Officials waded through thick mud in Muang district, Phuket province, Thailand, last Saturday, following a devastating landslide that shook the community. (Photo: Achadthaya Cheunniran) PHUKET: In the vibrant southern tourist island of Phuket, authorities have begun the rehabilitation process in the landslide-stricken areas of Muang district, following the discovery of all 13 missing victims. Phuket’s Governor, Sophon Suwannarat, called off the search on Saturday afternoon after the final three victims were found, confirming a tragic death toll of 13. Those who perished were either hardworking laborers or visitors from outside Phuket. The catastrophic landslide ravaged three sub-districts in Muang district: Chalong, Karon, and Rawai. In total, the disaster impacted 209 families across nine villages. In addition to the fatalities, 19 individuals sustained injuries, with three still receiving medical care as of Sunday. The victims comprised a mix of ethnicities and nationalities. Tragically, nine Myanmar workers—four men and five women—lost their…
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People watched anxiously as water levels rose in the Mae Sai district of Thailand’s Chiang Rai province on August 19. The picturesque northern region, known for its lush landscapes and rich history, found itself grappling with an unforgiving force of nature. Chiang Rai was one of five northern provinces still inundated by flooding, as confirmed by Thailand’s Public Relations Department. Despite a partly sunny sky, the scene was anything but bright for the five stricken provinces – Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, and Phrae. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that between August 16 and 22, severe floods hit 22 northern provinces, leading to 22 tragic fatalities. The disaster extended its reach, affecting 30,807 families. Chiang Rai, resplendent in its beauty, remained submerged along with parts of Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, and Phrae. Even as the floodwater appeared to recede in some places, nine additional deaths were reported, underscoring…
In the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, a tense ordeal unfolded late Saturday night as rescue workers scrambled to reach three individuals trapped beneath tons of rubble. The incident took place in Pak Chong district, where a high-speed railway tunnel, still under construction, partially collapsed in the dead of night. Prasit Tangprasert captured the gravity of the situation through his poignant lens. Imagine this: A peaceful night, devoid of rain or the usual cacophony of nature, suddenly shattered by the deafening rumble of collapsing earth. At exactly 11:30 p.m., two diligent workers were maneuvering a backhoe and a truck, meticulously digging through the earth to create a marvel of modern engineering. As if scripted in a movie, a foreman drove up to the tunnel entrance, only to find himself a part of this unfolding drama. In seconds, the tunnel’s structural integrity gave way, swallowing these men—a Chinese foreman, a Chinese backhoe…
On August 19, 2024, the spotlight was undoubtedly on former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as he appeared at the Criminal Court in Bangkok for a scheduled hearing concerning lese majeste charges. Captured in a poignant moment by photographer Apichart Jinakul, Thaksin stood at the center of Thailand’s ongoing political drama. In the meanwhile, the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) had been busy canvassing public opinion about Thaksin’s potential role in the government led by his youngest daughter, Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra. The results of the poll, conducted via telephone interviews with 1,310 respondents aged 18 and over from various backgrounds, painted a vivid picture of the prevailing sentiments among Thais regarding Thaksin’s influence on the new administration. The key question burning in everyone’s mind was the likelihood of Paetongtarn running the country independently of her father’s influence. The poll responses represented a mix of skepticism and tempered optimism: 59.01% of…
Rescue workers are diligently laboring at the spot where a railway tunnel partially caved in during construction late Saturday night in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert) In the vibrant heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, the atmosphere turned tense as rescue workers initiated a strenuous mission to reach three individuals who found themselves entrapped inside a high-speed railway tunnel that unexpectedly collapsed. The calamitous incident occurred under the cloak of darkness, at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, in the serene locale of tambon Chan Thuek. At the stroke of misfortune, two workers were deeply engrossed in their tasks, maneuvering backhoes to further the tunnel dig. Unbeknownst to them, a foreman, just having arrived in his car, became the third unfortunate soul ensnared by the sudden collapse. Interestingly, the night sky remained obstinately clear, offering no hint of rain that might have precipitated such a disastrous cave-in. The collapse occurred approximately…
Phuket: The relentless pursuit persists as the search for those still missing continues, following the devastating landslides triggered by torrential downpours that have claimed the lives of 13 individuals in this picturesque island province. The severe flash floods and landslides are the aftermath of unceasing heavy rain that began its downpour on Thursday morning, swallowing several areas within the province. Caretaker Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised embarked on a tour of the island yesterday, setting foot in one of the most affected areas on Soi Patak 2 in Muang district’s tambon Karon. The scene was a stark reminder of nature’s fury with streets buried, homes shattered, and the lives of many turned upside down. The catastrophic impact wasn’t limited to just one locality. Entire stretches, including Moo 1–4 in tambon Karon, Moo 12 in tambon Rawai, and Moo 8–10 in tambon Chalong, were declared disaster zones in the wake of…
The need for mpox vaccines emerges primarily for individuals in high-risk groups rather than the general population, as declared by a leading virologist. Dr. Yong Poovorawan of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine shared on Facebook this Saturday that vaccination against mpox — recently declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to rising cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and spread to neighboring nations — is unnecessary for those outside high-risk groups. High-risk groups encompass homosexual men, individuals involved in casual sexual activities, and those who have recently traveled to regions where mpox is prevalent. Dr. Yong emphasized that mpox does not spread as easily as Covid-19. Transmission primarily occurs through physical or sexual contact and by sharing a bed, for instance. Moreover, he pointed out that during its initial stages, mpox is less severe compared to Covid-19. Interestingly, adults…
The Transport Ministry is currently exploring the notion of creating an infrastructure fund dedicated to repurchasing mass rapid transit projects from private enterprises. This bold move could pave the way for a flat fare of 20 baht per ride, revolutionizing public transportation in Thailand. On Saturday, Caretaker Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed that the ministry is keen on advancing a proposal put forth by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his riveting “Vision for Thailand” event on Friday. Mr. Thaksin’s ingenious suggestion involves the government buying back private electric train projects and setting an affordable ticket price of 20 baht per trip. He also recommended introducing congestion charges for car users to subsidize public transport, alongside expanding local airports to bolster tourism. Responding to these proposals, Mr. Suriya said that the ministry is aligned with the idea and is setting plans in motion to establish an infrastructure fund specifically for this…
Imagine the scene: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, flanked by a cadre of high-profile Pheu Thai Party members, heroically trudging through knee-deep floodwaters on a mission of mercy. Their destination? The inundated province of Nan. The objective? To deliver much-needed relief supplies to beleaguered residents. The Pheu Thai Party even snapped a few pics to immortalize the moment! It’s one of those heartwarming political moments that doubles as a photo op. The scope of the disaster was daunting. More than 20,000 households across seven provinces found themselves at the mercy of unyielding floodwaters. The bodies of three individuals who had gone missing in Nan were recently discovered on a somber Saturday, adding a tragic backdrop to an already dire situation. According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, a whopping 21,971 households felt the sting of the flooding. However, there’s a silver lining—those ever-persistent waters are finally starting to recede.…
Thaksin Shinawatra clasped the hand of his daughter Paetongtarn during the royal endorsement of her prime ministerial post at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok on August 18. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) Observers are already buzzing with concerns that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her new government might hit stormy waters if they allow former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to pull the strings. Jade Donavanik, a legal scholar and president of the College of Asian Scholars, told the Bangkok Post that Thaksin’s penchant for micromanagement could spell trouble for both Paetongtarn and her leadership. “The more he speaks publicly and behaves like he’s managing from behind the scenes, the more resistance he will face from his opponents. If Paetongtarn and her Pheu Thai Party allow themselves to be visibly influenced by him, they could be in a heap of trouble,” Mr. Jade pointed out. This cautionary note follows Thaksin’s appearance…