BANGKOK — Commerce Ministry urged Thai farmers to adopt low-carbon rice production to compete in global market.
Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) at the Ministry of Commerce, has highlighted the urgent need for Thailand’s agricultural sector to adapt to environmental challenges and changing consumer preferences.
As one of the world’s largest rice exporters, Thailand faces mounting pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its agricultural practices. According to recent data, the agricultural sector accounts for 15.23% of Thailand’s total greenhouse gas emissions, second only to the energy sector’s 69.96%. Rice cultivation alone contributes to 50.58% of all agricultural emissions.
Photo: Technology Chaoban
“Rice farming currently generates the highest greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector,” Naiyanapakorn explained. “Thailand needs to promote low-carbon rice production using methods and technologies that reduce emissions to meet environmentally conscious consumer demands and tap into premium markets.”
Thailand has already taken steps in this direction through initiatives such as the Thai Rice NAMA (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action) project, running from August 2018 to July 2024. This sustainable development project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Germany’s International Cooperation Agency (GIZ).
Photo: Technology Chaoban
However, competition is intensifying as Vietnam aggressively pursues the low-carbon rice market. With government and NGO support, Vietnam’s Net Zero Emission policy and lower production costs have helped them gain an advantage in environmentally conscious markets, particularly in the European Union, where they benefit from an FTA agreement.
Recent export statistics show the close competition between the two countries. In 2023, Thailand exported 8.77 million tons of rice valued at US$5,147.3 million, while Vietnam exported 8.13 million tons worth US$4,675.7 million.
For the first nine months of 2024 (January-September), Thailand’s exports reached 7.45 million tons (US$4,833.5 million), compared to Vietnam’s 6.96 million tons (US$4,353.3 million).
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra presides over a merit-making Kathin ceremony at Wat Klong Kru (Pathawikorn) temple in Khan Na Yao district, Bangkok, on November 9, 2024.
BANGKOK — Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra dismissed growing criticism about his hospital detention arrangement and recent political gatherings during a visit to Wat Klong Kru temple in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district on Saturday.
When questioned about his stay on the 14th floor of Police General Hospital instead of serving time in prison, Thaksin made light of the situation. “There’s nothing special about floors 14 through 17,” he said, shrugging off allegations of preferential treatment. “People can keep making issues if they want to.”
The former premier also addressed accusations that he was pulling political strings from behind the scenes. These allegations emerged after coalition party leaders were seen visiting his Chan Song La residence following Srettha Thavisin’s removal from the prime minister position.
Responding to claims that could potentially lead to the dissolution of the Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin downplayed the meeting’s significance. “They just came to eat MAMA (instant noodles),” he said with characteristic humor. “The noodles were delicious.”
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Thaksin added. “We’re doing everything correctly, following both law and custom. We’ll continue our work regardless of any complaints.”
When asked about the coalition government’s ability to work together, Thaksin expressed confidence in their cooperation. He pointed to recent developments, noting that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had successfully convened a meeting regarding the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA) between Thailand and Cambodia, which resulted in a joint statement from coalition partners.
When asked about Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s performance since taking office, Thaksin praised her dedication and quick grasp of national issues. Regarding the criticism she has faced since beginning her tenure, he noted that it was to be expected, saying “She’s been familiar with the nature of Thai politics since childhood.”
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, joined by Melania Trump, left, and Barron Trump, arrives to speak at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris means that the Justice Department believes he can no longer face prosecution in accordance with department legal opinions meant to shield presidents from criminal charges while in office.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
In a court filing Friday in the 2020 election case, Smith’s team asked to cancel any upcoming court deadlines, saying it needs “time to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course going forward consistent with Department of Justice policy.”
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan quickly granted the request, and ordered prosecutors to file court papers with their “proposed course for this case” by Dec. 2.
Trump had been scheduled to stand trial in March in Washington, where more than 1,000 of his supporters have been convicted of charges for their roles in the Capitol riot. But his case was halted as Trump pursued his sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution that ultimately landed before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
The Supreme Court in July ruled that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to Chutkan to determine which of the the allegations in the indictment can move forward.
The classified documents case has been stalled since July when a Trump-appointed judge, Aileen Cannon, dismissed it on grounds that Smith was illegally appointed. Smith has appealed to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where the request to revive the case is pending. Even as Smith looks to withdraw the documents case against Trump, he would seem likely to continue to challenge Cannon’s ruling on the legality of his appointment given the precedent such a ruling would create.
Officials from multiple agencies visit the home of a 64-year-old woman who built a prison cell to confine her drug-addicted son, fearing he might harm her and the neighbors, in Nang Rong district, Buriram province, on Nov 6, 2024.
BURIRAM/UDON THANI — In northeastern Thailand’s Buriram Province, a 64-year-old mother took an extraordinary step that shocked the nation: she built a prison cell in her home to confine her drug-addicted son. Nearly 350 kilometers away, a little boy in Udon Thani Province was found wandering alone on a highway, attempting to reach his grandmother’s house to escape life with his drug-dependent mother.
These two stories, emerging in the same week, have become powerful symbols of Thailand’s deepening drug crisis – a challenge that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government has now placed at the top of its national agenda.
“For twenty years, I’ve lived in constant fear,” said the Buriram mother, who hired contractors to build a barred cell outside her kitchen after her 42-year-old son’s latest release from rehabilitation.
Her desperate measure – though illegal and a violation of human rights, officials would later explain – came after decades of watching her son cycle through addiction, rehabilitation, and relapse, his behavior growing increasingly aggressive and unpredictable.
The 64-year-old woman (left) shows officials the barred cell she had constructed inside her house in Nang Rong district, Buriram province, on Nov 6, 2024.
This case captured the attention of Justice Minister Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong, who convened the first meeting of the National Drug Prevention, Control and Problem Solving Committee 2024 on November 7. “It reflect a problem that deserves joint investigation,” Sodsong said, emphasizing that solutions must go beyond merely cracking down on traffickers.
The authorities have already begun intervening. The son from Buriram will be evaluated for potential mental health treatment at Thanyarak Hospital in Khon Kaen. If mental health treatment is required, it could take more than a year.
Justice Minister Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong
Meanwhile, in Udon Thani province, a different face of addiction emerged when Good Samaritans discovered a three-and-a-half-year-old boy walking alone on a bypass road between Udon Thani and Nong Bua Lam Phu, with the aim of walking to his grandmother’s house 15 kilometers away. They alerted the police.
While the police returned the boy safely to his mother and took him to his grandmother, the grandmother and neighbors expressed their deep concern for his welfare. The boy’s mother was reportedly addicted to drugs and often neglected her son, forcing him to go hungry and beg for food from neighbors and temples.
The neighbors and family members are concerned about the child’s welfare and hope that the authorities will intervene and arrange treatment for the mother.
A teenage Good Samaritan and his girlfriend on a motorcycle spot a three-and-a-half-year-old boy walking alone on a bypass road between Udon Thani and Nong Bua Lam Phu, prompting him to alert police for help, on Nov 5, 2024.The police return the boy safely to his mother but the question is whether the boy will continue to run away in the future.
When journalists questioned the mother about drug use, she admitted to taking drugs but claimed she was not addicted and said she only took them “every three or four days” when she had the money. She emphasized that she loved her son and wanted to raise him to join the military like her.
This case presents the authorities who want to solve it with an equally difficult task. The question is whether the boy will continue to run away in the future and whether he will grow up safely in his current environment.
These parallel crises highlight the complex reality facing Thailand’s anti-drug efforts: addiction doesn’t just destroy individuals – it ravages families across generations, forcing parents, children, and communities to make impossible choices in their search for safety and recovery.
As Thailand grapples with this crisis, these two families’ struggles serve as a stark reminder that behind every statistic in the nation’s drug epidemic lies a deeply human story of desperation, love, and the long shadow of addiction.
Nopparat Kulhirun, known as “Madam Tank", speaks about the success of her multi-billion dollar company, Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co., Ltd.
BANGKOK — Few people know that armored vehicles used on the battlefields in 46 countries are made by Thai craftsmen. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of a family that has striven for this success.
In an interview with “Prachachat Business”, Nopparat Kulhirun, known as “Madam Tank”, spoke about the success of her multi-billion dollar company, Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co., Ltd., which has grown steadily over the years and benefited from global conflicts.
First Bulletproof Ambulance
A frequently asked question is why the military trusts her company to produce armored vehicles for the battlefield, even though it is a small company from a small country. She says that the smaller size is actually an advantage. The company doesn’t have a complex production process. “We are not ‘nosy”. In every tender they participate in, the customer is always a government.
“We tell our customers that our expertise lies in our local resources: skilled labor, engineers and our status as a global center of automotive production. We do research because we can’t use the same materials in every country as there are differences in terrain and climate.”
“We can produce vehicles exactly according to our customers’ requirements, without predetermined samples or fixed specifications. It is particularly important that we can deliver on time. In the case of the M113 armored vehicles, for example, we won an order from the United Nations (UN) by delivering 15 units within 45 days, even though the competition had promised 60 days. This has created a trusting relationship with the UN, who also recently commissioned us to manufacture the first bulletproof ambulance capable of transporting four patients.”
Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co., Ltd.
Billion-Baht Revenue
In 1968, the company started out as a workshop for the manufacture and repair of steering joints for ten-wheeled trucks. At that time, it gained a reputation in the truck industry for being the only company to offer a “work first, pay later” guarantee. The following year, the company began working with the army’s military vehicle repair facilities.
The company then expanded into the production of rubber and metal parts, siding and road wheels. They began developing track connectors for tanks, particularly for the C-100 model, and from 1996 they produced armored vehicles and began researching bulletproof armor in cooperation with Israel and established a research and development (R&D) department.
Today, the company generates around one billion baht in revenue, primarily from repair and maintenance, while revenue from research and production remains a smaller portion. However, they are committed to developing and manufacturing these vehicles to support future growth, as military equipment evolves endlessly. Despite benefiting from the ongoing conflicts in several countries, they don’t support war; rather, they build vehicles to help protect people, enhancing safety on the battlefield.
Madam Tank added that her success wasn’t achieved alone. She has worked hard to raise and mentor her children to excel and support the business. Her eldest son, Kan Kulhirun, now continues the family legacy as Managing Director and Vice Chairman of the Thai Defense Industry Association.
“We have been doing business with the military since 1968, and for over 50 years, we’ve had to fight on our own.”
Nopparat Kulhirun, known as “Madam Tank” gives an interview to Prachachat Business.
Benefits Not Matching Promises
Nopparat highlighted flaws in government policies, explaining that the benefits promoted by the Board of Investment (BOI) do not actually support her Thai-made business. Instead, they put her at a disadvantage compared to foreign companies.
She said her company is 100% Thai-owned and uses local materials – car parts, tires, belts, all sourced locally. Although they have to import bulletproof steel because it is not available in Thailand, they have to pay a 5% import tax, plus VAT and an additional 40% duty for hot rolled steel.
In total, they pay up to 60% tax on steel alone, not to mention the special engines and transmission systems imported from the US, which require an export license from the US as well as an import license and contract approval from the Thai Ministry of Defense.
In the meantime, customs classifies these items as “dual-use” goods and taxes the engine at 30% and also the gearbox. Ultimately, they pay tax on every component manufactured in Thailand, while brokerage firms importing fully assembled tanks receive 0% import duty. With these cost differences, it’s just not competitive, and that’s not real support.
Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Company Limited
They have already applied for concessions from the BOI several times but have been rejected. Now the BOI is enticing foreign investors with tax exemptions of up to eight years for setting up vehicle repair facilities and other tax breaks, even though repair activities should not be favored over manufacturing.
“The BOI should support high-tech, innovative and research-oriented companies that contribute to the country’s development, and not compete with Thai companies. Meanwhile, we, a real Thai company, are being ignored,” she said.
Made-in-Thailand Benefits
She explained that the defense industry provides economic benefits and is valuable to the Thai people. “We should look at new technologies like rain on a mountain: When it rains, the water flows down and benefits the communities along its path. If we produce locally, this benefit spreads instead of relying on 100% ready-made imports.”
“Today, Thailand’s defense industry cannot move forward because there is policy but no practical support. Although Thailand has considerable capabilities, the defense industry is a cornerstone of national security — we need to stand on our own, but it’s just not possible right now.”
She said that Thailand will not be able to become a regional hub unless changes are made. The government should support MIT (Made in Thailand) products by introducing a 10% tax benefit instead of favoring brokers who import fully assembled products to sell domestically. Only products made in Thailand should be eligible for this additional benefit.
Police officers raid a gambling den in Pracharatbamphen Soi 6, Junction 4, Huai Khwang District, Bangkok on November 8, 2024.
BANGKOK — Gambling den raids in Bangkok have continued for three consecutive days, from Wang Thonglang district to Sutthisan, and most recently in Huai Khwang district, which has a large Chinese population.
Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengswang, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, noted that areas like Wang Thonglang, Huai Khwang, and Sutthisan have seen an influx of foreign investment, creating opportunities for illegal operations.
On November 8, Police Colonel Prasopchok Iampinitj, Superintendent of Huai Khwang Police Station, led officers in raiding a gambling den in Pracharatbamphen Soi 6, Junction 4, following a tip from an informant about illegal gambling activities.
The location was a two-story house with a restaurant on the first floor and gambling rooms set up on the second floor. When officers arrived, they found many gamblers in action, counting 29 players plus one Chinese tenant who owned the operation, totaling 30 people.
30 suspects are taken to Huai Khwang Police Station on November 8, 2024.
Among the 29 gamblers were: 19 men (13 Chinese, 4 Thai, 1 Myanmar, 1 stateless person), and 10 women (5 Chinese, 3 Myanmar, 1 Thai, 1 stateless person).
Evidence seized included: one set of blue playing cards, 184,000 baht in 1,000-baht notes
Gambling equipment (Poy Kao) including 1 table and 4 chairs, two sets of Mahjong equipment, one set of equipment similar to Baccarat, one electronic game machine, and CCTV equipment with servers.
All suspects were taken to Huai Khwang Police Station and charged with two offenses: organizing illegal gambling (Poy Kao) for profit without permission and articipating in illegal gambling (Poy Kao) for profit without permission.
The investigating officers later took the suspects to the Northern Bangkok District Court before transferring them to the Immigration Bureau for further legal proceedings.
Wanna Suansan, who had been charged with involvement in a 2015 bombing, leaves the Bangkok South Criminal Court in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI BANGKOK — A court in Thailand on Thursday acquitted a Thai woman who had been charged with involvement in a 2015 bombing at a shrine in Bangkok that killed 20 people and injured 120.
Wanna Suansan was one of three people apprehended out of 17 suspects who authorities said were responsible for the blast at Erawan Shrine, a popular tourist destination, particularly for visitors from China. The Bangkok Southern Criminal Court ruled that there was not enough evidence to link her to the bombing.
The two others being tried separately are ethnic Uyghurs, a Muslim minority in China that has suffered repression. All three were charged with a variety of offenses, including murder, attempted murder and illegal possession of explosive materials.
The two Uyghurs were arrested in 2015 shortly after the bombing on Aug. 17. Wanna was arrested later when she voluntarily returned to Thailand from Turkey in 2017 to turn herself in when she was named as a suspect.
FILE – Police investigate the scene at the Erawan Shrine after an explosion in Bangkok on Aug. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)
Thai authorities have said the bombing was revenge by a people-smuggling gang whose activities had been disrupted by the police. Thailand cracked down on human traffickers earlier in 2015 after abandoned camps for Rohingyas fleeing persecution in Myanmar and economic migrants from Bangladesh were found in the jungles along the Thai-Malaysia border.
However, some analysts suspect the bombing was the work of Uyghur separatists angry that Thailand had forcibly repatriated scores of Uyghurs to China in July that year. Many Uyghurs try to escape persecution and tight control in China with the help of professional smugglers. The shrine’s popularity among Chinese tourists lent support to the theory that the bombing had a political element.
While the two other suspects, Yusufu Mieraili and Bilal Mohammad, were allegedly linked by video, DNA and other evidence to the bombing, the case against Wanna was more circumstantial.
Wanna, 36, was accused of leasing accommodation for the alleged bombers. Police said they found gunpowder, fertilizer and other bomb-making materials in an apartment in outer Bangkok that was leased under Wanna’s name.
The judge on Thursday said there was not enough evidence indicating that Wanna had committed a crime as she was charged.
She said prosecutors could not provide evidence that Wanna was present at the site of the bombing, had brought the other suspects there or helped them escape. There was also no evidence that she had contact with them or helped them acquire explosive materials that were found in the apartment, which she was alleged to have rented for the suspects, the judge said.
FILE – Police investigate the scene around the Erawan Shrine the morning after an explosion in Bangkok,Thailand, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)
She said it might have been possible that Wanna helped find accommodation for friends or acquaintances of her husband, who is Turkish, but prosecutors could not prove what kind of relationship her husband might have had with the other suspects. Her husband, not in custody, is another suspect in the case.
Some of the suspects are Turks, with whom Uyghurs share ethnic bonds.
“Today the court acquitted the charges. I’m very happy. I’d like to thank the court, because I had been waiting for this day for seven years since I returned,” Wanna said after the ruling.
She said that during that time, she felt discouraged because “it’s like I didn’t get any justice, and it also damaged my family.”
Mieraili and Bilal, accused of being the main bombers, have faced repeated delays in their trial because of difficulties in finding suitable translators. Their lawyer, Chuchart Kanpai, said Thursday that their case was still at the stage of examining witnesses, and the next court date is scheduled for March.
The two men pleaded not guilty when their trial began in 2016 and said they suffered mistreatment and torture in jail after their arrests. Police said they believe Mieraili detonated the bomb minutes after a backpack containing the device was allegedly left at the shrine by Bilal, who is also known as Adem Karadag.
A 34-year-old Indian tourist, files a complaint at Pattaya City Police Station, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi on November 7, 2024.
PATTAYA — An Indian tourist was scammed in Pattaya after being pressured into buying overpriced herbal products. In addition to filing a police report, he wanted to warn other tourists not to fall victim.
Mr. Mayur, a 34-year-old Indian national, filed a complaint at Pattaya City Police Station, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi on November 7. He was convinced he had fallen victim to two Pakistani men who approached him while he was walking along Pattaya Second Road at 11:36 PM on November 6.
The two men noticed birthmarks on both of his hands. They claimed to know a shop selling “miraculous” herbal products that would definitely cure his condition within just two weeks, even saying they would “bet their lives on it.”
The Pakistani men then took him to a nearby herbal shop, where they offered herbal products mixed with honey. They quoted the herb price at 900 baht per gram and honey at 1,000 baht per bottle.
Even though Mr. Mayur told them he had no money, the shop claimed they had already mixed the formula and couldn’t take the products back. The Pakistani sellers pressured him into buying two bottles of the herbal-honey mixture at 10,000 baht each, totaling 20,000 baht.
The Indian tourist shows two bottles of the herbal-honey mixture at 10,000 baht each, totaling 20,000 baht.
Later, while eating at a restaurant, some foreigners noticed his herbal shop bag and quickly informed him that he had been scammed, similar to other tourists in Pattaya who fell victim to this scheme run by Pakistani groups in collaboration with Thai shop owners. Once he realized he had been scammed, he promptly went to file the police report.
Initially, Police Lieutenant Akkarapong recorded the incident and coordinated with the investigation team to inspect the shop and gather evidence to proceed with legal action against those involved.
However, in similar cases, many foreign victims have filed complaints and already left the country. While Pattaya Tourist Police and Chonburi Provincial Health officials have conducted several raids and arrests, the illegal herbal product selling operation continues to operate covertly.
In a previous incident on October 26, a Pakistani herbal vendor assaulted another Pakistani man in front of an herbal shop at Night Plaza Market on Pattaya Beach. The attack occurred because the vendor was angry that the tourist refused to buy products. The victim filed a police report, but authorities have not yet arrested the perpetrator. The shop has remained closed since the incident.
CCTV shows a Pakistani herbal vendor assault another Pakistani man in front of an herbal shop at Night Plaza Market on Pattaya Beach on October 26, 2024.
experience by exploring the behaviors and lifestyles of the younger generation through an interactive pop-up kiosk “BRAND’S VETA Booth” at the center of Siam Square.
Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Co., Ltd, the leader of health enrichment products under BRAND’S trademark in Thailand and Asia, with the goal of creating experiences and exploring the behaviors and lifestyles of the younger generation, reaffirms its position as a true leader in the health beverage industry. The interactive pop-up kiosk game, “BRAND’S VETA Booth”, will be set up at the center of Centerpoint, Siam Square, from November 1-3 and 8-9,2024, to raise awareness and provide unique experiences through an interactive game that allows players to select their own lifestyles. With an expected attendance of 5,000 people, customers can try the six new product formulas that cater to various lifestyles.
According to Mr. Napis Sasivimolkul, BRAND’S Bird’s Nest and BRAND’S VETA Marketing Director, Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Co., Ltd, revealed that the new generation responded positively to BRAND’S VETA introduction of Toey-Jarinporn Joonkiat as its newest presenter. An interactive Pop-up Kiosk “BRAND’S VETA Booth” will be held at Centerpoint, Siam Square, from November 1-3 and 8-9, 2024, reaffirming our commitment to helping Thais live life to the fullest and improve their health, positioning BRAND’S VETA as a Lifestyle Solution. The activity aims to raise awareness and offer a unique experience, allowing participants to choose their lifestyle preferences, such as a low-vegetable diet, a love for buffets, a passion for outdoor sports, extensive screen time on a computer or a mobile phone, or busy work schedule with little rest, etc. After analyzing the behaviors and processing the results, BRAND’S VETA Booth will assign a mission to try a free BRAND’S VETA’s product with a formula that suits your lifestyle. At least 5,000 people are expected to participate.
To accommodate customers’ varied lifestyles, six product formulas have been developed, including:
BRAND’S VETA Vitamin A Berry combines the benefits of vitamin A with bilberry extract’s anthocyanidin, offering an option for those who experience prolonged eye strain from reading, screen time, or visually demanding tasks.
BRAND’S VETA Lutein Blackcurrant Shot is a high-vitamin A product, providing an option for those who spend extended time on mobile devices or watching television, and are exposed to blue light from electronic screens.
BRAND’S VETA Fiber Prune Shot combines the benefits of premium prune fiber with kiwi extract, making it a good fiber-boosting option for those who eat less vegetables or prefer a meat-heavy diet.
BRAND’S VETA Astaxanthin Collagen Pomegranate Shot contains high levels of collagen, astaxanthin, and vitamin C and E, which is a good option for those interested in beauty and staying on trend with youthful skin.
BRAND’S VETA Vitamin Mix Quince Apples Shot, which is high in ten different vitamins and minerals, offers a good choice for people who may not have time to choose from a variety of foods due to their tight daily schedules. This product is exclusively available at 7-Eleven.
Recently introduced BRAND’S VETA Beta Glucan Shot is a new concentrated mushroom extract formula that contains high levels of beta-glucan and zinc and is rich in four different species of high-quality mushrooms. Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system. The product is a good option for those who work hard and don’t get much sleep.
In addition to ordering VETA products online or from leading department and convenience stores nationwide, interested persons can visit the Interactive Pop-up Kiosk “BRAND’S VETA Booth” to try the products from November 1-3 and 8-9, 2024.
Twin Elephants, Plai Supphalak Sophon (male) and Pang Sakonlak Sophit (female) are taken to attend their traditional Thai wedding ceremony at Peniat Royal Elephant Village in Ayutthaya Province on November 7, 2024.
AYUTTHAYA — In an extraordinary cultural celebration, male and female elephant twins participated in a traditional Thai wedding ceremony at Peniat Royal Elephant Village in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province on November 7.
The ceremony, known as “Kachasan Sayomphon,” united Plai Supphalak Sophon (male) and Pang Sakonlak Sophit (female) in accordance with ancient Thai beliefs about mixed-gender twins that they were destined to be together in their past lives.
The elaborate ceremony, attended by politicians and business leaders, featured a traditional procession of 99 couples bearing wedding offerings. The dowry, totaling 4,444,499 baht (approximately $125,000), will be allocated to a fund for the twins’ future care.
The traditional wedding procession arrives at Peniat Royal Elephant Village in Ayutthaya province on November 7, 2024, led by MP Songrak Sermudomchai and business leaders Thanyasak and Chattheeraya Kittirattanapaisan.
The ceremony was presided over by Songrak Sermudomchai, a member of parliament from Nakhon Sawan province, along with business leaders Thanyasak and Chattheeraya Kittirattanapaisan, who served as ceremonial sponsors. The procession passed through symbolic silver and gold arches before culminating in merit-making ceremonies and Buddhist blessings.
The twin elephants were born on June 7, 2024, to their 30-year-old mother, Chamchuri, marking a rare occurrence in elephant breeding history.
The male calf emerged first at 9:00 p.m., displaying remarkable strength by standing within minutes of birth. His sister followed 18 minutes later, though the birth was complicated by the mother’s agitated state, resulting in injury to one mahout who attempted to protect the newborn.
Laithongrearn Meephan, owner of the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal, noted the historical significance of the births. “This is the first recorded case of male-female elephant twins in Thailand,” he said emotionally. “Previous records only showed same-sex twins.”
The twins were born to father Plai Siam and mother Pang Chamchuri, who has now given birth five times over 27 years.
