Posts published in “Thailand”

In the thriving heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand stands on the brink of a green revolution—a transformation that could draw a flood of investment, pegged at a staggering US$2 billion annually, by morphing its urban landscapes into eco-smart cities. This vision was passionately delivered by Melinda Good, the World Bank’s Country Director for Thailand and Myanmar, at the recent ‘Road to Net Zero 2025: Thailand Green Action’ in Bangkok. With her eyes set on the future, Good urged the kingdom to grab this momentous opportunity in urban sustainability to avoid lagging behind in the global climate race. “Cities are the battlegrounds for climate change,” Good emphasized. “Getting it right in the urban sphere equates to getting it right for the environment, the economy, and the future.” This clarion call was backed by the Swedish-inspired SymbioCity concept, a vision of cities functioning as harmonious ecosystems. Good pointed to the pressing need…

Imagine if Thailand, the Land of Smiles, finally cracked the code and hosted a World Expo amidst the bustling streets of its capital. Well, that’s exactly the audacious vision sketched out by Thanakrit Kanchanaram, an inspired student from Chulalongkorn University’s esteemed Faculty of Architecture. His dream, coined as the Bangkok World Expo 2032, is not just an academic exercise but a bold proposal poised to transform Makkasan Station into a modern-day hub of ingenuity, culture, and urban rejuvenation. “Thailand has faced setbacks — attempts in 2020 and 2028 fell through due to budget and infrastructure issues,” Thanakrit candidly recounts. “Yet, the dream is still alive and kicking.” Instead of attempting a colossal Main World Expo, Thanakrit’s pitch is for a nimbler, more feasible Special World Expo. This event, spanning three exhilarating months, would unfold over 156.25 rai, a footprint that’s ample enough to leave an everlasting mark. Makkasan, with its…

The Cabinet in Thailand has rolled out an ambitious initiative, casting a lifeline of 5.175 billion baht for sugarcane farmers as they stride into the 2024/2025 production season. The endeavor is noteworthy, targeting not just the economic upliftment of farmers, but with an innovative twist—it aims to mitigate PM2.5 pollution, a persistent urban blight. Karam Phonpornklang, the government spokesperson, revealed the orchestration of this grand plan, being executed with fine precision by the Ministry of Industry. Their mission? Stirring farmers to harvest exclusively premium-quality fresh sugarcane. This sweet venture isn’t just about fanning the flames of progress; it’s about cooling down fiscal burdens too. Initially hosted by the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), the fund will aid farmers in transitioning to non-burning harvesting methods, a pivotal move designed with an eye on sustainability, thus sparing future governmental coffers. Intriguingly, there’s a tech twist in the narrative as the…

Imagine a bustling hub where the charm of Thai culture meets cutting-edge innovation—welcome to Phuket, a city pioneering an eco-friendly urban future. In a spectacular stride towards sustainability, the idyllic island is embracing a new chapter in urban mobility. On June 17, 2025, at the grandiose Phuket Provincial Hall, influential figures gathered to unveil the visionary City Lab project—a pivotal component of the Thai-German alliance focusing on energy, transportation, and climate transformation. Picture this: a serene electric vehicle whirring down the vibrant streets of Phuket, a testament to both technological advancement and environmental preservation. Leading the charge was Governor Sophon Suwannarat, accompanied by luminaries from the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), the esteemed German development agency GIZ, the Thai Electric Vehicle Association (EVAT), and the distinguished King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. It was an assembly of minds as sparkly as their futuristic vision, setting the…

Imagine a trip to your favorite shopping mall turning into a shocking ordeal—quite literally! This bizarre escapade unfolded in the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, where a trip to Central Bangna’s parking lot became a confounding tale of surprise, sparks, and social media buzz. Our heroine, a Thai woman, had set out on what promised to be a routine shopping excursion. Little did she know, her adventure would start not at a bustling checkout line, but at the parking lot entry. A Facebook post she shared on June 10 vividly recounts her electrifying encounter with a car park ticket machine. It was a quiet morning around 10 a.m. when she approached the mechanical gateway, like a cowboy ambling towards his steed in a Western film. Her mission was simple: snag a parking ticket by waving at the sensor—but oh, the surprises life throws in our paths! Without warning and before making…

In a move that’s stirring the duty-free world, Thailand’s bustling airports are abuzz with discussions. King Power, the titan of duty-free shopping in Thailand, is knocking on the doors of the Airports of Thailand (AOT) with a request to renegotiate their contracts. The reason? A concoction of global challenges that have left their financial gears grinding. From the pandemic’s notorious chaos to the relentless economic dips, King Power finds itself in quite the predicament. Imagine bustling Thai airports stripped of their glittering duty-free allure. It’s a chilling thought and one that King Power aims to avoid by proposing a recalibration of their contract’s financial terms. They’re vying for a pragmatic approach over a dramatic drop-off point, hoping to skirt around the expensive detour of contract termination and new bids. Steering this ship through choppy waters is none other than Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit. He’s keen to…

Get your bags ready for an unforgettable adventure! As VietJet Thailand proudly unfurls its wings to soar on a groundbreaking direct flight from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Seoul (Incheon), set to launch on October 1st. This exciting development marks a significant milestone in the airline’s journey, as it stretches its network across Asia and offers travelers an enticingly affordable, convenient link between two of the continent’s most dynamic urban landscapes. In this daring move, VietJet is reaffirming its dedication to sustainable growth, not just by expanding its horizons, but also by bolstering its fleet to meet the eagerness of globetrotters for international exploration. With daily flights, VietJet is all geared up to bring seamless, budget-friendly journeys to both laid-back vacationers and dedicated business go-getters alike. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty! The freshly minted flight, VZ850, takes off from Bangkok at the unassuming hour of 1:45 AM, landing you amidst the bustling…

Ah, Phuket, the sparkling jewel of Thailand, known for its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and now, its booming comeback. The island’s economy is racing back to life with an exhilarating speed that brings a twinkle back to one’s eyes. But as the island thrives, a rather pressing issue throws a shadow over this success — around 600 Cambodian workers find themselves in a dilemma, stranded with no way home. Fast forward to today, June 18, 2025, and Phuket Deputy Governor Suwit Pansengiam has painted a promising picture. He reveals that tourism has seen an impressive uptick since last year, amassing a staggering 497 billion baht in 2024 alone. Hold onto your hats because this year’s January to April stretch roped in 188 billion baht from just half a million visitors. Now, while half a million might seem a drop in this bustling ocean, the quality of tourists is akin to…

Surachit “Dr. John” Phongsinghvithya, the esteemed Chairman of the BMC, recently led an enthusiastic entourage of council members on a memorable journey to Shanghai. Their mission was not only official but also symbolic, as they were there to pay a respectful and warm courtesy call to Huang Lixin, the distinguished Chairwoman of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress. The trip, however, was not just about exchanging pleasantries; it was punctuated by a formal and ceremonious signing event that renewed an illustrious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on friendly exchanges and cooperation between these two legislative giants. The grandeur of the occasion was further elevated by the presence of esteemed representatives from the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress, standing as witnesses to this historic moment. This updated MoU is the latest chapter in a storied alliance that has blossomed over 26 fruitful years, dating all the way back to the seminal agreement inked in…

Thailand is basking in glory as its newly crowned Miss World, Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri, dazzled Government House with her radiant presence this past week. She has promised to leverage her newfound global spotlight to empower women, carrying a message of resilience directly to the nation’s leadership. Opal, breaking new ground as the first Thai woman to capture the Miss World title in its illustrious 72-year history, visited Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on June 17, just before the Cabinet assembled for their weekly meeting. The 22-year-old native of Phuket, crowned on May 31 in Hyderabad, was accompanied by esteemed figures such as Julia Morley, Chairperson of the Miss World Organization, and Piyaporn “Mae Pui” Sankosik, CEO of TPN Global. Her return to Thailand was nothing short of triumphant, with thousands of enthusiastic supporters greeting her in a celebratory parade through the vibrant streets of Bangkok. At the Government House, Opal received…