World

Alternative and Insect-based Protein Old Traditions, New Ambitions Many may not be aware that insect-based protein had its start in Thailand, with the country’s ‘entomophagy’ or human consumption of insects as food covering over 50 species that are edible and which can be consumed throughout the year. And it’s fitting that with climate change concerns and a renewed focus on health, this protein source is making an important comeback around the world, including its place of origin. As the ‘Kitchen of the World,’ Thailand can demonstrate how its diet has had a long tradition including insect and plant-based proteins, in recognition of an important dietary source that has often been neglected. The impact of Covid-19 and the focus on improved lifestyles and well-being have put the spotlight

The old town of Ayutthaya is an excellent destination for young generations to study about the spread of Buddhism from Sri Lanka to Siam. (Photos: Pattarawadee Saengmanee) Once the epicentre of Theravada Buddhism, the ancient region of what is now Sri Lanka had extended its border to Siam through the Buddhist faith. Its spiritual journey marked its beginning during the Dvaravati era (6th–11th centuries) and culminated with the adoption of Buddhism in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Lanna. A group of Siamese monks travelled to various religious historical sites in the Ceylon kingdom to follow Lord Buddha's footprints and their voyage was widely depicted in murals or on scripture cabinets. During the time of King Songtham (1610-1628), the royal chronicle described a pilgrima

Thai AirAsia X ramps up Australian flights Angela Macdonald PSM, Australian ambassador to Thailand, second from left, and Mr Tassapon at the launch of Thai AirAsia X's direct flights from Bangkok to Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. With a lack of inbound flights still posing a challenge for tourism, Thai AirAsia X is planning two new routes to Australia and one to India to increase seat capacity, as the markets have shown signs of recovery following the lifting of all travel restrictions. As of July, the number of outbound tourists from Australia reached 3.83 million, while the inbound market stood at 3.94 million. Air traffic has grown stronger since the Australian government ended all travel restrictions on July 6. Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive of Thai AirAsia X, said there wer...

Japan’s moves to ensure its own security in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait could heighten tensions, but analysts say they are necessary to counter what is seen as growing Chinese assertiveness in staking its claims over the island. Since US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August, China has conducted its largest military drills near the island in decades, while Taiwan’s defence ministry last week said it had detected several Chinese aircraft and ships in the area. On Wednesday, Japan said it would develop and mass-produce a cruise missile and a high-velocity ballistic missile as part of efforts aimed at meeting threats from China and Russia. The defence ministry has asked for spending to be increased to US$39.78 billion, which could rise after factoring

NEW YORK/TUNIS (NYTIMES) - Fast-moving wildfires that tore through the northeast mountains of Algeria have killed at least 37 people and injured dozens, government officials reported on Thursday (Aug 18). The blazes erupted in the early hours of Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said, adding that at least 118 fires across 21 provinces in the north-east of the country ravaged about 2,590 hectares, forcing more than 300 people to flee their homes. Most of the fires were under control by Thursday, officials said, but the death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud blamed the region's extreme heat and strong winds - conditions that have gripped the North African countries along the Mediterranean coast and helped ignite and intensify dozens of d...

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Millions of students wearing face masks streamed back to primary and secondary schools across the Philippines on Monday for their first in-person classes after two years of coronavirus lockdowns that are feared to have worsened alarming illiteracy rates among children. Officials grappled with daunting problems, including classroom shortages, lingering COVID-19 fears, an approaching storm and quake-damaged school buildings in the country’s north, to welcome back nearly 28 million students who enrolled for the school year. In a grade school in San Juan city in the capital region, teachers checked the temperatures of students and sprayed alcohol on their hands before letting them into classrooms. Renaline Pemapelis, 27, excitedly gave last-minute instructions to

The food crisis is much bigger than Ukraine Russia's blockade of Ukrainian food shipments and the potential loss of Ukrainian harvests due to disruptions from the war have dominated headlines in recent months. Between February and June, global wheat prices surged by more than 60%, fuelling humanitarian concerns and warnings from international development agencies about food insecurity in African and Asian countries. But many of these headlines have been misleading. In poor countries, around 80% of all calories come from cereals. The most important is rice, which accounts for 27% of per capita caloric intake in the developing world, and is the main staple in Asia. In countries such as Myanmar and Cambodia, rice makes up 80% of calories. Maize is the most important subsistence cereal in A...

BEIJING (AP) — China said Sunday it carried out its fourth consecutive day of military drills in the air and sea around Taiwan in the wake of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the self-ruled island, despite international calls to calm the tensions. The People’s Liberation Army said the exercises focused on testing its long-range air and ground strikes. It did not say if it will continue the drills after Sunday. Taiwan said that it continued to detect several batches of Chinese aircraft, ships and drones operating around the Taiwan Strait, which separates the island and mainland China, and “simulating attacks on the island of Taiwan and our ships at sea.” Taiwan’s defence ministry said it detected a total of 66 Chinese aircraft and 14 Chinese warships conducting joint naval and a

Analysts examine the impact of 55 years of Asean in the region After two years of virtual celebrations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's Asean Secretariat held an in-person celebration on Aug 8 at its headquarters in Jakarta to mark the Association of Southeast Asian Nation's 55th anniversary. Established on Aug 8, 1967, Asean was envisioned to be a regional forum to promote stability in the region through political cooperation, trade and economic collaboration. The theme of this year's celebrations was "Stronger Together", which echoed the theme Cambodia chose to define its chairmanship of Asean this year, "Addressing Challenges Together". Since its founding, Asean has faced numerous challenges and disruptions to the global and regional order, as well threats to peace and pros...

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, during a visit to the neighboring Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan this month, in what would be his first overseas visit since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. Xi, 69, has participated in global gatherings by video link, but his physical absence and those of other top Chinese leaders has thrown a shadow over Beijing’s global political and economic ambitions. Xi has only left mainland China to make a one-day visit to the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong on July 1 to speak at a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of its handover from British to Chinese rule. Xi has overseen a sweeping crackdown on civil rights in the city since pro-democracy protests in 2019, with oppo