On a wild Saturday night in North Pattaya, paramedics sprang into action to tend to a very inebriated Icelandic man, only known as Paul. Paul had gotten into quite a scuffle with his Bolt driver, ending up with a head wound and a bloodied face. The scene unfolded in Soi Chalermphrakiat 19, located in tambon Nong Prue of the Bang Lamung district, and it was nothing short of chaotic. Pattaya police and paramedics arrived to find Paul, seemingly in his 50s or 60s, in a rather distressing state. Alongside him were two other individuals: Nipon Thepmanee, a 52-year-old Thai police volunteer who had also sustained a head wound, and Jamsawai Jamsuwan, the 43-year-old Bolt driver tangled up in this unfortunate mess. Mr. Jamsawai recounted the sequence of events that led to this brawl. It all began when he picked up Paul and a Thai woman from Soi Bua Khao, only…
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In recent developments, the proliferation of blackchin tilapia across various provinces has raised significant concern among environmental academics and authorities. The unexpected spread of this invasive species may find its roots in smuggling, but hope lies in advanced techniques like electrofishing and the strategic release of predatory species to curb their numbers. This pressing issue took center stage at Chulalongkorn University’s Communication Center and Aquatic Resources Research Institute (ARRI) during their 24th “Impact” academic seminar held on Friday. The seminar gathered a distinguished panel of academics from diverse universities and institutes, all keen on dissecting the blackchin tilapia’s rampant spread. Chulalongkorn’s acting president, Prof Wilert Puriwat, opened the event by underscoring the ecological impact of this Western African fish. He expressed optimism that the seminar would foster interdisciplinary collaboration, culminating in actionable strategies for governmental intervention. Prof Suchana Chavanich, ARRI’s vice director, provided a historical perspective, noting that blackchin tilapia…
The Ministry of Commerce has recently showcased the innovative spirit of Thailand by exhibiting the winners of its prestigious Design Excellence Award (DEmark Award) 2024. Held at the bustling Siam Paragon shopping centre in Bangkok from August 1st to 13th, the display featured sixty-six remarkable entries from fifty-four companies that had clinched the coveted DEmark Awards. This annual event, organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce, celebrated its 17th year of fostering international recognition for outstanding Thai designs. According to Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, the DITP director-general, the DEmark Award contest was first launched in 2008. Over the years, it has successfully positioned Thai designs on the global map. This year’s contest notably integrated the concept of “soft power” into its scoring criteria, celebrating not just the aesthetics and functionality of designs, but also their cultural and social significance. The Design Excellence Award 2024…
The relentless spread of the blackchin tilapia throughout numerous provinces might be more than just an ecological nuisance—it could potentially be the consequence of clandestine activities. According to academic experts, a combination of stringent methods including electrofishing and the release of other predatory species might effectively curb this invasive species’ burgeoning population. These insights were spotlighted during the 24th “Impact” academic seminar, hosted by Chulalongkorn University’s Communication Center and the Aquatic Resources Research Institute (ARRI) on a thought-provoking Friday. The seminar was buzzing with intellectual discourse, delving into the pressing issue of the blackchin tilapia proliferation. It attracted an ensemble of academics from diverse universities, institutes, and agencies, all ardent to share their perspectives and potential solutions. Setting an optimistic tone, the acting president of Chulalongkorn University, Prof. Wilert Puriwat, underscored the urgency of addressing this West African fish’s ecological disruption. Puriwat stressed that this gathering was pivotal for fostering…
In the early hours of Sunday, a potential disaster was averted on the Mitraparp Highway in Ban Phai district of Thailand’s Khon Kaen province. It was a scene right out of an action movie, with firefighters heroically spraying water over a leaking LPG cylinder, preventing what could have been a catastrophic explosion. Just after the witching hour, at approximately 12:30 AM, a truck carrying a whopping six tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas began to leak while it was refilling another truck. This was no ordinary roadside mishap but an incident fraught with peril, occurring right opposite a petrol station — an ominous setting for such a volatile situation. The location, in Ban Nano of tambon Nong Nam Sai in Ban Phai district, quickly became a hub of activity. Police immediately cordoned off traffic within a two-kilometre radius to ensure the safety of motorists and residents. It was a tense atmosphere…
A gardener proudly displays a message on his phone, confirming his registration for the digital wallet scheme, outside Government House on Aug 1. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu). What might seem like a simple snapshot has gigantic implications for the nation. You see, this digital wallet handout scheme is the Pheu Thai-led government’s flagship initiative to invigorate the economy. And whether or not Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin retains his position, this scheme is expected to steam ahead full throttle. Come Wednesday, all eyes will be on the Constitutional Court, as it determines Srettha’s fate following his controversial decision to appoint Pichit Chuenban, an ex-convict, as a cabinet minister. This decision rubbed many the wrong way, as Pichit was previously convicted of contempt of court for attempting to bribe Supreme Court officials in 2008. The petition seeking Srettha’s ouster was filed in May by a group of 40 former senators but political pundits…
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is joining hands with the private sector to launch an exciting price reduction campaign for goods and services, ahead of the highly anticipated digital wallet scheme. The mastermind behind this initiative, Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who also serves as deputy prime minister, gathered with over 150 private operators in a vigorous discussion last Saturday. This strategic economic stimulus, as directed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, seeks to ease financial strains before the 10,000 baht digital wallet scheme rolls out in December. The prime minister has tasked the ministry with collaborating across all sectors to aid small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in lightening their financial load. This support begins on August 20 and spans until November 20, 2024, paving the way for the forthcoming digital wallet initiative. Here’s a sneak peek at the thrilling measures they’ve lined up: First on the agenda is a groundbreaking effort to partner with…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin found himself in the crosshairs of political controversy once again, the focus of animated discussions held among the coalition parties within the Pheu Thai-led government at Government House in Bangkok on a sultry Sunday. Despite the potential storm clouds gathering over his future, Srettha seemed to exude confidence, a sentiment echoed by political watchers who predict he will withstand the upcoming legal scrutiny. The brewing storm centers on Srettha’s contentious decision to appoint the controversial figure, ex-convict Pichit Chuenban, to a cabinet ministerial position. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai brushed off concerns on Saturday, describing the meeting as a routine monthly affair where coalition representatives come together to discuss the government’s ongoing work, lingering problems, and possible solutions. Particularly on today’s agenda was a review of parliament’s duties and the cabinet’s workload. “It’s just business as usual,” Phumtham said nonchalantly. “We have our…
Get ready for a celestial extravaganza as the Perseid meteor shower lights up the night sky across the country from the evening of Mother’s Day on August 12 (Monday) right through Tuesday morning. According to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit), this annual spectacle, affectionately named the “Mother’s Day meteor shower,” promises a mesmerizing show for all stargazing enthusiasts. Suparerk Karuehanon, Director of Astronomy Outreach and Public Engagement at Narit, is here to guide you on how to make the most of this phenomenal event. He reveals that during its peak, we could witness an awe-inspiring shower with up to 100 meteors gracefully streaking across the sky every hour. The excitement kicks off around 11 PM on Monday night and extends into the early hours of dawn. For the best viewing experience, Suparerk recommends seeking out a spot with minimal light pollution—think remote countryside or beachside retreats. “The…
The spread of blackchin tilapia across numerous provinces seems to be a consequence of smuggling, while measures like electrofishing, coupled with the introduction of other predatory species, might offer a viable solution to control their burgeoning population, as per academic experts. Recently, Chulalongkorn University’s Communication Center and Aquatic Resources Research Institute (ARRI) hosted its 24th “Impact” academic seminar, spotlighting the relentless proliferation of the blackchin tilapia. The seminar attracted academics from various universities, institutes, and agencies, all eager to share their perspectives. Prof Wilert Puriwat, the acting president of Chulalongkorn University, commenced the event with an opening speech, underscoring how the spread of this Western African fish species is disrupting multiple sectors. “This year’s seminar is pivotal. It aims to foster cooperation among experts across diverse fields to tackle this pressing issue, with the findings set to be handed over to governmental bodies for action,” he asserted. Prof Suchana Chavanich,…