Posts published in “Thailand”

In the heart of Thailand’s Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, a fascinating scene unfolds as throngs of devotees converge on the Ruesi Nen Hermitage. Their mission? To seek blessings and fortuitous energies, especially as the eagerly awaited lottery draws loom near. Nestled in the Pho Taeng subdistrict of Bang Sai district, this revered locale entices individuals eager to better their fortunes and alter the course of their destiny. The hermitage is a veritable tapestry of venerable figures and deities. Pilgrims pay homage to the nine-faced Thao Wessuwan, gaze upon the world’s largest Phra Phrom, and honor Jao Mae Takhian. Ganesha, Phra Sangkachai, Luang Pho Mi of Tham Chindamani, and the captivating Kumarn Thong Jao Sua Heng also bask in their devoted admiration. Recently, this sanctified haven witnessed an extraordinary guest—a visitor with an offering that weighed in at a staggering 100 kilograms of mangosteen. Meet Panat, a spirited 35-year-old homestay…

Amid the sun-soaked beaches and vibrant nightlife of Pattaya, a tale unravels that could be ripped straight from a gripping crime thriller. On June 26, 2025, Russian journalist David, a spry 26-year-old with an eye for a good story, found himself in the midst of one more dangerous than he could ever have penned. An alleged escape artist act? Perhaps, but the reality was far darker. Picture this: a labyrinthine hotel on Jomtien Soi 14, handcuffs clattering in pursuit of an elusive freedom. David had been attacked by compatriots, fellow Russians, under the sinister cover of a black bag that obscured more than just his vision. The attackers, cloaked in malice and pulsing adrenaline, were not just content with a simple assault. Oh no, they went the extra mile, ensuring the threat lingered across borders by sending a menacing video straight to David’s girlfriend. Their final demands were unmerciful: a…

Yesterday, the peaceful district of Doi Saket in Chiang Mai was jolted by the tragic demise of 33-year-old Kritsada Ketprasatkon. As the sun hovered high in the sky at 12:43 p.m., a heart-wrenching motorcycle accident unfolded along the Chiang Rai-Doi Saket road, close to the tranquil Ban Pa Daeng village. Kritsada’s fate took a grim turn when his motorcycle spiraled out of control, ultimately colliding with an unyielding metal barrier. The violent impact resulted in his untimely death and left his motorcycle engulfed in a fierce blaze. Police Lieutenant Ittikay Rungklang, a vigilant deputy inspector stationed at the Doi Saket Police Station, swiftly responded to the distressing call, accompanied by a doctor from the local Doi Saket Hospital. By the time they arrived, the selfless heroes from the Sawang Samret Chiang Mai Foundation were already at the disaster site, valiantly battling the flames with chemical extinguishers. Yet, the motorcycle emerged…

In a heartening display of leadership and empathy, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited Chiang Rai yesterday, June 28, as she rolled up her sleeves to offer immediate relief to flood-stricken residents. Even though the waters have ebbed by over 80%, the aftermath of the deluge has left many still struggling to secure the essentials. PM Paetongtarn, with her entourage including Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich and other top brass, touched down in the township of Phaya Mengrai, ensuring those affected were not left high and dry. Her boots-on-the-ground approach took her to Baan Sop Pao, tambon Mae Pao, a locality showing tough resilience in challenging times. The provincial governor, Charin Thongsuk, expressed optimism that the region’s spirits would buoy back to normalcy, assuming the skies don’t open up with further rains. With the water having receded substantially, the team on the ground is ready to dive into assessing the damage,…

In recent days, the Department of Disease Control has confirmed a significant outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) spreading across the country, notably impacting children under the age of five. According to the savvy Deputy Government Spokesperson, Anukul Prueksa-anurak, this troubling rise in HFMD cases is perfectly aligned with the early onset of the rainy season this year. As if right on cue, the cooler temperatures and increased humidity have created a playground for this pesky virus, making conditions ideal for HFMD to rear its ugly—albeit minuscule—head. Between January 1 and June 25, there have been 21,315 reported cases, with the smallest of our population bearing the brunt—15,753 cases among children younger than four years, 4,658 cases in children aged five to nine, and 544 cases in those between 10 and 14 years old. Kids are asking, “Why us?” as they fight off the uninvited viral culprits who…

In the bustling coastal city of Pattaya, Thailand, a young man named Sarawut Phuthotham found himself in quite a predicament. It wasn’t your run-of-the-mill flat tire or a traffic jam blocking his way to work—no, it was the absence of his beloved ride altogether. His trusty two-wheeled companion, a spiffy red and black Honda MSX, had gone missing, whisked away into the unknown after what seemed like a harmless lending to a former coworker. Sarawut, at the tender age of 25, never thought his goodwill gesture would lead to such a wild goose chase. On June 24, a day like any other, Beer—a coworker he’d only known for a couple of months—asked to borrow the motorcycle for a quick errand. Promising a speedy return, Beer vanished into thin air. Hours stretched into eternity, leaving Sarawut with growing suspicion and frustration. With each futile attempt to reach Beer—a name now synonymous…

In an undercover operation that seems straight out of a thriller, police recently laid bare illicit activities unfolding behind the serene façade of a well-known traditional massage parlour in Lop Buri’s Mueang district. On June 29th, officers, in a tactical sleuth move, went incognito as regular clientele and unwound with an hour-long oil massage. But let’s just say, the semblance of relaxation soon took a racy twist when they were slyly offered extracurricular ‘services.’ Cue the heavy metallic jingle of handcuffs. This cloak-and-dagger mission was the brainchild of Police Major General Songkrod Krikkritaya, who tasked Police Colonel Warit Pathumarak and the astute Police Lieutenant Colonel Supot Thongmaeng to spearhead the sting operation. These officers, flanked by vigilant Lop Buri health officials, were not just there for the massage – they were on a grave mission, which resulted in multiple arrests. A gritty expose indeed, but one needed to uproot the…

Driving down the bustling Chok Chai-Det Udom Road, you might think you’re embarking on a smooth journey. But sometimes, a hidden menace lurks beneath the wheels—potholes, ready to spring an unwelcome surprise. On a seemingly ordinary day, a black Toyota Alphard with a very distinguished passenger list hit one such crater, transforming a routine drive into a white-knuckle adventure. As luck, fate, or just poor road maintenance would have it, this particular Alphard carried the famous Phra Mahanarinthep Narintho, lovingly known as Luang Por Maha Noi. Steering back from Suvarnabhumi Airport after what was likely an enlightening trip to India, the venerable monk was barely ten kilometers from serene Non Din Daeng when destiny took the wheel. The journey was tranquil until—bam!—the Alphard jolted over a clandestine pothole. It was the kind of gap in the road that tests both your reflexes and your suspension. The right rear tyre didn’t…

In a stormy twist of fate that left the heart of the fishing community in Chumphon province shattered, a tragic incident unfolded on the evening of June 28, 2025. As the sun dipped below the horizon, turning the sky a deep shade of indigo, tragedy struck aboard a fishing vessel, painting the scene with heart-rending hues of grief. This was not a tale of the sea surrendering its bounty to the hardy fishermen, but one of nature’s cruel game, where three brave souls met their untimely demise. It was just past 8:30 p.m. when the tranquility of the vessel was shattered; the ominous specter of toxic gas emerged from the depths of the fish storage compartment. In a harrowing attempt to rescue a colleague, the predicament spiraled into a succession of ill-fated attempts that resulted in even more casualties. It was the emergency services at Rak Sinlatham Pak Nam Chumphon…

Protesters in the thousands painted the streets of Bangkok yesterday with their presence, convening at none other than the iconic Victory Monument. Their rallying cry? Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s resignation, echoing loudly through the city air. This formidable assembly swelled, thanks to a leaked phone call implicating her in a conversation with former Cambodian leader, Hun Sen. A historic moment unfolded, as this marked the largest dissenting gathering since the Pheu Thai Party ascended to power in 2023. Leading the charge was the Ruam Palang Paendin Pokpong Athipatai, a formidable group meaning “United Power of the Land to Protect Sovereignty.” With eagle eye precision, police employed drones to survey the boisterous crowd, reporting an assembly of 6,000 by mid-afternoon. Police Major General Thawat Wongsanga, the man of the hour and deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, anticipated numbers would surge past 10,000 as evening approached. Interestingly, this diverse crowd…