In a heart-rending turn of events, the serene shores of Karon Beach in Phuket have become the site of an intense search for a missing vacationer. On Thursday night, a 27-year-old tourist from China, Qin Yuan, was swept away by the unforgiving Thai waters, sparking a fusillade of rescue efforts that continued into Saturday. The tenacity of the search teams involved has touched the hearts of many, as helicopters and boats tirelessly scour the sea in search of any sign of Qin. According to the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3, the incident took place around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. The search operation was promptly initiated once Karon municipal officials were notified. Despite the deployment of boats and jetskis, the elusive ocean has thus far yielded no clues to Qin’s whereabouts. The disappearance has cast a somber shadow over the idyllic beach, as hopes for his safe return gradually…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Electric vehicle (EV) owners are buzzing with frustration following a controversial decision by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to halt the installation of second meters at homes and small businesses. This rule was a direct response to numerous requests from EV enthusiasts who preferred not to upgrade their existing power meters to handle the increased load required for charging their eco-friendly rides. Installing a second meter dedicated solely to EV charging has been a popular choice. It offered a nifty way for owners to monitor their household’s or business’s overall power consumption more effectively. Moreover, it provided a golden opportunity to save some cash by juicing up their cars during off-peak hours when electricity rates are much kinder on the wallet. However, the PEA has revealed that the system faced widespread misuse. Apparently, several customers decided to use their second meters for anything but EV charging, leading to a chaotic…
A motorcycle zips through a security checkpoint in Pattani. (File photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya) Three brave military officers were severely injured in a fiery clash with insurgents, sparked by an attempted apprehension in Pattani, situated in the tumultuous southern border province, early Saturday morning. A dedicated ranger patrol, combined with a robust 50-man special task force, was working expertly on gathered intelligence indicating that a group of insurgents had embedded themselves in Khlong Chang village in the Khok Poh district, precisely at 4 am. The fierce team identified two to three suspected separatists, armed to the teeth and hiding out in the dense area. As dawn broke, around 7 am, amidst the enveloping thick foliage, the insurgents, sensing they were cornered, unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the security personnel. What ensued was nothing short of a tumultuous firefight, punctuated by several explosions that echoed through the forest, as witnesses can…
A visitor eagerly snaps photos of the mesmerizing Hor Nang Usa rock formation in Phu Phra Bat Historical Park, located in the vibrant province of Udon Thani. This park has just achieved a monumental status – it was officially declared a Unesco World Heritage site on a memorable Saturday. (Photo courtesy: Tourism Authority of Thailand) Phu Phra Bat Historical Park in Udon Thani has newly adorned the esteemed list of Unesco World Heritage sites in the coveted cultural category, thus marking Thailand’s ascent with its fifth cultural heritage gem. This prestigious declaration took place during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, hosted in the bustling city of New Delhi. The committee’s citation lauded the park as “a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period.” “While sacred boundary markers for areas of Theravada Buddhist monastic practice vary in materials, extensive use of stones is found only…
Trat province witnessed a dramatic and unexpected incident on a serene Friday night, as about 20 boats got swept into a local canal by a rogue wave measuring over two meters high. As the sun set over the picturesque landscape, residents of tambon Hat Lek in Khlong Yai district found themselves amidst an unsettling chaos, hastily reaching out to local authorities for emergency assistance around 7:40 pm. Around 15 long-tail boats, known for their reliance on the tranquil waters for daily livelihood, and three larger fishing vessels were mercilessly carried away by the towering wave into Ban Khlong Makham canal. The scene was straight out of an action movie, as the wave seemed to emerge from nowhere, causing pandemonium and anxiety among the community. Upon receiving the frantic calls for help, law enforcement and military personnel sprung into action. Their mission: to retrieve the misfortunate boats, assess the damage, and…
In a heart-wrenching scene at Wat Nong Phai in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Muang district, the quiet serenity of a temple was shattered as police and forensic officers inspected a somber sight – two bodies inside a car with a warm charcoal stove. It was a Friday night when monks, who made the grim discovery, reached out for help. The tragic incident involved an electrician and his elder sister, who lived with autism. Around 9 pm, police and rescue workers responded promptly to the monks’ alert at Wat Nong Phai in tambon Phor Klang. Their attention was drawn to a black Toyota Vios, its engine lingering with a low hum. The vehicle, with Nakhon Ratchasima license plates, was eerily parked near a pavilion within the sacred grounds. Inside, Yotthawat Khasabai, a dedicated 40-year-old electrician from the Provincial Electricity Authority’s Nakhon Ratchasima office, was found lifeless in the driver’s seat. His beloved sister,…
In a fervent call to action, civil society groups are urging the government to immediately pinpoint those responsible for the proliferation of blackchin tilapia—a ravenous invasive species wreaking havoc on indigenous aquatic life. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Withoon Lienchamroon, director of the BioThai Foundation, criticized the authorities’ inaction during a seminar titled “Natural Disaster from Blackchin Tilapia,” organized by the foundation and its partners. Withoon recounted a pivotal moment back in 2010 when Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) imported 2,000 blackchin tilapia from Ghana for research and development at their breeding center in tambon Yisan of Amphawa district, Samut Songkhram province. Although CPF assured that all imported fish had perished within three weeks, sightings of these fish were reported just two years later in Khlong Don Chan, Khlong Luang, and Khlong Somboon, near the breeding center. Now, the voracious blackchin tilapia has spread its fins across 17 provinces, from…
The Labour Ministry has stepped in, urging a swift resolution to the unpaid wage crisis that has driven hundreds of workers to the streets in front of Thai Oil’s refinery in Chon Buri since Wednesday. The protest, led by employees of Sinopec Engineering Group (Thailand) Co Ltd, comes after a grueling wait since May for their overdue salaries. In a scene that has rattled the local authorities, officials from a slew of agencies in Chon Buri, including the Department of Provincial Administration office in Sri Racha district, Laem Chabang Police Station, the Labour Protection and Welfare Office, and the Provincial Social Security Office are keeping a close watch. Labour Ministry spokesman Phumiphat Mueanchan disclosed that Sinopec owes a staggering 134 million baht to its 1,000 beleaguered employees, attributing the delay to missed payments from its multinational unincorporated joint venture (UJV) partners, Petrofac, Saipem, and Samsung. The plot thickens as the…
The three-tier Senate poll has emerged as one of the most intricate and problem-laden races in recent memory, drawing a slew of complaints against both the candidates and the Election Commission (EC). The election, which spanned different days and progressively transitioned from district to provincial and national rounds, was mired in controversy from the get-go. Analysts had long predicted this chaos, and they were not disappointed. The country’s inaugural experiment with intra- and inter-professional group Senate polls exposed numerous technical loopholes, careless mistakes, and rampant abuses. Political affiliation stood as one of the core issues driving the wave of complaints lodged with the EC. The notion of political parties covertly lobbying and maneuvering to secure upper House seats was no mere speculation. In reality, many candidates, whether victorious or not, had affiliations with political parties or groups. Post-election reports indicated that numerous winners could not genuinely claim independence as required…
In an increasingly interconnected Southeast Asian landscape, Thailand has firmly reiterated its commitment to mitigating the crisis in Myanmar. During the 57th Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM), held from July 23 to 27 in the bustling city of Vientiane, Laos, Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, eloquently expressed the nation’s readiness to facilitate constructive dialogues among stakeholders. Addressing a myriad of regional leaders and diplomats, Mr. Maris emphasized that integrated efforts—marked by open and constructive talks—are paramount in tackling the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. He made a compelling case for discussions that encompass all key stakeholders, especially those nations sharing borders with Myanmar. Furthermore, he advocated for the inclusion of the Asean Troika, Asean Troika Plus, and special envoys in these dialogues. “We believe that through integration and inclusive dialogue, various parties can gain a better understanding of each other’s limitations and expectations,” Mr. Maris noted. “This harmonized approach is…