In an unexpected twist of fate, the bustling nightlife of Pattaya took a turn for the mysterious and chaotic when a bar girl was discovered bewildered and abandoned by the roadside. The incident unfolded in the early hours of July 15, near the lively Mae Wilai Market, when a 41-year-old bar worker, whose identity remains undisclosed, was found in a perplexed and intoxicated state. Police and rescue workers quickly responded to reports of a woman in distress and, upon arrival, discovered her slumped on the pavement, struggling to articulate her words and unable to recall how her night had spiraled into such disorder. The dazed woman could only manage to tell the authorities that she had been enjoying drinks with a “friend” at the establishment where she was employed. However, her memories thereafter seemed to have been obliterated, leaving her in an unsettling haze. Demonstrating swift action, volunteers from the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a heart-wrenching tale from Pathum Thani, Thailand, a distressed mother is vigorously seeking justice for her young daughter, who has made grave allegations against a temple abbot. This chilling case, which emerged on July 1, has captured the attention of many, highlighting a desperate plea for protection and truth. On that fateful day, May, a 39-year-old mother, dialed the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women’s hotline, a beacon of hope for those in need of advocacy and justice. With a trembling voice, she reported a harrowing tale: her nine-year-old daughter had suffered unspeakable harm in the very place where many seek solace and peace. The alleged incident took place in the temple bathroom, with her daughter being forced into silence by the abbot under a veil of secrecy. This heart-wrenching revelation took place after a seemingly innocuous series of events on June 24. The young girl was near the…
The atmosphere along the Thai-Cambodian border has taken a notable turn, impacting businesses in a profound way. The closure of permanent border checkpoints at Ban Hat Lek and several temporary border points in Trat province has not only affected traders in Koh Kong, Cambodia but has also caused a ripple effect felt deeply at the Ban Hat Lek border market. These closures, extending beyond 20 days, have consequently led Cambodian traders to source supplies increasingly from Vietnam, altering trade dynamics in the region. Phornchai Limpolpipat, head of reception at the Koh Kong Resort Hotel, shared insights into the disruptions these closures have brought. Koh Kong stands deprived of its usual Thai exports, a situation particularly evident in markets like Saothong Market and Ban Mai, where once-beloved Thai products are now absent. Products, especially popular items like Thai instant noodles and snacks, have vanished from shelves, leaving a void hastily filled…
The air was charged with excitement as Deputy Education Minister Rinthipond Varinvatchararoj took to the podium, energizing the crowd with news that even the fainthearted could appreciate. Unveiling the third phase of the Outstanding Development Opportunity Scholarship (ODOS), Rinthipond proudly announced that 1,200 new scholarships were primed and ready to nurture Thailand’s brightest young minds. Talk about a cause for celebration! Against the backdrop of a nation aspiring towards educational equity, behind the scenes, the government was plotting some serious investment under the suspended yet influential Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The stakes were high, but so too were the rewards. Education, as Rinthipond poetically emphasized, isn’t just about academics; it’s about shaping the clay of human capital, especially in a growing creative economy. Picture it as a vital gear in the economic machine, driving both sustainability and equity through the gears of academia. Now, picture this: 1,718 ambitious students from…
In a distressing series of events that has captured significant attention, an 18-year-old mother known as ‘A’ has filed a harrowing complaint with the Lak Song Police Station in Bangkok. The impetus for her distress is none other than the severe injuries sustained by her young son, who is just under three years old. It all unfolded on what seemed like an ordinary day, July 14, when ‘A’ received the shock of her life at the Mit Pracha Hospital. The child, who once gleamed with mischievous innocence, arrived at the hospital harboring shocking injuries — bruised and swollen eyes, suggestive of vile abuse. The backdrop to this unsettling incident is the unfortunate trust ‘A’ placed in her close friend Muk, who had been tasked with caregiving duties from 10 AM to 8 PM owing to ‘A’s work commitments. Muk, once a living companion and seemingly trustworthy confidante, had recently moved…
The sunny shores of Pattaya, a city known as one of Thailand’s prime beach destinations, are caught in a whirlwind of controversy. A newly enforced smoking ban has lit a fire under the expat community and regular beachgoers, whose tongues are wagging over what some see as a superficial solution to a smorgasbord of deeper issues. The decree slaps a hefty 5,000 baht fine on those caught indulging in a puff while splashing their toes on the sandy coastline or nearby promenades. Initially heralded as a heroic stride in the crusade for cleaner shores and healthier public spaces, the ban has instead become a flashpoint. It raises eyebrows and hackles among foreign residents, who view it as another hastily drawn-up plan that addresses symptoms rather than the root causes of Pattaya’s challenges. The reaction online has been nothing short of electric—social media feeds are bursting with critiques and sarcastic jabs…
In an era where the digital realm is both a blessing and a curse, one bold Thai woman, Mint, is taking a stand against a severe breach of her privacy that led to cyberbullying and body shaming. The story begins with a seemingly mundane parcel delivery, which quickly spiraled into a social media spectacle, drawing attention across the internet. The controversy ignited when a parcel delivery rider named Khick showed up at Mint’s home to deliver a package. Mint, embracing the sweltering Thai weather, adorned a chic dark blue short skirt with a matching tube top as she stepped outside, her phone in hand. What should have been a routine encounter turned invasive; unbeknownst to Mint, Khick snapped a photo of her, choosing to later share it online with a caption that dripped with sarcasm: “So cool!” followed by a laughing emoji. Unfortunately, the photo was posted with Mint’s face…
In the ever-evolving world of travel and tourism, Thailand’s much-debated 300-baht entry fee for foreign visitors has yet again taken a detour. In what seems like an endless saga, officials have decided to tap the brakes on this initiative once more. As things stand, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has declared that the elusive charge, known locally as the “Kha Yeap Pan Din” or “stepping onto Thai soil,” won’t be making its debut on the world’s tourism stage in 2025 as initially mapped out. Assistant Tourism Minister Chakrapol Tangsutthitham stepped up to the podium to share this latest twist, stating that Minister Sorawong Thienthong, after a reflective review, has orders to hit pause on the plan. The decision is driven by a desire to avoid rocking the boat as Thailand’s tourism industry, still shaky from the pandemic’s aftermath, cautiously regains its footing. In a candid moment shared with The…
In the twilight serenity of Phuket’s enchanting Rawai Sea Gypsy Village, an unexpected commotion unfolded that would interrupt the stillness of the night. On July 14th, just as the stars spangled the skies, the deserted pathways of this quaint seaside enclave became the unlikely stage for a dramatic standoff between law enforcement and criminal enterprise. In a meticulously orchestrated sweep reminiscent of a James Bond thriller, security forces stealthily moved in, apprehending 22-year-old Sompop—or, as locals call him, Oh—dismantling his nefarious aspirations of playing kingpin within the village’s confines. The youthful Sompop was snagged by Phuket’s finest, under the guiding hand of the resolute Governor Sophon Suwannarat. A team of senior officials, including the stalwart Deputy Governor Lieutenant Colonel Adul Chuthong, unswerving Permanent Secretary Thiraphong Chuaychu, and illustrious Mueang District Chief Pairoj Srilamul, spearheaded this audacious sting operation. In the wee hours, as nocturnal creatures stirred, District Chief for Security…
In an official statement at Government House, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa set the geopolitical stage today as Thailand prepares to extend a diplomatic olive branch to its storied neighbor, Cambodia. The buzz is all about an eagerly anticipated official invitation for Cambodia to partake in the seventh Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting. Scheduled to take place in the vibrant and bustling locale of the Thai capital on September 15, this summit aims to revive the stagnant negotiations over the contested border areas shared by the two southeast Asian countries. Discussing the diplomatic dynamics, Maris candidly admitted, “The border situation hasn’t exactly been a rollercoaster of progress lately.” But, with the steely resolve of a nation committed to diplomatic discourse, he declared that Thailand’s preference is to hash out differences through formal channels, steering clear of verbal skirmishes across the unpredictable terrain of social media. “The Foreign Ministry will not respond…