Emerging from the heart of Chiang Mai, the Ling App has captured global attention, recently earning a prestigious spotlight on the App Store for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. This innovative language-learning tool from Thailand has distinguished itself as an essential companion for travelers, designed to enrich the Parisian adventures of athletes and spectators.

In a crowded market of educational applications, Ling sets itself apart by integrating cultural immersion into its language lessons. Raisha, the Head of Campaign Management, attributes their App Store success to their deep understanding of user needs and dedication to delivering high-quality, innovative content that enhances the user experience.

The design team at Ling, collaborating closely with The Thaiger, has meticulously crafted the app’s interface and mascot to align with the Paris Games theme, providing a visually captivating and culturally immersive experience.

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This year, the app introduces the Culture Notes feature, which guides users through Paris’s rich heritage, cuisine, and festivities, ensuring seamless and authentic social interactions.

Moreover, the app includes essential vocabulary and cultural tips for the Olympics, enabling users to communicate effortlessly from the stands to the streets of Paris. Ling’s emphasis on practical language skills and cultural insights enhances travel experiences and fosters meaningful connections across diverse backgrounds.

Featured prominently on the App Store, Ling’s recognition underscores its effectiveness in bridging language gaps, solidifying its role as an indispensable companion for those attending the Olympics in Paris.

British tourists planning their summer vacations should be cautious of a significant mistake that could jeopardize their holiday experience. E-cigarette users must be vigilant about stringent anti-vaping laws in popular Southeast Asian destinations.

Violating these regulations can lead to severe consequences, including hefty fines and imprisonment.

Strict Vaping Bans in Southeast Asia

Countries like Thailand and Singapore are known for having some of the world’s strictest vaping bans. In Thailand, vaping has been illegal since 2014.

Tourists caught with an e-cigarette may face fines of up to 30,000 baht or, in extreme cases, a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Similarly, Singapore enforces rigorous regulations, with fines reaching up to 2,000 Singapore dollars (approximately 50,000 baht) for merely possessing a vaping device.

According to the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), five out of ten countries in the region prohibit e-cigarettes.

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This includes Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, where even possessing a vape for commercial purposes is against the law.

Widespread Vaping Restrictions

Vaping restrictions are not limited to Southeast Asia. In Cyprus, vaping in public or in a private vehicle with a minor can result in fines of up to 850 euros (around 30,000 baht). In Hungary, vapers can be fined up to US$980 (around 35,000 baht) for using e-cigarettes in non-smoking areas.

Meanwhile, in Italy, vaping is permitted, except in Vatican City, where it is completely banned, according to The Mirror UK.

“Vaping laws are constantly changing. Travelers must check local regulations before their trip to avoid severe penalties. In some cases, illegal vaping products can pose additional risks. Always bring your devices and supplies when allowed and pack them in carry-on luggage to comply with airline rules.”

Crackdown on Illegal Vaping in Thailand

In related news, Thai authorities are taking decisive action against the illegal use of e-cigarettes, emphasizing the importance of protecting children from the health risks associated with vaping.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stressed that the issue has been neglected for too long, during an event marking World No Tobacco Day on May 31.

Travellers should stay informed and adhere to local vaping laws to ensure a smooth and enjoyable vacation.

Bangkok is making significant strides toward sustainability under Governor Chadchart Sittipunt’s guidance. Building on the foundation laid by the Green Bangkok 2030 initiative, the governor is now pursuing a more ambitious environmental agenda.
Governor Chadchart envisions transforming Bangkok into a 15-minute city with accessible green spaces.

This plan includes adding 130 parks and doubling the tree-planting target to two million by 2026, following successfully planting one million trees in two years.
According to Pornphrom Vikitsreth, the BMA’s chief of sustainability and adviser to the governor, the 58-year-old governor’s first action upon assuming office was planting a tree in a park.

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Thailand faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation, declining biodiversity, and soil erosion. Urban areas, particularly Bangkok, suffer from severe air pollution caused by traffic and industrial emissions, posing serious health risks.

The country’s waste management system is also under pressure, with rising plastic waste exacerbating pollution in both land and water ecosystems. With a population of 10 million and limited green space per capita, Bangkok is often seen as overcrowded.

Enhancing green spaces is essential for making the city more livable, attracting expatriates, and competing with neighboring cities like Singapore.
Moving beyond the Green Bangkok 2030 initiative that aligned with the Paris Agreement, Governor Chadchart is now prioritizing the 15-minute park concept.

This involves creating pocket parks in underserved areas to ensure equitable access to green spaces for all residents.
“Parks are a smaller investment with big gains,” Pornphrom stated.
The 15-Minute City Concept
The 15-minute city concept ensures that residents can walk to essential amenities, including schools, malls, restaurants, and green spaces, within 15 minutes. In Bangkok, parks are the primary focus.
Rather than developing one or two large parks annually, the city focuses on smaller pocket parks to ensure more equitable access.
Selecting a new park location involves a detailed process:
Analyze the Need: Conduct a thorough analysis to determine the necessity of a new park, focusing on densely populated areas near community centers.
Engage the Community: After identifying a potential site, set up a circle of chairs on the land and invite residents to discuss their needs, asking them, “What do you want?”
Design Based on Input: Tailor the park’s design based on community feedback, incorporating features like playgrounds, trails, outdoor gyms, or benches to meet local needs.
Pornphrom emphasized that the BMA wants residents to be involved from the beginning so that they feel a sense of ownership once the park opens.

“Maintenance is crucial after the park opens.”

Regular users are encouraged to help with upkeep and security, fostering a sense of ownership among locals. We must be more inventive when we don’t have the land.
Finding space for pocket parks in a densely packed city has been challenging. Solutions include:

• Reimagining areas under expressways.
• Converting concrete spaces into greenery.
• Repurposing parts of parking lots.

Partnering with local schools to open their grounds to the public after hours.”
Trees and green spaces are vital for physical and mental health, enhancing air quality, aiding in carbon sequestration and drainage, providing shade, and making cities more livable.”
A new policy has introduced 50 arborists to the city to ensure tree survival.

These specialists, known as tree doctors, focus on assessing and maintaining the overall health of trees rather than performing routine maintenance, as reported by the Bangkok Post.
In 2022, the city had only one arborist, but the current administration has increased this number to 15, with ongoing training and certification efforts to expand the team further, said Pornphrom.

People are pleased they voted for the new governor.

They feel more free. To maintain high standards, quality checkers assess the vitality of the parks.”
By implementing these innovative strategies, Bangkok is on its way to becoming a greener, more sustainable city, improving the quality of life for its residents.