The governor of Surat Thani, Witchawut Jinto, has confirmed that a new pier is set to grace the beautiful district of Chaiya, with a sizeable budget of 60 million baht earmarked for the project. This new construction, which will be strategically located near a public park in the quaint subdistrict of Phum Riang, is estimated to significantly boost tourism in the area, thus increasing the local economy. The grand blueprint for the innovative pier design has already attained the necessary stamp of approval from the Marine Department, propelling the project into its next phase of construction. The entire construction stage, as well as the subsequent operations, will lie in the capable hands of the provincial administrative organisation. The governor explains that the project’s inherent potential to stimulate the local economy earned it the full backing of the provincial authorities. Chaiya, a region known for its proximity to Surat Thani airport,…
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On a quiet Sunday, an intense conversation about police reform took center stage, revolving around Praween Chankhlai—a former local administrator in Nakhon Pathom, who was embroiled in a murder case of a highway police officer during an ill-fated gathering at his residence earlier this month. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) Now, fourteen police officers are facing charges for neglecting their duty in connection to the brutal killing of a highway officer in Praween Chankhlai’s home, in Nakhon Pathom province early this month. The Deputy National Police Chief, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, announced this unfortunate twist of events on a Sunday. He pointed out the failure of the fourteen officers to help their two fellow officers who were viciously shot during a social gathering at Praween’s residence situated in the Muang district, on the dreadful night of September 6. The unfortunate victims of this horrifying incident were Pol Maj Siwakorn Saibua, a dedicated…
It was just another regular day for Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, until it wasn’t. Thavisin was on an agenda, and it was a crucial one. He had embarked on a mission to the Akkhie Prakarn plc location in Samut Prakan province, a renowned spot in the tireless war against drug trafficking. Standing there in the eye of the storm, he witnessed the incineration of approximated 25 tonnes of illicit substances, a rather monumental destruction of narcotics. The burning of 12 tonnes of methamphetamine pills, 11 tonnes of crystal meth, and 418 kilograms of heroin was indeed a sight to behold. The destruction was symbolic of a war waged by his government, a war on drug abuse, particularly methamphetamine pills. Having had narcotics issues on his government’s national agenda since its inception, Mr. Thavisin presented a strong stand against this decentralized enemy. He aimed at a methamphetamine-free tenure, pushing the boundaries…
From the heart of Chiang Mai, a message of distress rises, echoing through the picturesque landscape of Doi Saket district. The simple request, a plea from the Karen villagers, sweeps across the skies, clambering upon the ears of those who choose to hear. The local populace voices their protest against the government’s forest land management policy, a policy that is shackling their indigenous way of life, an existence deeply intertwined with nature. The villages at the epicenter of this outcry are Ban Huay Pha Tuen and Yom Ban Doi, nestled in the serene bosom of tambon Pa Miang. The sun dawned on Sunday differently. Instead of a day dedicated to rest and relaxation, it beheld the resolve of the villagers. Banding together, they submitted their petition to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, during what was his momentous visit to the northern part of the country. The villagers’ plea was profound, yet…
Overlooking the stunning Mekong River nestled in the Nakhon Phanom province is a scene of serene and profound beauty. Yet, its underlying issues related to climate change are a cause of serious concern to the six nations that lay on its banks. This, in turn, led to Surasee Kittimonthon, the secretary-general of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), to pledge that these countries would tackle climate changes head on. As Thailand’s representative at significant meetings including the 3rd Lancang-Mekong Water Resource Cooperation Forum and the 18th World Water Congress in Beijing, which took place from Sept 10-13, Mr. Surasee emphasized this commitment. The said forums were also graced by dignitaries from the six Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) member countries. This iconic and life-sustaining Mekong River, spanning 4,880 kilometres, serves 326 million people in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand. The focal point of these meetings was an insightful…
In an emblematic move towards a healthier society, two leading ministries of Thailand—Interior and Education, have clinched acclaim for their determined bid to eradicate consumption of alcoholic beverages during farewell events for their retiring workforce post this month. Established nearly a decade ago, the policy was actualized in response to demands issued by the Office of the Basic Education Commission, StopDrink Network Office, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, and a coalition of educators pushing for a sobriety-promoting environment. The resolute stand of the Interior Ministry is anchored by its permanent secretary, Suttipong Juljarern, who reinforced the policy with a directive sent out on the 28th of August to provincial authorities and heads of divisions under the aegis of the ministry. Following suit, the 29th of August saw Suthin Kaewpana, the Education Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, setting forth a similar ordinance as reported by the Bangkok Post. The torchbearer of the…
For those who are planning to fly from or via Thailand in the near future, you may be in for an interesting surprise at the airport. Following in the footsteps of several global aviation giants, Bangkok Airways is considering the implementation of a somewhat unconventional pre-flight protocol. Soon, passengers may have to step onto a weighbridge before boarding their planes. This news, which broke on September 16, reveals that airlines are becoming progressively more curious about the collective weight of their passengers. This curiousity is not without reason though. Major carriers like Air New Zealand and Korean Air have already pioneered this intriguing practice of having passengers weighed prior to boarding. So, what sparked this novel approach? The intent is to understand better the average weight of passengers. This knowledge permits airlines to calculate more accurately their flight loads, ensuring the safety of all aboard and optimizing fuel consumption. As…
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew heralded the forthcoming introduction of a pioneering initiative, designed to elevate the standard of healthcare delivery in Thailand. This new venture will offer members of the universal healthcare (UC) programme greater freedom to access health provisions at any medical facility. Initially, the scheme will be rolled out in select health zones that possess the required infrastructure to manage the programme effectively. In the heart of Thailand, 13 health zones epitomize collective efforts to better public health provisions across the provinces, inclusive of the capital city, Bangkok. The final decision on which two or three zones will participate in the initial implementation of the scheme lies with the health permanent secretary, as per Cholnan’s guidelines. Cholnan, in addition to his ministerial role, is also at the helm of the governing Pheu Thai Party. This decision, pivotal for the broader overview of the programme, will be made…
With a surge in global cannabis acceptance, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is responding with a cautiously optimistic and scientific approach. The ministry is forming a dedicated panel to conduct a diligent study of a bill concerning cannabis. In an environment that increasingly hails cannabis as a potent therapeutic, the Thai government emphasizes that the use of this plant should strictly be for medical and health-related applications and not for frivolous recreational activities. Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, vocalized the necessity of a comprehensive law to oversee optimal usage of cannabis. Reiterating the ministry’s stance, he stressed that cannabis use should strictly be health-oriented, and recreational indulgence shall not be sanctionable. Calling attention to the cannabis and hemp bill backed by the Bhumjaithai Party, which successfully passed its inaugural reading in the parliament last June, Dr. Cholnan expressed the ministry’s intention to form a committee for meticulous exploration…
In the vibrant and bustling nation of Thailand, the issue of a shrinking birth rate has garnered the concerned attention of Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew. After a dialogue with the ministry’s highest-ranking officials on a recent Friday, he indicated that championing a boost in birth rates is among the top-priority initiatives with an optimistic target set to produce noticeable results within the next 100 days. According to Dr Cholnan, a healthy birth rate for Thailand’s population, quite like other places around the globe, should be around 2.1 births per 100,000 people. However, stats display a bleak picture with Thailand languishing at just 1.5 births per 100,000. To put this into perspective, Thailand ought to celebrate the arrival of roughly 2 million new smiles each year, but the reality whirls around a much lower figure, with annual newborns barely breaching the 500,000 mark. A diminished fertility rate could serve a…