BANGKOK, 14 May 2013 (NNT) - Residents in the western and eastern parts of Thailand have been warned to brace for more heavy rains as cyclone Mahasen makes landfall in the region.

The Meteorological Department reported that the cyclone is making landfall in Bangladesh tomorrow, bringing more storms to provinces in the East and West during the next couple of days.

BANGKOK, 14 May 2013 (NNT) - The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has reported that there are still 54 provinces in need of emergency drought-relief assistance.

The DDPM Director General says that approximately 556 districts, 3,740 sub-districts and 36,580 villages in 54 provinces are still under risk of drought disasters. However, the southern province of Satun has been taken out of the list of disaster-hit provinces.

Executive Summary

There has been an influx of migration into Thailand from neighbouring Myanmar over the last 20 years, often to take up what are locally referred to as ‘3D’ jobs (dirty, dangerous and demanding). These working conditions have a direct impact on the development of young children as they live in precarious environments.

BANGKOK, 12 May 2013 (NNT) – Teachers in the southern border region are confident in the security programs designed to protect them although they remain unsure about the effectiveness of the actual implementation.

Chairperson of the Confederation of Teachers of the Three Southern Border Provinces Boonsom Thongsriprai said that his latest meeting with all security agencies in the restive region, on Saturday, discussed the details of the safety programs for educators and school personnel after the new school term begins.

BANGKOK, 6 May 2013 (NNT)-The Ministry of Public Health is aiming to stop the outbreak of Malaria in Thailand within the next 7 years after nearly 2,500 people have been found with the disease so far this year.

According to Public Health Minister Dr. Pradit Sintawanarong, the Ministry has launched a campaign to stop the outbreak of Malaria permanently in 80% of the country’s total areas. Under the scheme, health examination services have been provided in the area where contraction of Malaria has been reported whilst those with infections will be treated on the spot.

BANGKOK [ACTED News] - ACTED recently selected 15 refugees living in two refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border to undergo a Training-of-Trainers (ToT) programme that aims to provide refugees from Myanmar with the technical skills to find a job in their home country once they feel ready and safe to return. This action has been undergone in the context of ACTED’s vocational training project funded by the European Commission.

BANGKOK, 2 May 2013 (NNT) – The Disease Control Department (DDC) has reported that 33 people have died of dengue fever, while trying to raise public awareness of the disease.

The Department of Disease Control under the Public Health Ministry has hosted an event to raise awareness of dengue fever.

According to Disease Control Department Director-General Pornthep Siriwanarangsan, over 26,000 cases of dengue fever have been reported during January 1st to April 30th; 33 of the patients died.

Rebels say they want independence - video on YouTube

• Demands issued hours before new round of talks

• Thai authorities certain to reject the demands

By Amy Sawitta Lefevre

BANGKOK, April 29 (Reuters) - Leaders of a Muslim rebel group in southern Thailand said they will press for an independent state and made other demands that are likely to scupper a second round of peace talks, which started in Malaysia on Monday.

Read the full story on AlertNet

LAMPANG, 24 April 2013 (NNT) – The drought situation continues to exacerbate, with water sources drying up. Meanwhile, storms pounded several provinces in the northern region last night, tearing off the roofs of many homes.