Thailand

Thailand could be the next nation in south-east Asia to relocate its capital after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hinted such a move could be a “possibility” under his government. Taking inspiration from neighbouring Myanmar and similar plans being formulated in Indonesia, the Thai prime minister suggested that relocating the capital could help Bangkok overcome its mounting urban challenges. Like Jakarta, Bangkok is beset by overcrowding, pollution, rising sea levels and heavy traffic congestion. During an address at the Connecting Thailand with the World Conference on 18 September, the retired army general floated two options for a potential move. “The first is to find a city that’s neither too far nor too expensive to move to,” he said, “The second is to move to outer Bangkok to reduce crowding.” The Thai prime minister suggested that moving the government to the outskirts of Bangkok could help ease traffic flows and reduce the need to … [Read more...] about Thailand PM considers moving capital as Bangkok congestion takes toll

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand has designated 24 provinces as “surveillance areas” for African swine fever and ordered strict animal controls in hopes of preventing an outbreak of the deadly disease that has hit its neighbors, an agriculture official said on Friday. FILE PHOTO: Public health banners alerting about swine fever is seen in Chiang Rai, Thai side of the Golden Triangle, triple border between Thailand, Myanmar and Laos separated by Mekong river May 16, 2019. REUTERS/Jorge Silva Thailand has been on high alert since the outbreak of African swine fever among pigs in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, but it has yet to report an outbreak. Earlier this month, the government ordered the culling of 200 pigs as preventative action after two pigs died mysteriously in the northern province of Chiang Rai, 20 km (12 miles) from the Myanmar border. Those two pigs turned out not to be infected, the agriculture official said. The government has put 24 out of its 77 provinces … [Read more...] about Thailand puts 24 provinces on alert in swine fever watch

It is, however, illegal to operate a tiger farm in Thailand. Mr. Wiek, who has been tracking the trade for years, says that about 20 facilities should be regarded as farms, not zoos, because more than 80 percent of their animals are tigers and the facilities are actively engaged in breeding them. Moreover, he said, captive breeding encourages the hunting of wild tigers. It may seem counterintuitive, but feeding and raising a tiger to adulthood costs more in Thailand than going to the jungle and shooting one. Mr. Wiek said the existence of tiger farms creates a market for tiger parts, which gives poachers an incentive to kill them. Furthermore, he said, buyers will pay more for a wild tiger than for one that is farmed. “The farming of tigers is having a direct effect on the wild population,” said Mr. Wiek, who operates a wildlife rescue center and has advised Parliament. “It is much cheaper to go out and shoot one in the wild.” Tiger skins, bones, penises and … [Read more...] about Thailand Shuttered a Notorious Tiger Zoo, but the Problem Has Only Gotten Worse

Thailand goalkeeper Chatchai Budprom has warned Malaysia that they are in for a "nightmare" in the second leg of the 2018 AFF Cup semifinal in Bangkok on Wednesday. Saturday's first leg ended 0-0 in Kuala Lumpur, though Malaysia were very much in the ascendancy, creating and missing chance after chance against the sluggish defending champions. While Malaysia arrive in Thailand in confident mood -- though unhappy about the initial training facilities provided -- the Thai No. 1 asserted that the second leg at the Rajamangala Stadium will be very different. "Malaysia produced good display in the first game, giving us a tough time at their home ground, but tomorrow will be the other way around," Chatchai told reporters in Bangkok on Tuesday. "Since they have landed in Thailand, I think they are well aware of what they will be facing with tomorrow. They know what to expect. Different atmosphere, different people and places will make them realise that they are in Thailand where all the fans … [Read more...] about Malaysia ‘will experience a nightmare’ in AFF Cup semi second leg in Thailand – Chatchai Budprom

Sir Alex Ferguson once reflected that one of the ways modern football differed from its predecessor was that a 0-0 first leg away result in Europe was no longer seen as a good one. The past focus on keeping a clean sheet above all else was slowly replaced by the conviction that returning home without an away goal was a cause for concern. So it should be that Malaysia will be feeling a little happier than Thailand after the goalless first leg of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. The Tigers fought with tooth and claw against the War Elephants, who return to Bangkok without an away goal. Coach Tan Cheng Hoe will have told his exhausted players after the game that a Malaysian goal on Wednesday at the Rajamangala means that Thailand have to score twice. The pressure is on the champions. The 87,000 fans that watched the game at Bukit Jalil, producing an atmosphere that was surely unmatched anywhere in the world last weekend, and the millions more on television … [Read more...] about Malaysia travel to Thailand knowing an AFF Cup upset is well within their reach