A story that could have been plucked straight from a James Bond movie is currently unfolding on the vibrant island of Phuket, where sparkling turquoise waters meet dense tropical forest. Imagine sipping a cocktail while gazing at breathtaking sea views, only to discover the very land below your feet has become the center of intense legal drama. Welcome to the saga swirling around Khon Thai 2 Restaurant – an establishment now embroiled in accusations as formidable as its impressive sea walls. On a fateful April 24th, under the watchful eyes of both the curious and concerned, the serene scene at this popular eatery was shattered by a high-profile raid. Authorities, led by Sorasak Rananan, the intrepid Director of the Phuket Forestry Centre, moved decisively. Alongside Phuket Marine Chief Natchapong Pranit, a small army of Natural Resources and Environment officers, and the Phuket City Police, descended upon the restaurant like a…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
In the wake of Pattaya’s exhilarating Wan Lai water festival, the city is grappling with more than just the aftermath of soaked streets and joyous memories. This year, the aftermath is complicated by an unexpected obstacle: several public elevators have succumbed to the event’s watery chaos, sparking frustration and significant accessibility challenges for residents and visitors alike. As the vibrant echoes of the festival slowly fade, the Cleanliness Control Division of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment has sprung into action. They’ve embarked on an intensive deep-cleaning mission aimed squarely at reviving the lifts in public spaces most affected by the festival’s fervent water battles combined with colorful powders. The commotion and moisture have left some of these integral systems temporarily dysfunctional, throwing a wrench into the daily lives of many who rely on them. The disruptions have prompted an outpouring of concerns from the residents, particularly those for…
In what could only be described as a hair-raising dance with fate, a 69-year-old gentleman named Prasert narrowly escaped the grim clutches of the reaper following a thunderous collision with a freight train in the bustling town of Sattahip. This jaw-dropping event occurred precisely at 9:50 AM on the 24th of April, sending shockwaves across the serene corners of Chon Buri province, and commanding an instant rally of emergency services. The site of the catastrophe was a rather mundane railway crossing near Ban Noen Samakkhi, but the scene it witnessed was anything but commonplace. Freight train No. 4524, a resilient beast en route from Map Ta Phut Station to Laem Chabang Port, met its unyielding match in a daring blue Isuzu D-Max four-door pickup truck. The truck, post-collision, was unceremoniously hurled a staggering 50 meters into the roadside wilderness, its left flank and rear taking the brunt of the mechanical…
In the tranquil central province of Lop Buri, a seemingly serene dam casts a shadow of suspicion and sorrow, as the untimely demise of a young boy has taken a turn ripe with intrigue and mystery. The narrative begins with the discovery of a 15-year-old named Thunwa, found lifeless and adrift in the waters of the Pasak Chonlasit Dam. His discovery on April 18th by the vigilant Ruamkatanyu Rescue Foundation left more than just the villagers puzzled, as identification was elusive without any personal effects tagging along except for the black ensemble he donned – a simple T-shirt and shorts. Initially, the demise was thought to be a tragic accident, a preventable drowning. However, upon closer inspection, Thunwa’s closest kin began to sense a different story. A solitary cut on his lip and a pervasive pallor on his skin hinted beyond the mere forces of water. Yet, what gnawed at…
The early morning buzz at Phuket International Airport was abruptly interrupted as law enforcement officers executed a meticulously planned operation, capturing a French national with nerves of steel but, perhaps, not the best laid plans. On April 24, as dawn painted the sky with shades of gold and pink, a 31-year-old French fugitive thought he could slip unnoticed into the Land of Smiles. Little did he know, Thailand’s vigilant immigration and police were poised for this very moment. A scene straight out of a spy thriller unfolded inside the international arrivals hall. As passengers collected their bags and scanned the arrival board, officers closed in on their target. Leading the charge was the eagle-eyed Police Lieutenant Colonel Akkaraphon Kaewkiattiyot, the mastermind behind the Phuket Immigration Checkpoint. With his trusted associates from Phuket Airport Immigration and Patong Police Station by his side, the Colonel was ready to ensure this visitor’s stay…
This morning, in the wee hours before dawn, a tragic collision claimed the life of a 55-year-old man as his sedan viciously collided with a parked trailer truck on the bypass road in Phuket. The calamity unravelled in front of the Kee Hin outlet at just about 1:50 am on April 25, leaving a community in shock. At the scene, police discovered substantial wreckage surrounding a 22-wheeled trailer truck, which was registered in Chumphon. The truck’s driver, 52-year-old Somporn Thapthim, recounted his evening, having parked his massive vehicle at 11 pm on the night of April 24 to catch some sleep before his company opened its doors come morning. The tranquility of the night was violently interrupted by the roar of a Honda City, which bore Phuket plates, crashing into the rear of Somporn’s resting vehicle at an alarmingly high speed. The collision left the sedan unrecognizable, as the front…
In a move that seems straight out of a spy novel, Thailand has rolled out stringent new rules for carrying liquids, gels, and aerosols (LGAs) in hand luggage. Effective April 22, 2025, these regulations have airports nationwide tightening their security reins, leaving no room for mishap or menace. Published in the illustrious Royal Gazette, this directive replaces the 2019 standards that now feel like ancient history. The mastermind behind this operation, Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, struts as the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT)’s supremo and declares, “These updated mandates will reinforce our defenses, safeguarding airports from potential threats.” It sounds like a plot to a summer blockbuster, where every passenger, crew member, and unsuspecting airport employee becomes a character in this high-security drama. Under these new regulations, LGAs no longer simply refer to a casual lip gloss or an innocent can of soda. Oh no! Now they encompass…
In Chiang Mai, a cafe nestled within the historic walls of a former tobacco factory has found itself in hot water, ruffling feathers and sparking heated debates online. The Yen.CNX cafe, envisioned as a tribute to its former life as a tobacco factory, provides visitors with an intriguing glimpse into the traditional art of tobacco leaf sorting. However, this historical insight has been overshadowed by a wave of accusations likening the establishment to a “human zoo.” The turmoil began when a patron shared an image on social media, capturing a scene where diligent workers, visible through a glass partition, were sorting tobacco leaves with meticulous care. This seemingly innocuous image quickly became a lightning rod for criticism. The picture, shared by Suwadee Punpanich, CEO of the Bangkok-based Thonburi Sermrath medical clinic, went viral in record time, amassing a staggering 7,000 comments by yesterday, April 25. The image resonated with social…
The bustling city of Bangkok was abuzz with concern last Friday as news broke that Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was under the weather. At the young age of 38, the dynamic leader took a temporary pause from her bustling schedule due to a troubling fever that necessitated an unexpected hospital visit. The fever caught hold of her shortly after she returned to Bangkok from a whirlwind two-day official visit to neighbouring Cambodia. Her agenda, bursting with crucial engagements, had to be swiftly rearranged to accommodate her recovery. According to a government spokesperson, Jirayu Houngsub, the prime minister fell ill on the evening of April 24. After arriving back in Bangkok around 3:30 PM, she experienced a slight fever, which escalated into something more concerning later that day. By 9:00 PM, it became evident that professional medical care was required, prompting her admission for observation. But fear not, the prime…
In a headline-grabbing operation that underscores the ongoing battle against illegal activities in Phuket, police have detained a Russian national as part of a crackdown on a bustling prostitution ring — a stark reminder of the relentless struggle to maintain the island’s pristine reputation as a global tourist haven. On the auspicious date of April 24th, law enforcement officials, led by the astute Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am, swooped in on a hotel in the heart of Phuket Town to apprehend a 28-year-old Russian woman. It’s all part of the rigorous enforcement of the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, a legislative measure crafted to put an end to prostitution that threatens public peace and annoys both locals and tourists alike. In this meticulously executed operation under the vigilant eyes of Police Lieutenant Colonel Bannapong Kengrian, Pol. Lt. Col. Nitiphong Mahasaksunthon, and Pol. Lt. Col. Pitiya Thepmuang, all revered members…