As dawn broke on Monday morning, a singular, serpentine path emerged to guide eager motorists through the chaos—a freshly minted lifeline circumventing chaos. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat), with the adrenaline of urgency driving them, unveiled a slender detour around the site of the unexpected collapse that startled commuters on Saturday. This detour is more than just a road; it’s a promise of smoother voyages for those making their way toward Bangkok’s iconic Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressway from the bustling Rama II Road, via the Dao Khanong toll plaza. The morning sun cast a hopeful glow as this narrow, two-lane detour was thrust into action precisely at the break of 6am, offering at least a modicum of normalcy to the city’s beleaguered drivers. The calamity that necessitated this detour was nothing short of dramatic—a beam, a mighty part of the expressway being erected, decided to ditch its lofty intentions…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a dazzling twist of fortune, the latest lottery draw turned two unsuspecting individuals into jubilant millionaires, capturing the hearts and imaginations of many. With a staggering total prize of 60 million baht, everyone around Thailand held their breath as the lucky winners stepped into a new chapter filled with prosperity and dreams fulfilled. The colossal win was split between two fortunate souls—one claiming a whopping 48 million baht and the other basking in a delightful 12 million baht victory. The saga unfolded under the watchful eye of Phanawat “Nott” Nakwisut, the charismatic CEO of Lottery Plus, who, with a flourish, picked the life-changing tickets. His keen eye and a touch of serendipity had the winners showering the room with gratitude, as the joyous announcement broke at the stroke of 4 pm on March 16. This revelation followed the Thai Government Lottery Office’s disclosure of the winning numbers for that…
Imagine a picturesque day spent gliding across the crystal-clear waters off the idyllic island of Koh Tao, like something out of a travel magazine come to life. But on March 16, this tropical dreamland turned into a scene of dread when a diving expedition led to unsettling chaos. It started much like any other adventure for the 22 souls aboard the brightly painted vessel, David Jones’ Locker. The boat, steered by a sprightly 66-year-old local named Thawee, set sail towards the renowned Southwest Pinnacle, a diver’s paradise teeming with underwater wonders roughly 5-6 nautical miles from their point of departure. Among those eager to explore the marine marvels was a vivacious 25-year-old British woman, Alexandra May Clarke. Little did the adventurers know, an unexpected nightmare awaited them. At about 9 AM, as the boat cut its path through the placid waters, an inferno erupted on board, sparked during the innocuous…
In the beautiful yet bustling nation of Thailand, a debate that’s as heated as its tropical climate has taken center stage: the Labour Ministry is toying with the idea of bumping up the retirement age from a youthful 55 to a more seasoned 65. And why are they even thinking about this? It’s all in hopes of shoring up the Social Security Fund (SSF) against the inevitable silver tsunami sweeping across the nation as the population ages at an unprecedented rate. Labour Minister Phumphat Muanchan spilled the beans, revealing that Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the country’s Labour Minister, is all in on the idea of keeping the SSF afloat and thriving. The fund isn’t just your average piggy bank; it’s a lifeline, offering pensions and medical coverage to Thailand’s golden-aged citizens. But hold onto your hats and reading glasses because experts predict that without intervention, this fund might just run dry in…
As dawn broke over the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, the early risers were greeted by the sight of flurried activity around the Dao Khanong toll plaza—and one could hardly blame them for wanting to stop and watch. At the heart of this unfolding drama was a collapsed expressway beam, a casualty of the ambitious project to extend the Rama III-Dao Khanong-Bangkok Outer Western Ring Road expressway. Despite the chaos, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) had a plan up its sleeve to keep the city moving. Picture this: a narrow ribbon of road, hastily fashioned into a makeshift detour, opened to traffic at the break of dawn on Monday. As cars gingerly made their way through this solitary lane, commuters could breathe a sigh of relief knowing they could still reach the Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressway via the beleaguered Dao Khanong toll plaza. Though it was no cakewalk navigating this…
Today, March 17, bring out those umbrellas and hold onto your hats because Thailand is in for some turbulent weather! The trusty Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has sounded the alarm for a sizzling summer storm poised to shake things up across 25 provinces, Bangkok included. Officials predict tumultuous times with heavy rain drenching about 40% of Bangkok’s area. But that’s not all—brace yourself for some blustery winds and an unexpected visit from hail, with the mercury set to drop in the aftermath. A looming high-pressure system hailing from China is muscling its way into the upper northeastern skies, gathering momentum to spread across the north, central areas, and yes, even the bustling capital, Bangkok. This meteorological mambo with the existing heatwave in upper Thailand is setting the stage for a celestial show complete with thunderstorms, howling winds, hail the size of marbles, and the occasional dramatic flash of lightning. Exciting,…
In a groundbreaking health initiative, the Thai government is stepping up its efforts to safeguard the health of young women through a commendable scheme that offers free cervical cancer vaccinations. Targeting girls and young women between the ages of 11 and 20, this program is a collaborative endeavor supported by the Ministry of Public Health. It stands as a powerful testament to Thailand’s commitment to tackling cervical cancer, a condition labeled a “silent disease” by the Deputy Government Spokesperson, Sasikarn Watthanachan. The gravity of cervical cancer cannot be overstated, as it claims numerous lives each year in the kingdom, making this initiative all the more significant. The vaccine in question offers protection against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that stealthily spreads through skin-to-skin contact, notoriously being one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. By availing this vaccine at no cost, thanks to the Ministry of Public Health’s support,…
A family vacation in the picturesque enclave of Phuket, Thailand, was supposed to be a blissful escape for Ross Constable, a British chap from Timperley, Cheshire. But Little did he know, this tropical paradise harbored a tiny terror that would hijack his life in the most bizarre and unfathomable way. After basking under the Thai sun, the 48-year-old art teacher waved goodbye to his holiday haven and returned home with nothing more than a pesky mosquito bite. At least, that’s what he thought. It wasn’t long before that seemingly innocent nibble morphed into a menacing nightmare. Just days after touching down, Constable felt like a hurricane had stormed through his system. “Honestly, it was like the flu from some otherworldly dimension,” he later laughed, though it was anything but funny at the time. Weakness, fever, muscle aches—the whole shebang—had him bedridden and feeling like a wet noodle. The doctors, bless…
In the heart of Thailand, the picturesque province of Nakhon Ratchasima, affectionately known as Korat, is taking significant strides towards modernizing land management. The local authorities are turning to a revolutionary tool known as the One Map system, aiming to unravel the intricate web of overlapping land disputes that have long troubled the enchanting districts of Wang Nam Khieo and Pak Chong. Leading the charge is Nakhon Ratchasima’s astute deputy governor, Kanaschon Srijaroen, who recently inaugurated a vibrant event. The purpose? To introduce and garner public enthusiasm for the One Map initiative. Picture this: a mapping system with precise, 1:4000 scale prowess that promises transparency, clarity, and, above all, fairness in defining land boundaries. It’s a groundbreaking venture that, if it takes hold, could rewrite the rules of land ownership across the region. This commendable event was orchestrated under the aegis of the Office of the National Land Policy Board…
In a dynamic effort to redefine the landscape of ride-hailing services, the Ministry of Transport recently engaged in a crucial meeting with a senior Bolt manager. The objective of this meeting was crystal clear: to revamp the registration of riders, ensuring alignment with the Department of Land Transport (DLT) standards. Sorapong Paitoonphong, the deputy permanent secretary of the ministry, underscored the initiative’s central goal—to guarantee safe and reasonably priced services across all Bolt platforms. As the digital ink dried on the meeting notes, a sense of optimism was palpable. Mr. Sorapong outlined critical resolutions, highlighting Bolt’s pledge to revitalize its rider registration process. This update would ensure compliance with DLT standards, particularly focusing on vehicle specifications and the issuance of public driving licenses for all its riders. An additional focus of the discussions was the need for Bolt to expedite the registration process for motorcycles and ride-hailing vehicles, especially for…