Deep in the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, controversy bubbles in the serene Wang Nam Khieo district. The tranquility of Thap Lan National Park stands juxtaposed with the clamor of its residents, who have voiced their discontent over an online survey’s striking verdict: an overwhelming 95% of participants opposed allocating part of the national park for farming. Conducted by the park, the survey’s staggering numbers — with 879,595 respondents disapproving and only 43,303 in favor — reflect the divided sentiments of the local and national populace. The pivotal question at hand was whether a portion of the 260,000-rai park that encroaches on local community zones should be gingerly handed over for farming and residential purposes. A striking 96% of the survey’s participants hailed from the general public, while only a scant 4% were local residents directly affected by the demarcation of the park. This raised eyebrows among the locals, as their…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Deep in the enchanting locales of Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, an unfolding drama has residents of Wang Nam Khieo district raising their voices over a contentious online survey. The overwhelming response to the survey, conducted last week, indicated a strong opposition to the proposal of allocating a section of Thap Lan National Park for farming activities. Of the 879,595 respondents, a staggering 95% were against the idea, with only 4.7% or 43,303 residents, favoring the boundary modification for agricultural purposes. The survey, which kicked off on June 28, sought public opinion on whether a slice of the 260,000-rai area of the national park that overlaps with local community zones should be made available for residents to farm and live on. In a revelation that hints at broader public interest, a remarkable 96% of those surveyed were members of the general public, rather than local residents directly affected by the park’s demarcation.…
An image from a security camera shows Yan Ruimin checking her phone as she walks along a street in Bangkok on July 1. (Photo supplied) The suspense surrounding the disappearance of the female Chinese TikToker, Yan Ruimin, could soon be drawing to a close. The Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM) announced that results from DNA testing on human remains—believed to be hers—are expected to be revealed on Friday. Pol Maj Gen Supichai Limsiwawong, the IFM commander, explained the challenges involved in identifying the body due to its significant decomposition and the complexities in retrieving viable DNA samples. “Because the remains were badly decomposed, DNA samples had to be extracted from the bones,” stated Pol Maj Gen Supichai. The remains, suspected to be Yan’s, were discovered discarded in a remote area of Chachoengsao’s Muang district on Saturday. Further complicating the identification process, the authorities have had to rely…
Imagine a shocking courtroom scene where justice unfolded for a heinous criminal. On Monday, the Criminal Court handed down a dramatically reduced sentence of 25 years and six months to a Thai-German man, known only as Tony, after he confessed to appalling crimes against his own daughter. Charged with rape and the production of explicit online content, Tony’s confession shaved nearly half off his initial 51-year sentence. The chilling details of Tony’s crimes are surreal. Public prosecutors charged him with multiple heinous offenses: incest, child sexual abuse, possessing and distributing child pornography, coercing a minor into obscene acts, and uploading these vile materials to the computer system. Each crime is grotesquely cataloged under Section 26 of the Child Protection Act 2003 and Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act 2007. The investigation began with a startling tip-off from German police, leading the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to uncover evidence…
The Criminal Court on Monday delivered a heavy verdict against a Thai-German man who committed the heinous crime of raping his daughter and creating explicit content online. Due to his confession, his sentence was reduced to 25 years and six months in prison. Public prosecutors had filed a lawsuit against the individual, only known as Tony, bringing to light a range of sex-related offenses. The charges included incest, child sexual abuse, possessing and distributing child pornography, coercion of a minor into obscene acts, and uploading obscene content to a computer system. These reprehensible actions were in direct violation of Section 26 of the Child Protection Act 2003, as well as Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act 2007. Initially, Tony faced a 51-year sentence before his penalty was halved following his admission of guilt. The case unfolded from a tip-off by German police to Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI),…
The picturesque Pai River in Mae Hong Son province, Thailand, is often a haven for overseas visitors, many of whom are seen floating leisurely on inflatable tubes. This idyllic scene, frequently captured on social media, has recently drawn the concern of local authorities. According to a recent post on the TeawMaehongson Facebook Page, the governor of Mae Hong Son province has called for the institution of new rules to control visitor activities. This move comes after complaints emerged from a resort owner in Pai district about tourists engaging in disruptive behavior. The allegations include tourists consuming alcohol while tubing and overstaying their welcome in the river, sometimes for almost ten hours a day, which has raised environmental concerns. The owner also lamented that some tourists were wandering around the resort town clad only in swimsuits, causing discomfort among residents and fellow visitors. The situation escalated when a couple of tourists…
The peaceful city of Khon Kaen was dramatically transformed on Monday morning, courtesy of an overnight torrential downpour that left several parts of Muang district swimming in unwanted water. As the sun rose, residents and commuters faced the daunting task of navigating through water-clogged streets, making the morning rush hour a much more complicated affair. Khon Kaen City’s official Facebook page promptly issued a caution, urging drivers to steer clear of the submerged roads if at all possible. The warning was an attempt to ensure safety and mitigate the chaos caused by the sudden deluge. But the storm clouds are not done yet. According to the weather office, Khon Kaen, alongside ten other northeastern provinces, will continue to experience heavy rain until Thursday. Yes, that’s right—three more days of relentless showers are on the horizon. In addition to Khon Kaen, the weather forecast has put several other provinces on high…
In a chilling turn of events, an apartment room in Bangkok became the scene of a harrowing crime as a British expat fell victim to a brutal assault and robbery orchestrated by five foreigners. The horrifying incident unfolded early last Friday, with the perpetrators making a quick getaway, leaving behind cut strips of adhesive tape and rope, silent witness to the night’s sinister events. The relentless pursuit of justice led Thai authorities to a hotel in Pattaya by early Monday. It was there they apprehended the alleged masterminds behind this heinous act. Among those arrested were a Danish citizen, Abdullahi Mohamed, alongside three Britons named Shafiq Sumya, Ahmed Yasin, and Hussein Sheekh. A foreign woman also found herself in custody, though her nationality remains shrouded in mystery. The victim, a British national reputedly engaged in stock and cryptocurrency trading, presented a disturbing recount of his ordeal to the police. He…
Surat Thani: In a somber turn of events, law enforcement officers have apprehended a 27-year-old man, identified only as Nathapong, in connection with the alleged rape of a Ukrainian woman on Koh Samui’s picturesque Thongson Beach. The incident reportedly took place early last week, much to the dismay of both locals and tourists frequently visiting the serene beach. The arrest occurred outside a bustling convenience store in the charming tambon Bo Phut on Koh Samui this past Sunday. Alongside Nathapong, police also confiscated a motorcycle believed to have been used on the day of the distressing episode. Efforts to glean further details about the suspect are stymied as his full name remains under wraps. According to Pol Col Denduang Thongsrisuk, the diligent police officer in charge at Bo Phut police station, the story began when a 32-year-old Ukrainian tourist filed a harrowing complaint. She alleged that she was assaulted on…
Imagine a young teen from the quaint village of Ban Bua in Buriram capturing the world’s attention with a whimsical TikTok video—sounds like a modern-day fairy tale, right? Well, that’s precisely what happened for 16-year-old Juralak Yanon, who goes by “Bam” on social media. This unassuming Thai teenager skyrocketed to viral fame last Monday with an entry in a unique song challenge on TikTok. (Photo: Screenshots from Barbiebombam account on TikTok) The challenge itself? Seemingly simple yet delightfully catchy: count numbers out loud from 1 to 8. But here’s the twist that got everyone hooked—when counting in Thai, the sequence 6-7-8 translates to “Hok Jed Pad,” which amusingly sounds like “Ho get back” in English. Add a snappy hip-hop beat to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for an internet sensation. It’s no wonder that Bam’s charming rendition resonated with audiences far and wide. Her video has been captivating…