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Straits Times
17-05-2025
- Straits Times
Lightning strike at Cambodia's Angkor Wat leaves three dead, dozens injured
Preliminary assessments suggest the absence or insufficiency of a lightning protection system at the Angkor Wat temple site may have contributed to the incident. PHOTO: AFP SIEM REAP - A lightning strike hit the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on May 16, killing three people and injuring dozens, reported security sources in the region. The incident occurred at about 5pm during a traditional spiritual ceremony held by local Cambodians atop the temple amid rainfall. Most of the victims were Cambodian nationals. As at the afternoon of May 17, Cambodian authorities have yet to release an official statement confirming the number of casualties. Preliminary assessments suggest the absence or insufficiency of a lightning protection system at the temple site may have contributed to the incident. Following online reports of the tragedy, many Cambodians on social media have called for the news to be taken down to avoid alarming potential tourists and to protect the country's image. THE NATION THAILAND/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
‘Are the walls lined with gold?': Thai MP questions extravagant cost of Parliament carpark
Ms Rukchanok Srinork drew stark comparisons with the cost of other substantial government buildings. PHOTO: THE NATION THAILAND/ASIA NEWS NETWORK BANGKOK - A Thai Member of Parliament has voiced strong concerns over the eye-watering budget allocated for a new carpark at the national assembly. Ms Rukchanok Srinork, a representative for the progressive People Party, took to social media to express her disbelief at the 4.6 billion baht (S$182 million) price tag, suggesting the cost was so inflated that one might expect the 'bricks to be made of gold' or the 'walls plastered with Vibranium'. Her outburst follows the revelation by fellow People MP and political development committee chair, Mr Parit Wacharasindhu, regarding the tendering process for the carpark's design and construction. While the initial design phase was budgeted at a more modest 104.5 million baht, the total estimated cost for the multi-storey carpark itself has ballooned to a staggering 4.588 billion baht. Ms Rukchanok drew stark comparisons with the cost of other substantial government buildings, noting that the 30-storey State Audit Office, 'with all its fancy bits', came in at 2.3 billion baht. She also pointed out that the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission complex, including multiple buildings and two car parks, cost 2.6 billion baht. 'A car park for 4.6 billion baht?' she quipped in her online post. 'Are the bricks made of gold, or are the walls plastered with Vibranium?' Under Thai regulations, any government-funded project exceeding 1 billion baht requires Cabinet approval due to its significant impact on the national budget. Ms Rukchanok stated she would be watching closely to see if the new Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of the Pheua Thai party, would give the green light to such an expensive undertaking in the current economic climate. She further challenged the rationale behind the exorbitant expenditure, asking: 'Thai people, have a think about this information. This 4.6 billion baht parliament carpark project – who do you reckon they're really trying to make things easier for? The public or the construction blokes?' THE NATION THAILAND/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
