Posts published in “Thailand”

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…

A stunning international collaboration unfolded as Thai and Australian police officers joined forces, sending shockwaves through the criminal underworld in Samut Prakan province, a stone’s throw from the bustling streets of Bangkok. On a mild Monday, June 16, the joint team launched a decisive crackdown on a notorious call centre scam ring, apprehending 13 suspects from far-flung corners of the globe, including Australia, the UK, Canada, and South Africa. The shadowy syndicate had been ensnaring innocents into a misleading labyrinth of deceit, peddling fake investment bonds with the false promise of alluring annual returns of 7% to 10%. This mirage of prosperity enticed more than 14,000 Australians to part with their hard-earned cash, allured by the superficial charm of financial growth within one to three years. However, like a cruel mirage, these returns vanished into the ether, leaving behind only broken promises and empty bank accounts. Initially rooted in Australia—where…

In the serene landscapes of Yala’s Bannang Sata district, a chilling incident marked June 17th as a day of sorrow and introspection. The day seemed like any other, with routine patrols ensuring peace in the village of Wang Hin. However, tragedy struck when a 22-year-old soldier, Pakom Suden, was felled by a sniper’s bullet, a devastating testament to the lurking dangers veiled by the tranquility of the area. Pakom, a brave heart serving in the 1st Infantry Company, 1st Infantry Battalion, was on his duty when the shot rang out. The attack, coldly efficient in its execution, underscored the sophistication of the perpetrators who remain at large. The whereabouts of these shadowy figures are as elusive as the type of firearm that enacted this grim deed. The sniper’s exceptional skill, described by many including KhaoSod, echoes the persistent challenge of ensuring safety in these volatile regions. This heart-wrenching event is…