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…
Posts published in “Thailand”
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…
In the bustling corridors of Thailand’s Parliament, a storm is brewing, anchored on one central figure—Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. As the no-confidence debate looms large, scheduled to stretch over a challenging 28-hour marathon from Monday to Tuesday, Ms. Paetongtarn finds herself at the epicenter of political crossfire. With opposition parties armed with pressing inquiries and allotted the lion’s share of the session, her resilience and composure will be put to the ultimate test. Ms. Paetongtarn, in a candid admission, revealed the daunting nature of the marathon session, scheduled to run until the early hours—5:30 am to be precise—confessing that she might require a reprieve to recharge. It’s no small feat to withstand such an early testing of one’s mettle, especially when the stakes are as high as the leadership of a nation. In the colorful world of Thai politics, the Shinawatra name casts a large shadow, and no debate concerning…
As the sun-kissed city of Bangkok hums with its usual vibrancy, an exciting event unfolded in the heart of the metropolis. Natthakul Wongwattanakit, the visionary CEO of P&N Inter Group Supply, graced the opening ceremony with his presence at the renowned Bangkok Vocational Training School, Din Daeng, to herald a new era of clean energy innovation and education. The venue, nestled on the sixth floor of Building 2, pulsed with anticipation as experts, innovators, and learners gathered for a cause that promises to shape our future. The spotlight was firmly on solar energy, with Saenyakorn expressing heartfelt gratitude to P&N Inter Group Supply for championing this critical renewable resource. “Harnessing solar power isn’t just about slashing energy bills,” Saenyakorn detailed passionately, “it’s about embracing a sustainable vision that’s indispensable for society and our environment’s growth.” The echoes of these words set the stage for a day brimming with learning and…
In the usually serene corners of Pattani’s Panare district, an air of unease and disbelief cloaks the Ban Klang subdistrict following a harrowing attack that has left both residents and authorities in shock. On the evening of March 20, as the sun dipped below the horizon, a quartet of masked figures descended upon the rural backdrop, their intentions as concealed as their identities. What unfolded was a chilling, execution-style murder that claimed the life of 64-year-old Maroning Masu, a well-known cattle farmer whose unassuming life made this violent end all the more bewildering. Eyewitnesses recount the scene with a shudder: Maroning was approached by the assailants on two motorcycles. Without a word, they unleashed a vicious assault, firing three shots directly at his head, leaving the elderly farmer with no chance of survival. The masked quartet then vanished into the bewitched tapestry of twilight, fleeing via an irrigation route, making…
In a heartrending tragedy that has shaken the close-knit community of Ban Na Doem, a serene district in Surat Thani, a young boy of just seven years finds himself orphaned after an unfolding nightmare of blood and silence. His life was forever altered when his father, Anu, in an unfathomable act of despair, shot his mother, Sasithorn, before ending his own life in a devastating murder-suicide. The tragic discovery was made in a singular house tucked away amid the tranquility of a palm plantation, its serene setting starkly contrasting the unspeakable acts within. Inside the humble abode, the kitchen held Sasithorn in what was her final attire – the clothes she wore for her laborious rubber-tapping job. Her body bore the brunt of multiple gunshots, wounds that spoke of violence, anger, and a tragic end. Nearby, everyday tools that had once been her companions in work now lay as poignant…