- Thailand News
Thailand braces for scorching summer as El Nino brings climate change to forefront
Climate experts are warning that Thailand will experience hotter and drier conditions in the upcoming months as a result of El Nino weather patterns, and they caution that this is just the start of the impact of climate change. While hot and humid weather is expected at this time of year, recent heatwaves have been more extreme than anticipated. A…
- World News
Former Kiwi PM commends Thailand for cannabis decriminalisation
Helen Clark, former New Zealand Prime Minister and a current member of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty, applauded Thailand for decriminalising cannabis. However, she also urged the country to put an end to capital punishment, particularly for drug-related offences. During the Harm Reduction International Conference 2023 (HR23), Clark commended Thailand as one of the countries that has managed…
- Thailand News
ACT report exposes a decade of corruption involving politicians in Thailand
The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) recently published a report detailing graft cases involving politicians over the past decade. The most significant financial loss, amounting to 130 billion baht, was caused by the rice-pledging scheme. The report studied 61 cases involving a total of 68 politicians, analysing media coverage, investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and rulings by the Supreme…
- Thailand News
Summer storms ravage Thailand, destroying 1,800 homes in 10 provinces
Over the weekend, summer storms caused extensive damage in the northeast and south of Thailand, damaging approximately 1,800 homes in ten provinces. As a result, authorities continue to search for crew members from stricken trawlers off the coast of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The storms affected 235 villages across Amnat Charoen, Surin, Chaiyaphum, Sakon Nakhon, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Roi Et,…
- Environment News
Smoke haze blurs vision in southern Thailand’s Betong district
Southern Thailand’s Betong district, situated in Yala province, is experiencing smoke haze typical at this time of the year, primarily originating from Indonesia, according to local officials. This morning, Betong’s PM10 level, referring to particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less, was recorded at 54 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m3), which is not currently a level hazardous to…
- Thailand News
10 fishing vessels sink in violent storms off southern Thailand coast
Violent storms in the coastal region led to the sinking of 10 out of 60 fishing vessels that embarked from ports in five coastal districts in the southern province of Thailand yesterday morning. Tragically, three crew members have been confirmed dead. Out of the 60 boats that set sail, 48 were from the Pak Phanang district, with 121 crew members…
- Northern Thailand News
Doi Pui mountain’s TV Tower in Chiang Rai rescued from forest fires
The Channel 9 TV transmitter tower atop Doi Pui mountain in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Rai had a close shave with destruction as forest fires inched dangerously close last night. Thanks to the relentless efforts of the firefighting volunteers who rushed to save the day! A motley crew of officials from Mae Puem National Park and local volunteers joined…
- Thailand News
Over 25,000 Thai men from diverse backgrounds volunteer for RTA enlistment
A total of 25,100 Thai men, from diverse backgrounds such as monks and those holding Master’s degrees, applied for voluntary enlistment in the Royal Thai Army yesterday, according to deputy army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Sirichan Ngathong. The annual military conscription took a short break during the Songkran Festival and resumed yesterday. The draft is set to continue until Thursday in…
- Thailand News
Health crisis looms as Songkran ends: Expert warns of potential Covid-19 spread
As the Songkran Festival wraps up, public health expert Dr Thira Woratanarat expressed concerns about the potential spread of the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16. The subvariant is thought to be responsible for a recent increase in Covid-19 cases in India. Dr Thira, a lecturer at the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University, referred to the…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s national lottery: How many years does it take to win the two-digit prize?
A Thammasat University statistics expert revealed that an individual would need to purchase the national lottery consecutively for approximately four years and two months just to win the two-digit prize, raising questions about the promotion of the lottery in Thailand. Assoc. Prof. Wararit Panichkitkosolkul highlighted a recent study conducted by the university’s Faculty of Science and Technology, demonstrating the minimal…
- Thailand News
Adapting DDC’s vaccination strategy to address increasing Covid-19 cases
Amidst concerns over a sudden surge in Covid-19 infections, the Ministry of Public Health is altering its vaccination strategy, aiming to handle the increasing numbers connected to the Songkran festivities. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) unveiled the alteration yesterday in response to the spiking rate of new Covid-19 cases experienced last week. According to DDC Director-General Dr Thares Krassanairawiwong,…
- Northern Thailand News
Summer storms cause chaos in coastal regions as boats overturn
A severe summer storm has struck the south and northeast of Thailand, resulting in one fatality and causing the sinking of numerous fishing boats, according to reports. A mini-tornado briefly formed during the peak of the storm, with strong winds generating large waves along the coastlines of Pak Phanang, Muang, and Tha Sala districts of Nakhon Si Thammarat around 8am…
- Environment News
Online app helps monitor health of residents from air pollution
The Ministry of Public Health is launching an application to track the health of citizens in the Na Phra Lan tambon, located in the Chalerm Prakiat district of Saraburi, in response to rising concerns about air pollution and contamination caused by nearby limestone mines and cement manufacturing plants. Rungruang Kitpati, the chairman of the ministry’s Intelligence Unit, acknowledged the impact…
- Thailand News
Thailand set to cruise into marine tourism boom with revived project
Thailand’s Marine Department is set to revive the Cruise Terminal Development Project to cater for the growth in marine tourism. In 2018, Thailand ranked third globally for most cruise ship stopovers, with 581 ships stopping per year and 14% growth year on year. Despite this growth, the country lacks a legitimate standard cruise terminal. A department report showed that the…
- Thailand News
Life-changing silicone prosthetics: The SNMRI is transforming lives
The Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute (SNMRI) is dedicated to achieving organisational excellence at its silicone clinic, focusing on the evaluation and fabrication of silicone prosthetics to improve the lives of those who have undergone post-traumatic amputation. The SNMRI recognises that patients who have lost all or part of an organ due to an accident may face difficulties when it…
- Thailand News
Death toll during Songkran increases to 158
Forty-four individuals tragically lost their lives, and a further 368 were injured in road accidents across various regions on Friday, the fourth day of the “seven dangerous days” during the Songkran festivities. This has brought the total number of fatalities throughout the celebration thus far to 158. The reported number of deaths during the first four days has decreased by…
- Thailand News
Prime minister’s unexpected trip to Khao San Road
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made a surprising appearance at Khao San Road on Friday, taking part in a lively water fight with enthusiastic locals and tourists. Gen. Prayut, the United Thai Nation Party’s prime ministerial candidate, arrived at the well-known location for Songkran festivities on Friday afternoon, accompanied by key party members. Upon arrival, he engaged in a discussion about…
- Thailand News
Songkran celebrations turn sour: Over 100 lives lost, 1,000 injured in road accidents
According to the Director General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Boontham Lertsukheekasem, 114 fatalities and 1,064 injuries were recorded due to road accidents nationwide during the Songkran holiday. Between Tuesday and Thursday, there were 1,055 traffic incidents leading to these casualties a report today revealed. Chiang Mai, a province in the north, experienced the most accidents with…
- Thailand News
EC justifies Songkran trips to monitor early voting
The Election Commission (EC) in Thailand has come under scrutiny after all six of its members travelled abroad during the Songkran holiday on taxpayer-funded inspection visits. Former election commissioner and current MP candidate for the Seri Ruam Thai Party, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, criticized the move, questioning the purpose and timing of the trips, given that the General Election has not yet…
- World News
International drug ring busted in Thailand: NCB seizes 100kg of narcotics, 3 arrested
A major international drug bust took place in Thailand yesterday with more than 100 kilogrammes of narcotics intercepted, and a group of suspects from three countries arrested, the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) reported. NCB secretary-general Wichai Chaimongkhon stated that Thai authorities received an anonymous tip-off on Tuesday about a heroin shipment heading from Thailand to Australia. Collaborating with a joint…
- Thailand News
Elderly in Thailand expect their children to look after them
A recent survey carried out by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) revealed that the majority of elderly people in Thailand expect to receive care from their families, specifically their daughters. This survey aimed to identify who the Thai elderly believe should be responsible for their care, questioning a sample of 1,310 individuals aged 60 and above. The study…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut to join 10 UTN rallies in push for election victory
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is set to attend at least 10 campaign rallies across Thailand, hosted by the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party in preparation for the May 14 General Election. As the UTN’s chief strategist, the 69 year old Gen. Prayut will start his campaign tour in Bangkok, and will put on festival attire to participate in Songkran festivities…
- World News
Zoos in Thailand and Vietnam collaborate to protect endangered cranes
The Zoological Park Organization (ZPO) is joining forces with the Vietnam Zoos Association to increase the Eastern Sarus Crane population in Vietnam. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the collaboration will also involve the People’s Committee of Dong Thap Province in Vietnam and the International Crane Foundation. Since 2009, ZPO has been reintroducing Eastern Sarus Cranes to Thailand by breeding…
- World News
12,000 refugees from Myanmar depart Tak
Around 12,000 Myanmar refugees returned to their homeland in Myawaddy this week after seeking temporary refuge on Thai territory over the past week, according to the Royal Thai Army (RTA). Maj. Gen. Sirichan Ngathong, the RTA deputy spokesperson, confirmed yesterday that the last 89 Myanmar refugees who were sheltering in tambon Mae Kasa of Mae Sot district departed on Wednesday.…
- Thailand News
Songkran to generate billions in revenue for Thailand
After a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Thailand‘s famous Songkran Festival, or Thai New Year, officially kicked off yesterday. Locals and visitors from all around the world gathered at popular spots across the country to partake in the renowned water-splashing festivities. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) anticipates that both Thai and foreign tourists will contribute up to…
- Thailand News
EC reports 2.3 million people register for advance voting
The Election Commission (EC) yesterday announced that 2,350,969 people have registered for advance voting ahead of the May 14 General Election. Registration was open between March 25 and April 9, and the EC reports that this year’s figures were similar to those of 2019, when 2.63 million people registered for advance voting, including 119,000 overseas voters, reported Bangkok Post. Of…
- World News
Airstrike massacre: Myanmar junta turns up the heat
The situation in Myanmar just escalated. Northwest Myanmar’s Sagaing area felt the full force of a junta airstrike on Tuesday, which reportedly wiped out up to 100 people – children included. Myanmar’s been a mess since the 2021 coup decided to ruin everyone’s lives and snuffed out a decade of shaky progress. The coup put an end to the civilian…
- Environment News
Wildfire strikes Thai National Park, sparks regional eco-disaster
A ferocious wildfire has broken out in Khao Tabaek mountain in Nakhon Nayok province, and it’s not backing down. This hungry hellscape has crossed over into Khao Yai National Park, threatening the area’s lush greenery and its resident creatures. Park ranger Chaiya Huayhongthong sent out an SOS to nearby national parks, asking for reinforcements to help 200 rangers and two…
- World News
Could online sensation and public enemy No.1, Andrew Tate, be ready to break the Internet
As we anticipate the return of the controversial Tate brothers to the online world, excitement is brewing over Andrew Tate‘s first broadcast, set to air on the alternative streaming platform, Rumble, in the coming days. Andrew, the highly subversive figure has spent most of the past three months in a Romanian prison with his brother Tristan. The Tate brothers’ ordeal,…
- Politics News
Trump in handcuff shocker: ex-president arrested in historic courthouse showdown
In a historic and disgraceful turn of events, Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race, has been formally arrested and is set to become the first former US president to face criminal charges. Trump surrendered to the Manhattan district attorney’s office upon arrival at the New York courthouse. The former president, donning his trademark…
