Posts published in “Thailand”

The first snows have dusted the Swiss Alps and Davos is humming again. At the 56th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, held from 19–23 January under the timely banner “A Spirit of Dialogue,” the global conversation is anything but small talk. World leaders, CEOs, and thinkers — more than 100 governments and over 1,000 leading corporations among them — are converging to wrestle with the twin storms of rapid technological change and geopolitical uncertainty. Amid this high-stakes bustle, Thailand is polishing its image not just as a supplier of goods, but as a strategic partner ready to help steer tomorrow’s economic architecture. A clear strategy in a noisy room Dr Kirita Phaophichit, assistant minister to the Ministry of Commerce, has neatly mapped out Thailand’s game plan for Davos: three pillars that together signal a more ambitious, outward-facing Kingdom. These pillars — digital leadership, climate-conscious trade, and a shift from food…

Thailand’s 2026 election is doing something it always does best: capturing attention at home and abroad while quietly rewriting the economic and political playbook. Investors, tourists, and regional neighbours are all leaning in, not just to see who will sit in the palace of government, but to gauge the direction of the country’s growth, stability, and international posture as it navigates a complicated global landscape. Why the world is watching Foreign institutions aren’t tuning in for the campaign slogans — they’re watching for signals. Will the incoming administration champion continuity, or will it retool policy to accelerate Thailand’s move into higher-value, tech-driven industries? The answers will shape everything from stock market mood swings in Bangkok to long-term Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows. Analysts expect a short-term lift for markets — the so-called “January effect” combined with election optimism often nudges equities higher. But beyond the immediate bounce, what matters is…

It was a dramatic sky show that ended with a very tired guest. On the morning of January 19, residents of Chiang Thong subdistrict in Wang Chao district, Tak province, witnessed a majestic, pale-winged silhouette cruising the low clouds—only for the spectacle to take a worrying turn. The bird, later confirmed as a Himalayan Griffon Vulture, glided with its wings spread wide before crash-landing behind a home and collapsing, apparently too exhausted to carry on. Homeowner Boonluea was the first to notice the commotion. He recalled the sound of frantic wing beats and a flock of crows apparently giving chase, prompting the large vulture to seek refuge on a teak tree behind his property. It stayed there for a while, then suddenly lost its grip and tumbled to the ground. For several minutes the giant bird lay motionless, giving onlookers a stomach-tightening pause—until, slowly, it rose to its feet. Keeping…

What was supposed to be a sparkling moment beneath Phuket’s fireworks turned into a nightmare for one young couple at Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) on Saturday, January 17. A meticulously planned proposal—complete with a diamond ring worth about 300,000 baht—was derailed when a pickpocket slipped in among the crowd and walked away with the ring, a Louis Vuitton wallet, nine credit cards, and more. The victim’s girlfriend, who goes by Acare Alice on Facebook, shared the couple’s story on January 18. According to her post, the pair had only just arrived and were heading toward a designated proposal photo spot when the theft occurred. While fireworks exploded overhead and glowsticks lit the night, a foreign man allegedly bumped into the boyfriend twice—hard enough to almost make him stumble. At the time, neither of them thought the incidental brush was anything more than clumsy festival etiquette. Moments later, however, the boyfriend’s…

A quiet, misty morning at Ayutthaya Historical Park turned tragic on January 19 when a 51-year-old female tourist was found dead among the centuries-old ruins. What began as a routine patrol and early visitors arriving to admire temple spires became a somber discovery for park staff and responders. The discovery Authorities were alerted at about 7:30 a.m. after a woman was found unresponsive inside the park in Ban Pom subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district. Rescue workers, medical personnel and police arrived to find the woman leaning against an ancient structure, wearing a white shirt, black trousers, a grey scarf patterned with hearts and glasses. There were visible wounds on her left arm and a significant amount of blood at the scene. Identification recovered from her bag confirmed she was 51-year-old Kanyanat from Sisaket province. In addition to personal ID, officers located a life insurance card, prescribed medication, a box…

Someone on Facebook recently turned a few heads — and perhaps loosened a few tans — after posting a candid review of a naturist resort in Thailand. Their write-up, accompanied by photos and a short video, has introduced many people to a corner of Thai hospitality most had never imagined: a fully clothed-free retreat where the rules, oddly enough, are all about respect. The resort in question operates on straightforward naturist principles: when you join in communal activities like swimming, sunbathing, walking about the grounds or using shared facilities, clothing is off the menu. Guests are expected to remain naked while in these spaces. If that sounds radical, the review stresses that the place functions on consent, courtesy and clear boundaries rather than chaos. Two non-negotiables According to the guest, the resort enforces two major rules that keep the environment safe and private. First, no photos or videos of other…

How a Casual TikTok from Nakhon Phanom Sparked a National Conversation What started as a breezy TikTok clip from Nakhon Phanom turned into one of those internet moments that refuses to be ignored. Fah, a 24-year-old woman, casually announced on the platform that she’s happily in a relationship with twin brothers — and she didn’t tiptoe around it. Her caption read, simply and boldly: “I have two husbands.” As you might expect, the video went viral. Comments poured in from every corner: supporters applauding their honesty, critics sharpening their take, and everyone else somewhere in between, scrolling, reacting, and sharing. But beneath the spectacle, the story is oddly ordinary — a trio who talked openly, made choices together, and got on with their lives. Meet the Trio: Fah, Sing, and Suea Fah says she’d been single for more than a year and wasn’t actively searching for romance when the twins,…

What began as a scenic outing along the Ton Sai–Bang Pae route in Phuket turned into a tense forest rescue that reminded everyone how quickly an idyllic hike can go sideways. A Danish couple enjoying one of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park’s most popular trails found themselves in need of help after the woman, 67, slipped while descending near Bang Pae Waterfall and suffered fractures to her arm and leg, along with significant bruising to her lower body. The call for help and a long hike in reply On Friday, January 16, Guardians of Life Medical & Rescue received a distress call from the couple. The location—close to the picturesque Bang Pae Waterfall in Thalang district—sounds straightforward on a map, but in practice it meant more than 15 rescuers had to mobilise and brave dense, uneven jungle. The rescue team spent over five hours trekking through forested terrain, negotiating steep…

Bangkok’s Yan Nawa district served up an unwelcome reminder to tourists and locals alike on the evening of Friday, January 16, when a Chinese visitor’s luxury haul was snatched right outside a restaurant on Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Road. What started as a relaxed meal turned into a high-speed recovery mission by police — and a cautionary tale about leaving valuables unattended. The victim reported the theft to Yannawa Police Station at around 9:45 p.m., saying she had briefly stepped away from her table and left two bags outside the restaurant for roughly 15 minutes. When she returned, one bag — containing a laptop — and another high-end Gucci bag were gone. Inside the Gucci bag were items no traveler wants to lose: a Louis Vuitton wallet, passport and debit cards. The Gucci bag itself was valued at approximately 100,000 baht. Thanks to nearby CCTV cameras, investigators didn’t have to rely on…