The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) has dished out a spicy weather warning for 20 provinces, Bangkok included, in anticipation of a soaking deluge. But wait, upper Thailand isn’t just prepping for a splash—it’s broiling away in a severe sauna! As summer revs up, it’s not just the sun that’s bringing the heat. Hold on to your hats, folks, because powerful winds and even hailstones are making guest appearances on this steamy day of March 26, 2025. Within a 24-hour forecast, the skies over upper Thailand are channeling their inner dragon with temperatures that flirt with the boundaries of extreme. This heady mix is a production of low atmospheric pressure boiling up from surface heat and punched up by southwesterly and southeasterly breezes. Although it might seem like a good excuse for a sweaty outdoor yoga session, caution is the name of the game—mother nature’s tantrum could blow in at…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a swift and decisive morning session, the House gathered to deliberate the fate of a censure motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. At the strike of 10 AM, the chamber buzzed with anticipation as 487 representatives took their seats, each prepared to cast their vote on the Opposition’s motion that aimed to shake the foundations of current governance. The atmosphere was charged with tension, with eyes darting around the room, fixed on House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, who, with a calm demeanor, officiated the proceedings. The opposition had built its case on simmering discontent and articulated grievances, each hoping to sway enough minds in their favor. Nonetheless, the government bench sat resolutely, a bastion of support for the embattled Prime Minister. As the clock’s hands glided seamlessly, each second felt elongated under the weight of the looming decision. The arena was electrified with the hum of whispers, the…
As the sun rose over the northern province of Lamphun on March 18, a scene of fire and smoke painted the landscape—a wildfire raged on, casting a looming haze over the picturesque terrain. The devastation went beyond the visible flames, as the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) delivered troubling news: the air quality across vast swathes of Thailand had deteriorated dramatically. In what felt like a whirlwind of unwelcome particulates, 43 provinces were enveloped in a menacing shroud of ultrafine dust. These motes—each under 2.5 micrometres in diameter, commonly known as PM2.5—swirled through the air with a silent menace, surpassing levels deemed safe for breathing. By 7 a.m., red alerts blared from 18 northern and northeastern provinces, signaling air conditions hazardous to health. The government-maintained ceiling for healthy air sits patiently at 37.5 microgrammes per cubic metre over 24 hours—an idyll shattered like glass in the current scenario.…
Amid the serene backdrop of Thailand’s eastern province of Rayong, a drama unfolds that feels all too familiar in today’s world. Meet Kanlayaphat, a spirited 50-year-old who recently found herself at the center of a disheartening tale begging for justice. Her crime? Trusting too easily—a trait the unscrupulous exploit with vigor. Her fortune, all 1.7 million baht of it, intended as her safety net for retirement, vanished in the blink of an eye. Her story, a cautionary tale, unveils the layers of bureaucracy that seem to wrap themselves around even the most straightforward cases when help is most needed. April—often a time for renewal and hope—turned into a season of despair for Kanlayaphat. It all started with a deceptive message purporting to be from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), which arrived in those early morning hours when vulnerability is at its peak. According to the message, she defaulted on her…
On a bustling Sunday afternoon on March 23, the usually tranquil ambiance of the SENA Fest community mall on Charoen Nakhon Road in Bangkok was unexpectedly disrupted by a shocking incident that has since captured the attention of many. A seemingly innocuous parking lot became the stage for a dramatic confrontation that unfolded with a twist of unfortunate events. It all began when a vigilant security guard observed a black hatchback erratically parked at the exit of the mall. The vehicle, positioned in such a way, almost blocked other drivers from making their way out. Rather than confronting the hatchback driver immediately, the security guard took it upon himself to act as a human traffic conductor. He positioned himself behind the car, ensuring that other vehicles could safely navigate through the tight gap left by the inconsiderate parking job. However, as another car prepared to exit, the unexpected happened. The…
In an unfortunate turn of events in Surat Thani, Thailand, a seemingly ordinary van ride transformed into a heart-wrenching tragedy that left one woman dead and a community grappling with unanswered questions. The incident unfolded under the cloak of night, but its repercussions have cast a long shadow over the region. Our story begins with a 33-year-old woman, her identity shrouded in privacy, boarding a van in the bustling district of Hat Yai, Songkhla. She was en route for what should have been an uneventful journey, joining a group of fellow passengers heading toward their respective destinations. All was normal until their journey paused at the Thung Song district, where a rest stop provided a brief respite for weary travellers. It’s here that the cracks in the night’s tranquility began to show. While others on the trip stretched their legs and caught their breath, this woman, perhaps seeking to ease…
Picture this: swirling winds, a fiery dance of flames, and the deafening roar of a helicopter braving the skies above Chiang Mai. This fiery spectacle is the latest in a gallant attempt to tame the wild fires consuming the verdant forests of this northern Thai province. Yet, while the helicopter battles the blaze, an invisible adversary lurks everywhere—microscopic yet mighty clouds of ultrafine dust. It’s not just the North that grapples with this dusty dilemma. A veiled villain covers vast swathes of the country, leaving people gasping for clean air. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) dropped a bombshell report at the crack of dawn, startling morning coffee drinkers with grim news. Over the past 24 hours, 43 provinces have been shrouded in clouds of perilous particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller. These tiny particles, more commonly referred to as PM2.5, are notorious for seeping fatally deep into…
In a political arena often simmering with tension, the latest clash between Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and opposition MP Kannavee Suebsaeng has certainly added fuel to the fire. The bone of contention? The controversial deportation of 40 Uyghur detainees back to China, a decision that has courted international criticism and put Thailand’s diplomatic strategy under the microscope. It all came to a head during a heated parliamentary debate. Mr. Kannavee from the FAIR Party didn’t pull any punches, accusing the government of not just taking sides on a global scale but of orchestrating a diplomatic ‘drama’ following Mr. Phumtham’s recent jaunt to China’s Xinjiang region. “The deportation of the Uyghurs was slammed internationally. It is bad enough when you lie in Thailand. It is even worse when you lie on the international stage,” Mr. Kannavee fervently argued. He painted a picture of a government lacking a clear foreign policy…
The Ministry of Industry has recently unleashed an investigative whirlwind, zeroing in on a suspected scandal of epic proportions — the illegal importation of a whopping 10,262 tonnes of powdery waste containing the notorious radioactive caesium-137. Apparently, what was supposed to dance through customs as mundane zinc concentrate had, in reality, been mischievously cloaked in false documentation. Industry Minister Akanat Promphan stepped up on Tuesday, taking center stage in this unfolding drama, announcing their investigation of the counterfeit documents twin-billed with the hazardous waste importation report. It’s an industry thriller that weaves through international intrigue, deceit, and misrepresentation, casting a broad shadow over what should have been business as usual, into a tale of clandestine capers. According to the early revelations, it was KMC 1953 Co that orchestrated this elaborate ruse, masked under the guise of legitimate trade, using not one, not two, but 33 fraudulent documents to hoodwink customs…
As the gentle waves kiss the shores of Trat province and the enchanting island of Koh Chang basks in its natural splendor, the anticipation in the air is palpable. The annual water antics, famously known as the Songkran Festival, are just around the corner, slated to splash excitement from April 12th to 16th this year. And oh, what a spectacle it’s shaping up to be! Thaweesak Wongwilat, the perceptive deputy chair of the Trat Tourism Association, has been reveling in the province’s newfound burst of popularity. He reflects on the remarkable influx of both domestic wanderers and globetrotting foreigners since the sun-soaked days of last December. It seems Trat is becoming quite the talk of the town as a touristic paradise. According to Thaweesak, there’s an interesting trend of foreigners extending their trysts with Trat, linger longer than yesteryears. A remarkable 40% of these sunseekers are now indulging week-long to…