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Posts published in “Thailand”

Becky Russell Receives Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration: A Story of Dedication and Innovation in 2025

Becky Russell, or as she’s known in some circles, Ramida Russell Maneesatiean, has done it again! This trailblazer has set the bar high in the realm of education with another feather in her cap—an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Nation University. This accolade was bestowed upon her as a testament to her remarkable leadership in business and her unwavering dedication to societal advancement. The distinguished Dr. Nopporn Ponthavee Siriwanarangsan, President of the University Council, along with an esteemed posse of faculty members, shared in the celebration, marking yet another milestone in her illustrious career. But a doctorate isn’t the end of the road for Becky; she’s on the quest for lifelong learning. At this very moment, she’s in the throes of completing a Ph.D. in Developmental Education at Chulalongkorn University and a Master of Science in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine at Dhurakij Pundit University. If all goes to plan,…

Bangkok’s Air Quality in 2025: Navigating PM2.5 Levels and Protective Measures

Ah, Bangkok—a city renowned for its vibrant street life, tantalizing cuisine, and…unpredictable air quality? On a crisp Thursday morning, the bustling streets of Bangkok were wrapped in a blanket of moderate air quality, as reported by the ever-diligent Air Quality Information Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). With bated breath, city dwellers checked the skies, the daily report revealed that PM2.5 levels hovered stubbornly at an average of 35.3 micrograms per cubic meter. Just a whisper below the national standard of 37.5 mcg, measured over the early morning hours from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. The numbers told a similar tale yesterday at the same time, but with a touch more leniency at 32.8 mcg, prompting many to ponder if the winds were on their side that day. Now, PM2.5 might sound like a code name for a futuristic gadget, but it’s anything but fun. These are minuscule particles,…

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Tackles Bangkok’s Pollution Crisis with Free Public Transport Initiative

On a bustling Wednesday in the heart of Bangkok’s renowned Yaowarat district, or as many fondly call it, Chinatown, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made her presence felt by hopping onto the gleaming MRT stations. But her visit wasn’t just a casual one—it was a pivotal stride in her administration’s determined battle against the city’s escalating fog of pollution. The clock is ticking as Bangkok faces its pollution predicament head-on, and the government plans to channel over 140 million baht towards an innovative initiative: seven days of complimentary public transportation starting this Saturday. This bold maneuver seeks to propel Bangkokians towards metros and buses, steering them away from their beloved personal vehicles—a prime source of the pernicious PM2.5 dust particles that congest the air. For the uninitiated, PM2.5 refers to insidious tiny particles with diameters of merely 2.5 micrometers or less, capable of weaseling their way deep into one’s lungs and…

Tragic Collision in Chon Buri: The Unintended Crossroads of Lewis Barrett

Under the suffocating shroud of night in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district, a harrowing saga unfolded as a youthful, 19-year-old half-Thai, half-British driver, Lewis Barrett, found himself at an unintended crossroad with tragedy. His SUV collided into a motorcycle, setting off a chain of events that left one Thai woman dead and another fighting for her life, painting a dreadful scene on Noen Plub Wan Road. Officers from Nong Prue Police Station, alongside the swift response of rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Dhammasatan Foundation, arrived on the scene around the witching hour of 11 PM. What met their eyes was a panorama of chaos: a battered Toyota Fortuner bearing scars of disaster and the remains of a once-sleek Honda Grand Filano motorcycle. Young Barrett, identified at the scene, emerged without a trace of alcohol in his bloodstream but was enveloped in visible shock. According to a witness, his SUV careened…

She Zhijiang’s Intrigue: International Crime Drama Unfolds from Thai Prison

In a rather cinematic twist of events involving international intrigue and crime, none other than She Zhijiang, the Chinese mogul, managed to orchestrate quite an uproar from within the confines of a Thai prison. Zhijiang, a name that rings none too clean in numerous circles, donned his charismatic hat and sought the aid of INTERPOL, claiming that his stay at Bangkok Remand Prison was less than hospitable. Ironically, Zhijiang is no stranger to hospitality, albeit from the business front. He is the headway of Yatai International Holding Group and the alleged mastermind behind a notorious crime haven in Shwe Kokko, Myanmar. It all began with an arrest in Thailand in August of 2022, a poignant chapter in Zhijiang’s objectionable portfolio, where he was caught red-handed while engaged in what might have been a rather sumptuous dinner with a notable Thai personality. His capture followed a saga of eluding Chinese law…

Charming Newborn Zebra at Khao Kheow Open Zoo: Meet the Star of the African Animal Exhibit

Khao Kheow Open Zoo has unveiled its latest darling—a lovable zebra foal capturing hearts faster than you can say “black and white cuteness.” Zoo Director Narongwit Chotchoy beamed as he announced the little one’s arrival on January 26, revealing that this precious female foal had actually made her entrance into the world on November 6, the prior year. The proud parents, a sprightly six-year-old mother and a stately eight-year-old father, have clearly done well; the foal is thriving, happily nursing, and ready to frolic her way into a permanent place in visitors’ hearts. This charming addition bolsters the zoo’s zebra count to four, all prancing around in the African Animal Exhibit, where spectators get a truly up-close and playful viewing experience. As if the zebra debut wasn’t exciting enough, the zoo recently orchestrated an extravaganza in celebration of the Chinese New Year from January 28 to 29, giving a warm…

Pakornwut Udompipatskul Challenges 10,000-Baht Handout Amid Thai Elections 2025

In a remarkable twist of events that are sure to raise eyebrows and stir discussions, the second phase of the Thai government’s ambitious 10,000-baht handout program has been rolled out, just in time for the impending provincial elections. While this might sound like a mere coincidence to some, others see it as a strategic play that reeks of vote-buying. At the center of this political tempest is People’s Party MP Pakornwut Udompipatskul, a name synonymous with candor and fiery political rhetoric. Set against the backdrop of a weekend saturated with political fervor, the residents of 47 provinces are gearing up to cast their votes for the coveted positions of Provincial Administrative Organisation presidents and members. Strikingly, the government distributed generous 10,000-baht handouts to some 3 million senior citizens—a demographic renowned for its unwavering commitment to voting. Pakornwut, performing a delicate balancing act as the chief opposition whip, voiced concerns that…

Thai Police Bust Massive Steroid Ring in Bangkok: 1.9 Million Illegal Tablets Seized

In an intense and headline-grabbing maneuver worthy of a Hollywood thriller, Thai police have successfully dismantled a colossal underground steroid operation, seizing an astonishing cache of 1.9 million unregistered Dexamethasone tablets. The curtains were drawn back on this clandestine enterprise in Bangkok on January 24 during a dramatic raid orchestrated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). What they unearthed was nothing short of a black market nightmare, where this potent steroid was being illicitly produced and sneakily blended into health products ranging from herbal remedies and drinks to cosmetic goods. In Thailand, Dexamethasone is recognized for its strong medicinal properties, but it remains a controlled substance, strictly available by prescription. Yet, the investigators uncovered a devious plot where the steroid was surreptitiously slipped into products falsely hyped as miraculous solutions for ailments such as pain, asthma, and even cancer. This alarming revelation…

Samut Prakan Couple’s 21 Million Baht Fraud Unveiled: A Cautionary Tale for Thailand’s Elite

In an audacious drama unfit for even the ripest Thai soap opera, a cunning couple from Samut Prakan have found themselves at the center of a legal storm after orchestrating a devious scheme that drained a Yala millionaire of over 21 million baht. The crafty duo, 36-year-old Kanpathitcha and her 46-year-old partner-in-crime, Ammarin, were escorted into custody, under the glaring spotlight of the Crime Suppression Division officers after a five-year deceitful escapade that would make a seasoned con artist blush. Their ill-fated plan kicked off with a stroke of devilish genius. Knowing their affluent target was embroiled in a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband, they swooped in like vultures to a carcass, masquerading as benevolent saviors. Offering their ‘support’ during this trying time, they spun intricate tales of securing top-notch legal representation, sprinkled with promises of liaising with influential organizations to tip the scales of justice in her favor.…

Thailand’s Provincial Air Quality Crisis: A Call for Collective Action in 2025

Imagine waking up in a city where the skyline is more of a hazy silhouette than a vibrant vista—a misty canvas painted by nature yet alarmingly tinged by pollutants. This was the daunting reality for the residents of 67 out of 77 provinces in Thailand on a recent Thursday morning. From the sprawling metropolitan scenes of Bangkok to the scenic hinterlands, the air was veiled in a shroud of ultrafine dust, posing unseen threats to health and well-being. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) delivered the grim news at the break of dawn. In an unsettling report, three provinces stood out in blazing red on the air quality radar—a signal of hazardous conditions that no mask could truly filter out. Nakhon Nayok took an unenviable lead with particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations soaring to a staggering 114.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Compare that with the World Health…