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  • NEWS

    Too many foreign tramps

    Published on 03/09/2013

    » According to the Issarachon Foundation, there are now 200 or so foreigners roaming the streets and beaches in Thailand, unable to pay for their daily living costs or their airfare home. The main reason, according to the charity, is the increasing number of aliens who have registered property in the name of their Thai wife and then been ejected to fend for themselves. Natee Saravari, secretary-general of the Foundation, said that it was not uncommon to see Europeans sorting through the trash at fast food restaurants looking for something to eat or begging on beachfront areas. He added that whilst most Thai homeless people have some form of mental illness, most destitute farang are alcoholics. There are thought to be about 50 homeless foreign men in Pattaya, living mostly in beach areas and eating at one or two charitable institutions which don’t turn them away. Embassy sources say they mostly have expired visas or lost passports and can no longer receive cash handouts from diplomatic sources. Consular officers will contact relatives on request for financial assistance. If that fails, the general advice is to give themselves up for overstay. They will remain in prison pending often lengthy arrangements by their respective embassy to fly them home. Once returned, they will normally be deprived of their passport pending repayment of the airfare.

  • NEWS

    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.”

  • NEWS

    Nongprue police station upgraded

    Published on 18/04/2013

    » The regional police commander of region two formally opened Nongprue police station at a ceremony to mark its establishment as a full police station rather than an ancillary unit of Banglamung police authority.

  • NEWS

    Khum Khantoke troupe wins a royal trophy

    Phitsanu Thepthong, Published on 02/08/2012

    » Khum Khantoke Chiang Mai won a royal trophy of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn from the local music band and performance contest held on July 11 at the Chiang Mai University Convention Center.

  • NEWS

    Japan to provide fire engine for Bankad sub-district

    Phitsanu Thepthong, Published on 04/08/2012

    » Under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme, the government of Japan will provide funds amounting to 2,825,000 baht for the procurement of a fire engine for the Bankad Tambon Administration Organization (TAO) in Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai Province.

  • NEWS

    Tourists jumped from Tiger's second storey

    Published on 18/08/2012

    » PHUKET: Shocking accounts of tourists jumping from the second floor and others trampled in the panic to escape are emerging following the fire at Patong's Tiger Discoteque early on Friday morning.

  • NEWS

    Parks Dept hikes fees as much as 150pc

    Published on 24/08/2012

    » PHUKET: The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has announced it is to hike park entrance fees from October 1 at 29 national parks countrywide, including seven in southern Thailand.

  • NEWS

    Happy third birthday for Lin Ping

    Phitsanu Thepthong, Published on 30/08/2012

    » Lin Ping, the first giant panda born in Chiang Mai Zoo and a darling of the Thai people, has turned three years and three months old on Aug. 27.

  • NEWS

    Suu Kyi departs on landmark US visit

    AFP, Published on 16/09/2012

    » Democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi left Myanmar Sunday for a landmark trip to the United States, set to see her feted by the US president and quizzed on the progress of reforms.

  • NEWS

    Save energy and help the world

    Published on 18/09/2012

    »

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