Picture this: you’re cruising down Theparat Road in Samut Prakan province, just minding your own business when, suddenly, life throws you a flaming curveball. That’s precisely what happened to Anothai, a 49-year-old woman whose car unexpectedly turned into a roadside firework display, leaving her as puzzled as an unsolved Sudoku puzzle. The saga unfolded on May 13, on the inbound express lane close to the Highway Police Service Centre in Bang Chalong, Bang Phli district. Just a week before, Anothai’s car had been pampered with an oil change and a routine inspection, courtesy of a local service center. This automotive spa treatment should have ensured smooth sailing, but instead, her car seemed to be auditioning for the next blockbuster disaster movie. The fire started its dramatic performance under the car’s hood, drawing the immediate attention of the local fire department and the heroic Poh Teck Tung rescue team. With three…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a twist straight out of a family drama, a Thai woman named Ree embarked on what turned out to be a startling quest for her mother, Peng, only to uncover more than just her mother’s whereabouts. It all started one quiet Sunday in the Isaan province of Roi Et, where Ree raised the alarm when her mother seemingly vanished into thin air. For Ree, the situation felt dire as she believed her mother, who had Alzheimer’s, could be in severe danger. But the plot thickened faster than a mystery novel when Ree received an unexpected knock on the door. It wasn’t a worried neighbor or the police at her doorstep, but instead, a court document. The paper ordered her to vacate the family home because, unbeknownst to her, her mother had sold off the property. Confused and blindsided, Ree learned that Peng herself had orchestrated the entire sale, claiming…
In a groundbreaking move, the government has widened the scope of venues eligible to sell alcoholic beverages daily, effectively reshaping Thailand’s alcohol sales landscape. The recent legislation, enacted last week and headlined in the Royal Gazette on May 9, has been a topic of fervent discussion. Effective from May 10, this law endows five categories of venues with the license to sell alcohol, albeit with a thoughtful nod to cultural sensitivities. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong has made it clear that while the evolving law offers venues more freedom, respect for Buddhist traditions remains front and center. As such, the prohibition on alcohol sales during significant Buddhist holidays such as Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, and the beginning and end of Buddhist Lent is still rigorously upheld. But there’s a twist! International airport terminals catering to outbound passengers, licensed entertainment spots like bustling restaurants and lively pubs, especially…
In the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, lottery enthusiasts are caught up in the midst of a mixed-result season that has everyone guessing and hoping for Lady Luck’s favor. As the calendar flips through May, it coincides with culturally substantial dates such as Visakha Bucha, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, and Coronation Day. These dates sparked a frenzy of excitement, yet, ironically, lottery vendors are experiencing a bit of a curveball with sales taking a slight plunge due to the start of the school term. On May 14, the heart of Chiang Mai witnessed its usual flurry of activity. People ambled around major markets—Chiang Mai Gate, Chang Phueak Gate—and other bustling hubs like the Arcade Bus Terminal and Haiya Cemetery, seeking out those elusive lucky numbers. The price tag remains unchanged, with a single ticket going for 100 baht (around US$3). For those feeling extra adventurous, bundles of tickets are available:…
Phuket found itself underwater today as torrential rain turned the vibrant island into a scene out of an aquatic adventure. Major roads morphed into temporary canals, sparking travel upheaval in some of the island’s most frequented tourist areas. From the crack of dawn on this rather soggy May 14th, the relentless downpours pounded the districts of Mueang and Kathu, unleashing flash floods across seaside subdistricts like Patong, Chalong, and Rawai. These areas, typically bustling with locals and visitors basking in the sun, now resembled more of a waterlogged wonderland. As nature’s deluge continued, small cars found themselves stranded, transforming even the most confident drivers into reluctant sailors. Traffic reached a near standstill in several locations as officials hurried to maintain some semblance of order. Among them, Samran Jindapol, the resilient Mayor of Chalong Municipality, was seen wading through the waterlogged streets, directing traffic with a blend of authority and aquatics.…
In the vibrant streets of Phuket’s Wichit sub-district, a dramatic episode unfolded that felt like it could have been ripped from the pages of a crime thriller. On a sun-kissed Monday, May 12, a heated altercation near a bustling grocery store led to an unexpected and violent turn of events. Samittra, a local woman, found herself in the middle of a high-tension confrontation with Tubtim, another woman who was fervently accusing her of having an illicit affair with her boyfriend. Tensions reached a boiling point as the conversation, originally intended to clarify misunderstandings, quickly descended into a chaotic affair. Amidst shouted accusations, Tubtim allegedly lashed out, wielding a knife with a swift jab that left Samittra with a stab wound on her left arm. The confrontation didn’t end there; a slap to the face followed, adding insult to injury before Tubtim made her escape. Candid and shaken, Samittra later shared…
Governor Chadchart Sittipunt took center stage to emphasize the paramount significance of the alert content during the latest simulation exercise. The grand event, held on May 13th, 2025, was a collaborative effort featuring the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) teaming up with the big guns: the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Public Relations Department, and major mobile operators like AIS, TRUE, and NT. Now, picture this – officials assembled at the prestigious Nopparat Room, nestled in City Hall’s second building right next to the iconic Giant Swing (Sao Chingcha) in the bustling Phra Nakhon district. Not to mention, all 50 district offices across the city were virtually linked, ensuring comprehensive participation. After putting the system through its paces, Governor Chadchart’s satisfaction was palpable. “Today’s test was a smooth sail,” he declared with…
In a decisive move for the ongoing recovery efforts, authorities have confirmed that support operations will not only continue but ramp up, as efforts to identify those still missing press on. This announcement echoes in the halls of the operations hub at the JJ Mall building in Chatuchak, where the sounds of bustling strategists have quieted. On Tuesday, amidst a wave of closure and continuity, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, along with senior officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and representatives from a myriad of agencies, officially signaled the end of operations for the Chatuchak District Office’s Incident Command Centre. The formality was marked by solemn gratitude and promises of unfettered ambition. Ms. Patkorn Sinsuk, the line’s burden-bearer in her role as Chatuchak District Director and Incident Commander, took a moment to reflect on the monumental support received. Her eyes gleamed with sincere appreciation for Their Majesties the King and…
In the heart of Bangkok’s bustling Chatuchak district, an imposing concrete structure now stands as a ghostly reminder of tragedy and shattered dreams. Enshrined in sorrow, the once-mighty headquarters of the State Audit Office (SAO) teeters on the edge of memory, adorned with colorful flower garlands that cling to its remnants – silent witnesses to the chaos that shook the city and the lives of those within its ominous shadow. It was here, amidst the haunting echoes of loss, that a poignant merit-making ceremony recently marked the solemn conclusion of a grueling six-week-long search and rescue operation. This monumental disaster, unexpected as a sudden tropical storm, erupted during the March 28 earthquake—Bangkok’s day of infamy. As the tremors subsided, only the SAO building, an intricate marvel of architectural ambition, had succumbed to the earth’s rumbling fury. Clinging to the wreckage of its ambitious 30-story skeleton, the city mourned the loss…
At a pivotal press conference held at the illustrious Government House on Wednesday, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira stepped into the spotlight, unraveling Thailand’s strategic overtures in its trade dialogues with the US. Picture a chess game where each move has the potential to shift the balance. Thailand aims to counterbalance trade deficits and hopefully coax Washington into reducing its stifling tariffs imposed on Thai exports. Yet, nestled within the minister’s discourse was an update that has ignited domestic curiosity— the state of the government’s heralded digital wallet initiative. Now in its third phase, this project finds itself tiptoeing on a tightrope as the economic landscape, strained by US tariffs, beckons for reevaluation. Indeed, Minister Pichai affirmed that the distribution of the 10,000-baht handout is undergoing scrutiny, as the winds of trade turbulence ripple across the global economic waters. With admirable resolve, Thailand presented a set of proposals to Washington. The…