Category: The Bangkok Post

Lifeguards at Patong Beach in Phuket have reported a significant increase in jellyfish stings among tourists.

Many swimmers have been stung by box jellyfish, experiencing red rashes, burning sensations and allergic reactions upon leaving the water, Patong lifeguards say.

Lifeguards give first aid using vinegar to stop the spread of venom and reduce stinging sensations. But several severe cases have required transfers to nearby hospitals for further treatment.

A foreign man was beaten by angry locals in Pattaya after allegedly attacking a disabled Thai man and spitting at police officers during a drunken outburst in a busy nightlife district.

The incident unfolded just before midnight on Wednesday in Soi Buakhao, a popular entertainment strip in central Pattaya, Chon Buri province. The shirtless man, believed to be between 30 and 40 years old, was seen stumbling along the street in a highly intoxicated state, shouting at bystanders and causing panic among tourists and residents.

Security guards from nearby venues attempted to restrain him, but the situation quickly escalated when a group of locals, enraged by his behaviour, joined in and began physically assaulting him. The chaotic scene was captured on mobile phones by onlookers and quickly spread on social media.

Police arrived at the scene within minutes. The local police said the man became aggressive upon seeing officers and spat at them while resisting arrest. He was subdued and taken to the local police station to calm down.

Authorities later charged the man with two offences: public intoxication leading to disorderly conduct, and insulting a public official while on duty. His nationality has not yet been confirmed. Initial investigations suggest the man had been arguing with a Thai woman over missing money shortly before the incident. Witnesses said the altercation turned violent when he allegedly shoved a disabled man to the ground, triggering outrage among nearby residents.

Police said the man was already being restrained by locals when they arrived. Officers are now reviewing video footage and speaking with witnesses to determine whether additional charges will be filed.

The incident has sparked renewed concerns over tourist behaviour in Pattaya, a city that draws millions of visitors each year but frequently makes headlines for alcohol-fuelled disturbances.

Even in an era of intense political polarisation, there are still moments when a bipartisan consensus can emerge around important ethical issues. One such moment is happening now. Last April, the United States Food and Drug Administration released its “Roadmap to Reducing Animal Testing in Preclinical Safety Studies”. The FDA said that it was taking “a groundbreaking step” that would advance public health and limit wasteful expenditure by replacing animal testing with “more effective, human-relevant methods”.

Such a step would, of course, reduce the suffering of millions of nonhuman animals used for tests. Echoing what opponents of the use of animals in drug testing have long been saying, the FDA referred to a “growing scientific recognition that animals do not provide adequate models of human health and disease. The roadmap also noted that more than 90% of drugs that appear safe and effective in animals do not receive FDA approval for use in humans because they are not safe and effective in humans.

Two weeks after the FDA announcement, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world’s largest funder of biomedical research, added its support for the shift away from animals, announcing a new commitment: to give higher priority to “human-based research technologies” and to reduce the use of animals in the research that it funds. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya said that integrating data science and technology would “fundamentally reimagine the way research is conducted”, and by doing so, speed up innovation and improve the outcomes obtained from healthcare.

In July, the FDA and NIH jointly hosted a high-level workshop on reducing animal testing, where papers on new research methods were presented. The event’s breaking news was the NIH’s announcement to stop issuing new grants for research that relies solely on animal testing.

Senior FDA officials reported that their interactions with hundreds of pharmaceutical and biotech CEOs during a nationwide listening tour had revealed that the industry is already using the new, human-centred approach “because it works and because it’s highly predictive”. The pharmaceutical and biotech companies were nevertheless still using animals for testing, that the FDA wanted animal data.

Industry representatives reported that they found this troubling, owing to ethical concerns about conducting costly experiments that caused animals to suffer while providing data useful only to satisfy a bureaucratic requirement for bringing their products to market. The FDA commissioner noted that the new methods could accelerate the provision of beneficial treatments to the public, reduce research and development costs, and eventually lower drug prices, while being “more humane and ethical for animals”.

This shift is cause for celebration, but it is tragic that it has taken so long. Fifty years ago, one of us wrote in Animal Liberation that alternatives to the use of animals “exist already and others would develop more rapidly, if the energy and resources now applied to experiment on animals were redirected into the search for alternatives”. That did not happen. Since the 1938 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the United States has required animal testing for predicting human outcomes for all drug, therapy, cosmetic, and food safety reviews and approvals.

For more than 80 years, industrial suppliers profited from breeding and selling billions of animals for research purposes. (The share price of the largest of these companies, Charles River Laboratories, fell 28% after the FDA announced its intention to reduce animal use.) Public funds were wasted on tests that caused immense harm to animals while failing to predict how humans would respond. Patients suffered and died because they were given drugs that worked on nonhuman animals, but not on them.

The first step towards changing the paradigm was taken in 2022, when overwhelming, bipartisan majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate approved the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, making it legal for the FDA to certify substances as safe based on testing without animals. Some of these methods have existed for a long time, while others are novel. In 2024, the NIH established a nearly $400 million (13 billion baht) innovation programme to develop, over the next 10 years, new methodologies that promise to transform the way we understand biological processes and disease states.

Charles River Laboratories, after seeing its stock price plummet, decided that it didn’t want to risk going the way of Kodak. The company announced its support for the FDA’s focus on alternatives and stated that it intended to be a leader in the transition.

Animal testing will not stop overnight. Nevertheless, we are hopeful that over the next 10 years, we will see a profound change in protecting human safety and developing cures for the diseases that afflict us, without inflicting suffering on animals.

A total of 131 illegal migrant workers who were apparently abandoned by brokers after paying almost 50,000 baht each in hopes of getting jobs ended up being arrested in Muang district of Samut Sakhon.

A combined team of immigration officers, police and local officials in Samut Sakhon raided 80 rooms in village Moo 4 in tambon Khok Kham on Thursday evening and found many people were inside, said Samut Sakhon immigration police on Friday.

There were 76 men and 55 women, all foreign nationals who had entered the country illegally. Although some migrants presented passports, none had valid immigration stamps, and most lacked any documentation.

Initial questioning revealed that the migrants had been smuggled through natural border crossings in Kanchanaburi, Ranong, and Tak provinces, before being transported by brokers to Samut Sakhon, where they were told to hide while waiting to be sent to workplaces.

After arriving, the brokers disappeared, claiming they would return to arrange factory employment. Each migrant had paid nearly 50,000 baht in total for transport and other fees, only to be left stranded.

Deputy Samut Sakhon governor Khetrat Charnsil said all 131 migrant workers had entered the country illegally.

He insisted that provincial authorities have enforced strict measures against undocumented labour. The deputy governor added that authorities were working to identify and prosecute all individuals involved in the smuggling network, including those who facilitated transportation and provided shelter.

The illegal migrants would be deported back to their countries of origin, he said. Although he did not name the countries, some Thai media reported that they were from Myanmar.

Pol Maj Gen Teeradej Athipakkhakun, commander of Samut Sakhon police, said the investigation was being expanded to track down everyone connected to the operation.

He urged the public to report any suspicious activity related to illegal migrant labour to help maintain public safety and social order.

Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat has launched a campaign to promote free dialysis treatment while emphasising the importance of public education and lifestyle changes to prevent chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The initiative comes amid growing concern over the kidney health crisis.

Mr Pattana said that in 2024, Thailand recorded 1.12 million CKD patients. Among them, around 500,000 were in stage 3; 120,000 in stage 4; and about 75,000 in stage 5 (end-stage kidney failure).

The number continues to rise, with many unaware of their condition until the later stages, as early CKD often shows no symptoms.

Once the disease progresses to 3-5 stages, treatment expenses such as dialysis, peritoneal dialysis or kidney transplantation will be expensive, posing a heavy burden on families and the national healthcare budget, he said.

So, the ministry is advancing a CKD care policy — from prevention and screening to treatment and rehabilitation — to promote equitable access to services nationwide.

Dr Amporn Benjaponpitak, the Health Department’s director-general, said Thais ingest an average of 4,351 milligrammes of sodium per day, more than double the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 2,000 mg, equal to one teaspoon of salt. Excessive sodium intake, dehydration and overuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or diclofenac can accelerate kidney damage.

She added unregulated herbal remedies, physical inactivity and neglecting regular check-ups also heighten CKD risks.

The Department of Health is intensifying screening among at-risk groups and promoting healthier habits — less salt, fewer processed foods, sufficient water intake, regular exercise and annual check-ups. Those with diabetes or hypertension are urged to maintain strict control of blood sugar and blood pressure levels, she said.

Dr Pakorn Tungkasereerak, the department’s deputy director-general and nephrologist, said the ministry is running the “7.2 Million Thais Know Their Kidney Risk” campaign, honouring Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 72nd birthday in 2027.

People are encouraged to visit hospitals or local health centres for early screening and blood tests for estimated glomerular filtration rate, urine tests for protein leakage and blood pressure and glucose monitoring.

Small lifestyle adjustments can prolong kidney function for years and significantly reduce future dialysis dependency, he said.

The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) has unveiled a strategic initiative to revitalise the southern border region by positioning Narathiwat as a destination for cultural and ecological tourism.

The plan seeks to attract Malaysian visitors with experiences that highlight the province’s unique identity, natural beauty and cultural richness, moving beyond traditional shopping-oriented travel.

Natthaphong Suwannarat, deputy secretary-general of the SBPAC, said the economic development strategy for the three southernmost provinces integrates cultural promotion and marketing to create new income sources for communities, small businesses and vulnerable groups.

“This is about creating marketing opportunities and stimulating the economy by giving local products exposure to consumers and tourists,” Mr Natthaphong said. “We want tourism to reflect the region’s culture, ecology and innovation.”

He added that the initiative encourages collaboration among producers, entrepreneurs and tourism operators to showcase local craftsmanship, food, and creative innovations — transforming community potential into long-term growth.

A major promotional event will take place in Sungai Kolok district, a key border town known for its accessibility and trade infrastructure. Activities will include cultural exhibitions, cooking demonstrations, video contests and prize draws aimed at engaging visitors of all ages.

“We expect Sungai Kolok, as a fully equipped border town, to attract Malaysian tourists to shop, travel and learn about product development in Thailand’s southern provinces,” Mr Natthaphong said.

The campaign will also spotlight Narathiwat’s rich diversity — from the pristine Hala-Bala Forest and picturesque beaches to local fishing villages, authentic southern cuisine and spiritual landmarks such as the Quran Museum in Yi-ngo district and Wat Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol in Muang district.

The initiative reflects a shift from short-term economic events to sustainable, experience-based tourism that links culture, nature and community-driven enterprise, it says. “Beyond economic revival, it’s about building pride in local identity while preserving the environment,” Mr Natthaphong added. “We aim to make Narathiwat a model for sustainable border tourism.”

The discovery was reported by park officer Nattaphon Ritnoi, who found the moth near the park’s popular campsite area.

Park chief Atthapong Pao-on said the species — commonly known as the Moon Moth or Long-tailed Scythe-eyed Moth — is seldom seen in the wild.

The moth, which belongs to the family Saturniidae, has been identified under several closely related scientific names, including Argema maenas, Actias ignescens, Tropaea rosenbergii, and Sonthonnaxia recta. It is found across parts of India, China, Myanmar, Thailand, western Malaysia, and the Sunda Islands of Indonesia (including Java and Sulawesi).

The Moon Moth is notable for its large wings, scythe-shaped eyespots, and long, streamer-like tails extending from its hindwings.

The male has lemon-yellow forewings marked with pale brown to reddish-brown bands, and a coppery, crescent-shaped eyespot near the wing’s centre.

Its body is covered with dense yellowish fur, and its antennae are feathery, resembling tiny ferns. The hindwings mirror the forewings in colour but feature long, flag-like tails, edged with fine hairs near the abdomen.

Females are generally paler in colour, often light yellow, with larger golden or orange kidney-shaped eyespots on their wings. On the underside, the moth shows softer tones of grey and pinkish brown with distinct crosslines.

Due to habitat loss and environmental changes, sightings of the Moon Moth in Kaeng Krachan — part of a Unesco World Heritage site — are rare.

Park officials plan to conduct a detailed population survey to assess its current distribution and conservation status.

Kaeng Krachan National Park, including its scenic Panoen Thung viewpoint, will reopen to visitors on Nov 1, inviting nature lovers to experience the misty mountain views — and perhaps catch a glimpse of this magnificent, elusive moth.

The First Army Region has pledged to act on the initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana by building a “Thai-Cambodian border wall” and accelerating the construction of safety shelters.

The projects are proceeding under the “Hataitip Fund” initiated by the Chulabhorn Foundation.

The move follows an audience granted by the princess on Tuesday to army chief Gen Pana Klaoplodthuk, during which the army reported on projects under the Hataitip Fund to improve the safety of soldiers and civilians living in border areas.

The princess expressed deep concern over the current security conditions and ordered the army to expedite the construction of defensive posts for soldiers and emergency shelters for local residents.

Gen Pana has assigned First Army Region Commander Lt Gen Worayos Lueangsuwan, who also directs the First Army Operations Centre, to conduct field surveys and collect data.

On Wednesday, Lt Gen Worayos inspected border areas in Sa Kaeo alongside Maj Gen Benjaphon Dechatiwong, commander of the Burapha Task Force, provincial officials and local residents to identify suitable and safe construction sites.

Under the initial phase, the Burapha Task Force will construct and improve 72 military bunkers within its operational bases and six civilian shelters capable of accommodating up to 40 people each.

Ten bunkers and two shelters will be prioritised for immediate construction.

The First Army Region reaffirmed its commitment, as the army of the Royal Guards, to uphold the princess’s wish to “prevent and resolve security and safety crises affecting the people and the nation”.

Somporn Phetjit, head of Nong Ya Kaeo village in Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo, said discussions with the army indicated plans to add five more bunkers to the three in her area.

Each can shelter between 40 and 100 people. “Our district has 254 households and 663 residents. With the new bunkers, all villagers will have a safe refuge if emergencies occur,” she said.

On Tuesday, Gen Anupap Sirimonton, head of the army’s general staff team overseeing the Hataitip Fund project, presented detailed implementation plans to the princess.

The army reported that surveys of the Thai-Cambodian border — under the responsibility of the Suranaree and Burapha task forces — showed an urgent need to build or upgrade 799 protective bunkers (727 under the Suranaree Task Force and 72 under the Burapha Task Force) and 173 civilian shelters (167 and six, respectively).

Officials said significant funding will still be required to complete the construction and ensure long-term safety for both military personnel and border residents. The Hataitip Fund invites contributions from government agencies, the private sector and the general public to promote participation in supporting national security.

Apple’s iPhone Air sold out within minutes of its launch in China on Friday, underscoring the device’s popularity among Chinese consumers despite competition from Android devices.

The strong sales followed CEO Tim Cook’s visit this week to promote the product in the world’s largest smartphone market amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between China and the United States. As chairman of an advisory body at Tsinghua University’s management school, Cook also met Vice-Premier He Lifeng on Thursday.

Pre-sales for the iPhone Air, which supports only e-SIM and received regulatory approval to launch in China just recently, began at 9am local time (8am Thai time) on Friday – more than a month later than most of the world.

Minutes after bookings opened, the model was sold out at all bricks-and-mortar stores in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in cities like Tianjin, according to Apple’s website. Online shipments were delayed by one to two weeks.

The robust demand reflects the positive reception of Apple’s newest and thinnest model in the Chinese market despite heightened competition from local brands such as Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi, which are striving to expand in the higher-end market in a challenging economy.

The Chinese smartphone market shrank 3% year on year in the third quarter, with Vivo capturing an 18% share to claim the top spot.

Huawei and Apple followed in second and third place with 16% and 15% shares, respectively, trailed by Xiaomi and Oppo.

Cook has emerged as one of the most prominent US business leaders actively engaging with Chinese consumers and government officials. On Thursday, he also met Commerce Minister Wang Wentao to discuss various topics, including bilateral economic and trade relations and Apple’s growth in China.

The CEO expressed Apple’s commitment to strengthening ties with China, contributing to the country’s “high-quality development” and fostering cooperation between the two nations, which he deemed essential for global economic progress, according to a statement from the Commerce Ministry.

Cook said on his personal Weibo account that Apple was collaborating with Beijing’s Anzhen Hospital, renowned for its cardiological research, to explore how Apple Watch users in China could use the device to monitor potential heart issues.

He also announced a donation to Tsinghua University to help “foster the next generation of environmental leaders”.

Singha, an official partner of ONE Championship, has launched the Singha ONE Hit The Ring project, which will offer Muaythai enthusiasts a chance to test their skills and earn a special trip to attend the blockbuster ONE 173 event in Japan.

The project, in collaboration with four Muaythai superstars — Superbon Superbon Training Camp, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Tawanchai PK Saenchai and Nabil Anane — is open to any individual aged over 18, barring professional boxers, to take part in four skill tests including power rope slam, punch combo, low-mid kicks and spear knees.

A total of 400 qualifiers from 20 gyms nationwide will make it to the final stage, which will be held on Nov 8 at BG Hall in Pathum Thani. Four winners will earn a trip to attend the ONE 173 event at the state-of-the-art Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Nov 16.

The project also offers a prize pool of one million baht.

“Singha has partnered with many world-class sports events. This time we are collaborating with ONE Championship for the Singha ONE Hit The Ring project to give Thai fans a chance to show their skills and an opportunity to attend the ONE 173 event in Japan,” said Voravud Bhirombhakdi, Senior Executive Vice President and Executive Director of Boon Rowd Brewery Co, Ltd.

“Right now, Muaythai has become very popular worldwide. This activity will not only help promote the sport, but will also be a great opportunity for the four winners to attend ONE 173, which is one of the biggest events of the year in Japan and will feature many top boxers,” said Superbon, the ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion.