Latest news with #Chalerm
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Former Thai private hospital chief says Cambodian patient numbers remain steady
BANGKOK: The ongoing tension along the Thai-Cambodian border, which has led to temporary border closures and reports that Cambodia may begin sending patients to other countries instead of Thailand, has raised questions about the potential impact on the country's healthcare sector. There are also indications that Cambodian authorities may recall migrant workers currently employed in Thailand. Notably, patients from CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam), as well as from the Middle East, are among the primary groups seeking medical services in Thailand. Dr Chalerm Harnphanich, CEO of Bangkok Chain Hospital PCL and former president of the Private Hospital Association, told reporters on Friday (June 13) that the number of Cambodian patients coming to Thailand for medical treatment remains stable, despite the border situation. Former private hospital chief says Cambodian patient numbers remain steady "Patient volumes depend on each hospital network's client base. Since the border tensions began, we have not seen a drop in Cambodian patients. "Those who can afford it continue to fly in, including for major procedures like heart surgery. "Advanced treatment is a matter of life and death, and patients prioritise access to quality care. "In most international contexts, medical patients are exempt from border restrictions," Dr Chalerm said. Healthcare sector is largely unaffected "In terms of patient access, the healthcare sector has not been impacted. It's similar to what we saw during the Covid-19 pandemic — even when checkpoints were closed, patients could still cross borders for medical reasons. "Healthcare is a humanitarian issue. From what we've monitored since the recent closures, there's been no impact. Patients can seek care across the border 24 hours a day," he added. When asked whether a potential recall of Cambodian workers could affect the Cambodian patient population in Thailand, Dr Chalerm responded that, in his view, the issue depends on the job market back in Cambodia. "If workers are recalled, the question is whether there are sufficient jobs for them back home, especially as the country faces trade sanctions from the US and EU. "If there are no jobs, people will suffer. Those already working legally in Thailand and earning good wages are unlikely to return," he said. CLMV patients make up nearly half Dr Chalerm revealed that by late 2024, around 14% of the group's revenue came from international patients, mainly from CLMV countries and the Middle East. He noted that a significant contract with Kuwait had recently lapsed, impacting revenue from the region. In the first quarter of 2025, the group saw a 13–14% increase in international patients, with CLMV nationals accounting for approximately 48% of that total. The largest segments were from Myanmar, followed by Laos and Cambodia. Patients from the Middle East represented about 28%, although the first quarter coincided with the Ramadan period. Aranyaprathet branch sees steady flow of Cambodian patients Chalerm also noted that the Kasemrad Hospital Group operates branches in Laos, Mae Sai (Chiang Rai province), and Aranyaprathet (Sa Kaeo province). He confirmed that the number of Cambodian patients at the Aranyaprathet branch had not declined, despite recent border tensions. "I monitor the figures daily, and it's clear that patient numbers — especially Cambodians at our Aranyaprathet branch — remain steady, making up about 30–35% of total patients at that location. Illness doesn't stop at borders — patients still cross for treatment," he said. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
06-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Spotted: Critically endangered Malayan tiger in Southern Thailand
BANGKOK: A rare Malayan tiger has been spotted once again in Thailand's Bang Lang National Park, marking an exciting second sighting in just two years and a major step forward in the country's fight to protect the endangered species. The Malayan tiger, scientifically known as Panthera tigris jacksoni, was captured on camera as part of a long-term wildlife monitoring programme in the park, Thai daily Bangkok Post reported on Sunday (May 4). The park spans approximately 261sq km across the Bannang Sata, Than To, and Betong districts in Yala province, located in southern Thailand near the Malaysian border. Chalerm Phoommai, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, told the Bangkok Post that this is the second time the elusive predator has been documented in the area. The first confirmed sighting of this species occurred in 2023, when a Malayan tiger, later nicknamed 'Bang Lang 01', was filmed in the same area using the park's camera system. Malayan tigers are a distinct subspecies found only in the southern forests of Thailand and the Malayan Peninsula. They are genetically and geographically separate from the Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti), which inhabits central and western Thailand, including protected areas such as Kaeng Krachan, Huai Kha Khaeng, and Khao Yai National Parks. 'This discovery highlights the ecological richness of Bang Lang National Park and Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary,' said Chalerm. 'These areas serve as critical habitat corridors, connecting protected forests across the Thai-Malaysian border.' The sighting forms part of the ongoing SMART Patrol project, a robust ranger patrol and data-collection initiative designed to track threats and support ecosystem conservation. In addition to the Malayan tiger, the park's camera traps have captured images of several other rare species, including elephants, gaur (a large bovine native to South Asia and South-East Asia) and tapirs. Officials from the Wildlife Conservation Office and the 6th Forest Conservation Office (Pattani branch) are actively monitoring the Malayan tiger population, the Bangkok Post reported. They are using the data to help shape long-term conservation strategies in partnership with national and regional organisations. The Malayan tiger, a national symbol of Malaysia and key conservation priority for World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), has seen a dramatic decline in numbers from an estimated 3,000 in the 1950s to fewer than 150 tigers in the wild as of 2022. This decline is primarily due to habitat loss from rapid development, agricultural expansion, and poaching, says WWF-Malaysia. Between 2016 and 2020, Malaysia's first National Tiger Survey, conducted by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, WWF-Malaysia, and other non-governmental organisations, revealed the continued dwindling of the Malayan tiger population. The species is now Totally Protected under Malaysia's Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and is classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, which assesses the risk of extinction for species worldwide. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
Spotted: Critically endangered Malayan tiger in Southern Thailand
The Malayan tiger was photographed in Bang Lang National Park, marking the second confirmed sighting there in two years. PHOTO: THAILAND DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL PARKS, WILDLIFE AND PLANT CONSERVATION A rare Malayan tiger has been spotted once again in Thailand's Bang Lang National Park, marking an exciting second sighting in just two years and a major step forward in the country's fight to protect the endangered species. The Malayan tiger, scientifically known as Panthera tigris jacksoni, was captured on camera as part of a long-term wildlife monitoring programme in the park, Thai daily Bangkok Post reported on May 4. The park spans approximately 261 sq km across the Bannang Sata, Than To, and Betong districts in Yala province, located in southern Thailand near the Malaysian border. Mr Ch alerm Phoommai, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, t old the Bangkok Post that this is the second time the elusive predator has been documented in the area. The first confirmed sighting of this species occurred in 2023 , when a Malayan tiger, later nicknamed 'Bang Lang 01', was filmed in the same area using the park's camera system. Malayan tigers are a distinct subspecies found only in the southern forests of Thailand and the Malayan Peninsula. They are genetically and geographically separate from the Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti), which inhabits central and western Thailand, including protected areas such as Kaeng Krac han, Huai Kha Khaeng, and Khao Yai National Parks. 'This discovery highlights the ecological richness of Bang Lang National Park and Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary,' said Mr Chalerm. 'These areas serve as critical habitat corridors, connecting protected forests across the Thai-Malaysian border.' The sighting forms part of the ongoing SMA RT Patrol project, a robust ranger patrol and data-collection initiative designed to track threats and support ecosystem conservation. In addition to the Malayan tiger, the park's camera traps have captured images of several other rare species, including elephants, gaur (a large bovine native to South Asia and South-east Asia) and tapirs. Officials from the Wildlife Conservation Office and the 6th Forest Conservation Office (Pattani branch) are actively monitoring the Malayan tiger population, the Bangkok Post reported. They are using the data to help shape long-term conservation strategies in partnership with national and regional organisations. Dwindling numbers in the wild The Malayan tiger, a national symbol of Malaysia and key conservation priority for World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), has seen a dramatic decline in numbers from an estimated 3,000 in the 1950s to fewer than 150 tigers in the wild as of 2022. This decline is primarily due to habitat loss from rapid development, agricultural expansion, and poaching, says WWF-Malaysia. Between 2016 and 202 0, Malaysia's first National Tiger Survey, conducted by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, WWF-Malaysia, and other non-governmental organisation s, revealed the continued dwindling of the Malayan tiger population. The species is now Totally Protected under Malaysia's Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and is classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, which assesses the risk of extinction for species worldwide. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
