As planting season commences for the Thai agricultural sector, there is mounting concern over the availability of water resources necessary for farming, given the low levels of rainfall recorded since the beginning of the year. Supit Pitaktham, director-general of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation, has reported that soil moisture levels are relatively low, consequently impacting around 78% of the 116 million rai (18.56 million hectares) of agricultural land situated outside the irrigated zone. Approximately 230 million rai (36.8 million hectares) of agricultural land and forestry have been affected due to insufficient water supply for crop cultivation. This has resulted in numerous farmers and individuals in several provinces appealing for artificial rain services. During the first half of May, a total of 1,387 requests were received for artificial rain from 64 provinces and 459 districts across the country. Concurrently, water stocks in storage reservoirs have dwindled, sometimes to…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Consular affairs are essential elements of foreign services, playing a crucial role in maintaining strong international relations. Established in 1999, the Department of Consular Affairs operates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and has evolved to adapt to globalisation, the rise of IT and digital technology, and changing geopolitical landscapes. The Department of Consular Affairs provides a range of services, including passport issuance, visa facilitation, legalised services, and the protection of Thai nationals abroad. With a focus on improving services for the people and ensuring effective coordination with relevant authorities, the department has significantly enhanced its services over the years. Some notable advancements include reducing passport processing times, embracing online applications, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as cloud systems, blockchain, and chat GPT. Below are a few examples of the department’s future plans: E-Passport: Streamlining the passport application process, the Department of Consular Affairs has introduced an online system,…
Support for Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s bid for prime minister is growing among senators, following the mandate in Sunday’s election that displayed the people’s trust in the leader and his party. Pita’s quest to form a new government has been backed by several senators, with Senator Sathit Limpongpan pledging to support any coalition that secures over 250 seats in the House, while Prapasri Suchanthabut also indicated her support for Pita’s bid. So far, an MFP-led alliance has amassed 313 seats from eight parties, working towards a government bloc. The next step for the alliance is to win at least 376 votes in the 750-seat parliament, which comprises 500 Members of Parliament (MPs) and 250 senators. To bridge the gap, the coalition needs to acquire the support of parties outside the existing bloc and approach additional senators. One significant issue several senators have with the MFP is the…
In a groundbreaking move, a team of researchers from the Faculty of Engineering at Mahidol University plans to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance forensic science techniques in the investigation of sex-related crimes. This innovative project has garnered financial support from the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund for Public Interest (BTFP), shining a light on the potential of AI to revolutionize forensic pathology. Between 2017 and 2021, nearly 9,000 rape cases were reported, highlighting a growing issue in society. Narit Hnoohom, a professor at the faculty and project leader, emphasized the alarming trend of rising sex-related crime statistics, while the number of medical workers and forensic scientists steadily declines. In such cases, gathering forensic evidence to establish a perpetrator’s guilt is crucial, but the shortage of professionals in forensic pathology has led to significant delays in completing laboratory tests. This is where the proposed AI…
Surat Thani, a top-tier tourist destination in Thailand, is home to the beautiful and bustling island of Koh Samui. The island’s economy largely depends on its main economic crop, the coconut, as well as other plants like banana. Recognizing the potential of these resources in transforming the island’s souvenir industry, the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) has stepped in to fund two research projects focusing on souvenir development. NRCT executive director, Wiparat De-ong, shared that one of these studies was conducted by the Faculty of Science and Technology at Thammasat University, while the other supported local communities by establishing a Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Centre. Both studies aimed to enhance the quality of souvenirs and increase the island’s revenue using scientific and technological knowledge. Additionally, the second study specifically centered on building a network of souvenir providers on the island and creating learning centers for entrepreneurs to showcase the production…
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has partnered with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in a collective effort to lower carbon emissions from air travel, aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. This announcement was made by CAAT director Suthipong Kongpool, following the 2023 ICAO Environmental Regional Seminar for the Asia Pacific Region, which took place recently in Bangkok. The CAAT intends to collaborate with ICAO’s member countries across the Asia Pacific region, as they work towards the goal of reducing CO² emissions, as certified by the 41st Session of the ICAO Assembly in October last year. Over 200 staff members from various agencies in each country in the region have participated in the initiative, according to Mr. Suthipong. Since last year, the CAAT has implemented ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), a policy tool designed to achieve environmental objectives at a lower cost…
The future of cannabis in Thailand is at a crucial juncture as the government prepares to revisit the legal status of the plant next month. A groundswell of public support has rallied behind a petition aimed at maintaining the current legal status of cannabis as a medicinal and economic resource. The petition, organized by the Phuket Cannabis Association (PCA), has already gathered over 2,000 signatures within 24 hours from Thai citizens, businesses, farms, expats, and tourists. If you believe in the economic, health, and social benefits that cannabis has brought to Thailand since its decriminalization, sign the petition here. Time is of the essence as we have until May 31st to show our collective support. It takes less than two minutes to add your voice to this pivotal cause. The letter of intent attached to the petition emphasizes the importance of maintaining cannabis’ status as an herbal plant under the…
The unofficial results from the Election Commission (EC) are now in, revealing a highly engaging contest amongst the leading parties: The Move Forward Party has managed to secure a remarkable 152 seats, comprised of 112 constituencies and 39 party-list seats. With such a strong showing, there is no doubt that this party has been gaining momentum and attracting many supporters. Not far behind and providing a worthy challenge is the Pheu Thai Party, which has managed to rack up 141 seats in total, with 112 in constituencies and 29 in the party-list category. Their impressive performance has certainly bolstered the position of the party in the eyes of the public. The Bhumjaithai Party has also proven to be rather formidable, accumulating 71 seats (68 constituencies and 3 party-list). This result highlights their commitment to making an impact in the political landscape and attracting voters across the nation. The Palang Pracharath…
Wannathida Chaisiha, a 33-year-old entrepreneur, and Mongkol Komkla, aged 27, are the proud proprietors of Loey Ma Na Tum Na Napa restaurant. The duo recently took to Facebook to make a remarkable promise to their loyal patrons. They revealed that if the Move Forward political party ascends to power, customers could enjoy their wildly popular “som tam pu pra la” dish at a discounted rate of 31 baht for one entire month. The announcement quickly became the talk of the town, with curious patrons flocking to the restaurant to support their favorite political party and feast on this delectable salad for a fraction of the original price. Wannathida and Mongkol confessed to Nation TV that they were fervent followers of Future Forward even before its dissolution in 2020, thereafter transforming into Move Forward. The pair were drawn to the party due to its focus on ushering in a new era…
Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party, revealed on Monday the plan to create a coalition government consisting of five former opposition parties and a new party, bringing their total number of MPs to 309, with Pita himself as the prime minister. The announcement followed the Election Commission’s declaration of the Move Forward Party as the winner in Sunday’s general election with a total of 151 MPs – 112 representing constituencies and 39 from the party list. Pita regarded the victory as a public mandate for his party to act as the central force in the formation of the upcoming government. He mentioned speaking with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the leader of the Pheu Thai Family, to congratulate her on her persistence throughout the campaign and invite her party to join the coalition. In return, Paetongtarn expressed her congratulations to Move Forward and emphasized the importance of transparency in their…