Nationality bill turned down as threat to national security

Pradit Ruangdit

An extract from an article in the Bangkok Post:

………….Deputy government spokeswoman Netpreeya Chumchaiyo said the cabinet did not accept the Nationality Bill, proposed by Tuenjai Deetes, as it relaxed several restrictions on qualifications for Thai nationality.

If signed into law, the bill would oblige the government to grant Thai nationality to too many people and it could affect national security, Ms Netpreeya said……….

Source: Bangkok Post, Thailand 15-8-2007

FISHY business

Some of 2.500 dried sea horses and 1.000 other marine creatures, altogether worth about Bt 100.000, that were seized from a coach heading from Narathiwat to Bangkok yesterday on Phetchakasem Highway.

Nobody claimed ownership of the haul. Sea horses are a protected species under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species. Powder made from them is used as a supposed libido-booster in Chinese medicine.

Source: The Nation, Bangkok 17-3-2007

TIT (This Is Thailand): "Nobody claimed ownership of the haul.", so everybody got away with it as usual!

ARTIFICIAL LIMBS FOR ELEPHANTS

The Elephants’ Friend Foundation Hospital in Hang Chat District of Lampang Province performed an operation to attach an artificial limb to Motala, an unfortunate elephant that stepped over a landmine eight years ago.

Dr. Preecha Puangkham, the head of the hospital, together with a team of medics, tried to attach an artificial limb to Motala. Prior to the landmine blast, the elephant and its owner were dragging the lumbers near the border areas of Thailand in Mae Sod District of Tak Province. However, Motala has almost fully recovered. The doctors have performed this type of operation for hobbling elephants since last year.

As for the development of the elephant’s artificial limb, the team of doctors uses a three-layered container and fills it up with sawdust. Doctors have attached the artificial limbs to elephants, and they are now capable of walking normally.

Another elephant named Mo Cha has also undergone such operation, and its condition has improved as well. Herbal medicines have been applied to the wounds before the actual operation will initiate.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 September 2006

Spluch: Man's 1,500 mile inner-tube voyage

Spluch: Man's 1,500 mile inner-tube voyage

Thailand - Zoos / recommendable

Khaow Kheow Open Zoo

Khaow Kheow Open Zoo Pattaya is one of the biggest zoos in Asia. It is a major place to visit on excursions from Pattaya. Khaow Kheow Open Zoo Thailand has formed a natural habitat of forests covering an area of about 1,200 acres. The zoo is located between Pattaya and Bangkok in Chonburi. It was the only zoo in Thailand where visitors are allowed to visit and understand life of animals both during day and night.

Khaow Kheow Open Zoo is located on Highway 7(36) lying on the left side while coming to Pattaya city. There are about 8,000 animals from 300 species residing in the zoological garden premises. The entry fees for Adults are 50 baht, for children are15 baht. If you hire a car it is Car 50 baht and for Night Safari each adult has to pay 100baht. The zoological garden remains open from 8.00am till 18.00pm and for night safari it remains open from 19.00pm till 21.00pm.

Other elements of entertainment here are:

- Children’s Zoo
- Night Safari
- Wild Cats Park
- Elephant Trekking
- Animal Shows