The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (THPF) recently stirred up an important conversation on the rising consumption of sodium amongst the Thai populace, accentuating the inherent risks particularly for the younger generation. Assistant Manager, Dr Pairoj Saonuam puts forth what seems to be a foolproof plan – pivoting to healthier dietary alternatives to mitigate this dietary risk factor. Disturbingly enough, the trend of adhering to a vegetarian diet doesn’t seem to curb the menace of high sodium consumption, as most vegetarian cuisines tend to be rather sweet, fatty and high in salt content. The World Health Organization (WHO) outlines a standard daily intake of sodium not exceeding 2,000 milligrammes – merely 5 grammes per day. Contrarily, retrospective data gathered between 2019-2022 unveils a concerning dietary pattern amongst Thais, where their sodium intake is almost double the designated healthy quantity. Most alarmingly, it’s the young adults aged between 17 and 24 who…
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Thailand has implemented stringent measures for prohibition on unrestricted pork imports, even for individual use. These strategies are emerging crucial, especially with recent major findings of illicit pork imports at international airports. The distinctive canine unit known as Inspector Beagle is the prime actor in such airport inspections, effectively sniffing out all meat-based products that could conceivably harbor fatal strains of African Swine Fever (ASF). In a recent event dated October 13, Inspector Beagle discovered nearly 31 kilogrammes of pork sausages hidden in the baggage of a passenger who had just arrived at Bangkok’s leading Suvarnabhumi Airport from the Philippines. The passenger travelled in via a Cebu Pacific Airlines flight, which touched down at 11.05 am. The suspected pork products, potentially putting Thailand’s ecosystem at risk, were instantly confiscated. This case is not unique. Several similar instances have been reported by the Department of Livestock Development’s (DLD) K9 Unit, including…
In the wake of an excessive water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam, Ayutthaya, a historically rich city in Thailand, is buckling under an expansive flood. As of this moment, this has wreaked havoc on an alarmingly high figure of approximately 11,950 households, not to mention an array of cultural and educational institutions, and productive fruit farms. Despite being the third day in a row, the dam shows no signs of reducing its water discharge, maintaining a rate of 1,800 cubic metres per second. This persistent high-volume outflow has propelled the water levels in the Chao Phraya River through Ayutthaya to considerable heights, and consequently inflating the volume in its tributaries. The immediate surroundings of Wat Ko Phai in the Bang Luang Dod sub-district along with the Bang Ban district of Ayutthaya and its adjoining communities bear the brunt heavily as the Bang Luang Canal spills over its banks. This…
Clutching Thai flags tightly to their chests, a group of Thais disembarked from an air force flight at the Don Mueang airport early Monday morning. They were part of the fourth wave of Thai repatriates returning home from Israel since the uproar of the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7. This latest group comprised of 130 individuals, all of whom arrived safely on home soil through a flight relayed by the Royal Thai Air Force. The A340-500 air force plane assigned to this repatriation mission took off from Ben Gurion airport, Israel, at 7.27pm Thailand time Sunday evening, and touched down at the Don Mueang airport at 6.50am on Monday. The latest group of returnees consisted of 127 men, two women, and a young five-year-old girl. Welcoming them at the Wing 6 terminal upon their arrival were none other than Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and Air Force Chief-of-Staff ACM Seksan…
Thrilling news hit the city when the cabinet gave approval for a 20-baht flat fare for both the Red and Purple line trains in Bangkok. The decision was effective immediately, announced the Transport Minister, Mr Suriya Juangroongruangkit. He affirmed that the State Railway Authority had given a nod, and the system was up and running. The excitement was palpable as the official inauguration of the 20 baht fare took place in the heart of town. The event began at 11 a.m. at the bustling Krung Thep Aphjiwat Central Terminal, the main railway station of Bangkok, situated in the bustling district of Chatuchak. However, there’s a catch for regular commuters who switch lines at Bang Sue. Despite the flat fare, if you’re changing between the Red and Purple lines at Bang Sue, you’re still required to pay twice. Regardless, with a minimum estimation of 100,000 daily commuters expected to use both…
Residing in Klong Toey, one of Bangkok’s poorest regions, Chusri Kaewkhio, 73, and her 75-year-old spouse Suchart, are two among many aged individuals struggling to handle the spiraling living costs in Thailand. Unless going out to brave the scorching sun for a free meal, Noi, 73, manages to live with the ketchup smeared bread, her only sustenance. This Thai widow’s monthly governmental pension offering of around 82 US cents daily renders home cooking nearly impracticable. “If the weather is too austere, I relish 7-Eleven bread dunked in ketchup,” shares Noi in a conversation with AFP at a food distribution camp set up by the Bangkok Community Help Foundation, a support line for around 500 of Bangkok’s underprivileged residents. Shaping up as one of the swiftest ageing societies across the globe, Thailand, according to WHO, is woefully underprepared to accept the economic implications. As per the research drafted by Kasikorn Bank,…
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is accelerating the documentation process for breeders of the red-whiskered bulbul bird, or scientifically known as Pycnonotus jocosus. Considered as a preserved species, this bird species is a preferred choice amongst breeders who are still not officially registered. Recognized as protected wildlife species No 550 under the regulations of 2003, it has been clarified which species can be kept without requiring a permit and those being sheltered from illegal hunting, a statement shared by Athapol Charoenshunsa, the acting director-general of the DNP. As much as this bird is considered protected, it has drawn attention due to a large number being illegally kept by breeders without official permits. The process for obtaining a permit is time-consuming and stringent, which has led to the registration of only 11,466 people up to this point. However, according to the data provided by a club…
From the ferocious southern zones swarmed by rebellion, reports of erroneous criminal records spin into existence. It’s a region that vividly recalls the macabre sight of a bomb explosion in Si Sakhon district, Narathiwat province, an incident that transformed the highway into a deep, monstrous crater and silenced the lives of two bomb disposal officers, leaving another seriously injured. This event holds a photo imprint, a tragic testament captured by Abdullah Benjakat. The Prachachat Party, under the vocal pitch of its spokesman and MP for Narathiwat, Kamonsak Leewamoh, is championing the charge for a call to action: a declaration to cleanse these “erroneous criminal records” that imprinter dark blotches on certain groups, specifically those haunted by the shadows of the deep South. Simultaneously, the party rallies to ignite a beacon of encouragement for the suspension of the emergency decree that shackles most parts of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. The Justice…
In the realm of sustainable forestry, Thailand steps up its game with the recent launch of eTree, a collaborative enterprise between the Royal Forest Department (RFD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This trend-setting digital platform is explicitly conceived to assist farmers in registering their commercially-grown trees for timber. This innovative approach has already proven its effectiveness, with over 645,000 trees successfully registered across 37,000 rai of land by more than 5,000 people, as confirmed by Boonsuthee Jeravongpanich, the Forest Economics Office (FEO) director. eTree emerges as a solution for those who are enthusiastic about participating in forest plantations for commercial goals but are hindered by legal obstacles. Up until this point, such individuals found themselves in a predicament when they wished to register land for commercial tree growth due to stipulations in the Forest Plantation Act. Now, thanks to eTree, the path is considerably smoother. The platform provides…
Within sight of the countless vehicles that dot the vast parking lot of Chiang Mai International Airport, life thrums with the bustle of provincial Thai experience. But beneath the veneer of this urban vibrancy, the residents bear a burden. They hold a grievance against the Airport’s intention to function on a never-sleep schedule, a constant ebb and flow of aircraft presenting a wall of sound that interferes with their nocturnal peace. This wave of dissent was aired publicly one sunny Sunday in the quaint communities neighboring the airport at tambon Mae Hia, within the affable precincts of Muang district, Chiang Mai. The hosts of this significant gathering were none other than Wg Cdr Ronnakorn Chalermsanyakorn, the esteemed Director of Chiang Mai Airport, and Thanawat Yodjai, the diligent head of the Mae Hia municipality. The crux of the discussion revolved around the airport’s ambitious plan of 24-hour operation, touted to kick-start…