Posts published in “Thailand”

A recent cybercrime investigation has led to the capture and subsequent arrest of three people suspected of participating in an illegal online gun trading ring dubbed “Khote-siang V.7.” The extensive operation saw Technological Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) officers executing search warrants across Bangkok, Pathum Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. The investigation unearthed an arsenal comprising two handguns and a considerable cache of over 30,000 ammunition rounds. Heading the operation was Commander Pol Maj Gen Athip Pongsiwapai, who disclosed that the deep-seated investigation had been active for several months before reaching its successful conclusion. The target, the “Khote-siang V.7” gun-trading group, had amassed more than 300 members during its operational period. Within the span of two years, the group had seen an exchange of approximately 10 million baht. Concerningly, most of the clients were teenagers hailing from Bangkok and nearby provinces. The suspects who were apprehended – San Chalawit (aged 40),…

Barely a day had passed in the bustling Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi when a surprise raid was carried out in two of its notorious pubs. With the sun yet to break the horizon, hints of daybreak peeking at 1:30am, two clandestine establishments found themselves at the mercy of the local authorities—an unceremonious end to this underground playground. The pubs in question—Highlight Banpong and Arena Banpong—were nothing short of local legends in the nightlife scene. Yet, beneath the glitz and glamour, a darker underbelly was finally exposed. Shrouded in swirls of deception, the man at the heart of this scandal was 30-year-old Thanawat Wijitcharasakul, the unassuming owner of both establishments. His arrest sent shockwaves through the community with the revelation of the illegal nature of his operations. The investigation was instigated by a tip-off hinting at the sordid details within the establishments: an open violation of the legal age of…

The throbbing heart of Bangkok, Asok intersection, starts to buzz with an air of anticipation. Sunday is fast approaching, and it’s not just another regular day. Supporters of the Move Forward Party (MFP) are heeding a call to action; political activist Sombat Boonngam-anong has summoned their presence. An extra layer of police protection is also being deployed to monitor the anticipated gathering of 200 attendees, with the primary goal of ensuring the safety of all involved and upholding the peace. Station chief Pol Col Phansa Amarapitak from Thonglor police station stated that a company of organized and trained officers has been organized in aid of the event. Furthermore, an additional set of officers hailing from the nearby Lumpini police station has been arranged to oversee the proceedings effectively, thereby creating a dual layer of security to manage the gathering. However, a clearance from the district office would be indispensable if…

In a bustling and lively atmosphere, Thai-Muslims gather at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan, their hearts filled with overwhelming excitement and devotion; they are about to embark on the sacred hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The scene is reverential, a blend of spirituality and respect for their sacred journey, united in their intention, hope, and expectation. However, this journey of deep religious significance recently became a challenge for more than 500 faithful Thai pilgrims hailing from Yala. They found themselves abandoned upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia, despite having each paid a hefty sum of around 270,000 baht for the opportunity to fulfill this important pillar of their faith. This unrest has galvanized the Bhumjaithai Party’s dedicated task panel on the deep South. They plan to make significant strides to prevent such mishaps in the future, ensuring that Thai-Muslims who go to fulfill their religious obligation of hajj do…

In a recent course of political events, both the Bhumjaithai Party and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) stated their disinterest in partaking in a coalition government that the Pheu Thai Party aims to form, on the assumption that the Move Forward Party (MFP) remains in the eight-party bloc. This stance was established following the Pheu Thai Party’s endeavors, which observed a second-place victory in the votes, to extend an olive branch to other political outfits to join their coalition to spur the formation of the government post MFP’s unsuccessful bid to get their prime minister candidate elected. MFP declared its withdrawal on Friday, leaving the leadership to Pheu Thai. The Pheu Thai leader, Cholnan Srikaew, held discussions with representatives from the Bhumjaithai, Chartpattanakla, and United Thai Nation parties at the Pheu Thai headquarters on Saturday. On the condition of MFP’s exclusion from the eight-member coalition, Dr. Cholnan acknowledged the potential blockade…

Generating quite a buzz lately, a trailblazing initiative driven by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) targeted at encouraging orderly waste segregation amongst households, has been posting encouraging results. The spokesperson for the BMA, Mr. Aekvarunyoo Amarapala, revealed during a decisive Saturday press announcement that decreasing trends in the overall volume of rubbish reaching the city’s waste management facilities, along with resultant reduction in waste treatment expenditures, have been observed over the past half a year. Amid February and the conclusion of the previous month, noteworthily, a substantial drop in the aggregate volume of the city’s waste, equating to a daily average deduction of around 444 tonnes, has been recorded. This phenomenal dip, as quantified by Mr. Amarapala, translates to about 67,248 tonnes as compared to figures from the equivalent timeframe a year ago, thereby resulting in a remarkable saving of 127.8 million baht in terms of waste treatment expenditure. Elaborating…

Phlai Chao Nga, an elephant renowned for his nomadic tendencies, found himself as the center of a significant court order. On a sun-drenched morning in May, within the quaint ensemble of homes known as the village district of Nop Phi Tham, GPS-tracking collar fitted snugly around his thick neck, Phlai Chao Nga was making headlines amid the quiet corners of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The saga unfolded as the Nakhon Si Thammarat Administrative Court issued a directive to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), in no uncertain terms. The directive demanded the capture and subsequent relocation of our wanderlust-driven elephant friend within a stringent timeline of 15 days. Alas, Phlai Chao Nga’s marveling at the breathtaking panoramic views and grazing the bountiful crops outside his native Tai Rom Yen National Park had been causing quite the stir among the local community. They claimed their livelihood, reliant on…

In a successful nationwide operation that kicked off on the first of July, the law enforcement heroes of our nation successfully closed their nets on a significant quantity of illegal weaponry and detained a staggering 966 individuals involved in their distribution and misuse. The initiative, driven by the deputy police chief, Police General Torsak Sukwimol, was announced on the Sunday following the 21st of July. The operation’s magnitude and impact unfolded with the sharing of impressive numbers. Police General Torsak candidly disclosed that the authorities executed 1,658 meticulously planned raids scattered all over the country. These meticulous operations yielded a bounty of 911 illicit firearms, various ammunition amounting to 44,540 rounds, two explosives, and a high number of methamphetamine pills, totaling a whopping 6,239. These astonishing figures are an endorsement to the effectiveness of this sweeping crackdown on the criminal underworld. An episode that underscores the bravery and resolve of…

In an unprecedented proactive action for national security, law enforcement officials in Chanthaburi, located in Eastern Thailand, successfully detained six foreign nationals who were attempting to illegally enter the country. This strategic move was triggered by an extensive national effort to tighten security in response to the directive from the Ministry of Labour urging the registration of non-native workers residing in Thailand. The thrilling tale of the arrest followed a high-speed chase. Guided by the firm hand of Superintendent Khemarin Phitsamai of the Chanthaburi Province Immigration Office, and his second-in-command Swas Chotronnapas, a seasoned team of officials was assigned to patrol the Rayong-Chanthaburi-Sa Kaeo route. This effort was primarily aimed at stemming the influx of undocumented foreign workers, most importantly given the ongoing work permit registration open for such individuals already clandestinely living in Thailand. Highlighting its commitment to uphold legal processes, the Ministry of Labour greenlit the directive enabling…

Former monk Warakorn Kongu-tit found himself under the arclights, not for his spiritual practices, but for his dubious business operations which landed him in hot water. The 46-year-old former practitioner turned entrepreneur was nabbed in Phang Khon district’s lively night market, nestled in the gentle curves of northeast Sakon Nakhon province, for defrauding unsuspecting customers of a staggering 10 million baht through his online religious artifact business. Warakorn ingeniously blended his religious background with commerce to ensnare spiritual seekers looking for authentic Buddhist relics. However, these seekers, who emanated from monasteries and temples nationwide, soon found themselves embroiled in a distressing scam. Warakorn would pull the plug on all communication, leaving the pious individuals distraught over their substantial cumulative losses. The audacity of his deceit had become a thorn in the side of authorities. Warakorn’s misconduct went beyond creating false Facebook handles, each more fanciful than the last – Petch…