(Photos: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan) Samut Prakan was the scene of a chaotic incident on Sunday evening, as a massive 22-wheeled truck barreled into 16 other vehicles on Kanchanaphisek Road, more commonly known as Bangkok’s southern ring road. The unfortunate collision took place in the bustling Phra Pradaeng district, sending shockwaves through the area. The calamitous crash occurred on the Bang Phli-Suksawat stretch of the outer ring road in tambon Bang Yaphraek at around 5pm. Rescue workers were swiftly notified and rushed to the scene, working diligently to transport the injured to nearby hospitals while the police tackled the daunting task of removing the mangled vehicles to clear the path and restore order. For about an hour, the usually busy section of the road ground to a halt, causing a massive traffic snarl that stretched for several kilometers, impacting drivers headed towards Pak Nam and Bang Na. Authorities managed to partially reopen…
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The Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary in Waeng district of Narathiwat was the unexpected scene of a dramatic and fiery night. On Saturday, four buildings were consumed by flames, turning the usually serene sanctuary into a hotspot of distress. It appears that a group of nearly 20 armed men orchestrated the chaos, taking four officers hostage before torching the buildings. Director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), Ataphol Charoenshunsa, expressed his dismay over this unprecedented attack. “This is the first terror incident in the sanctuary in 30 years,” he said. Thankfully, despite the severity of the attack, no injuries were reported. The commotion started around 5:45 PM, when masked and heavily armed assailants burst into the sanctuary’s staff living quarters. Approximately 20 men were involved, and the attack appeared meticulously planned. While some of them took sanctuary staff members hostage, others set off explosions that engulfed…
The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) has turned heads this year, seizing over 5 billion baht worth of assets in a dramatic crackdown encompassing 48 cases tied to fraud, online gambling, and corruption. Amlo secretary-general Theppasu Bavornchotidara, alongside Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) assistant secretary-general Bhumivisan Kasemsook, delivered the news at the 11th meeting of Amlo’s Transaction Committee, unveiling a sweeping range of confiscations. Among the eye-popping numbers, 12,300 assets, collectively valued at 4.5 billion baht, were nabbed in these fraud investigations. Notable among these is the case involving Peempong Hiranprueck, a senior civil engineer at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) Public Works Department, and another case tethered to the infamous Kofuk online gambling network. Sanga “Kofuk” Kungwan, the linchpin of this network, flew the coop earlier this year when the heat turned up over an 18-billion-baht tax fraud and sprawling gambling operation. Talk about high stakes! In Mr. Peempong’s entanglement,…
The Transport Ministry has thrown open the floodgates for larger, ultra-luxurious cruise ships, commonly known as super yachts, to ply Thai waters. Yes, you read that right. Thailand is set to transform into an Asian marina paradise! On a sunny Friday, Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri joyfully affirmed that the Marine Department has updated its regulations to align with the present maritime reality and to give a significant boost to the marine tourism sector. “The regulation, which has been on the books since August 2015, was crying out for a makeover to keep up with the changing tides. We’re now laser-focused on attracting affluent foreign tourists,” Charoensri enthusiastically declared. With plans to make Thailand the beating heart of regional ocean tourism and cruise ship travel, Charoensri reiterated the vision: “Thailand is primed to become a major hub for Asian marina activities, marking our ambitious strides to boost marine tourism.” Venturing into…
Ten years ago, an anonymous sketch of a woman sparked a decade-long hunt that led to the arrest of the final suspect, Sompong Soithong, in a notorious human trafficking case. A single sketch was all the police from the Anti Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) had when they began their search. The case was a tough nut to crack. “It’s a tough job, but if we didn’t do it, who would?” said Pol Maj Gen Sarut Kwaengsopha, commander of the ATPD, after his team nabbed the suspect in Samut Prakan this Wednesday. This arrest marks the closure of a dark chapter in Thailand’s fight against human trafficking. On September 16, Pol Maj Gen Sarut ordered Pol Col Korkiat Wuthijumnong, superintendent of Sub-Division 1, to arrest 62-year-old Sompong Soithong, using a warrant from December 19, 2014. Pol Lt Col Burin Kapittha, an inspector, made the arrest under Pol Col Korkiat’s directive.…
The ruling Pheu Thai Party is vigorously defending its ambitious casino-entertainment complex project, asserting it will usher underground gambling activities into legality and enable the government to harness substantial tax revenues. According to an official statement on Pheu Thai’s webpage released this past Saturday, legalising these clandestine gambling activities and levying taxes on the project itself could exceed 50% of the country’s GDP, significantly bolstering the economy. This influx of revenue is slated to be channeled into essential areas such as education development and other vital projects. Pheu Thai’s vision for casino entertainment complexes aims to tap into the immensely lucrative “fun” economy, which is currently valued at an astounding US$13.7 trillion. This ambitious project was elaborately detailed in the Pheu Thai-led government’s policy statement presented by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in parliament on September 12. The plan has sparked a mixture of excitement and skepticism among various societal factions.…
The government has rolled out a big shake-up in the military ranks this year, revealing the list of 808 officers set to take on new roles in an annual reshuffle. Among the high-profile changes are fresh faces for the top brass of the Royal Thai Army and Royal Thai Navy, with their current leaders set to retire at the month’s end. Announced by the Prime Minister’s Office and published on the Royal Gazette’s website this past Saturday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has officially submitted the list for royal endorsement. Once granted, these appointments will come into effect on October 1. The appointment that has generated much buzz is that of Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk, tapped as the new commander-in-chief of the army. Gen Pana was recommended by the outgoing army chief, Gen Charoenchai Hintao. Currently, Gen Pana sits as the army’s chief of staff and is a distinguished member of the…
In a significant shakeup to the Royal Thai military forces, the Prime Minister’s Office has announced the much-anticipated list of 808 military officers who are set to be transferred to new positions as part of this year’s annual military reshuffle. Among the noteworthy appointments are the new chiefs of the Royal Thai Army and the Royal Thai Navy, who will assume their roles following the retirement of the current leaders at the end of this month. With an official proclamation published on the Royal Gazette’s website this past Saturday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has moved forward with submitting the list for royal approval. Once the royal endorsement is granted, the appointments will be enacted, taking effect on October 1st. Drawing a fair share of public and media attention is the appointment of Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk as the incoming commander-in-chief of the army. This high-profile nomination comes at the recommendation of…
A catastrophic fire erupted at the plastic precursor plant belonging to Thai Plastic and Chemicals Plc, nestled within the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Thailand’s Rayong province, causing ripples of concern among the local residents and authorities. The blaze, which broke out on a calm Sunday afternoon, has invoked vivid anxiety and swift action amidst an unwitting community. The initial spark of chaos ignited around 12:25 PM, triggered by a dangerous leak of vinyl chloride, a highly flammable and toxic gas integral to the plant’s polyvinyl chloride production. This unfortunate event soon birthed a fierce conflagration and dense, menacing plumes of smoke, prompting an immediate state of emergency. Thai Plastic and Chemicals Plc promptly swung into action, sending out urgent advisories to residents positioned downwind. The advice was straightforward and grave—retreat indoors and stay safe, or venture out only with proper face masks to guard against the perilous fumes.…
A backhoe loads mud onto a truck in Mae Sai district of Thailand’s Chiang Rai province on Sunday. (Photo: Public Relations Department) Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has swiftly mobilized efforts to rid Chiang Rai of the thick layers of mud left in the wake of severe flooding. The task is mammoth, with an estimated 68,000 tonnes of flood-related debris cluttering this northernmost Thai province. On Sunday at Wing 6 in Bangkok, Ms. Paetongtarn bid farewell to air force aircraft loaded with supplies, destined for the flood-stricken residents of Chiang Rai. These essential items, sourced from both governmental and private sectors, aim to bring relief to those affected. Ms. Paetongtarn has directed officials to clear away the pervasive mud, prioritizing drainage systems before the sludge dries and becomes even more challenging to remove. In an inspiring act of generosity, His Majesty the King has donated 100 high-pressure water cleaners to expedite…