Posts published in “Thailand”

Welcome to a forum like no other, a place where the passionate voices of youth merge with the rhythm of Songkhla’s beating heart. The buzz was palpable as “What kind of Songkhla do you want… Speak out, young ones” unfolded, a stage set not just for airing views but for weaving dreams. The air was thick with anticipation as Nipon gracefully steered the conversation towards the future – a canvas upon which the younger generation was invited to paint their vision of an ideal world, encompassing the realms of infrastructure, economy, politics, society, environment, and the very essence of life itself. The question hung in the air, a challenge and an invitation: What direction should Thailand tread? Amidst this fertile exchange of ideas, Madam Dear took the stage, her words painting a picture of a world where power dances freely among the people. She spoke of lands afar where the…

Welcome to an era where the thrill of exploring new cultures is just a QR scan away! Nestled on the azure banks of the Mekong River lies the iconic Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, a marvel of engineering that not only connects the picturesque Mukdahan province of Thailand with the charming Savannakhet in Laos but also symbolizes the blossoming relationship between these two Southeast Asian jewels. This relationship recently took a leap into the future, thanks to a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by the financial guardians of Thailand and Laos. Picture this: a sun-drenched Sunday that marked a pivotal moment as the Bank of Thailand (BoT) and the Bank of Lao (BoL) unveiled a shiny new QR payment system. This digital leap forward, announced amidst the grandeur of the 11th Asean Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in Luang Prabang, promises to weave the fabric of Thai and Laotian economies even closer.…

Imagine the bustling streets of Bangkok, transformed into a vibrant canvas of joy, colour, and spirited revelry during the Songkran celebrations. Last year, the city was a spectacle as revellers were joyously doused with water, echoing the playful heart of Thailand’s most cherished festival. (Photo credit: Apichart Jinakul). This year, the spirit of Songkran promises to be even more exhilarating, especially in the historic Phra Nakhon district, where the pulse of the celebration beats the loudest. The district, known for its iconic locales like Khao San and Silom roads, is bracing for an influx of tourists, all eager to dive into the festive spirit. Kosol Singhanat, the meticulous district director, anticipates the arrival of throngs of visitors, drawn by the allure of the three main arenas of joy: the ever-lively Khao San Road, the grandeur of Sanam Luang, and the charming Phra Athit Road. The heart of the festivities will…

Imagine traipsing through the dense, verdant underbrush of Kaeng Krachan National Park, a jewel nestled in the heart of Phetchaburi. You’re surrounded by the chorus of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the ceaseless chatter of the forest’s unseen denizens. Now, imagine stumbling upon a discovery so minute yet so monumental – a brand-new scorpion species, no larger than the nail on your little finger! This isn’t a scene from an entomologist’s dream but the reality for a dedicated team from Chulalongkorn University’s Biology Department. During an expedition filled with the thrill of discovery and the passion for unearthing the unknown, these intrepid researchers unearthed a tiny titan of the insect world: the “Scorpiops (Euscorpiops) krachan.” The tale of this discovery, shared on the Kaeng Krachan National Park’s Facebook Page, reads like an ode to the spirit of exploration. The creature owes its name to its cradle of discovery, a…

Imagine this: You’re standing amidst the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, a city pulsating with life, and there, slicing through the urban sprawl like a red ribbon of modernity, is the Red Line electric commuter train. This marvel of transportation, seen at the majestic Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, isn’t just a train; it’s the heartbeat of the city, connecting dreams, lives, and destinies. But, as with all grand tales of engineering feats, there comes a moment of challenge. Recently, the guardians of this metallic steed, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), embarked on a quest. It was discovered, during an odyssey of inspection, that not all escalators and elevators were in service, much to the concern of daily commuters. In a realm where time is the currency, such hindrances could not be left unattended. Ekarat Sriarayanphong, the head of the SRT governor’s office, emerged as the herald of news,…

In the shadowy nooks of Bangkok’s bustling streets lies a tale of resilience and rebellion; a tale that takes us to the heart of an old futsal stadium tucked away in the Don Muang district. This isn’t a story of legendary sports battles or epic showdowns, but of a gambling den that has leaped metaphorical and literal fences to stay in the game. On a seemingly ordinary Saturday evening, under the cloak of dusky skies, Superintendent Pol Col Sukrit Mangklasawas alongside a brigade of 30 unyielding officers took to the scene, determined to snuff out the continuous ember of illegal gambling activities. Their target? An old futsal stadium on Soi Song Prapha 1, cloaked not in the glory of athletes, but in the secrecy of gamblers. The Don Muang Kwaeng Court had armed them with a warrant, their golden ticket through the gates of this illicit Wonderland. However, this was…

Imagine wandering into a vibrant store in Bangkok, shelves lined with e-cigarette liquid bottles in an array of enticing flavors. This scene was swiftly shattered when the Customs Department swooped in, seizing the goods, a stark reminder of Thailand’s firm stance against e-cigarettes. In an intriguing development, the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) is gearing up to take the battle against vapes into the classrooms. With a concerning uptick in students, particularly those aged 13–15, embracing e-cigarettes, Obec is pulling out all the stops. They announced plans for rigorous measures, including the personal search of students’ belongings. The sightings of first graders, those little humans between the ages of 6 and 7, with vapes in hand, have particularly set alarm bells ringing. Imagine, if you will, a world where the youngest smokers are barely out of kindergarten. Thee Pawangkanan, deputy secretary-general of Obec, painted a vivid picture of…

In an enchanting scene set against the backdrop of historical and scientific camaraderie, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn took center stage at a momentous event in Beijing. The auditorium, filled with the hum of anticipation and the scent of innovation, played host to a dazzling convergence of minds and nations. The occasion? A groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation from the Land of Smiles, Thailand, and the esteemed China National Space Administration (CNSA). This wasn’t just any agreement but a celestial handshake propelling us into the realms of space exploration, all taking place from April 4 to April 10, during the princess’s auspicious visit to Beijing and Sichuan. The setting for this interstellar pact was none other than the Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre in Beijing, a place where dreams of cosmic conquest are nurtured. Graced by the…

In the dimly lit hours of an early Sunday morning in Nonthaburi’s bustling Muang district, tranquility was shattered by a chilling crime that would soon unravel into a tale of mystery, involving an army lieutenant, a woman’s tragic demise, and a condominium that bore silent witness to the events unfolding within its walls. The serene facade of a condominium building in tambon Bang Kraso was pierced by the urgent activities of law enforcement officers, who, at around 3 am, converged on the scene following a distress call. The call was initiated by a concerned friend of the victim, thrust unwillingly into the nucleus of a nightmare as she recounted her last moments with the victim, chillingly captured over a phone call as the victim made her way home. The narrative took a heart-wrenching turn when the friend, still grappling with disbelief, recounted hearing a terrified scream from the victim as…

Imagine zooming through Bangkok’s bustling streets, not on a tuk-tuk or a motorbike, but in a sleek, whisper-quiet electric bus. That’s not a page from a sci-fi novel, but the very near future of Bangkok’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Picture this: it’s a steamy July morning, and the newest fleet members of Bangkok’s urban jungle are ready to make their grand entrance. This isn’t just any bus we’re talking about; these are state-of-the-art electric buses, ready to whisk commuters across the city in eco-friendly style. Behind this electric dream is the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), who, in a move that could easily be the plot of the next blockbuster, signed a thrilling 465 million baht contract with the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC). The mission? To introduce 23 electric buses into the wild streets of Bangkok, courtesy of technological giants from China. These buses are no ordinary vehicles; they’re…