The heart of Nakhon Si Thammarat, a picturesque southern province, woke up to an unwelcome surprise on a Monday morning, following a tumultuous night of relentless rain. As the golden sun attempted to peek through the rain-weary clouds, the streets remained submerged under a blanket of muddy floodwater, transforming the usual Monday hustle into a soggy, slippery affair. The chaos had unfolded late into the previous evening when the skies opened up and refused to close, showering the town with a torrent that quickly rendered the roads into rivers. By 11 p.m. on Sunday, the entire Muang district found itself under siege by an unruly water army, with depths ranging from 20 to 70 centimeters across various streets. For residents in the lower-lying neighborhoods, it was even more daunting, with waters reaching heights over a meter, turning their cozy abodes into unwanted aquatic locales. As dawn broke, a report from…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
The Tatler Best of Asia event unfolded in spectacular fashion at the prestigious Dusit Thani Bangkok on 24 November 2024, radiating a vibrant glow across the city’s skyline. Amidst the bustling energy of more than 500 luminaries from the hospitality industry, the event honored the very pinnacle of Asia’s top 100 hotels, restaurants, and bars. This vibrant showcase was orchestrated with flair, thanks to collaborations with iconic brands like Tumi, Mastercard, The Macallan, along with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) among others. The grandeur culminated in Day 1, and the excitement carried forward into Day 2 with the riveting Best in Class awards ceremony. Here, outstanding establishments vied for coveted titles such as Hotel of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, and Bar of the Year. Masters of grandeur, creativity, and sheer hospitality prowess, the honorees of the Tatler Best 100 list sparkled brilliantly. These illustrious winners were handpicked…
In the heart of the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, nature unleashed its watery fury as a flash flood surged through the area, marking an unforgettable end to the weekend. Late Sunday evening, as the night settled in, rain persisted with relentless determination, transforming the tranquil streets into navigational nightmares. The clock had barely struck 11 PM when the deluge began, inundating every road in the Muang district with a stubborn depth of water ranging from 20 to 40 centimeters. The scene was a chaotic symphony of rushing water and concerned chatter as residents tried to adapt to this sudden change in landscape. By the break of dawn on Monday, the situation had turned dire. Local authorities, including the diligent team at the Nakhon Si Thammarat office of the Public Relations Department, diligently surveyed the damage. Their reports were not encouraging: Phatthanakan Khu Khwang Road, a main thoroughfare, was…
In the tranquil province of Prachin Buri, a dramatic series of events unfolded reminiscent of a gripping crime novel. Law enforcement swung into action, casting a wide net in a high-stakes “mafia cleanup” operation that involved over a hundred officers from the Crime Suppression Division, Provincial Police Region 2, and local law enforcement. Their objective? To uncover the veiled secrets linked to Soonthorn Vilawan, the venerable yet controversial 85-year-old president of the Prachin Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation. The operation was triggered by a political scandal laced with intrigue and tragedy—the alleged orchestrated killing of Mr. Soonthorn’s adopted son, a maneuver in a broader power struggle that rocked the political corridors of Prachin Buri. Armed with unwavering determination and search warrants from the Prachin Buri Provincial Court, officers delved into five locales across the province. The most significant raid took place on a sprawling plantation in Sri Maha Phot district. This…
In a classic case of “hurry up and wait,” the tripartite wage committee is gearing up for another showdown next Monday. The hot topic? A proposal to jack up the daily minimum wage to 400 baht, a move that’s been touted as a “New Year’s gift” for the hard-working citizens of the nation. But as it turns out, last Thursday’s meeting fizzled like a flat soda, all because a couple of government representatives decided to play hooky. Without them, the meeting couldn’t reach quorum, leading to its abrupt cancelation and rescheduling for December 23. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is pushing for rapid progress, hoping to wrap this up with a pretty bow before the end of the year. With the absentees hopefully back in the fold, the next gathering of this 15-member committee promises a lively debate. One of the thorny issues on the table will be whether to leave…
In the lush, picturesque regions of southern Thailand, nature recently delivered a less-than-welcome surprise—a brutal bout of fresh flooding across four of its luminous provinces. This natural fury has left at least three sorrowful fatalities and has tangibly impacted over 43,500 households. Wrapping their heads around the extent of this watery siege, Phatsakorn Bunyalak, the directorial maestro of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), reports a rather unsettling scene: 43,595 homes bathed in unwanted water across 27 districts spanning Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Imagine that for a bath! Even though skies seem kinder with some receding waters, the folks in Surat Thani are keeping a keen eye on the Tapee River, which seems to enjoy pushing its boundaries a bit too much. This aquatic grandstanding could spell more trouble, warns a recent DDPM briefing adorned with cautious anticipations. Nakhon Si Thammarat, the ‘champion’ in…
In the bustling urban landscape of Bangkok, a remarkable transformation is underway. The Purple Line southern extension is progressing with steadfast determination, shaping the future of commuting in the city. This ambitious project, connecting Tao Poon in the lively Bang Sue district to the vibrant southern region of Rat Burana, has reached almost halfway completion, according to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). On a bright Saturday morning, Chairman Montri Dechasakulsom, accompanied by his diligent board members and executives, took to the construction site to witness firsthand the evolution of this grand undertaking. The Chairman emphasized the significance of their visit, underscoring their commitment to monitoring the readiness and unwavering safety of the operation, strictly in line with the Ministry of Transport’s stringent policies. With a current completion rate of 46.3%, the project is making significant headway. The Chairman sternly emphasized that the progress must adhere to the…
It was an ordinary Saturday afternoon on Rama IV Road, until a sudden, heart-stopping moment turned it into a scene of chaos. Picture this: a bustling street in the Bang Rak district of Bangkok, where the rhythm of daily life was abruptly disrupted by an unexpected, unwelcome visitor—a concrete beam, plummeting from a crane above. Just to set the stage, this accident occurred amid the bustling demolition activity at the Srifuengfung Building. It’s a towering figure with 12 main stories serenaded by an additional mezzanine, making it a 14-floor behemoth that had been greenlit for tear-down as recently as June 2024. On this particular day, the task was the descent of some hefty materials, when at precisely 4 PM, the routine operation veered off course. The mighty crane, which normally held command over its heavy burdens, faltered due to what appeared to be an electrical hiccup within the operator’s cab.…
As the holiday festivities draw near, the Ministry of Public Health is preparing to submit the much-anticipated Alcoholic Beverage Control Bill to parliament next month. In a press briefing, Nipon Chinanonwait, the head of the Office of Alcohol Control Committee, shone a light on the progress of the revised Alcohol Beverage Control Act, promising that the new legislation will debut for its second and third readings in January. This drive for regulation is set to proceed in tandem with several other alcohol-related bills that await parliamentary scrutiny. A key feature of the proposed law is its stern stance against round-the-clock alcohol sales. While strict limitations on buying hours are maintained, there’s talk of revising the infamous ban on sales from 2 to 5 p.m., possibly realigning them with international norms. Such a move is expected to balance consumer convenience with public health considerations. The envisioned reforms promise rigorous enforcement measures,…
In a saga that reads like a gritty crime novel, the tranquil province of Prachin Buri has become the backdrop of a dramatic law enforcement operation, capturing the nation’s attention. The local hero, or rather, the anti-hero in this tale is the venerable 85-year-old Soonthorn Vilawan, president of the Prachin Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation. Allegations swirl around him like the mist over the lush Thai countryside, accusing him of orchestrating a vicious power play that resulted in his adopted son’s untimely demise. The morning of the operation, over a hundred officers, drawn from the elite ranks of the Crime Suppression Division, Provincial Police Region 2, and Prachin Buri Provincial Police, swarmed over five locations in a strategic “mafia cleanup” effort, turning the sleepy province into a hive of police activity. This simultaneous swoop, armed with righteous search warrants from the Prachin Buri Provincial Court, homed in on terrain closely associated…