As the lively streets of Bangkok merge into a haze of smog, the city grapples with a severe air pollution crisis that has closed schools and heightened worries about public health. UNICEF’s clarion call reveals a grim picture of how toxic air ravages children in East Asia and the Pacific, leaving no child untouched. With the dry season air currents sweeping in more pollution, from now until April, over 100 children under the tender age of five lose their lives every day due to air pollution consequences. Astonishingly, all half a billion children in this sprawling region reside in zones where the air quality teeters on the precipice of danger. “Every breath matters, but for too many children, every breath can bring harm,” expresses June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director. The air harbored in these regions is a silent adversary, brimming with unhealthy pollution levels that pose a threat to children’s…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a twist of events that could rival an espionage thriller, the daughter of a deputy mayor in the picturesque town of Nakhon Si Thammarat finds herself ensnared in a web of deceit and intrigue. Recently, the sunshine-yellow sunflowers of Samut Sakhon bore witness to the arrest of Artitaya, a key player in a labyrinthine call centre scam. This high-stakes saga, orchestrated under the watchful eyes of the cyber police, unfolds with a backdrop of international chicanery, ensnaring victims from countries as far-flung as Thailand, China, Russia, and Japan. Leading the charge, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiuphan commanded a battalion of cyber sleuths through a series of strategic operations across four locations in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Their mission? To unravel a sprawling call centre fraud that promised fortunes but delivered nothing but heartache and deceit. Amidst this digital dragnets, evidence emerged with alarming clarity; Artitaya’s tracks were unmistakably illuminated. The…
In recent times, the political landscape of Thailand has been as eventful as a thrilling drama series, with former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon starring in the latest episode. The question of Gen Prawit’s identity—soldier or politician—has become a hot debate among political enthusiasts. The drama unfolded as Gen Prawit lamented his party’s ‘victimization’ amidst relentless attacks, implied to originate from the ruling Pheu Thai Party. The battleground for this political saga was set during the PPRP’s annual seminar in picturesque Prachuap Khiri Khan. With passion and forthrightness, Gen Prawit explained how modern politics have seemingly slipped into a quagmire of moral deficiencies and bickering rivalries, a far cry from the envisioned people-centric ideal. Since the formation of Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s coalition in September last year, PPRP reportedly found itself on the receiving end of a political cyclone, seeing a tear in its relevance…
In a remarkable expression of camaraderie at the reopening of Novo Nordisk’s Thailand office, Danish Ambassador to Thailand, Mr. Danny Annan, extended his praise towards the renowned global healthcare leader. The heartfelt admiration was a nod not only towards their pharmaceutical brilliance but also towards their social responsibility endeavors. As Thailand and Denmark gear up to mark their 170th anniversary of cordial relations in 2028, Mr. Annan highlighted the instrumental role Novo Nordisk plays in bolstering ties between the two nations. “Novo Nordisk is more than just a pharmaceutical giant. It embodies core values that stretch beyond the realm of healthcare, all the way to nurturing global ties,” said Mr. Annan, his words weaving a narrative of awe and inspiration. He fondly reflected on his involvement in Novo Nordisk’s trailblazing health campaigns in Thailand, underscoring the company’s dedication to preventing health issues through education and encouraging healthier lifestyles. In a…
In the ever-whirling world of Thai politics, where rumors and whispers fill the corridors of power more than echoes ever could, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has boldly dispelled the latest speculation fever. Amid the hum of a pending no-confidence debate next month, the political grapevine buzzed with stories of a pending cabinet reshuffle. Yet, here comes Thaksin, darting through the half-truths to assure the masses that his illustrious daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, holds full faith in her trusted circle of ministers. Paetongtarn, seemingly unfazed and full of optimism, believes in the cohesive power of her cabinet. While progress in some bureaucratic nooks might appear as though caught in molasses, she remains steadfast in their collective capability to navigate Thailand’s intricate political landscape. The coalition members, she reassures, are in constant contact, aligning and re-aligning strategies for enhanced performance. For now, a reshuffle remains a distant echo rather than…
In the lush, rice-paddied heart of Thailand’s Northeast, a transformation is brewing, and it’s set to change the agricultural landscape for the better. Dedicated farmers here have teamed up to cast aside the ancient tradition of crop burning, opting instead for a method that promotes sustainability and nurtures the environment. With an urgency to address the country’s escalating PM2.5 pollution crisis, a new campaign known as the “Chi River No Burn” is leading the charge towards greener pastures. This groundbreaking initiative is propelled by the USDA-funded Thailand Regional Agriculture Innovation Network (Rain) project, which advocates for decomposition over burning as a more sustainable solution for dealing with agricultural residue. Their strategy involves the use of innovative microbial solutions tailored to expedite the natural decomposition of crop remnants, especially the stubbly aftermath of rice harvests. For many Thai rice farmers, burning has long been the go-to method for clearing fields, an…
In a scene straight out of a political thriller, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra addressed reporters outside the Bang Rak district office in bustling Bangkok last Friday. He revealed a rather intriguing assignment he had just been handed—and it’s as futuristic as it gets! Thaksin has been tasked with crafting a groundbreaking proposal for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to venture into the world of cryptocurrency. This mission comes on the orders of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently holds the rotating chairmanship of Asean. Thaksin, well-known for being a cryptocurrency enthusiast, explained that Asean’s burgeoning interest in digital currencies coincides rather serendipitously with developments across the Pacific. The charismatic figure noted that U.S. President Donald Trump has recently come out swinging in favor of Bitcoin and its digital ilk. In fact, Trump has vowed to revamp the cryptocurrency policy in the United States and even…
In a dramatic turn of events befitting a high-stakes crime drama, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai revealed the heart-stopping successes of the “Seal Stop Safe” anti-drug campaign at a press conference in Bangkok. Flanked by the steely-eyed officers of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, this battle against the rampant drug trade has seized the imagination of the nation and sent shockwaves through the underworld. The precision and scope of the operation are nothing short of astonishing. So far, this crackdown has expertly netted over a dozen nefarious individuals and their illicit cargo, including millions—yes, millions—of methamphetamine pills and hefty stash loads of crystal meth. As the good minister eloquently put it, this operation is not just a skirmish; it’s a full-scale military campaign against the drug menace. Our story begins in the rugged, picturesque mountains of the North region, where NSB operatives conducted a daring operation that would…
Friday’s agenda saw Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra making waves at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China. She wasn’t just there to cheer on the Thai ice hockey team; she was flanked by a powerful entourage, including the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, Han Zhiqiang, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and the esteemed International Olympic Committee member, Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul. The Prime Minister looked relaxed yet determined—her presence lending an air of confidence to the team. However, it wasn’t just sportsmanship on her mind. Prime Minister Paetongtarn had a mission to accomplish. She was tackling a pressing concern that interestingly intertwined with her heritage. “I have Chinese blood in me,” she boldly declared this week, directly addressing the heightened security apprehensions among Chinese tourists visiting Thailand. With safety protocols under her personal scrutiny, she aimed to ensure their tranquility during their stay. Reports of the abduction of a minor Chinese…
In the hilly expanses of the Thai-Myanmar border, a somber hush has settled over the Mae La refugee camp. An inexplicable silence carries the weight of loss as news of 71-year-old Pe Kha Lau’s passing seeps through the camp. Tracing the course of her life’s final journey reveals an unsettling tale of healthcare’s retreat from those most in need. Pe Kha Lau, a woman who battled lung issues with tenacity, succumbed shortly after being dismissed from a U.S.-funded hospital. Her demise isn’t just a footnote in the healthcare narrative; it’s emblematic of the humanitarian crisis following U.S. President Donald Trump’s freeze on foreign aid—a sweeping decree that shuttered doors of lifeline healthcare facilities, including Lau’s sanctuary. The erstwhile U.S. State Department-funded hospital in Mae La was a haven where languishing breaths found solace in a stream of oxygen. But late January brought with it an IRC announcement: the curtains were…