In an interesting twist of governmental agricultural strategy, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has thrown his hat into the ring with an intriguing suggestion: rice farmers should consider bananas as a viable income booster. Amidst a challenging landscape where rice prices seem to be trapped in a downward spiral, Minister Pichai, on a recent Thursday, laid out a somewhat unconventional plan in response to a query by People’s Party MP Narongdech Ularnkul regarding the protection of rice market prices. “Rice prices are trending downward due to an unfortunate oversupply,” Minister Pichai acknowledged candidly, before launching into his practical proposal, “We are actively exploring other high-value crops that farmers could cultivate for profit.” Among these lucrative alternatives, bananas have emerged as a top contender. Why bananas, you might ask? Well, it turns out that these tropical delights not only yield abundantly but also enjoy formidable demand overseas, including Japan’s voracious market, which,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the bustling heart of Southeast Asia lies Bangkok, a vibrant metropolis that never sleeps. Amid its ceaseless whirl of activity, the guardians of its cleanliness quietly go about their work, sweeping the streets clear of yesterday’s remnants. This year, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) embarks on a mission to recognize the city’s most outstanding street sweepers, honoring their dedication and celebrating their invaluable contributions. This noteworthy initiative is more than a mere award. It’s a heartfelt collaboration between the BMA, the Environment Department, and the Princess Ngarmchit Purachatra Memorial Foundation. Together, they aim to uplift and commend individuals who epitomize integrity and selflessness in public service. At the pinnacle of this recognition stands the coveted Princess Ngarmchit Purachatra Award—a testament to virtue and commitment across professions nationwide. Leading this meticulous selection process is Mr. Chatree Wattanakhejorn, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the BMA. “Each year,” he declares, “the Environment Department…
Since 2008, the bustling city of Bangkok has set a remarkable precedent in showing its commitment to the Earth Hour initiative—a key partnership with WWF Thailand and a host of environmental allies. Over a span of seventeen luminous years, the metamorphic act of collectively flipping off energy switches has saved a staggering 22,537 megawatts of electricity. If you’re trying to wrap your head around those numbers, picture this: it’s akin to preventing a colossal 12,272 tons of carbon dioxide from wrapping around our precious Earth, like an unsolicited, all-encompassing cosmic hug. Let’s time-travel back to last year for a moment. With great zest, Bangkok managed to trim down its energy consumption by 24.65 megawatts in just one evening. To put it into more whimsical terms—if those watt-savings were airline miles—it’s like grounding 92 flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. That’s quite the carbon-heavy itinerary to toss aside, or equate it…
Chadchart is on a mission to transform Bangkok into a haven of livability for everyone, navigating through a myriad of challenges and seizing various opportunities. With determination etched into his ethos, he strides forward with ambitious plans to make the bustling metropolis a beacon of quality living. Governor Chadchart, with a nod to the city’s newfound fame, credits Bangkok’s ascent to the world’s second-best city status to the symbiotic efforts of its communities and private sectors. “It’s a collective achievement,” he humbly acknowledges, while underscoring the pivotal role of the government in fostering such strides in urban excellence. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the heartbeat of humanity,” he enthusiastically declares, as the streets of Bangkok burst once more with vibrant life in this post-Covid era. This city isn’t just bouncing back; it’s roaring with life and color. Tackling the pesky PM2.5 pollution, the Governor sheds light on the trifecta…
The winds of change are blowing through Thailand, and they carry with them golden opportunities and glittering dreams. In a bold—and undoubtedly fascinating—development, the Ministry of Finance has announced plans to tweak the Entertainment Complex Bill. When it comes to affairs of chance, it seems nothing is ever set in stone, because now, only the affluent crème de la crème—those valiant souls with a bank account boasting at least 50 million baht—might find themselves sashaying into a casino in Thailand. So much for lady luck being impartial! Of course, this proposition was not conceived in a vacuum. The esteemed Council of State gave its studied recommendation, and true to their advisory prowess, the government’s legal advisory titans backed their vision. Enter Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, a man who, perhaps quite rightly, finds himself dissenting. With a population driven by wanderlust for cross-border gambling escapades, Mr. Julapun’s perspective illuminates a…
In a celebration that draws together a rich past and a vibrant present, the Ministry of Finance has announced a dazzling new addition to the heart of Thailand’s currency collection. On April 14, a commemorative 100 baht banknote is set to hit the market, marking a monumental 150 years since the ministry’s storied inception. This announcement, posted on the Royal Gazette’s website, promises a blend of tradition and modernity in a keepsake that can both honor history and fit within your wallet’s confines for everyday transactions. Signed off by the finance maestro himself, Pichai Chunhavajira, the new banknote shines as a testament to the ministry’s illustrious journey. The Bank of Thailand has been handed the noble task of rolling out this edition, crafted under the vigilant authority of Section 14, Clause 2, of the Currency Act of 1958. This commemorative masterpiece will strut onto the stage in familiar hues and…
In the tranquil yet bustling province of Samut Prakan, there’s a storm brewing that highlights the vulnerability and complex maze of emotions faced by a young 14-year-old girl. What began as a mundane day of teenage camaraderie spiraled into a distressing incident that now demands justice and healing. Trust, often preached as the bedrock of friendship, became the instigating factor here. Our young protagonist found herself alone, abandoned by a seemingly trusted female friend and her boyfriend. Their abrupt exit, under the guise of an impromptu parental summons, left her in an unthinkable predicament. The ensuing events were as troubling as they were rapid—the girl allegedly found herself at the mercy of four male peers, their ages not too far from hers, ranging between 13 and 15. Upon learning of this harrowing ordeal, the girl’s mother wasted no time in pursuing the truth. Confronting the female friend, she unravelled the…
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s love affair with the front pages of newspapers continues, as his latest request to leave Thailand has been met with a resounding “no” by the country’s Criminal Court. Thursday morning saw Thaksin and his trusted legal counsel, Winyat Chatmontree, arriving at the courthouse with the kind of understated elegance that only a Mercedes-Benz Maybach can offer. Nevertheless, the comfort of the vehicle did little to cushion the blow of the court’s decision, which scuttled his plans to jet off to the scenic environs of Indonesia. The destination? A significant meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), set to commence in Indonesia on Friday. However, Thaksin’s itinerary is now a moot point. The court found his reasons for the overseas jaunt rather lackluster and unconvincing, thus nixing his travel request. Controversy continues to cast a long shadow over Thaksin, stemming from lingering lese-majeste and…
In a heart-pounding moment reminiscent of a tense thriller, a mother in Udon Thani, Thailand, exhibited remarkable bravery when confronted by her son under the most alarming circumstances. As the sun set over Ban Huai Nong Yang in the Mueang district, the tranquility was shattered on March 4, as a harrowing scene unfolded that no mother ever envisions. Her son, entangled in the clutches of drug addiction, demanded money, a request she found herself compelled to refuse. However, this refusal spiraled into a dire situation when he brandished a gun, aiming it at her chest with eyes full of desperation and rage. “Do you want to die?” he uttered, a question more chilling than any Arctic wind. Yet, in a display of courage that would have made any warrior proud, the mother answered with a steely resolve, “If you dare to shoot, I am ready to die,” before defiantly walking…
In a recent turn of events, the usually serene island of Phuket found itself at the center of an international intrigue where a plot of clandestine travel and deception was thwarted right at its doorstep. A congregation of Afghan and Kazakh nationals had concocted an elaborate scheme to slip past Thai immigration officials using meticulously forged passports that closely mimicked those issued by the Republic of Kazakhstan. However, their plans went awry as vigilant officers at Phuket International Airport detected the forgery, ultimately leading to their arrest and conviction. It was on a fateful December day when five tourists, claiming to hail from Afghanistan, tried their fate with these counterfeit documents. Alas, they underestimated the scrupulous nature of Thai immigration personnel who promptly spotted the discrepancies in their travel credentials. These officers, whose seasoned eyes could dissect truths from deceit, thus prevented what could have been an entry nightmare for…