Welcome to an exhilarating journey into the heart of an issue smoke-clad and simmering with complexity – the chronic smog suffocating Northern Thailand. It’s a tale woven through the verdant landscapes turned ashy gray, not by a simple slate of causes but by a web of practices stretching across borders and industries. This narrative unfolds in the latest episode of the ‘Bangkok Post Deeper Dive’ vodcast, where experts dive deep beneath the haze to reveal a story of environmental intrigue and the quest for sustainable solutions. At first glance, one might point fingers at the usual suspects: the burning of crop waste, locals clearing woodlands with fire to harvest mushrooms, and the relentless huffing of vehicle emissions into the sky. The knee-jerk response? Tighten regulations, step up enforcement. Yet, as we peel back the layers, a chorus of scientific voices and passionate activists sing a different tune—hinting at a problem…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine the depths of the Gulf of Thailand, a mysterious expanse where the corvette HMTS ‘Sukhothai’ now rests in its watery grave. This is not just a tale of a ship succumbing to the sea; it is a saga that involves bravery, tragedy, and a relentless search for answers beneath the waves. In the cool grips of December 2022, the HMTS Sukhothai embarked on what was supposed to be a routine voyage across the enigmatic waters of the Gulf. Yet, fate had other plans. The vessel met its untimely demise, plunging into the abyss and claiming the lives of many. The Royal Thai Navy (RTN), with unwavering resolve, spearheaded a daring investigation into this tragic event, promising revelations that would illuminate the murky circumstances of the Sukhothai’s final journey. Under the steadfast leadership of Navy Chief Adm Adung Pan-iam, a team of valiant naval officers is set to unveil their…
Imagine this: in a world where the drama unfolds not just in movies but in the legal alleys of Thailand, we have a story that could very well be the script of a thrilling crime drama. Enter the stage, lawyer Sittra Biabangkerd, a man who might as well wear a cape, given his relentless pursuit of justice. Last week, in a scene that could very well have been lifted from a blockbuster movie, Sittra, with documents in hand as if they were sacred texts, approached Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew at the heart of the Central Investigation Bureau. The air was thick with anticipation – after all, these weren’t just any documents; they bore the weight of alleged corruption that might shake the very foundations of the national police. Sittra, a known crusader for justice and the secretary-general of the Foundation of People’s Lawyers, isn’t someone to sit back and…
In the heart of Kanchanaburi’s Sai Yok district, under the soft hues of twilight, Seiko executives and members of the press gather around, their eyes wide with anticipation. They are here to witness something truly extraordinary – a mahout, with years of experience etched into the lines of his hands, artfully guiding an elephant through the lush expanse of a wildlife sanctuary. This moment, tender and powerful, is immortalized by the clicks and flashes of cameras. Welcome to a day in the life at one of Thailand’s most cherished wildlife havens. Nestled within the bosom of Thailand’s Western Forest Complex, this sanctuary stands as a testament to the majesty of the country’s wildlife. Here, in this sprawling natural paradise stretching across landscapes, a rich tapestry of life weaves itself together. Predators and their prey thrive in an intricate dance of survival, amidst a sanctuary for some of the nation’s most…
In a move that has stirred a considerable buzz across the Land of Smiles, the Democrat Party unleashed a wave of critique against the government’s fresh proposal to sprinkle a dash of Las Vegas into Thailand’s vibrant landscape. With the ink still drying on the draft bill by the Pheu Thai-led government, the plans to weave casinos into the fabric of Thai entertainment complexes have sparked quite the debate. Enter stage left, Chaichana Detdacho, a figure whose name resonates through the halls of Thai politics. Hailing from the picturesque province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chaichana, a deputy party leader of the Democrats, brought a rather unconventional proposal to the table. “Why not champion the charm of traditional Thai pastimes instead?” he mused, waxing poetic about the allure of cow fighting, cockfighting, and the quintessentially Thai funeral card games, among others. It seemed as though Chaichana was scripting a love letter…
In a rather unexpected twist that could rival any action movie, a car parked around the bustling Muang Thong Thani Station became an unintended canvas for a very peculiar type of “art”. Imagine the scene: one moment, everything’s calm and then, out of nowhere, liquid cement descends from the heavens—or more accurately, a construction site—transforming an ordinary car into a surreal sculpture, and unfortunately, causing more than just aesthetic alterations. The car’s rear windshield bore the brunt of this unexpected shower, finding itself in a sorry state while one of the passengers, who had been enjoying the backseat’s confines, suddenly found themselves starring in a less-than-ideal situation. Minor injuries were the immediate outcome, prompting a swift trip to the hospital for a thorough check-up. It’s safe to say, this wasn’t the sort of excitement they had anticipated for their day. Upon hearing of this cement calamity, Suriya, a figure of…
Mark your calendars and set your alarms! Starting this Monday, a revolutionary wave is set to hit the realm of healthcare for all Social Security subscribers out there. Imagine stepping into any healthcare facility registered with the Social Security Office (SSO) and/or the Health Security Office (NHSO) and being able to receive your annual medical check-up, no strings attached. This isn’t a drill, folks; it’s the dawn of a new era in preventive healthcare. Before this monumental announcement, being a part of the social security schemes meant your health check-up venues were limited. But thanks to the groundbreaking agreement inked between the SSO and the NHSO, as revealed by the ever-eloquent NHSO deputy secretary-general, Attaporn Limpanyalert, the doors to unrestricted healthcare access have been flung wide open. What does this mean for you, the subscriber, you ask? A golden ticket to a wide array of medical screening services across a…
In the vibrant streets of South Pattaya, Thailand, a tale as spicy and sizzling as the local cuisine unfolds at Fah Sang, a quaint Thai-style shabu hotpot haven known for its delectable broths and sumptuous meats. Yet, beneath the steamy surface of simmering pots, a controversy boiled over, sweeping the idyllic coastal town into a frothy frenzy of digital debate and familial concern. Anong Sidaprom, a 37-year-old matriarch with the protective instincts of a tigress, found herself in the eye of this tempest. Her son, Patcharapol Sidaprom, an 18-year-old embodiment of youthful ambition, and his bride, Nattawat Komolwanit, a 22-year-old with dreams as vast as the ocean, became the protagonists in a saga that ignited discussions far beyond Pattaya’s sun-kissed shores. The crux of the matter? A punitive measure that harked back to bygone eras – caning. Patcharapol bore the brunt of this archaic discipline, receiving not one, not two,…
In the bustling heart of Rayong’s Pluak Daeng district, an unfortunate event unfolded at the Sin Ker Yuan Company Limited, setting the stage for a tale of resilience, unity, and the power of collective voice. United Thai Nation Party MP and notably industrious chair of the House panel, Akkaradej Wongpithakroj, alongside esteemed Rayong MPs, embarked on a meticulous fact-finding mission following the tragic incident. As the clock struck 4pm on a fateful Friday, a crane, standing tall within the precincts of the factory, met with an unfortunate fate as it collapsed while workers were engaged in the delicate task of removing its base. This unexpected event claimed the lives of one valiant Chinese worker along with six courageous Myanmar workers, wrapping the factory in a veil of mourning. In a stirring display of solidarity and the relentless pursuit of justice, approximately 400 workers, united by grief and a quest for…
Welcome to the enchanting land of Thailand, where the vibrant blooms of opportunity are delicately intertwined with the tendrils of challenge. But fear not, for the land of smiles is on the cusp of a transformative era, as outlined in the riveting tale of the Thailand 2024 Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) Update. A spellbinding manuscript from the archives of the World Bank, this document not only navigates the shifting sands of Thailand’s socio-economic landscape but also charts a course towards a future resplendent with prosperity and equity. Since the scrolls of the 2016 SCD were unfurled, the world, much like a tempestuous sea, has churned out new challenges and opportunities. The Covid-19 pandemic has played the part of an unexpected tempest, geopolitical tensions have risen like swells in the ocean, technological advancements have sped forth like swift currents, and climate change has emerged as a looming maelstrom, each putting the…