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…
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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…
Phuket, a renowned paradise in Thailand known for its vibrant tourism and flourishing property developments, is seeking the attention of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Recent discussions have revolved around an innovative proposal: to establish an Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor (AWC). This groundbreaking concept aims to keep up with the rising global trend of health and wellness while simultaneously bolstering relevant investments and reigniting the jest in the tourism sector. The suggestion has come in the wake of Prime Minister Srettha’s unscripted rendezvous to Phuket and Phangnga on 25th-26th August, which aimed at attuning with the local populace while garnering insights from business pioneers to uplift the tourism aura of the two provinces. In the midst of these discussions, a consortium of entrepreneurs led by Kan Prachumphan, the esteemed Chief Executive Officer of Beach Group and Andaman City Development Co rallied forward the idea of the AWC. Originated during the reign…
Embarking on a diplomatic journey, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will embark for China from the 8th to the 10th of October. The diplomatic agenda is packed with critical issues to be addressed with his Chinese peer. Central among the discussions is how to strategically bolster the Thai-Chinese relationship, as well as enhancing cooperation in the tourism industry. These plans were laid bare on a recent Saturday when the Prime Minister responded to queries on the status of the diplomatic memorandum of understanding (MoU) concerning China’s loan of ambassador pandas to Thailand. The Prime Minister unveiled his diplomatic itinerary during his visit to Chiang Mai. Expected to feature prominently in the discourse during his visit to China are Thai-Chinese relations, as confirmed by Srettha himself. Government spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke, further emphasized that tourism cooperation would be a significant part of the deliberations. Commenting on the perception that the recent government diplomacy…
In the lush landscapes of Nonthaburi province, a firefighter wrestles against scorching flames set ablaze on a paddy field. His efforts, mirrored by countless others across Thailand, create a striking image and bring to the forefront an alarming issue — crop residue burning. A common practice amongst farmers, these uncontrolled burns are making significant contributions to the nation’s carbon emissions, leading to increased concerns on both health and economic fronts. The burgeoning cry for a solution to this detrimental practice has been spearheaded by the Thai Food Mill Association (TFMA) and its deputy secretary-general, Pornsil Patcharintanakul. His insights shed light on the domino effect these otherwise commonplace fires have on Thailand’s standing with the European Union (EU), and in turn, its overall economic health. Pornsil communicates compellingly that the adverse effects of stubble burning—specifically the production of harmful PM2.5 particles— are not confined to Thailand’s northern regions alone. Nebulous clouds…
Dimming the twilight in the serene skies of Doi Saket district, a congregation of indigenous Karen villagers makes a plea for their inherent existence and culture. The evolving Sunday was a platform for these tribal inhabitants residing in two distinct, remote forest villages namely Ban Huay Pha Tuen and Yom Ban Doi, in the tambon Pa Miang of Doi Saket district. Their plea? To ask the government to backtrack and repeal each policy concerning the management of their homes, a.k.a. forest land. Exercising their democratic rights, these villagers decided to capitalize on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s visit to the northern region, to submit their petition. They, unequivocally, demanded the annulment of the distorting policies on forest land management enforced by the National Land Policy Board (NLPB). They further declared their allegiance to the 2010 regulation on land and natural resource management issued by the Prime Minister’s own office and a…