In a heart-stopping, nail-biting event that could rival any action-packed thriller, Thai police stormed in to rescue two helpless baby orangutans from the clutches of black marketeers—just in the nick of time. Imagine a bustling petrol station on Prasert Manukit Road in Bangkok’s lively Lat Phrao district, and there, under the bright neon lights and the buzzing of daily life, played out a clandestine operation to thwart a cruel handover of these precious creatures. The date was May 15, 2025, a day marked by daring heroics and the triumph of law over the vile underbelly of wildlife trafficking. The saga began with an anonymous tip-off, the kind that makes your heart race a little faster, from international wildlife agencies. A monumental collaboration involving Thailand’s Environmental Crime Suppression Division (ECSD) and the fastidious Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), backed by astute insights from the US Fish and…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In an unexpected twist in Thailand’s financial landscape, the government has embarked on a daring new initiative to roll out a digital currency dubbed the Government Token, or G-Token, sparking a robust debate across the country’s economic corridors. This innovative strategy, meant to redefine fundraising alternatives, received a nod of approval from the Cabinet on a fine Tuesday, May 13. However, it’s not being hailed as a financial game-changer by everyone. Economic experts nationwide are voicing sharp criticisms, likening this move to treading on a financial tightrope sketched with legal grey areas and potential misinterpretations for the public. The intention behind the G-Token is to offer retail investors a more enticing option than the conventional bonds or bank savings, promising returns that eclipse the usual bank deposit interest rates. It’s a brave new world of finance indeed! Amidst the clamor, one voice rising above the rest is that of Thirachai…
In a tale that seems to only gather momentum, an American academic finds himself marooned in Thailand amidst a web of legal complexities, despite the charges against him being dropped. Paul Chambers, a 58-year-old political science lecturer, has been living in a state of suspense ever since he was arrested under Thailand’s stringent lese majeste law—a regulation rarely applied to foreigners that threatens up to 15 years of imprisonment. Though Thailand’s state prosecutor has ultimately dismissed these charges, Chambers remains stuck, ensnared by a bureaucratic net that refuses to let him go. His passport has been confiscated, his visa revoked, leaving him in an uncertain limbo that confounds even his family. His brother, Kit Chambers, voices the exasperation shared by many: “He’s not allowed to leave the country, and we’re not sure why. Our 85-year-old mother thought he was coming home. Now, we’re just hoping he doesn’t face more charges.”…
In the ever-vibrant province of Buriram, nestled in the heart of Thailand’s Isaan region, a rather outlandish scenario unfolded recently, painting an unexpected portrait of rural life disturbed by the surreal antics of one particularly troubled resident. Brace yourself, dear readers, as this is not your run-of-the-mill community disruption story. Meet Ittiporn, a 37-year-old whose recent escapades have managed to shock even the most seasoned locals and keep the gossip mills whirring. On May 15, this audacious individual embarked on a peculiar journey that led to his arrest and left more than a few farm animals quite bewildered. It all began innocently enough, or as innocent as things can get when one approaches a neighbor with a request that defies all social norms. The unwitting protagonist of this tale, 70-year-old Chaiyasak, found himself in a befuddling predicament when Ittiporn approached him with an unusual proposition — the desire to engage…
Intrigue and deception struck a devout crowd as the long-respected former abbot of Wat Rai Khing, Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, shockingly found himself stripped of his monastic status amidst financially scandalous allegations. This turning point came as the venerable monk, Jaem Inkhungkao, crossed into infamy after being accused of siphoning an astounding 300 million baht of temple funds. His purported motivation? A rapidly spiraling addiction to the thrilling but perilous game of online baccarat. The scandal unfolded as law enforcement officers revealed that a significant portion of these stolen funds, climbing to an eye-popping 847 million baht, had been funneled to a mysterious female broker’s account, one entwined with an illicit online gambling operation. The puzzle pieces started fitting when the former abbot conceded to the charges after a warrant materialized, greenlit by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in response to the relentless probing by the Crime Suppression…
Amid the vibrant ebb and flow of Bangkok’s ever-evolving media landscape, the Bangkok Post has landed a prestigious spot on the shortlist for the Bangkok Pride Awards 2025. Celebrated within the category of ‘Bangkok Pride Value of Offline News,’ the Post stands alongside four other distinguished contenders: Thairath, Thai PBS, Daily News, and the insightful Sarakadee Magazine. This announcement burst forth, ripe with anticipation, straight from the official Bangkok Pride Facebook page. With May 31 circled in red on our calendars, the city buzzes with excitement in anticipation of the winners being unveiled at the grand spectacle of the Bangkok Pride Awards 2025. These awards, a gleaming beacon of recognition, bring into focus the significant role that offline media continues to play amid the digital revolution. In this digitally-dominated age, where news travels faster than the blink of an eye through myriad online channels, the enduring presence of traditional media…
The State Railway of Thailand has recently made headlines with an exciting update to its ambitious Sino-Thai high-speed rail project. As the SRT board greenlights an extension for the Muak Lek-Lam Takhong tunnel’s civil engineering contract, there’s a fascinating blend of logistical maneuvers and cross-border cooperation that’s worthy of attention. Although the 181-day extension pushes the project’s completion to December 5, rest assured, the contractor won’t be pocketing any extra baht for it! For those unfamiliar, this section is but a thrilling piece of a grand puzzle—the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima stretch of the monumental Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed blessing, a fine example of Thai-Chinese collaboration. Priced at a staggering 4.28 billion baht, it promises to revolutionize travels across eight tunneled kilometers, complemented by over three kilometers of rail embankment and less than a kilometer of elevated track. Initiated back in the historical days of April 2021, this venture is impressively 90.94% complete.…
On this fine day, May 17th, 2025, the spotlight shines brightly on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra as she embarks on a heartfelt journey to the picturesque province of Chanthaburi. Her mission? To lend her unwavering support to the backbone of Thailand’s vibrant fruit industry—its dedicated farmers. As she set foot in this eastern gem, government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub eagerly announced the purpose of her visit: addressing the challenges that fruit growers face and bolstering agricultural support in the East, the very heartland of Thailand’s fruit production. Accompanying the Prime Minister on her fruitful adventure are some of the nation’s key figures: the industrious Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan, the dynamic Deputy Commerce Minister Suchart Chomklin, and the tireless Deputy Agriculture Ministers, Itti Sirilatthayakon and Akkhara Phromphao. Together, they form a powerhouse team committed to sowing the seeds of prosperity for Thailand’s fruit sector. Their first stop takes them to the idyllic…
In the ever-enticing world of Thai politics, the saga continues as key players from the ruling Pheu Thai Party and their tempestuous coalition partner, Bhumjaithai, just can’t stop stealing the limelight with their relentless public bickering. What started as a political marriage of convenience has transformed into a full-blown soap opera, captivating the nation and leaving onlookers speculating about the coalition’s vulnerability. Ever since they teamed up a little over two years ago, the Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai partnership has been plagued by all sorts of rifts. Imagine a dramatic movie with its share of plot twists, starting with Bhumjaithai’s bold move to legalize cannabis, a campaign that Pheu Thai desperately tried to overturn during Srettha Thavisin’s reign. Fast forward to the clash over the double majority rule in the referendum law versus Pheu Thai’s single majority vision, leading up to today’s big showdown—the controversial casino legalization bill. Pheu Thai,…
In a significant diplomatic stride marking his presidency, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is poised to embark on his inaugural official visit to the vibrant realm of Thailand this coming Monday. This tour promises to be more than just a mere exchange of pleasantries, as it will see the formal elevation of the Indonesia-Thailand relationship to a noteworthy echelon – a strategic partnership. This momentous occasion was spotlighted by Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesperson Panidone Pachimsawat in a briefing that hinted at the transformative potential of this bilateral engagement. For Gen Prabowo, this journey ushers in a host of firsts. It is not only his maiden voyage to Thailand since assuming office in October of 2024, but it also signifies the first time in two decades that an Indonesian president is setting foot in Thailand for an official visit. It’s a historic marker that underscores the enduring relationship between these neighboring nations,…