Posts published in “Thailand”

Strap yourself in for a wild ride through the twists and turns of Thailand’s methamphetamine saga, a tale that intertwines the lives of seemingly ordinary folks with the high stakes world of narcotics. On February 4, 2022, the scene at the Provincial Police Region 1 headquarters was nothing short of cinematic, with a staggering 3.5 million methamphetamine tablets and 73 kilograms of ice laid out for the world to see, a stark symbol of the relentless war on drugs. Enter Yosapat Kongduang, a 22-year-old whose meth-induced sleepless marathon set the stage for a peculiar tale of law and disorder. After a three-day binge fueled by the government’s perplexing regulations, Yosapat found himself in the iron grip of the law, an arrest he seemingly welcomed with a bizarre blend of relief and pride. His rationale? The belief that owning up to five ya ba pills skirted the line of legality —…

Welcome to the bustling heart of Bangkok’s travel scene, where the energy is as vivacious as the city’s vibrant street food markets, but not without its own set of drama. Picture this: you’ve just alighted from a lengthy bus journey, your senses tingling with anticipation for the adventures that await in Thailand’s mesmerizing North and Northeast. However, before you can fully embrace the Land of Smiles, there’s a little speed bump you might encounter – and it’s not the usual Bangkok traffic! Recently, it seemed the iconic Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, the gateway for wanderlust souls heading towards the lush landscapes and rich culture of Thailand’s northern realms, became the stage for an unexpected twist. Passengers, weary yet excited, found themselves in the midst of a predicament as a flock of taxi drivers, with a flash of opportunity in their eyes, began to whisper the need for an additional…

The halls of Thailand’s political establishment shimmered a little less brightly this past weekend upon the news that Senator Monthian Buntan had passed away at the still-young age of 58. Bestowed with a fervent spirit and an indomitable will, Monthian’s journey from the verdant fields of Phrae to the august senate chambers of Thailand is a testament to the power of perseverance and vision. His demise, confirmed by the Office of the Senate Secretariat, leaves a void in the hearts of many, with details of his departure and subsequent ceremonies awaited with bated breath. But who was Monthian Buntan, you ask? To the uninitiated, Monthian wasn’t just another face amidst the sea of policymakers. No, he was a beacon of hope and a harbinger of change for people with disabilities not just in Thailand, but across the ASEAN region and beyond. His tenure on the UN Committee on the Convention…

On the bustling streets of Bangkok, under a sky that carried the whisper of change, a vivid tableau of protest unfurled outside the United Nations offices. It was February 1st, a day etched with the somber remembrance of Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, now marking its third anniversary. Demonstrators, a vibrant mosaic of defiance and hope, brandished the three-finger salute – a symbol that transcended borders, becoming a beacon of resistance and unity against oppression. In an audacious move, Thai lawmakers, defying the displeasure of Myanmar’s military junta, convened a seminar aimed at dissecting the volatile political landscape of Myanmar. Spearheading this groundbreaking initiative was Rangsiman Rome, a luminous figure from the Move Forward Party and the head of the House committee on national security. “What we are doing today is the first step in bringing a variety of stakeholders to talk to each other,” proclaimed Rome, his voice a beacon…

Imagine stepping into a world where the barriers of accessibility simply melt away, where the streets and buildings welcome everyone with open arms, regardless of their physical abilities. This isn’t a utopian dream but the vision that Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew has for Nan, his beloved home province in Thailand. On a fine Saturday, nestled within the ancient embrace of Wat Phumin in Muang district, a gathering not like any other took place. This seminar, hosted by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation and allies, was not merely a meeting but a declaration of a bold new future for Nan—as a shining prototype of a health city. The northern gem of Nan is poised to revolutionize what it means to be a health and wellness destination. Dr Cholnan and his team are spearheading a project with ambitions that reach beyond the conventional, aiming to turn Thailand into a global beacon…

In a tale that tugged at the heartstrings of netizens across the globe, the story of a Thai man’s mysterious disappearance and subsequent discovery unfolded like a scene straight from an edge-of-your-seat thriller movie. It all began when a photograph of Nitikorn Pobsuk’s brother, who had gone conspicuously missing, surfaced on social media, sparking concerns and a widespread search. This wasn’t just any missed connection at Kansai Airport; this was a saga that captured the collective imagination and concern of thousands. The enigmatic disappearance occurred in Osaka, Japan, a city known for its vibrant culture and bustling streets. Nitikorn Pobsuk took to social media on a serene Saturday afternoon to announce the much-awaited news that his brother had been found. According to Nitikorn, his brother managed to reach out to their mother, marking the end of a harrowing period of uncertainty. “He’s currently in an emergency room at a hospital…

In a dazzling twist of legal prowess and international diplomacy that reads like a thriller, Deputy Attorney General Jumpon Phansumrit on an ordinary Friday morphed into an unsung hero for Thailand. By putting pen to paper, Jumpon didn’t just sign a pact; he inked a historic milestone on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) which agreed to share a hefty sum of confiscated assets with the Thai government, courtesy of an informed source. This pact wasn’t your run-of-the-mill bureaucratic handshake. It was a trailblazing agreement, setting the stage for a series of potentially similar future pacts that could span across countries far and wide. From the opulent city-state of Singapore to the historically rich lands of the United Kingdom, the United States’ sprawling landscapes, Ireland’s emerald fields, and the financial hub of Luxembourg – the Thai authorities have their radar set. Their target? The ill-gotten gains from…

Picture this: the serene hues of dawn kissing the shores of a tranquil beach, the enchanting wilderness of an elephant sanctuary bathed in golden light, and the awe-inspiring majesty of the Emerald Buddha Temple under the Bangkok sky. This isn’t just any ordinary trip; it’s a journey captured through the lens of Roger Federer, the Swiss maestro whose prowess on the tennis court is as legendary as his adventures off it. Alongside his wife Mirka, Federer takes us on a pictorial voyage to Thailand that’s as captivating as his backhand on the court. The tale begins on February 23, when Federer decides to grace the internet with snapshots of his escapades, the first of which finds him navigating the bustling waterways of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi. It’s not just the wooden boats brimming with vibrant fruits and textiles that capture our imagination, but the genuine delight on…

In the bustling heart of Osaka, Japan, a story unfolds that tugs at the heartstrings of the online community. A Thai man, with hair kissed by the sun in streaks of blonde and a demeanor that speaks of wanderlust, has mysteriously vanished. This is the story of Nitikorn Pobsuk’s quest to find his missing brother, a tale that has quickly captured the attention of netizens around the globe. It all began on a seemingly ordinary Saturday, when Nitikorn took to “Thai in Japan” – a haven for solo adventurers and Thai expatriates alike – to share his distress. His message painted a picture of his brother, last seen in the vibrant Shinsaibashi district, his journey marked by the drag of his luggage and the casual flair of his shorts. Yet, his name remained a whisper, unspoken, adding to the mystery. The response was immediate, a testament to the camaraderie among…

On a brisk morning, Montri Mahaplerkpong, the illustrious vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), unveiled insights that sent ripples across the spectrum of Thai entrepreneurship. During a February poll, which has now become a staple in the business community for its eye-opening revelations, executives voiced their unease. The concern? A burgeoning tide of cheap imports that not only threatens to outcompete but also casts shadows over consumer safety due to questionable product quality. In this groundbreaking survey, part of the FTI CEO Poll’s monthly initiative that mines the depths of industry insights from 234 executives across 46 verticals – not to mention the invaluable input from 76 FTI provincial beacons – a narrative unfolds. Approximately 65.8% of these visionaries flagged a downturn in sales, attributing a worrying 10% to 30% dip directly to the cutthroat competition brought on by these economically priced imports. Different sectors felt the sting…