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…
Posts published in “Thailand”
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…
Imagine a battery-powered machine that works on a mere 12-volts, designed distinctly with dual rotating arms each stretching to a length of 10 cm. Attached to each arm, you’ll find springs on both sides, exploding with energy and ready to extract precious coffee beans from their branches. This ingenious coffee contraption is a brainchild of an esteemed institute operating under the broad wings of the Department of Agriculture. On Tuesday, it unveiled its innovative creation with much anticipation. Fitted at the foundation of the coffee tree, a nylon net, with broad dimensions of 1.2 x 1.5 metres and a depth of half a metre, gently cradles the fallen beans, collecting and securing each valuable nugget. Trials brought forth impressive results: the institutional test run experimented on Robusta coffee bean harvesting and observed a remarkable increase in average output. A rate of 85.18 kg. per hour was recorded, 1.81 times higher…
Unleashing exhilarating news, the tourism bureau has launched a landmark programme permitting globetrotters to enjoy the scenic beauty of Thailand visa-free for a duration of 30 days. This exceptional provision spans across a 5 month-period, beginning from the 25th of September running up until the 29th of February, 2024. In recent data released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, there’s been an overwhelming surge in the number of international visitors adorning the Thai shorelines. A substantial 271% upswing was witnessed from January 1st to September 17th, totalling more than a whopping 19 million joyful vacationers, comparing to the corresponding timespan in the prior year. Intriguingly, the contributing nations to these hefty visitor numbers during this duration have been: Malaysia – 3,076,274 tourists China – 2,341,080 tourists South Korea – 1,125,639 tourists India – 1,097,395 tourists Russia – 961,348 tourists The influx of these hearty travellers has placed an impressively…
In the key arena of trade economics, Peeraphan revealed intricate discussions centered on the pricing mechanisms related to the import of refined oil, crude oil, diesel, and gasoline. Unveiling a previously obscure process, the representative from the Customs Department outlined how they have abstained from imposing any import duties on crude oil. In the context of refined oil, the scenario altered slightly. Previously, the department levied a bare amount of 0.001 baht per liter, a strategy that garnered an annual revenue of circa 20 million baht through import duties alone. A thorough understanding of this mechanism elucidates the necessity of such a minute fee – it may seem inconsequential, but accumulated numbers painted a significant outcome. Notwithstanding the existing state-of-affairs, the Customs Department is pushing boundaries and disrupting the traditional model. A notable paradigm shift is seen, with the department now relinquishing the application of import duties altogether. The implication…
Following a recent convocation in Thailand, a forthcoming visit to Cambodia by Thai luminary Srettha was revealed. This meeting played host to an engaging conversation between Soeung Rathchavy, a established authority at Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and her Thai counterpart, Saran Jarorn Sovann. An official press release by the ministry, drafted on September 17th, highlighted the nature of the dialogue. It was revealed that the primary aim was to fortify bonds for the mutual advantage of both nations’ citizens. The conversation revolved around orchestrating plans for Srettha’s visit to Cambodia, which was scheduled for the late September. In addition to this, there was a broad discussion covering realms including political security, financial dynamics, commerce, investment strategies, educational prospects, tourism expansion, labour matters, demining procedures and technical coordination. Yang Peou, the esteemed Secretary-General of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, voiced expectations that Srettha’s visit would significantly enhance…
In the heart of Bangkok, a city gasping for green spaces, a breath of fresh air has been released – a park spanning 46-rai, which, unlike most public spaces in the metropolis, welcomes pets with open arms (and retractable leashes). Instead of the usual prohibition signs divesting pet lovers of much-needed outdoor havens, signboards in this park sport user-friendly QR codes for quick and hassle-free check-in processes. However, it isn’t a lawless wonderland for pets. A clear set of rules delineates the code of conduct in the park. Pet owners are required to keep their pets on leashes or in strollers and, critically, they must clean up after their pets promptly – maintaining the park as an agreeable space for everyone. Aekwaranyu Amrapal, the spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), elucidated the admittedly high expectations for the park on a Wednesday announcement. Opened for public use since Sunday, September…
On the 11th day of September, a grand spectacle took place at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base – a collaborative exercise involving the United States and Thailand. This undertaking embodied the dedication and mutual agreement of both nations to enhance military alliances and promote better understanding. A notable battalion of around 230 US servicemen were on deck, hailing from the esteemed ranks of the Washington Air National Guard and the Oregon Air National Guard. They arrived with more than just determination and discipline, they brought with them an impressive arsenal of over 20 high-powered fighter aircraft pouring with might and readiness. The aircraft arrayed a series of breath-taking drills, from mixed incongruous air-to-air combat courses to refuelling procedures in mid-air and intricate ground-controlled interception operations. Helming these exercises were the seasoned war veterans with vast experience, each bearing the fruits of more than 15 years of dedicated service.…
In the bustling town of Chalong, a stringent prohibition on waste disposal has been swiftly initiated by the mayor at a three-rai location in Baan Khoktanod, Moo 9, Chalong. This rapid response was ignited by an aerial photograph of the landfill site circulating across social media platforms. Monsoon Garbage Thailand, a popular Facebook page, was the first to share this compelling photograph, which prompted immediate action from the local governance. The reigning Phuket Governor, Narong Woonciew, entrusted the responsibility of inspecting the contentious site to Thanaporn Ongsantiphap and The Chief of Muang District, Phairot Srilamul. The odoriferous spot is conveniently located opposite Wat Ladthi Wanaram (Wat Tai) on the busy Chao Fa East Rd. Upon thorough scientific investigation of the site, Mayor Thanaporn lost no time in erecting “No Dumping” signs to curtail further environmental harm. The intriguing aspect of this narrative is that the land is apparently under private…