Posts published in “Thailand”

In the sun-drenched paradise of Phuket, where palm trees sway and tourists sip cocktails by the Andaman Sea, a dramatic tale of deception has captivated both locals and visitors alike. Imagine, if you will, the arrival of a 65-year-old Dutch expat whose sun-kissed pursuits were interrupted by the long arm of the law. His alleged escapades involved swindling a German woman out of hundreds of thousands of baht, a story that unfolded like a page-turning thriller in the serene surroundings of Thailand’s famous island destination. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) chose to shatter the tranquility with a nationwide crime crackdown to coincide with the captivating month of June, 2025. It was a time when dreams of beach vacations were overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of justice. This meticulous operation descended upon Phuket like a wave, determined to uncover any hidden secrets lurking beneath the island’s vibrant façade. On the 17th…

In a twist of fate that reads like a scene plucked from a crime drama, a 61-year-old truck driver walked into the Thanyaburi Police Station, his head bowed with the weight of a tragic secret. The man, identified as Vasan, had been living with the haunting memory of a life abruptly taken—a memory that compelled him to come forward after a fatal encounter at the entrance of Kaset Phantharam Temple in Krathum Baen district, Samut Sakhon province. Vasan’s entry into the police station marked the end of a dramatic episode involving road rage—an incident that had escalated from frustration on the heated streets to a deadly altercation. Chillingly, this story unfolded when Vasan reportedly pulled a knife and stabbed Narongsak Homchan, a 39-year-old driver of a six-wheel truck, leading to Narongsak’s tragic death. The bone of contention? The slight maneuver of Narongsak cutting in front of Vasan, sparking an anger…

With an enormous pile of 157 billion baht dangling like a juicy, elusive fruit, government agencies in Thailand are scrambling faster than bees to a blooming flower. Time is ticking away as today, June 18, marks a pivotal moment for these bodies. The Economic Stimulus Committee finds itself knee-deep in a mountain of hopeful project proposals, each vying for a share of the monetary pot before the deadline drops the curtain on September 30. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul, clutching onto his realist’s hat, reminded everyone that spending this treasure trove wisely was more important than spending it all. “We don’t need to approve the full 157 billion baht. Efficient usage is what really matters,” Paopoom affirmed with the calm authority befitting a man who knows how to balance a budget. The rules of the game are clear: proposals need to align with Cabinet guidelines, focusing diligently on infrastructure, domestic…

In an unexpected twist that sounds straight out of a Hollywood thriller, an Irish woman finds herself in a Norwegian jail after attempting to smuggle a whopping amount of cannabis—nearly 30 kilogrammes, no less—from Thailand. This stash, valued at an eye-watering 600,000 euros (or about 22.5 million baht), was cleverly (or not so cleverly) packed into two tremendously overstuffed suitcases. Some reports buzz with a different number—41.7 kilos! But, let’s not get caught up in the weeds. Meet Jamie Mahon from Moneymore, Drogheda, Co Louth—an unsuspecting 32-year-old who probably thought she’d smoothly glide through Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport, but alas, reality plotted a different flight path. On January 9 this year, Mahon had barely disembarked her flight from bustling Bangkok when customs officials spotted something fishy during an X-ray scan of her luggage. Indeed, the reason for the bulkiness of her suitcases became glaringly obvious. They were loaded with cannabis—a haul…

In a wave of dramatic police moves reminiscent of a high-octane crime thriller set against the vibrant backdrop of Bangkok, the cops spun a web around a suspect they say was pushing illicit merchandise with an anesthetic twist. A man was apprehended at a chic condominium in Ram Inthra—it’s a neighborhood buzzing with energy—where he allegedly sold e-cigarette pods, hacked to contain more than just nicotine. But these weren’t your average vape gadgets; they were allegedly infused with etomidate, a deadly serious anesthetic. With over 500 items scooped up, the seizure was not just about smoking out contraband. It represented a significant slice of the pie, valued around 700,000 Thai baht, or for those counting in greenbacks, that’s a spicy $21,455. Leading the charge, the indomitable Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and his merry band of officers—including Deputy Commissioner Major General Pallop Aromla—pulled no punches in ordering a thorough investigation…

In a move that has sparked considerable buzz across the Land of Smiles, workers in Bangkok are set to receive a well-deserved pay raise. But hold on to your souvenir hats—this isn’t just a win for those in the bustling capital. Starting July 1, the minimum daily wage in Bangkok will jump to a sprightly 400 baht, providing a significant incentive not only for the city’s workforce but for thousands of hotel and entertainment staff across Thailand. This development spells relief for the buoyant yet beleaguered tourism and service sectors. Historically, only popular tourist magnets like Phuket, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chachoengsao, and the idyllic Koh Samui have seen the 400-baht minimum. Meanwhile, other regions have been making do with daily wages hovering between 337 and 380 baht. But in a decisive twist during a spirited meeting on June 17, two-thirds of the national wage committee members voted to extend this…

In the early hours of June 17, a formidable squad of over 50 police officers descended upon an illegal entertainment mecca in Pattaya, setting the stage for an arrest spectacle worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster. The operation, a joint effort by the Chon Buri Immigration Bureau, Mueang Pattaya Police Station, and the Pattaya Administrative Office, revealed a web of unlawful activity nestled within a certain high-rise haven. This eight-storey luxury playground, known as the Holiday, has stunned onlookers with its sinister double life. By day, the building in Soi Paniad Chang stands as an unassuming luxury apartment block, with its ground floor bustling and innocent — a 24-hour check-in counter manned by friendly Thai receptionists, offering cheerful welcomes to its diverse international clientele. But come nightfall, the Holiday unveils its clandestine side, transforming into a den of gambling, deception, and extravagance. The raid unfurled floor by floor like a dramatic…

In the bustling and dynamic world of digital currency, one name stands out amidst a whirlwind of controversy: the Huione Group. This Cambodian-based crypto firm has found itself at the center of a tangled web involving online scams and gambling schemes targeting unsuspecting Thai citizens, according to the detailed investigations by Thailand’s vigilant cyber police. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) has raised the red flag, pinpointing Huione, a digital currency exchange situated in a notorious Cambodian border zone, as a pivotal conduit for shady fund transfers purportedly linked to criminal networks. Lieutenant General Trairong Phiewphan, the diligent chief of the CCIB, has indicated that the firm is under scrutiny for its role in facilitating financial transactions between illicit online gambling sites and sophisticated scam operations preying on Thai individuals. Diving deeper into their modus operandi, the police explain, “Funds siphoned off from victims’ bank accounts would be rerouted to…

In the midst of a sultry Pattaya day, the serene facades of opulent homes in Nong Prue were disrupted by a well-orchestrated police operation. Under the baton of Police Major General Thawatkiat Jindakawnnaong, a dramatic scene unfolded on June 17. The authorities swooped in on two luxurious properties, armed with search warrants and a mission to dismantle a clandestine operation veiled in secrecy—a Chinese-driven online loan syndicate. As the doors swung open, the investigation revealed 25 individuals entwined in an illicit web. Within these lavish walls, 24 men and a sole woman were allegedly puppeteering an under-the-radar lending service. Their market? The unsuspecting clients back in China, meticulously reached through the QQ messaging app. This covert group, camouflaged as tourists on their visas, maneuvered without the blessing of work permits, standing bare against the laws of the land. Among this group of shadow dwellers was Mr. Qiao, age 42, who…