Amidst the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, the city that never sleeps, a political storm is brewing, threatening to cast an ominous shadow over Thailand’s bustling streets and serene temples. At the heart of this tempest is none other than former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, a political figure as divisive as he is charismatic, embroiled in a saga that seems plucked straight from the pages of a Shakespearean drama. Picture it: the grand and imposing Criminal Court of Bangkok, its corridors echoing with whispered debates and the clattering footsteps of journalists and officials. At the docket stands Thaksin Shinawatra, charged with lese majeste—a serious allegation that in Thailand touches the very core of the nation’s revered monarchy. This scene unfolds like a tantalizing chapter in a gripping novel, full of intrigue and high stakes. The Constitutional Court, the harbinger of justice, finds itself at a crossroads, contemplating whether to delve into…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In an unfolding drama on the picturesque island of Koh Chang, the saga of the contentious concrete jetties takes center stage. Our protagonist, Kitti Yimrewat, a local businessman with an evident passion for the island’s natural beauty, has embarked on a valiant quest. He aims to dismantle two mammoth concrete jetties that have been illegally constructed, assertively claiming they’re accelerating coastal erosion and transforming the once-pristine shoreline. Kitti’s endeavor, however, is no tale of smooth sailing. Much akin to a plot twist in a gripping saga, his attempts at demolition have met a formidable foe: red tape. Initially, the Koh Chang Grand View Resort, under fire for the unauthorized structures, was allotted 180 days to make amends. Yet, like a cunning character finding a loophole, they’ve been granted a reprieve—a second chance stretching over an additional 150 days, allowing them to postpone the inevitable demolition. Advised by some astute strategists…
Picture this: a group of spirited cyclists, like a vibrant thread weaving through the tapestry of history, tracing a path laden with echoes of past grievances and a fervent hope for justice. On a Wednesday morning, a host of cyclists, including some from Malaysia, set off from Tak Bai district in Narathiwat, journeying toward Nong Chik district in Thailand’s Pattani province. Their mission? A poignant endeavor to pedal “for oxygen” along a route that once bore witness to a tragic chapter in Thailand’s history—a chapter that still sparks debate and reflection to this day. The year was 2004, and the location was Tak Bai, a district that suddenly found itself thrust into the limelight amid an unfolding crisis. It was a time when the cries for freedom and expressions of dissent clashed fiercely with an unwavering show of state power. Roughly 80 protesters, after being detained, would tragically lose their…
The idyllic island of Koh Kham, nestled in the easternmost reaches of Thailand’s Trat province, has recently captured the attention of beach lovers and investors alike with a captivating blend of natural beauty and intrigue. Social media has been abuzz after a series of Facebook posts catapulted the island into the headlines. The spotlight was on a tantalizing offer: Koh Kham, alongside its collection of unfinished resort homes, is up for grabs at the price of 1.8 billion baht. Apassara Sonsab, the Facebook user behind the viral post, described Koh Kham as the crown jewel of Trat’s islands. The post highlighted that the island wasn’t just a private paradise but an ensemble of incomplete resort homes awaiting a visionary touch. Covering approximately 10 rai, Koh Kham shines with its stunningly clear seawater and an immaculate 300-meter stretch of sandy beach peppered with the distinctive allure of volcanic rocks. Positioned about…
The serene setting of Khon Kaen’s Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCUKK) recently found itself in the throes of unexpected scandalous intrigue. Imagine, if you will, a prestigious Buddhist public university embroiled in a fiasco involving a Ponzi scheme that targeted monks—a plot right out of a thriller novel! Dubbed as “Ban Share Nong Carrot,” this pyramid scheme cunningly lured its participants, predominantly composed of monks, into a web of deceit. The organization’s pitch was seemingly straightforward: gain financial freedom by investing in what they claimed were shares of credible companies, and recruit more to grow your network. The catch? Each prospective investor had to fork out a hefty sum—at least 300,000 baht. A steep price for enlightenment, wouldn’t you agree? The tale took another twist when whispers emerged about a so-called meditation retreat program, purportedly designed to draw monks into this fiscal folly. It’s a curious blend of sacred mindfulness and secular…
Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal, the sensational Thai K-pop icon whose star power knows no bounds, is at the center of buzzing speculation regarding her potential performance at Bangkok’s New Year Countdown celebration. With the vibrant city poised on the brink of welcoming a fresh year, the chance to have Lisa light up the event with her magnetic stage presence is thrilling everyone from ardent fans to the halls of government. In a curious twist of celebrity affairs and private sector maneuvers, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra recently revealed that discussions are underway, albeit driven entirely by private enterprises. She shared this intriguing tidbit with the media post-cabinet meeting on Tuesday, painting a picture of anticipation and mystery as to whether this iconic figure will indeed ring in the new year from the heart of her homeland’s capital. What’s particularly captivating is the way the government, typically detached from such entertainment spectacles, finds…
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the landscape of Pattani’s Muang district, the air was abruptly shattered by an unexpected event. Residents of this tranquil southern border province were suddenly jolted from their evening routines by a bomb explosion that pierced the serene night near Kalapo intersection. It was around 10 pm when the explosive device went off, though, fortunately, no one was harmed. The setting, tranquil only moments before, quickly became a hub of activity as bomb squad experts hurried to the scene, arriving promptly about fifty minutes after the blast. What they discovered was a puzzling array of debris, including remnants of a plastic bottle, fragments of an electronic circuit, scattered nails, and ominous oil stains marking the site. It was as if a macabre jigsaw puzzle had been laid out on the streets of tambon Chabang Tikor, each piece whispering hints…
Holding banners that cry out against the terrible injustices of the 2004 Tak Bai massacre, activists are raising their voices in Narathiwat. With suspects in this haunting case mysteriously missing, the clock ticks ominously as the statute of limitations nears its expiration date this coming Friday. The pressure mounts on authorities, with National Police Chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet orchestrating a last-resort push to track down all those implicated in the grim event before time runs out. As Tuesday rolled around, Pol Gen Kitrat updated the nation on the frantic hunt for the elusive suspects, underscoring the urgency with a mere forty-eight hours left before the legal window slams shut. The narrative of the Tak Bai massacre is chilling—over 80 lives lost in the aftermath of a crackdown on demonstrators in Narathiwat’s Tak Bai district, their fate sealed on a sorrowful journey to a military base in the neighboring province…
In a tantalizing turn of events, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has unveiled whispers from behind the scenes that might just set the stage for a mesmerizing New Year Countdown in Bangkok. The private sector is actively in conversation with the iconic Thai K-pop sensation, Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal, with hopes of securing her stellar presence to ring in the New Year. After a recent cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Paetongtarn shared with the eagerly awaiting media that this exciting venture is being orchestrated entirely by private entities, keeping the details tantalizingly under wraps. “I’m not quite sure if Lisa will agree to grace the event with her performance,” she candidly admitted, adding a touch of suspense to the unfolding saga. While this glitzy possibility is brewing independently of governmental involvement, the Prime Minister couldn’t hide her own enthusiasm. The very thought of Lisa, a global jewel from Thailand adored by millions across…
Imagine standing on a sun-dappled beach on the idyllic island of Koh Chang, where the crystal waters kiss the shore with a rhythm as soothing as a lullaby. But behind the postcard-perfect beauty lies a tale of construction and controversy, with local businessman Kitti Yimrewat finding himself at loggerheads with the island’s latest development debacle. In a scene where the azure ocean meets frustration, Kitti is on a mission. His target? Two mammoth concrete jetties that have sprouted up, looming large against the horizon. These aren’t your average fishing piers; these structures are vast enough to be deemed edifices in their own right. And according to Kitti, they’re doing more harm than good, accelerating coastal erosion and marring the natural beauty to which the local communities have laid claim for generations. To tackle this destructive duo, Kitti has turned to the big guns of Koh Chang – the Damrongdharma Centre.…