In an alarming turn of events in Buri Ram, two minors have been taken into custody under suspicions of becoming the newest members of the nefarious world of drug dealing. This unsettling revelation is sparking concerns about the rising involvement of young people in drug-related crimes in this northeastern province. On a seemingly quiet Sunday, authorities that spanned the police, military, and the Department of Provincial Administration, made a significant arrest in tambon Isan within Muang district. The individuals in question? A 16-year-old and a 17-year-old who shockingly owned up to distributing yaba pills, a dangerous concoction of methamphetamine and caffeine. This wasn’t a rogue operation; they were allegedly under the orders of an elusive older dealer who had reportedly fled to Laos to sidestep drug charges, authorities disclosed. The gravity of the situation deepened when these teenagers directed the authorities to a clandestine hideout. What awaited them there was…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Health professionals were seen diligently attending to victims at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, Kannayao district, Bangkok, as emergency measures were put into action Saturday night. The grim scene unfolded after a distressing episode of methanol intoxication spiraled out of control in the Min Buri district. The illicit consumption of moonshine led to one tragic death and 20 others were rushed to various hospitals, suffering from severe symptoms. Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital reported on Sunday that 21 individuals had been admitted after ingesting the contaminated brew, setting off a cascade of medical crises. According to Dr. Amporn Benjaponpitak, the director-general of the Department of Medical Services (DMS), the patients were treated for an alarming array of symptoms, including dizziness, severe stomach pain, relentless vomiting, impaired vision, and even seizures. “Symptoms generally manifest between 16 to 24 hours post-consumption of such moonshine,” Dr. Amporn elaborated, shedding light on the daunting reality of methanol poisoning.…
Officials waded through thick mud in Muang district, Phuket province, Thailand, last Saturday, following a devastating landslide that shook the community. (Photo: Achadthaya Cheunniran) PHUKET: In the vibrant southern tourist island of Phuket, authorities have begun the rehabilitation process in the landslide-stricken areas of Muang district, following the discovery of all 13 missing victims. Phuket’s Governor, Sophon Suwannarat, called off the search on Saturday afternoon after the final three victims were found, confirming a tragic death toll of 13. Those who perished were either hardworking laborers or visitors from outside Phuket. The catastrophic landslide ravaged three sub-districts in Muang district: Chalong, Karon, and Rawai. In total, the disaster impacted 209 families across nine villages. In addition to the fatalities, 19 individuals sustained injuries, with three still receiving medical care as of Sunday. The victims comprised a mix of ethnicities and nationalities. Tragically, nine Myanmar workers—four men and five women—lost their…
People watched anxiously as water levels rose in the Mae Sai district of Thailand’s Chiang Rai province on August 19. The picturesque northern region, known for its lush landscapes and rich history, found itself grappling with an unforgiving force of nature. Chiang Rai was one of five northern provinces still inundated by flooding, as confirmed by Thailand’s Public Relations Department. Despite a partly sunny sky, the scene was anything but bright for the five stricken provinces – Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, and Phrae. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that between August 16 and 22, severe floods hit 22 northern provinces, leading to 22 tragic fatalities. The disaster extended its reach, affecting 30,807 families. Chiang Rai, resplendent in its beauty, remained submerged along with parts of Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, and Phrae. Even as the floodwater appeared to recede in some places, nine additional deaths were reported, underscoring…
In the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, a tense ordeal unfolded late Saturday night as rescue workers scrambled to reach three individuals trapped beneath tons of rubble. The incident took place in Pak Chong district, where a high-speed railway tunnel, still under construction, partially collapsed in the dead of night. Prasit Tangprasert captured the gravity of the situation through his poignant lens. Imagine this: A peaceful night, devoid of rain or the usual cacophony of nature, suddenly shattered by the deafening rumble of collapsing earth. At exactly 11:30 p.m., two diligent workers were maneuvering a backhoe and a truck, meticulously digging through the earth to create a marvel of modern engineering. As if scripted in a movie, a foreman drove up to the tunnel entrance, only to find himself a part of this unfolding drama. In seconds, the tunnel’s structural integrity gave way, swallowing these men—a Chinese foreman, a Chinese backhoe…
On August 19, 2024, the spotlight was undoubtedly on former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as he appeared at the Criminal Court in Bangkok for a scheduled hearing concerning lese majeste charges. Captured in a poignant moment by photographer Apichart Jinakul, Thaksin stood at the center of Thailand’s ongoing political drama. In the meanwhile, the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) had been busy canvassing public opinion about Thaksin’s potential role in the government led by his youngest daughter, Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra. The results of the poll, conducted via telephone interviews with 1,310 respondents aged 18 and over from various backgrounds, painted a vivid picture of the prevailing sentiments among Thais regarding Thaksin’s influence on the new administration. The key question burning in everyone’s mind was the likelihood of Paetongtarn running the country independently of her father’s influence. The poll responses represented a mix of skepticism and tempered optimism: 59.01% of…
Rescue workers are diligently laboring at the spot where a railway tunnel partially caved in during construction late Saturday night in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert) In the vibrant heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, the atmosphere turned tense as rescue workers initiated a strenuous mission to reach three individuals who found themselves entrapped inside a high-speed railway tunnel that unexpectedly collapsed. The calamitous incident occurred under the cloak of darkness, at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, in the serene locale of tambon Chan Thuek. At the stroke of misfortune, two workers were deeply engrossed in their tasks, maneuvering backhoes to further the tunnel dig. Unbeknownst to them, a foreman, just having arrived in his car, became the third unfortunate soul ensnared by the sudden collapse. Interestingly, the night sky remained obstinately clear, offering no hint of rain that might have precipitated such a disastrous cave-in. The collapse occurred approximately…
Phuket: The relentless pursuit persists as the search for those still missing continues, following the devastating landslides triggered by torrential downpours that have claimed the lives of 13 individuals in this picturesque island province. The severe flash floods and landslides are the aftermath of unceasing heavy rain that began its downpour on Thursday morning, swallowing several areas within the province. Caretaker Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised embarked on a tour of the island yesterday, setting foot in one of the most affected areas on Soi Patak 2 in Muang district’s tambon Karon. The scene was a stark reminder of nature’s fury with streets buried, homes shattered, and the lives of many turned upside down. The catastrophic impact wasn’t limited to just one locality. Entire stretches, including Moo 1–4 in tambon Karon, Moo 12 in tambon Rawai, and Moo 8–10 in tambon Chalong, were declared disaster zones in the wake of…
The need for mpox vaccines emerges primarily for individuals in high-risk groups rather than the general population, as declared by a leading virologist. Dr. Yong Poovorawan of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine shared on Facebook this Saturday that vaccination against mpox — recently declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to rising cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and spread to neighboring nations — is unnecessary for those outside high-risk groups. High-risk groups encompass homosexual men, individuals involved in casual sexual activities, and those who have recently traveled to regions where mpox is prevalent. Dr. Yong emphasized that mpox does not spread as easily as Covid-19. Transmission primarily occurs through physical or sexual contact and by sharing a bed, for instance. Moreover, he pointed out that during its initial stages, mpox is less severe compared to Covid-19. Interestingly, adults…
The Transport Ministry is currently exploring the notion of creating an infrastructure fund dedicated to repurchasing mass rapid transit projects from private enterprises. This bold move could pave the way for a flat fare of 20 baht per ride, revolutionizing public transportation in Thailand. On Saturday, Caretaker Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed that the ministry is keen on advancing a proposal put forth by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his riveting “Vision for Thailand” event on Friday. Mr. Thaksin’s ingenious suggestion involves the government buying back private electric train projects and setting an affordable ticket price of 20 baht per trip. He also recommended introducing congestion charges for car users to subsidize public transport, alongside expanding local airports to bolster tourism. Responding to these proposals, Mr. Suriya said that the ministry is aligned with the idea and is setting plans in motion to establish an infrastructure fund specifically for this…