In a recent cautionary announcement, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) has put forth a critical advisory for the public: steer clear of undercooked pork to avoid the lurking threat of Streptococcus suis, a menace that has tragically claimed 12 lives across four provinces in Thailand’s lower northeastern region. The specter of this microscopic culprit has been specifically brought to light by Dr. Taweechai Wisanuyothin, the head of DDC Office 9, who highlighted the startling statistics on a recent Saturday. Since the start of the year, 149 cases of hearing loss triggered by this stubborn bacterium have been recorded in the at-risk provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, and Chaiyaphum, with the figures based on surveillance spanning from January 7 to September 3. Nakhon Ratchasima came out on top of this grim tally, reporting 89 cases, which sadly included six fatalities. This was followed by Chaiyaphum with 31 cases…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Picture this: a serene paradise where elephants roam freely, surrounded by the lush landscapes of Chiang Mai’s Mae Taeng district. This is the Elephant Nature Park, a place that has been a sanctuary for these majestic creatures and many other animals. However, fate dealt a crushing blow recently as the park faced a calamity that left everyone scrambling to save its animal residents. It all began on an unassuming Saturday when disaster struck. The unforgiving floodwaters raged into the park, claiming the lives of two of its cherished elephants. Despite the valiant efforts to relocate 126 elephants to safer, elevated grounds, the water kept rising, overpowering barriers and threatening their very survival. Tragically, among the fallen were Phang Fah Sai, a beloved female elephant, found near the Sibsan Resort, and Plang Mae Khor, a gentle soul bearing a disability. As darkness loomed over the park, the heartache was palpable. Conservationist…
In a deeply moving event that has prompted shift discussions across educational and transport sectors, a tragic bus fire claimed the lives of 20 students and three dedicated teachers on what was intended to be a mind-broadening field trip. The heartfelt loss has sparked a contemplation: should school excursions be altogether banned for the sake of safety? Or is there, perhaps, a greater lesson in safeguarding the journeys of discovery and enlightenment for students? The devastating incident triggered by a sudden inferno engulfing a bus en route on a field trip has led Education Minister, Permpoon Chidchob, to suggest putting such educational outings on hold. The minister emphasized that if these trips are determined necessary, stringent safety inspections by provincial land transport offices must be an absolute precondition. An air of caution now hovers over field trips, with the government considering curbs like involving parental accompaniment for younger students and…
More than 2,000 foreign nationals have found themselves detained on charges of illegal work across the sun-kissed shores of Thailand over the last few months, confirmed the Labour Ministry. This remarkable wave of enforcement stems from a robust crackdown campaign characterized by the no-nonsense slogan: “finding, arresting, and extraditing.” The impressive strides made since its inception speak volumes about the ministry’s dedication to regulating workplace legality. Between June 5th and October 2nd, inspectors diligently combed through a staggering 20,152 locales, where a whopping 277,770 migrant workers find their daily bread. Among this legion of hardworking souls, 209,435 hail from Myanmar, forming the largest contingent. Meanwhile, the tireless spirits of 42,766 Cambodians, 16,481 Laotians, 181 Vietnamese individuals, and 8,907 from various other nationalities contribute to this vibrant tapestry. However, of the inspected workplaces, 844 outfits were pinpointed for employing migrant workers without the requisite paperwork. Consequently, a total of 2,063 individuals…
Imagine this—the hustle and bustle of a media briefing, as Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul strides with determination past towering stacks of contraband goods seized by the ever-vigilant Excise Department. It’s not just an average day at the office; it’s a showdown against the wily world of smuggling and tax evasion in the vibrant heart of Thailand. This past 2024 fiscal year, wrapping up on September 30, was no ordinary year for the Excise Department, dear readers. The department managed to notch up an impressive tally—33,000 cases of smuggling involving anything from cigarettes and liquor to motor vehicles, marking a spike of 28% from the previous year. This isn’t just numbers; it’s a tale of intrigue populated with 2.6 million cartons of illegally imported smokes and 300,000 cartons of domestic cigarettes that just couldn’t escape the long arm of the law. And as if patting their backs was not enough,…
In the drama-filled streets of Bangkok, the tale of Potjanee Boonlong has captivated locals and officials alike. At 42 years old, this woman has found herself at the center of a whirlwind police investigation, all due to her connection with the elusive Santi Jae-arlee—a former boxer whose quick reflexes have kept him one step ahead of the law. On a fateful Saturday, Ms. Potjanee was ushered into a police vehicle, her hands bound by the weight of five serious charges, predominantly centered around illegal possession of a firearm. The escapades of this couple have all the makings of a Hollywood thriller. It was just another Thursday night in bustling Bangkok when Santi decided to play hide-and-seek with the police, choosing a residential house as his hiding spot. Not one to play by the rules, he decided that breaking and entering wasn’t enough, and escalated the situation by opening fire as…
The intriguing tale of the Asian Highway, winding daringly from Mae Sot in Thailand’s Tak province to Myawaddy in Myanmar, boasts of diplomatic endeavors, cultural intersections, and, recently, more than a fair share of rebellious intrigue. Dominating the narrative is the fabled second Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, ambitiously spanning the Moei River — a structure epitomizing bold connectivity aspirations, and yet, caught in the crossfire of territorial throes. Against this picturesque backdrop, a gripping saga unfolds. At the heart of it is the formidable Karen National Union (KNU), steadfastly holding its ground in a year-long rejection to reopen the highway, a strategic corridor. Their concern? The unsavory prospect of the road becoming a conduit for the advancing Myanmar military, more notorious than welcoming. During a pivotal conclave in late September, dominant leaders from the KNU and a mélange of ethnic Karen factions — Jason Bourne meets Southeast Asia style — congregated…
In a turn of calamitous events, the city of Chiang Mai found itself battling against the rising fury of nature when the majestic Ping River swelled to an unprecedented 5.3 meters. Saturday morning painted a grim picture with motorcycles languishing in floodwater outside the local bus terminal. The Public Relations Office Region 3 in Chiang Mai captured the scenes reflecting the encroaching waters’ severity. This dramatic surge marked a shattering of previous records, in place for half a century. The river, a familiar feature of Chiang Mai’s landscape, had become an unforeseen adversary, cutting through the city and inundating large sections with relentless ferocity. Areas such as the bustling business district on Chang Khan Road, alongside the Night Bazaar, found themselves submerged beneath waters reaching up to a meter. Shops, many still recuperating from the previous flood of September 26, were forced to shutter once more—economic recovery stalled at the…
The thrill of elections never seems to take a backseat in Thailand, and the political drama we witnessed in the recent by-election in Phitsanulok is no exception. This incident has sparked speculation about the future of the People’s Party (PP) in the general elections that are set to happen in three years. The stakes were high for the main opposition party as it fought tooth and nail to maintain its footing in the turbulent political landscape. The political journey of PP has been akin to a rollercoaster ride. After a series of electoral setbacks, both locally and nationally, they were eager for a comeback. Their predecessor, the Move Forward Party (MFP), suffered a significant blow by failing to secure the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) chairman’s seat in Ayutthaya. The defeat was at the hands of a long-established contender who had captured the hearts of the local populace. The ripple effects…
In the bustling streets of Narathiwat province, a dramatic showdown unfolded outside the Tak Bai police station on that fateful day of October 25, 2004. Protesters, eyes steely with determination, found themselves facing an unyielding wave of security forces. As tension filled the air, their hands were conspicuously tied behind their backs—a vivid snapshot of authority clashing with defiance. (Capturing the moment was a lens from the Bangkok Post, immortalizing the raw dynamics of power and resistance.) Fast forward to a more recent chapter of this narrative—a quandary that unravels within the political tapestry of Thailand. Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri, a figure draped in both military and political garb, has seemingly vanished from the stage. Formerly commanding the Fourth Army Region and now a Pheu Thai Party list-MP, he’s unwittingly in the spotlight again. And not for another parade of accolades, but as a key name sought in connection to the…