Posts published in “Thailand”

The bustling financial landscape is buzzing with news as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prepares to kick off a second round of public hearings centered around tighter regulations on margin loans. Picture this: a financial watchdog stepping up its game. It’s like watching your favorite superhero pile on the muscle just when the city needs saving. The SEC dons this heroic mantle amid whispers (and some loud conversations) of certain brokerages allowing margin credit to be spent on adventures far from the stock market. Enter stage left, Surasak Ritthongpitak, the SEC’s Assistant Secretary-General, armed with a briefcase full of amendments. He’s the Regulatory Avenger here to ensure that securities firms stick to the straight and narrow. Margins are meant to bolster investors’ journeys in the capital market, he affirms—securities as your trusty sidekick. Let these funds wander off, however, and you’re knee-deep in personal or multi-purpose territory—a no-no unless…

A typically tranquil morning in the southern Thai province of Trang took an unexpected turn when it transformed into a scene reminiscent of an action movie. Picture this: police officers from the Drug Suppression and Investigation Divisions of Trang were preparing for a routine raid on a house, nestled along Na Mueang Phet–Sikao Road in Sikao District. The morning of June 16, 2025, was supposed to be just another day in their line of duty. However, it swiftly erupted in chaos when an unexpected volley of gunfire filled the air. As the officers assembled, poised for their operation, the attack came not from the targeted residence but from its more glamorous neighbor, a local gold shop. It could have been mistaken for a scene from a comedy—armed officers diving for cover in all directions while the last remnants of their morning coffees spilled onto the pavement. Thankfully, no officers sustained…

In a heart-stopping drama unfolding in the heart of Bangkok, the city’s Metropolitan Police Bureau officials, spearheaded by the diligent Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, have made a significant arrest related to a chilling crime. The case involves a 21-year-old man, identified as Kongkai, who has been accused of the reprehensible crimes of abduction and sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl. The apprehension of the suspect unfolded yesterday, June 17, in front of a condominium nestled in Bang Na, as police zeroed in on the man responsible for a crime that sent ripples through the community. The sinister tale traces back to a seemingly innocuous encounter on social media. It was on the vast plains of Facebook where Kongkai, over a span of about two weeks, employed his digital charms to engage with the young girl. Deftly navigating the online chatter, he managed to coax her into what appeared to…

In the sun-drenched paradise of Phuket, where palm trees sway and tourists sip cocktails by the Andaman Sea, a dramatic tale of deception has captivated both locals and visitors alike. Imagine, if you will, the arrival of a 65-year-old Dutch expat whose sun-kissed pursuits were interrupted by the long arm of the law. His alleged escapades involved swindling a German woman out of hundreds of thousands of baht, a story that unfolded like a page-turning thriller in the serene surroundings of Thailand’s famous island destination. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) chose to shatter the tranquility with a nationwide crime crackdown to coincide with the captivating month of June, 2025. It was a time when dreams of beach vacations were overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of justice. This meticulous operation descended upon Phuket like a wave, determined to uncover any hidden secrets lurking beneath the island’s vibrant façade. On the 17th…

In a twist of fate that reads like a scene plucked from a crime drama, a 61-year-old truck driver walked into the Thanyaburi Police Station, his head bowed with the weight of a tragic secret. The man, identified as Vasan, had been living with the haunting memory of a life abruptly taken—a memory that compelled him to come forward after a fatal encounter at the entrance of Kaset Phantharam Temple in Krathum Baen district, Samut Sakhon province. Vasan’s entry into the police station marked the end of a dramatic episode involving road rage—an incident that had escalated from frustration on the heated streets to a deadly altercation. Chillingly, this story unfolded when Vasan reportedly pulled a knife and stabbed Narongsak Homchan, a 39-year-old driver of a six-wheel truck, leading to Narongsak’s tragic death. The bone of contention? The slight maneuver of Narongsak cutting in front of Vasan, sparking an anger…

With an enormous pile of 157 billion baht dangling like a juicy, elusive fruit, government agencies in Thailand are scrambling faster than bees to a blooming flower. Time is ticking away as today, June 18, marks a pivotal moment for these bodies. The Economic Stimulus Committee finds itself knee-deep in a mountain of hopeful project proposals, each vying for a share of the monetary pot before the deadline drops the curtain on September 30. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul, clutching onto his realist’s hat, reminded everyone that spending this treasure trove wisely was more important than spending it all. “We don’t need to approve the full 157 billion baht. Efficient usage is what really matters,” Paopoom affirmed with the calm authority befitting a man who knows how to balance a budget. The rules of the game are clear: proposals need to align with Cabinet guidelines, focusing diligently on infrastructure, domestic…

In an unexpected twist that sounds straight out of a Hollywood thriller, an Irish woman finds herself in a Norwegian jail after attempting to smuggle a whopping amount of cannabis—nearly 30 kilogrammes, no less—from Thailand. This stash, valued at an eye-watering 600,000 euros (or about 22.5 million baht), was cleverly (or not so cleverly) packed into two tremendously overstuffed suitcases. Some reports buzz with a different number—41.7 kilos! But, let’s not get caught up in the weeds. Meet Jamie Mahon from Moneymore, Drogheda, Co Louth—an unsuspecting 32-year-old who probably thought she’d smoothly glide through Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport, but alas, reality plotted a different flight path. On January 9 this year, Mahon had barely disembarked her flight from bustling Bangkok when customs officials spotted something fishy during an X-ray scan of her luggage. Indeed, the reason for the bulkiness of her suitcases became glaringly obvious. They were loaded with cannabis—a haul…

In a wave of dramatic police moves reminiscent of a high-octane crime thriller set against the vibrant backdrop of Bangkok, the cops spun a web around a suspect they say was pushing illicit merchandise with an anesthetic twist. A man was apprehended at a chic condominium in Ram Inthra—it’s a neighborhood buzzing with energy—where he allegedly sold e-cigarette pods, hacked to contain more than just nicotine. But these weren’t your average vape gadgets; they were allegedly infused with etomidate, a deadly serious anesthetic. With over 500 items scooped up, the seizure was not just about smoking out contraband. It represented a significant slice of the pie, valued around 700,000 Thai baht, or for those counting in greenbacks, that’s a spicy $21,455. Leading the charge, the indomitable Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and his merry band of officers—including Deputy Commissioner Major General Pallop Aromla—pulled no punches in ordering a thorough investigation…

In a move that has sparked considerable buzz across the Land of Smiles, workers in Bangkok are set to receive a well-deserved pay raise. But hold on to your souvenir hats—this isn’t just a win for those in the bustling capital. Starting July 1, the minimum daily wage in Bangkok will jump to a sprightly 400 baht, providing a significant incentive not only for the city’s workforce but for thousands of hotel and entertainment staff across Thailand. This development spells relief for the buoyant yet beleaguered tourism and service sectors. Historically, only popular tourist magnets like Phuket, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chachoengsao, and the idyllic Koh Samui have seen the 400-baht minimum. Meanwhile, other regions have been making do with daily wages hovering between 337 and 380 baht. But in a decisive twist during a spirited meeting on June 17, two-thirds of the national wage committee members voted to extend this…