As the clock ticked just past 11 PM on Thursday, March 20, a rather unanticipated event cast the bustling Heathrow Airport in an unsettling darkness. A fire broke out at the North Hyde electrical substation in Hayes, West London, disrupting not just the primary power but also sadly knocking out the backups. The aftermath? Absolute chaos ensued, sending Heathrow—the world’s seventh busiest airport—into an overnight slumber that extended well into Friday evening, March 21. The unsettling quiet of darkness at Heathrow led to a flurry of disruption. Particularly hit hard were Thai travelers, with Thai Airways International (THAI) being caught in the vortex of the turmoil. THAI ruefully announced the cancellation of its direct flights that usually danced between the vibrant alleys of Bangkok and London. Those expecting to board flights TG916 and TG910 on March 21, with hopeful departures scheduled for March 22, were left clutching disheartening cancellation notices.…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a remarkable turn of events that has the entire internet abuzz, a dashboard camera has captured a startling act of aerial misconduct—an individual throwing a rock from an unfinished bridge at unsuspecting vehicles below on the notorious Rama II Road, in the ever-bustling city of Bangkok. It seems, yet again, Rama II has found itself in the limelight, not for its promising roadworks, but for a peculiar and risky situation. The footage, uploaded to the widely followed Drama-addict Facebook page, which boasts a staggering 3.4 million followers, shows a figure mysteriously appearing on the scene. The alleged stonethrower, supposed to be a construction worker by some sources, is vehemently disowned by the contractor in charge. Ah, the plot thickens! This unexpected drama unfolded when a vigilant driver journeying to Bangmod Hospital, post Central Rama II, noticed the unexpected rock bombardment. Just 10 seconds in, a loud thud resonates as…
In a small village nestled in the picturesque Prachuap Khiri Khan region of Thailand, a troubling scene of elder neglect has been brought to light. This heart-wrenching case has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the tireless efforts of social activists working to bring hope and humanity to those in need. Among these crusaders is Panadda Wongphudee, a former Miss Thailand turned passionate social activist. Now at the helm of the Good Deeds Foundation, Panadda led a rescue mission on March 21 that will linger in the minds and hearts of many. The rescue team, a coalition of compassionate souls from Pak Nam Pran Municipality and the Department of Social Development and Welfare, responded to an alarming complaint about elder mistreatment. They hurried to Village 2 in the Pak Nam Pran subdistrict, Pran Buri district, to intervene in a scenario that would elicit both empathy and concern. Upon arrival, the…
In a groundbreaking move to uplift education, the Ministry of Education has enthusiastically endorsed the One District, One Scholarship (Odos) policy. On a crisp Thursday morning, a siren call was made to Mathayom 4 (Grade 10) students across Thailand, inviting them to embark on an educational adventure to an overseas summer camp. This exciting announcement came from Siripong Angkasakulkiat, the trusty assistant to Education Minister Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob. This initiative is far more than just a traditional summer fling – it’s a gateway to the world for Thai students. With the primary goal of broadening horizons, and bridging cultural and linguistic gaps, the summer camp also stands as a stepping stone for budding scholars aspiring for the coveted Odos higher education scholarships. A nod was made to the past, acknowledging hiccups faced by previous scholarship recipients who struggled with foreign curriculums due to the stark contrasts in culture and…
In an audacious mission akin to an action-packed episode of a crime thriller, the combined forces of the Customs Department, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and the Royal Thai Police (RTP) swooped in for a massive sting operation that would leave any smuggler trembling in their boots. The prize? More than 64,000 vaping products, illicitly floating in from parts unknown, valued at a staggering 12.6 million baht, were seized in a dramatic crackdown. The man with a plan, Theeraj Athanavanich, the stalwart director-general of the Customs Department, took center stage as he addressed the media with the flair of a five-star general reporting from the front lines. The costly catch came to light last Thursday during a thorough inspection of eight shipping containers that appeared suspiciously forgotten at the busy Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri. Inside, the inspectors unearthed a treasure trove of 64,397 e-cigarette products, both disposable…
As the heat of 2025 begins to make its presence known, Thailand finds itself caught in the throes of some unpredictable and rather exhilarating weather patterns. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has recently dropped a weather forecast that’s stirred quite the buzz across the nation—telling tales of rising temperatures, possible deluges, and whirlwind gusts sweeping through upper Thailand. Fasten your seatbelts and hang on, because this weather forecast is anything but ordinary! Beginning on March 21, the TMD predicts an upward swing in temperatures by 1-3°C across upper Thailand. The mountainous regions of the north and the serene landscapes of the northeast and central areas will be waking up to chilly mornings that quickly blossom into warm afternoons. So, make sure to layer appropriately, as those morning strolls could start off crisp yet turn into a balmy afternoon adventure! It’s not just the warmth that’ll keep people on their toes;…
In a tale that seems more fitting for a mystery novel than the quiet streets of Korat, the life of Matthias Ebner, a controversial figure and alleged attacker of female dentists, took a grim turn on March 21. His lifeless body was discovered in rather chilling circumstances inside a modest, single-storey house near Wat Don Chomphu in Non Sung district, stunning locals and stirring intrigue. The 41-year-old German national, who had become a notorious figure in the region, was found sprawled face-up on his bed, dressed in a casual grey tank top and shorts. A dark, foreboding pool of blood stained the mattress, tracing back to a gaping wound across his neck, a violent slash cutting two inches deep into his skin. His room was in disarray, papers and personal effects scattered haphazardly across the floor, a sign of either hurried chaos or a chilling premeditation. Guarding Ebner’s eerie repose…
On a day that promised both progression and greener horizons, the Environment Department’s meeting room echoed whispers of innovation as Bangkok’s key stakeholders gathered. The agenda? Amidst the hum of city bustle, Bangkok was carving paths towards a future draped in sustainability, transportation redesign, and energy evolution. Converging at Bangkok City Hall (Din Daeng) and virtually, experts of influence aimed their efforts at an array of urban-centric projects. At the helm was Thosapol Suparee, the Environment Department’s Deputy Director-General, offering guidance like a seasoned captain steering through a vibrant sea of ideas. Alongside him was an entourage of formidable minds from the Public Works Department, Traffic and Transportation Department, Taksin Hospital, and the respectable delegates from the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ). As assembly rooms go, this one buzzed with a satisfying hum of ambition. Grouped by initiative, the projects unveiled their progress across three riveting themes: Group 1:…
On the surface, it looks like the Pheu Thai Party and their coalition comrades, the Bhumjaithai Party, are functioning like a well-oiled political machine. But if you peek beneath the veneer of cordiality, you’ll find an imminent political earthquake. Analysts suggest that for quite some time, Pheu Thai has been cleverly undermining its biggest coalition buddy, aiming for a subtle political sabotage. Despite Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of Bhumjaithai, vociferously declaring his steadfast support for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in the looming no-confidence debate on Monday, there’s a noxious cloud of distrust hovering over government relations. One can’t ignore the whispers that Pheu Thai’s attempts to ambush Bhumjaithai may have cooled following the announcement that Ms. Paetongtarn would be the sole recipient of the opposition’s censure-hour spotlight. For Ms. Paetongtarn to be singled out in such grand political theater is a giveaway that the opposition considers her the Achilles’ heel…
It was a morning that unfolded like an unwelcome guest in the bustling city of Bangkok—an uninvited fog of concern shrouding the vibrant metropolis. As the sun made its tentative rise over the glittering temples and high-rises of the Thai capital, an unsettling alert dashed through all 50 districts: the air quality had reached an “orange” level, a shade of caution starting to seep into the city’s lungs. In the heart of Bangkok, the Air Quality Information Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) bore the grim tidings. According to their observations, the fine particulate matter, those sneaky little PM2.5 particles, had spun a fine web of health threats over the cityscape. With levels spiking to an average of 49.9 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), the air was quite literally thick with it, nudging past Thailand’s standard threshold of 37.5 µg/m³, averaging the dreary hours from 5 AM to 7…