During the recent long holiday from June 3-5, Khao Yai National Park, a World Heritage Site, attracted thousands of visitors with its stunning landscapes, pristine natural resources, and cool climate year-round. The park, which spans across Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, and Nakhon Nayok provinces, generated approximately 800,000 baht in revenue from entrance fees alone, according to park chief Chaiya Huayhongthong. The park welcomed 13,370 Thai and foreign tourists during the holiday period, with visitors entering from two primary entry points: the Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, and the Noen Hom in Muang district, Nakhon Nayok. The visitors comprised 11,947 Thai adults, 943 Thai children, 394 foreign adults, and 86 foreign children, who arrived in 3,585 cars, 623 motorcycles, and a six-wheel passenger bus. The park amassed a total of 784,590 baht from entrance fees, with elderly visitors aged 60 and above and 54…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Authorities in Surat Thani, Thailand, have apprehended six individuals – three men and three women – for allegedly orchestrating a 27-million-baht overseas tour scam. According to Surat Thani police chief Pol. Maj. Gen. Saranyu Chamnanrat, the suspects were detained at their office in Phun Phin district on Sunday. The arrests came after 99 locals lodged complaints, stating that they had purchased tour packages for trips to Japan and Europe from the scammers’ company but never embarked on the promised journeys. As a result, the complainants claimed to have collectively spent about 27 million baht on the seemingly fraudulent travel deals. The accused individuals, ranging in age from 40 to 60, hail from Phun Phin, Ban Ta Khun, and Kanchanadit districts. Pol. Maj. Gen. Saranyu divulged that the suspects set up their company in early 2020, promoting attractively priced tour packages on Facebook. They lured unsuspecting victims by claiming that the…
On Monday, organizers and the City Hall apologized for the damage caused to students’ graduation-related artworks during the Bangkok Pride 2023 event at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre in Pathumwan district on Sunday. The incident occurred when participants entered the art centre, where fourth-year decorative arts students from Silpakorn University were exhibiting their thesis projects, and failed to protect the displayed artworks despite requests. Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon expressed his remorse on Facebook, acknowledging the failure to safeguard the students’ creations, which took a year to complete, and the incident’s impact on the organization of future events. The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre falls under the jurisdiction of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The Bangkok Pride 2023 organizers from Naruemit Pride Co also issued an apology for the unsalvageable damages incurred and stated their willingness to accept responsibility. Furthermore, they promised to consider students’ opinions in finding long-term solutions…
Governor Wilas Chaloeysat of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), accompanied by Jessada Chantaraprabha, Deputy Director of the Department of Drainage and Sewerage, and MEA staff, conducted an onsite visit to evaluate the readiness of the electric system at the Phrakhanong Pumping Station. This visit is in line with the MEA’s mission to maintain and support the stability of device installations at pumping stations in Bangkok. In partnership with the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) and related networks, the MEA has also taken steps to improve the efficiency of drainage management in the city. Governor Chaloeysat stressed that MEA, as a state-owned enterprise responsible for electricity distribution under the Ministry of Interior’s directive, gives priority to the quality of electricity distribution and offers support in emergencies and electrical challenges. The MEA collaborates closely with relevant agencies to provide electricity to more than 762 water pumping stations, drainage water gateways, and water pumping…
After enduring years of mistreatment in Sri Lanka, Sak Surin, a vulnerable male Thai elephant, is set to return home for medical treatment and rehabilitation, as announced by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). Next month, an Ilyushin IL-76 transport aircraft will carry Sak Surin, who is also known in Sri Lanka as Muthu Raja, back to his homeland. Once in Thailand, he will reside and be cared for at the esteemed Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang. According to Sri Lanka-based animal rights group, Rally for Animal Rights & Environment (Rare), Sak Surin has been subject to years of mistreatment. The noble creature was gifted as a goodwill ambassador to Sri Lanka back in 2001 along with two other Thai elephants. Since then, lack of proper care and overwork have left him significantly weakened and ill. Bearing alarming injuries, Sak Surin has been unable to…
Located in the Kamphaeng Phet province, approximately 350 kilometers north of Bangkok, Sai Ngam Pittayakom School could be in the running for Thailand’s “coolest school.” The school has modified its schedule to provide students with some respite from the sweltering heat that has been climbing to a scorching 37C. In response to these soaring temperatures, Sai Ngam Pittayakom School shifted its class hours starting Monday. Instead of the usual afternoon dismissal time, students now complete their lessons at 1.50pm and are free to head home by 2.30pm. This revised schedule intends to safeguard the students’ health against the intense heat and sunlight that is most prominent during the afternoon hours—a time when students typically participate in the flag-raising ceremony. Young children are particularly susceptible to heatstroke, a condition that can be lethal if not treated in a timely manner. The Disease Control Department reports that, annually, 2,500-3,000 individuals in Thailand…
Land prices in the “Srinakarin-Suan Luang” area have surged to 420,000 baht per square wah (4 square meters), as developers plan to establish a foothold for the next decade with 19,000 condo units. According to Colliers research, the region is currently classified as a “yellow zone”, but city planners may soon reclassify it as a “red zone”, which could fast-track real estate development and potentially increase land prices by an estimated 50%. The Yellow Metro Line will commence free trial rides from Lat Phrao to Samrong, covering a distance of 30.4 kilometers, on Saturday. This monorail system is composed of 23 stations, originating from the Ratchada-Lat Phrao junction. The line runs along Lat Phrao Road until the Bangkapi intersection, where it takes a right onto Srinakarin Road. It continues through the Srinakarin, Sri Udom, and Sri Thepa intersections before turning right again onto Theparak Road, finally ending at the intersection…
Dengue fever, a tropical viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, has a mortality rate ranging between 0.8% and 2.5% for those who exhibit severe symptoms. This deadly ailment is primarily spread by the female Aedes mosquito species, with Aedes aegypti being the main culprit. As a response to this widespread issue, Aekvarunyoo revealed that regular cleaning events are held every week in at-risk communities to help maintain a mosquito-free environment. These activities help to ensure the elimination of mosquito breeding grounds by reducing the growth of larvae. In a city-wide collaboration, BMA officials and local residents are working together to inspect homes, schools, religious sites, government properties, and public spaces for potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes, such as puddles, water jars, and other unused containers. To further assist in the eradication of mosquito larvae, Temephos sand, a known larvicide, has been distributed to households for use in still water sources. Aekvarunyoo…
Bangkok Health Market is dedicated to educating individuals about innovative healthcare methods and optimizing public health service accessibility by enhancing communication with target groups,” stated Deputy Governor Tavida Kamolvej during the market’s opening on Thursday. Tavida explained that the city has been implementing health units within communities to provide basic healthcare education and conduct health screenings, with the goal of alleviating local hospital overcrowding. “Our objective is to foster health comprehension and preventative measures which serve as the most effective strategy for combating any illness,” she added. An exhibit at the health market underscored the functioning of Bangkok’s public health system, detailing patients’ journey through various medical units and offering guidance on where individuals should seek treatment depending on their symptoms. Tavida emphasized the importance of primary patients first consulting with doctors and health volunteers at local clinics, as this would help prevent hospitals from becoming inundated. Under the city’s…
Plai Sak Surin, affectionately known as Muthu Raja among the Sri Lankan community, is a 30-year-old elephant gifted to Sri Lanka by the Thai government back in 2001, as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. Over the past 22 years, Plai Sak Surin and two other elephants have played a crucial role in an annual religious ceremony, paying homage to the sacred relics in Sri Lanka. Recently, this goodwill gesture took a turn for the worse when an animal rights group in Sri Lanka, Rally for Animal Rights and Environment (RARE), accused the caretakers of Plai Sak Surin of neglect and improper care. The organization expressed concern over the poorly nourished elephant with a visible spine, coarse skin, and an abnormal left front leg, which limited his knee bending ability for nearly eight years. The severity of Plai Sak Surin’s situation didn’t end there, as RARE also reported…