Attention beach lovers and thrill-seekers heading to Phuket! Put away your snorkels and prepare for a coastal adventure – from a safe distance, of course. The beaches of Phuket are alive with swarms of venomous sea marvels, transforming its sandy crescents into showcases of nature’s more dangerous side. Marine life officials and local lifeguards have sounded an urgent alarm following the unwelcome arrival of a notorious oceanic menace, often referred to as the “floating terror.” Yes, eager explorers, the formidable Portuguese man o’ war has landed at Kata Noi Beach, and it’s definitely not here for a vacation. On the afternoon of July 15, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) alerted us to the presence of several hazardous marine species. Alongside the perilously majestic Portuguese man o’ war, other intriguing yet equally dangerous sea creatures have been washed ashore, possibly fueled by recent turbulent seas and gale-force winds.…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the early hours of July 16, the vibrant streets of Pattaya bore witness to an alarming turn of events as a young Thai woman, named Bew, sought refuge from a bewildering ordeal. Having relocated from Songkhla, her southern Thai province, Bew initially came to Pattaya in pursuit of work at one of the city’s bustling entertainment venues. But what transpired on this fateful morning was beyond her wildest expectations. It all unfolded just after the witching hour, around 3:36 AM, when Bew found herself navigating the neon-lit maze of Pattaya Sai Song Road. No ordinary early-morning wanderer, she was in distress, her predicament piquing the curiosity and compassion of passersby. Officers from the Mueang Pattaya Police Station arrived promptly, reacting to the reports of Bew’s disheveled and visibly intoxicated state. Bew’s account of her night began to unravel outside a convenience store, under the sympathetic gaze of local onlookers.…
All eyes are on Thailand’s Criminal Court as it prepares to unveil a groundbreaking verdict in the high-profile lese majeste case involving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. This decision is poised to either calm or stir the political pot in the nation, depending on the outcome. On July 16, Thaksin’s lawyer, the ever calm and composed Winyat Chartmontree, announced that the courtroom drama will reach its crescendo on August 22, marking not only a legal milestone but also the second anniversary of Thaksin’s riveting return from 15 years in self-imposed exile. “The verdict will be read at 10 am,” Winyat disclosed with an air of cautious optimism, confirming that Thaksin himself plans to stand in court, eyes unwavering, to receive the ruling. The saga stems from a rather contentious interview Thaksin gave to South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper back in 2015. In this tell-all, he allegedly made waves by discussing…
In a digital twist, Thailand is pivoting to the beat of the cryptocurrency drum by rolling out an innovative plan that will transform the tourist experience. Imagine this: travelers landing on the tropical shores of Thailand can now pay for spicy Pad Thai from buzzing street stalls or luxuriate in opulent hotels, all with the swipe of their crypto wallets. It sounds like a far-off dream, but it’s becoming a reality as Thai regulators pull back the curtain on a trailblazing “crypto sandbox” program to woo international tech-savvy visitors. This initiative, unfurled by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in tandem with the Bank of Thailand (BoT), is designed to supercharge tourism while also giving a much-needed boost to Thailand’s economy. On July 15, SEC’s Deputy Secretary-General and voice of authority, Anek Yuyuen, articulated that this ingenious leap will allow tourists to seamlessly convert digital assets into the local currency,…
In a twist that seems as riveting as a plot from a crime thriller, a 33-year-old contract teacher named Anusorn found himself at the wrong end of the law after attempting a rather audacious solo heist at a bustling shopping centre. The high-stakes drama unfolded in the scenic district of Nam Yuen, located in Ubon Ratchathani province, where Anusorn, desperate to turn his fortunes around, ventured beyond the chalkboard into a path of criminality. On a rather sunny July 15th, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wathana Naipromraj received a rather unlikely report. A robbery, but not just any robbery, one that involved a teacher—an occupation traditionally associated with nurturing and guidance. Our unlikely protagonist, Anusorn, was found perched outside the renowned Yaowarat Bangkok gold shop cloaked in an attire fit for a heist. His ensemble featured a black long-sleeve shirt, dark brown jeans, and the pièce de résistance—a red full-face helmet designed…
In the bustling coastal city of Pattaya, where azure waves beckon tourists year-round, the city is battling a foe as relentless as the tides – the annual rain deluge. As every monsoon season rolls in, the streets of this lively hub morph into mighty rivers, and city officials find themselves in a frantic race against time. Their mission? To lay the groundwork, quite literally, for a massive drainage revamp that promises to curb the chaos caused by surging floodwaters. This ambitious endeavor, taking place along the bustling railway parallel road, isn’t just another drainage project. It’s a colossal effort — akin to a marvel in engineering — aiming to seamlessly connect a brand-new pipeline to the Huai Yai canal’s waters. This creation will serve as the long-overdue relief valve for Pattaya’s overburdened roads and neighbourhoods. For what seems like an eternity, locals have had to endure the knee-deep floods transforming…
Amid the sunny shores and vibrant waves of Arugam Bay, a serene haven for surf enthusiasts, an unexpected wave of controversy swept through the small town. A 26-year-old transwoman from Thailand found herself in the eye of a cultural storm. What was intended as a carefree stroll along one of Sri Lanka’s most picturesque coastlines transformed into a viral moment that sparked not just social media uproar but also legal consequences. The drama unfolded on July 14, when videos emerged on social media showing the tourist, topless and bare-chested, meandering along the sandy paradise. The ripple effect was immediate, with conservative locals expressing outrage over what they deemed indecent exposure. Calls, both digital and telephonic, flooded the local police department, compelling authorities to act swiftly. “She was detained at the police station overnight and taken before the magistrate today following a lot of complaints from residents as well as on…
In a bold defensive move, Thailand’s Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, has stepped into the ring against allegations that the government’s proposed 20-baht flat fare scheme is merely a grand giveaway for the big fish in business. Far from being a windfall for wealthy investors, Suriya insists the plan is tailored to relieve the financial stress on everyday commuters and not to stuff the coffers of rich corporations. The main opposition, the People’s Party (PP), has not held back, claiming the scheme is a strategic ploy designed to funnel public money straight into the pockets of affluent companies through government subsidies. However, Suriya struck back with confidence, reinforcing, “This is for the people. For too long, the public has been shouldering the heavy burden of steep transport costs. If implemented successfully, this initiative promises to lessen the financial load and in the process, deliver a much-needed blow to air pollution.” At…
In a surprising twist of fate, after more than 16 years on the lam, a woman named Woraporn has finally been apprehended in connection with the murder of her aunt, a case that has haunted both investigators and those involved since its inception. Captured yesterday, July 15, in Thailand’s Nakhon Pathom province, the 47-year-old Woraporn now faces charges laid out by the Pathum Thani Provincial Court, which issued an arrest warrant as far back as February 2009. Her alleged crimes include collaborative murder and the grim task of concealing a corpse, charges that emanated from a family feud over inheritance that spiraled into sheer tragedy. To unravel this tangled web of family discord, one must travel back to February 5, 2009, when the case first came to light in the Mueang district of Pathum Thani. Somchao, a distressed husband, reported to the authorities the disappearance of his wife, Boonthing. She…
In an urgent bid to stave off a potential environmental and public health disaster, Thailand has initiated a decisive crackdown on toxic cross-border pollution. This follows alarming discoveries of dangerous heavy metals contaminating rivers in the northern reaches from Myanmar, raising red flags about an impending crisis. On July 15, the Thai Cabinet formally backed recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) aimed at safeguarding communities flanking the Kok and Sai rivers. Already suffering from contamination, these areas now face the looming threat of further pollution spreading into the vast Mekong River basin. “The government fully acknowledges the grave health risks posed by this crisis and is acting swiftly to address it,” stated a government spokesperson. The planned course of action is divided into two primary strategies: bolster domestic defenses and enhance international diplomatic efforts to tackle this issue comprehensively. The Pollution Control Department is beefing up its testing…