Latest news with #Isan
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Thai-Cambodian border clash clean-up
Clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border have dealt a heavy blow to the Northeast's economy, with trade losses in four provinces alone estimated at up to 500 million baht a month. The border conflict and the closure of several checkpoints since early June had disrupted cross-border commerce, resulting in the losses, says Manatchai Jungtrakool, deputy director of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) Northeastern Office in Khon Kaen. Before the conflict escalated, Thai-Cambodian border trade averaged 10 billion baht per month. Of this, 95% took place through eastern checkpoints in Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat. The rest -- worth about 500 million baht per month -- was channelled through northeastern provinces including Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Buri Ram. These four provinces are now bearing the brunt of halted trade activity, he said. The impact extends beyond goods, Mr Manatchai noted. Over 10,000 Cambodians typically cross into Thailand each month to access services, including retail and medical treatment. These activities have also been curtailed, adding to economic hardship. Cross-border agricultural efforts have been disrupted as well, with reports of Cambodian shelling damaging farmland and delaying harvests in affected Isan communities. Local financial institutions have offered relief measures such as extended loan repayments and additional credit to affected individuals and businesses. The BoT is encouraging residents to contact their local banks for assistance, he said. Tourism takes a hit, too The fallout is not limited to commerce. Tourism operators, particularly in provinces near the border, are also feeling the strain as visitor confidence dips. Nor is the drop in confidence limited to border areas. Thanet Supornsahasrangsi, president of the Tourism Council of Chon Buri, reported a spike in inquiries from prospective visitors, particularly regarding safety in Pattaya and other coastal areas in Chon Buri. But in eastern border provinces such as Trat and Chanthaburi, hotel bookings have plummeted by 50%, he said. While the high season, which starts in late November, typically attracts long-haul travellers fleeing cold climates, continued unrest may drive them away, potentially to rival destinations. The council still sees some positive signs, he said. Chinese tourist arrivals have rebounded slightly. Promotional efforts in Chinese cities have been well received, but border tensions and the strength of the baht remain obstacles to full recovery. Sinchai Wattanasathorn, a hotel operator in Pattaya, said that while businesses have adapted since the Covid-19 pandemic by reducing staff and cutting costs, a prolonged conflict could necessitate deeper changes. His Flipper hotel chain reports a 20% drop in tourist numbers during the first six months compared to the same period last year. "If this border conflict is not fully resolved, we may be forced into a major restructuring," he said, warning an extended slump could threaten the industry's long-term stability. Labour flows blocked The border tensions are also disrupting the movement of workers, especially in Trat's Khlong Yai district, where Cambodian labourers -- particularly daily wage earners -- have been allowed to return home but are now barred from re-entering Thailand via permanent checkpoints. This has left local businesses grappling with a sudden loss of manpower. Pol Col Kittipat Paopiamsap, chief of Trat's immigration office, said several hundred Cambodian workers who used to cross the border daily have now returned to Cambodia and cannot return to Thailand. Only a limited number of contract workers remain, and further departures are likely as they are not certain if the conflict will erupt again. "The key signal for improvement would be the reopening of the Hat Lek checkpoint," he said. "If there is a relaxation allowing goods to be brought into Cambodia, the situation would improve. Until people can move freely for work and tourism, normalcy is out of reach." Villagers begin returning Beyond the figures, the conflict has uprooted about 180,000 villagers. Many sought refuge in temporary shelters far from their homes, livelihoods and livestock -- and are now beginning the journey back. At the shelter at Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram's Muang district, villagers who fled the fighting welcomed the outcome of the peace talks and expressed relief at being able to resume their daily routines. They loaded clothes and belongings onto vehicles for the journey back to Ban Kruat district, one of the areas hardest hit by the fighting. They were eager to tend to livestock left behind for more than two weeks. However, many remain cautious, doubting whether Cambodia will honour the ceasefire agreement. Despite concerns, they chose to return home to work and repay their debts. They said if fighting resumes, they would evacuate again for their safety. Aew Kiram, 42, from Ban Kruat, who fled with her husband and children, said the shelter staff cared for them well but it was not the same as home. She felt stressed from being unable to work. Her main income comes from rubber tapping, earning 5,000–6,000 baht weekly. During the conflict, it dropped to zero, yet expenses and debts persisted, with creditors and car finance companies calling. She decided to return home to tap rubber and repay her debts despite still doubting Cambodia's sincerity. Another villager, Winai Takengphon, also returning home with his family in Ban Kruat, said he hoped no further fighting would occur, as the conflict had affected livelihoods on both sides. "After more than two weeks away from home, I long for our normal life and hope it will return as soon as possible," he said.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Border clash clean-up
Clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border have dealt a heavy blow to the Northeast's economy, with trade losses in four provinces alone estimated at up to 500 million baht a month. The border conflict and the closure of several checkpoints since early June had disrupted cross-border commerce, resulting in the losses, says Manatchai Jungtrakool, deputy director of the Bank of Thailand (BOT) Northeastern Office in Khon Kaen. Before the conflict escalated, Thai-Cambodian border trade averaged 10 billion baht per month. Of this, 95% took place through eastern checkpoints in Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat. The rest -- worth about 500 million baht per month -- was channelled through northeastern provinces including Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Buri Ram. These four provinces are now bearing the brunt of halted trade activity, he said. The impact extends beyond goods, Mr Manatchai noted. Over 10,000 Cambodians typically cross into Thailand each month to access services, including retail and medical treatment. These activities have also been curtailed, adding to economic hardship. Cross-border agricultural efforts have been disrupted as well, with reports of Cambodian shelling damaging farmland and delaying harvests in affected Isan communities. Local financial institutions have offered relief measures such as extended loan repayments and additional credit to affected individuals and businesses. The BOT is encouraging residents to contact their local banks for assistance, he said. Tourism takes a hit, too The fallout is not limited to commerce. Tourism operators, particularly in provinces near the border, are also feeling the strain as visitor confidence dips. Nor is the drop in confidence limited to border areas. Thanet Supornsahasrangsi, president of the Tourism Council of Chon Buri, reported a spike in inquiries from prospective visitors, particularly regarding safety in Pattaya and other coastal areas in Chon Buri. But in eastern border provinces such as Trat and Chanthaburi, hotel bookings have plummeted by 50%, he said. While the high season, which starts in late November, typically attracts long-haul travellers fleeing cold climates, continued unrest may drive them away, potentially to rival destinations. The council still sees some positive signs, he said. Chinese tourist arrivals have rebounded slightly. Promotional efforts in Chinese cities have been well received, but border tensions and the strength of the baht remain obstacles to full recovery. Sinchai Wattanasathorn, a hotel operator in Pattaya, said that while businesses have adapted since the Covid-19 pandemic by reducing staff and cutting costs, a prolonged conflict could necessitate deeper changes. His Flipper hotel chain reports a 20% drop in tourist numbers during the first six months compared to the same period last year. "If this border conflict is not fully resolved, we may be forced into a major restructuring," he said, warning an extended slump could threaten the industry's long-term stability. Labour flows blocked The border tensions are also disrupting the movement of workers, especially in Trat's Khlong Yai district, where Cambodian labourers -- particularly daily wage earners -- have been allowed to return home but are now barred from re-entering Thailand via permanent checkpoints. This has left local businesses grappling with a sudden loss of manpower. Pol Col Kittipat Paopiamsap, chief of Trat's immigration office, said several hundred Cambodian workers who used to cross the border daily have now returned to Cambodia and cannot return to Thailand. Only a limited number of contract workers remain, and further departures are likely as they are not certain if the conflict will erupt again. "The key signal for improvement would be the reopening of the Hat Lek checkpoint," he said. "If there is a relaxation allowing goods to be brought into Cambodia, the situation would improve. Until people can move freely for work and tourism, normalcy is out of reach." Villagers begin returning Beyond the figures, the conflict has uprooted about 180,000 villagers. Many sought refuge in temporary shelters far from their homes, livelihoods and livestock -- and are now beginning the journey back. At the shelter at Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram's Muang district, villagers who fled the fighting welcomed the outcome of the peace talks and expressed relief at being able to resume their daily routines. They loaded clothes and belongings onto vehicles for the journey back to Ban Kruat district, one of the areas hardest hit by the fighting. They were eager to tend to livestock left behind for more than two weeks. However, many remain cautious, doubting whether Cambodia will honour the ceasefire agreement. Despite concerns, they chose to return home to work and repay their debts. They said if fighting resumes, they would evacuate again for their safety. Aew Kiram, 42, from Ban Kruat, who fled with her husband and children, said the shelter staff cared for them well but it was not the same as home. She felt stressed from being unable to work. Her main income comes from rubber tapping, earning 5,000–6,000 baht weekly. During the conflict, it dropped to zero, yet expenses and debts persisted, with creditors and car finance companies calling. She decided to return home to tap rubber and repay her debts despite still doubting Cambodia's sincerity. Another villager, Winai Takengphon, also returning home with his family in Ban Kruat, said he hoped no further fighting would occur, as the conflict had affected livelihoods on both sides. "After more than two weeks away from home, I long for our normal life and hope it will return as soon as possible," he said.
Washington Post
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Thailand launches air strikes on Cambodia as border clash escalates
SINGAPORE — Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodia on Thursday, marking a sharp escalation in a border dispute that is racking up fatalities, according to military officials. Fighting between the two neighboring countries have occurred intermittently for decades, but tensions began to climb last month after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a skirmish. After a Thai solder was killed by a land mine and Thailand recalled its ambassador from Cambodia, the two militaries exchanged fire across the border Thursday morning. At least nine civilians were killed and 14 others injured in the northeast region of Isan, the Royal Thai Army said in a statement. Thailand — a U.S. security treaty ally — responding by flying an F-16 fighter jet over Cambodia, dropping bombs on what it called a military target. Cambodia confirmed the airstrikes, saying munitions had been dropped on a road leading to a pagoda. Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet said his government was planning how to respond. 'Cambodia always maintains a stance of wanting to resolve issues peacefully, but in this case we have no choice but to respond with armed force against this armed invasion,' he said. This is a developing story and will be updated.
Bangkok Post
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Bangkok Post
Molam master passes
World Beat journeyed to Roi Et province last week to attend the funeral of Assoc Prof Jarernchai Chonpairot, who passed away on the July 5 aged 83. Ajarn Jarernchai, who was still on the faculty at Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University's College of Music (a department he helped found), was World Beat's "go-to" for an understanding of traditional Isan music, especially molam. In the early 1990s, after living in Japan for several years, I returned to Thailand determined to write about and take photographs of Thai music. I was trying to make sense of the different styles in molam music, and after a performance at the Thailand Culture Centre, I finally met Ajarn Jarernchai and explained my dilemma. About a week later, I received a letter, typewritten on small notepaper, that summarised the main styles of molam. Academics are not always that co-operative with journalists but he never turned anyone away; he always had time for those interested in Isan music. For over 50 years, he and Prof Terry Miller of Kent State University in the US collaborated on research in the ethnomusicology of Isan music and co-authored research papers. The story of the long collaboration and friendship between the two professors goes back to 1972, when Ajarn Terry came to Thailand to do research for a doctorate, which would result in his classic text book Traditional Music Of The Lao – Kaen Playing And Mawlum Singing In Northeast Thailand (Greenwood Press, 1984). Ajarn Jarernchai was the research assistant for this research project and the two travelled all over the region looking for different styles of lam, some of which have sadly disappeared since then. After his return to the USA to complete his doctorate, Ajarn Terry helped Ajarn Jarernchai move to study in the states where he completed his Master's and doctorate degrees; his research centred on molam musicians from Laos. He became one of the first Thais to gain a doctorate in ethnomusicology from a US university. Upon his return from the USA, Ajarn Jarernchai helped set up the department of music at Maha Sarakham University, for both Western and Thai traditional music. Over the years, many academics have been trained by these two professors, and their huge body of research is of great cultural and social value, not only to researchers but to all of us. Ajarn Jarernchai was also keen to showcase molam music to new audiences. He joined a panel to discuss molam at the Foreign Correspondents' Club that I organised, using his khaen (free reed bamboo mouth organ) to illustrate his presentation, along with a former student, Chumchon Suebwong, who introduced a chromatic khaen, designed to enable players to perform with Western orchestras (one of his students, Sun Nantachai, recently performed in the US with a Western classical orchestra using a chromatic khaen). And last year, at the annual Jim Thompson Farm Tour (now Festival) in Pak Thong Chai, Korat, I reunited the two academics to talk about their field research during the "American era" of 1959 to 1976, during the period when US military bases were active in the region. It was truly fascinating to hear their stories. He was also a prolific composer; in fact, he recently told me that he had been composing a song or tune a day. Music always seemed to be part of what he was doing. And, of course, he was a master of the khaen and many other Isan instruments. You can hear him on the Globestyle album Isan Slete, which was released in 1989 and to this day remains one of the best molam albums ever recorded overseas. The album features bandleader Saman Hongsa, with most of the musicians selected by Ajarn Jarernchai, who plays khaen and ching (temple cymbals). At his funeral in Wat Burapha Phiram on July 9, students and alumni performed molam music (featuring three educational institutes in one orchestra) and danced, while Chumhon Suebwong (saxophone) and Sun Nantachai (khaen) performed solo and as a duet. National Artist Songsak Prathomsin led an Isan music ensemble with his woad (bamboo pan pipes) leading the way. The huge turnout for his funeral bore testament to Ajarn Jarernchai's influence and popularity. He was also kind and supportive, and he had a great sense of humour. He will be greatly missed. In the funeral book, given to all mourners, there is a long article in English on making khaen (a very complicated and time-consuming process). At the end of the article, Ajarn Jarernchai talks about how there are fewer professional players than when he started his research. One of his solutions to this problem was to suggest that a foundation should be set up to support Isan culture and research, provide scholarships for local artists and disseminate materials on all aspects of Isan culture. As he said: "We hope that if we can set up a healthy environment for Isan culture, khaen music and other types of Isan culture may be revived and improved for prosperity."
Bangkok Post
04-07-2025
- Climate
- Bangkok Post
Military helicopter makes emergency landing at school
ROI ET – A Royal Thai Air Force helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing on a school field in Roi Et province on Thursday due to severe weather conditions, creating a moment of excitement for local students and prompting a warm welcome from nearby residents. The incident took place at Ban Kham Pha-Ung School, Pracharat Bamrung in Pho Chai district. According to a post shared by the school on social media, heavy rain and strong winds prevented the helicopter, from Wing 2 in Lop Buri, from continuing its journey to Udon Thani. As a result, the pilot made the decision to land safely on the school's grassy field. Video shared by the school captured the moment the helicopter descended, with children visibly thrilled by the unexpected event. Students, teachers and local residents quickly gathered around, many holding umbrellas, to view the aircraft up close and take photos. In a show of traditional northeastern (Isan) hospitality, villagers performed a bai sri su kwan ceremony — tying white threads around the pilots' wrists to offer blessings and encouragement for safety and good fortune. The pilots also posed for photos with the students, creating cherished memories for the school community.
