In a chilling turn of events on the bustling streets of Bangkok, a shocking hit-and-run incident has unraveled, turning the normally serene morning into a scene of tragedy and outrage. As dawn broke on June 29, a red Mini Cooper became an instrument of devastation when it violently collided with a motorcycle near the entrance of Soi Phetkasem 19, leaving behind heartbreak and a community in shock. The serene morning ambiance was shattered, as the nimble Cooper descended a bridge with alarming speed, striking the motorcycle and sending its riders, 27-year-old taxi driver Dulyawat Nilkoet and his passenger, a 30-year-old woman known simply as Jittima, hurtling onto the unforgiving asphalt. The impact was catastrophic; Dulyawat suffered grievous head injuries, while Jittima succumbed to her injuries shortly after being rushed to the hospital. This somber tableau wasn’t enough to deter the Cooper’s driver, who, instead of extending a helping hand, chose…
Posts published in “Thailand”
As the sun set on June 30, the Thai Ministry of Public Health took another calculated step in the nation’s evolving relationship with cannabis. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) unveiled the P.T.33 form, a standardized prescription form that’s shaking up Thailand’s medical landscape. It’s a big move designed to ensure that the green leaf’s reputation isn’t clouded in misuse or fogged with confusion. “Order out of chaos!” That’s essentially the mantra of Dr. Somruk Chungsaman, the Director-General of DTAM, who spearheaded this initiative to tame the green beast with bureaucracy. The legendary P.T.33 is like a superhero cape for doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and even traditional healers. But more than a fashion statement, it’s a vital tool for those permitted to dispense cannabis for fifteen well-documented conditions. Each form carries the weight of rigorous bureaucracy, demanding patient specifics down to personal identifiers and even the intricacies of…
A ferocious storm swept through Bangkok last weekend, leaving chaos in its wake and sending one mammoth banyan tree crashing down in a rather spectacular and unexpected manner. This natural titan, with roots deep in history and trunk as sturdy as determination itself, wasn’t content with a mere topple—it had to make its grand exit by flattening a series of bank ATMs in front of the Din Daeng 2 Housing Authority office. A moment of wild nature flexing its muscles, you might say. Yet amidst this whirlwind of destruction, one woman’s unyielding spirit stood taller than the storm. As shattered machinery and precarious positions claimed the spotlight, she calmly continued her cash withdrawal inside one of the violently leaning booths. Her zen-like focus mid-chaos was immortalized in a photograph that quickly gained traction online. It seems nothing, not even Mother Nature swinging a heavy right hook, could prevent this woman…
In a story that sounds like it dropped straight out of a Hollywood thriller, an Indian passenger arriving from exotic Bangkok lit up the headlines—and airport security—at Mumbai’s bustling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. His claim to fame or infamy, depending on who you ask? An audacious—and quite frankly, slippery—attempt to smuggle 16 live snakes into the country. Yes, you heard that right, live snakes! They’re a lot harder to pack than a toothbrush, but this jet-setting daredevil was up for the challenge. The curious and scaly conundrum unfolded on June 27 as authorities patrolling Flight 6E1052 took notice of one particularly jittery flyer. His nerves were apparently more tangled than a pack of, well, snakes, which nudged the customs officers to take a closer look at his luggage. Their curiosity was rewarded with a scene that could make Indiana Jones weep—a cache of snakes writhing in their clandestine cotillion,…
Amidst the tropical landscape of Thailand, the province of Saraburi bore witness to a heart-wrenching tragedy as a fire raged through a tissue factory nestled in the Hemaraj Industrial Estate. It was an ordinary June 30, or so it seemed, until the clock struck noon and the inconceivable disaster struck, sending plumes of inky black smoke spiraling into the serene blue sky above the Bua Loi subdistrict in the Nong Khae district. The scene was chaotic as the flames found a willing accomplice in the combustible tissue paper, which fueled the rapid spread of the fire. By the time the rescue teams were able to wrestle the inferno under control, the once thriving 16,000-square-metre establishment stood as a charred shell of its former self. The three-storey factory, known for its dual role as a production powerhouse and office space, was almost completely razed, the dreams and livelihoods once nurtured within…
Ahoy, weather adventurers! Get ready to grab your raincoat and boots because the clouds above Thailand are preparing quite the show. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has rolled up its sleeves and issued a weather warning which basically translates to “pack an umbrella and maybe a snorkel.” It’s going to start raining cats and dogs, especially in the lush south, with a 40% chance, while the north, northeast, central, and eastern regions, including our dear Bangkok, brace themselves with a 60 to 70% possibility. Yes, there’s no escaping it—Raindrop Festival is here! In the next 24 hours, expect raindrops as big as mangoes in several provinces as the moderate southwest monsoon teams up with a low-pressure sneaky trickster over northern Vietnam. These two shifty culprits invite residents to stay on their toes for dangers related to heavy and accumulated rainfall. Got a sailboat? You might want to reconsider that sunset…
Thailand’s cannabis industry is on the cusp of a monumental transformation. A landscape once brimming with opportunity and audacious entrepreneurial spirit is about to witness a drastic shift, courtesy of the country’s newly imposed regulations. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) has unveiled a batch of stringent rules that could see as many as 12,000 cannabis flower shops close their doors by year-end, marking a critical juncture in Thailand’s burgeoning cannabis sector. The announcement was made in no uncertain terms by Dr. Somruek Chungsaman, DTAM Director General, on June 30. The decree heralds an era where the sale of cannabis will fall under the authoritative scrutiny of certified medical professionals, a stipulation that effectively raises the bar for retailers who must now operate within the confines of far stricter prescription mandates—or risk grave consequences, including closure. This regulatory overhaul demands that all cannabis prescriptions be issued exclusively…
In an astonishing turn of events that could rival the plot of a suspenseful crime thriller, a Canadian national found himself in handcuffs at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Caught red-handed by vigilant customs officers, he attempted a brazen, albeit bizarre, smuggling operation using women’s handbags to freight over three kilograms of heroin. The incident, which took place on the eve of June 30, underscores the lengths individuals will go to for a quick fortune — and the sheer unpredictability of what airport security may encounter. The suspect, en route to Taiwan, faced scrutiny when the savvy eyes of customs officials noticed an odd bulkiness. The bags, seemingly innocent and filled with everyday items like clothes and shoes, didn’t sit right. Once these bags passed through the X-ray scanner, their suspicions were all but confirmed. Upon closer examination, within the seemingly ordinary suitcase, lay an extraordinary discovery. Nestled inside the secret…
In a year glittering with accolades and milestones, Walailak University in Bangkok has clinched the top spot globally for its groundbreaking work in promoting gender equality. This esteemed honor comes as part of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, where the university outshone many to emerge as the leader in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender Equality. This remarkable achievement has not only put Walailak University on the world map, but it has also set a new benchmark for educational institutions around the globe. The delight surrounding this recognition was vividly shared by Anukool Pruksanusak, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, who announced this marvelous feat. As he congratulated the university, he shared how the Thai government viewed this accomplishment as a testament to the dedication and aspiration of the Thai educational community, eager to leave a mark in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development…
In a candid disclosure on June 30, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand stepped into the spotlight to unravel the mystery behind the collapse of Bangkok’s State Audit Office building. According to the intrepid leader, the disaster stemmed from a medley of flawed design and construction techniques—an unfortunate symphony resulting in structural dissonance. These revelations came hot on the heels of a thorough final investigation report, which was a collaborative masterpiece crafted by the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, in partnership with technological wizards from Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. Utilizing state-of-the-art seismic modeling, the experts embarked on a meticulous evaluation to measure the ripple effects of vibrations. Their findings were like a chorus, harmoniously in agreement across all participating teams. While the building materials, such as the robust steel and tenacious concrete, cleared their reputational hurdle, the methods employed…