#Conservation

A stunning purple variant of the Sirindhorn Crab has been found in the pristine streams of Kaeng Krachan National Park, highlighting Thailand’s commitment to protecting its natural heritage. Park rangers captured images during routine monitoring, drawing national attention to the country’s aquatic biodiversity and the importance of safeguarding intact forest ecosystems.

Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand’s largest protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans nearly 3,000 square kilometers of rainforest along the Myanmar border. The park’s rugged mountains, waterfalls, and clear streams provide crucial habitat for many endemic species. The recent discovery reinforces Kaeng Krachan’s reputation as a sanctuary for rare wildlife and signals Thailand’s leadership in conservation.

A new perspective on African safaris shows that value and wildlife abundance peak outside the traditional dry season. For Thai travelers, the Emerald Season (March–April) and the Amber Season (November) deliver lush landscapes, thriving wildlife, and far fewer crowds, with the rainy-season transition adding dramatic scenery.

Modern flight routes make Africa more accessible for Thai holiday calendars. A veteran safari advisor with three decades of experience notes that off-peak periods often outperform peak season for photography, wildlife encounters, and overall serenity. The Emerald Season sees land turn green after rains, wildflowers bloom, and migratory birds arrive from the north. With calmer roads and fewer vehicles, observers can notice subtle animal behaviors and capture moody skies and vibrant backdrops.

For many travelers, the iconic African safari conjures images of thundering wildebeest, golden savannas, and up-close encounters with elephants and lions. Over the years, the high season—those dry, chilly months from June through October—has become synonymous with classic safari experiences. However, recent insights from a leading travel advisor specializing in African adventures suggest that the best time for an unforgettable safari might be during the lesser-known “secret seasons,” offering both spectacular sights and significant cost savings (Travel + Leisure).

A dazzling 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic—hailed as one of the most beautiful found in Israel—was recently unveiled for public viewing in the Western Negev Desert, marking an extraordinary revival of ancient heritage for scholars and travelers alike. This remarkable work of early Christian art, known as the Be’er Shema (Birsama) mosaic, traces its origins back to 324–638 CE and now takes pride of place at the Merhavim Regional Council headquarters after decades of meticulous conservation efforts (ArchaeologyMag.com).

Archaeologists in Egypt have revealed the discovery of three ancient tombs in Luxor, believed to belong to distinguished statesmen from the New Kingdom era (1550–1070 BCE), a period acclaimed for its monumental architecture and flourishing Egyptian civilization. Announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, these findings shed striking new light on both the social hierarchy and religious customs of the time, offering the world a glimpse into the lives of ancient Egypt’s upper echelons.

A 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic—lauded as one of Israel’s most beautiful—is now on public view in the Western Negev. The Be’er Shema (Birsama) mosaic, dating from 324–638 CE, has been carefully conserved and relocated to the Merhavim Regional Council headquarters. This unveiling offers fresh insights into Byzantine daily life, monastic culture, and desert economies, while resonating with Thai audiences concerned about preserving heritage amid development.

The mosaic’s discovery in 1990 near Kibbutz Urim—near the Gaza border—came with a broader find: a Byzantine monastery site that included a winepress and large storage jars. Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority describe the mosaic as crafted by a skilled artisan. It is composed of tiny colored stones, glass, and ceramic shards forming 55 medallions that depict mythological figures, hunting scenes, exotic animals, abundant fruits, and scenes from everyday Byzantine life.

Archaeologists in Egypt have unveiled three elite tombs at Dra Abu al-Naga on Luxor’s west bank, dating to the New Kingdom (1550–1070 BCE). The discovery, announced by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, highlights the social hierarchy and religious practices of ancient Egypt and offers a vivid glimpse into how powerful figures were memorialized.

For Thai audiences, this discovery resonates with a long-standing Thai reverence for history and ritual. Luxor’s tombs remind us that civilizations across the world share a drive to honor leaders and preserve cultural memory. The ministry’s announcement, shared on social media, underscores how archaeological breakthroughs illuminate national heritage and public fascination with ancient leaders.

A breakthrough set of studies published in Science in early 2025 shows that advanced intelligence on Earth evolved at least twice—once in mammals and once in birds. This challenges long-held ideas about the origins of cognition and has potential implications for neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and the search for intelligent life beyond humans. The reporting from Quanta Magazine and coverage in Wired help frame the significance of these findings.

Birds such as crows, ravens, cockatoos, and chickadees exhibit planning, tool use, problem‑solving, and impressive memory, despite brains that are very different from those of mammals and often much smaller. These abilities have long offered a window into how evolution crafts complex thinking in diverse neural architectures. For example, tool construction by some crows and the seed-cache memory of chickadees illustrate cognitive feats once believed possible only in larger-brained species.

In a major breakthrough that reshapes our scientific understanding of animal intelligence, a series of studies published in Science in early 2025 confirm that advanced intelligence on Earth evolved independently at least twice—once in mammals and once in birds. This finding, as reported by Quanta Magazine and summarized in Wired (wired.com), challenges longstanding assumptions about the origins of cognition in vertebrates and could hold profound implications for neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and the global search for intelligent life.

For generations, the vine known across Thailand as โคคลาน or “Koh Khlan” has been a wellspring of traditional healing. Behind this name are other local monikers—มะกายเครือ, มะปอบเครือ, กระเปี้ยะ, โพคาน, แนวน้ำ, เยี่ยวแมว, เยี่ยวแมวเถา—reflecting its widespread recognition in rural and forested communities from the northern hills to the heart of Isan. Scientifically catalogued as Mallotus repandus (Willd.) Müll. Arg., this robust member of the Euphorbiaceae family is best known in Thai traditional medicine for alleviating muscle, bone, and joint pains, often earning its place in time-honoured herbal mixtures for ailments that sap vitality and disrupt daily life.

Koh Khlan, known across Thailand by several local names such as makay kreua and yeo maeo, has long been a source of traditional healing. In rural communities from the northern hills to Isan, families rely on its bark, leaves, and stems to ease muscle, bone, and joint pains. Scientifically, the plant is Mallotus repandus, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, widely used in Thai herbal blends that aim to restore vitality in daily life.

In Thai forests and markets, krissana—known worldwide as Aquilaria crassna—has long symbolized healing, spirituality, and national heritage. Its prized resin, fragrant agarwood or oud, elevates incense, perfumery, and ritual practices across Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic traditions. Today, laboratories and clinical researchers are re-examining these claims, balancing age-old beliefs with evidence-based science. The story is one of tradition harmonizing with modern discovery, where aroma meets pharmacology.

Aquilaria crassna belongs to the Thymelaeaceae family. Native to many Thai regions and parts of Southeast Asia, the tree’s heartwood produces resin only after fungal infection. Krissana resin has long been central to incense, ceremonial rites, and royal pharmacopoeia. In Thai culture, krissana also appears in temples, traditional markets, and as part of rural healing wisdom.

In Thailand’s forests and herbal markets, the mystical power of krissana—internationally known as Aquilaria crassna—has echoed through centuries of folk healing, spiritual ritual, and cultural lore. Often identified by its evocative aroma and precious resin, this revered wood transcends mere material value, becoming a symbol of spiritual potency, healing, and Thai identity. But, in a modern era where evidence-based medicine prevails, krissana now faces the scrutiny of laboratories and clinical research, challenging ancient beliefs with the lens of science. What emerges is a poignant story at the crossroads of tradition and discovery: a fragrant journey of ancient healing, contemporary pharmacology, and rediscovered wisdom.