The digital age is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it opens up worlds of possibilities; on the other, it provides a breeding ground for illegal activities that are challenging to police. Thailand, for instance, has been waging a war against illegal vaping, and it seems they’re adding some serious ammunition with a digital twist. Imagine this: somewhere in the virtual corridors of Thailand, endless numbers of URLs meet their untimely demise, each one representing a ferocious battle won in the war against illicit e-cigarette sales. Led by the ever-watchful eyes of the Digital Economy and Society Ministry, this operation, spanning from March 2024 to March 2025, was nothing short of a cyber marvel. With a mighty swing, they slashed down a staggering 9,515 URLs connected to the surreptitious trade of e-cigarettes. Deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan couldn’t conceal her satisfaction. “We are using every tool available,” she announced,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the shimmering hustle and bustle of Bangkok’s vibrant streets, where the sounds of chatter and the aroma of sizzling street food collide, an unexpected and tragic story unfolded on the warm evening of March 23, 2025. It was a tale woven with intrigue, a British man, and an ill-fated night that has left many questions swirling in the humid night air of Thailand’s capital. The evening began like any other, with the usual energy buzzing through the Bang Sue district. But by nightfall, officers from Bang Pho Police Station were summoned to investigate the startling news of a foreign man’s demise. The footpath near Soi Pracharat Sai 1, Section 7/1, played host to the unsettling scene, painted under the soft glow of Bangkok’s city lights. Wrapped in the mystery was a 28-year-old Brit, known only by his nationality as the details about his identity remained concealed. Reports from Channel…
In a startling turn of events in the serene Sattahip district of Chon Buri province, a dramatic episode unfolded involving an officer of the law, love gone south, and the unexpected surrender that followed. The tale ignited the local buzz with drama fit for the big screen. Our story kicks off with 37-year-old Kittisak, a police officer affiliated with the Immigration Police, who found himself entangled in a spiraling web of personal vendettas. Like a scene from an action flick, driven by emotions and perhaps past grievances, Kittisak forcefully made his way into a home on a day meant for reconciling redeployment. Once inside, the commotion escalated quicker than anyone could say “drama.” The victim? His ex-girlfriend, 28-year-old Anongluk, who has had more encounters with Kittisak than anyone would wish for. The situation took a dire turn when Police Sub-Lieutenant Pasakorn Phachurabiabna decided to jump into the fray, attempting to…
The sun had not yet risen over Pattaya when two men, part of a gang notorious for their brazen robbery and vicious assault of a young Laotian woman, were finally pinned down and apprehended. The victim, a 26-year-old named Waewta, endured a traumatic ordeal on the fateful day of February 2nd, right in the heart of Chon Buri province’s bustling Pattaya. Now, with two gang members in custody, authorities are closer to unraveling this chilling crime. The gang, a motley crew of one woman and six men, took drastic steps to cloak their misdeeds, donning balaclavas to shield their identities. During the harrowing episode, they wielded guns and unleashed terror. It was the female suspect who instigated the assault, her brutality manifest in the slap and heartless cut she inflicted upon Waewta’s face. Swarmed by the remaining male accomplices, the vicious attack left Waewta with grievous injuries. When they took…
In what seems like a political drama unfolding on a Tuesday morning under the parliamentary dome, People’s Party MP Pakamon Noon-anan laid her cards on the table, launching a spirited critique against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the censure debate. Armed with a multitude of quibbles, the opposition dove headfirst into questioning the PM’s grasp on affairs crucial to the nation’s health. While the ebb and flow of politics often sees criticism volleyed back and forth, this time it seemed more like an unchaperoned free-for-all. With the fervor of a seasoned stage actor, Pakamon wasted no time in highlighting perceived blind spots in Ms. Shinawatra’s understanding. Recalling a fateful day, September 24 of last year, Pakamon painted a picture of a perplexing interaction. When reporters inquired about the strategies for navigating a stronger baht, the PM had purportedly asserted that an appreciating baht would buoy Thai exports—a declaration that was…
In the whirlwind of political drama, there’s often an unexpected twist that captures the public’s attention – and this time, it’s all about gift tax. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the notably outspoken deputy leader of the People’s Party, recently stirred the pot during the censure debate with allegations aimed squarely at none other than Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The prime accusation? Supposedly dodging a staggering 218.7 million baht gift tax! Quite the headline-grabber, don’t you think? But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s unravel the mystery of the gift tax. Picture it as a financial choreography that took center stage back on February 1, 2016. Its role? To ensure people didn’t outfox the system and sidestep inheritance tax. Essentially, if you’re on the receiving end of assets transferred by family—or those terrific friends who feel like family—you might just find yourself tangled in the gift tax net. Now, the next logical…
As March draws to a close, Thailand finds itself on the cusp of an adrenaline-packed encounter with Mother Nature. Picture this: clear blue skies, the sun playfully beaming down on the Land of Smiles, when out of the serenity strides a cold air mass, poised to play meteorological mischief. It’s a plot twist worthy of a summer blockbuster, promising a crescendo of mercurial weather, courtesy of none other than the Thai Meteorological Department. According to their latest theatrically charged forecast, the curtain will rise on March 29, setting the stage for a thrilling act across Thailand’s Northeastern region. While the locale serves as the dramatic lead, a supporting cast of nationwide provinces, including the star-studded Bangkok, will need to rehearse their contingency plans for a stormy performance. But let’s rewind slightly—enter, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), whose 15-day trailer reveals a tranquil prologue. Picture it: a scene…
In an ambitious crusade against the digital underworld of e-cigarettes, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DES) has successfully cut off more than 9,500 online routes in the past year alone. This proactive stance is a testament to the government’s dedication to stubbing out not only the online sales of e-cigarettes but also the smoke screens of illegal importation and smuggling. Deputy government spokeswoman Sasikarn Wattanachan conveyed the government’s stern message: if you’re trying to sneak these electronic puffs into cyberspace, you better watch out! From March 2024 up to the cusp of March 19, 2025, an outstanding total of 9,515 URL addresses met their digital demise. Among these casualties were 9,200 X accounts, each acting as a portal for vape enthusiasts, along with 235 websites, 28 Facebook accounts, 12 Instagram profiles, and 14 TikTok accounts. The grim reaper of online vapes also swung his scythe over 120 Facebook groups,…
The sun barely peeks over the horizon, and already Bangkok is enveloped in a misty dance of tiny particles swirling through the air. On this Tuesday morning, all 50 districts of Thailand’s vibrant capital have donned an unfortunate cloak of “orange,” a dubious color that signals that the air quality isn’t just less than ideal; it’s teetering on the edge of affecting the very air we breathe and the health we hope to maintain. The steadfast Air Quality Information Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) rings out the call: Proceed with caution, dear city dwellers! As urbanites scurry about their morning routines, bleary-eyed but determined, they face an extra challenge today. The average PM2.5 concentration hovers at 51.2 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), defying the nation’s friendly recommendation of keeping it below the delicate threshold of 37.5 µg/m³ over an average span of three rushed hours, cleverly disguised as…
In a world where financial headlines often read like a thriller novel, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the dynamic deputy leader of the People’s Party, has set tongues wagging with his latest revelation. During a fiery opening salvo at the censure debate, he accused Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of dodging taxes to the tune of a whopping 218.7 million baht. But let’s put the scandal aside for a moment and delve into the intricate web of gift tax regulations that have us all curious. Strap in, folks, this financial rollercoaster is about to set off! You see, in the fascinating realm of the tax code, there exists a little-known creature called the gift tax. It’s the financial guardian meant to thwart any sly attempts at skirting inheritance tax. Introduced on the scene on February 1, 2016, this tax casts a watchful eye over assets whisked from one lucky individual to another, be it…