kwilco

There is a common misconception that PM2.5 particles only affect those with poor health – e.g .elderly etc. This is not true…. PM2.5 particles are so small they can enter anyone’s bloodstream directly through the lungs. They remain in the bloodstream for months and effects may not manifest for years. They actually decrease your life expectancy. Studies have established a strong association between PM2.5, lung disease, and cardiovascular disease. Your brain! Studies have shown a link between PM2.5 exposure and cognitive decline, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease Recent studies have shown that PM2.5 is also strongly associated with brain damage, mainly cerebrovascular damage (stroke) and neurological damage to the brain (changes in cognitive function, dementia, psychiatric disorders, etc.). Breathing; PM2.5 weakens the lungs' defences against respiratory infections, making people more susceptible to pneumonia and bronchitis PM2.5 can trigger asthma attacks and worsen symptoms in people with existing asthma. (COPD) exposure to PM2.5 contributes to the development of COPD, this progressive lung disease makes it hard to breathe. PM2.5 exposure is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. Heart disease: PM2.5 can damage the heart and blood vessels, leading to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and irregular heartbeat. Blood pressure: PM2.5 exposure can contribute to high blood pressure, another risk factor for heart disease. Diabetes: PM2.5 may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.Birth defects: Exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of low birth weight and other birth defects. Although the severity of these health effects depends on several factors, including the level and duration of exposure, a person's age and overall health, and whether they have any pre-existing medical conditions, people who consider themselves “healthy” are not immune to the long-term effects of exposure to these particles Bear in mind that even relatively low levels of PM2.5 exposure can be harmful to health. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that annual average PM2.5 concentrations should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³). However, the “safe” level in Thailand falls far short of the WHO's recommended safe level. Overall, pollution in Thailand has risen 22.7 percent since 2000 The country's nationwide average PM2.5 concentration is significantly higher than the WHO recommended safe levels , often exceeding 10 µg/m³ and sometimes even reaching 20 µg/m³ or more. This means that the air in Thailand is generally considered unhealthy for everyone, not just sensitive individuals. Remember that you can’t use personal visual cues to assess pollution levels – the PM2.5 levels can rise to quite high levels before you can notice the tell-tale haze. One clue you might overlook is the “glorious sunsets”, which are caused by the suns rays interacting with the particles…..

One needs to look at the SOURCES of pollution - of course a lot of it is big business who have a vested interest in keeping their buddies in government out of it.. however tourism traditionally makes up 20% of GDP and if Thailand gets the reputation for being dangerous to health then it could have serious knock-on effects. Sources - forest fires are mostly man made at the end of the dry season. Multiple rice crops lead to repeated crop burning when it used to be just one crop per annum Sugar cane is often burned twice - once before harvest and then again after. Industry is notoriously under regulated - 50% of industrial waste is disposed of in landfills that are not suitable prepared for the waste and factoreies discharge and burn chemicals into the atomosphere. then in the cities traffic pollution is trapped by the topography and weather. how planes will help I can't see.

THat's right next to the biggest industrial area in Thailand - petrochemicals aromatics etc etc the locals have had various legal actions going for years due to pollution of air, soil ands sea. THey have some of the highest cancer rates in the country.

Life in a military dominated country with road deaths being one of the highest in the world? As an immigrant you have few legal rights especially to live and work hear...how is that free?

this rankng should be taken with a pinch of salt. Whilst the Thai education system is deplorable and archaic so it is in many of the higher ranking countries. Thai's education system is closely tied in with the counrtry's penchant for graft, neptism and corruption - it leads to all sortd of problems for the countr and needs to be totally reforms - but looking at this survey their is no obvious answer because countries with equallt bad education systems do quite well. THe results of the Thai education system manifest themselves in all aspects of Thai life - poorly trained doctors, incompetent CEOs and politicians the dire road safety record, wildlife and conservation failures ALL have their roots in poor education and the subsequent failure to get in outside professionals as it may cause them to loose face. THe problem is that people love to decry the Thai system but nobody is offering a solution.

..and they served dog?

which Trattoria?

How about some up to date info on Savannakhet?

So is there an update? What is the situation as of now? (13/01/24) PS - What is HCMC?

unlike people like you who are diagnosed every day?

THere is a rather dim group of people on this thread who try to be "tough" and dispassionate by suggesting they would either eat dog or that all meat is the same - they are basically taking a very facile approach to the topic and revealing how stupid they themselves really are

THe problem with tourism in Thailand is that for some inexplicable reason people think they should stare at animals - they wouldn't think of doing it at home. ....and Thailand businessmen are keen to seize the opportunity to set up these displays/attractions and don't have to worry about any strict laws on animal welfare or their enforcement. THailand still has a large "virgin" eco-system and it is very important to the rest of the country - it provides water regulateds climate and can be a tourist resource. THe obsession with putting animals in cages so we can look at them is destroying all that and needs to be ended. As for animals in the wild in Thailand, the National parks are so badly funded they are incapable of managing them properly and the employees are wide open to corruption. Te first thing the Thai government should do is embark upon a policy of closing down all these zoos or so-called sanctuaries, rescues, shelters safari prks or whatever they choose to call themselves and set about a national program to deal with all the bused animals both in captivity and in the wild - they can still attract tourism, but the right kind, noty the moronic gawpers that finance these horrendous places.

why do you think you have the right to stare at wild animals?

If you look at the history of this and other wildlife attractions in Thailand it is pretty clear they need either to be shut down or totally re-built - their base philosophies towards wildlfe and animal welfare are rotten to the core.

I'd say it's quite the opposite as any rules you see written down can be totally if=gnored by any immigration official - I don;t think that's ""obvious" is it?

OK - which embassy has the right information?

mmmmm either this isn't true or ywe are missing something - what passport are you using? Are you entering by land?

the final decision on entry is down to the immigration office in front of you.

From the royal Thai Embassy London "Nationals of the United Kingdom and over 40 other countries are eligible to travel to Thailand, for tourism purpose, with the exemption of visa and are permitted to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 30 days. Therefore, you do not need a visa. However, please make sure that you are in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months, a round-trip air ticket, and adequate finances equivalent to at least 20,000 Baht (450 pounds) per person or 40,000 Baht (900 pounds) per family. Otherwise, you maybe inconvenienced upon entry into the country. Furthermore, foreigners who enter Thailand under this Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of first entry." - this makes no mention of entry by air or land anyomre

largely because thy aren't hygienically or humanely frmed and they are not disease or parasite free. Have yo seen how they are prepared for transport? THeir legs are broken behind their backs - this means thy can't run off. Another problem with dogs is that unlike herd/flock animals they aren't easy to manage or a productive source of protein. THe reasons for eating them are usually the same mumbo-jumbo that Chinese medicine is composed of.

So you would eat a Soi dog?

people think thwy are being clever by rying to imply there is no difference - really they are just too daft to understand why we eat certain animals and not others - see my earlier post. currently the eating of "exotic species is doing untold hram to the environment and a lot is also damaging to health. - quite appart from the humane aspects -

Again, what is your point?

I don't see your point.

A fallacous appeal to antiquity.... hunting is obsolete in most modern society...it is no longer done as an essential source of protein, it is done for pleasure