The hustle and bustle of immigration lines are no stranger to the Tak Immigration Office in Mae Sot district, nestled within the heart of Thailand. Here, hopeful workers from Myanmar line up to process their visa applications, each carrying with them dreams of a better future across borders. However, recent developments have stirred the emotions of many, casting uncertainty on their aspirations. News echoes from the grapevine that the military junta in Myanmar has hit the pause button on sending migrant workers to Thailand, albeit only through official channels. This unexpected halt has been confirmed by whispers and private nods from overseas employment agencies. The Irrawaddy, a beacon of independent journalism, shares this unfolding story with the world: while journeys to other countries come with their own sets of challenges, Thailand has been placed on a temporary blacklist as of last Friday. The junta, notorious for its secretive operations, delivered…
Posts published in “Thailand”
As Valentine’s Day arrived with the sweet anticipation of love and surprises, Bangkok’s bustling city life paused for a moment of romance on wheels. Imagine a train ride that transcends the ordinary—where the usual din transforms into the harmonious symphony of vows as couples say “I do” aboard the SRT Red Line train in an event aptly named, Love in the Sky 2025. This extraordinary celebration symbolized love soaring to new heights, as 24 couples embraced a lifetime of marital bliss amidst panoramic city views and relishing glimpses of Don Mueang International Airport. The brainchild behind this remarkable affair was none other than Dr Wantanee Wattana, the esteemed Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), who inaugurated this year’s Valentine celebration with elegance and flair. This whimsical occasion unfolded within the impressive confines of the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok’s vibrant Chatuchak district. A collaborative masterpiece between…
Amidst the bustling urban tapestry of Bangkok, a city renowned for its vibrant streets and ceaseless flow of people, lies an intersection that has witnessed tales as diverse as the lights that illuminate it. The Asok intersection, a well-known node on Bangkok’s intricate web of roads, became the stage for a different kind of drama one Friday night—a drama not unfamiliar, yet poignant in its impact. On any given day, the intersection hums with the melodic chaos of honking vehicles and the rhythm of countless footsteps. It is here that a scene, replicating across various urban settings around the globe, played out as bare reality unraveled before the eyes of those who paused to take note. Emerging from the shadows of the bustling Sukhumvit Road, three young foreign girls were rescued as luminescent beacons of a complex societal issue. This rescue was part of an orchestrated operation involving the diligent…
In the bustling district of Bang Rak, there was a familiar face in the crowd. Thaksin Shinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand, stood among his supporters, sharing smiles and waves of camaraderie. The date was February 7, an ordinary Friday with an extraordinary twist—a nod from the Criminal Court that granted Thaksin permission to travel to Brunei the following week, specifically February 18-19, for an Asean-related confab. Talk about making the most of February! For anyone keeping score, this was not the first round-trip ticket out of Thailand for Thaksin since he faced legal constraints. Like a protagonist in a tightly wound drama, Thaksin is navigating a screenplay filled with legalities and travel permissions, including a substantial 5-million-baht surety walking the razor’s edge to gain these travel liberties. But what merits finding yourself in Brunei, you ask? Picture yourself as an influential adviser to the head honchos of Asean, with…
On a seemingly typical Saturday night in the lively city of Pattaya, nestled in Thailand’s vibrant Chon Buri province, an unexpected turn of events unfolded for a Turkish gentleman, setting the stage for a night he’ll not soon forget. The bustling shorelines of Pattaya, a haven for tourists and locals alike, were dotted with laughter, music, and the gentle crashing of waves, painting an idyllic scene. Amidst this lively backdrop, a 56-year-old Turkish national found himself charmed by a captivating beachside encounter. The man, who goes by the name Nevzat, found himself drawn to a mysterious Thai woman he met during his evening stroll along the sun-kissed sands. The allure of the tropical night was too much to resist, and this serendipitous encounter quickly turned into an arrangement—one that led them back to Nevzat’s hotel amid the neon-lit romance that Pattaya is so famed for. Yet, as the saying goes,…
In an event that has left a community heartbroken, a 65-year-old man tragically lost his life after a harrowing fall from a tamarind tree in the serene Mueang district of Udon Thani province. The incident has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a joyful family gathering. The scene unfolded in the quaint surroundings of Village 5, Nong Na Kham subdistrict, where the man was tending to a tamarind tree in his mother-in-law’s backyard. Efforts to save him proved futile despite quick response from Police Lieutenant Colonel Peera Rasri and the dedicated teams from Udon Thani Hospital and the Udon Thani Promotion of Virtue Foundation. The tree, towering at about 10 metres, stood as a silent witness to the tragedy, its pruned branches scattered around the man’s final resting place. He suffered severe head injuries and a broken neck, leaving his family in a state of devastation. His…
In the early hours of a sunny Saturday morning, Bangkok hummed with anticipation. As the first rays of light touched the city, a special ceremony was underway at Sanam Luang, marking the departure of a sacred relic—a tooth said to have belonged to Buddha—set to return to its home in Beijing, China. This revered relic, a beacon of spiritual and cultural significance, had been housed in Thailand since December 2024. Its presence was a tribute both to His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday and the golden jubilee of Thailand-China diplomatic relations this year, 2025. The air was thick with reverence as Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, flanked by esteemed monks from Thailand and China, presided over the ceremony. Hundreds of devotees, hands pressed together in prayer, attended the dawn event to pay their final respects. As chants filled the air, the atmosphere was a tapestry of tranquil…
Picture this: a bustling Friday night at Michelangelo’s Bar & Lounge in the heart of Phuket, where laughter and clinking glasses fill the air. Amidst the lively atmosphere, patrons have their own reasons to raise a toast—it’s just another evening of unwinding after a long week. But unbeknownst to many, something far more serious is about to unfold behind the tavern doors. At precisely 9:10 p.m., the music is gently competing with the symphony of chatter when a group of stern-faced officers makes its entrance. The Phuket immigration officers, accompanied by local law enforcement, discreetly approach a corner table. There, they find the man who had unknowingly become the evening’s center of attention: Donald Ray Mangiameli, a 67-year-old American. His alleged activities have brought the spotlight upon him, albeit unwelcome. Donald, often addressed with a casual nod and a clink of beer mugs by his fellow patrons, now faces the…
Imagine a bustling metropolis like Bangkok, teeming with life at every corner, where the pulse of the city echoes through its streets and alleyways. In this vibrant cityscape, an unexpected saga unfolds at the Veterans General Hospital. Recently, a female doctor found herself embroiled in a scandal, having been suspended from her medical duties amidst allegations of illicit medication sales outside the hospital’s respected bounds. This story, as engaging as it is startling, came into the limelight thanks to Thanadet Phengsuk, a dedicated Bangkok Member of Parliament representing the People’s Party. With a reputation as the deputy chairperson of the Military Commission, Thanadet wielded the power of social media to expose the alleged misdeeds. His post, originally shared via the popular platform X (formerly known as Twitter), did not hold back in condemning what he described as the unethical actions of a senior military doctor affiliated with the Veterans Hospital.…
In the tranquil heart of Chumphon province, a seemingly mundane evening meal turned into a thrilling encounter worthy of a wildlife documentary. It all began innocuously enough for Jirawan, a 55-year-old resident of the picturesque 55/3 Village 6, Khon subdistrict, whose evening took a slithery turn when an unexpected guest crashed the dinner party—a 4-meter-long king cobra. The serene single-storey abode, snuggled close to the thickly forested mountain pass, provided a perfect setting for nature’s grand entrance. But instead of appearing in an idyllic panorama, the guest preferred the domestic warmth of Jirawan’s kitchen. As she savored her meal, the substantial 8-kilogram serpent sidled in, much to her surprise. In a swift retreat worthy of an Olympic sprinter, Jirawan abandoned her culinary delight, opting instead to make a hurried call for help. The emergency line buzzed, alerting Sarawut Muangdaeng, head of the rescue unit from the Chumphon Charity Foundation. With…