On a day, not unlike any other, an intriguing tale unfolded in the serene confines of the Rayong province. Sporting a picturesque backdrop, the narrative involves a renowned school principal, a coterie of teachers, and a speculated controversy that would pique any investigative enthusiast. The esteemed Anti-Corruption Office (ACO), acting as the custodian of law and order, delved deep into this compelling storyline involving individuals from the respected banquet of Ban Pluak Daeng School. In the age of social media, where every click and share determines one’s image and reputation, a few photos became the catalyst for this intrigue. Shared widely across various platforms, these innocuous snapshots showcased the school staff, the principal, and teachers alike, reveling in a boat trip. The serenity and grandeur of the Ratchaprapha Dam seemed to be the perfect backdrop for their outing during their work trip extending across Surat Thani and Phang Nga provinces.…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a recent public announcement, the Department of Corrections has confirmed that Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, is set to extend his stay at the Police General Hospital. Shinawatra, who is currently serving a prison term, was granted an extension on his hospital stay, following his initial 60-day out-of-prison period, which had reached its end on October 23rd. This development came as a result of a recommendation provided by Sahakarn Phetnarin, director-general of the Department of Corrections. The decision was based on professional medical advice, as disclosed by the department in their official press statement over the weekend. The statement further revealed that the necessity for Shinawatra’s ongoing treatment was proposed by physicians from the Bangkok Remand Prison, hence the need for him to remain admitted at the Police General Hospital. The statement carefully noted that the specifics around his medical condition could not be made public due to…
Under the veil of darkness in the early hours of yesterday, the tranquil ambiance of Tak Bai district, nestled in the southern province of Narathiwat on the Thailand-Malaysia border, was shattered by suspected insurgents. This remote region, famous for its gold shops and refreshing landscape, turned into a battlefield as a series of devastating attacks were orchestrated one after another. The first indication of trouble came when an improvised explosive device (IED), ingeniously assembled inside an innocuous-looking fire extinguisher cylinder, went off outside a prosperous gold store in the Chehe subdistrict. The officer-in-charge at the crime scene, Tak Bai Station’s acting chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Jarukit Sridech, reported that the shockwave from the explosion caused significant damage to the shop front. In a testament to fortune and quick response, the incident amazingly resulted in no casualties. Soon after, a barrage of furious gunfire thundered through the calm night from a…
Consider this a rallying call to all farmers in Buri Ram, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Songkhla: there’s an unwelcome guest making rounds amidst your soil and water crop reservoirs, causing grave implications. This uninvited entity, Melioidosis, otherwise known as Whitmore’s disease, has been claiming lives in these regions. This infamous bacterial infection, courtesy of a fungus called Burkholderia pseudomallei, thrives in damp environmentsâ contaminated soil, watercourses, rice paddies, and cropping farms. The annual cycle of melioidosis has hit its zenith with the arrival of spring, raising the alarm bells across health care offices. Farmers’ hearts sink and their faces drop at the mention of this rural menace. Allow me to shed light on the escalating situation. The baton of delivering this crucial message has been passed on to Dr Taweechai Wisanuyothin, esteemed chief of the DDC Office 9. Dr Taweechai didn’t mince his words as he sounded the klaxon on Saturday,…
In the clutches of law enforcement are three individuals implicated in an expansive meat smuggling scheme. The arrest comes as a result of relentless investigative work by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). Through their unwavering effort, they have uncovered, not one, but five companies entwined in this illicit trade. Sources revealed during a press update on Saturday that the captured threesome go by the undercover names of Manee, Ran, and Mon. Following a successful operation that saw officers scour through the labyrinthine streets of Prawet and Lat Prao districts in Bangkok, the suspects were rounded up from their hideoutsâa private residence and an unsuspecting commercial space respectively. Heading the abovementioned operations center is the steadfast Witthawat Sukhontharos, who was able to offer further details about the arrests. With a trail of evidence strong enough to convince the court for arrest warrants, the trio were hauled in on October 19.…
In an unprecedented move, officials from the Department of Medical Sciences surprised local commuters by offering complimentary assessments of blood pressure and oxygen levels at the Ministry of Public Health outpost located on the MRT Purple Line in Nonthaburi, earlier this year in May. This unique initiative was cheered by many (even captured vividly in a photograph by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) and was hailed as an ingenious step towards public health awareness. Running parallel to this, a significant and concerning development has emerged in the pharmaceutical industry. The esteemed Food and Drug Administration (FDA), responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical treatments, has recently issued a recall of 42 separate batches of high blood pressure medication from five distinct manufacturers. Their reasoning? Contaminants found in these batches that could potentially cause cancer. The atypical contaminant, azidomethyl biphenyl tetrazole (AZBT), has been found in specific versions of a drug known…
A multinational endeavor brokered by Thai and Myanmar authorities is currently underway with the aim of repatriating 120 Thai citizens back to their native country. Kanchana Patarachok, an authoritative mouthpiece for the Foreign Ministry, shed light on the operation in a Sunday communique. According to the details, the contingent of Thais in dire straits in Myanmar consists of 90 men and 30 women, allegedly deceived by an internet syndicate into taking up unnamed work in the region of Laukkaing, a northern pocket of Myanmar’s Shan State nestled intimately close to the Chinese border. The spokesperson, Ms. Kanchana, indicated that the specific nature of the Thais’ work abroad hadn’t immediately come to light during the initial stages of these unfolding events. Making the matter more intricate, she elaborated her previous discourse by mentioning a recent relayed message from Mongkol Wisitstump. As the Thai ambassador to Yangon, Mongkol communicated to the Thai…
In the early hours of a recent Sunday, a club in the Lam Luk Ka district of Pathum Thani found itself the target of a surprise raid. MEM Exclusive Club, or MEM Pub, was packed with about 300 patrons, oblivious to the impending descent of authorities from the Department of Provincial Administration, the Region 1 Office of the Narcotic Control Board, and a local team of territorial defence volunteers. The ensuing events are as captivating as they are alarmingly real. Renowned for its night-long parties, MEM Pub is nestled on Hathairat road in Lat Sasai, Lam Luk Ka. The humming district is known for its lively nightlife. However, that Sunday morning at 1:45am, MEM Exclusive Club became the center of attention, thanks to a decisive operation led by Ansit Sampantarat, the director-general of the Interior Ministry’s Department of Provincial Administration. Curiously, no police personnel were involved in the operation; only…
With heavy hearts, Thailand bids goodbye to a prominent figure of the Muslim community as Aziz Phitakkumpol, the 18th Chularajmontri, surrenders to the clasp of death. At 76, the sheik’s journey on this mortal plane came to an end on a quiet Sunday morning in a Bangkok hospital, drawing the curtains on an era. Aziz was more than just the spiritual guide to the Muslim population of Thailand; he was their rock, their guiding star, their lighthouse in a storm. The untimely news of Aziz’s passing was delivered by the Sheikul Islam Office, creating a ripple of shock and grief across the nation. His death at 10:32 am on that fateful Sunday, within the comforting walls of the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, seemed an irony in light of the tragedy that unfolded the day prior. Barely had the waters calmed from the violent storm of Saturday when Aziz’s younger brother,…
In the exotic eastern province of Trat, the Ko Chang islands were agog with activity over a lush three-day weekend. As reported by the esteemed Polwaree Buchakiat, head of the magnificent Mu Ko Chang National Park, it was a fascinating spectacle of visitors in droves, particularly tour groups, landing on the Ko Chang islands. The surge in crowd volume was influenced by the notable King Chulalongkorn Day and the sweet, relief-inducing end of a particularly intense school session. Visitors explored the serene beauty of nature, with countless footprints left at the Klong Plu and Than Mayom waterfalls. The allure of the crystal-infused waters lured many to the majestic dive sites off the neighboring Mu Ko Rang islands, creating a spectacle for the eyes and soul. Polwaree Buchakiat, the park chief, was not left unimpressed by the hive of activities the islands witnessed this month. The Mu Ko Chang National Park…