BANGKOK – Benjarong Thai Restaurant at Baan Dusit Thani has launched a captivating weekday lunch experience, “Benjarong Phrajumwan,” inviting guests on a delicious exploration of Thailand’s rich heritage.
Inspired by Thailand’s belief in rebirth, the Benjarong Phrajumwan menu bridges past and present. Each day’s set menu is named after a revered lunar deity, reflecting the deep significance Thais hold for these traditions. Even the menu design incorporates the colors associated with each day, further honoring this rich heritage.
This daily changing menu offers a delicious exploration of aristocratic Thai cuisine. Named after revered lunar deities, each day presents a unique set menu featuring an amuse-bouche to awaken the palate, followed by a selection of 12 enticing main courses and delightful desserts.
Unleash your inner aristocrat with a daily culinary adventure at Benjarong Phrajumwan Embark on a taste through Thailand’s rich heritage, with each day named after a revered lunar deity.
Monday (Chandra) menu
Start with Monday’s (Chandra) menu, bathed in the golden hues of dawn, features Deep-Fried Squid with Fresh Turmeric, a delightful dance between sweet and savory. The Yellow Curry of Seabass and Lotus Stem offers a touch of elegance, perfectly complemented by the boat-embarking chili relish, a fiery kick that will send your taste buds on a journey.
Tuesday (Mangala) ignites your senses with the Four-Pepper Crispy Pork Belly, a symphony of spice and texture. Wednesday (Budha) brings serenity with the Boneless Chicken Thigh glazed in Southern Curry Paste, a comforting and flavorful dish.
Tuesday (Mangala) Menu
Yearning for something smoky on Wednesday nights (Rahu) bring forth a special menu, showcasing our must-try Grilled Pork with Black Pepper. For an unparalleled taste experience, delve into our Stir-Fried Squid in Squid Ink and Palm Sugar—a dish that embodies the essence of Rahu’s darkness. Thursday (Brihaspati) offers a taste of tradition with Hor Mok with Herbal Roots Curry, a fragrant and soul-warming experience.
Wednesday night (Rahu) MenuWednesday (Budha) menuThursday (Brihaspati)
And last Fridays (Sukra) mark the end of the week with a flourish. Indulge in the Krua Curry with Pork Ribs and Trumpet Flower, a robust and satisfying finale weekday to your culinary adventure.
Fridays (Sukra) menu
Dive into Thai royalty at lunchtime Mon-Fri, 11 AM-12:30 PM Starting May 1st, indulge in Wednesday dinners too (5:30-10 PM). Experience Benjarong Phrajumwan’s unique Thai feast for just THB 990++ per person. It’s an affordable taste of Thailand’s rich flavors and traditions.
A team of divers found a black plastic barrel filled with cement and a body inside in the Mabprachan reservoir in Pattaya on May 11, 2024.
PATTAYA – Metropolitan Police officers are urgently investigating the case of a South Korean male tourist who went missing in Bangkok on May 7. On the evening of May 11, a suspected body was found in Pattaya, showing signs of murder.
On May 11, officials mobilized a team of divers to a reservoir in Pattaya, where they found a black plastic barrel filled with cement and a body inside. Preliminary investigations are underway to identify the person, but it is believed to be Mr. Roh Eui Jong, a 34-year-old Korean who went missing.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasin Poonsawat, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, stated that Mr. Roh entered Thailand on April 30. Later, on May 7, Mr. Roh’s mother contacted the police to help find her son, believing that he had been kidnapped for ransom.
Mr. Roh’s mother said that she received a call from a mysterious person saying that her son had thrown away drugs, causing them damage. She was told to bring 3 million baht, or else her son would be killed. After that, Mr. Roh’s mother quickly reported the matter to the Korean embassy to coordinate with the Thai police in Bangkok’s Khlong Tan area to urgently find him.
Since then, the Metropolitan Police have set up an investigation team to search for Mr. Roh. It was discovered that Mr. Roh had a Thai wife. She stated that she last saw Mr. Roh on May 2 at a pub in the RCA, in Huai Khwang district.
Police then checked CCTV footage and found that on May 3, around 2 a.m., two Korean men were seen escorting Mr. Roh (the man wearing a white T-shirt in the clip above) into a rented car heading towards Pattaya before changing to a new rented pickup truck and renting accommodation near the Mabprachan reservoir in Pattaya.
A team of divers found a black plastic barrel filled with cement and a body inside in the Mabprachan reservoir in Pattaya on May 11, 2024.
Later, on May 4, around 9 p.m., this pickup truck was seen driving out of the accommodation with a black cloth cover and a black object in the back. Police traced CCTV footage and found that this vehicle went to buy a black plastic barrel and rope at a store to prepare.
When the police tracked this pickup truck, they found that it had parked near the Mabprachan reservoir for about 1 hour before returning to the rented accommodation. The police then sent divers into the reservoir and found the suspected body of Mr. Roh.
Currently, the police have identified 2 suspects. One of them fled the country on May 9, while the other has not been found leaving the country and is being tracked down.
Mr. Grant, 60, who had overstayed in Pattaya, Thailand, by 2,173 days was arrested on May 10, 2024.
PATTAYA – A 60-year-old lonely New Zealander who came to live in Pattaya overstayed his visa by more than 5 years, not thinking he would be caught in front of a convenience store.
On May 10, officials from the Immigration Police Investigation Team arrested Mr. Grant, who had overstayed by 2,173 days.
Mr. Grant stated that he had never thought to be caught for 5 years overstaying because he didn’t go out, had no friends, and didn’t socialize with anyone. He would stay at home all day and only go out to buy things at night to avoid the authorities’ attention.
Pol. Lt. Col. Weerachai Thinkamut, Inspector of Chonburi Immigration, said that the officers received orders and strictly followed the policy of inspecting foreigners in Pattaya, including those without visas, those overstayed, those who committed crimes, and those who worked in occupations reserved only for Thais, in order to make Pattaya a safe and livable city and reduce transnational crime.
While the officers were inspecting the area on Friday night, they found a foreign male matching the description provided by the source in front of a convenience store on Soi 8, Jomtien Beach Road, Pattaya. They identified themselves and asked to check his official documents, but he had no documents to confirm his identity. He was then invited to the Pattaya Immigration Checkpoint.
The Immigration Police officers informed Mr. Grant of the charges against him and took him to the Pattaya City Police Station on May 10, 2024.
The officers informed him of the charges against him and took him to the Pattaya City Police Station for legal proceedings and deportation from the country.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, retired people can stay in Thailand by Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay). This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 1 year without the intention of working.
Since 2016, Thailand has allowed nationals from 14 countries to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 10 years. The applicants must apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa “O-X” (Long Stay 10 years), also called a Non-O-X Visa, at the Royal Thai Embassy/Royal Thai Consulate-General (when applying outside Thailand) or the Immigration Bureau (when applying in Thailand).
Foreigners who wish to apply for a Non-O and Non-OA Visa must have an income or retirement funds of at least 65,000 baht per month for a period of 12 months, or a combined pension deposit of not less than 800,000 baht per year for a period of 3 months.
Those who wish to apply for a Non-OX Visa must have an income or retirement funds of at least 100,000 baht per month for a period of 12 months, or a combined pension deposit of not less than 3,000,000 baht per year for a period of 3 months, and must have a health insurance policy.
The Security Council meets before voting on a resolution concerning a ceasefire in Gaza at United Nations headquarters, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on Friday to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine and called on the Security Council to reconsider Palestine’s request to become the 194th member of the United Nations.
The world body approved the Arab and Palestinian-sponsored resolution by a vote of 143-9 with 25 abstentions. The United States voted against it, along with Israel, Argentina, Czechia, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Papua New Guinea.
The vote reflected the wide global support for full membership of Palestine in the United Nations, with many countries expressing outrage at the escalating death toll in Gaza and fears of a major Israeli offensive in Rafah, a southern city where about 1.3 million Palestinians have sought refuge.
It also demonstrated growing support for the Palestinians. A General Assembly resolution on Oct. 27 calling for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza was approved 120-14 with 45 abstentions. That was just weeks after Israel launched its military offensive in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people.
While Friday’s resolution gives Palestine some new rights and privileges, it reaffirms that it remains a non-member observer state without full U.N. membership and the right to vote in the General Assembly or at any of its conferences. And the United States has made clear that it will block Palestinian membership and statehood until direct negotiations with Israel resolve key issues, including security, boundaries and the future of Jerusalem, and lead to a two-state solution.
U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood said Friday that for the U.S. to support Palestinian statehood, direct negotiations must guarantee Israel’s security and future as a democratic Jewish state and that Palestinians can live in peace in a state of their own.
Under the U.N. Charter, prospective members of the United Nations must be “peace-loving” and the Security Council must recommend their admission to the General Assembly for final approval. Palestine became a U.N. non-member observer state in 2012.
The United States considers Friday’s resolution an attempt to get around the Charter’s provisions, Wood reiterated Thursday.
Results of a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution for the Security Council to reconsider and support the full membership of Palestine into the United Nations, displayed at the UN headquarters in New York City on May 10, 2024. (Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
Unlike resolutions in the Security Council, there are no vetoes in the 193-member General Assembly. Friday’s resolution required a two-thirds majority of members voting and got significantly more than the 118 vote minimum.
U.S. allies supported the resolution, including France, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Australia, Estonia and Norway. But European countries were very divided.
The resolution “determines” that a state of Palestine is qualified for membership — dropping the original language that in the General Assembly’s judgment it is “a peace-loving state.” It therefore recommends that the Security Council reconsider its request “favorably.”
The renewed push for full Palestinian membership in the U.N. comes as the war in Gaza has put the more than 75-year-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict at center stage. At numerous council and assembly meetings, the humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinians in Gaza and the killing of more than 34,000 people in the territory, according to Gaza health officials, have generated outrage from many countries.
Before the vote, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, told the assembly in an emotional speech that “No words can capture what such loss and trauma signifies for Palestinians, their families, communities and for our nation as a whole.”
He said Palestinians in Gaza “have been pushed to the very edge of the strip, to the very brink of life” with Israel besieging Rafah.
Mansour accused Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of preparing “to kill thousands to ensure his political survival” and aiming to destroy the Palestinian people.
He welcomed the resolution’s strong support and told AP that 144 countries have now recognized the state of Palestine, including four countries since Oct. 7, all from the Caribbean.
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan vehemently opposed the resolution, accusing U.N. member nations of not mentioning Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack and seeking “to reward modern-day Nazis with rights and privileges.”
He said if an election were held today, Hamas would win, and warned U.N. members that they were “about to grant privileges and rights to the future terror state of Hamas.” He held up a photo of Yehya Sinwar, the mastermind of the Hamas attack on Israel, saying a terrorist “whose stated goal is Jewish genocide” would be a future Palestinian leader.
Erdan also accused the assembly of trampling on the U.N. Charter, putting two pages that said “U.N. Charter” in a small shredder he held up. .
The original draft of the resolution was changed significantly to address concerns not only by the U.S. but also by Russia and China, three Western diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations were private.
The first draft would have conferred on Palestine “the rights and privileges necessary to ensure its full and effective participation” in the assembly’s sessions and U.N. conferences “on equal footing with member states.” It also made no reference to whether Palestine could vote in the General Assembly.
According to the diplomats, Russia and China, which are strong supporters of Palestine’s U.N. membership, were concerned that granting the rights and privileges listed in an annex could set a precedent for other would-be U.N. members — with Russia concerned about Kosovo and China about Taiwan.
Under longstanding legislation by the U.S. Congress, the United States is required to cut off funding to U.N. agencies that give full membership to a Palestinian state, which could mean a cutoff in dues and voluntary contributions to the U.N. from its largest contributor.
The final draft that was voted on dropped the language that would put Palestine “on equal footing with member states.” And to address Chinese and Russian concerns, it decided “on an exceptional basis and without setting a precedent” to adopt the rights and privileges in the annex.
It also added a provision in the annex clarifying that it does not give Palestine the right to vote in the General Assembly or put forward candidates for U.N. agencies.
What the resolution does give Palestine are the rights to speak on all issues not just those related to the Palestinians and Middle East, to propose agenda items and reply in debates, and to serve on the assembly’s main committees. It also allows Palestinians to participate in U.N. and international conferences convened by the United Nations, but without the right to vote.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas first delivered the Palestinian Authority’s application for U.N. membership in 2011. It failed because the Palestinians didn’t get the required minimum support of nine of the Security Council’s 15 members.
They went to the General Assembly and succeeded by more than a two-thirds majority in having their status raised from a U.N. observer to a non-member observer state. That opened the door for the Palestinian territories to join U.N. and other international organizations, including the International Criminal Court.
In the Security Council vote on April 18, the Palestinians got much more support for full U.N. membership. The vote was 12 in favor, the United Kingdom and Switzerland abstaining, and the United States voting no and vetoing the resolution.
Photo taken on April 18, 2024, shows the spot where two burnt bodies were found in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture.(Kyodo)
TOKYO – A 25-year-old man was served with a fresh arrest warrant Saturday on suspicion of murder after being arrested last month in connection with the burned bodies of a married couple that were found on a riverbank north of Tokyo in April, police said.
Ryoken Hirayama is the first to face a murder charge among six people who have been arrested on suspicion of damaging the corpses of Ryutaro Takarajima, 55, and his wife Sachiko, 56.
They suspect Hirayama acted as an intermediary as he has said he received instructions to kill the couple in early April and asked two people to carry out the crime.
The police also plan to serve the remaining five with fresh arrest warrants for murder, including Seiha Sekine, the 32-year-old common-law husband of a daughter of the couple, who they suspect played the leading role in the crime.
Hirayama is suspected of colluding with others to kill the couple sometime between the night of April 15 and the early hours of the following day in the garage of a vacant house in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward, according to investigators.
The police believe Hirayama purchased gasoline and adhesive tape, among other items, after being instructed by Hikaru Sasaki, 28, to deal with the couple’s bodies. Hirayama also allegedly lent his vehicle on April 15 to Kang Gwang Gi and Kirato Wakayama, both 20, who have also been arrested.
The couple died of suffocation, and the wife had wounds to her head and face.
The house is managed by a real estate company in which another suspect, Ryo Maeda, 36, serves as an executive. Traces of Sachiko Takarajima’s blood were found in the garage and on a hammer in Hirayama’s vehicle.
Hirayama was arrested on April 21 after he turned himself in at a police box in Tokyo following the discovery of the bodies in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, on April 16. He has told investigators he received a payment of 9 million yen ($58,000).
As only Sekine and Maeda were acquainted with the couple, Tokyo police believe the others took part in the crime for money.
A Russian group looks at the video clip which showed a Thai man abusing a cat to the point of death.
PHUKET – A Russian couple in Phuket witnessed a Thai man, suspected of being a policeman, abusing a cat to the point of death, which was confirmed by VDO footage. The Soi Dog Foundation team stated that they will file a complaint with the police after the investigation revealed that the cat was registered with the foundation.
After the Phuket Info Center‘s Facebook page posted pictures of the incident, stating that it was animal cruelty by an officer in the Chalong sub-district of Phuket, many people expressed criticism and condemned the act.
On May 10, 2024, the media met with eyewitnesses, Mr. Stanislav and Mrs. Gromova, who are Russian. They said the incident occurred on May 8 at around 5:00 am in Soi Anusorn, Chalong sub-district (near Villa Market). A man grabbed a white cat and threw it to the ground 2-3 times before throwing it to a pack of dogs to maul. He then picked up the cat, walked away and threw it away. They were very angry that someone would do this to a cat.
The video footage captures a man picking up the cat, walking away, and throwing it.
Later, the reporters met with the cat’s owner, La-ongdao, who said her cat is named Auan (meaning fatty) and has been living in her house on this street for 5 years. The cat is registered with Soi Dog and is treated by a veterinarian from the foundation when she gets sick.
On the morning of May 8, she went out to look for the cat after not seeing it in the house. She thought it might be playing at the condo in front of the house because it usually plays there. Later, a neighbor she knew gave her a clip that the foreigners had taken, which showed the moment when several dogs bit the cat.
She later then went to the dog owner’s house but did not find the dog owner. She only found his wife who said that her husband had gone to work. She searched for the cat all day but couldn’t find it. Then in the evening, Soi Dog Foundation officers came to meet the cat as scheduled. She then told them that she couldn’t find the cat.
Auan the cat is beloved and taken care of by people at the Soi Dog Foundation.
That evening the dogs’ owner came to her and said that the cat was dead and that he would find a new cat to replace it. She said that it could not be replaced and asked for the remains of her cat because she had seen him carry it off in the clamp. He replied indifferently that he had thrown her away.
When she asked him if the cat was dead when he threw it away, he just said that the cat was lying still. She insisted on having the remains returned because she was going to bury it.
Later at 7 p.m., he brought the cat’s remains in a black bag. She touched it and the cat was still soft, so she asked him if he knew that the cat might not have been dead when he threw it away. Why did he torture the cat like this? He just said the same thing again, that the cat was lying still.
La-ongdao said that the Soi Dog Foundation will be the one to file a lawsuit because the cat has been under the care of the foundation for many years. She couldn’t accept what she saw in the clip, and the foreigner at the foundation who also joined in taking care of Auan could not stand it as well.
The Minister of Industry Pimpattara Wichaikul and delegation visit the MTT factory after an explosion at the gas storage tanks in an industrial area in Rayong Province on May 10, 2024.
RAYONG — The wife, family, and colleagues of an employee from the Mab Ta Phut Tank Terminal Company went on Friday to receive the body of Mr. Nopporn Nuanma, who died in the fire incident at chemical storage tank in an Eastern Thailand industrial estates.
Nopporn was the only fatality in this incident, while five other employees were injured at the Pyrolysis gasoline storage tank of the company located in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Rayong Province, on May 9.
They were grief-stricken while taking his body back to his hometown in Nam Yen Sub-District, Phan District, Chiang Rai Province, for the funeral ceremony.
His colleagues revealed that Nopporn was the person who attempted to climb up and close the valve on the tank before the explosion occurred. The force of the blast tragically took his life.
Family of Mr. Nopporn Nuanma, who died in the fire incident at chemical storage tank in the MTT factory receive his bodyใ
The fire was contained eight hours later. About 400 workers and residents who have been evacuated to a temporary shelter.
This incident underscores the problems of management and prevention of hazards from chemicals and fires in industrial estates in Rayong Province.
Previously, a fire broke out at the factory of Win Process Co., Ltd. on the morning of April 22, 2024, affecting nearby residents and the environment. Subsequently, Mr. Julapong Taveesri, the Director-General of the Department of Industrial Works, submitted his resignation to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry on April 29, after being reprimanded by the Prime Minister for handling the situation too slowly.
This company was sued by the Department of Industrial Works and the Rayong Provincial Industry Office, petitioning the court to properly collect and store hazardous materials both inside and outside the factory premises, after the company had requested to cease operations since 2020.
A fire broke out at the factory of Win Process Co., Ltd. on the morning of April 22, 2024
Amidst the ongoing process of managing the chemical waste from Win Process Company, another explosion and fire incident occurred at the gas storage tanks of Map Ta Phut Terminal Company Limited (MTT), a subsidiary of Siam Cement Group (SCC) located in Rayong Province.
In the case of MTT, Mr. Thammasak Sethaudom, the Chief Executive Officer of SCC, revealed the preliminary investigation results regarding the cause of the incident that the employees had climbed up to inspect the quantity of Pyrolysis gasoline, a mixture of chemicals commonly used in gasoline blending, in the tank.
However, a cloud of smoke suddenly emerged, followed by an explosion at around 10.45 a.m. on Thursday. The force of the blast caused all individuals to fall from the tank, resulting in injuries and fatalities. The fire immediately ignited following the explosion.
Initially, employees managed to contain the fire at 12:30 p.m., but it reignited, and they were finally able to extinguish it at 6:00 p.m.
Afterward, authorities allowed the residents to return to the area and closed the temporary evacuation center at Maptaphut Panpittayakarn School. Subsequently, public health officials conducted health check-ups for the residents in the nearby communities.
Later, on May 10, the Governor of Rayong Province revoked the announcement declaring the communities of Nong Faeb, Ta-Kwan, and Ao Pradu as areas affected by a public disaster.
Black smoke billows after an explosion at the gas storage tanks in an industrial area in Rayong province, eastern of Thailand, Thursday, May 9, 2024. At least one person was killed and several others injured after a huge fire broke out at gas storage tanks. (Fire & Rescue Thailand via AP)
Meanwhile, the SCC sent a letter to President of the Stock Exchange of Thailand on May 10 to update on the incident at the MTT.
“SCC hereby informs you that the fire incident at MTT on May 9, 2024 occurred in the area where a storage tank containing hydrocarbon compound C9+ was located. MTT will be responsible for the medical treatment and provide assistance to the injured and the families of the casualties to the fullest extent,” it stated.
The letter added that MTT has cooperated with the Health Service Center, Map Ta Phut Municipal, and Chaloem Phrakiat Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Hospital Siam Boromrajakumari, Rayong to deploy medical personnel to provide care for those affected in the community.
MTT is covered by insurance policies that has been arranged as follows:
1. Industrial All Risks Insurance and Business Interruption Insurance
2. Public Liability Insurance
3. Legal Liability Insurance for liabilities arising from Category 3 of the Fuel Oils Control Act
regarding the control of liquefied petroleum gas and the control of oil
MTT has notified the insurance company to prepare for a joint investigation as soon as the access to the area is possible, in order to assess the damage according to the fact verification procedure and evaluate all related damages, including the cause of the incident to determine the claim value according to the conditions under insurance policy.
Black smoke billows after an explosion at the gas storage tanks in an industrial area in Rayong province, eastern of Thailand, Thursday, May 9, 2024. At least one person was killed and several others injured after a huge fire broke out at gas storage tanks. (Fire & Rescue Thailand via AP)
The company said in a statement that it is investigating the cause of the fire and will implement measures to prevent it from happening again. It expressed its condolences and said the company is ready to provide compensation to those affected.
In 2021, the company was ordered to cease operations temporarily after another one of its storage tanks erupted and caught fire, killing three and seriously injuring two.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has instructed Ms. Pimpattara Wichaikul, the Minister of Industry, to closely take care of the affected people, while SCC has been assigned the responsibility of providing assistance and compensation to all those affected by the incident.
The gas storage tank was left completely charred on May 10, following the explosion and fire incident. Firefighters spent more than 8 hours extinguishing the blaze on May 9.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that all sectors must strictly enforce preventive measures to ensure that factories adhere to the rules and regulations. Furthermore, fire control measures must follow standardized procedures for fire management to minimize the impact on various factories and the residents living in the surrounding areas.
Later, Miss Pimpattara visited the factory where the incident occurred. As she stepped out of the car, she hesitated momentarily upon detecting the pungent odor of burned substances. She then proceeded to visit the residents living near the MTT factory at Sala Ta Kwan-Ao Pradu, Mab Ta Phut Subdistrict, Rayong Province, and apologized to those who were affected by the incident.
Afterward, she returned to Bangkok to hold a press conference, affirming that MTT Company would be held responsible for the damages and impacts caused. She also mentioned the results of air quality inspections at three locations: the Ta Kwan Health Station, the Nong Suea Kueak Station, and the Map Ta Phut Municipality Station. The air quality at these locations was found to be within normal limits.
BANGKOK – Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, revealed on May 9 that reports of coral bleaching surveys within the marine national parks had identified 19 affected areas. The most recent closure announcements include the tourist sites of Pling Island and the surrounding area of Sirinat National Park, Thalang District, Phuket Province, as a temporary measure.
Of the 19 marine national park areas affected (data from April 2 to May 8, 2024), eight are located on the Thai Gulf Coast, including Mu Ko Chang National Park, Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Hat Wanakon National Park, Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, Than Sadet – Ko Pha-ngan National Park, Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park and Hat Khanom – Mu Ko Thalae Tai National Park.
Along the coast of the Andaman Sea, 11 areas are affected, including Mu Ko Ranong National Park, Laem Son National Park, Mu Ko Surin National Park, Mu Ko Similan National Park, Sirinat National Park, Ao Phang Nga National Park, Than Bok Khorani National Park – Phi Phi Islands, Mu Ko Lanta National Park, Tarutao National Park and Mu Ko Phetra National Park.
Areas of particular concern where coral bleaching exceeds 50 percent include Hat Wanakon, where over 80 percent of the area is affected by bleaching. In Sirinat National Park, the area around Pling Island is also over 80 percent affected by bleaching and has been closed. In Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, bleaching is over 70 percent on Kram Island, over 60 percent on Ngam Noi Island and over 80 percent on Ngam Yai Island.
The cause of coral bleaching is attributed to abnormal marine environmental conditions, such as warm seawater, oil spills, sedimentation covering the corals, or prolonged exposure to high and low tides. This stress causes the corals to shed their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae), their primary source of energy, leading to coral bleaching and eventual death if the bleaching continues for 2-3 weeks.
To prevent further damage to coral reefs during bleaching, the Department of National Parks has taken measures, including closing tourist sites, to reduce activities that could exacerbate coral bleaching until the situation improves.
Pinsak Suraswadi, director general of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), said after a marine survey in Ko Mak sub-district, Ko Kood district, Trat province, where coral bleaching of 30-50 percent was found, the damage was fortunately not as severe as originally predicted. This could be due to the cloudy weather during the two-day survey trip and the dropping temperatures.
He noted that coral bleaching and seagrass mortality in Thailand are in a critical state caused not by ordinary global warming, but by global turbulence that keeps occurring in different places, and by lower than normal sea levels. These conditions lead to the corals being exposed for longer and consequently bleaching.
The Chumphon National Marine Park Operations Center has installed a shade net to protect coral reefs from heat stress and prevent coral bleaching.
Seagrass also dries out and dies, as can be seen on Ko Kradad in the Ko Kood district of Trat province. One of the most important measures that the DMCR will take is to designate the marine area around Ko Kood as a marine protected area.
Meanwhile, the Chumphon National Marine Park Operations Center, in collaboration with officials and the Marine Biodiversity Research Group from the Faculty of Science at Ramkhamhaeng University, has installed a shade net to protect coral reefs from heat stress and prevent coral bleaching. This action was taken after it was discovered that 80 percent of the coral reefs in an area spanning 20 rai (approximately 8 acres) at a depth of 8-9 meters were affected by coral bleaching.
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Related story:
A group of Trang marine tourism operators and divers who went diving to explore the beauty of the Andaman Sea at the Khon Mai Khao area and Ao Farang of Koh Muk were stunned to see that the coral had faded in colour, appearing white. Coral bleaching, likely due to this year’s increased global temperatures, is suspected to be the cause.
The divers are particularly worried about the sea anemone area, which is home to clownfish and has also bleached, according to Mr. Phruk Kirdaubon, the manager of Modtanoi Resort, who led the dive crew this time. The divers are concerned that it will impact the clownfish in the future.
For the 1st Time in Asia, AIS partners with Central Department Store Group, under Central Retail, and 9 Bridge Alliance Operators to boost Thailand tourism with ‘Welcome to Thailand Privileges’ at 77 department stores nationwide
AIS, along with 9 member operators of Bridge Alliance, including China Unicom (China), csl. and 1O1O (Hong Kong), CTM (Macau), Globe (Philippines), Maxis (Malaysia), MobiFone (Vietnam), Singtel (Singapore), Taiwan Mobile (Taiwan) and Telkomsel (Indonesia) announced a significant first-ever collaboration in Asia with the leading retailer Central Department Store Group, under Central Retail, which includes Central Department Stores and Robinson Department Stores nationwide, and Central Embassy. By combining their strengths, they aim to provide seamless, exceptional experiences for international tourists, supporting the growth of the Thai economy and welcoming the revival of the tourism sector. This ‘Asia’s 1st Cross Border Privilege Program for Tourist’ collaboration offers over 600 million customers from Bridge Alliance operators who use AIS’s roaming service while visiting Thailand not only the best 5G network experience but also world-class services at Thailand’s leading department stores, Central and Robinson Department Store under Central Retail, and Central Embassy. They will enjoy premium privileges for shopping and dining that cater to all lifestyles, including fashion, Thai and international brands, exquisite restaurants, and more with the ‘Welcome to Thailand Privileges’ campaign: Enjoy Shopping, Explore Thailand with Ease (today – 28 February 2025).
Pratthana Leelapanang, Chief Consumer Business Officer of AIS stated, “We are beginning to see clear signs of growth and the return of tourism. In the first quarter of the year, over 9.3 million international tourists have already visited our country, marking an important opportunity to drive overall economic recovery through the power of all sectors. Therefore, as Thailand’s leading digital service provider that believes in delivering quality experiences from our network and aims to work with partners to provide benefits to our customers, while also fostering overall economic growth, we have initiated a special project to meet this goal.”
“This is the reason for collaborating with Bridge Alliance and its membership of leading telecom operators across the region. Through our partnership, we jointly develop digital service innovations for each customer’s benefit and provide an exceptional roaming experience on the AIS 5G network for customers of Bridge Alliance member operators when travelling to Thailand. It is also the first time that we, along with Central Department Store Group, under Central Retail, the country’s leading retail industry player as a Strategic Partner, have announced a collaboration to offer carefully curated exclusive privileges, such as shopping and dining discount coupons, at all Central department stores and all Robinson department stores throughout Thailand for mobile customers of the 9 member operators participating in this campaign.”
Rvisra Chirathivat, Chief Marketing Officer of Central Department Store Group, under Central Retail further explained, “At Central Department Store Group, we always believe in delivering the utmost impressive experiences for customers. As evident from our 77 years in business, we have continuously created premium products, services, and privileges to provide the best shopping experience that our customers trust and rely on. We keep seeking new innovations to serve our customers nationwide, aiming to be the department store of the future that captures the hearts of Thai and international tourists alike as the best shopping destination in Thailand.”
“Today, we are delighted to collaborate with AIS and their partners Bridge Alliance through the ‘Welcome to Thailand Privileges’ campaign to welcome international customers right from their first step from their home countries via leading mobile network providers. We aim to create a seamless impressive experience with a wealth of privilege packages from Central Department Store Group, including coupons from top brands, premium services like Personal Shoppers to assist each customer by recommending promotions and privileges throughout their shopping journey, VAT refund facilitation at Central and Robinson stores, free product delivery to hotels, and opportunities to savor delicacies from premium restaurants at Central Embassy – a comprehensive 360-degree experience to ensure every visitor has the most perfect and special shopping experience until the end of their trip.”
For customers of the 9 operators in Bridge Alliance who enable roaming when traveling to Thailand, they will receive the full privileges of the ‘Welcome to Thailand Privileges’ campaign to enjoy shopping and travel conveniently throughout their time in Thailand. The kick-off phase is launching first with China Unicom from China and CTM from Macau today. This will be followed by rolling out the full privileges to customers of the remaining 7 Bridge Alliance mobile operators within this year. Everyone can indulge in the abundant premium benefits until February 28, 2025, including:
Receive shopping coupons total valued at 3,600 Baht. The coupon can be used at every location of Central and Robinson Department Stores (Please check further terms & conditions at the point of sale)
Receive shopping coupons total valued at 140 Baht. The coupons can be used at participating Tops Supermarket, Tops Food Hall, and Tops Fine Food locations. (Please check further terms & conditions at the point of sale)
Exclusive array of privileges and discounts total worth 12,000 Baht from over 45 world-renowned brands including La Mer, Estée Lauder, Tom Ford Beauty, MAC, Sabina, Guy Laroche, Marks & Spencer, Sanrio, Smiggle, Adidas, Sunglass Hut, Tissot, Zwilling, PAÑPURI, and Dyson. (Please check further terms & conditions at the point of sale)
Special discounts at legendary Thai premium street food restaurants – a destination for all foodies in the heart of Bangkok that appeals to both locals and tourists: Public Lane and Public Market at Central Chidlom on the 1st floor; Lofter featuring renowned restaurants ranging from street food to Michelin- Michelin-guided eateries at Central Chidlom on the 6th floor; Living House at CENTRAL @ centralwOrld on the 7th floor; and Eathai, the ultimate destination for local eats at Central Embassy on level LG. (Please check further terms & conditions at the point of sale)
Customers can receive benefits and coupons by visiting the Customer Services counters at 8 participating Central Department Store branches and 9 participating Robinson Department Store branches.
Participating Central stores: Central Chidlom, CENTRAL @ centralwOrld, Central Chiangmai, Central Pattaya, Central Patong, Central Phuket Floresta, Central Samui and Central Hadyai.
To enjoy these perks, simply follow the mechanics communicated by each participating operator to redeem the benefits at Central department stores and Robinson department stores, with 77 branches across the country.
Pratthana concluded by saying, “this collaboration between AIS and partners from Bridge Alliance, including Central Department Store Group, under Central Retail, highlights the private sector’s dedication to leveraging each organization’s strengths and capabilities to support the country’s economic engine in the tourism sector. This will drive growth across various sectors within the ecosystem efficiently. We firmly believe that this collaboration will impress tourists and convey the charm of Thailand, encouraging them to visit again in the future.”
Thai master of the plowing ceremony, Prayoon Inskul, center, prays for Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, left, and Queen Suthida before the start of a royal plowing ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, May 10, 2024. The annual event marks the beginning of the rice growing season. (Sunti Teapia/Pool Photo via AP)
BANGKOK – Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn with Queen Suthida, addresses the audience at a Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, May 10, 2024.
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, known as “Raek Na Khwan” or “Phra Ratcha Phithi Charot Phra Nangkhan Raek Na Khwan” in Thai, is a traditional royal ceremony held in Thailand to mark the beginning of the rice-growing season.
The ceremony is usually conducted in May, which is the sixth month of the Thai lunar calendar, and is considered an auspicious time for farmers to start planting their rice crops.
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, left, with Queen Suthida, addresses the audience at a royal plowing ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, May 10, 2024. (Sunti Teapia/Pool Photo via AP)
In the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and they plough a furrow in some ceremonial ground, while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky.
Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not.
This year, the royal oxen ate water, grass, and liquor, predicting that water resources will be reasonably abundant, and crops, fruits, vegetables, and meat will be plentiful. Transportation will be more convenient, and Thailand will enjoy greater export, leading to a prosperous economy.
Prayoon Inskul perform a royal plowing ceremony at Sanam Luang in Bangkok on May 10, 2024. (Khaosod Photo/ Worapong Charoenpol)The royal oxen consumed water, grass, and liquor, predicting that water resources will be reasonably abundant, and crops, fruits, vegetables, and meat will be plentiful. Trade with foreign countries will improve, leading to a prosperous economy. (Khaosod Photo/ Worapong Charoenpol)
At the same time, the Lord of the First Ploughing picked up a piece of cloth measuring 5 cubits, forecasting that this year’s water supply will be just right, and the rice seedlings in the fields will yield abundant results. Fruits and meat will also be plentiful.
His Majesty the King also graciously granted permission to the Rice Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to use rice seeds cultivated during the 2023 rainy season in the experimental paddy field project at the Chitralada Royal Villa.
The seeds include six varieties of lowland rice and two varieties of glutinous rice, with a total weight of 2,743 kilograms. These seeds are designated as the “Royal Rice Varieties” and are packed in plastic bags to be distributed to the public, interested individuals, and farmers throughout the country as a token of good fortune and blessing for their agricultural occupations.
People collect rice seeds from the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang on May 10, 2024.
