Appeal for urgent blood donations as Thai hospitals run critically low

13 Sept 07:46 Key points summarised by AI

The Thai Red Cross Society (TRCS) has issued an urgent appeal for blood donations as supplies at hospitals nationwide and the TRCS's own blood bank are critically low, with donations falling by 50% due to the second wave of COVID-19.
Potential donors are asked to confidentially disclose their health, recent travel, and visits to high-risk areas, wear face masks, and can donate at various TRCS centers, select shopping malls, and all provincial hospitals.

The Buddha Comes Home

Yesterday 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Chong Para is a vibrant annual festival of the Shan (Tai Yai) people in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, celebrating the Buddha's return from Tavatimsa heaven after Buddhist Lent.
The festival's centerpiece involves families constructing intricate miniature palaces, also called Chong Para, from bamboo, paper, and lights, placed outside homes and temples as offerings.
For three days and nights, the quiet mountain town comes alive with folk music, traditional dances like the Shan bird dance, religious ceremonies, and community gatherings, showcasing deep-rooted Shan culture.
Beyond the celebrations, Chong Para reinforces family bonds, preserves traditional crafts, and offers visitors an authentic immersion into the unique cultural heritage of Mae Hong Son.