The northern province of Nan, a hidden gem nestled in Thailand, houses one of the country’s most vital watershed forests. This lush expanse has long been the cradle of several major waterways, including the life-giving Chao Phraya River. Declared a first-grade national forest back in the 1960s, this area once stood as an unyielding testament to nature’s grandeur. However, fast forward half a century, and you’ll find that about 28% of this invaluable forestland has succumbed to the plows and hoes of agricultural activities. Banthoon Lamsam, a revered figure in Nan, calls this predicament an “intractable malady.” As the Chairman Emeritus of Kasikorn Bank, his voice carries weight, and he doesn’t mince words when he says that Nan’s forests and its people are crying out for urgent aid. Mr. Banthoon recently made a heartfelt plea during a keynote address at the charity gala, “Together for Nan and Beyond.” This event,…
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Senator Keskamol Pleansamai has sparked quite the controversy by proposing a new agency to regulate social media content, complete with the authority to take legal action against those responsible for harmful or illegal posts. In a fiery address to the Senate this past Thursday, Dr. Keskamol lamented the lack of a specific agency able to effectively oversee social media. The current divisions of responsibility between the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry seem to fall short. The NBTC has its hands full regulating broadcasting media and telecommunications, but it has no jurisdiction over social media. Meanwhile, the DES Ministry oversees online media yet lacks the clout to regulate the actual content appearing on these platforms. This oversight vacuum results in unchecked harmful content that could pose serious risks to national security, according to the senator. Dr. Keskamol didn’t just highlight the issue;…
(Photo: Reuters) The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has recently made headlines by setting aside a substantial budget of 21 million baht for the acquisition of 3,000 doses of the MVA-BN mpox vaccine from Denmark. Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, the director-general of the DDC, shared more about this strategic move, emphasizing that these precious doses are expected to land in the country within four months and will be reserved strictly for high-risk groups. Dr. Thongchai clarified, “The vaccination program is designed to control the spread of the disease, focusing only on those who fall within high-risk categories, based on stringent medical guidelines.” Hence, a blanket vaccination for the general populace isn’t on the agenda. The high-risk groups are divided primarily into two categories. The first category comprises individuals who are at risk prior to exposure, such as disease control staff positioned at international airports, border health-check units, those in medical roles,…
In a dramatic turn of events, law enforcement officials swooped in and arrested Parveen “Kala” Kumar at a bustling restaurant in the lively Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok this past Thursday. The arrest, which took place in the charming Bang Khun Phrom area, pulls back the curtain on a spine-chilling narrative that spans several international borders. The arrest was executed by vigilant officers of the Immigration Bureau, led by Deputy Chief Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nutchanart, who unveiled the astonishing details during a Friday press briefing. Parveen Kumar, a 27-year-old Indian national, wasn’t just on a casual vacation; instead, he was on the run, attempting to escape the long arm of justice from back home in India. Kumar is implicated in a staggering 13 criminal cases, accusatorily involving an extensive roster of serious charges such as murder, abduction, attempted murder, robbery, and various weapons offenses. The dramatic unfolding of the…
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, donning a confident smile, posed with her cabinet members at Government House, exuding a palpable sense of enthusiasm ahead of a royal oath-taking ceremony on Friday. The photograph, captured by Reuters, portrayed a moment steeped in historical significance, emblematic of a new chapter in the country’s governance. With elegance and precision, Prime Minister Paetongtarn, accompanied by her distinguished colleagues, took the solemn oath of office before His Majesty the King. This event signified a crucial milestone in the formal establishment of the new administration. As the sun cast long shadows over Dusit Palace, the Amporn Sathan Residential Hall echoed with the hallowed words of commitment, resonating with a unified determination to steer the nation forward. In the wake of this dignified ceremony, Ms. Paetongtarn swiftly moved to convene an informal gathering of her cabinet on Saturday. The agenda: to meticulously review the policy statement she is…
In an unexpected twist of fate beneath the bustling streets of Bangkok’s Sathon district, rescue workers prepared to transport the body of an unidentified man found in a hidden service space under a skywalk. The discovery, deeply unsettling, added an eerie undertone to the evening. The body, deteriorated almost beyond recognition, was found in a state suggesting it had been there for at least four to five months. Authorities quickly formed a theory: the man, likely attempting a risky heist to steal electric wires, met his end through electrocution under the skywalk positioned above the Sathon-Narathiwat intersection. It all began when a city electrician, tasked to investigate a power outage, stumbled upon the grim scene. What started as a routine check swiftly turned into a scene from a forensic detective novel. The electrician’s initial shock paved the way for a quick call to the police, bringing the evening into a…
While September might lack the allure of long weekends, it doesn’t mean your travel aspirations should take a backseat. The digital travel connoisseurs at Agoda have pinpointed five irresistible getaways, all conveniently within a short drive from Bangkok. These nearby sanctuaries present the perfect antidote to the city’s relentless pace, offering everything from thrilling adventures to serene beachside retreats. So pack your bags, rev up your engines, and let’s delve into these dream destinations! Enric Casals, Associate Vice President of Southeast Asia at Agoda, puts it perfectly: “Even though September doesn’t have any long weekends, it doesn’t mean that travel plans need to come to a halt. These nearby escapes provide a refreshing break from the city, for both international visitors and local travellers without the need for extended holidays.” Here’s the lowdown on Agoda’s top searched escapes near Bangkok: 1. Pattaya First on our list is the electrifying beach…
On the scenic, sun-kissed shores of Koh Phangan, a Canadian massage therapist found himself in quite the pickle. Ky Jablonowski, a 48-year-old Canadian national, was engaging in his professional trade on this picturesque Thai island when the serenity of his resort room at Kissmoon Village was interrupted by an unannounced visit. On a seemingly routine Friday, tourist police and immigration officers stormed in, apprehending Jablonowski and confiscating his massage bed in the process. It wasn’t just his tools of the trade that attracted unwelcome attention. The officers had reasons to suspect something was amiss. When Jablonowski’s visibly uneasy mannerisms drew their notice, a more thorough search was conducted. Their suspicions were confirmed when they uncovered a sachet containing MDMA hidden in his pants pocket. Jablonowski, trying to explain his predicament, claimed that the drug was a token from a friend during a night out. Jablonowski, who had been making a…
SCG Chemicals, fondly known as SCGC, has established itself as a pioneer in delivering unparalleled integrated polymer business solutions dedicated to sustainability. Recently, SCGC has joined forces with Kao Industrial (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a revered name from Japan renowned for producing iconic consumer goods and chemical products. If you’re familiar with brands like Attack, Bioré, Haiter, Magiclean, Laurier, and Feather, then you’ve witnessed Kao’s magic. This formidable partnership is set to innovate and reshape the packaging world, specifically for the beloved “Feather” hair care line, with an eye firmly on sustainability. The innovative packaging for Feather products is a remarkable testament to modern recycling. Made predominantly from high-quality recycled plastic resin branded as SCGC GREEN POLYMERTM, the packaging leverages SCGC’s state-of-the-art recycling technology. This isn’t just any packaging; it’s designed with a minimal carbon footprint in mind and is 100% recyclable, staying true to the principles of a circular economy.…
A remarkable effort to combat coastal erosion is underway at the Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Centre 2 in Samut Sakhon province. Here, bamboo barriers are being installed as a natural yet effective solution. Simultaneously, Bangkok is gearing up to erect its own bamboo wave barrier in Bang Khunthian district, showcasing a united front against nature’s relentless force of coastal erosion. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) The ambitious vision of creating a sprawling new city by reclaiming about 300,000 rai of sea area—from Samut Prakan’s tambon Pak Nam of Muang district to the Tha Chin River’s mouth in Samut Sakhon—is steadily gaining traction. This management strategy doesn’t just aim to urbanize the region but serves as a crucial defensive measure to prevent Bangkok from drowning under floodwaters. It also stands to halt the ever-worsening coastal erosion in Bangkok’s Bang Khunthian district, nestled between Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon. First floated by former…