With a surge in global cannabis acceptance, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is responding with a cautiously optimistic and scientific approach. The ministry is forming a dedicated panel to conduct a diligent study of a bill concerning cannabis. In an environment that increasingly hails cannabis as a potent therapeutic, the Thai government emphasizes that the use of this plant should strictly be for medical and health-related applications and not for frivolous recreational activities. Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, vocalized the necessity of a comprehensive law to oversee optimal usage of cannabis. Reiterating the ministry’s stance, he stressed that cannabis use should strictly be health-oriented, and recreational indulgence shall not be sanctionable. Calling attention to the cannabis and hemp bill backed by the Bhumjaithai Party, which successfully passed its inaugural reading in the parliament last June, Dr. Cholnan expressed the ministry’s intention to form a committee for meticulous exploration…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the vibrant and bustling nation of Thailand, the issue of a shrinking birth rate has garnered the concerned attention of Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew. After a dialogue with the ministry’s highest-ranking officials on a recent Friday, he indicated that championing a boost in birth rates is among the top-priority initiatives with an optimistic target set to produce noticeable results within the next 100 days. According to Dr Cholnan, a healthy birth rate for Thailand’s population, quite like other places around the globe, should be around 2.1 births per 100,000 people. However, stats display a bleak picture with Thailand languishing at just 1.5 births per 100,000. To put this into perspective, Thailand ought to celebrate the arrival of roughly 2 million new smiles each year, but the reality whirls around a much lower figure, with annual newborns barely breaching the 500,000 mark. A diminished fertility rate could serve a…
Phuket, a renowned paradise in Thailand known for its vibrant tourism and flourishing property developments, is seeking the attention of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Recent discussions have revolved around an innovative proposal: to establish an Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor (AWC). This groundbreaking concept aims to keep up with the rising global trend of health and wellness while simultaneously bolstering relevant investments and reigniting the jest in the tourism sector. The suggestion has come in the wake of Prime Minister Srettha’s unscripted rendezvous to Phuket and Phangnga on 25th-26th August, which aimed at attuning with the local populace while garnering insights from business pioneers to uplift the tourism aura of the two provinces. In the midst of these discussions, a consortium of entrepreneurs led by Kan Prachumphan, the esteemed Chief Executive Officer of Beach Group and Andaman City Development Co rallied forward the idea of the AWC. Originated during the reign…
Embarking on a diplomatic journey, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will embark for China from the 8th to the 10th of October. The diplomatic agenda is packed with critical issues to be addressed with his Chinese peer. Central among the discussions is how to strategically bolster the Thai-Chinese relationship, as well as enhancing cooperation in the tourism industry. These plans were laid bare on a recent Saturday when the Prime Minister responded to queries on the status of the diplomatic memorandum of understanding (MoU) concerning China’s loan of ambassador pandas to Thailand. The Prime Minister unveiled his diplomatic itinerary during his visit to Chiang Mai. Expected to feature prominently in the discourse during his visit to China are Thai-Chinese relations, as confirmed by Srettha himself. Government spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke, further emphasized that tourism cooperation would be a significant part of the deliberations. Commenting on the perception that the recent government diplomacy…
In the lush landscapes of Nonthaburi province, a firefighter wrestles against scorching flames set ablaze on a paddy field. His efforts, mirrored by countless others across Thailand, create a striking image and bring to the forefront an alarming issue — crop residue burning. A common practice amongst farmers, these uncontrolled burns are making significant contributions to the nation’s carbon emissions, leading to increased concerns on both health and economic fronts. The burgeoning cry for a solution to this detrimental practice has been spearheaded by the Thai Food Mill Association (TFMA) and its deputy secretary-general, Pornsil Patcharintanakul. His insights shed light on the domino effect these otherwise commonplace fires have on Thailand’s standing with the European Union (EU), and in turn, its overall economic health. Pornsil communicates compellingly that the adverse effects of stubble burning—specifically the production of harmful PM2.5 particles— are not confined to Thailand’s northern regions alone. Nebulous clouds…
Dimming the twilight in the serene skies of Doi Saket district, a congregation of indigenous Karen villagers makes a plea for their inherent existence and culture. The evolving Sunday was a platform for these tribal inhabitants residing in two distinct, remote forest villages namely Ban Huay Pha Tuen and Yom Ban Doi, in the tambon Pa Miang of Doi Saket district. Their plea? To ask the government to backtrack and repeal each policy concerning the management of their homes, a.k.a. forest land. Exercising their democratic rights, these villagers decided to capitalize on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s visit to the northern region, to submit their petition. They, unequivocally, demanded the annulment of the distorting policies on forest land management enforced by the National Land Policy Board (NLPB). They further declared their allegiance to the 2010 regulation on land and natural resource management issued by the Prime Minister’s own office and a…
Nestled in the heart of Nakhon Phanom province, the flourishing bank of the majestic Mekong River reflects a remarkable tapestry of cultures and ecosystems. The river is pivotal to the livelihood of over 326 million individuals spanning six states, weaving an intricate dependency fabric that spans a gargantuan distance of 4,880 kilometres. However, the remarkable tapestry lies under the massive spectre of climate change. In response to this major concern, representative delegates from the six nations convening on this spindling river course have voiced resolute commitment towards climate change mitigation. On September 10-13, the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), the face of Thailand at the frontline, engaged in momentous meetings for the 3rd Lancang-Mekong Water Resource Cooperation Forum and the 18th World Water Congress, held in Beijing. Accompanying Thailand were esteemed delegates from its fellow Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) member countries of Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. According…
The inauguration of Prime Minister Srettha’s office was marked with a distinct, swift, and efficient approach to governance, as observed in his first Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. This vibrant meeting—a whirlpool of clear follow-ups, explicit instructions, and an intertwining web of conversations with relevant governmental bodies, served as a refreshing spectacle compared to the prior administration’s procedures. Preceded by the delivery of the new cabinet’s policy statement during a parliamentary sit-down on Monday and Tuesday, the regime’s intent of resolute administration was not misunderstood. With an illustrious background under his belt as the former president and CEO of the property powerhouse, Sansiri Plc, Srettha forayed into the political landscape this year as the prime ministerial candidate for the Pheu Thai Party—an entity that boasts the largest share in the ruling coalition. Srettha’s entrepreneurial prowess glaringly manifested itself in his debut cabinet meeting, which presented a stark contrast to his predecessor,…
On a fateful evening of September 6, amid the merrymaking of a birthday party, a distressing incident occurred that would electrify the entire nation. The life of a respected highway police officer, Pol Major Siwakorn Saibua, was claimed suddenly and unexpectedly. The motive behind this most shocking of crimes seems to be rooted in a disagreement over a professional advancement. As recounted by onlookers present at the scene, Thananchai Manmak, purportedly a loyal follower of Praween, and an assumed accomplice, notoriously advanced towards the festivity table, took aim, and mercilessly fired at Siwakorn. Drawing attention due to his habitual indulgence in social events, Praween is a character well known among the circles of notable police figures, influential governmental delegates, and the local glitterati. His business expertise is not unknown, with bids represented in manifold governmental projects. Falling into the hands of the law, Praween turned himself in on September 7…
Changes to the minimum daily wage in Thailand are on the horizon as Labour Minister Phiphat discloses plans to increase the rate in 2020, much to the approval of the country’s working populace. This notable move is set to be considered by the Cabinet on the 25th of September, with aspirations of unveiling the new wages by November, in a timely manner to coincide with the New Year celebration for the citizens of Thailand. The labor minister announced this during a visit to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) headquarters, where he was received with warmth by the Federation’s top-tier executives, including the chairperson, Kriengkrai Thiennukul. Alongside the prospective modification to the minimum wage, the conversation also touched on the proposition of an uplift in labor productivity. Minister Phiphat revealed having engaged the Federation, a pillar in the business community, in the deliberations over the wage augmentation owing to its…