-
Recently Browsing 0 members
- No registered users viewing this page.
-
Topics
-
-
Popular Contributors
-
Latest posts...
-
0
Tourism Thailand Ramps Up Tourism Safety Measures Amid Crackdown on Illegal Operations
Picture courtesy of Khaosod. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is intensifying efforts to make Thailand a safer and more reliable destination for international visitors, with a range of new safety and service measures now being rolled out nationwide. In a statement released on 1 June, by the Department of Public Relations, officials said the move was designed to restore tourist confidence in the country following concerns raised by recent online rumours, which the Ministry has confirmed were unfounded and unrelated to the tourism sector. Key initiatives include round-the-clock security patrols in major tourist areas, enhanced airport arrivals support and real-time assistance via a dedicated app. Travellers can also access help through the 1155 tourist police hotline, available 24/7 in multiple languages. To ensure fairness and improve service quality, the government is also working with airlines to boost the number of flights to and from Thailand. Fuel tax reductions are being considered to help reduce airfares. At the same time, authorities are monitoring hotels, transport services and tour operators to ensure transparency and uphold standards. A major crackdown is now underway on illegal tour operations and unlicensed guides. Central to this is the work of the Joint Operations Centre for Combating Nominee Tourism Businesses (JOCN), a task force targeting foreign-owned businesses that operate under the guise of Thai ownership through nominee arrangements, a practice that violates the law. “Thailand must be a destination where tourists feel safe, receive quality service, and enjoy meaningful experiences,” said Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports, Natthriya Thaweewong. The initiative is part of a broader government drive to revitalise the tourism industry and reinforce Thailand’s reputation as a world-class travel destination. Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-03. -
18
THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 3 June 2025
First Anthrax Case Detected in Sa Kaeo, Health Officials to Investigate Source Picture courtesy of Matichon. Health authorities in Sa Kaeo province have confirmed the first human case of anthrax in the region and are deploying an investigation team to the area to prevent further transmission and identify potential sources of infection. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362509-first-anthrax-case-detected-in-sa-kaeo-health-officials-to-investigate-source/ -
0
Community First Anthrax Case Detected in Sa Kaeo, Health Officials to Investigate Source
Picture courtesy of Matichon. Health authorities in Sa Kaeo province have confirmed the first human case of anthrax in the region and are deploying an investigation team to the area to prevent further transmission and identify potential sources of infection. Dr. Tharapong Kapko, Chief Public Health Officer of Sa Kaeo, stated that the case involves a 53-year-old male woodcutter from Tha Yaek subdistrict in Mueang Sa Kaeo district. The man is currently receiving treatment at a Pattaya Hospital, in Chonburi, where laboratory tests confirmed infection with Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax. According to Dr. Tharapong, the patient presented with lesions on his head, neck, arms and legs. A detailed history revealed that he regularly consumes raw meat dishes such as “koi” and “soi ju,” and had eaten raw meat roughly one week before falling ill. Authorities suspect the infection was contracted through the consumption of undercooked or contaminated meat from a diseased animal. On 2 June, a field epidemiology team comprising staff from the Communicable Disease Control Unit of the Sa Kaeo Provincial Health Office, the Mueang Sa Kaeo District Health Office, Somdet Phra Yupparat Sa Kaeo Hospital, and the Tha Yaek Subdistrict Health Promotion Hospital began investigations in the local community. The team will trace individuals who may have come into contact with the patient or shared similar exposure risks, and implement preventive measures. Dr. Tharapong has issued a public health warning to residents of Mueang Sa Kaeo and surrounding areas. He urged the public to: • Avoid contact with sick or dead cattle, buffaloes, goats, or sheep. • Wash hands and body thoroughly after handling animals. • Consume only thoroughly cooked meat from certified sources. • Report any unusual animal deaths to livestock authorities. • Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, skin lesions, or respiratory difficulties occur. “Anthrax is a serious zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. Its spores can survive in the environment for years and may infect humans through contact with infected animals, consumption of raw or undercooked meat, or handling contaminated animal hides or wool,” Dr. Tharapong explained. He added that the incubation period ranges from 1 to 5 days, with early symptoms including fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and skin lesions resembling cigarette burns. In severe cases, patients may suffer respiratory distress and the fatality rate can reach 80%. Fortunately, there are no documented cases of human-to-human transmission of anthrax. Health officials continue to monitor the situation and are working to contain any potential outbreak. Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-03. -
18
THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 3 June 2025
The Elephant Traffic Whisperer of Khao Yai – A Legend Retires Picture courtesy of Amarin If you’ve visited Khao Yai National Park in the past few years, you may remember a familiar figure standing calmly in the middle of the road, quietly guiding traffic, not of cars, but of elephants. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362508-the-elephant-traffic-whisperer-of-khao-yai-–-a-legend-retires/ -
0
Community The Elephant Traffic Whisperer of Khao Yai – A Legend Retires
Picture courtesy of Amarin If you’ve visited Khao Yai National Park in the past few years, you may remember a familiar figure standing calmly in the middle of the road, quietly guiding traffic, not of cars, but of elephants. That man was Sutthiphon Sinka, affectionately known as “Plai Su”, a legendary figure among park-goers, locals and rangers alike. For over two decades, he served as Khao Yai’s unofficial “elephant traffic officer,” ensuring not only the safety of tourists but also the well-being of the park’s majestic wild elephants. Sutthiphon began his career at Khao Yai in 1999, initially working as part of the scientific patrol team collecting data on wildlife. “I started by collecting elephant dung, building salt licks, recording animal behaviour,” he recalls. But his role soon expanded. His superiors saw the need for someone who could manage the increasingly common encounters between elephants and tourists. That person became Sutthiphon. “Someone had to be there to keep both the people and elephants safe. If no one was watching, things would descend into chaos.” His work was unique. He wasn’t just a ranger. He became a bridge between two worlds. “The safety of visitors always comes first. But elephants must pass me before they meet people,” he explained. His deep knowledge of elephant behaviour, gained from years in the field, was key. “You have to know the elephants, recognise their faces, their temperament. Some are gentle, but a few, three or four in particular, are dangerous. If a tourist car tries to pass at the wrong time, it’ll get smashed. We’ve seen it happen, elephants sitting on cars, kicking bumpers. I’ve been kicked myself, thrown clear across the road. One time the car almost flipped.” But he never held it against the elephants. “It’s not their fault,” he says simply. 100% of the elephants in Khao Yai are wild. Many wander down into local farmland in search of food, leading to conflict. Sutthiphon played a role in guiding those elephants back into the park, a difficult but necessary task. He describes the typical herd dynamic: mostly females and young. Adult males often live solitary lives, only returning to mate before disappearing into the forest again. “They’ll stay three or four days, then vanish. You won’t see them for months.” Khao Yai’s lush ecosystem, rich with grasses, water, and natural salt licks, makes it an ideal home. But tourists unfamiliar with the dangers sometimes try to approach elephants on foot. “That’s a big no,” warns Sutthiphon. “It’s my job to watch for that, too.” Despite rumours, he laughs off suggestions of having a mystical connection with elephants. “No spells, no tricks. You just remember their faces, their personalities. That’s it. Know who’s safe and who’s not.” He emphasises that the biggest danger to both wildlife and humans is speeding. “We have a 60 km/h limit for a reason. Animals cross at any time. Go slower, stay safe. Simple.” If you find yourself face-to-face with an elephant on the road? Don’t honk. Don’t flash lights. Don’t panic. “Watch first. If it looks irritated, back up. If it’s calm, wait. If you can, turn around. Safety comes first, always.” Sutthiphon officially retired from his post. Rumours swirled, but he left quietly, without fanfare. Still, in the minds of those who love Khao Yai, as his legacy remains. He wasn’t just a ranger. He was a protector, a peacekeeper, and perhaps most importantly, a man who truly loved elephants. “In this job,” he once said, “you have to love the elephants. Not chase them, not scare them off. You have to be here, every day, with food and water in your bag, ready to make it through one more day and night with them.” And that’s exactly what he did. Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-06-03. -
-
-
Popular in The Pub
-
-
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now