In the bustling heart of Bangkok, the Thai-Japanese Stadium in June 2021 was more than just an ordinary arena; it became a beacon of hope as Social Security Fund subscribers patiently stood in line, waiting for their turn to receive a much-needed Covid-19 vaccine. However, as the world grapples with various challenges, another issue looms on the horizon for Thailand—the future sustainability of the Social Security Fund (SSF). On a sunny Sunday, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn made a solemn pledge. His mission? To delve into innovative measures that would prevent a potential financial collapse of the SSF within the next decade. According to insights from the Thailand Development Research Institute and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the SSF currently holds a hefty 2.6 trillion baht. While projections suggest that this figure will balloon to at least 4 trillion baht by 2034, the anticipated growth doesn’t necessarily guarantee sustainability. Why, you…
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A research team from Chulalongkorn University has triumphed, clinching this year’s prestigious United Nations Public Service Award (UNPSA) for Innovation in Public Institutions. The stellar team, hailing from the university’s Faculty of Science, was recently presented with the award in Seoul for their groundbreaking research titled, “Academic Insight into Action for Pandemic Response.” This accolade aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerning health, well-being, and clean water management. Jatuwat Sangsanont, a dedicated lecturer from the Department of Environmental Science and the head of this trailblazing research team, shared insights into their focus on utilizing wastewater analysis as a pivotal tool for the early detection of disease outbreaks. This innovative approach was catalyzed by the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Jatuwat expressed his ambition to leverage his academic expertise to devise swift and efficient responses to future disease outbreaks by utilizing wastewater measurement data for informed decision-making…
The government is poised to resurrect a 200-billion-baht water management initiative aimed at alleviating the persistent flooding woes in the Yom River basin in the North. This move comes amidst renewed debates around the contentious Kaeng Sua Ten Dam project. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, announced this revival alongside the distribution of 200 relief bags to flood-stricken residents in Sukhothai province. Phumtham stated his intention to pitch to the cabinet on Tuesday, urging the prioritization of water management with a substantial 200 billion baht budget. This ambitious plan, initially rolled out under the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, was derailed by a coup. The latest drive comes in response to heavy floods in Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phrae, which have resulted in increased water flow into downstream regions like Sukhothai and Phitsanulok. The Yom River, with its origins in the Phi Pan Nam Range in Pong district, Phayao…
As Thaksin Shinawatra waded through a sea of supporters, the atmosphere inside the headquarters of the Pheu Thai Party in Bangkok buzzed with anticipation. It was a pivotal meeting with the party’s MPs held in March, and the energy was palpable. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) In what has become a whirlwind of political intrigue, Election Commission (EC) chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong found himself in the eye of the storm. During a visit to the quaint province of Ratchaburi on Sunday, Mr. Ittiporn addressed the rumor mill that’s been churning with reports of an anonymous request to dissolve the coalition-core Pheu Thai Party. “I haven’t seen any such request,” Mr. Ittiporn declared, his tone a mix of calm assurance and underlying exasperation. “The Office of the EC hasn’t informed me about any such petition either.” The chairman’s words were like a cool breeze in the sweltering heat of political speculation. The process, as…
Police and volunteer rescuers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were dispatched to a tragic scene at a family residence in Muang Lop Buri district, Lop Buri province, on Saturday. The youngest son of the family had been viciously attacked and killed by three dogs that had been brought home by his older brother. (Photo: Ruamkatanyu Foundation’s branch in Lop Buri) In the central province of Lop Buri, an 18-year-old man named Adisak Chansakulnee met a grim fate on Friday night, felled by the very pets his brother had recently acquired. These formidable American Bully dogs were brought into the household by 23-year-old Abhisit Chansakulnee, who had acquired them from Bangkok just a week prior, according to Pol Maj Nattapong Wongwang, a police investigator from Tha Hin police station. Security camera footage from the room where the dogs were kept reveals a heart-wrenching story. Adisak entered the room on the second floor,…
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is embracing modern technology in an effort to care for Thai nationals living overseas through the gold card universal health scheme. On January 17, the NHSO introduced an innovative telemedicine service tailored for Thais abroad, ensuring they have reliable access to primary healthcare. Imagine being miles away from home but having the comfort of your local healthcare available at your fingertips! It’s a game-changer for many, especially considering how surpassing cultural and linguistic barriers can be in foreign lands. Let’s talk specifics. To support approximately 20,000 Thai nationals in Singapore, the local Thai embassy recently hosted NHSO officials, providing the community with comprehensive details about this game-changing telemedicine service. It’s the NHSO’s way of saying, “No matter where you are, we’ve got your health covered.” Dr. Atthaporn Limpanyalert, the NHSO’s deputy secretary-general, emphasized that this initiative isn’t just about health—it’s about reducing the financial…
Thaksin Shinawatra, once a Thai Prime Minister, is now enveloped by a sea of fervent supporters as he strides into the headquarters of the Pheu Thai Party in bustling Bangkok. Known for his magnetic political presence, Thaksin makes his way to a meeting with the party’s MPs in March, eliciting waves of excitement among his loyalists. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) Amid this electrifying scene, Election Commission (EC) chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong offers his take on recent swirling rumors. Addressing the media while on a visit to the scenic Ratchaburi province on Sunday, Mr. Ittiporn was clear: he hasn’t come across any mysterious requests to dissolve the Pheu Thai Party, a key player in the country’s political arena. Despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise, Mr. Ittiporn emphasized that neither he nor the Office of the EC had received such a request. Should the EC stumble upon a complaint, the process is straightforward but meticulous.…
On a somber Sunday, the charming district of Mae Rim in Chiang Mai still found itself grappling with the aftermath of a sudden and intense flood. This natural calamity hit over 200 villages on Saturday night, leaving a watery trail in its wake. (Photo: Mae Rim district of Chiang Mai) But Mae Rim wasn’t alone in its watery ordeal. Across Thailand, other regions were also feeling the brunt of relentless rainfall. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that the flooding stretched across three northern provinces—Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, and Sukhothai—as well as Nong Khai in the Northeast. These water woes impacted a staggering 3,979 families spread over 223 villages in the four provinces. Director-General Chaiwat Chuntirapong of the department noted the widespread suffering: Chiang Rai: The picturesque districts of Khun Tan, Phaya Mengrai, Thoeng, and Wiang Kaen were hit hard. Nong Khai: Floodwaters swept through Muang, Ratana Wapi, Sangkhom,…
Chiang Mai residents woke up to a watery surprise on a rather somber Sunday, as floodwaters from Doi Moncham mountain showed no signs of retreating in Mae Rim district. This deluge didn’t come unannounced; on Saturday night, it ransacked over 200 villages, giving new meaning to the phrase ‘when it rains, it pours.’ It’s a sight to behold—if only it weren’t so catastrophic. (Photo: Mae Rim district of Chiang Mai) The challenge didn’t limit itself to Chiang Mai alone. Flooding was still rampant in three northern provinces and one northeastern province as of Sunday. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation painted a grim picture, listing Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, and Sukhothai in the North, and Nong Khai in the Northeast as affected provinces. Chaiwat Chuntirapong, the director-general of the department, not-so-cheerfully informed that relentless rainfall had orchestrated this chaos. Families? 3,979 to be exact, spanning 223 villages, found themselves at…
A landslide on August 23 is vividly captured in a picture from the Phuket Info Center, illustrating the dramatic event that unfolded in Phuket, Thailand. This alarming incident spurred immediate action, as the Royal Forest Department (RFD) seized about 5 rai of land at the summit of Nak Koet hill in Phuket’s Muang district. This land is suspected to be intricately linked to the landslides that tragically claimed 13 lives. Sorasak Rananan, the director of Phuket’s Royal Forest Centre, remarked that the concerned land lies within the sacrosanct boundaries of the Wat Phra Yai temple grounds, designated as a reserve forest. During an initial investigation, it was discovered that a car park had been illicitly constructed within the monastery’s domain, provoking more questions than answers. In response, Mr. Sorasak stated that the RFD had filed a formal complaint with Karon police station, and the seizure of the land had been…