In the twilight of tragedy, the somber silhouette of the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building looms, its remnants now reduced to a mere whisper of their former towering presence. The tireless efforts of rescue teams continue to whittle away at the debris, now less than 10 meters high, as they strive to unveil the secrets of the first floor before this month’s end. The unyielding resolve shown by the courageous souls of NAKON45 Ruamkatanyu Foundation is nothing short of heroic. The shadow of sorrow, however, is met with a glimmer of justice as China Railway No. 10 (Thailand) steps forth with a gesture of vital significance. This company, at the heart of recent investigations, has pledged a substantial 120 million baht to ameliorate the suffering of those struck by this calamity. Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong acknowledges this move, emphasizing that while it stands distinct from the ongoing…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine this: Representatives of employees, with hope brimming in their eyes, marched confidently to the Government House on Labour Day, May 1, with banners flying high, under the warm golden Sun. Last year’s Labour Day had been a grand spectacle, and there was much anticipation surrounding the government’s latest promise to hike the minimum wage to 400 baht. But alas, on a fateful Tuesday, this promise turned into a cliffhanger, leaving everyone hanging at the edge of anticipation and uncertainty. The grand ambition of raising the minimum wage was met with a sudden traffic jam known as the tripartite board, a team of 15 determined individuals led by the astute Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, the Labour Ministry’s permanent secretary. Picture them huddled around a polished table, determination in their eyes, grappling with endless stacks of paper, pens poised mightily in their hands. Nevertheless, the result was a murky fog of indecision, and…
Late on a seemingly uneventful Monday night in the vibrant town of Nong Khai, a high-stakes drama unfolded that could easily rival anything seen in the movies. As the moon cast its silver glow on the quiet streets, two men found themselves at the epicenter of an adrenaline-pumping pursuit involving the ever-diligent Border Patrol Police. The plot? An ingenious yet foiled attempt to smuggle a staggering 632,360 methamphetamine pills across the district lines. Serving as the night’s unlikely stars were Yommana Bannarak, a seasoned 37-year-old, alongside his younger accomplice, the 26-year-old Pinyowit Watthan. These two, cruising in their inconspicuous yet trusty white Nissan Almera, were unwitting actors in what was about to become a gripping, real-life thriller, thanks to the sharp instincts of Pol Lt Col Boonlert Wisetchart and his accomplished team at the Border Patrol Police Sub-division 24. The curtain for this captivating tale rose with a tip-off—timely and…
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, a spotlight shines brightly on the Thailand Pavilion. This cultural exhibition has attracted both admirers and skeptics, as whispers circulate about its hefty budget of nearly 1 billion baht. At the center of this swirling debate is Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, who is poised to make his way to Japan this Wednesday to scrutinize the pavilion’s value meticulously. Mr. Somsak has taken the criticism of the budget allocation in stride, delivering assurances that every baht spent has adhered to the proper channels. His upcoming journey to Osaka is more than just a formal visit; it’s a mission with a cadre of experts to ensure that every taxpayer’s contribution sees returns in innovation and cultural exchange. “If upon inspection, we find the execution lacking, budget reallocations will follow,” he announced firmly, pausing to emphasize the transparency of…
In a tale that feels straight out of a courtroom drama imbued with a tropical twist, the windswept island of Phuket finds itself swept up in a saga involving exotic locales, a Swiss expat, a Thai doctor, and a public spectacle on the sun-kissed shores of Yamu Beach. Our story begins with Urs Fehr, a Swiss elephant camp proprietor better known by some as David, who unwittingly found himself at the center of a tempest that combined physical altercation, legal battles, and the ever-alluring issue of beachfront rights. This drama, dubbed the “beach bully” incident, unfurled on February 24th of yesteryear. To set the scene, picture a serene morning on Yamu Beach, gently kissed by the waters of the Andaman Sea. Enter Dr. Thandao Chandam, a talented 27-year-old healer, who chose this picturesque spot to enjoy a quiet moment before her world took an unexpected turn. Allegedly, as she settled…
The picturesque yet notoriously congested Rama 2 Road in Thailand is set to undergo a significant transformation. The Department of Highways has unveiled plans to invest a hefty 400 million baht in an ambitious project designed to ease the notorious traffic jams in this vital artery of travel and commerce. This is great news for the 200,000 vehicles that traverse this route daily, especially those journeying to southern Thailand. While navigating through Rama 2 Road, patience is often tested with standstills and bottlenecks, notably near the Ban Bo canal bridge and the Tha Rang canal bridge in Samut Sakhon district. But hold your applause; come September, a construction marvel begins its dance. A parallel route, stretching from the Ban Phaeo interchange to Bang Nam Won, will spring into existence. Clocking in between 780 days, the hope beams high that this protracted endeavor sees smooth traffic as the ultimate encore. The…
In the digital age of oversharing, one woman’s impulsive act has lit up the online world with a blazing debate. Picture this: a serene yacht trip, April 21, the sun setting on the horizon, sparkling waters, and love in the air. An idyllic setting for romance, wouldn’t you say? But for a 29-year-old woman, it turned into a scene straight out of a dramatic comedy – or tragedy, depending on your perspective. Amid the gentle lapping of the waves, her husband dropped a bombshell, casting aside all the lightheartedness of the trip with a somber face and a confession that could sink a ship: he claimed infidelity. Yes, the man who was known for his playful spirit suddenly decided this was the perfect moment to unveil an unfaithful escapade. Surprising? Absolutely, especially since he’d never taken their marriage as a comedic canvas—until that fateful day. The result? A diamond-studded symbol…
In a heartwarming turn of events that has captured the admiration of netizens far and wide, a conscientious taxi driver in Bangkok exemplified a remarkable act of integrity. It was on April 21st when a kind-hearted driver discovered an unconscious woman slumped in the backseat of his taxi. Demonstrating commendable foresight and responsibility, he swiftly transported her to the Thong Lo Police Station, a decision that has earned him a wave of praise and appreciation from the online community. A video shared by TikTok user @kanthachok_759, who happens to work as a patrol officer at the station, highlighted the surreal yet uplifting episode. In the clip, the woman is seen unresponsive but lying safely in the backseat. As the taxi rolled up to the station, the driver alerted the officers, who quickly initiated efforts to awaken the woman. Though largely unresponsive at first, she was not entirely unaware and, after…
In a twist of events that has the Thai rice industry buzzing, the nation’s exports have slumped by a striking 30% in the first quarter of this year. This downturn is not just a mere blip; it’s a ripple that has seen neighboring Vietnam overtake Thailand, striding confidently to become the world’s second-largest rice exporter. At the heart of this conundrum, Chookiat Ophaswongse, the honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, sheds light on the facts. Thailand’s once-robust export numbers dwindled from past records, hitting only 2.1 million tonnes of milled rice shipped this year. Compared to its previous peak, this is a sharp drop, sending ripples through the industry. Fueling this decline, India’s re-entry into the export arena looms large, compounded by a dramatic fall in demand from key buyers like the Philippines. The island nation, once a major customer, seems to have folded its shopping list from…
In the heart of vibrant Phuket, where azure waters kiss golden sands, a curious tale unfolded recently, seizing the attention of locals and holidaymakers alike. Picture this: amidst the palm-fringed beaches, an unassuming graveyard in Bang Tao became the unexpected resting place for a foreign visitor seeking solace from his revelry. This wasn’t the usual spot one would envision for recuperating after a sun-drenched beach day, yet here we are, unraveling the antics of a party-goer who took an unconventional turn. On the evening of April 21st, as the sun lazily dipped below the horizon, a man dressed in blue shorts and a white T-shirt found himself nestled in a grassy patch within the serene confines of a Muslim burial ground. Not your typical accommodation choice, but perhaps the man’s blurred sense of direction, courtesy of too many cocktails, led him to this accidental berth. The Phuket Times quickly shared…