Posts published in “Thailand”

The sight of a bag hanging outside the Pink Line train on Thursday created quite the stir, leaving doors improperly closed and causing a mini-crisis (Photo: Pink Line operator). In a city bustling with commuters, a scene like this is enough to halt everyone’s breath for a moment. The spectacle led to the transport minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, taking swift action. He commanded the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) to discipline Northern Bangkok Monorail Co (NBM), operators of the Pink Line which stretches between Khae Rai in Nonthaburi and Min Buri in northern Bangkok. The drama unfolded last Thursday, with the incident becoming a hot topic over the weekend. Imagine the passengers’ shock when the train crew opened a faulty carriage door while the monorail was perched between stations, presenting an unexpected, dizzying view of the urban landscape far below. “Safety on public transport is paramount and non-negotiable,” stated a resolute…

(Photo: Bangkok Post file) In a dramatic series of raids spanning Kuala Lumpur and the neighboring Selangor state, Malaysian authorities have detained 39 foreign women, with 22 of them hailing from Thailand. These women were implicated in offering illicit massages that included sexual services. The operations were carried out by the Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division on a bustling Friday, but the news didn’t break until Sunday, according to the New Straits Times. Leading the charge, Mohamad Farouk Eshak, a senior official from the specialized division, reported that out of the detained women, 22 were Thai nationals. The remaining detainees comprised of six women from Laos, five from Vietnam, five from Indonesia, and one from Cambodia. “We arrested 39 women aged between 19 and 50 who were suspected of working as masseuses and sex workers,” Farouk Eshak was quoted as saying. The division—an elite unit within the Malaysian police…

(Photo: Pink Line operator) The transport minister has issued strict disciplinary actions against the Pink Line operator due to a hair-raising incident involving a commuter’s bag and an errant train door. The incident, described as a serious lapse in safety protocols, has prompted immediate measures to address the situation. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, speaking on Sunday, confirmed that the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) would hold Northern Bangkok Monorail Co (NBM) accountable for the startling occurrence on the Pink Line, which connects Khae Rai in Nonthaburi to Min Buri in northern Bangkok. “The safety of public transportation is paramount and non-negotiable,” asserted Mr. Suriya, echoing the public’s concern over the dangerous lapse in protocol. Acting MRTA Governor Vithaya Punmongkol added that the MRTA had authorised disciplinary actions against NBM, pointing out the significant security risks posed to passengers. According to NBM, the troubling episode took place at 7:01 AM on…

As the sun set on another bustling day in Bangkok’s Chinatown, the Yaowarat district was abruptly plunged into chaos. Flames licked eagerly at the night sky, turning tranquility into terror. Amidst the turmoil, a single firefighter’s silhouette etched against the fiery glow as he meticulously hosed down the smoldering debris of a gutted building in the Trok Pho community. His purpose was clear: ensure the inferno does not reignite and wreck further havoc. In the aftermath of this devastating blaze that erupted on Saturday night, over 260 individuals found themselves in desperate need of assistance. This number, as cited by the permanent secretary for human security, Anukul Peedkaew, included a significant proportion of migrant workers — the lifeblood of the Yaowarat area. By Sunday, 264 distressed souls had flocked to the Samphanthawong district office, seeking solace and aid. Most were migrants, now rendered homeless, their lives upended in a flash.…

Rescue volunteers sprang into action on a bustling Saturday night, assisting a bewildered foreigner who found himself tangled up in a rather sticky situation on the Kathu-Patong beach road in the picturesque locale of Phuket. The scene unfolded as the foreigner was extricated from a van he had allegedly commandeered under quite peculiar circumstances. Let’s rewind the tape a bit. The clock struck around 9 PM when Pol Lt Pongpipat Khamchompoo, the deputy superintendent at Patong, received an urgent report. A van had collided with another vehicle en route to the vibrant and ever-popular Patong Beach. The accident was particularly eye-catching as both vans bore different registration plates—one from Songkhla, driven by the foreigner, and the other from Phuket. Fortunately, it turned out that both drivers only suffered minor injuries. However, the nationality and further details about the foreigner remained a mystery under wraps. The backstory unfurls like a plot…

An instant alert message appears on a mobile phone in five languages during the live test by True mobile operator last Wednesday. (Photo: True Corporation) Brace yourselves, Thailand! A groundbreaking alert system promising to revolutionize public safety is gearing up for an early 2024 debut. Initially slated for a mid-2025 release, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has amped things up, aiming for a much earlier launch. Imagine receiving life-saving alerts in a snap, whether you’re a local or just sightseeing. You’ll hear the crucial news in five dynamic languages—Thai, English, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian—without the need to download any additional apps. The notifications will be delivered through striking images and crisp audio to ensure everyone is fully informed. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke couldn’t contain his excitement as he confirmed the expedited timeline. The collaborative effort spans multiple agencies, including mobile phone operators and the Department of Disaster Prevention…

Trok Pho community in Yaowarat is on fire late Saturday night. (Photo: Warunwipa Kasempongpanit) A fire that roared through a packed community in Yaowarat, Bangkok’s vibrant and bustling Chinatown, was brought under control late Saturday night. Miraculously, there were no fatalities, though 30 individuals required medical treatment. The blaze began in the Trok Pho community on Yaowarat Road in Samphanthawong district around 8:42 pm on Saturday evening. This long-standing 3,200-square-metre community, dotted with about 30 wooden houses, found itself engulfed in flames. The response was swift but intense. Approximately 40 fire engines were deployed to battle the inferno. After several hours of relentless effort, firefighters declared the fire under control at 11:16 pm. The fire not only wreaked havoc on the community but also damaged parts of the seven-story New Empire Hotel. Thanks to the quick thinking and skill of firefighters, guests were safely rescued using the hydraulic lift of…

The vibrant heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown, the Trok Pho community, was abruptly thrust into chaos late on Saturday night. A raging inferno erupted at around 9 PM, reducing the bustling quarter to a scene of devastation. This catastrophic fire left approximately 30 people injured, although, thankfully, no fatalities were reported. The flames sprang to life in the Trok Pho community along Yaowarat Road, nestled in the Samphanthawong district. Firefighters were quick to respond to the call at 8:42 PM that night, racing against time to combat the blaze that threatened to engulf the 3,200-square-meter area. This densely populated zone was a labyrinth of about 30 wooden homes, which only added fuel to the fire’s voracious appetite. The daring rescue operation saw the deployment of around 40 fire engines, their sirens piercing through the smoky night air. It was a fierce battle, but the firefighters managed to wrest control of the…

In the bustling province of Pathum Thani, the air is rife with political intrigue and unanswered questions. The spotlight is firmly on Charn Phuangphet, a name that has recently resonated through the corridors of local governance. The looming question? Will he, or won’t he, officially become the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) chairman? Pathum Thani’s provincial bigwigs, including Governor Passakorn Bunyaluck, are playing a cautious game of wait-and-see. “No moves yet,” Governor Passakorn affirmed with a hint of cautious optimism. The ball is in the Election Commission’s (EC) court, as the official confirmation of Charn’s election victory is still pending. Charn, representing the Pheu Thai Party, stirred up quite a buzz by winning the local poll just last Sunday. This win, however, isn’t straightforward. Suspicion lingers like an unfinished book series about Charn’s past when he helmed the PAO over a decade ago, drawing scrutiny for alleged malfeasance. The crux of…

Pathum Thani’s provincial authorities are treading carefully in adherence to the directives of the Interior Ministry and the legal counsel from the Council of State (CoS) regarding the heated dilemma involving the provincial administrative organization (PAO) chairman. Governor Passakorn Bunyaluck assured that no decisive actions have been taken thus far since the Election Commission (EC) has yet to officially endorse the election results that saw Charn Phuangphet clinch the PAO chairman role last Sunday. “As the overseer of local administrative entities, I am bound to act following the Interior Ministry’s guidelines, regulations, and the CoS’ legal standpoints,” declared Mr. Passakorn. Charn, the Pheu Thai Party’s aspirant, secured victory in the local polls on June 30, despite a cloud of skepticism lingering due to an ongoing malfeasance lawsuit from his previous stint as PAO chairman over ten years ago. The Region 1 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases had suspended…