In 2005, Nakhon Ratchasima, the pride of Thailand, came under the international spotlight, thanks to a unique finding that would soon spark massive scientific and global interest. An enigmatic alligator fossil was found, and it was an earth-shattering revelation of a new species, separate from its American and Chinese kin. This captivating discovery was made courtesy of the alertness of a local resident in Non Sung district, who stumbled upon it buried beneath two metres of sandy sediment. The Department of Mineral Resources was immediately notified, and in collaboration with German researchers, a deep dive into the fossil’s identity began. The identified fossil, consisting of a skull, two jawbones and five other fragments, was swiftly subjected to carbon dating. Results traced the fossil back in time, taking us to a window approximately 230,000 years ago during the Pleistocene period, a time long before modern humans began to affect the global…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a celebrated event witnessed by leaders around the world in Beijing at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand had an insightful dialogue with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The primary focus of this meeting was the promotion and development of Thailand under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Wearing double hats as the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister of Thailand, Mr Srettha touted the Land Bridge project pitched his country as an agile player in boosting the green transition in all sectors. He specifically emphasized the priority of shifting consumption towards clean energy, utilising digital transformation responsibly, and ensuring equitable access to these new technologies. To put these proposed ideas into action, Thailand is proactively adopting a long-term strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This strategy includes a committed transition to electric vehicles (30% zero-emission vehicles by 2030) and…
The Bhumibol Dam, a critical water resource in Tak province, now finds itself at the centre of a dramatic debate. An audacious 200 billion baht water diversion project that aims to sustain a reliable water supply to the dam now teeters on an uncertain future. Local residents have approached the Chiang Mai Administrative Court, calling for the project’s cancellation — a plea that was made official on Wednesday. This ambitious project comes with a remarkable logistical blueprint. It encapsulates the construction of a diversion barrier, a coordinating road directly connecting the barrier, a reservoir, a water pump station, and a water supply tunnel. However, it’s not just about the constructional element; the project stands to significantly alter the local environment.— a factor not lost on the residents. The key motivation behind this venture? To ensure a perennial influx of water supply to the Bhumibol Dam. Why is that so important?…
Thursday brought forth the tragic announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that eight Thai workers, previously reported deceased in Israel, are slated to return home. The bodies are scheduled for transport via flight to their homeland on Friday morning. This unfortunate news comes as these individuals have been verified visually and are now entrusted to an Israeli funeral services company for proper repatriation. According to the details furnished by the ministry, the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv had an interchange with the funeral services company. The conversation revealed that the requisite permission had been granted by a respected Israeli forensic institute, allowing the transport of the deceased Thai workers. As plan stands, El Al Flight LY083 has been entrusted with the somber duty of ferrying the remains of these workers. The flight is expected to exit Israeli air space on Thursday, with take-off set for 8pm. Upon crossing…
The Mitr Phol Group, internationally noted for its strides towards sustainability in the food sector, has made considerable progress towards its goal of becoming a zero-carbon establishment. Recognized for this achievement is the Mitr Phol Dan Chang complex situated in the Suphanburi Province—now designated as Thailand’s first Carbon Neutrality Complex. This title, proudly bestowed by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (Public Organisation) or TGO, acknowledges the facility’s impressive contribution to reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by a staggering 270,000 tCO2eq. These steps align Mitr Phol Group with reaching their sustainability milestones: a desire for complete carbon neutrality by 2030 and a goal of Net Zero by 2050. ‘Sustainability forms the foundation of our business approach,’ said Mr. Buntoeng Vongkusolkit, Chairman of Mitr Phol Group. ‘Considering our deep involvement in the agricultural and food sector, we understand that sustainability is a shared responsibility. It goes beyond our organisational boundaries and…
Recently, there’s been a palpable change in the air throughout Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. The culprit? Fine dust pollution, more technically known as PM2.5 particles. In fact, the Ministry of Public Health has reported intermittent spikes in the levels of this ultra-fine dust, ranging from moderate to unhealthy readings in various regions. The concern is especially high for individuals suffering from chronic conditions. The advice from health experts is clear: confirm the air quality before venturing outdoors or indulging in any open-air recreations. These tiny airborne particles are not to be taken lightly. Fine dust pollution isn’t a new problem, it’s a perennial issue that often grips the land during the chilling season. The blame mostly falls upon crop burning practices that occur throughout these cooler months. However, a significant segment can also be attributed to one of the anthropogenic factors – vehicle emissions. No less harmful, these emissions…
Picture this: the grand Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing acting as a backdrop to a significant meeting of minds. Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, engaging in amicable diplomatic exchange with his Chinese counterpart, Prime Minister Li Qiang. You can just about visualize the mutual respect as they clasp hands firmly during their critical discussion. The notable Thai political figure, Mr. Thavisin, propositioned a perpetually visa-free entry for Chinese vacationers during these extensive discussions. Detailed overviews of the proposed southern Thai landbridge, a significant component of the groundbreaking China-supported Belt and Road Initiative, were also elaborated upon. It wasn’t a one-way street either – the talks revolved around promoting Thailand-China trade with a potential new bridge crossing the magnanimous Mekong River stretching to Laos, along with streamlining the export process for Thai cows heading to China. Mr. Thavisin enthusiastically recalled the camaraderie between himself and the Chinese Prime Minister. “The bond…
In the enthralling region of Nakhon Ratchasima, a unique alligator fossil was unearthed back in 2005. Lying dormant for years beneath two metres of sandy sediment, an ordinary local made an extraordinary discovery that would shake the world of paleontology. This distinguished fossil has been recently identified to belong to a distinct alligator species, bearing a marked variation from its American and Chinese relatives as reported by the esteemed Department of Mineral Resources. The zoological find comprised an intriguing cluster of fossilised remains – a skull, a pair of jawbones, and five captivating fragments. This significant discovery was reported to the department promptly, proving once more the active role local communities play in contributing to scientific discoveries. The department wasted no time in soliciting the expertise of a proficient team of international researchers hailing from the heart of intellectual discourse, Germany. The identified remains were meticulously carbon-dated to an estimated…
When it comes to the safety of our children’s health, no authority can be too vigilant. This credo is resoundingly echoed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and their recent statement. They asserted, with an air of decisive finality that they have not detected any lethal contaminations in children’s syrup medications, akin to those discovered in Indonesia. Their scrutiny was specifically aimed at potential contamination with hazardous diethylene glycol (DEG) or ethylene glycol (EG) in the medications circulating within the nation. Dr Narong Aphikulvanich, the acting secretary-general of the FDA, spearheaded this investigation and works tirelessly to ensure our children’s well-being. The statement was a response to an unsettling revelation in Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry that has spilled over into the legal arena. Over the last year, manufacturers of cough syrup medications found themselves thrust into the limelight due to contamination with lethal toxins. This indiscretion took a grim…
The twin rivers of Chao Phraya and Noi, along with the canals scattered throughout the central province, have seen a dramatic surge in their water levels. This is the perhaps the turbulent offspring of the relentless water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam, a silent monolith that is currently releasing water at the astounding rate of 1,800 cubic metres per second. From the detailed notes of Ayutthaya’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, it’s clear that Monday was not kind to most parts of the province. In its concrete and insightful report, the office conveyed that floodwaters have slowly but surely invaded the humble homes of nine districts. These districts include – Sena, a place fondly known as the green city, the agricultural heartland of Bang Ban, the tranquil Phak Hai, the rich history-laden landscape of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, the industrious Bang Sai, the riverside picnicking spot of Bang Saai,…