In a bizarre twist that could easily be mistaken for a plot from a wildlife-themed heist film, a daring escapade unfolded at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The intrigue thickened as officials from the Thailand Wildlife Enforcement Network, known as Thailand WEN, set their sights on a notorious Sri Lankan smuggler. Endearing names like meerkats and sugar gliders are replaced by something cold-blooded: snakes. And the audacious hiding spot? None other than the smuggler’s underwear. Meet Shehan, a Sri Lankan national with a penchant for illegally trafficking wildlife. His infamous history was enough to pique the interest of Phonlawee Buchakiat, Director of the Wildlife Crime Intelligence Centre. A well-timed whisper in the right ear set the wheels of justice in motion, targeting Shehan’s arrival at the bustling Suvarnabhumi Airport in the pre-dawn hours of July 1. This wasn’t Shehan’s first foray into the realm of illicit animal smuggling. Back in Colombo,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
When people say Red Bull gives you wings, they might just be referring to Chalerm Yoovidhya, whose financial success is practically soaring. As the co-owner of the globally renowned energy drink, Chalerm has clinched the prestigious title of Thailand’s wealthiest man, flaunting an impressive net worth of US$44.5 billion, which is approximately 1.4 trillion baht. According to Forbes magazine, this mind-boggling fortune isn’t just impressive—it skyrocketed by an astounding US$8.5 billion in just a year, marking a phenomenal 24% rise. How did he pull off such a financial feat, you ask? It turns out that nearly 13 billion cans of Red Bull are not just good for giving you energy; they’re also superb at filling up bank accounts. With US$12.9 billion pouring in from global sales, Red Bull’s sales figures propelled Chalerm and the Yoovidhya family to the zenith of wealth rankings, leaving their contemporaries in the dust. But don’t…
In a quaint, sleepy Thai village nestled in Huay Yai, Chon Buri, an audacious daytime heist shattered the peaceful morning air, leaving residents both startled and on edge. On July 3, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., an unassuming trip to the market turned into a nightmare for 67-year-old Siriporn Kerdkum, who returned to her once-cozy abode in disarray, the victim of a brazen burglary that netted more than 130,000 baht in glittering treasures. The suspect, a masked marauder described as average build and standing roughly 165 to 170 cm tall, orchestrated his escape with agility and precision. His ill-gotten gains included two luxurious gold necklaces valued at a sparkling 75,000 baht, a pair of rings totaling 60,000 baht, in addition to a dazzling diamond ring worth 30,000 baht. The thief did not stop there; he also made off with a gemstone ring of 10,000 baht and…
Picture a vast swath of Thailand, marked by 41 provinces, bristling under dark, relentless clouds that are ready to unleash torrents of rain. This is the forecast set for today, as per the latest briefings from the Thai Meteorological Department – a scenario that paints most of North, Northeast, and East Thailand under siege from Mother Nature’s wet wrath. With an ominous 70% of these areas poised to receive heavy rain, the specter of flash floods looms large across the countryside and even the bustling capital of Bangkok. As the potent monsoon trough dances across the upper realms of the north and northeast, bolstered by a mischievous low-pressure cell, the heavens are set to open in earnest. The weather deities seem rather unsparing this time around, offering a preview of the immediate 24-hour weather map that’s unlike any summer dream. Those residing near the alluring hilly terrains and the vicinity…
In the vibrant heart of Nonthaburi province, a stone’s throw from bustling Bangkok, an unsettling tale unfolded that seemed almost stranger than fiction. It all started for a 36-year-old durian vendor with what appeared to be an innocent message on Facebook, but quickly spiraled into a story of deception, blackmail, and legal battles worthy of any thriller book or film. This tale of woe centers around a man known only as “James,” who initially made contact with the vendor on June 29. Their conversation, which began innocuously, soon took a raunchy detour. With the audacity of a Hollywood con artist, James sent an unsolicited photo of his privates, making an outrageous proposal: if the vendor reciprocated with a photo of her own, he would transfer her 500 baht—a sum enticing enough to contemplate but too appalling for words. Initially skeptical, the vendor resorted to a crafty albeit misguided maneuver. She…
In the early dawn of July 3, a sleepy stretch of Bang Kruai-Sai Noi Road was jolted awake by a dramatic accident involving a white Honda Civic. Veering unexpectedly off course, the vehicle collided violently with an electricity pole near the Bang Bua Thong Land Department intersection, marking a shocking scene in the Son Loi subdistrict, nestled in the bustling Bang Bua Thong district of Nonthaburi province. The clock had barely struck 4:30 a.m. when local authorities and emergency services were alerted to the unfolding drama. The swift response team, led by officers from the Bang Bua Thong Police Station in collaboration with the ever-vigilant Ruam Katanyu Foundation, raced to the site. What they discovered was nothing short of a mechanical mayhem: the Honda overturned, embracing the electric pole in a precarious metal embrace. Trapped within the twisted wreckage was the car’s driver, a 29-year-old man named Aphirat. Time was…
Pattaya is a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, endless beaches, and bustling streets. Yet, this year, the city has set its compass directly towards Japan, aiming to lure in the Japanese travelers like never before. The sun-soaked city recently laid out the red carpet with the Pattaya Variety Roadshow to Japan 2025, held in the bustling city of Osaka. The initiative, an ambitious project led by none other than Thitiphan Petchtrakul, the dynamic Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, signifies a grand leap forward in intertwining Pattaya’s allure with the Japanese wanderlust. The city’s charisma was on full display at the event, which brought together some of the most influential figures in the tourism sector. Among them, the notable presence of representatives from Pattaya, Chon Buri PAO, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) didn’t go unnoticed. Welcoming attendees with gracious remarks were Thanawadee Suksakul, the insightful Director of TAT Osaka, and Udomsak…
Picture this: a peaceful drive down Phra Tamnak Road in Pattaya turns into a scene straight out of a disaster movie when a gigantic hole suddenly yawned open near Soi 5. Startled locals stopped in their tracks, gaping at the chasm that had abruptly transformed their street into a perilous venture for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The unexpected sinkhole quickly became the talk of the town, as people swapped tales of close shaves and lucky escapes. But it wasn’t just gossip that spread like wildfire; the Jomtien municipal enforcement team was hot on the heels of the news. Once alerted, the municipal team leapt into action with a level of enthusiasm usually reserved for superhero movies. Equipped with the tools of their trade—and perhaps a touch of superhuman ability—they hurriedly assessed the alarming scene. As they arrived, they were met with a sight that underscored the seriousness of the situation.…
In the heart of Trang province, a dramatic pursuit for justice continues as police unravel the brutal and intricate details behind the shocking murder of 33-year-old Taweechai Promsangchan. This chilling case, revealing links to a sinister drug trafficking network, has captivated the nation with its mix of treachery and tragedy. The saga began with the grim discovery of Taweechai’s body buried deep within a wooded area behind Wat Hua Khao. This discovery set off a chain reaction, uncovering a web of deceit and crime, and exposing the audacious involvement of minors in a murder-for-hire scheme where firearms were shockingly entrusted to their juvenile hands. The grisly task was reportedly commissioned for a hefty sum of 200,000 baht, setting a dark precedent in the underbelly of illicit activities. In a decisive operation on July 2, Police Colonel Ratakorn Phakdiwanit led a raid in the serene yet suddenly infamous Bo Hin subdistrict…
The vibrant corridors of Highway 37 in Thailand are currently undergoing a thrilling transformation that promises to elevate travel experiences in the region. The grand opening of the much-anticipated intersection along the Cha-am bypass has unveiled the dazzling overpass at the Huai Ta Paet intersection in Sampraya subdistrict, nestled within Cha-am district. This infrastructural marvel, which came to life at the tail end of last month, heralds a new era for commuters traveling between Cha-am and Hua Hin, offering an enhanced gateway to both the bustling streets of Bangkok and the serene stretches toward Hua Hin and Pranburi. This development is merely a glimpse into an expansive vision set forth by the Department of Highways, which is spearheading a colossal 50-kilometer extension project to revamp the already busy artery of Highway 37. This ambitious venture, a beacon of modern engineering, will upgrade the existing four-lane thoroughfare to a spacious six-lane…