Posts published in “Thailand”

The atmosphere was electric inside parliament on that fateful February 27th. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, poised beneath the stern expressions of her political peers, was about to face the music—a two-day censure debate that promised to be as riveting as it was consequential. Her opponents sharpened their metaphorical swords, ready to lash out with accusations and grievances, while supporters steeled themselves for a face-off meant to test their leader’s mettle. Paiboon Nititawan, the outspoken secretary-general of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), predicted that this debate would be far more than a mere political performance. With a twinkle of intrigue in his eye, he suggested that the session would open Pandora’s Box, unraveling a tapestry of legal debates and issues that could become antecedents to significant political upheaval. The whispers around Parliament House hinted at the hot potatoes on the agenda: the contentious possession of the Alpine golf course and other…

In what feels like a plot straight out of an international crime thriller, the streets of Bangkok played host to a high-stakes manhunt that culminated with the dramatic capture of a notorious fugitive. Zhang Wei, a Chinese national, found himself in the limelight for all the wrong reasons—as he found himself the central figure in the saga involving a whopping 2.4 billion yuan embezzlement case. That, for the exchange-rates inclined, translates to an eye-watering 11 billion baht. The ambiance of Bangkok, normally resonant with tantalizing street food aromas and the vibrant buzz of tuk-tuks darting through vibrant marketplaces, shifted gears on a recent Saturday. Within the hustle of the Ratchaprasong district, packed with luxury and opulence, a discreet operation led by none other than Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyaluck had come to a head. He announced with the steady resolve of a seasoned lawman the capture of the elusive Mr.…

In a bold move, the Ministry of Transport has rolled out draft legislation that could forever change the face of Thailand’s infrastructure. Picture this: a monumental Southern Economic Zone emerging from the heart of the Land of Smiles. This isn’t just a daydream; it’s a pioneering project that aims to create a Land Bridge, seamlessly connecting the azure waters of the Andaman Sea with the bustling Gulf of Thailand. Envisioned as a direct link, this ambitious plan will stretch its arms across key provinces like Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit is at the helm, steering the ship of this development with hopes that the Southern Economic Corridor Act will sail smoothly into action by September. Under the banner of Pheu Thai’s leadership, the Land Bridge project carries a weighty price tag of around 1 trillion baht—yes, a whopping $29 billion! But the value it…

In the bustling heart of Bangkok, amidst the vibrant chaos that is the MBK Shopping Centre, an unexpected and unsettling scene unfolded yesterday evening. As the sun began to set and the shoppers swarmed the famously crowded hub at Phayathai Road, tensions flared and factions clashed, marking a day that the patrons and staff alike will not soon forget. The clock struck 7:16 pm as two rival student factions let their long-standing grievances spill over into a violent altercation that left bystanders shocked and nearby store managers exasperated. This was no ordinary squabble, as students from the esteemed Pathumwan Institute of Technology faced off against their counterparts from Rajamangala University of Technology. Armed with knives, the students turned the mall’s sixth floor into an impromptu battleground. Shoppers, initially there to indulge in leisurely retail therapy or perhaps a meal, quickly scrambled for cover. Echoing hollers and the terrifying sight of…

In a chilling tale fraught with suspense and tragedy, a couple’s drastic actions over a relatively simple debt has shocked the serene province of Nakhon Pathom. The story begins with the mysterious disappearance of a young woman, Ann Piyawan, a mother whose unfortunate fate was concealed behind the seemingly innocuous facade of a typical neighborhood home. Desperation, crime, and a gripping police investigation – all blend in this harrowing narrative that seems to leap straight out of a thriller novel. It all began on that fateful day, March 4th, when Ann set off from her home, leaving her child under the care of her sister with the hopes of collecting a debt from Phattharaphon, a 21-year-old well-known to the family. Ann, a determined young woman, intended for the rendezvous to be quick, her promise to return soon resonating with the family. However, what transpired next was beyond comprehension, igniting a…

In the heart of the Samphran district, nestled within the vibrant hub of Nakhon Pathom, there’s a nightlife venue that has recently made quite the splash—a notorious splash, that is. Yes, I’m talking about Neon pub, which underwent a rather unexpected spotlight moment in the wee hours of this past Sunday. Picture this: it’s 3am, the music’s thumping, strobe lights flashing, and just when everyone thinks they’re grooving into the last dance, in stride the officials of the Department of Provincial Administration. Talk about a buzzkill. This particular gig wasn’t the usual show; it was a surprise visit that not even the best bouncers could foresee. Complaints had been piling up—rumors of something a little extra on the menu at Neon pub. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t new cocktail specials. Instead, narcotics were reported to mingle too freely with the club’s patrons. As officials made their entrance, they effectively blocked all…

In a scene quite reminiscent of a suspenseful action thriller, Bangkok recently found itself at the center of a dramatic, albeit tragic, storyline—a tale of construction, collapse, and judicial proceedings. The once bustling Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway became eerily silent on March 16, 2025, as workers from the Expressway Authority of Thailand embarked on the arduous task of clearing debris from a significant mishap that unfolded near Rama II Road in Chom Thong district. A construction beam unexpectedly succumbed to the forces of gravity, bringing with it devastation and chaos. The story takes a sharp turn into the corridors of justice, where the Ministry of Transport and the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) have zeroed in on accountability. They’ve lodged civil and criminal charges against the contractor in charge of building the Rama III-Dao Khanong Expressway. The collapse, occurring in the wee hours of a Saturday, tragically claimed the lives…

In the vibrant city of Pattaya, amidst the sun, sand, and surf, there sometimes lurk shadows that beckon the attention of local law enforcement. On such a day, the bustling streets were unequivocally reminded of the age-old struggle against substance abuse, as an unanticipated raid sprung to life in a derelict beer bar, nestled near the threshold of one of the city’s most frequented roads. On March 21, a conspicuous joint operation unfolded, spearheaded by Nattawat Sophonsewatasilp, an esteemed senior administrative officer from the Bang Lamung district. Side by side with him stood Police Lieutenant Colonel Sonthaya Khonsap from the Crime Suppression Unit of the Pattaya City Police Station. Together, they orchestrated a raid intended to address concerns brought forth by vigilant locals who suspected that the unsanctioned haven had become a nucleus for illicit drug activity. Boldly, they stepped into the shadows of the forsaken venue, stationed at the…

In a peculiar twist of events in Pattaya, a 40-year-old homeless man known only as Weerasak found himself at the sniffling end of justice after setting his sights on the Pattaya Provincial Court sign—armed with nothing but a spray can and perhaps a bit of artistic ambition. This episode of unusual vandalism unfolded as authorities, with furrowed brows, pieced together how the courthouse’s lofty sign on bustling Thapphraya Road became an unintended canvas. The errant artist’s journey didn’t stop at the court sign. Like a modern-day Picasso with a penchant for public objects, Weerasak forged his unwelcome signature on streetlight poles and shops’ exteriors in a baffling spree across South Pattaya. According to a police spokesperson, the persistent scribbler was spotted on CCTV, artfully transforming the sober court sign before vanishing into a thicket like a graffiti-streaked phantom. Police were quick on the trail, and soon they closed in on…

The vibrant city of Bangkok is undergoing a transformative phase as it embarks on an ambitious project aimed at revolutionizing its footpaths. With a mission to enhance safety, accessibility, and integrate the uniquely local flair of its diverse districts, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is trailblazing towards a whopping 1,000 kilometers of premium-quality footpaths by the year 2026. They’re already on a roll, clocking in more than 70% completion, and the excitement is palpable. Just yesterday, Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, the eloquent spokesperson for the BMA, led a convoy of eager journalists to witness firsthand the metamorphosis at Phran Nok Market and Itsaraphap MRT Station, both nestled in the heart of Bangkok’s vibrant central districts. These bustling locations are part and parcel of an expansive blueprint that seeks to revitalize 87 strategic routes, stretching a dynamic 774 kilometers, all set for a grand reveal by April 2025. “Revamped footpaths sit at the…