Showing 1 - 10 of 22
Thai forces kill 38 Cambodian loggers in six months
Published on 15/08/2012
» Thai forces shot dead 38 Cambodians in the first half of this year for illegally crossing the border to log for valuable timber, according to the Cambodian authorities.
Army hits the beach in Patong
Associated Press, Published on 09/07/2014
» Thailand's military junta has sent soldiers to one of the country's best-known beaches to clear out food stalls, massage huts and other illegal vending operations as part of a campaign to restore the country's image.
Southeast Asian governments pledge to end dog meat trade
Published on 19/09/2013
» Officials to work with animal welfare coalition Asia Canine Protection Alliance Government officials from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam have pledged to end the inhumane, commercial trade in dogs for meat. The trade is responsible for slaughtering an estimated 5 million dogs for human consumption per year. Thailand, Cambodia and Laos supply dogs for the trade into Vietnam, where they are slaughtered and consumed. Dog meat production has evolved from small-scale household businesses to a multi-million dollar industry of illicit dog traders causing pain and suffering to the dogs involved and posing health risks to humans. The trade in dogs for meat involves movement of dogs of unknown disease and vaccination status, impeding rabies elimination efforts in the region. Countries are failing to comply with their own national animal disease prevention measures, and are not following recommendations for rabies control and elimination by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health and the trade has been linked to outbreaks of trichinellosis, cholera and rabies. The World Health Organization recently cited the trade as a contributing factor in recent outbreaks of rabies in Indonesia and cholera in Vietnam. Government officials agreed to work to end the trade at a recent meeting in Hanoi with animal welfare coalition Asia Canine Protection Alliance. Concerned about the spread of rabies, officials said they would enact a moratorium on the commercial transport of dogs from one country to another for the next five years. In that time, authorities will measure the impact of a moratorium on rabies transmission in the region. (In Thailand, where the trade is illegal, authorities agreed to better enforcement of existing regulations.) Pornpitak Panlar, with the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health in Thailand said, “We cannot change culture or habit, but we should stop the smuggling of dogs. This meeting was important to urge government agencies to see the problems caused by the dog meat trade and discuss a platform to stop the spread of rabies.” Nguyen Thu Thuy, deputy director, Department of Animal Health in Vietnam added, “The rabies situation has become more severe – especially this year. One of the main reasons is the illegal cross-border trade of dogs.” Boonseub Chemchoig, chief inspector general, Ministry of Interior, Thailand noted, “We never allow the transfer of dogs from Thailand to Vietnam for the purpose of consumption. We are still seeking solutions as the border between Thailand and other countries is long and difficult to manage considering the illegal trade. We are trying.” Animal protection organisations, under ACPA, will work with officials, helping to provide financial assistance, expertise and other resources as needed. ACPA is made up of Change for Animals Foundation, Humane Society International, Animals Asia and Soi Dog Foundation. “Canine rabies remains endemic in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia,” it was pointed out by Lola Webber, programmes leader, Change for Animals Foundation. “Ending the illegal trade in dogs destined for human consumption is a crucial component of national and regional rabies control elimination programmes.” Kelly O’Meara, director of companion animals and engagement, Humane Society International, said, “The trade is not about a desire to maintain culture or custom. The trade is profit-driven and poses a risk to human health. In addition, throughout Asia and globally, there is mounting concern for animal welfare and overwhelming evidence documenting the inherent cruelty in all stages of the trade—from sourcing, transport, sale to slaughter.”
Tourism needs clear direction from above
Published on 19/09/2013
» The government’s plan to achieve 2.2 trillion baht in tourism revenue in 2015 depends on clear action and policies, according to tourism-related experts. Dr. Naligatibhak Sangsanit, head of DASTA (Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration), said that simply relying on bigger numbers doesn’t necessarily lead to bigger revenue on the scale anticipated.
Ministry chugs ahead with trains
Published on 29/07/2013
» Whilst the 2-trillion baht borrowing bill is still proceeding through parliament, officials in the Transport Ministry are ploughing ahead with feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments on the electric train project involving four routes. The proposed route from Bangkok to Rayong, starting at Bang Sue and stopping at Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Pattaya, is estimated to cost 101 billion baht. A consultant has been hired to conduct the planning studies. Critics of the scheme say that high-speed trains never break even in any country which has them and require heavy subsidies. The proposed Bangkok-to-Rayong route is one of the less controversial as there is a widespread feeling that the Eastern Seaboard city needs a direct and speedy link to the metropolis. Also the expanding U-tapao provincial airport would benefit enormously from a direct high-speed connection to both Pattaya and Bangkok.
Plastic bag suicide in Naklua
Published on 03/08/2013
» A Swedish man who called his country’s embassy with a suicide threat apparently delivered on his intention. Police found the body of David Cavallin, 43, lying on his bed with a suffocating plastic bag over his head. There was no sign of a struggle or third-party presence; the mobile phone he used was next to the body. Neighbors said Cavallin was a cheerful character who did not appear to have any problems and loved to exercise in his bare feet. The Swedish embassy, which told the police of the fateful phone call, said officials would cooperate in the investigation.
Top investigators plan Pattaya crime office
Published on 21/08/2013
» The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), having recently opened a branch at Phuket airport, has promised later to extend its presence to Pattaya.
Warning about Thai tourism
Published on 03/09/2013
» The Thai Chamber of Commerce has warned that Thailand is in danger of losing out to Malaysia and Singapore in the battle to attract tourists. Aat Pisanwanich, a director, said that other ASEAN countries had improved their tourist and hospitality profiles while Thailand appeared to be standing still. “Foreign visitors are less satisfied than they once were with the Siamese Smile,” he said whilst adding that some front-line staff tended to look displeased. He suggested that the service industry in Thailand should concentrate on improving staff attitudes or risk losing many visitors in the future. Other suggestions were to improve the language skills of staff, not only in English but in Japanese and Chinese as well. If these improvements were made, the Chamber concluded, Thailand could well draw up to 34 million tourists a year by the end of this decade with their revenue of 1.65 trillion baht contributing over 11 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. Currently Malaysia attracts slightly more than the 22 million visitors to Thailand at 25 million with Singapore next at 14 million.
World Health Conference endorses cigarette package warnings
Published on 18/09/2013
» Meeting in Pattaya last week, more than 1,000 health officials from around the world endorsed Thailand’s stepped up efforts to discourage smoking—particularly among youth.