The Public Health Ministry has revealed yesterday, that more than 30,000 people are suffering from severe stress caused by the extensive flooding since late August. Ministry spokesman Supan Srithamma said medical mobile units in the flood-affected areas found 30,350 people suffering from high stress levels due to loss of relatives or property, and seven per cent of them had fallen ill.

Health permanent secretary Dr Prat Boonyawongvirot explained during a visit to units in flood-affected Suphan Buri that water-born diseases, skin infections and common colds were the most common afflictions. He said more than 17 000 patients were being treated each day. In Angthong 40,000 the units had seen patients and 64 per cent of that number had fallen ill with water-born diseases.

In the last few months 104 people had drowned, of which most were children. Most of the drownings took place in Phichit and Ayutthaya.

Meanwhile, Southern Thailand was warned of possible floods and landslides in the next two days. The Meteorological Department warned the provinces from Surat Thani southwards of heavy rainfall, and urged residents in risk areas to brace for floods. Strong, three-metre-high waves were expected in the Gulf of Thailand.

The Mineral Resources Department warned Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Krabi, Trang, Satun and nearby provinces of possible forest run-offs and landslides.

Angthong Governor Wiboon Sanguanpong yesterday described flooding in the province as the “worst in 111 years”, with all seven districts under “chest-deep water in some spots”.

Waking up in a Far East Asian beach resort is not just fun, it is an exhilarating experience as I found out. Being in Bangkok was another experience but the unmistakable crowds in the streets were no less different from the ones in New York. People hurrying back home from work, stopping on the way to pick groceries and buy fish and cacophony of sounds. I flew all the way from US to relax in peace and soak up some sun, but Bangkok, even with its urban charm, seemed far from the place to relax. My cab driver told me that I should hit the beach if I needed peace and tranquility. Where would the beach be? Talking to some local travel agents and cabbies revealed this marvelous beach side, about 90 odd kms from Bangkok. It is the Bangasaen beach in Chonburi. I said to myself, finally, I am going to get some peace. I was surprised when I reached the Bangasaen beach as it was teeming with hundreds and thousands of people who had come with their families and partners to find their own piece of the peace pie! This was not where I wanted to be.

A Thai family, who were visiting the Bangasaen beach, provided directions for another beach. So I noted down the directions and headed for the Pattaya beach, which is on the same coastline as the Bangasaen but a little bit cleaner. It is almost 150 minutes or nearly 2hrs from Bangkok, unless you happen to be stuck in a traffic jam, which may seem like an endless wait. As I walked to the Pattaya beach, it did not remind me of the tropical paradise that I so desperately wanted and my dream of finding a nice and secluded beach was becoming more difficult. There were more people like me and it suddenly seemed like I was in Florida especially with all the English signboards. Yet again I was disappointed.

Locals advised that a visit to the Cha-am and Hua Hin beach resorts that lie on the opposite coastline. According to them, Cha-am is not more than a 3hrs run from Bangkok Central and is a popular destination for the Thai people. It is not advisable to visit on a long weekend because instead of the miles of sand, you will get to see a few thousand pairs of feet. The beach at Cha-am is definitely beautiful and at night, it oozes charm but unfortunately, it did not hold me spellbound because I was looking for a secluded beach. Perhaps I need to look further away from Bangkok. So my search is on…

According to the Thai Film Office, two of Hollywood’s biggest stars will be shooting big budget films soon, with Thailand as their backdrops. Rambo-star Sylvester Stallone and Oscar-winner Denzel Washington are both set to film movies in Thailand within the next few months.
Sylvester Stallone is returning from retirement and making his Hollywood comeback in “Rambo IV: In the Serpent’s Eye”. “The movie will be shot in the country’s lush, mountainous northern provinces,” says Wanasiri Morakul, director of the Thailand Film Office.
In the latest sequel, John Rambo is pulled out of retirement in Bangkok to help find missionary aid workers who disappear as they’re delivering supplies to ethnic minorities in neighbouring Myanmar.

Washington is due to arrive in Thailand in the first week of November to play Harlem heroin kingpin Frank Lucas in “American Gangster”, a movie about drugs being smuggled to New York in the 1970’s inside the coffins of American soldiers killed in the Vietnam War.
Only about 5 percent of the movie will be shot in Thailand – in the capital Bangkok and in the mountainous north – employing about 250 Thai’s and bringing the country at least 60 million baht (US$1.6 million, euro1.3 million), Wanasiri said.
Thailand has touted itself as an ideal film location and had a total of 372 shoots this year for foreign movies, TV series, ads and music videos, worth 1.38 billion baht (US$37 million, euro29 million).

Recent blockbusters shot partially in Thailand include “Alexander” and “Star Wars Episode III”.

Nong Toom is one of the strongest people in Thailand, and not just because she is a Thai boxer. Nong Toom is a real-life hero and heroine, having undergone the massive problems of being both a successful boxer and a transvestite. Born as a biological male called Parinya Charonenphol, Nong Toom has always thought that she was a girl rather than a boy. Despite this, she has a massive talent at fighting, and made a name for herself by knocking out many male opponents in the Muay Thai. She had a formidable record of 20 wins with 18 Knockouts, and was both feared and loathed amongst her opponents.

Despite this, she battled on and won more and more money in order to keep food on her family’s plates. Eventually, she was given the chance of a sex change operation at the age of 17 when Yunhee Hospital paid sponsored her for the costs of the operation. Her muscular frame made many think she could never be a woman, but in fact this made her recovery quicker and she was able to get up and walk around just four days after he operation.

Despite being taunted by her boxing peers, her family have stuck by her. Now semi-retired from boxing, she runs a business selling cosmetics and boxing gear for women. Since her operation, Nong Toom has gone from strength to strength, and adopted a baby girl a few years ago. She also had a film made about her, called Beautiful Boxer, which was attended by the King of Thailand’s sister. Nong Toom continues to fight for her right to be known as a woman in Thailand, and her story of courage is one that everyone in Thailand and beyond can take inspiration from.

Although Thailand are not in this year’s World Cup, there is a strong effort within the country to make sure that they soon will be. The help that Thailand receives comes from an unlikely source: A former German professional footballer. Franz Schwarzwalder has been coaching Thailand’s young prospects for 8 years, and believes that they could soon be a footballer force to fear; such is the level of their youth coaching.

Schwarzwalder believes that “The Thai youth team is better than Germany’s”. However, it appears Thailand is having problems converting this youth talent to senior level. However, Schwarzwalder believes he can help to change this, and he has already had some success. Over the last few years, four players from the team he coaches at the Assumption College have made it to the under-23 team.

Although much still needs to be done, Schwarzwalder and others are moving Thai football in the right direction. Having played in the German 1st and second divisions for 12 years with the likes of Gerd Muller and Franz Beckenbauer, he is helping to bring expertise and passion to Thai football.

As well as being the head football coach at the Assumption College, he is also a German teacher there. He has taught the Thai under-16 side, as well as coaching in the Franz Beckenbauer Football Academy in Nong Chok.

If Thailand want to compete at the highest level of football, then help from passionate and experienced players and coaches like Schwarzwalder is invaluable. And who knows, perhaps in years to come Thailand will taste some World Cup glory of their own.

This Friday 9th June marks an historic occasion in the royal history of Thailand and the world. For on this day, King Bhumibol Adulyadej will celebrate 60 years on the throne, which not only makes him the longest running Monarch ever in Thailand, but also the longest-running Monarch in the world today. Having served longer than the Queen of England and some 18 years longer than the previous record of King Chulalongkorn of Thailand, this truly is a memorable day for the Thai people and their King. The celebrations will run from Thursday to Tuesday and the Kings, Queens and royal representatives from nearly 30 countries will be in attendance. Highlights of the festivities will include the Royal Barge Procession, which will document the cultural heritage of the country, and a dedication to the old Kings of Siam. Officially entitled “The 60th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne”, events will be a mixture of religious ceremony and historical remembrance and dedication.

The 76-year-old King is a well-educated man; having attended some of the top schools in Switzerland, and is known for his kindness and humility. He is s dearly loved by his people because of the decades of hard work and dedication he has shown towards the disadvantaged people of his country. After sixty years in power, the Thai people will try and give something back to their King through heartfelt and joyous celebration, culminating in the grand ceremonies at Chakri Throne Hall

Did you know that in 2003 more than 58,000 people in Thailand died of AIDS? That’s roughly 10% of those living with this disease. Slightly less than 2% of the population in Thailand is suffering from AIDS, but that’s not the only disease they confront.

Hepatitis A is a common waterborne disease in Thailand while malaria, a form of encephalitis, and even the ‘plague’ are often passed from insects to humans in Thailand. Then, with all the talk of bird flu, it’s also possible that an outbreak of H5N1 (avian flu) could occur in this and other Asian locations where chickens are routinely raised in areas where the virus can spread easily through a common watering source.

What could Thailand residence do to protect them self against these harmful diseases. We have to look at various resolves in an effort to protect these souls from death. We can see with the epidemics of Aids going on, that we need to show them how to adhere to safe sex, as well as avoiding sharing needles. Hepatitis is trickier, since the causes vary, still with all the problems medical education is necessary to fight the disease!

While other world economies have faltered in recent years, the free market economy of Thailand remains strong. Thailand has a solid infrastructure in place and the government is supportive of investment, which has led to a robust increase in export growth from this Asian country.

The tsunami that devastated so much Asian landscape didn’t spare Thailand either. More than 8,500 lives were taken in the wake of the destruction. Miles of coastal property was demolished. However, in spite of such devastation the growth rate continued to climb to just over 4% in 2005. This is remarkable considering a downturn in tourist traffic, and increase in oil prices and a slowdown in export demands.

The people of Thailand are a resilient group and they are currently finding markets for automobile exports as well as farm produce from the heart of Thailand. Thailand’s farmers raise such diverse crops as rice, corn, tapioca, soybeans, coconut, and sugarcane while the industry side of Thailand is strengthened by being one of the world leaders in tungsten and tin production.

The strongest trade partners for Thailand are the US, Japan and China to name but a few of the growing international clients for Thailand goods.

Of course, many of you know that Thailand was once known as Siam. It was a revolution in the early 1930’s that ultimately led to the name change. Then again, the entire government would change by 1940.

After World War II, Thailand became an ally of the United States, which, by the way, has purchased many good from the southeastern Asian country for a long time now.

To get a handle on the overall size of Thailand you need to consider the state of Wyoming – then double the land mass. Oh, and Wyoming has roughly 500,000 residents. Thailand? Well, estimates for this year indicate almost 65 million people. Maybe this is like comparing apples and oranges, but the population of this Asian nation is roughly 65 times that of the Cowboy State when you compare the size to the population base.

Sadly, Thailand is suffering from an increased death rate, which has been brought about by the proliferation of AIDS.

Population coupled with industrial growth is continuing to present challenges in Thailand, especially when you look at environmental impact. Air and water pollution are on the increase while soil erosion and poaching wear away the natural beauty of this Asian country.

Bangkok is a beautiful area located in Thailand. If you plan to visit Thailand, we encourage you to read a bit of news pertaining to the lands, since few customs are recommended highly to regard, otherwise Thais may consider you an imposture.

On the Internet are all-inclusive guides that will tour you through the foreign lands of Thailand, which is the countries only Southeast land. Most likely, you will want to know more about the hotels in Bangkok. Some of the most lavishing hotels in Bangkok, Thailand, may include glowing temples, with colorful marketplaces surrounding the area. Thailand people are said to be hospitable, thus practice respect before you head out that door to Thailand. Thailand has some of the most exciting shopping areas, thus find a hotel in close proximity of Thailand’s shopping arena is wise, especially if you enjoy shopping. While dining in Thailand, learn the countries customs, since it is in your best interest to know that the country Thailand dines with the right hand, using forks to scoop food onto a spoon and then digesting food from a single dining plate. Furthermore, Thailand expects you to wash the hands before attending dining arrangements. Thus, when visiting Bangkok Thailand be sure you learn more about the areas custom so that you do not offend anyone in the country.