The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), a prominent division of the European Union, recently delivered a chilling report detailing an unprecedented rise in global temperatures. This bleak announcement follows the peak heat levels recorded in history during the summer months of July and August. Alarmingly, September saw the thermostat rising even higher to never-before-seen levels. The average global temperature in September exceeded the typical measurements for the same month between 1991 and 2020 by a glaring 0.93 degrees Celsius. This worrying surge bears testimony to the most grueling heatwave the Earth has been subjected to in the last eight and a half decades. From disastrous flooding to rampant wildfires and suffocating heatwaves, the adverse effects of global warming are making themselves known in the most catastrophic ways. They have laid waste to ecosystems and human dwellings all over the globe. It puts forth a hard-pressed question – what exactly took…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The past year has witnessed an alarming rise in road accidents in Thailand. A staggering 81 delivery riders were involved in these incidents, resulting in 28 unfortunate fatalities and 36 serious casualties. The main culprits responsible for these accidents were apparent law violations such as exceeding speed limits, lane encroachments, the distraction of mobile phones while driving, and pressure to deliver on strict timelines. Kongkarn Takhiranrit, the interim chief of the Social Risk Control Office at the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), shed light on these chilling statistics. According to her, a substantial number of the reported road fatalities involved delivery riders and motorcycle taxis. She highlighted that in Bangkok alone, there are over 5,556 motorcycle taxi service stations, which employ a whopping total of 84,547 registered riders. Kongkarn pointed out a worrisome loophole — a significant deficiency in traffic risk assessment skills among both delivery riders and motorcycle taxi…
Amid a storm of criticism from specialists, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin defiantly confirmed on Friday that the Thai government is pushing ahead with its ambitious plan to grant every Thai citizen above 16 years old a digital wallet worth 10,000 baht. This bold move comes as a response to Bank of Thailand (BoT) Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput’s criticism of the economic stimulus strategy. The unwavering prime minister reinforced that his ruling Pheu Thai Party was receptive to all advice and suggestions regarding the digital wallet initiative. He underscored the government’s dedication to seeing through the deployment of the digital wallet program to an estimated 56 million recipients, with the anticipated roll-out date earmarked for February 1st. Nevertheless, there remains a mystery surrounding the source of the proposed astronomical budget amounting to 560 billion baht (US$ 15,159,720,800). Concerning voices have not been limited to BoT Governor’s office. Veerathai Santiprabhob, the former BoT…
Admiral Adung Pan-iam, the commander of the Thai navy, recently gave the nod to move forward on an awe-inspiring project: the construction of a regal barge for King Rama X. The admiral was candid in affirming the responsibility the navy shoulders, a duty to safeguard the monarchy fervently. The stirring announcement was made during the annual policy meeting for the fiscal year 2024, a convocation that took place in the digital landscape owing to the current global situation. This online gathering hosted an illustrious assembly of high-ranking navy officers and commanders, joining from every part of the country. The creation of this royal barge is not just a grand gesture but each deck plank and ornate carving will be a symbol of respect and deep loyalty to the reigning monarch. As the admiral elucidated, this magnificent craft will honor the regality of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, a…
The exemplar of sustainability celebrations – The Sustainability Expo 2023 (SX2023) – is once again making waves, this time with a captivating ‘Blind Experience’. Nestled in the heart of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), this one-of-a-kind event is designed to foster empathy and understanding for the visually impaired community by providing participants with an opportunity to step into their shoes. Every year, the spotlight of SX2023 keenly shines on key issues confronted by marginalized communities, while also consistently holding the title of the Asean region’s largest annual festivity devoted to sustainability. This year, they’ve put a real twist on things, proving that sight is not the only sense capable of painting vivid pictures of the world around us. The ‘Blind Experience’ offers a multitude of ‘blind’ activities that take participants on a unique sensory journey. These activities begin with the “Nice to see you” workshop. Burdened with blindfolds,…
Last year, the bustling streets of Thailand witnessed a significant rise in road accidents involving delivery riders – eighty-one to be precise. Sadly, these accidents resulted in 28 fatalities and left 36 riders in severe physical distress. The culprits of these unfortunate incidents? Predominantly, reckless speeding, lane indiscipline, distracted driving due to mobile phone usage, and an incessant rush to meet delivery deadlines. Kongkarn Takhiranrit, the incumbent director of the Social Risk Control Office at the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (also known as ThaiHealth) shed some light on this issue. She revealed a rather grim statistic – delivery riders and motorcycle taxis figure in the majority of Thailand’s road accident death toll. She elaborated on the sobering scenario by providing some numbers. Currently, Bangkok is home to 5,556 motorcycle taxi service stations with a registered rider strength of 84,547. In her expert opinion, hastily driving through complex traffic scenarios without…
Srettha Thavisin, Thailand’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister, was the main character at the opening of the 2nd Thailand Climate Action Conference (TCAC) held at the SX Grand Plenary Hall of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. The illustrious event also witnessed the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Pol Gen Phatcharavat Wongsuwon. As the threat of climate change looms large on our planet, Thailand steps up to reaffirm its commitment to counter this global menace. The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) scheduled for next month in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will see the nation asking for increased technological and financial aid. The Thai Prime Minister emphasized that the country takes its environmental protection responsibilities seriously and aims to boost its investment in green bonds. Addressing the crowd at the 2nd Thailand Climate Action Conference (TCAC), Mr. Thavisin…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, at an entrance point of the popular Siam Paragon shopping mall, you will undoubtedly notice the vigilant security personnel dutifully checking incoming visitors’ bags as they funnel in. This is following a recent incident that hit the headlines, stirring up an influx of queries and concerns from independent readers and media agencies alike. The Thai government, in response to these concerns, has committed to boosting security measures, aiming to reassure and rekindle the trust of international tourists who flock to Thailand for its rich cultural experiences and fine shopping scene. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, after finding himself in the centre of Chinese media inquiries, offered reassurances following the unfortunate Siam Paragon shooting episode which occurred on a Tuesday. The distressing event resulted in two foreign nationals, a Chinese and a person from Myanmar losing their lives. Five more people – one Chinese, a Laos…
In an audacious move, Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of the incumbent Pheu Thai Party, echoed his steadfast support for the 10,000-baht digital wallet stimulus package aimed at every Thai citizen above the age of 16 years. This declaration was made despite a wave of disapproval rippling through the expert panels. He made this bold assertion during a press event held on a balmy Friday matinee. Renowned Bank of Thailand governor, Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, had previously criticised this very policy. In response, the head of the government acknowledged his commentary and iterated that the Pheu Thai Party’s ears are wide open to any and all suggestions or recommendations related to the said scheme. In an ambitious stride to underscore this digital wallet venture, the ruling government targets 56 million recipients. The plan is slated to hit the ground from the 1st of February. While the program’s budget stands at an estimated…
On a recent Friday, Srettha Thavisin, the esteemed Prime Minister of Thailand, made a critical visit to Ubon Ratchathani province. This was no routine visit, but rather a mission to hold discussions with provincial officials bearing the weight of the area’s flooding situation. His chosen location for this urgent conversation was the Regional Irrigation Office 7, seated in the heart of the Muang district, where he hoped to inspire quick and efficient responses to the flooding. Mr. Thavisin not only emphasized the need for immediate action but also the importance of long-term strategies to prevent future flooding. Despite the fact that the current flooding situation isn’t as dire as what was experienced in the previous year, each flood’s mark on the province’s industrial sector cannot be ignored, he pointed out. Additionally, he expressed concerned about the potential for floods to instigate outbreaks of transmittable diseases, which he assured would be…