Imagine waking up on a Sunday morning expecting to be greeted by the gentle warmth of the sun, only to be met with a sinister, invisible adversary: smog. And not just any smog, but a treacherous blanket of ultra-fine particles that has stealthily conquered the skies. A recent map by GISTDA, the battlefield strategist in this war on pollution, paints a dire picture with swathes of red and orange slashing through the Central Plains—ominous colors coding for danger in the air we breathe. The frontlines of this environmental onslaught are found in thirty-five provinces, a staggering half of the country’s total, with invisible assailants known as PM2.5 particles leading the charge. These microscopic marauders, measuring 2.5 micrometres or less, have decided to stage their latest act of rebellion right in the heart of the Central Plains. At ground zero, Samut Songkhram, the air is thick with tension—and pollutants, clocking in…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Wrapped in a swath of fiery reds and ominous oranges, the air quality map presented by GISTDA paints a foreboding picture of the Central Plains on a seemingly peaceful Sunday morning. But do not be deceived by the calm; these vibrant hues signal a silent assailant – the nefarious smog that has stealthily enveloped much of the country. A staggering thirty-five provinces, almost half of Thailand’s regions, woke to an atmosphere weighed down with microscopic villains—ultra-fine particulates known as PM2.5, too small for the eye to see, but enough en masse to cloud the skies and choke the air. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency’s early bird report chirped troubled tidings at 8 a.m., with a band of nine provinces ensnared in a red alert. These regions grappled with a sinister air more dangerous than the fangs of a serpent—air that reeks not just of toxicity but of visible…
Oh, the buzz in Bangkok is not about the latest street food craze or a swoon-worthy night market find, but something rather less appetizing—the air quality, or the lack thereof. The city, known for its vibrant streets and exuberant life, has found itself under the gray blanket of an unwelcome guest: fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns, affectionately dubbed PM2.5, which seems hellbent on crashing the Bangkok party. Brace yourselves, Bangkokers, because this little invader is sending at least 17 of your beloved districts into what’s color-coded as the “orange zone,” a fashion statement nobody wants to make. PM2.5 is so passé, yet it intends to linger around like an overplayed pop song until Tuesday, according to the somber forecast by the Pollution Control Department (PCD). The news, shared on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Facebook page—which, between us, has a rather unexpected knack for social media—spiraled through the digital…
Welcome to the intoxicating hinterlands of Northern Thailand, where the serene beauty of undulating hills and whispering breezes belies an underbelly of high-octane chases and shadowy rendezvous. Seize your favorite reading spectacles and buckle in, for you’re about to dive into a tale of law enforcement derring-do, where the borderline between good and evil blurs in a mist of adrenaline and suspense. In the early hours, as the sun’s rays gently kissed the dew-kissed foliage of Chiang Rai, the air was pierced not by the songs of birds but by the roar of engines and the clamor of determined pursuit. The protagonists of our tale—a band of dauntless heroes from the border patrol police, the stoic paramilitary rangers, and the gritty operatives of the narcotics suppression unit. Our saga unfolds with a suspicious pickup truck, craftily evading the vigilant road checkpoints peppered across the maze-like landscape of Mae Fa Luang…
As the tides of political discourse swirl in Thailand, the revered Move Forward Party (MFP), positioned as the primary challenger to the status quo, seems to be wrestling with the weight of reform, particularly concerning the contentious lese majeste law. Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, the savant secretary-general of the Progressive Movement (PM), provided a revealing critique in a public social media pontification. A wave of curiosity swept over the populace when the MFP’s masterful strategist, the venerable Pita Limjaroenrat, advised of a legislative blitz conceived to unfurl at least 47 innovative bills in the coming year. Noticeably absent from this ambitious legislative lineup was a single reference to Section 112. This enigmatic omission left observers pondering and spawned media fervor for elucidation. The backdrop is a canvas of legal intrigue: Pita had just made a triumphant return to parliamentary duties following an extended intermission—six months of anticipation culminating in a Constitutional Court…
Picture this: a bustling epicenter of commerce where the heart of Asia pulsates with opportunity, and an enchanting land of smiles, where the warmth of its people is matched by the fervor of its industry. When Hong Kong and Thailand join forces, a new era of trade and collaboration dawns. This is precisely what unfolded as the esteemed Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) clasped hands with the dynamic Thai Hong Kong Trade Association (THKTA) in a powerful union sealed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Amidst a fanfare of optimism on a Wednesday that will be etched in the annals of trade history, Steve Chuang, the visionary chair of FHKI, heralded the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Thailand specifically, as the new Northern Star for Hong Kong’s manufacturing diaspora. In his address, he painted a vibrant tapestry of opportunities that await those who dare…
Imagine this: a relentless gang of savvy swindlers nestled in a home right at the edge of Thailand’s frontier with Malaysia, dialing up a storm in an effort to hustle unsuspecting souls out of their hard-earned cash. This isn’t just a scene from a fast-paced cyber crime thriller; it’s a snapshot from a recent Saturday that came to life in the otherwise serene Sungai Kolok district in Narathiwat province, where the law finally caught up to these maestros of manipulation. The stage was set for a showdown, as the Chief of the Central Investigation Bureau, none other than Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej himself, declared a war against these shenanigans at a press conference. He detailed how his team, in cahoots with the agile minds at the Crime Suppression Division Subdivision 6, and backed by the local force, stormed the fortress of fraud: a rather nondescript abode which doubled up…
Welcome to the thrilling tales from the land of politics and intrigue, where cash flies over fences and accusations ricochet like a high-speed car chase through Bangkok’s bustling streets. Hold on to your hats, folks, because we’re about to dive into the scandal that has everyone talking: The curious case of Srisuwan Janya and the not-so-mysterious bag of baht! Picture the scene: It’s a sunny day, birds are chirping, and all seems right with the world… but not in the realm of political activist Srisuwan Janya, where dark clouds of accusation gather. He, alongside United Thai Nation’s finest Yoswaris “Jeng Dokjik” Chuklom and the vibrant Phimnattha Chiraphutthiphak, finds himself in a pickle that could rival the spiciest Thai salad. The word on the street is that this trio, armed with their exceptional negotiating skills, managed to haggle down a bribe from an eye-watering 3 million baht to a more wallet-friendly…
Picture this: A bustling press conference at the heart of Thailand’s Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters in October, and all eyes are keenly fixed on the man of the hour—Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang. It’s a scene that seems straight out of a high-stakes political drama, where the new civilian sheriff strides into town, exuding confidence despite the absence of military regalia that typically adorns his predecessors. Indeed, Minister Sutin has proven adept at dancing with the brass-clad lions, harmoniously aligning with the armed forces proving that his novice military status is no obstacle. In a landscape where the fabric of political alliances is as complex as a thriller novel, our civilian minister appears as a calming diplomat. The ruling Pheu Thai Party, ostensibly steered by the invisible hand of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has artfully embraced military and conservative factions, avoiding the political checkmate by rival Move Forward Party—a…
Imagine a vibrant tapestry of innovation draped over the bustling cityscape of Bangkok—this is the essence of Bangkok Design Week 2024. Dubbed as a celebration of vision and ingenuity, this seminal event is set to transform the Thai capital into a dynamic canvas under the theme of “Livable Scape: The More We Act, the Better Our City.” Embarking upon an urban adventure until February 4, design aficionados can explore no less than 15 creative hotspots dotted across the metropolis. Our esteemed Prime Minister, Srettha, in a rousing opening address, hailed the collective brilliance of minds from various sectors uniting to reimagine and revitalize our urban environments. The spectacle isn’t just about aesthetic appeal; it harbors the potential to enchant visitors from afar, seeding job opportunities and funneling revenue into Thai coffers. Srettha advocates this harmonious symphony of government support and private finesse to embolden our homegrown creativity—a decisive leap onto…