Welcome to the scintillating spectacle that is Songkran! Dr. Suraphong Suebwonglee, an illustrious figure on Thailand’s National Soft Power Strategy Committee, couldn’t contain his excitement as he spilled the beans to eager reporters this past Saturday. The word on the street (and not just any street, but the vibrant, soaking-wet streets of Thailand during Songkran) is that tourist numbers have positively ballooned in the last 20 days, forecasting a splash-hit for the upcoming Songkran celebrations. Our esteemed Dr. Suraphong, a seasoned campaigner in the political arena, assures us that every T has been crossed, every I dotted, with the finalized event details awaiting a nod from the high-power elites of the National Soft Power Committee. There’s talk of a cool 270 million baht budget needed to fuel the festivities, and our Committee is in hot pursuit, chasing the Budget Bureau for the funds. “The event will definitely take place,” he…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine yourself wandering amidst the enchanting forests of Chiang Mai and Lamphun, where the serenity of nature wraps around you like a gentle, whispering cloak. A sight so serene, yet the tranquility of these woodlands hangs in a delicate balance, one that Kritsayam Kongsatree, the vigilant director of the Protected Areas Regional Office 16, is determined to protect. In a refreshing turn of events, Kritsayam recently revealed that his office’s proactive forest patrol and firefighting squads have achieved noteworthy success. Since the start of the year, these intrepid teams have kept the blazing specter of forest fires at bay, resulting in a sharp 79% drop in hotspots within the verdant havens of Chiang Mai and Lamphun. The figures are in, and they are jubilant — from the ashes of last year’s flames, only 67 hotspots have been detected thus far. With 7.8 million rai (1.25 million hectares) of forests under…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, under the shadow of towering skyscrapers and amidst the ceaseless hum of city life, the iconic Uthenthawai campus of Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-Ok typically buzzes with young minds eager to explore the vast realms of engineering and architecture; that is, until a tragic incident forced a sudden and solemn hush over its hallowed grounds. Last November, the Uthenthawai campus became a beacon of student solidarity as pupils banded together to resist the potential uprooting of their beloved institution. The grounds, which had echoed with the passionate voices of the youth, now stood eerily quiet as the university announced an abrupt three-day cessation of all on-campus academia. From January 28th to the quiet dawn of the 30th, not a lecture would be heard, nor a classroom light aglow. This decision came in the wake of a harrowing event that shook the very soul of…
Welcome to an exhilarating new chapter in Thailand-China relations, a handshake that transcended cultural barriers and paved a jade-lined path for globetrotters and business gurus alike! Behold the momentous Sunday, captured perfectly as Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and the esteemed Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi, exchanged not just pleasantries, but a ground-breaking agreement in the stately Narathip Room, cloaked in the wisdom of Bangkok’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Picture this: A future embellished with travel plans unfettered by the barriers of visa paperwork, as the “Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Ordinary Passports and Passports for Public Affairs” comes into play. It’s as if the travel gods themselves have conspired to bring this gift starting March 1st! Mr. Wang’s visit to Thailand, which graced the Land of Smiles from…
When the twilight skies were pierced by the piercing wail of sirens in Ban Khok Sombat village, nestled within the Sangkha sub-district, something was amiss. Trouble had unfurled its fiery wings at a local ranch, which swiftly became the latest buzz of the town. It was 7:25 PM, to be exact when the Sangkha Police Station jumped into action, dispatching a brigade of fire trucks with a sense of urgency that matched the gravity of the situation. The destination was a pastoral haven owned by the earnest 34-year-old Nopparat, whose last name seemed shrouded by the same veil of smoke that now enveloped his life’s work. Arriving at the farm, the reality struck – a furious inferno consumed everything in its voracious embrace, a sight so harrowing that even the most steeled firefighter’s heart might quiver. Oh, how the wooden pens, once a sanctuary for the bleating and baa-ing occupants,…
It was a serene Sunday morning, the kind that belied the tumult beneath: a team of divers, steely in resolve and purpose, broke the calm waters of a quiet lake near Ban Khok Kwan. The ripples spread out, whispers over the surface, as they meticulously searched for clues that might unravel the mystery of Orathai Posee-ngarm, missing now for a haunting three weeks. Orathai, whose life seemed to be scripted by both fortune and tragedy, was a 46-year-old local of the tranquil tambon Cha Liang. From the bittersweet legacy of 13 million baht bequeathed by her late Swiss husband, to her fresh start with a new Swiss partner, Orathai’s story was etched into the very heart of Khon Buri district. The hidden tales of her past anticipated a future untold, but for her disappearance on the night of January 8th. That fateful evening, the sparks of a domestic quarrel cast…
Plunging through the sky at unimaginable speeds, his heart racing in tune with the rush of the wind, Nathy Odinson was not merely a skydiver but an artist of the aerial realm. The British adventurer, only 33, left an indelible mark on the skydiving community, not just through his leaps but also through his lens, which beautifully captured the essence of flight. With a social media presence as captivating as his altitude antics, Nathy’s Sky Photography soared amongst enthusiasts with over 5,000 likes and double the followers trailing his exhilarating journey. The planet, it seemed, couldn’t get enough of his gravity-defying stunts… until one fateful plunge. It was on a balmy evening in Pattaya when tranquility was pierced with the shrieks of tragedy. Tourist police raced against the fading dusk to a nondescript condo building in the neighborhood of Tambon Na Klua, the district of Bang Lamung becoming an unintended…
Imagine taking a leisurely stroll through the picturesque streets of Hua Hin, when suddenly you find yourself in a stand-off with the town’s most audacious residents – long-tailed macaques. These cheeky fellows have been causing quite the ruckus, and the government is stepping in with a plan that’s as audacious as the monkeys themselves. Kanikar Oonjit, the mastermind behind the press briefings, unveils a grand scheme spearheaded by none other than the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, the resolute Patcharawat Wongsuwan. In a move that combines ecological savvy with urban management, the Minister is urging a full-blown monkey makeover. Officials from the Wildlife Conservation Office alongside the Third Park and Forest Conservation Office under the renowned Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (the guardians of Thailand’s treasured flora and fauna), are sealing a pact of cooperation with the mayor of Hua Hin. Enter the game plan: an…
Imagine this: a snapshot of a nation’s heartbeat, a glimpse into the collective mind grappling with economic challenges and government efforts to ease the strain. This is precisely what Nida Poll, the insightful arm of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), set out to capture with their recent public opinion survey. The results? An intricate tapestry of concerns, hopes, and the digital-age solutions. Now, let’s dive into those numbers like a detective hunting for clues in a thrilling economic mystery novel. An impressive 63.51% of respondents are sounding the alarm – they see an economic crisis looming on the horizon demanding immediate attention. Another 20.15% acknowledge the urgency as well, but with a tone of measured concern, suggesting a crisis warrants attention, yet perhaps tomorrow’s sunrise is soon enough. Then there’s the 10.08%, casting a glance over their shoulders with a wry smile, sensing trouble’s presence but not yet…
Picture this: you’re taking a leisurely stroll through the bustling streets of Bangkok, when suddenly you feel a slight irritation in your throat. The culprit? A rather unwelcome form of air pollution that’s been causing a stir in the Nong Khaem district — the invisible adversary known as PM2.5. Recently, levels reached a whopping 166 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), launching into the ‘unhealthy’ stratosphere on the US Air Quality Index. That’s no small feat folks! Not just a local phenomenon, other parts of Bangkok are also grappling with this microscopic menace. Take the Bang Khae district, for example. It’s following closely on Nong Khaem’s heels with a PM2.5 reading of 160 µg/m3. Seems like these tiny particles are having a bit of a competition, doesn’t it? But where is this uninvited guest coming from? Finger-pointing isn’t really our style, but in this case, it’s a mix of the usual…