Posts published in “Thailand”

The echo of hope resonated through Bangkok’s Chatuchak district as rescue teams, undeterred by the daunting task ahead, uncovered 14 more bodies from the mangled remains of a collapsed 30-story structure on a somber Wednesday. Like an archaeologist unearthing ancient treasures, heavy machinery bit into the stubborn debris at the forefront of the site, slowly revealing its grim secrets. This grim discovery unfolded after the under-construction State Audit Office building met its unexpected demise last Friday afternoon. It crumbled under the unforgiving tremors of a colossal 8.2-magnitude quake that originated near Mandalay, Myanmar, a distant 392 kilometers from Mae Hong Son, Thailand. By the time dawn painted the skies on Thursday, the toll of human lives lost stood at a heart-wrenching 29, leaving nine injured and an anxious 59 souls still unaccounted for. Amidst the rubble and chaos, a flicker of hope emerged when officials reported a human voice echoing…

In a recent turn of events, medical staff at Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital swiftly responded to a seismic scare, ensuring the safe evacuation of patients after a robust earthquake originating in Myanmar sent tremors rippling across Thailand, reaching as far as Bangkok, on March 28. Chanat Katanyu reported the scene vividly, capturing a tense moment where professionals stood bravely united. Amid the backdrop of this tectonic commotion, Bangkok’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, is set to renew his call for a 9-million-baht investment to arm eight major high-rise hospitals in the city with state-of-the-art earthquake measurement devices. This initiative isn’t new but rather a renaissance of an earlier proposal which faced a snub from the Bangkok City Council in September 2023, possibly due to an underestimated need for urgency. However, one’s foresight can be prone to short-sightedness when Mother Nature decides to remind us of her might. “Truth be told, back then, the…

In the bustling heart of Chatuchak district, Bangkok, a dramatic scene unfolded that seemed straight out of a suspense thriller. As cranes swung into action at the site of the toppled State Audit Office (SAO) building, the rumble of heavy machinery was soon matched by an even louder uproar reverberating across social media landscape. The reason? An eyebrow-raising list of opulent furniture costs meant for the now-defunct construction. The Facebook page “STRONG Anti-Corruption Thailand” — a fiery watchdog with a formidable following of over 180,000 eager digital watchdogs — had the pleasure of blowing the whistle. On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday, they decided to roll up their sleeves and dish out a mouth-watering, spicy exposé. Their appetizer? The bafflingly high expenditure details for SAO’s luxurious office furniture and fittings, an outrage enough to leave an Italian opera singer speechless. But just what made the populace spit their morning coffee right…

In the bustling heart of Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, an imposing crane looms over the once-stalwart structure of the State Audit Office, now reduced to rubble by the unrelenting tremors of last Friday’s earthquake. As if the very earth had sought to underscore the scandal unfolding, a meticulous tally of luxuriously excessive spending on the Office’s new construction has ignited a wildfire of indignation across digital landscapes. The STRONG Anti-Corruption Thailand Facebook page, a hub for over 180,000 avid watchdogs of fiscal propriety, laid bare staggering details of the palace that was to house public scrutiny. This revelation was not without its drama—it was the stuff of investigative thrillers, a sequel in the endless saga of transparency and embezzlement suspicions. The riveting post delved into exorbitant expenses that bordered on the absurd, each price tag a dramatic gasp inducing line item in a screenplay of impudence. Picture this: A chair, no…

In a rather intriguing turn of events, Thitikan Thitipruethikul, a devoted People’s Party (PP) MP representing the scenic haven of Phuket, has stirred waves by petitioning the House Committee on Natural and Public Disasters Prevention and Mitigation (NPDPM). The bone of contention? The mysterious vanishing act of two vital tsunami warning towers within Thalang district. You see, these aren’t just any towers; tower WH09 stood guard at the picturesque Mai Khao Beach, while tower WH10 kept watch over the sun-kissed sands of Le Phang Beach. Concerned residents tipped off Mr. Thitikan about this astonishing disappearance, and upon revisiting the sites on December 12th, he discovered that both towers had indeed vanished without leaving a note behind. A perplexing episode indeed! The plot thickens as Phuket’s governor, the illustrious Sophon Suwannarat, entered the narrative stage with revelations of epic proportions. Just this past Monday, he assured his audience that these towers…