A twice-before move to segregte Thailand's largest province, Korat, in two has recently been given new life by a local coalition supporting the reorganization..

From: Bangkok Post (full article)
11 May 2013

According to news reports, over 1,000 people have gathered in Nakhonratchasima to help push state support to split northeast Thailand's largest province in two. The proposed 78th province would comprise eight districts including Bua Yai, Kong, Prathai, Ban Luam, Kaeng Sanam Nang, Sida and Bua Lai.

Nakhon Ratchasima currently has a total of 32 districts with an estimated population of 2.6 million people in 2005 [2.5 million in 2011], the second populous province in the country after Bangkok.

Arun Akarapridee, a representative of the campaigners, said a total of 20,582 residents from eight districts had signed a petition to revive the 1994 Bua Yai Province Bill and presented it to House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont on July 17, 2012. He said the campaign for provincial status for Bua Yai was far from new. The idea was first proposed in 1955 [under PM Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram] but was put on shelf, and there was another attempt in 1994 [PM Chuan Leekpai].

Long-lasting violence in southern Thailand, seemingly taking a turn for the worse after 9/11, is bringing into focuse state authority vs. regional moves toward autonomy.

From: Bangkok Post (full article)
11 May2013

When a national government is beset by a regional separatist movement that seems to gain strength and increase its commitment to autonomy day by day, serious questions arise, including whether to slash and burn or wear kid gloves. The separatists appear to be choosing the former, while the state and incumbant governments in Thailand weigh lack of progress against genuine desires to achieve peace. Historical realities and subsequent corruption and dismissal of the religious elements involved in the southern region of the Land of Smiels are getting in the way of progress.

Southern Thailand was conquered, subjugated and settled in much the same way as NE Siam was, but with far different results. As well, while the NE region was populated by a relatively docile culture under Buddhist doctrine, the south was inherently given to resistance out of Islamic faith and teachings.

Chaos, death and injuries accompany Ayuthaya bridge collapse. Click pn photo for Thai language report and video coverage.

From: Manager Online
28 April 2013
Transedited by the Korat Post.

Amajor cable bridge in the Thai province of Ayuthaya collapsed on 27 April 2013, resulting in at least five deaths and forty injuries.

The 120 meter long, 4 meter wide bridge collapse occured at around 5:30 pm on 28 April Thailand time (6:30am EST in USA).

Nakhonratchasima News Center – Korat practices plan to deal with tall building disaster, modeled after actual situation, causes students to become frightened. The governor was satisfied, believing that if such a disaster occurred the situation could be dealt with in time. (Manager Online) See editorial.
At 14:00 hrs. on 6 February 2013 at Building 32, Rajabhat University in meung district, Nakhonratchasima province, Mr. Winai Buapradit, governor of the province, was chair in a ceremony to practice dealing with a high rise building disaster. The Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (ODPM) arranged the event, which was attended by affected state and private agencies. The real-life simulation was of a blaze on the 4th floor of Building 32 at the university. The mock blaze was arranged so that it appeared to get out of control and spread quickly, frightening students. According to on-the-scene simulations and actual 200 students in the building at the time, “injuries” included smoke inhalation, weakness of the knees and shortness of breath from fumes. The simulation was reported to be so realistic, however, that many students and staff thought it was an actual emergency and were fleeing for their lives or cowering in fear. Governor says drill went well and city is prepared to meet any such disaster