Thai politician opposes panda import due to high rental costs, advocates for local elephants
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Accident Tragic End to Search for Missing Four-Year-Old Boy in Pattani
Picture courtesy of Amarin A heartbreaking incident has shaken the community of Yamu subdistrict in Yaring district, Pattani province, as the body of a four-year-old boy who had been missing for nearly 30 hours was discovered floating in the Yaring River on the afternoon of 30 June. The young boy, identified as Master Wayunus, had been reported missing by his family on the morning of 29 June, after he failed to return home from playing outside. According to relatives, the boy was last seen around 10.00. His sudden disappearance prompted a large-scale search operation involving local rescue teams from Chalarmphai, Santi Lifesaving Unit, and concerned villagers. Search efforts were concentrated in the vicinity of the riverside community outside the military camp, an area frequently visited by local children. Authorities feared the worst as the area is known to be an open and potentially hazardous zone due to its proximity to the riverbank. On the morning of 30 June, divers and sonar scanning equipment were deployed to assist with the underwater search in the Yaring River. Family members and locals gathered anxiously throughout the day, holding onto hope for a positive outcome. At approximately 16.00, a rescue team member spotted a suspicious object floating near the search operation’s command post, just 200 metres away. Upon closer inspection, the object was confirmed to be the lifeless body of the missing boy, tangled with river debris. His body was immediately retrieved and transported to Yaring Hospital for a formal post-mortem examination. Initial assessments suggest the child likely drowned after accidentally falling into the river while playing, a theory supported by some neighbours who claimed to have seen the boy with one or two other children earlier that day. The victim, described by his family as cheerful and playful, had apparently wandered off while playing with friends. Despite the family’s immediate attempts to locate him and question nearby children, no substantial leads emerged until the discovery of his body. Pattani police have launched a full investigation into the incident. Forensic examination of the body will be conducted to rule out any other possible causes of death, with findings expected to be included in the final report. Local leaders are now considering additional signage and barriers along the riverbank, along with a community education campaign to prevent future tragedies of this nature. Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-07-01 -
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Politics Thai Opposition Slams Rally Figures for Encouraging Military Coup
TRUE democracy would have meant that the peoples choice at the ballot box would have given the Future Forward Party the government position. NOT all the other parties voting for seats which can be rigged to get in. That is NOT democracy -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 1 July 2025
Communities Across Eight Mekong Provinces Raise Alarm Over Worsening River Crisis Picture courtesy of Khaosod. Concerned residents from eight northeastern Thai provinces gathered in Mukdahan to share growing fears over the deteriorating condition of the Mekong River, citing increasingly erratic water levels, declining fish populations and shrinking incomes. The mounting environmental crisis, they say, is being driven by upstream dam construction, riverbed mining, and cross-border exploitation. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1365301-communities-across-eight-mekong-provinces-raise-alarm-over-worsening-river-crisis/ -
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Breaking down the 90-day report rule
TikTok videos never play smoothly on my phone and seem to push for the app to be downloaded in order to work properly. I doubt most longer stay expats out here with questions about 90 day reporting would be the kind of demographic who'd have much interest in installing TikTok. -
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Community Communities Across Eight Mekong Provinces Raise Alarm Over Worsening River Crisis
Picture courtesy of Khaosod. Concerned residents from eight northeastern Thai provinces gathered in Mukdahan to share growing fears over the deteriorating condition of the Mekong River, citing increasingly erratic water levels, declining fish populations and shrinking incomes. The mounting environmental crisis, they say, is being driven by upstream dam construction, riverbed mining, and cross-border exploitation. The meeting, held on 29 June at the Homel Muk Hotel in Mueang District, brought together over 100 participants including villagers, environmental activists and academic observers. Attendees represented provinces along the Mekong, Chiang Rai, Loei, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani, with the aim of developing a collective action plan under a shared network. In morning discussions, participants broke into groups based on their regional ecosystems to review the current situation before presenting findings to the larger forum. The results painted a bleak picture. Ecosystem Disruption and Eroding Livelihoods Mr. Channarong Wongla, from Chiang Khan District in Loei, described severe bank erosion and the disappearance of sandbars and backwater pools as a result of unpredictable water levels and intensified currents. The sediment buildup has wiped out over 70% of “krai” trees, vital spawning habitats for fish, leading to a dramatic reduction in native species, such as the pla phia, now reportedly down to just 20% of historical catch levels. In Nong Khai, Mr. Saman Kaewphuang said villagers have lost between 6 to 7 rai of titled land due to bank collapse since 2019. Traditional fishing tools have been destroyed by unmanageable currents and formerly thriving fisheries now yield barely enough for survival. Annual fishing income has plummeted from 200,000–300,000 baht to just 5,000 baht, he noted. Nakhon Phanom residents, represented by Mr. Amnat Traichak, highlighted additional strain from sand dredging operations on both the Thai and Lao sides of the river. The result: droughts in rainy seasons, floods in dry ones and the near collapse of tributary ecosystems like the Songkhram River, now clogged with invasive vegetation. Traditional Ways of Life Disappearing From Amnat Charoen, Mr. Surasing Thananta shared that only 7–8 families in his riverside village still fish for a living. Irregular water levels have made spawning cycles unviable, killing off vital riverside vegetation and displacing entire communities. Boats have been abandoned, and many villagers have had to seek work in cities. In Ubon Ratchathani, Ms. Sompong Viengchan spoke of worsening fish scarcity at the confluence of the Mun and Mekong rivers, worsened by illegal electrofishing by Lao communities, some crossing into Thai territory. Local fishermen have dropped from over 100 households to fewer than 20, with agriculture similarly devastated by unpredictable floods and dry spells. Mr. Anan Taweesuk of Mukdahan explained that even aquatic insect larvae and worms, the base of the aquatic food chain, have disappeared from the riverbed. “No food means no fish. No fish means no livelihood,” he said bluntly. Pollution and Cross-Border Threats In Chiang Rai, Ms. Piyanant Chitjaeng warned of arsenic and heavy metal contamination from mining in Myanmar affecting the Kok and Sai rivers, which feed into the Mekong. Recent “rain bomb” events have also caused major flash floods, while blocked river discharge points during high Mekong levels have triggered large-scale inundation. Mr. Montri Janthawong, coordinator of the advocacy group The Mekong Butterfly, added that sediment data from Chiang Khong shows the Mekong is now twice as turbid in the dry season compared to just three years ago. This turbidity, possibly from upstream mining, threatens aquatic biodiversity across the lower Mekong. He also noted a dramatic and irregular pattern in water level changes, caused by dam releases from China. Between February and April this year, dam discharges submerged 70–80% of key sandbanks and rocky areas used by waterbirds for nesting, severely damaging breeding cycles and contributing to the collapse of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Calls for Action and Further Investigation In the afternoon session, participants discussed the energy policies tied to dam construction, including concerns over Thailand’s Power Development Plan (PDP) and questionable electricity purchasing agreements. The forum also addressed official complaints submitted to the National Human Rights Commission regarding the cross-border effects of hydropower projects and controversial water diversion schemes like the Khong–Loei–Chi–Mun project. As the Mekong’s communities continue to bear the brunt of ecological disruption, the assembled network pledged coordinated efforts to preserve what remains of their river-dependent way of life and push for greater accountability from both domestic and regional stakeholders. Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-01 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 1 July 2025
Surin: Crane Operator Electrocuted After Hitting High-Voltage Line Picture courtesy of Naewna. A construction site incident has claimed the life of a 30-year-old man after a crane mounted on his truck made fatal contact with a high-voltage power line. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1365299-surin-crane-operator-electrocuted-after-hitting-high-voltage-line/
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