Posts published in “Thailand”

In a dramatic twist in Thailand’s ongoing political saga, the Election Commission (EC) chose to sidestep a significant meeting held by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) board today. The agenda was none other than the controversial probe into potential collusion during the previous year’s Senate election, a topic as hot as the weather in Bangkok during April. Instead of pulling up seats at the table, the EC sent a formal letter, firmly planting their banner of authority over the proceedings. At an internal gathering on March 4, the EC asserted that their jurisdiction, grounded in Section 49 of the organic law guiding the Commission, was as unassailable as a heavily guarded fortress. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the chairperson of the DSI’s special cases board, was prepared to make a definitive call on February 25. However, like many of us procrastinating with taxes, he pushed the date for further…

Broadcasting from the bustling heart of Thailand, Alex and Jay are your trusty guides through the biggest headlines sweeping across the country and the wider Asian continent. These two intrepid reporters dive headfirst into the murky depths of major crime busts, mind-boggling public safety stories, and unusual happenings that will make your head spin. Let’s delve into these spicy tales that are making waves across the region. First up, we have a gripping story that sounds like it’s straight out of a thriller movie. Thai authorities recently scored a major win in their fight against drug trafficking. Their eye-catching victory involves the arrest of two Nigerian nationals, Ihejimba Bright Chimezie and Azubuike Chidiebere David, who have been accused of being part of an international cocaine smuggling ring. Their downfall began with a Thai woman in Japan, who tried (and failed) to smuggle cocaine in a particularly precarious way by ingesting…

In an unsettling turn of events, the serene confines of Kui Buri Police Station in Prachuap Khiri Khan province were disrupted yesterday, March 5, with the arrest of a local male teacher. This somber incident saw officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division, colloquially known as the cyber police, drawing the curtains on an illicit online operation more sinister than a bad plot twist. The story begins with a shadowy pseudonym, ‘A’, summoned for questioning after a series of indecent images of young boys, some heartbreakingly under 13, surfaced on the vast, steely plains of the internet. What follows is a procedural drama we’d rather leave to fiction, but tragically, it’s all too real. It was the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that first sounded the alarms through their Cyber Tipline Report, leading to a collaborative investigation between the cyber police and Region 7’s investigation team. A…

Picturing Bangkok, one often imagines the vibrant markets, bustling streets, and the charming balance between traditional and modern life. Yet, for the residents in the Nana district, this once-piece-of-paradise has turned into a relentless conundrum of chaos, all thanks to the illegal condo rentals and a shadowy nexus of clandestine activities. These erstwhile peaceful communities now find themselves embroiled in a battleground of noise and uncertainty. Residents are voicing growing concerns over the neighborhood’s skyrocketing commotion, largely attributed to foreign nationals who appear to be flouting the local laws with brazen impunity. Leading the charge to highlight these issues is the determined People’s Party MP, Bhuntin Noumjerm. Throughout the year, he has been besieged with complaints about the alarming transformation of the Nana area, a transformation inextricably linked to the actions of foreigners. Reports indicate a myriad of disruptive behaviors, from raucous parties and drug use to the pervasive smell…

Picture the hustle and bustle of a typical morning in Bangkok. The city, known for its vibrant energy and chaotic charm, suddenly teetered on the edge of pandemonium on an otherwise ordinary Thursday. The star of this unplanned spectacle? A white Mini Cooper that unexpectedly transformed itself into the centerpiece of a fiery drama on Thong Lor Soi 20, located within the bustling Wattana district. It was barely a minute past the morning rush hour when motorists and pedestrians alike found themselves cast as the startled audience of a blazing automotive inferno. Observers were treated to a live performance, complete with crackling flames that danced like ribbons of orange-red on a backdrop of blue morning sky. The surreal scene unfolded with an urgency that no movie could replicate—except there were no stuntmen, only real-life heroes dashing to the rescue. The crackling and popping noises reverberated through the bustling streets, as…

In the heart of bustling Bangkok, a clandestine poker den found itself firmly in the spotlight as Thai police made a dramatic sweep on March 4th, capturing a staggering 52 gamblers in a high-stakes bust that sent ripples through the local and international betting community. The raid, an operation as precise as a seasoned dealer’s shuffle, was orchestrated by the officers from Ladprao Police Station, who charged into a nondescript warehouse-turned-casino, guided by a tip-off that was as hot as a dealer’s deck. The scene was set: a labyrinth of tables buzzing with fervent energy as cards flew and chips clinked against each other. When the dust settled, the figures painted a vivid picture of the night’s escapades—a whopping 51.4 million baht in chips were seized, with gamblers from both near and far caught amid the chaos. Among those ensnared was Sitthisak, a 39-year-old whose surname remains a mystery, now…

In the picturesque province of Rayong, a family of three recently found themselves fleeing their own home as a rather unexpected guest brought about an alarming situation you’d normally see in a disaster movie. The culprits behind this melodrama? A colony of termites, as determined as they are destructive. This harrowing scene unfolded in the quiet neighborhood of Soi Koh Kloy 5, Mueang district, on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday, March 4. Rescue workers from the Sawang Phonkusol Rayong Foundation were quick to respond to the frantic reports. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the upheaval of a collapsed roof, where once stood a robust home. What was left behind were fragments of iron structures and a mosaic of tiles scattered in the area, painting a rather chaotic picture. The home’s owner, Chutimaporn, recounted the drama with a mixture of relief and residual worry. At the time of the incident, she…

The enchanting island of Phuket isn’t just about pristine beaches, exotic bars, and luxurious resorts. It’s also a place where major developments can trigger high-stakes investigations, sparking legal and environmental debates that would keep even the most uninterested party intrigued. The latest thrilling chapter in this ongoing saga revolves around two mammoth condominium projects in the scenic locale of Cherng Talay, currently under the scrupulous eye of government officials. In the starring role of this investigation is none other than Supoj Rotruang Na Nongkhai, the Chief Inspector from the Ministry of Interior. With a formidable reputation for leaving no stone unturned, Supoj is leading a two-day forensic inspection on the island. Interestingly, Supoj is not new to the glimmering shores of Phuket, having worn the hat of Vice Governor here once upon a time. He returned with a serious mission, assembling an impressive lineup of key players at the Thalang…

In what unfolded as a chilling evening of unrest, Yala’s quiet railway track road near Pimolchai Market turned into a scene of mayhem on the night of March 5. At precisely 7:50 PM, the night air was shattered by the violent eruption of a pipe bomb, hurling shrapnel into the silence and sending a wave of fear through the city’s veins. The orchestrated attack was thrust into motion by two shadowy figures astride a motorcycle, as captured on CCTV footage. These faceless villains boldly breached the peace, hurling their explosive device with an intention as dark as the night—targeting a lone police booth that stood as a sentinel against chaos. But fate took its twist. As their iniquitous plot unfolded, a hapless truck lumbered across their path. The bomb missed its mark, finding its place instead near a serene Bodhi tree. The explosive’s vehement retaliation unleashed billows of white smoke,…