Posts published by “Editorial Team”

Thailand’s stunning island of Phuket is once again under the spotlight but not for its paradisiacal beaches or vibrant nightlife. No, this time, it’s all about a whirlwind of corruption allegations made by none other than former finance minister Sommai Phasee. Armed with a burning passion and a Facebook account, Sommai has courageously pulled back the curtain on a sordid extortion racket allegedly targeting unsuspecting tourists. According to Sommai, Phuket’s boys in blue are upping their arrest game by targeting foreign tourists, cornering them for misdemeanors and demanding ‘special fees’ ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 baht to sidestep a dreaded trip to the local cop shop. Talk about a pricey tourist trap! Writing passionately (some would say venting), he declared, “I can’t stand it anymore. Corruption is everywhere in Thailand—it’s a disaster that cannot be fixed.” His words resonated like a thunderclap, sparking conversations that rippled far beyond Thai borders.…

In the vibrant cityscape of Pattaya, the relentless echo of gunfire pierced the city’s routine peace, much to the detriment of its residents. Yet, a glimmer of hope emerged as Pattaya’s Deputy Mayor, Krisana Boonsawat, along with a brigade of diligent officials, tackled the pressing issue. Their mission: to bring much-needed tranquility to the tormented inhabitants of Jomtien Park Villa 2 in South Pattaya. The source of their unrest was the aptly renamed 556 Shooting Club, formerly Guns Shooting and Battle range. This establishment’s incessant cacophony had continually shattered the serene ambiance of their neighboring village. A lengthy campaign spearheaded by the beleaguered residents ensued, culminating in frequent visits and, at times, a temporary cease-fire of operations due to persistent noise complaints. Upon the arrival of the authorities, a palpable sense of gratitude washed over the residents, weary from sleepless nights disturbed by the booming noise. Following a decisive temporary…

Bangkok is reeling from a tragedy that has deeply shaken the city—an abrupt collapse of a bridge under construction on the bustling Rama II Road, which resulted in five fatalities and left 20 others injured. This devastating event has ignited debates about the city’s infrastructure safety and prompted urgent action from emergency services. The bridge collapse, which occurred in the wee hours of March 15, caught everyone off guard, with that fateful crackling noise piercing the silence at around 2 am. When the section of the bridge plummeted to the ground near Rama II Soi 25, it happened so suddenly, it left a massive pile of debris in its wake, shattering the normalcy of the Chom Thong district. Bangkok’s authorities were quick to respond, with Police Lieutenant Colonel Suwichak Noi Si of Bang Mod Police Station leading the charge. Emergency teams, including units from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Disaster Prevention…

Thailand is making great strides toward a greener future, with the picturesque island of Phuket leading the charge in sustainable tourism. The government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), has unveiled the exciting Green Hotel Plus Phuket Sandbox initiative. This ambitious project, announced by Minister Chalermchai Sri-on on a sunny Thursday, March 13, aims to elevate hotel sustainability standards to global recognition. While boasting a jaw-dropping revenue of 1.67 trillion baht from last year’s booming tourism industry, the need for environmental responsibility is all too clear. Phuket alone contributes a whopping 3.16 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, compelling the government to transform the industry into an environmental champion. “Tourism is delicate and susceptible to the whims of climate change. We find that travelers increasingly seek eco-friendly options,” remarked Minister Chalermchai. “By making these changes, we don’t just reduce our ecological footprint; we also add business value in…

In a tale that intertwines the tropical allure of Thailand with a hint of British intrigue, the tale of Ellis Matthews has captured the attention and concern of both friends and followers alike. This 32-year-old British woman, who made a startling appearance on the reality show Judge Rinder, now finds herself amidst a gripping saga that feels stranger than fiction. Having allegedly blitzed through a fortune of £6 million, Ellis has been showcasing her life in Asia through a series of bikini-clad TikTok escapades, fueled—according to her boasts—by £2,300-a-month in British benefits. However, this digital tapestry of sun-filled days has hit a chilling note. Shock waves stirred when Matthews posted footage from inside a grim Thai prison, revealing not just herself but also her innocent young son, Cairo, ensnared within cold, squalid cells. Since that broadcast, a haunting silence has pervaded her once lively social media accounts, igniting a wave…

Haad Rin beach, the thriving heart of Koh Phangan, wears its bustling reputation like a badge of honor. Known worldwide for the electrifying Full Moon Party, this stretch of sand transforms under the moonlight into a pulsating playground for partygoers. Yet, as with any paradise, shadows lurk beneath the shimmering surface. In a dark twist to the otherwise jubilant festivities, the local authorities have found themselves at the center of a complex investigation. It all commenced on an otherwise ordinary post-party Friday night when two men, identified as 47-year-old Vijay and 40-year-old Rahul, were accosted by the Royal Thai Police. Their alleged crime? The sexual assault of a 24-year-old German tourist during the chaotic hours following the Full Moon Party frenzy. Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomjit, a steady hand at the helm of the Provincial Police Region 8, shared insights into the case that has now gripped the island. According…

Ah, Thailand! The land of stunning temples, tropical beaches, and… a new meteorological twist! Hold on tight, dear folks, because the Meteorological Department is working overtime, dishing out warnings like a weather-seer on a caffeine high. Picture this: from March 16 to 20, the skies of northern Thailand are getting a major mood makeover. We’re talking thunderstorms, strong gusts of wind that could snatch your hat right off, and hail that might just persuade you to trade in your sunhat for a helmet. Oh, and lightning is also RSVP’d for the party on March 16 and 17—get ready for Mother Nature’s own light show! Now, let’s turn the temperature down a notch—or eight. If you call the northeastern part of this beautiful country home, brace yourself for a shivering surprise: temperatures are plummeting by a cool 5-8°C, which in weather terms is like ditching the tropical cocktails for a hot…

In the murky pre-dawn hours of February 27, vehicles pulled out from the immigration detention centre on Soi Suan Phlu in Bangkok, shrouded in an aura of secrecy, as their windows were obscured from view. These vans were not on a covert mission, but rather a controversial one—bearing forty Uyghur men away to an uncertain future in China. This move, captured in a photograph by Kannavee Suebsang on Facebook, would echo far beyond Bangkok’s bustling streets. The United States, with a staunch stance on human rights, swiftly raised its diplomatic gauntlet. On a recent Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a tightening of visa restrictions against certain Thai officials. This move was part of a broader U.S. strategy aimed at curtailing China’s influence over nations, coercing them to return Uyghurs, among other groups, into potentially punitive situations in China. For the Uyghur community, this was not just a…

In the early hours of February 27th, the air was thick with tension as detention vans with windows obscured made their discreet departure from the immigration center on Soi Suan Phlu, Bangkok. Shrouded in the darkness of pre-dawn, these vehicles carried with them the fates of 40 Uyghur men bound for China—all as captured candidly in a photograph on Kannavee Suebsang’s Facebook account. This covert operation ignited international controversy and thrust US-Thai relations into the spotlight. Fast forward to a cloudy Friday in March, when the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stood at the helm of a decisive move against those orchestrating the return of the Uyghurs. In a sweeping gesture of accountability, the United States declared visa restrictions on the current and former Thai officials implicated in the deportation saga. The visa clampdown is part of a strategic US stance against China’s exertion of influence over nations in…