Stories tagged with health
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Retired navy boys go feng shui
A peculiar sight can be seen these days on Sattahip Naval Beach in Thailand, as retired officers have taken to a feng shui technique of burying themselves in sand. A number of retired Naval officers in the area come to the beach each morning to perform the therapy that is said to aid in spinal disorders, paralysis and beriberi. Specifics of the therapy are that the patient should bury themselves in sand with their heads facing north, preferably with a mountain behind them and their feet pointed south.
Pattaya Daily News reporters say that practitioners have seen improvements in their physical ailments after the therapy, and the naval commanders were quick to point out that there was no damage to the beach because of their practices. The retired seamen expect to see more and more people flocking to the special geography of the beach to try the treatment for themselves as the summer moves on.
Posted by: DaveB on 21 May 2008, 20:00 -
Rain soaks up bad air
Fears that Chiang Mai might again suffer hazardous air quality conditions this season have been unfounded, and recent early season rains have brought the PM10 levels down way below the critical level.
Thunder showers through the week in the late afternoon, and humid conditions have served to mitigate the effects of chronic burning that occurs at this point in the dry season, creating hazy conditions and filling the air with harmful particles. Climate conditions have also been more favourable than 2007 when the province was blighted with hazardous air conditions for more than a month. So far, only a eight days in March this year have produced conditions where the PM10 index is above the 120 level considered dangerous to respiration.
Over the last weekend of March the index had fallen below 80, and the mountains were again visible (a quick indicator), but in Mae Hong Son province, where the burning is out of control, the index remained well above 100.
Local tourist business have complained the bookings are down 20%, as the negative publicity of the previous year has taken its toll on tourism confidence in the Northern region. However a widely initiated campaign to educate locals and discourage burning has helped spread the word among villagers and city dweller alike.
Rain in early April is unusual, and has been a welcome respite from the high temperatures being experienced. The King has also taken a personal interest in the problem this year and has instructed rain-making exercises to be conducted, helping ease the problem.
Pollution control department readings
Posted by: Andrew on 31 Mar 2008, 09:29 -
King concerned with pollution
The air quality in northern Thailand is once again a concern this year, and the king himself has voiced concern over air that is reaching pollution levels dangerous enough to drive people away from certain areas. King Bhumibol has requested that updates about the air quality in the northern provinces be sent to the Royal residence on a daily basis.
To help those living under the adverse conditions, the Public Health Ministry has sent 200,000 facemasks to affected areas, that will help to protect people from PM10 particles, dust particles that come with the haze. Pollution Control Department chief Supat Wangwongwatana told the Bangkok Post, "We have found that the number of hot spots in Indochina was getting high on March 22 with 952, and gradually dropped to 575 and only 271 on March 24. Moreover, we have made strong and effective efforts to clear and control hot spots, which helps improve the situation."
Posted by: DaveB on 26 Mar 2008, 18:17 -
Governor assures Chiang Mai smog will lift
As summer approaches, the yearly concern of air pollution is once again on the minds and in the lungs of Chiang Mai residents. Chiang Mai’s provincial governor Wibun Sanguanphong says that the current smog will ease in the next several days thanks to the recent rain and city workers spraying water around the city’s busiest streets in an attempt to keep dust particles and pollutants from rising.
The governor said that conditions were not as severe as last year, when many elderly residents left the city to escape the air pollution that created a veil of pollutants clearly seen on the city streets.
“The situation this year is not as critical as that of last year as the rain helped to increase humidity. Moreover, many related agencies have worked closely together to control wildfires, open-air burning and toxic fumes emitted by vehicles,� he said in an interview with the Chiang Mai Mail.
The governor has included a push for mandatory emissions testing on all registered vehicles in the city as part of his campaign platform.
Posted by: DaveB on 14 Mar 2008, 18:33 -
Thai hoteliers on smoking ban
The new ban on smoking in Thailand’s bars, pubs and nightclubs has been played down by Thai hoteliers.
General manager of Bangkok’s Siam Design Hotel and Spa, Sanya Saengboon, said that the hotel’s food and beverage restaurants and cafes were already smoke-free and separate smoking areas had been set up for guests who prefer to smoke.
He went on ‘The impact from the new smoking ban will be minimal. There have been no serious complaints about this so far,’ he said.
In Chiang Mai, general manager of Holiday Inn Chiangmai, Alan Watts, said that despite the new law probably not effecting the hotel’s food and beverage outlets, it may create an impact for the other indoor entertainment venues.
The new regulation to ban smoking in air-conditioned entertainment venues by Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is to begin in February. The new ban will also effect the popular Chatuchak outdoor weekend market.
The new regulation is in addition to the Public Health Ministry ministry’s ban on smoking in public areas including in hospitals, train and bus stations, and government buildings, and was imposed four years ago.
Hefty fines will be put into place for violators and venue owners, where violators will be fined 2,000 baht owners of nightclubs, pubs and bars 20,000 baht.
More on Health in Thailand
Posted by: Andrew on 31 Jan 2008, 17:18 -
Bird flu in Nakhon Sawan
The deadly Bird Flu virus has been picked up in Nakhon Sawan province; the first time the disease has hit Thailand in the past 10 months say the Department of Livestock.
Thousands of chickens had been found dead at a farm in Nakhon Sawan’s Chumsaeng district and authorities immediately suspected the H5N1 virus.
It was later confirmed the chickens had died of the Avian Flu after a lab test conducted in Phitsanulok had been carried out, according to Department of Livestock official Somboon Srisuthep.
Officials have ordered a quarantine of all bird livestock within a five-kilometre radius of the infected farm and requested the disinfection of all poultry farms in the area.
The Department of Livestock in Nakhon Sawan have also issued a warning to poultry farmers and banned the transport of live poultry across the country.
If traveling in the region, ensure chicken meat is thoroughly cooked before consuming, especially at hawker stalls.
Health in Thailand
Posted by: Andrew on 25 Jan 2008, 21:28 -
Chiang Mai Governor prohibits burning
Governor of Chiang Mai, Viboon Sanguanphongs, issued a public order prohibiting burning in open areas. The public order comes after the public’s concern over pollution in Chiang Mai, which was particularly bad during the previous cool season.
The order prohibits the burning of rubbish, the cutting down of trees and the subsequent burning of leaves and twigs, which can lead to extremely bad pollution over the city and surroundings.
Officers are being despatched to instruct the general public on alternative methods of waste disposal and recycling, in order to produce fertilizer and to save the environment.
In addition, certain forested areas in Chiang Mai are fire protection zones and any breach of the new public order in these areas will be severely dealt with.
During the dry season especially, pollution combines with dust from roads and fields and gets stuck in the Chiang Mai valley when colder air forms over the warmer valley micro-climate; known as an ‘inversion layer.’ Thus, colder air traps warm air below it along with the polluting particles.
More on Chiang Mai
Posted by: Andrew on 21 Jan 2008, 15:54 -
Smoking banned in public venues
The Ministry of Public Health has announced the ban on smoking in all air-conditioned entertainment venues throughout Thailand effective next month.
The ban is expected to be imposed on February 17 and will include such venues as nightclubs, pubs and open-air markets.
While a victory for non-smokers, the new ruling is sure to have a profound effect on many businesses that rely on customers in the service industry.
Dr Hatai Chitanond of the ministry's Health Promotion Institute, ‘We believe there will be some resistance from operators of nightclubs and pubs because they may fear the ban will reduce their customers’. The doctor goes on ‘I'm willing to talk to them more about the ban if they rally.’
As well as obvious enclosed public spaces, such as nightclubs and pubs, the likes of the Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok will also be affected.
In the case of outdoor restaurants, patrons will have to smoke in designated areas. The restaurants in question will be required to set these areas up by law.
Those breaking the new smoking ban when it comes into force will face a hefty fine of 2,000 baht.
Health in Thailand
Posted by: Andrew on 11 Jan 2008, 14:37 -
Free Body Scrub with Strawberries!
Fancy having your body scrubbed in strawberries. It sounds like the ultimate in luxury fantasy, but it's exactly what Oasis Spa in Chiang Mai are offering as a special treatment this winter. And it comes free with any of their signature treatments.
Believed by some to promote long life by purifying the body, strawberries are will revitalize and cause your skin to glow with a healthy youthful look.
Oasis Spa, one of Chiang Mai's leaders in wellness, have begun offering this unique treatment at the onset of the strawberry season. Until the end of February 2008, customers receiving either of the King of Oasis, Queen of Oasis, Four Hands Massage or Aromatherapy Hot Oil Massage, will also benefit from a free one hour Strawberry Scrub, worth 1,800 baht.
The Oasis Spas belong to one of the largest Spa groups in Thailand, with two branches in Chiang Mai (Nimminhemin and Old Town) and one each in Bangkok (Sukhumvit rd) and Pattaya (City). They offer a range of packages to suit all pockets, pampering needs and time constraints.
Posted by: Andrew on 06 Nov 2007, 10:10 -
Private hospital to open in Phuket
A chronic shortage of hospital beds is just one of the reasons that the provincial government of Phuket has opened up its own private hospital, a move which has upset the national Health Ministry.
Before the opening of the new hospital, the province had just six hospitals in operation to serve a population of 300,000.
According to Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation’s senior adviser, Dr Kosol Taeng-utai, the new hospital brings with it the real possibility of improving medical treatment in the province and therefore increasing people’s quality of life.
The new hospital will charge patients for their services which means that local people will not be able to use their National Health Security Office scheme to get services.
"We want to focus on patients who can pay for medical treatment," Kosol said "We will provide them with quality care."
When the building, which is currently being renovated for the sum of 150 million baht, opens next year, it will be able to accommodate 200 patients.
The hospital will be run for profit and the Health Ministry is worried that this method of management will lure qualified medical professionals away from hospitals managed under the national health system, thereby lowering the quality of care available to those without funds and increasing the medical care available to those who can afford to pay for it.
Dr Supakit Sirilak, a policy and strategy bureau director for the Health Ministry explained: "We don't have enough medical workers to run hospitals across the country. We are concerned this new hospital will worsen the situation.�
Medical tourism is already very popular in Thailand’s major city centers. Private hospitals in Bangkok, for example, often offer a very high level of care for considerably less than their American counterparts. When the new hospital opens in Phuket it will mean that tourists can get their medical check ups done while getting a tan on the beach.
Posted by: Jen on 24 Oct 2007, 09:16 -
Dengue outbreak hits South East Asia
The number of cases of dengue fever reported so far this year in Phuket has increased by one third. At a recent meeting of the World Health Organization, officials called on local health groups to implement stricter control measures in order to contain what seems to be a growing problem.
According to Thailand’s Public Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department there were 41,975 cases of dengue fever reported between January 1st and September 8th this year. In 47 cases, the patient died from the disease which is carried by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
Thailand is not alone in combating this disease. This year’s outbreak of dengue fever has left no nation in South East Asia untouched. Indonesia has seen the highest total number of reported cases this year at 160,000. In Cambodia, 300 children under the age of 15 died from the disease which affected a total of 25,000 in the country this year. Malaysia reported an increase of 50 per cent this year with 56 deaths due to dengue in June alone. In Vietnam 33,000 people were affected by the disease which was responsible for the death of 32 people.
Rapid urbanization is being labeled as one of the major contributors to the rise in dengue infections. Decaying construction sites full of stagnant water are ideal places to breed dengue-carrying mosquitoes, especially in areas like Bangkok.
There are currently no cures for dengue fever, however scientists are working on a vaccine which may be effective against four serotypes of the disease. Until such measures are perfected, the only way to avoid dengue is to avoid mosquitoes. When traveling in Thailand, keep covered and apply mosquito repellent during the day.
Posted by: Jen on 26 Sep 2007, 15:38 -
Thailand smokers tax hike targets
Many western tourists who come to Thailand every year notice how significantly cheaper cigarettes are here than they are back home. Many a weak willed traveller has succumbed to the former habit when they realise they can buy a pack of fags for a pittance of what they’d pay back home.
The price of tabs at the counter has increased by two baht, the reason being the one percent increase in excise tax on imported cigarettes according to Achoke Rammohan, president of Philip Morris Thailand. This increase in nothing compared to what westerners are used to when it comes to tobacco prices, but the government of Thailand’s Excise Department says this increase will see an additional 3 billion baht in revenues for the government, as well as eliminate 20 million packs of cigarettes from beign smoked in Thailand this coming year.
Praphatsorn Phongphanpisal of the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly reiterated the legitimacy of the increase reported by Philip Morris but said that he felt retailers would not raise their commercial prices disproportionately in accordance with trade ethics.
Posted by: DaveB on 06 Sep 2007, 11:03 -
Avian bird flu: It’s back.
Reports of avian bird flu surface from time to time in South East Asia, and the most recent outbreak has been observed in [the northwestern province of [Mae Hong Son](http://www.maehongsontravel.com/) in Thailand. The health alert comes after over one hundred dead chickens and ducks were found lifeless in Ban Mae Surin.
They were found on the property of a refugee camp for Burmese that had fled their country, many in an attempt to join family tribe members that are part of the Lanna kingdom, a culture not divided by the gubernatorial stick in the sand of modern Thailand and Myanmar. When they attempt to join their families on the Thai side, they are kept in refugee camps, like this one that holds 3,808 refugees.
Two female refugees are under observation in hospital after the dead birds were discovered. The Public Health Ministry is keeping a close eye on the possible victims, as concerns grow over whether the airborne virus will spread outside the camp. All birds in the vicinity were culled in hopes the avian influenza would not spread further afield into populated areas.
Posted by: DaveB on 06 Sep 2007, 11:01 -
Activists address Abbott’s drug ban for Thai AIDS patients
Thailand is experiencing what some would call an AIDS epidemic, and the drugs available for treatment are far too expensive for the average Thai person to afford. There are generic versions of these drugs being produced, albeit illegally to help combat the disease.
Abbott Laboratories, an American company says it is illegal for Thailand to be producing generic forms of its patented drugs, but the government has been to court to battle for the right to help its people.
At an international AIDS conference in Sydney, Australia, Thai protesters were on hand to raise awareness of the situation in their home country, where there is so much senseless death at the hand of cut-throat profit margins.
The first drug in question is called Aluvia, a second line treatment for those whose disease has already become resistant to the first line. It is the only drug of its kind in the third world, and is an indispensable tool to save the lives of suffering Thai people.
Kannikar Kitiwatchakul, a representative for the Thai Network of People Living With AIDS said, "For Thai people with resistant HIV, access to Aluvia is not a luxury. It is vital."
At the moment, there are about 500,000 Thais infected with AIDS and 80,000 of them are now on retroviral therapy. 8,000 of these have developed resistance to the first line treatment and are in desperate need of Aluvia, but the cost is just too dear.
Posted by: DaveB on 26 Jul 2007, 12:03 -
Asean: Smoking Kills 1 Million a Year in the Region
Records show that 1 million people die from smoking-related diseases every year in the Asean countries. Anti-tobacco lobbyists are urging the governments of Southeast Asia to ban smoking in all indoor workplaces, and they have been gaining traction at the WHO conference in Bangkok. The proposal is expected to be officially approved by the full conference before it concludes Friday. Bangkok Post has more details.
Posted by: Watt on 04 Jul 2007, 16:48 -
Thailand: Limit Cigarette Ads on Internet
According to an article in The Nation Thailand has proposed an international effort to control cigarette ads and sales on the Internet at an international WHO meeting in Bangkok.
Posted by: Watt on 03 Jul 2007, 10:21 -
Drug-Resistant TB hits Thailand
Since 2001, there have been 13 confirmed cases of drug resistant TB identified in Thailand according to the Drug Resistant TB Research Fund’s chairman Dr. Manoon Leechawengwong.
There is some debate concerning the extremely dangerous cases as to date they seem to have escaped the attention of the country’s public health minister. The form of the disease, known as XDR-TB, is extremely problematic because although it can be spread, it is almost impossible to cure.
Problems associated with XDR-TB came to the public’s attention recently when a 44-year-old American was taken into custody after traveling to Europe and Canada with the disease, putting people he shared a plane with at risk.
Travelers to Thailand have very little to worry about. Tuberculosis is usually spread through prolonged contact with someone who is infected and is most often an affliction of those with fragile immune systems, malnutrition or other health problems.
Posted by: Jen on 14 Jun 2007, 14:14 -
Coca Cola VN: No Excess Chlorine in Drinks
In a development to a story several days ago Coca Cola Vietnam has explained that the recall of Fanta drinks was because of mistakes in custom formalities, not a problem with the product. However, the Vietnam Food Administration is still awaiting an offical report from the company. Reported from Thanh Nien News
Posted by: Watt on 17 May 2007, 10:35 -
Recalled Fanta Drinks in Vietnam
From Thanhnien: several batches of Fanta soft drinks have been recalled by Coca Cola Vietnam due to high chlorine content. The Ministy of Health will be asked to investigate.
Posted by: Watt on 15 May 2007, 17:16