In a heart-wrenching turn of events on a rain-soaked afternoon, tragedy and resilience collided on a quiet road in Mukdahan province. The day began with a sense of purpose for the family of three, intent on visiting a loved one at the hospital amidst a whimsical spring shower. Unbeknownst to them, nature had other plans. A towering tree, its roots weakened by the persistent rainfall, succumbed to gravity’s unyielding pull and toppled onto their moving pickup truck. In a single, devastating moment, Supot, aged 54, and his beloved wife, Thonglek, aged 49, lost their lives. The couple leave behind not just memories, but also their 16-year-old daughter who miraculously survived with only minor injuries, a testament to her resilience and perhaps a touch of divine providence. It was the kind of calamity that turns a mundane journey into a headline, shaking a community to its core. The incident occurred on…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine yourself immersed in the gentle charm of Bangkok’s illustrious riverine scenery, your senses attuned to the rhythmic lapping of the Chao Phraya River just outside your window. Here, nestled within the enchanting teak pavilion of Salathip at Shangri-La Bangkok, an extraordinary culinary escapade awaits: a seasonal menu that celebrates the remarkable flavors of giant Ayutthaya River prawns. This remarkable dining experience is set to delight guests from now until June 30, 2025, transforming any ordinary dinner into an unforgettable journey. Guiding this gourmet voyage is none other than Thai Chef de Cuisine, Yanavit Theerasomboonkun. Known for his visionary approach to traditional flavors, Chef Yanavit presents a trio of meticulously crafted dishes, each a testament to the incomparable taste of these prized crustaceans. First up, dive into the simple yet sublime grilled giant prawns, expertly paired with both a sweet fish sauce and a zesty seafood sauce that dances upon…
In an audacious push toward redefining international trade, the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) is fervently revamping the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link (SKRL). This ambitious initiative aspires to transform Thailand into a premier logistical and investment nucleus, driving the global trading narrative forward. DRT deputy director-general Atiphu Jittanukrao recently spearheaded a lively seminar aimed at gathering essential insights from key stakeholders regarding the potential and pitfalls of the groundbreaking SKRL endeavor. Brimming with enthusiasm, Mr. Atiphu disclosed that top-tier studies on the SKRL’s operational scope and possible limitations are being hurriedly conducted to catapult its functionality and efficacy in the realm of commerce. Originating from the iconic high-speed rail trajectory stretching from Bangkok to Nong Khai, which emerged from a 2014 memorandum of understanding (MoU), the SKRL project has been earmarked as a flagship component in Thailand’s logistics blueprint. Poised for success, the railway network will majestically traverse eight diverse countries,…
The bustling city of Bangkok, with its vibrant streets and rich cultural tapestry, might soon hear the roaring engines and screeching tires of a Formula One (F1) street race. Yes, you heard it right! The government is crafting a bold plan to host a glamorous F1 race right in the heart of Thailand by 2028. The whispers of approval are getting louder, with the cabinet expected to roll out the red carpet for this audacious endeavor as soon as next week. Government spokesperson, the enthusiastic Jirayu Huangsap, proudly shared some electrifying news. Picture this: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has just triumphantly wrapped up a whirlwind tour to the sophisticated locales of the United Kingdom and Monaco. Her four-day diplomatic dash, culminating on Sunday, was anything but fleeting, serving up significant strides particularly in the realm of trade talks and overcoming various hurdles faced by Thai goods in European markets. Amidst…
In the dizzying arena of Thai politics, where alliances and rivalries twist and turn like a soap opera, last week’s headline caught the public’s attention: Jatuporn Prompan and Sondhi Limthongkul, two titans of opposing political factions, embraced. Their public hug at Thammasat University wasn’t just a gesture; it was a seismic shift in the political landscape, akin to Batman shaking hands with the Joker on the Gotham City skyline. Jatuporn, once the fiery head of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship and a close confidant of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Sondhi, who had been his staunch adversary under the banner of the People’s Alliance for Democracy. This improbable partnership, forged under the glittering Bangkok sun, was formed to challenge the very man whose influence lingers like a shadow over the Pheu Thai Party: Thaksin himself. How did this dramatic twist come to pass? It turns…
In a plot twist straight out of a dramatic weather thriller, Chiang Mai has found itself battered by relentless torrential rains that have left numerous areas swimming (quite literally) in chaos. San Pa Tong district, the most beleaguered of them all, has likely caught Mother Nature’s wrath the hardest. If the local grapevine or, rather, the alert issued by local authorities is anything to go by, a staggering 729 households have been rudely awakened by these uninvited flash floods since the break of dawn. Keen to stay ahead of the cresting floodwaters, residents have been advised to shuffle any precious belongings to higher ground. This precautionary move is more urgent than ever with the cantankerous Huai Mae Khan stream threatening to spill its contents all the way from the neighboring Samoeng district. In some persistent areas like Ban Klang and Thung Satok, stubborn floodwaters continue to assert dominance, turning roads…
In a move that’s set to revolutionize northern travel in Thailand, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) chief, Veeris Ammarapala, recently took a grand tour of the latest upgrades on the tracks stretching between Khok Kathiam and Pak Nam Pho. With the literal crunch of gravel and steel underfoot, Veeris inaugurated the shiny new double-track that promises to whisk more trains, more swiftly, to and from the North. This upgrade isn’t just a standalone showpiece, but a pivotal chapter in a grander vision. The Northern Line is having a whole Cinderella transformation, with the section between Ban Klap station in Saraburi and Pak Nam Pho in Nakhon Sawan getting a snazzy upgrade to double tracks, all to boost its traffic prowess. Spanning a daunting 148 kilometers, this route meanders through 19 stations and flashes past five halts, whispering tales of destinations yet unexplored. But that’s not all; a bustling new…
In a riveting twist of fate, the gears of justice are once again set in motion as the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) edges closer to unraveling the enigmatic circumstances surrounding the catastrophic collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok. With an air of steadfast determination, DSI officials meticulously gathered evidence from the scene on a fateful day in late April, capturing the interest of the nation with their relentless pursuit of the truth. In an attempt to illuminate the shadowy transactions and potential misconduct at play, the DSI triumphantly submitted an exhaustive case file to the venerable Office of the Attorney General’s Department of Special Litigation. This formidable tome, a collection of staggering proportions, spans 46 files bursting with 17,620 sheets of incriminating exposition. At the heart of this legal maelstrom lies China Railway No.10 (Thailand) Co Ltd, a prominent contractor of the ill-fated structure. The…
The bustling Suvarnabhumi Airport saw its share of drama when an audacious threat by local taxi drivers to block road access backfired spectacularly. The unrest stemmed from the Airports of Thailand (AoT) decision to welcome ride-hailing giant Grab into its leafy precincts, fanning the flames of discontent among traditional cabbies who felt shuffled aside as they were corralled into designated parking areas, their freedom to compete stifled. Alas, this ploy to reclaim the roads went awry, exposing the cabbies to both criticism and ridicule, and played out like a B-list melodrama on social media platforms. Disgruntled passengers took to the digital airwaves to lambast their experiences with these taxi drivers. From having to fork out an additional 50 baht for the privilege of airport pick-up to enduring the aromatic charm of vintage vehicles and surly drivers who seemed to favor foreigners over locals, the grievances were many. These tales of…
In the vibrant heart of Pattaya, a city known for its bustling nightlife and rich cultural tapestry, an unexpected tale unfolded involving a Thai transwoman and an Indian tourist that seems straight out of a dramatic thriller. It all began in a hotel room on Sai Song Soi 12, where Hemant Bhoj, aged 41, found himself tangled in a web of chaos and misunderstanding. The story took a dark turn when Hemant, after hiring a Thai transwoman for a consensual rendezvous, discovered his possessions mysteriously missing. Frustrated and panicked, he dashed to the reception area, waving a photograph of the night’s companion in a bid to rally support for his plight. His hope? To catch the alleged thief before she vanished into the vibrant streets of Pattaya. The hotel’s receptionist, Jamjan, was the first to learn of the chaos upstairs. Despite reaching out to the local patrol police for assistance,…