Imagine gallivanting between the eclectic street markets of Hong Kong and the golden temples of Thailand with nothing but your smartphone in hand to pay for all your whims and necessities. This technicolor dream is now a resplendent reality as the convergence of the Hong Kong FPS x PromptPay link takes the stage and promises to revolutionize cross-border QR payments. The Bank of Thailand (BOT) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) have synchronized their symphony into a joint press release, and it’s music to the ears of travelers and traders alike. Armed with just a mobile payment application, visitors can now whisk through transactions with the simplicity of scanning a QR code – be it under the neon glow of Hong Kong or amidst the spicy aroma of Thai street food. This QR pas de deux between the Hong Kong FPS QR code and Thai PromptPay QR code is…
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Picture this: You’re strolling through your day, juggling errands, tackling your to-do list, and trying to stay eco-friendly amid the relentless hustle and bustle. Then, in swoops the Carbon Footprint in Daily Life application, affectionately dubbed the CFiD app, like a climate-conscious superhero originating from the hallowed halls of Chulalongkorn University’s Engineering Faculty. This digital brainchild is a collaborative masterpiece with the university’s Carbon Institute for Sustainability (CBiS), and it’s got an ambitious mission—to be the personal assistant in your pocket that guides you towards greener pastures (quite literally). Under the visionary lead of Professor Dr Supot Teachavorasinskun—the scholarly shepherd and dean of Chula’s Engineering Faculty, the CFiD app taps into the mighty data pool gleaned from meticulous research on the carbon footprint of daily haggles at a marketplace breathing the same urban air as the university. When Professor Dr Supot talks about the CFiD app, his pride is palpable.…
Welcome, connoisseurs of intrigue and watchdogs of the just path, to a story that might not only raise an eyebrow but will undoubtedly whet your appetite for a meaty scandal shaking the very foundations of the Livestock Development Department in the exotic lands of Thailand. Our protagonist, the formidable and dogged Atchariya Ruangratanapong, a name that echoes through the halls of justice, chairs the esteemed “club for helping crime victims” with a gripping fervor that would make even the most stoic of caped crusaders give a nod of respect. In a revealing exposé that has set tongues wagging and stomachs churning, Atchariya, with the precision of a skilled detective, has pointed an accusatory finger at two shadowy companies immersed in the beef trade. These companies, shrouded in mystery due to confidentiality, are at the heart of an allegation so brazen that it threatens to redefine the meaning of ‘past its…
Imagine an enchanting journey through the heart of nature, a serene escape that lifts you from the dense tapestry of Thailand’s forests to the mist-kissed peak of Phu Kradueng. A recent cabinet retreat nestled in the quaint province of Nong Bua Lamphu whispered life into a grand vision—a 28 million baht project promising such fairy-tale ascents through the birth of a cable car. The buzz of this potential marvel filled the halls of power, yet the progress chart for this dreamy venture was a tale of mindful patience. The stewards of the nation’s treasure chest, colloquially known as the Budget Bureau, were tasked with the pivotal act of prioritization. The steel threads of the envisioned cable car dangled a question—could this wonder stir to life within the currents of the current government’s term? The mists of future’s uncertainty remained thick as a coastal fog. With the verve characteristic of a…
Welcome to the digital bazaar, a vibrant tapestry of online vendors, eager shoppers, and an endless array of goods from the quaint to the quirky! Yet amid this bustling marketplace, a thorny issue pricks at the very fabric of fair trade—counterfeit merchandise. These dubious offerings don’t just dent profits; they blemish Thailand’s prestigious image on the global stage. Enter the esteemed Surachai Phumtham, a man who wears the twin hats of Deputy Premier and vigilant protector of intellectual rights. With the poise of a seasoned leader, Mr. Phumtham instructed the Intellectual Property Department (IPD) to don their educational caps and shepherd the nation’s small and medium-sized entrepreneurs towards the sanctuary of patents. Think of patents as a knight’s shining armor, safeguarding their ingenuity from the marauding clones of plagiarism. Our tale takes a turn towards the realm of “GI”, or geographical indication products, which Mr. Phumtham heralds as Thailand’s ‘soft…
Imagine a world where the rumble of engines fades away and the whispers of nature take the stage—a world where you can swap the humdrum of city life for starlit skies and an expanse of wilderness to call your own, if only for a night. The Department of Highways, helmed by the dynamic Sarawut Songwilai, invites you to embark on such an adventure across Thailand’s stunning landscapes. In a commendable leap by the Transport Ministry, tourism is set to embrace the great outdoors with 31 plots of land designated for those with a passion for camping. This initiative carves out serene spots from the cacophony of everyday life, available from December 29 to January 4, offering a perfect retreat to start your new year with a breath of fresh air. The myriad of sites aren’t just areas of land; they are gateways to escapades and nights under the cosmos, all…
Picture this: the hustle and bustle of Bangkok’s markets, a vibrant cacophony of sights and sounds. Beneath this energetic facade, a darker truth lurks – the shadowy underbelly of wildlife trafficking. Steve Galster, a tireless advocate in this battle against illicit animal trade, asserts on the Bangkok Post podcast Deeper Dive that for the sake of our future, we ought to extinguish this practice—lock, stock, and barrel—before another pandemic blindsides humanity. Why Thailand? Well, according to Galster, the trailblazing founder of Freeland, Thailand’s superior infrastructure makes it a nexus for this nefarious network. “Imagine a spiderweb stretching from the African savannahs to the dense forests of Indonesia, all converging on China. Thailand sits at the center, its silk threads woven by savvy business tycoons over generations. This is no mere coincidence; it’s a deeply entrenched system,” Galster elucidates to host Dave Kendall. The severity of this issue cannot be overstated—our…
Tantalizing tropical breezes, neon-glazed nights, and a case that smells fishier than a Pattaya market, this tale of unfolding drama and seedy backroom dealings has all the makings of a modern noir thriller. At the heart of it all? A German gentleman – let’s call him Mr. Jens Kirch – has spun a yarn that threatens to unravel the tapestry of law enforcement in this coastal sin city. Pattaya, for all its sandy allure and sun-dappled beaches, is also cloaked in infamy for its underbelly, which can be as dark as a moonless night by the Gulf of Thailand. It’s where the tale begins, with policemen in half-pressed uniforms and the promise of justice – a rather tricky concept, as Mr. Kirch’s situation would suggest. Our protagonist – if one can call him that – a 55-year-old German caught in the snare of Thailand’s nightlife, has aired his dirty laundry…
Imagine a world where the exuberant energy of youth never had to encounter the shadow of HIV – a world where teens could revel in the thrills of young love without the lurking fear of a life-altering virus. This is the utopian vision that visionary health crusaders like the Aids Health Care Foundation (AHF) Thailand strive to manifest. But alas, the road to such a world is paved with trials, and topping the list is the daunting epidemic of unprotected sex among teenagers. Armed with statistics and unflagging determination, Kritsiam Arayawongchai, the Country Programme Director of AHF Thailand, paints a sobering picture: “In our vibrant land, where the smiles of our youth ought to be their only infectious trait, we are seeing alarming HIV infection rates. Working hand-in-hand with 25 healthcare centers, we’ve conducted HIV blood tests on over 73,000 individuals from various age groups. And our findings hit hard…
Meet Chai Wacharonke: a master of reinvention, a lover of cockfighting, and an unexpected but adept voice of government communication. His story is anything but typical, a mesmerizing journey from animal caretaker to political wordsmith, each chapter infused with the spirited determination of a man who understands the immense power of a well-crafted message. Chai, a seasoned 64-year-old veterinarian, first sharpened his intellectual claws at the esteemed Chulalongkorn University, diving into the world of veterinary science. His trajectory seemed set as he ventured into the corporate jungle, navigating through terrains of pet sales, animal nutrition, and farming gadgetry. Yet, beneath the surface of this ostensibly straightforward path simmered a skill set tailor-made for public relations. Now, sitting across from a Bangkok Post journalist, his eyes twinkle with a mix of nostalgia and pride, recounting tales of days when veterinary events and livestock associate gatherings were his stages. “Picture this,” he…