Posts published in “Thailand”

There has been a noteworthy surge in the adoption of taxi applications throughout Phuket. The convenience and cost-effectiveness these modern technologies offer pose a significant challenge to local cooperatives that have traditionally dominated taxi services in key tourist hotspots. Recognizing the pressing nature of this issue, top-ranking officials and representatives of these taxi groups came together for a meeting held recently at the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office. Championing this important event was Phuket’s Vice Governor, Anupap Rodkhwan Yodrambam. The hot topic in focus was the Ratsada VIP Coral Tour group’s operations at Ratsada Pier. Although it’s been a year since an agreement was put in motion, stipulating that the pier’s taxi services would be regulated by its authority, there have been concerns. Are the cooperative taxi drivers at Ratsada Pier still operating under the same misunderstanding that sparked a problematic incident last year, when a cooperative driver obstructed another driver…

The digitally savvy populace of Thailand is up in arms, as a photo portraying a pathetically conceived pedestrian pathway for the disabled stirs considerable ire. The image in question presents a distinct sign, announcing a wheelchair-friendly route, pathetically sandwiched in between the tight perimeters of a lopsided sidewalk and rudely interrupted by an electric pole. The mystery deepens further since the location remains veiled. The digital masses are beseeching local government bodies to scrutinize the site promptly and rectify these glaring setbacks, as the path obviously falls short of its proclaimed purpose. The debatable photograph features a sign announcing a pedestrian route for the differently-abled, strategically installed on a walkway. Sadly enough, the sign stands desolately in the midst of a squeezed and unequal pathway, obstructed by the misplaced electric pole. This photograph reignites the hitherto heated debates across various social media interfaces, focusing on the glaring hurdles the disabled…

In a deeply disturbing case that recently surfaced, a 14-year-old girl has been left pregnant as a direct result of a sexual assault allegedly carried out by a group of teenagers. This distressing event took place after the victim was forced to smoke cannabis with her assailants. This shocking incident was reported to the officials at Khlong Luang Police Station today precisely by 11 a.m., as narrated by the visibly distraught aunt of the innocent victim. Accompanying the heartbroken aunt to the police station was Cholada Butwicha, who is a known figure from the Survive group. The two women sought to report this heinous crime to Adisak Kotchasak, a dutiful investigative officer stationed at Khlong Luang Police Station. The officer is now taking the necessary steps to ensure justice by chasing down the five teenage boys believed to have been involved in the crime. According to Cholada, it was only…

The highly esteemed global market intelligence company, Mintel, recently unveiled an insightful study on the Healthy Lifestyle habits of Thai consumers. This research doesn’t only shine a light on their wellness and fitness behaviours but also highlights invaluable opportunities for brands to harness their drive towards comprehensive wellbeing. The study uncovers a notable difference between the health ambitions of Thai consumers and their actual actions. Despite acknowledging the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, over a third (35%) struggle to stick to exercise routines. Equally, about 32% believe that their hectic schedules hinder their fitness plans. Interestingly, a whopping 67% of Thais believe that healthy habits are more conveniently sustained when others are involved. This creates a terrific chance for brands to introduce versatile healthy alternatives that smoothly fit into the daily lives of consumers and encourage the formation of wholesome habits. These insights were shared by Wilasinee Siriboonpipattana (Kaimook),…

The revered former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, found himself ensconced within the confines of the Police General Hospital in the heart of Bangkok, as the morning light broke on the 23rd of August. It’s a common site for many convicts, their stay poised for extension based on informed decisions by the relevant authorities and doctors. A topical issue that was brought to light by Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong during a recent informational session. The context behind the discussion was a report suggesting an extended reprieve for the former Prime Minister Shinawatra at the Police General Hospital. It came after he had spent 30 days at the said facility, having initially been transferred from the Bangkok Remand Prison following his reentry into the country on the 22nd of August. Doing so, he joined countless other convicts who found themselves permitted to receive treatments outside their prison confines, thanks to the Department…

An elderly bull elephant found himself confined next to a trash pile in Chiang Mai, Thailand, his unfortunate circumstance compounding due to deprivation from adequate food and the loss of sight in one eye. The bull elephant’s harsh reality symbolized the grim conditions of numerous elephants under captivity. Enter Unchained Elephants, an organisation fuelled by an unwavering dedication to reimagining elephant conservation. They pioneered a solution, leveraging Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and crowdfunding to orchestrate the world’s inaugural tokenized elephant rescue. The organisation culminated their efforts on September 5th, where Kanoon, the elderly one-eyed elephant, found refuge in an ethical elephant sanctuary named Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) in Sukhothai, Thailand. Under the leadership of Daniel Villota, Unchained Elephants emerged as a response to the plight of “unemployed” elephants during the pandemic. They creatively applied NFTs to raise funds, achieving an initial milestone of raising $10,000 USD. This substantial contribution provided…

Located on Charansanitwong Road in Bangkok, a beehive of labor activity swells as construction workers hustle their way through the day. This bustling scene is a depiction of the increasing Thai labor force exported globally. Pairoj Chotikasatien, the director-general of the Department of Employment under the Labour Ministry, has set a target of sending a whopping 100,000 skilled workforce abroad next year. This ambition corresponds to the policy propagated by the latest Labour Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, known for his insistence in escalating the number of Thai employees working overseas. The Employment Department is hoped to play a vital role in facilitating and supporting the Thai laborers in discovering gainful employment options in foreign nations, according to Mr. Pairoj. This includes not just seeking opportunities in new markets but also saturating the existing ones with a high demand for labor. Speaking of new horizons, countries such as Sweden, Finland, Israel, Japan,…

Nestled in the southern region lies the provincial administrative organisation (PAO) and civil society of Songkhla. As the heart of this unique coastal town beats, its caretakers strive towards a dream. It is a dream of recognition, a dream of joining the prestigious ranks of Unesco World Heritage Sites. One of their primary focuses? The preservation and elevation of Songkhla’s old town. Lively discussions and plans for this ambitious project unfolded during a joint meeting presided over by the PAO Chairman Paijen Maksuwan on a typical Thursday. To accomplish this monumental task, they’ve hired a consultant to meticulously craft a development and management plan for the picturesque old town, mindful of the high standards set by Unesco for world heritage sites. As Mr Paijen emphasizes, Songkhla isn’t merely a place, it’s a living, breathing tapestry of arts and culture spanning over two centuries. This rich cultural backdrop makes Songkhla one…

A startlement set in amongst a host of commuters recently as they experienced an unnerving event: their journey on a BTS Skytrain took a frightening twist when one of the train’s doors remained ominously wide open during transit. Eventually, clamour over this incident reverberated across Thailand’s digital sphere when a video capturing this extraordinary episode took flight on the Internet, amassing a wave of disapproval in its wake. Originally posted by a TikTok user going by the handle, @star111042, the video made a quick transit to other online platforms. The mobile clip, taken during the train’s journey between the Bang Chak and Punnawithi stations in Bangkok on a particularly unnerving Wednesday, served as a shocking wake-up call and sparked an outcry over the safety measures premeditated by the rail transport operator. Fortuitously, no injuries were reported in the frightful event. However, the incident left many passengers distressed, calling for the…

Just as wildlife on land has predators and prey, so do creatures in the marine world. Substantial numbers of marine animals, ranging from the massive whales to the smallest fish, rely on plankton as their primary food source. However, nature has a peculiar way of inducing chaos, and much like anything in excess, an overabundance of plankton can swiftly shift the ecosystem balance, leading to a deadly phenomenon known as a bloom. Renowned marine scientist Tanuspong Pokavanich, central to our story, described his surprise at the unprecedented occurrence of plankton bloom unfolding along the Chonburi coastline in Thailand. In his eloquent words, “This is the most significant plankton occurrence I have witnessed in my lifetime, signalling the severity of this year’s bloom.” His comment came as the team surveyed the eerie sight of a lifeless sea eel floating atop the ocean surface, marking the sea’s quiet yet defiant protest against…