Imagine a paradise of pristine beaches, crystalline waters, and vibrant marine life teeming beneath the surface. Welcome to the Similan Islands, a gem in the crown of Mu Ko Similan National Park, nestled in the azure embrace of the Andaman Sea off the coast of Phang Nga province. Yet, like all exquisite jewels, these islands need care and protection. So, as nature calls for a rejuvenating hiatus, the islands will be taking a well-deserved break for five months, commencing on Friday, up to October 14. This timely intervention, as explained by Warawut Saengthong, the acting chief of Mu Ko Similan National Park, isn’t just about temporary solitude. It’s about ensuring the long-term splendor and safety of the park during Thailand’s temperamental rainy season, which unashamedly announced its arrival this Thursday. “This period of closure,” Mr. Warawut states, “is pivotal for natural rehabilitation and will foster an environment that prioritizes the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the early hours of May 15, 2025, a serene night in Phuket was shattered by a startling crash that led to a sequence of unfortunate events. Picture this: a lone van careens down the quiet lanes of Soi Thep Anusorn in the Wichit subdistrict, its driver seemingly lost in a dreamworld, when fate takes a swift turn. What followed next is a dramatic tale of chance and misfortune, showcasing the delicate dance between man, machine, and nature. As the clock struck 1:20 AM, the tranquility of the night was violently disturbed by a van that lost control and crashed into a towering high-voltage power pole. The impact was catastrophic, triggering a series of events that no horror movie could script. The power pole did not just stand there as an innocent bystander; with a menacing groan, it toppled onto the van, setting off an ominous explosion that lit the…
Imagine cruising down the vibrant streets of Pattaya, only to be blindsided by a precarious pile-up of cones, chains, and mysteriously positioned bins, all arrogantly staking claim to public parking like it was some elaborate game of private Monopoly. Well, fret no more, because the city’s tireless troop of municipal officers has geared up to take back the streets, putting an end to those bold, albeit unlawful, claims. This urban cleanup campaign is spearheaded by the enthusiastic efforts of Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, who has set out to return the streets of Pattaya to their rightful owners—the people. The mission? To ensure that the roads are open to all, rather than being dominated by a privileged few who treat public space as their personal garage. Mayor Poramet’s message is as clear as the skies after a sudden Thai downpour: “The city must be fair, clean, and accessible to all.” The streets…
In the otherwise quiet northern province of Phitsanulok, a harrowing incident has sent shockwaves through the community. On May 14, a distressing event unfolded at a local noodle factory where young Sasipim, only 19, found her life abruptly turned upside down. Her ex-boyfriend, 21-year-old Krittakorn, scaled the walls of her workplace, his intentions dark and menacing. Krittakorn, emboldened perhaps by a twisted sense of entitlement or simply a tragic loss of reason, ignored all who tried to stand in his way. Nakarin, Sasipim’s concerned colleague, witnessed the nightmare unfold and acted swiftly, rushing her to a hospital. His valiant efforts followed by an immediate report to the Mueang Phitsanulok Police Station marked the beginning of an intense manhunt. The factory’s CCTV footage revealed the sordid details of the attack. Krittakorn, without a word or pause to consider the mayhem he was inciting, launched into a savage assault. Sasipim suffered beatings…
This morning, a sense of dread fell over a Bangkok neighborhood as a gunman, apparently inebriated, unleashed chaos in a desperate attempt to locate his missing girlfriend. The drama unfolded in Soi Wat Lakhon Tham in the Ban Chang Lo subdistrict, around 9:45 AM today, May 15, when a 31-year-old Thai man named Tae began firing into the sky and sent the local residents into a panic, fleeing to safety. Reports of the incident, described as a man “shooting villagers” and acting wildly, were swiftly relayed to the Bang Khun Non Police Station. The officers responded promptly, leading to the swift sealing of the surrounding area. Upon arrival, they discovered that Tae had entrenched himself in a house with six unwilling hostages. As the situation grew more tense, the elite Arintharat police unit swiftly jumped into action. Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, rushed to…
Hold onto your boarding passes, folks, because it looks like Trang Airport is finally ready to spread its wings after years of turbulence. With enough drama and plot twists to make a soap opera envious, the long-awaited revamp of Trang’s terminal is gearing up to open its sleek new doors next month. But, as with any epic journey, there have been some major bumps along the runway. The project has been under the watchful eye of the People’s Party, promising not to take their eyes off the airport’s massive 4.4-billion-baht facelift. For those keeping score, this endeavor has been delayed more times than a plane stuck in an endless holding pattern. Yet, glimmers of hope are finally breaking through the stormy clouds as one crucial phase of the renovation is nearing take-off. Enter Rukchanok Srinork, our hero—or at least, the Bangkok MP and member of the House committee tasked with…
In the tranquil village of Ban Hin Ploeng, nestled in the Mueang Trat district of Trat province, a tragic event unfolded that cast a long shadow over the community’s peaceful routine. The day was marked by an incident as shocking as it was sorrowful, involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck brimming with durians. As fate would have it, this mishap resulted in a heartbreaking fatality. The clock had barely ticked past 6:00 PM on May 14 when Police Major Boonma Thatong received an urgent report of the incident. Without a moment to lose, he, along with the quick-response team from the Sawang Boon Rescue Foundation, rushed to the scene. There, amidst the normally picturesque setting, stood a pickup truck with its cargo of durians, mirroring the gravity of the situation. The vehicle, helmed by a 27-year-old driver named Teerat who escaped unharmed, bore the physical scars of the encounter.…
In a shocking incident that has gripped the town of Amphawa in the central province of Samut Songkhram, a young Thai delivery worker named Thanatat is fighting for justice following a brutal attack. This unfortunate event unfolded after a couple refused to pay for a delivery and resorted to violence when asked for payment, leaving Thanatat with significant injuries. The 20-year-old delivery worker shared his harrowing experience with the authorities at the Amphawa Police Station on May 14, a day after the violent confrontation. The ordeal began when Thanatat delivered a parcel to a residential address around 4 PM on May 13. Upon arrival, he found the house empty, but he promptly contacted the recipient, a woman named Pimonnart, using the details on the delivery label. Pimonnart assured Thanatat that she would transfer the payment of 225 baht via bank transfer and requested him to leave the parcel at the…
In a rather unsettling twist on the war against drugs, Thailand’s narcotics landscape has taken on a deceivingly playful veneer, with illicit substances now masquerading as seemingly harmless cartoon characters. Yes, you read it right: drugs are being shaped after beloved cartoon icons, captivating and potentially ensnaring the most unsuspecting demographic – children. In the bustling city of Bangkok, amidst the vibrant chaos and spirited energy, authorities have scored a significant bust, confiscating a series of Doraemon-shaped pills. These aren’t your friendly neighborhood gumballs though. These whimsical, candy-like pills are nothing short of a nightmare, concocted with a sinister mix of methamphetamine and ecstasy. Such nefarious creativity in the drug world poses a new, highly dangerous marketing twist that could spell disaster for unsuspecting youth. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Thailand has sounded a stern alarm, urging parents to heighten their vigil. As effervescent and attractive as these…
On a bright Thursday morning, a sleek aircraft awaited at Wing 6 of Don Mueang airport, ready to whisk Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her dynamic Thai delegation off to Vietnam for an engaging two-day official visit. The buzz of excitement was palpable as cameras flashed, capturing the momentous occasion, which was duly reported by Thai Khu Fah. While the trip might have been the headline, another hot topic was on everyone’s lips: the much-discussed third phase of the government’s 10,000-baht handout programme. Concerns had arisen over whether it would see the light of day, especially in light of economic tidal waves sent rolling by US tariffs affecting the Thai economy. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira recently noted that all economic stimulus policies were under a magnifying glass. Moments before a critical economic stimulus policy committee meeting at Government House, he reiterated the need to reevaluate priorities amidst the swirling trade…