In a refreshing turn of events, residents of the bustling metropolis of Bangkok awoke to a breath of fresh air — quite literally. As the sun peeked over the horizon on this fine Tuesday morning, the skies over all 50 districts of Bangkok were painted in shades of “green” and “yellow,” signifying air quality that ranged from good to moderate. This welcome report came from none other than the vigilant Air Quality Information Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the city’s frontline sentinel in the battle for cleaner air. The centre’s data for the day revealed an average PM2.5 level dancing at a mere 20.6 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) throughout the city — comfortably below Thailand’s stipulation of a 37.5 µg/m³ norm over a three-hour morning watch from 5am to 7am. Just yesterday, the reading was a loftier 30.95 µg/m³. This significant decrease has the city heaving collective…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The buzz around the world has suddenly tilted towards a fresh chapter in the world of viruses. In a revelation that has piqued curiosity and evoked a sigh of relief simultaneously, the Ministry of Public Health recently confirmed the existence of a novel coronavirus—HKU5-CoV-2. This diagnosis emerged from the stalwart laboratories tucked away in China, more precisely, the prestigious Wuhan Institute of Virology. Though this revelation might ring an ominous bell reminiscent of past pandemics, the authorities assure that there’s no need for any panic at this juncture, as this virus hasn’t made its mark on the human populace—just yet. Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the venerable Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, has stepped forward like a knight in shining armor for the information-hungry masses. He carved out the crucial distinction that HKU5-CoV-2, despite being a potential show-stealer, isn’t a reborn villain or a mutant menace. It belongs to…
Imagine this: a serene evening on Pattaya’s Krating Lai Beach, the gentle waves lapping the shore and a cool breeze weaving through the palm trees. The vibe is calm and idyllic until it isn’t. Emerging from the tranquility is a rather unexpected commotion that has set the local rumor mill alight—a couple engaging in a passionate, but decidedly public, display of affection. It all started with Bew, an 18-year-old local enjoying a chill evening with friends by the beach. They deliberately chose a spot among other beachgoers for safety. Little did they anticipate that their peaceful gathering would be disrupted by sounds that could rival a primetime drama. Convinced something was wrong, the group ventured closer to the source of the cries, only to stumble upon a half-dressed foreign duo who’d temporarily relocated their hotel room to the rocky shores of Krating Lai. Now, one might assume that the embrace…
In the normally serene province of Chaiyaphum, a heartbreaking incident shattered the peace, drawing national attention and stirring intense emotions. February 23rd turned into a day of tragedy when a retired teacher, Prapaisri Kaewkul, found herself at the center of a storm of grief and anger after a fatal accident. Driving along Bamnet-Jaturat Road in the Bamnet Narong district, Prapaisri’s journey was abruptly disrupted by a catastrophic collision that claimed two lives. As the sun dipped beyond the Isaan horizon, officers from the Bamnet Narong Police Station were thrust into a harrowing scene bordered by anguish and disbelief. Prapaisri’s vehicle, a saloon car, had collided with a motorcycle, dragging its passengers, Suchart Klinsisook, 46, and Anake Dansubchak, 30, for a chilling 30 meters. The aftermath was nothing short of devastating: Suchart’s life flickered out on the asphalt, while Anake’s fight for survival ended in the sterile surroundings of a hospital.…
In Kamala, a seemingly routine snake transfer turned into a thrilling adventure involving a slippery escape artist. A king cobra, no less, made a grandiose attempt to flee the scene, causing quite a stir. It all started with Kusoldharm Phuket’s Kuan Yang rescue unit capturing our elusive hero at a local hotel, intending to transport it to the team’s station in Patong. But, like any cunning escape artist, the cobra had other plans. As the rescue team meticulously prepared to transfer the snake into a new container, the daring cobra saw its chance for freedom. A swift bolt from the blue ensued, prompting an impromptu chase under the moonlit skies of Kamala on February 22. In the grandest of escape attempts, the cobra slithered away amidst a flurry of excitement and frantic pursuit. The incident, caught in a heart-pounding 17-second video shared by the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation on social media,…
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong has confidently proclaimed the effective strides made over the past two years with the enforcement of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance BE 2565 (2023). As he took center stage at an event on Monday commemorating this landmark legislation’s second anniversary, held at the Justice Ministry’s headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road, Tawee wasted no time in highlighting the achievements brought forth under this law. The event was graced by a host of dignitaries, including Cynthia Veliko, a representative from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) in Southeast Asia, alongside officials from prominent agencies such as the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC). This assembly of influential figures underscored the gravity and importance of the act’s objectives. In his address, Pol Col Tawee passionately reiterated the indispensable…
In a move set to revolutionize education nationwide, the Ministry of Education is rolling out digital learning devices to an impressive 600,000 students just in time for the second semester this year. This initiative aims to level the educational playing field, ensuring equal opportunities for all students. As announced by Deputy Education Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, the cabinet has greenlit two pivotal programs under this visionary agenda. The first initiative, dubbed the “Digital Skill/Credit Portfolio: Empowering Education” project, holds a grand vision of equipping students with enhanced digital prowess while simultaneously crafting comprehensive educational portfolios. This groundbreaking endeavor is backed by a budget of 4.21 billion baht, reflecting the commitment to raising the digital acumen of the next generation. The second ambitious undertaking, the “Anywhere Anytime” Learning Equipment Project (Phase 2), promises to bring anywhere-anytime educational access into reality. This initiative, scheduled to run from 2026 to 2031, comes with a…
Upon his much-anticipated arrival at Narathiwat airport on Sunday, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong. They convened to delve into significant development issues, covering an array of topics such as security, education, and economic advancement. As the crowd gathered, anticipation thrummed in the air, underscored by the elaborate plan that Thaksin had mapped out for the future of the region. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham, an ardent supporter of Thaksin’s viewpoints on reinstating peace in the deep South, hailed his efforts in urging insurgents to cease hostilities during Ramadan. Wearing dual hats as both the deputy prime minister and the defense minister, Phumtham articulated Thaksin’s belief that achieving harmony in the volatile region necessitates collaboration with neighboring countries like Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. He buoyantly predicted that these efforts could herald positive, transformative progress within the year,…
In the political landscape of Thailand, where personalities and allegiances often shift like sand dunes in a desert, there’s never a dull moment. Picture, if you will, an exclusive tête-à-tête amidst the quiet hum of polite clinking dinnerware and hushed conversations—it’s here that the enigmatic Thaksin Shinawatra, the behind-the-scenes maestro of the Pheu Thai Party, and Newin Chidchob, the strategic helmsman of the Bhumjaithai Party, allegedly came together. The whispers of their nocturnal rendezvous tickled the airwaves as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul were reported to have joined this clandestine powwow, all to smooth out a growing wrinkle between these two coalition powerhouses. Just a day shy of the grand coalition dinner festivity planned for Tuesday, the mere inkling of such a high-level meeting sparked chatter quicker than a street vendor’s wok sizzles Pad Thai. Enter Wisut Chainarun, the chief orchestrator of coherence within the…
In a tale that reads like an international spy thriller, two buildings in Cambodia play center stage in a cross-border mission to dismantle a scam syndicate operated by a notorious Chinese criminal group. On one side stands the suspected hub of nefarious operations, while its twin is thought to house the unfortunate victims, including a tragic figure who plunged from its 14th floor. This gripping scene, captured in a screenshot, has prompted Thailand and Cambodia to take decisive action. Over the past weekend, a major sting operation in the bustling town of Poipet, right along the Thailand-Cambodia border, led to the spectacular rescue of 125 Thai nationals. This daring move has sparked a collaboration between the two nations, with the formation of a joint operations center on the horizon. The Royal Thai Police inspector-general, the formidable Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, shed light on the intricately woven plans following a strategic…