Welcome to the annual seaside siesta, a season where the Gulf of Thailand transforms into a vast, undisturbed sanctuary, heralding a period of rejuvenation and renewal for its aquatic residents. It’s that time of the year again, folks – the Department of Fisheries has rolled out the calendar, marking the commencement of the rotational closing of the Gulf of Thailand to fishing activities, stretching until the picturesque month of September. Imagine, if you will, the serene expanse of the Khao Mong Lai coast in Prachuab Khiri Khan stretching its arms to the bustling shores of Don Sak district in Surat Thani, taking its first break of the season today till May 15. This heralds the start of a much-needed vacation for our finned friends below the waves. But wait, there’s more to this aquatic ballet! From May 16 to June 14, the baton passes to the stretch from Khao Ta…
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Imagine stepping into a world where the mysteries of the brain are on the cusp of being unraveled, a world where Nobel Laureate Prof Edvard Ingjald Moser shines as a beacon of hope for those ensnared in the clutches of brain-related ailments. In the vibrant city of Bangkok, amidst the intellectual fervor of the Japan-Asean Bridges event series hosted by the International Peace Foundation, Prof Moser unfolded tales of groundbreaking exploration that could very well be the key to conquering the enigmatic fortress of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. With a twinkle in his eye, reflecting the passion that earned him the 2014 Nobel Prize in Medicine, Prof Moser embarked on a journey with his audience, delving into the essence of cellular communication within the brain’s vast networks. “In our quest to enhance the quality of life for those grappling with Alzheimer’s and other brain-related diseases, especially amidst the…
Imagine a world where the line between an unintentional mistake and a life-altering criminal charge could hinge on the number of pills in your pocket. This isn’t the plot of a dystopian novel; it’s the reality faced by many in the bustling streets and quiet homes across the nation. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the unseen guardians of public health and safety, find themselves at a pivotal crossroads. The ever-diligent secretary-general, Pol Lt Gen Phanurat Lukboon, has cast a stone into the still waters of narcotics policy, proposing a seismic shift from a five-pill threshold to a mere three-pill limit for methamphetamine possession. This move, he revealed on a Wednesday that will be inked into the annals of policy reform history, is not without its catalyst—a widespread public outcry that clamored for a reevaluation of the existing limit set on February 9th by the Ministry of Public…
In the heart of Thailand’s bustling capital, a haze has descended that’s more than just an inconvenience; it’s a health hazard thick enough to write your name in. On a Wednesday that felt more like navigating through a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie, most districts in Bangkok found themselves under a blanket of fine particulate matter so tiny, yet so insidiously dangerous, that even the air seemed to hold its breath. These particles, known as PM2.5 because they’re smaller than 2.5 microns, stealthily invaded the city’s air, pushing the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) into action more fit for a superhero squad. In a bold move, the BMA, led by the ever-vigilant Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, issued a clarion call to both the shields of the public sector and the swords of the private sector, rallying 151 organizations with a legion of 60,279 staff to transform their homes into bastions of…
Imagine being swept into a whirlwind of controversy, not for capturing a moment through the lens of your camera, but for where that moment takes place and what it represents. This is the twist of fate that befell Nattaphon, a seemingly ordinary photographer whose day at work veered into an unexpected adventure, placing him at the heart of a political tempest. Last March, the serene premises of Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram were disrupted not by the usual clatter of tourists, but by the echoes of a protest message sprayed onto its ancient walls. This act of defiance against the backdrop of a sacrosanct site became the vortex that drew Nattaphon into a maelstrom, disrupting the tranquility of his professional life. Arrested and charged for allegedly lending his lens to support the cause of a political activist, Nattaphon’s career was momentarily placed on pause. The Spacebar Co., zooming into the…
Welcome to a plot twist in the political landscape of Thailand that reads like the latest political thriller—one where the central character is none other than former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra! Picture this: the year is 2023, and the scene unfolds at Don Mueang Airport on August 22. The crowd goes wild as Thaksin, the convicted former prime minister with a saga that could rival any Netflix series, makes his grand entrance, waving to his legion of supporters. Snapshots fill the air; this is a moment for the history books. But hold on, it gets juicier. After serving six nail-biting months of a one-year food-for-thought sentence, Thaksin is poised for parole. Yet, it’s not your run-of-the-mill ‘tagged and tracked’ parole. Oh no—thanks to being 74 and battling health issues (plot armor, perhaps?), our protagonist may just sidestep the electronic monitoring bracelet. Imagine the scene: Pol Lt Col Montri Boonyayothin, deputy…
On a crisp morning in Nakhon Si Thammarat, the air was heavy with anticipation and the scent of determination as Pranee Danwattananusorn, a woman of unwavering resolve, stood amongst a sea of sympathetic faces outside the Government House in Bangkok. Clutching a photo of her husband, Surachai Danwattananusorn, who had vanished into the thin air of mystery, she was the embodiment of hope during a protest in February 2019. The image, poignant and profound, spoke volumes of a love that refused to fade amidst the shadows of disappearance (Bangkok Post File Photo). In an atmosphere charged with expectancy, a court in the historic city of Nakhon Si Thammarat delivered a verdict that was a whisper of comfort in the deafening silence of the unknown. The ruling declared Surachai Danwattananusorn, a fervent activist last heard from in 2018 after seeking exile in Laos, as officially missing. Emerging from the courtroom on…
Imagine, if you will, a journey from the warm, verdant landscapes of Thailand’s Northeast to the cold, mysterious forests of Finland and Sweden. This isn’t a tale of exploration or adventure but one of hope, despair, and the relentless pursuit of a better life. This is the story of countless Thai farmers, whose dreams of prosperity led them down a path fraught with hardship and uncertainty. It’s a saga that intertwines the innocence of ambition with the harsh realities of modern-day exploitation. The odyssey begins with a hopeful step — securing a loan. Across the vibrant lands of Thailand’s Northeast, farmers, brimming with hopes of greener pastures, reached out to sources like the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives and even veered into the shadows of unregulated lenders. Their borrowings? Figures that danced between 50,000 to 160,000 baht, a testament to their unwavering belief in promises of bountiful earnings. Little…
As the world turns a romantic shade of red and pink, bustling hearts and hopeful suitors make their way to a place that’s synonymous with love and fresh beginnings. Yes, I’m talking about Pak Khlong Talat, Thailand’s crowning jewel when it comes to all things floral. This isn’t just any market; come Valentine’s Day, it transforms into Cupid’s own garden, a haven where roses reign supreme and love is in the air (along with the sweet fragrance of thousands of flowers). The streets and alleys of this iconic Bangkok market are awash with color and life, especially during this week of love. It’s a sight to behold: a sea of eager faces, mostly teenagers, navigating through stalls, each in search of the perfect bouquet to encapsulate their feelings. Whether you’re on a quest for the humble yet deeply meaningful 20 baht bloom or the grandeur of a 1,000 baht bouquet,…
On a day that will be etched in the annals of diplomatic camaraderie, the grounds of Government House were aflutter with anticipation as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand and David Hurley, Australia’s esteemed Governor-General, stood side by side, their gazes piercing the horizon. This was no ordinary gathering; this was a vivid tableau of international friendship, with the ceremonial review of an honour guard serving as the perfect prelude to discussions that could redefine travel and business interactions between the spirited people of Thailand and Australia. The air buzzed with possibility as discussions veered towards a tantalizing proposal: a mutual visa exemption scheme. Imagine, if you will, the seamless wanderlust adventures and the boundless business opportunities that could unfold with such an agreement! This wasn’t just a topic of conversation whisked into the meeting room on Wednesday; it was a beacon of potential, lighting up the path for a…