Passenger van operators want PM to help freeze car instalments for 3-6 months

14 Sept 10:54 Key points summarised by AI

Passenger van operators in Bangkok and its suburbs are urgently seeking government intervention to negotiate a 3-6 month debt moratorium on their vehicle installments.
This plea arises from a severe financial crisis, with daily earnings plummeting to 100-200 baht due to drastically reduced passenger numbers (from 100,000 to 1,000 daily) caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and new public transport competition, threatening operators with vehicle repossession.

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.