- World News
Observers marvel at stunning solar eclipse in Australia
Blokes and Sheilas from all walks of life, including professional astronomers and hobbyist star buffs, made their way to a remote part of Western Australia today to get front-row seats to a gripping celestial event – a total solar eclipse lasting a full 58 seconds. Exmouth, located on the country’s northwest edge, saw caravans lined up, telescopes out in force…
- World News
Tragic stampede at charity event in Yemen leaves over 80 dead, hundreds injured
Over 80 people have tragically lost their lives, and hundreds more were injured in a stampede that took place at a charity distribution event in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. This devastating mishap occurred just before the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a festival observed by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the end of Ramadan. The impoverished citizens of war-torn Yemen had converged at…
- Thailand News
Police request AI assistance for crime solving
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) are urging for an enhancement of the Immigration Bureau’s biometric identification systems using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to aid in the tracking and monitoring of international criminals. This recommendation comes in the wake of recent abduction incidents involving Chinese victims. In one case, officers from the Bang Phong Phang Police Station successfully rescued a Chinese…
- Thailand News
Migrant workers fill gap in Thailand’s tourism and service sectors due to labour shortage
Migrant workers are increasingly filling roles in Thailand‘s tourism and service sectors, due to a chronic manpower shortage, according to Tanit Sorat, deputy chairman of the Employers’ Confederation of Thailand (ECOT). The labour shortage is the result of new Thai graduates choosing freelance jobs and the country’s ageing population. Sorat explained that with many graduates preferring a slower lifestyle over…
- Environment News
Thailand’s northern regions to experience decrease in air pollution due to rainfall
Air pollution in Thailand’s northern regions is expected to decrease between tomorrow and Monday due to rainfall, bringing relief to an area where over 2.4 million people have experienced health problems connected to smog, according to the Public Health Ministry. Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the public health permanent secretary, reported yesterday that the PM2.5 levels detected in the north ranged from…
- World News
Touchdown in Asia: football’s growth in an unexpected place
The hint is in the name – American Football. It is a sport deeply rooted in American culture and for decades its popularity has been predominantly confined to the United States, parts of Canada and to a lesser extent, parts of Mexico. Over the course of the past two decades, however, the people in charge of the NFL have been…
- Politics News
Thai activists pursue change despite legal threats
Chonthicha “Lookkate” Jangrew is taking her campaign to the streets, going door-to-door to garner support for the upcoming May 14 General Election. However, she faces the possibility of imprisonment due to charges of sedition and royal defamation from protests in 2020. The 30 year old activist is among over a dozen representatives from the student-led protest movement who are shifting…
- Politics News
Thavisin’s strategy: Replace conscription for economic growth
Conscription should be replaced with voluntary enlistment to provide economic benefits, according to Srettha Thavisin, prime ministerial candidate for the Pheu Thai Party. Thavisin expressed his disappointment with a particular politician’s staunch support for maintaining conscription in the name of national defence and patriotism. He asserted that compulsory military service is harmful to the economy, as it diverts skilled professionals…
- Thailand Election News
Pheu Thai Party candidate rejects collaboration with coup leaders
Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, a Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate, stated that the party has no intention of collaborating with those involved in the two previous coups. Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, outlined the party’s election campaign strategy along with other key members during a press conference. When questioned about her dip in…
- World News
Beijing hospital fire claims 21 lives
A devastating fire at the Beijing Changfeng Hospital has tragically claimed the lives of 21 people, according to reports on Tuesday. The blaze reportedly began just before 1pm local time at the private hospital, located in the Fengtai district of the Chinese capital. It took emergency crews about half an hour to put out the inferno, with frantic rescue efforts…
- World News
AI-created song removed from streaming platforms
An ingenious AI tune impersonating Canadian stars Drake and The Weeknd was removed after causing quite a commotion! “Heart On My Sleeve,” a tune created using artificial intelligence (AI) software to emulate the voices of Drake and The Weeknd, has been causing a right stir. After receiving millions of listens within a short space of time, Universal Music Group (UMG)…
- Thailand Election News
Thai EC members travel to Africa for May 14 election prep
The Election Commission (EC) stated that it was essential for all of its members to travel overseas during the Songkran holiday period in order to organise advance voting for the May 14 election, particularly in the three African countries where a significant number of Thai residents now live. Following his return from visits to South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco, EC…
- World News
Musk’s Twitter activities contribute to spreading misinformation
Elon Musk vowed to make Twitter the “most accurate source of information about the world,” yet he has repeatedly used his own account to amplify false claims from some of the internet’s most notorious disinformers, as demonstrated by an AFP analysis of his online activity. Musk’s posts display a penchant for drawing attention to misinformation on topics ranging from the…
- Health
Preventing overdoses in Southeast Asia: Can Australia’s CanTEST model be the answer?
Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand where drug use remains a significant issue, should consider adopting the model of Australia’s first permanent health and drug checking service, CanTEST, which was launched in Canberra around nine months ago. Operating on a harm-reduction basis, CanTEST aims to ensure the safety of drug users by preventing adverse reactions. The service is entirely confidential, with…
- World News
New Zealand bans feral cat hunting competition, animal advocates rejoice
A feral cat hunting competition has been given the boot in New Zealand, following a flurry of public complaints. And it seems animal welfare advocates are breathing a sigh of relief at the news. Rotherham School in the country’s South Island put a spanner in the works by announcing the introduction of a novel children’s category for this year’s annual…
- Crime News
Tensions rise in Pattani province following defence volunteer’s murder
A local defence volunteer faced a tragic end in a cold-blooded ambush at a village in the Panare district on Tuesday night. Authorities reported that the unfortunate attack happened around 7.30pm when Ahamad Teh was making his way to the mosque at Ban Surao in tambon Tha Nam to attend prayers. The unsuspecting victim was shot in the head by…
- Economy News
PM Prayut vows to unearth new sources of alternative energy, lower summer bills
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced that the government is intensifying its efforts to discover new sources of alternative energy in response to complaints about rising electricity bills during the summer months. His statement comes in reaction to social media outrage and calls for the government to take further steps to reduce people’s energy expenses. He said… “It is crucial…
- World News
Fox news settles defamation case, avoids free speech trial
Fox News has gone and landed themselves a last-minute settlement in a massive defamation case, side-stepping an attention-grabbing trial that could’ve put America‘s free speech rights for the media to the ultimate test. Judge Eric Davis shared the belting news that the bigwigs had reached a deal after the 12 jurors had already been picked, and the court was prepping…
- World News
The unmasking of Jodi-Levonne Griffin: a scammer’s deception exposed
In a world where trust and integrity are paramount, the story of Jodi-Levonne Griffin serves as a cautionary tale for businesses and consumers alike. Griffin, a 47-year-old American national born in New Zealand, has been exposed as a scammer who committed chargeback fraud after undergoing extensive plastic surgery in Istanbul, Turkey. In March 2023, Griffin, of Jacksonville, FL, traveled to…
- World News
G7 ministers issue urgent warning of ‘severe costs’ for supporting Russia
In a recent meeting at Karuizawa, Japan, G7 foreign ministers warned of “severe costs” for those aiding Russia in its war with Ukraine. The discussions primarily focused on China, with a united front addressing its increasing military and economic power. Although the G7 did not announce any new sanctions against Moscow over its invasion, they promised to crack down on…
- World News
BTS’ J-Hope answers call of duty, enlists in South Korean military amid fanfare
BTS sensation J-Hope is set to commence his obligatory South Korean military service today, according to local media, becoming the second member of the immensely popular K-pop group to enlist, leading to an overwhelming show of support from fans. The spectacularly successful septet has generated a global cultural impact, selling out stadiums internationally and topping major US charts while contributing…
- World News
Musk challenges Microsoft and Google with ‘Truth-Seeking AI’ to counter politically correct AI
Tech tycoon Elon Musk recently disclosed plans to develop a “truth-seeking AI” that will counter politically correct artificial intelligence (AI) efforts from competitors such as Microsoft and Google, during a televised interview. The founder of Tesla and Twitter reiterated his concerns about the potential threat AI poses, suggesting it could lead to “civilisational destruction.” Musk also expressed his apprehension that…
- World News
Greg Norman’s LIV rebel tour breaks barriers, sells out in Australia
Despite facing opposition from traditionalists and sparking a civil war within the sport, the rebel LIV Golf tour has been embraced by many in Australia, evidenced by tickets selling out for the nation’s inaugural event this week. Greg Norman, the tour boss, has long desired to see top-level golf become a regular feature in his home country. Australia has experienced…
- Thailand News
Daring heist as Thai man steals four necklaces from gold shop
Local police reported that a man, posing as a customer, entered a gold shop located in a department store in the Bang Sao Thong district. The man showed interest in multiple necklaces before stealing four of them in a daring heist. The stolen necklaces have an estimated value of around 230,000 baht. Security camera footage revealed a man aged between…
- Thailand News
PPRP pledges to boost economy with soft power promotion in upcoming General Election
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has pledged to enhance the promotion of soft power as a key driver of the economy if the party is victorious in the upcoming General Election. Charnkrit Dejwithak, a spokesperson for the party’s election strategy committee, highlighted the significance of a soft power development policy through the example of the Songkran Festival, which draws numerous…
- 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…
- Business News
A closer look at the crypto industry in Thailand
Thailand’s crypto industry has been steadily growing in recent years. This success is partially thanks to the government’s increased support for the sector. In 2018, the Thai government legalized cryptocurrencies and introduced a regulatory framework to oversee crypto-related activities in the country. Since then, Thailand has become a popular destination for crypto startups like Bitcoin casinos, trading exchanges, and payment…
- 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…
