The charismatic and controversial Warathaphon “Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul, the founding brainchild behind The iCon Group, found himself in handcuffs as he was escorted from the illustrious halls of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to the echoing corridors of the Criminal Court in Bangkok on that fateful day of October 18th. The scene, perfectly captured by the lens of Nutthawat Wichieanbut, is a telltale snapshot of high-stakes drama unfurling in the heart of Thailand. In a twist worthy of a Hollywood thriller, The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) lobbed additional charges against a cohort of 18 suspects linked to The iCon Group, all marinated in allegations of pyramid scheming and direct sales law deviations. Wisanu Chimtrakool, the DSI’s deputy secretary-general, took the stage to announce this legal development, revealing that the charges were delivered at the Bangkok Remand Prison and the Central Women’s Correctional Institution. The new legal battles added layers…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
As the sun casts its golden glow over the serene Kolok River, a fleet of alert Thai customs boats patrols vigilantly along the vibrant border nestled between Tak Bai district in Narathiwat province, Thailand, and the buzzing warmth of Tumpat in Malaysia’s Kelantan state. The scene is picturesque, yet beneath the calm waters lies a wave of whispers that ripple across political arenas. Emerging from the folds of this bustling border discussion is the strategic contemplation of a grand wall. Yes, you heard it right—a mighty barrier along the riverbank of Malaysia’s Kelantan state matching wits with the serene Thai terrain across the river. This idea, proposed by Kelantan, is currently navigating the choppy waters of high-level Malaysian governance. The ultimate nod of approval—or perhaps disapproval—rests with Malaysia’s paramount National Security Council, led by none other than Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as Bernama news agency kept us in the loop…
In a dramatic turn of events that reads almost like a high-stakes heist movie, police have successfully apprehended four foreigners implicated in an audacious cryptocurrency armed robbery in the tropical paradise of Phuket. Last Friday, a 23-year-old Ukrainian national, Viacheslav Leibov, fell victim to this cunning plan when a visit to a friend’s room turned into a harrowing ordeal at the hands of armed bandits. The robbers, not your average burglary crew but a multinational gang of young men, coerced Leibov into transferring cryptocurrency worth an eye-popping 8.56 million baht into their digital coffers. It was an audacious crime, carried out with chilling precision, leaving authorities scrambling to track down the culprits. Under the cover of darkness, around 1 AM on Monday, law enforcement agencies from Kamala and Phuket sprang into action. Their investigation led them to a hotel in tambon Khok Kloi of Takua Thung district, nestled within the…
While typical tourism news often revolves around sandy beaches and sunlit shores, Koh Kut is currently making headlines for a decidedly different reason. From picturesque postcards to punchy political debates, this island in the Trat province of Thailand has become the epicenter of a veritable news cyclone. Yet amid the whirlwind of information—and misinformation—the island’s tourism scene remains as vibrant as ever. The buzz kicked off when false reports surfaced about a supposed confrontation between Thai and Cambodian soldiers on Koh Kut. Fortunately, the government swiftly dismissed these claims as sheer fiction, with Jirayu Houngsub, an adviser to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, labeling the reports as nothing more than fake news designed to stir controversy. Koh Kut, affectionately referred to as the ultimate tropical escape, found itself entangled in political talk regarding the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement with Cambodia concerning joint oil and gas resources has reignited debate…
In a dramatic event just outside bustling Bangkok, a widely known fengshui master, Thanawan Jiracharoenwes, found himself shrouded in controversy and at the center of a gripping arrest. The streets of Pathum Thani province witnessed the unexpected turn of events on a seemingly ordinary Monday, marking a downslide in the fortunes of this self-proclaimed purveyor of prosperity. With a fanbase spanning several hundred thousand ardent followers on social media, Mr. Thanawan’s empire of auspicious offerings came to a startling halt as accusations of public fraud began to surface. Reportedly, his promises of luck-transforming objects vanished into thin air, leaving an alarming 108 million baht-sized hole in the pocket of his beleaguered clientele. The plot thickened with a particularly heart-wrenching account from one elderly woman, who lamented the disappearance of a staggering 60 million baht. Authorities allege that Mr. Thanawan, 43, enjoyed a lifestyle that sparkled as brightly as his promised…
In an unexpected twist that echoed through the buzzing streets of Bangkok and spilled over into internet forums and dinner table conversations, authorities enacted the dramatic arrest of the well-known fengshui connoisseur, Thanawan Jiracharoenwes, early Monday morning. The scene unfolded in Pathum Thani, a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok—a city where ancient beliefs walk hand in hand with modern life. Thanawan, whose social media prowess garnered him followers by the hundreds of thousands, now found himself entangled in allegations of grand public deception. As dawn broke, the chirping local news outlets reported that the charismatic consultant allegedly spun tales so captivating they seemed to come with their own mystical allure. Yet, these were tales that left many in financial despair, as they paid exorbitantly for “auspicious objects” that ultimately never graced their doorsteps. This whimsical merchandise cost the unfortunate followers close to a staggering 100 million…
Towering above the lush, green landscapes of Koh Samui, the majestic Na Muang 2 Waterfall is a sight to behold—a natural wonder drawing in adventurers and nature lovers from all corners of the globe. However, this past weekend, it served as a backdrop to a heart-wrenching tragedy when a young Indian tourist slipped and fell from its towering heights. Amidst the gurgling sounds of cascading water, a team of dedicated local officials and rescue volunteers embarked on a somber mission. They were tasked with recovering the body of 28-year-old Sreemany Debjit from the rugged terrain of the waterfall. As the island’s most frequented waterfall, Na Muang 2 is known for its breathtaking beauty, but also for the slick, challenging paths that often test the bravest of trekkers. As recounted by Debjit’s distraught companion, Saturday was meant to be an ordinary yet thrilling day of exploration. The two friends were navigating…
In a surprising turn of events, the serenity often associated with fengshui was jolted as law enforcement descended upon Thanawan Jiracharoenwes in the early hours of Monday morning. The arrest took place in Pathum Thani, a province nestled just north of the bustling streets of Bangkok. The day started as usual for the residents, but for Thanawan, it marked a significant twist in his tale as a reputed fengshui guru. Thanawan, once a beacon of hope and guidance for seekers of fortune and harmony, found himself facing serious allegations of public fraud. His followers, who once sang praises of his mystical guidance, now allege that they were led astray, each losing significant sums of money, collectively amounting to a staggering 70 million baht. One woman’s grief was particularly heart-wrenching; she claimed to have lost a bewildering 60 million baht. With hundreds of thousands of followers enamored by his teachings and…
Ah, Phuket Airport! The gateway to paradise has become busier than ever, brimming with energetic globetrotters eager to dive into the stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters of this Thai gem. Nestled in the vibrant tropics, Phuket Airport is now teeming with over 30,000 travelers each day, with more than 300 flights soaring gracefully through its skies. And as if that weren’t enough excitement, plans are in motion to expand the airport’s international terminal, aiming to welcome a jaw-dropping 18 million passengers annually. The helmsman of this aviation marvel, Director Monchai Tanod, recently shared some thrilling updates. Imagine a bustling international hub with about 30,000 world travelers and a respectable 17,000 to 19,000 domestic adventurers meandering through its gates every day. While domestic numbers haven’t fully bounced back from the pre-pandemic era, the airport’s overall passenger flow is hovering nostalgically close to normal levels. With 300 flights a day darting in…
Ah, the tropical paradise of Thailand, bathed in golden sunlight, surrounded by the azure sea, and often graced with the scent of fresh rain. Yet on this particular Monday and Tuesday, the southern part of the country will witness Mother Nature flexing her watery muscles. Yes, heavy downpours are predicted to play out a high-stakes game of water polo, possibly leading to flash floods, especially on hillsides and in those charming, albeit perilously positioned, low-lying areas. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) is sounding the alarms—much like a summer blockbuster warning of impending natural calamities that threaten to interrupt the paradise vibe. Currently, three formidable weather beasts are brewing in the region, making meteorologists tap furiously on their keyboards and star in bet-you-didn’t-see-that-coming weather updates. To the north, Typhoon Yinxing is stirring things up in the upper South China Sea. Then there are her partners in atmospheric crime—Tropical Storm Toraji and…