasing them posed a considerable fire risk, prompting local authorities to issue orders against their use. Unaware—or perhaps just caught up in the moment—Hirano attempted to let his lantern take flight in the bustling crowd, oblivious to the chaos that…
The tranquility of Surat Thani, a picturesque province in southern Thailand, was shattered by tragedy over two consecutive days. What began as a serene journey turned into a nightmare for the travelers on Asian Highway 41, leaving a heart-wrenching trail of loss and injuries. It was a quiet Wednesday night when the first accident unfurled its grim tale. A tour bus, carrying 37 passengers, meandered through the dimly lit roads near Donrak Resort in the tranquil tambon Pawae of Chaiya district. Amidst the soothing hum of the engine, few anticipated the chaos about to ensue. In a sudden twist of fate, the bus skidded off the smooth surface of the road, plunging headlong into a roadside ditch. The impact resonated like a thunderclap, reverberating through the night air as the metal behemoth collided with trees along the way. Inside the bus, passengers were thrown into a tumult. Witnesses recalled the…
In the ever-evolving digital age of 2025, cybercrime has become a formidable force, overshadowing traditional criminal activities with its newfound hazy complexity. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), an institution formed in the heart of Thailand, has been facing this adversary with determined resolve and commitment to innovation. Under the judicious watch of Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, the bureau is unyielding in its quest to understand and disrupt the intricate web woven by online scammers. Amidst the influx of cybercrime reports in the early months of the year, Jirabhop shared insights with the Bangkok Post. He unveiled a staggering number: 279,861 appeals concerning online scams made their way to the Thai Police Online (TPO) platform from January to September, incurring damages of over 28 billion baht. In a landscape where each byte of data might carry the key to your worldly possessions, service scams reigned supreme in numbers, whereas investment…
Ah, New Year’s Day! A global symbol of fresh beginnings and infinite possibilities. Just yesterday, Thailand’s very own Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra embraced this magical moment by reaching out with heartfelt wishes to all her fellow Thais. She painted 2025 as a canvas brimming with opportunity, just waiting for the masterstrokes of hopes and dreams. In a beautifully orchestrated message, the prime minister invoked blessings from the sacred realms to sprinkle prosperity over the vibrant people of Thailand. Her words danced with optimism, proclaiming the upcoming year as a treasure trove of opportunities. She wanted to assure everyone that, as the government strives tirelessly, a brighter future inched closer to reality with each passing day—pumped full of vivid colors aiming to enhance the quality of life for every Thai. But Ms. Paetongtarn didn’t stop there. She whisked out a captivating video message that carved out the blueprint of what 2025…