Welcome to Bangkok! A city where the rich tapestry of culture, street food that dances on your taste buds, and skyscrapers stretch to kiss the sky. However, even the Jewel of Asia isn’t immune to the elements, and as I took a glance outside my window on January 9th, 2023, Bang Sue was wrapped in a blanket—not a cozy, woven one, but a shroud of smog, ominously captured by photographer Pornprom Satrabhaya. The buzz in the city might sound a little hoarse these days as public hospitals nationwide brace themselves for an inbound swell of wheezing chests and gasping breaths. The Ministry of Public Health has sounded the alarm, expecting a spike in respiratory problems courtesy of our uninvited guest – air pollution. Lat Krabang to Prawet, Thon Buri to Yannawa, particles fine enough to evade our body’s defenses are making themselves a little too comfortable, exceeding 37.5 µg/m³—that’s microgrammes…
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Amidst the bustling streets of Bangkok, where vibrant markets hawk an array of tantalizing wares, a new sign has begun to make its presence felt. Bold letters emblazoned on a notice, eclipsing the familiar hum of bartering voices—a statutory warning for those seeking the comforts or curiosities provided by kratom-laden delicacies. Such is the latest edict ushered in by the Thailand Ministry of Public Health, turning a new page in the kratom chronicles with a regulation that’s hot off the press. The law unfurled its details in the regal columns of the Royal Gazette, declaring that from this moment forth, any purveyor of kratom-infused fare—be it the most scrumptious of snacks or the most invigorating of beverages—must be adorned with a sign, a badge of responsibility. This beacon must boldly deter the youth under 18, along with those mothers-to-be or nursing, from partaking in the psychoactive indulgence of Mitragyna Speciosa,…
Picture this: it’s a new dawn on the political stage, and the air is electrifying with the buzz of upcoming budgetary battles. The esteemed Democrat Party, with its eyes set on a cherished comeback, is gearing up for an epic scrutiny showdown concerning the government’s expenditure for the year 2024. The dates are marked and the clocks are ticking down to January 3–5, the slated days of reckoning. On a fine Sunday—or so the whispers in the corridors of power tell us—the dashing Chanin Rungsaeng, a new deputy leader with fire in his belly, briefed the press with a steely determination that could only be inspired by the grand old Democrat Party. The word is out: leader Chalermchai Sri-on, with a master strategist’s flair, has rallied the troops, calling on every single MP to give it their all on the debate floor as they aim to recapture the hearts of…
As the golden hues of dawn touch the vibrantly bustling streets of Thailand, there’s a palpable undercurrent of debate that comes to life just as fervently. At the heart of this debate are the forward-thinking advocates of harm reduction, who have voiced their concerns with an air of undeniable urgency. Thailand’s Narcotics Code stands under scrutiny, particularly for its attempt to straddle the fence between the sharp lines of drug decriminalisation and the compassionate embrace of harm reduction. In the quaint yet lively city of Cebu, Philippines, at a forum shimmering with intellect and passion—an event spearheaded by the International Drugs Policy Consortium—a call was sounded. Here, amidst the symphony of voices championing drug law reform in Southeast Asia, advocates implored law enforcement agencies to marry their operations with the internationally upheld principles of human rights in the heart of harm reduction policies. Through the looking glass of Thailand’s Narcotics…
Picture this: a serene stretch of railway, nestled in the lush landscapes of Thailand’s deep south, suddenly transformed into chaos by nature’s unyielding forces. On an early Monday morning, the skies wept, and the downpour followed, swamping the section of rail track between two seemingly serene stations – Tanyongmat and Pa Phai in Narathiwat’s Rangae district – in a dramatic scene right out of an adventure novel. Blame it on the torrential rain, for it indeed played villain, causing the rail track’s unfortunate subsidence and bringing the iron horses to a standstill. Imagine the dismay of eager travellers and bustling locals as they learned train services from Yala to Sungai Kolok would be suspended! An invisible stop sign was hung on the tracks, as the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) declared a weather-induced hiatus in transit. With the tracks submerged, the rhythmic clacking of wheels against rails was hushed. Local…
As the festive season descends upon us in 2023, a splendid alliance has emerged from the land of smiles, Thailand, dazzling the discerning eyes with a grace that’s both timeless and contemporary. SIRIVANNAVARI, under the visionary guidance of the esteemed HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, as Creative Director, has joined forces with the renowned Thai jeweller, Beauty Gems, unveiling the stunning “Heirlooms of Elegance” collection—the latest narrative in the saga of High Jewellery splendor. It was an event of luminous sophistication: a gala dinner on a Friday night to remember, where fashion and finery intertwined. The who’s who of Bangkok’s elite gathered to witness a showcase of 41 magnificent pieces exclusive to this collection, paraded by top models and further exuding glamour by a surprise entrant, Anntonia Porsild. Ms. Universe Thailand 2023 and recent Miss Universe’s 1st runner-up, Porsild, captivated the attendees in her SIRIVANNAVARI-designed ethereal beige gown, her aura…
Imagine a world where every light flicked on brings empowerment, where renewable energy isn’t just fueling our homes, but also fueling progress and sustainable prosperity for all. Stepping into this vibrant vision is Ms. Tuangporn Bunyasaranand, the dynamic Assistant Managing Director of Corporate Communication and Sustainability Management at CKPower Public Company Limited. She recently took center stage at the UN-backed GCNT Forum 2023, illuminating the path forward with the mantra “Lead Everyone Forward, Leave No One Behind”. CKPower, a titan in the realm of green energy, not only bears one of the smallest carbon footprints in its wake but leaves the seeds of growth wherever its influence reaches. Gracing the event at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Ms. Bunyasaranand unfolded the company’s blueprint for the future—a future where society thrives on ‘Sustainable Intelligence’. The strategy unfurled into two potent pathways: Environmental and Social Empowerment and Value Creation for…
Imagine the vibrant streets of Bangkok, pulsing with life and hidden tales, as the night unfurls its star-studded carpet. Among the city’s nocturnal ballet, a sly tango of deceit would play out against a backdrop of glistening skyscrapers and serpentine alleys. This isn’t just any night; it’s the tale of an opportunistic taxi driver, his drunken passenger, and a swanky wristwatch worth a staggering million baht. Strap in, and let’s dive into this riveting story—a cautionary tale that reads like a modern city fable. Under the halo of neon signs and street vendors emanating tantalizing aromas, our story escalates one deceptive turn after another. It all began on a lively December evening when a slightly inebriated Japanese businessman, after what one would presume was a night of high spirits and revelry, signaled for a taxi. Little did he know, his ride would extend far beyond the one-kilometer journey to Soi…
As Mother Nature released her might upon the southern tail of Thailand, the inhabitants braced themselves against the relentless downpour that transformed their daily lives into an aquatic tale of endurance. For two continuous days, the skies wept profusely over the provinces of Narathiwat and Yala, holding the lands hostage under watery depths, and turning a staggering 67 tambons across 16 districts into unintended lagoons. In the grasp of this deluge, Narathiwat encountered its nine districts—Waeng, Sukhirin, Chanae, Rangae, Sungai Padi, Si Sakhon, Cho Airong, Yingo, and Ruso—swallowed by turbid waters. On a particularly dreary Monday morning, no less than 9,558 households, sheltering 37,901 souls, found themselves besieged. The district of Yingo bore the brunt, with 2,755 households submerged and 11,020 individuals grappling with the aquatic invasion, while Chanae followed in sodden footsteps with 2,115 households and 9,626 people facing the murky depths—a plight that didn’t spare a school from…
Behold, the skyline of Bangkok is now graced with a new jewel of high-flying innovation: the DJI Experience Store, which has elegantly landed on the second-floor panorama of the sleek and stylish Emsphere shopping mall. Let your creativity soar to the heavens on Sukhumvit Road, for DJI has once again redefined the meaning of aerial storytelling in Thailand with the grand opening of this wondrous emporium, bringing together the nation’s fervid drone enthusiasts and international aficionados alike. The chorus of excitement was palpable as the doors swung open; DJI had not merely opened another branch, but had unveiled a realm where technology meets the dreams of aerial artists. For the grand opening spectacle, illustrious travel influencers wove through the throngs of tech-savvy guests, sharing pearls of wisdom on weaving the tapestry of the skies through a DJI lens. They were not just influencers; they were modern-day pilots of inspiration, mapping…