News
Thailand’s Indigenous Peoples fight for ‘land of our heart’ (commentary)
On Sept. 3, 2019, the remains of Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen, a Karen environmental and community rights defender who was disappeared in 2014, were found in an oil drum submerged under the Kaeng Krachan dam suspension bridge in Phetchaburi, Thailand. Billy was last seen by his community while ...
Pirawan Wongnithisathaporn, Thomas Worsdell
Govt urged to tax Mekong development projects
Local communities along the Mekong River are asking the government to establish a fund, made up of collected tax revenues from development projects on the waterway, to compensate villagers affected by them. “This fund [should] not be a corporate social responsibility scheme,” said Ormbun Thipsuna, president ...
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
1,790 health professionals in Bangkok get vaccinated
Nearly 1,800 health professionals working in six districts that have high risk of infection have been inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine since March 1, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported on Friday. The BMA has provided inoculation to 1,790 healthcare personnel through 13 private hospitals, three ...
Thailand’s Chiang Mai Province Ranked 3rd in Worlds Worst Air Quality
Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Mai was ranked as the third most city in the world with the worst air quality index on Wednesday, with an average PM2.5 dust level higher than 200. Chiang Mai province is once again battling with a critical air quality levels due ...
CTN News
PM: Government won't use force in Bang Kloi
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday said his administration won’t use force against ethnic Karen villagers living in Phetchaburi’s Kaeng Krachan National Park as past governments did. Instead, this government will take care of those living in Bang Kloi by ensuring they have proper jobs and ...
MONGKOL BANGPRAPA
Crackdown on "Encroachers" in Kaeng Krachan Forest Begins
Fresh evidence of apparent forest clearing and burning in the deep jungle of Kaeng Krachan National Park has been presented to the public to substantiate claims and the forest suppression operation by forest officials, while Karen supporter groups have condemned the latest suppression move and ...
B.Tribune
New lung of Bangkok expected to fully ready in Feb 2022
The first phase of redeveloping the Benjakitti Park will be completed by June 2021 to be open for Mother’s Day, deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said. The overall construction plan is expected to be completed by February 2022. The first eight months in phase one are focused ...
Ceasing fire: Thai sugar farmers struggle to change polluting ways
Thailand is one of the world’s largest sugar producer, turning out about 10 million tons of the sweet stuff each year. But the traditional method of harvesting it is being criticized for polluting the environment. The government wants the industry to modernize, but some farmers ...
Tammarin Dejsupa
Sand beach in Mekong River reopens, brings local economy to life
A popular sandy beach on an island in the Mekong River has been reopened to visitors, to the delight of local businesses, after being closed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last year. The reopening last week of Had Hae beach, in tambon Nam Kam, ...
PATTANAPONG SRIPIACHAI
Labor Rights Groups Urge Cambodian Government to Assist Illegal Migrant Workers in Thailand
Cambodian labor rights officials on Friday called on their government to address challenges undocumented migrant workers in Thailand face obtaining legal employment on the eve of a registration deadline that could see tens of thousands deported or imprisoned after months being idled by coronavirus restrictions. Thailand’s ...
RFA’s Khmer Service. Translation by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.