Posts published in “Thailand”

In a landmark celebration set to resonate throughout Thailand and beyond, the Thai Interior Ministry is gearing up to host a grand event at the esteemed United Nations Convention Centre in Bangkok. Scheduled for next Monday, January 13, this gathering marks a pivotal prelude to the Marriage Equality Act’s impending arrival on January 23—a trailblazing step towards inclusivity and equality. Spearheaded by the ministry’s dynamic spokesperson, Traisulee Taisaranakul, and orchestrated alongside the Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA), the event promises to be a captivating mosaic of unity and progress. The extravaganza will see an illustrious assembly of 400 participants—brilliant minds and influential figures hailing from official circles, the UN, embassies worldwide, and vibrant members of the media, all converging to mark this auspicious moment. Presided over by Anutin Charnvirakul, who adeptly dons the hats of Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, the occasion will unfold with a central theme highlighting the…

Just when you thought you were fully prepared for the New Year, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has a chilly surprise in store! A cold spell, the second one this month, is set to sweep over the Land of Smiles. Brace yourselves for some brisk breezes and noticeably nippy temperatures from January 10 through January 13. It’s all thanks to a frosty high-pressure system from China that’s making its way over Thailand and into the South China Sea. This cold wave promises to drop the mercury by a cool 5 to 7 degrees Celsius in the north and northeast. Meanwhile, Bangkok and the rest of the central region aren’t escaping the chill either, with temperatures set to dip by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. So, dig out those extra blankets and maybe an extra scoop of hot soup too, as residents are advised to keep warm and be cautious of…

The sun-drenched beaches of Phuket, famed for their beauty and tranquility, have suddenly become the backdrop of a mystifying tale that has left a British family desperate for answers. On a balmy morning of January 5, the lifeless body of 28-year-old Regan Kelly from South London was discovered washed up on the sands, casting a shadow over what should have been a paradise getaway. Regan, a building surveyor hailing from the serene suburb of Selsdon, had barely begun his month-long holiday in Thailand when the dream turned into a nightmare. Captured last on CCTV at the lively Mad Monkey Hostel, an alarmingly heated exchange with an unknown man on January 3 has become the focal point of a harrowing mystery. According to the grainy footage, Regan was seen animatedly debating with what appeared to be a fellow tourist. Yet curiously, this mysterious man was not registered as a hostel guest.…

In an exhilarating operation that gripped the nation, law enforcement and health officials descended upon Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and the bustling metropolis of Bangkok in a united front against counterfeit cough syrup. With a dramatic value of over 100 million baht seized on the retail market, this was no ordinary bust. It was the result of a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the provincial public health office of Nakhon Pathom. Together, they dismantled a sprawling network responsible for the production and distribution of fake branded cough syrup, bringing its large-scale distribution to a screeching halt. The operation was a multi-faceted raid, meticulously planned and executed across four strategic locations. It all started at a clandestine factory nestled in the Kamphaeng Saen district of Nakhon Pathom, the breeding ground where this counterfeit syrup was concocted. Meanwhile, in the Thawi…

The winds of change are once again blowing through the corridors of power in Thailand, as the government sets its sights on a mission that will likely bring a smile to the faces of many—a reduction in electricity costs. This bold initiative was inspired by none other than Thaksin Shinawatra, a name that still echoes throughout the nation as the former prime minister and an influential figure in Thai politics. It was during a lively rally in the vibrant locale of Chiang Rai that Thaksin laid out his electrifying proposal: bring the electricity bills down to an enticing 3.70 baht per unit. Enter Pichai Chunhavajira, the Deputy Prime Minister and man of the hour, tasked with the hefty responsibility of turning this promise into a reality. Armed with determination and an unwavering dedication to the public’s welfare, Pichai is also wielding the mighty baton of finance as the nation’s Finance…

On a typical Thursday morning, the bustling cityscape of Bangkok, known for its stunning high-rises and vibrant life, was conspicuously missing from view. An opaque mask of thick smog enveloped the city, painting a worrisome picture for the residents observing from the Bhumibol Bridge. The issue that dominated the day was the pervasive air pollution, which had cast its unhealthy shroud not just over Bangkok but across various parts of Thailand. The day unfolded with grim news – air pollution levels had spiraled into hazardous or moderately dangerous territories in 58 out of 77 provinces, according to the early report by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda). As the clock ticked past 9am, the terrifying revelation was broadcasted: ultrafine dust particles had intensified to red levels, deemed hazardous, in 20 provinces, while 38 others were experiencing orange levels, troublingly starting to affect health. The focal point of concern…

The exciting atmosphere of the upcoming elections is in full swing with the Election Commission (EC) projecting a promising 65% voter turnout for the much-anticipated February 1 nationwide elections. The elections, which will decide the members and chairs of the provincial administration organizations (PAOs), are stirring quite a buzz, trending just a tad higher compared to the steady 62.86% average turnout we saw during the local polls back in 2020. EC Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong expressed these forecasts with contagious enthusiasm during the vibrant launch of a campaign aimed at inspiring folks to make their voices heard through the power of their vote. In 2020, several provinces emerged as voter turnout champions with Phatthalung leading the pack at a whopping 78%, followed by a spirited 77% in Satun and a lively 72% in Chiang Mai. On the flip side, Nonthaburi and Buri Ram showed up at the polls with just about…

Amid a global landscape where the ominous shadow of the H5N1 avian influenza looms large, Thailand stands as a beacon of hope, having eluded an outbreak of the virus that has left its mark on other parts of the world, including a tragic fatality in the United States. Health officials in Thailand are not resting on their laurels, though, and they emphasize the critical nature of preventive measures, particularly concerning the virus’s prominent presence in migratory birds. According to Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the stalwart permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, since 2024, the United States has confronted 66 documented human infections of the H5N1 virus. Interestingly, the majority of these cases stem from strains nestled within dairy cattle, mercifully presenting only mild symptoms. Yet, a strain found among the travels of migratory wild birds has unveiled its more severe facet, affecting two individuals notably. One such case involved…