Posts published in “Thailand”

Imagine driving down Highway 226 in the picturesque district of Uthumphon Phisai, nestled in the heart of Si Sa Ket, where the usual tranquility was stirred by an unusual sight. This was not your typical road obstruction or a run-of-the-mill traffic snarl. No, this was something straight out of a slapstick comedy, yet it was starkly real. A concrete pole audaciously skewering through a drainage pipe, as if asserting dominance over civil engineering norms and the laws of practicality. This odd spectacle became the center of attention when the vigilant heroes of the digital age, the Watchdog.Act Facebook page, shared snapshots of this construction faux pas, turning it into an overnight sensation. By the next afternoon, the online community had rallied with fervor, lavishing the post with over 28,000 likes, more than 3,200 comments, and sharing the bewilderment over 2,400 times. The digital coliseum was filled with spectators and commentators,…

Imagine being so captivated by an extraordinary tale that you find yourself transported back to a vibrant era of revolution and change, a time when the lines between the old order and the new were drawn with passion and grit. This isn’t just any story—it’s the enthralling narrative spun by Thai comic artist extraordinaire Tanis Werasakwong, known to his legion of fans as “Sa-ard”. After three grueling years of meticulous crafting, Tanis has unveiled his latest masterpiece, The Siamese Ghostwriter, a graphic novel that thrusts a daring female journalist into a maelstrom of political intrigue and personal valour. Tanis’s journey into the heart of storytelling began with a heartfelt realization during an introspective chat with the Nation in the picturesque town of Chonburi. “As I embarked on this artistic odyssey, it became clear that my creations were not solitary ventures but shared experiences, woven into the fabric of our collective…

In the shadowy underbelly of Pathum Thani’s Lat Lum Kaeo district, an operation as cinematic as it sounds unfolded, painting the quiet streets with a semblance straight out of an action-packed thriller. Under the cloak of night, a squad of determined police officers staged a dramatic raid on a seemingly innocuous house within the Nattanun Home housing estate, stumbling upon a colossal treasure trove of illicit substances. The haul was staggering – a mind-blowing 5.6 million methamphetamine pills alongside a hefty 200 kilograms of ketamine, all neatly stacked and waiting to flood the streets with their destructive waves. Topping off this extraordinary find, a nondescript pickup truck, the suspected steed for their nefarious deliveries, was impounded, effectively putting the brakes on their operations. But this was no ordinary crackdown. The suspects rounded up, four men and two women, were players in a major league – a sophisticated drug network with…

Imagine a bright, bustling morning in Bangkok, a city that bridges the gap between tradition and modernity with a grace that’s incomparable. At the heart of this vibrant city, an event took place at the King Prajadhipok Museum, located on the picturesque Lan Luang Road, marking a significant stride in fostering cultural and educational ties between Thailand and China. This was no ordinary gathering. It was a day when the King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI), the Thai-Chinese Cultural Relationship Council (TCCRC), and the esteemed Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College (BLCC) decided to ink their commitment through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), sparking a new era of Thai-Sino cooperation in Chinese language training for state personnel. The air was thick with anticipation as key figures took to the stage. The MoU was signed by the charismatic KPI secretary-general Vitavas Chaipakpoom, the visionary TCCRC president Pinit Jarusombat, and BLCC’s rector with a…

There’s been a whirlwind of activity swirling around the political landscape in Thailand, and at the eye of this storm stands Ittiporn Boonpracong, a figure poised with the task of dissecting the recent happenings with a discerning eye. At the core of the spectacle? None other than Thaksin Shinawatra’s enigmatic visit to the Pheu Thai headquarters, a move that stirred the pot but, according to Ittiporn, didn’t quite tip it over. Tuesday afternoon saw a moment that felt almost cinematic: Thaksin, the ex-Prime Minister with a legacy as complex as Thailand’s political tapestry itself, made his way to Pheu Thai’s sanctum. Welcomed by a tapestry of supporters, from MPs and ministers to the fervent red-shirt crowd, it was a scene that captured the essence of a political homecoming. This is the same Thaksin who laid the foundations for the Thai Rak Thai Party, the very DNA of what Pheu Thai…

In the dead of night, amidst the eerie quiet of an oil palm plantation in the Bang Khan district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, a scene straight out of a dark mystery novel unfolded. Rescuers, under the cloak of night, meticulously extricated a bound body from its Earthy concealment—painting a harrowing portrait that seemed to whisper tales of old vendettas and sinister dealings. The grim discovery of a man, his life cruelly extinguished, hands tied in a dismal homage to his helpless plight, unearthed from his shallow resting place, sent ripples of horror and intrigue across the region. This was no ordinary incident; the deceased was believed to be a known figure in the clandestine world of cockfighting—a promoter from Chumphon province who vanished into the shadows, leaving behind a trail of questions and whispers on the night of February 1st. Found less than a meter beneath the Earth’s embrace within…

In a country where the flicker of tiny feet has become a rare sound, Thailand is witnessing a fascinating transformation. In a delightful twist, it’s the pitter-patter of furry feet that’s bringing joy and laughter into homes, a resounding testament to the growing affection Thais have for their four-legged (and sometimes two-legged or finned) companions. The love story between Thais and their pets is beautifully illustrated by the meteoric rise in pet product sales, skyrocketing with a 14% uplift in 2023 alone. Peering through the lens of The 1’s comprehensive data, we uncover a narrative as heartwarming as it is revelatory. Pet owners, it seems, are not just opening their homes but also their wallets, with a staggering 65% lavishing their furry, feathery, or scaly friends with the same affection and resources they would a human child. The monthly splurge on these adorable companions ranges from 10,000 to 20,000 baht…

Imagine a bustling town where the local residents are not just humans, but also a passionate tribe of monkeys, making for a unique cohabitation that could only be found in Lopburi, Thailand. As picturesque as it sounds, this unusual harmony has recently found itself on the brink of chaos. The monkeys, known for their playful antics, have taken their mischief a notch too high, turning aggressive, and what started with stealing snacks has escalated to outright attacks. It’s almost like a scene from a blockbuster movie, but for the people of Lopburi, it’s a daily reality. Amid this growing tension, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has come up with a plan straight out of a modern-day fable – the creation of a ‘monkey garden’. This garden, set to be developed in the province’s serene Pho Khao Ton sub-district, promises to be a haven for these…

In a groundbreaking move that’s set to revolutionize the charm and appeal of Thailand’s tourism and hospitality industry, Tuesday evening saw the Labour Ministry light up with anticipation. This wasn’t just another routine meeting. The air was electric, palpable with the promise of change, as the tripartite wage committee – a dynamic coalition of minds from the business, labour, and government sectors – convened in a harmony of purpose. The agenda? To discuss the economic valor and viability of a minimum wage increase that would breathe new life into the tourism-related businesses and the pulsating heart of four-star hospitality—visibly sagging under the prolonged shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic. The committee, in a decision that reverberated with foresight and understanding, approved an increase to 400 baht per day. But here’s the catch – this uplift was specially earmarked for those businesses that stand as beacons of local tourism and hospitality in…

Welcome to a saga that’s more gripping than your favorite spy thriller: the tale of Koh Kood, an island so enchanting, it has two nations locked in a diplomatic ballet. Picture this: crystal-clear waters, lush jungles, and a whispered secret of sovereignty that has lingered over this paradise since the early 20th century. This is not just a story of territorial rights; it’s a narrative spun from the fabric of history, diplomacy, and the endless dance between Thailand and Cambodia over the promise of Koh Kood. Flashback to a pact made in 1907, when France (playing the role of a global power broker) and Siam (the artist formerly known as Thailand) shook hands, sealing the fate of Trat and its sparkling jewels – a series of islands culminating in Koh Kood – to remain under Siamese watch. Fast-forward to modern times, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara,…