Senior doctor explains why calls to 1668 hotlines are often remain unanswered

13 Sept 12:28 Key points summarised by AI

The 1668 hotline is staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses during their working hours, with each call taking 20-30 minutes to assist COVID-19 positive individuals or their relatives in finding hospital beds and following up on their condition.
A primary issue in securing hospital beds arises from private labs failing to coordinate test results with hospitals, leading to significant delays and a backlog of patients.
Substandard testing by some private labs results in false positive diagnoses, causing undue concern and potentially mixing uninfected individuals with actual COVID-19 cases.

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.