In the heart of Udon Thani, a former boxing star’s fall from grace captures the imagination and curiosity of locals and boxing enthusiasts alike. On January 29, a once-heralded fighter, 33-year-old Suwat Damrongchat, also known by his monikers “Wat” or Thawatchai S. Nanthaka, made headlines for all the wrong reasons. His journey from a revered local festival boxer to petty criminal paints a poignant picture of the struggle between fame, addiction, and redemption. The drama unraveled when Wat, in a desperate act, pilfered a meager 600 baht from a grocery store nestled in the precincts of Nong Phai, Mueang district, a significant hub of Udon Thani. The theft wasn’t a spectacular heist; rather, it was a scene caught meticulously on CCTV, revealing the quiet pain of a man who once fought for glory but now fights the demons of a drug habit. He was promptly identified and apprehended, thanks to…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the vibrant heart of Bangkok, a haze of toxic air pollution has descended upon the bustling city, creating health hazards and diverting flight paths in an unprecedented atmospheric drama. As February rolled in with unforeseen fury, the bustling aviation hub at Don Mueang International Airport found itself at the mercy of Mother Nature, with several flights redirected to Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday morning, February 2nd. The culprits? A dense smog reduced visibility to a perilous 150 meters, as evidenced by AirAsia X Flight XJ901’s diversion from Harbin, China. Other flights such as AirAsia Flight FD3417 from Chiang Mai and Lion Air Flight SL213 from Ahmedabad, India, found themselves in a dizzying aerial limbo, circling above in hope for better conditions. The pollution episode became glaringly obvious with PM2.5 particulate matter levels hiking to a distressing 64.7 µg/m³ at Don Mueang, nearly doubling Thailand’s accepted safe limit of 37.5 µg/m³.…
In the bustling city of Bangkok, amid its vibrant streets and alluring skyline, a dramatic scene unfolded as law enforcement officers swooped down on a luxury condominium in Huai Khwang. Their mission? To dismantle an illegal online gambling syndicate that had been operating in the shadows, amassing a staggering daily turnover of over 2 million baht from its impressive network of 200,000 members. This clandestine operation, akin to a secret society, was orchestrated by three men who now find themselves in a web of legal troubles. The arrested trio consists of 41-year-old Wen Chong, 24-year-old Peng Cheng, and 31-year-old Po Hong, each wearing an expression more somber than the melodramatic skies of Bangkok during the monsoon season. As Tourist Police stormed their lavish condo, the scene could likely rival a gripping episode of a crime drama series. Dubbed the masterminds behind the operation, these individuals were reportedly affiliated with the…
In a bold move to combat rising corporate deception, the Commerce Ministry is stepping up with a dedicated task force aimed at tackling fraudulent business registrations. The ministry is spearheading efforts to establish a foolproof verification system to authenticate business sites, a development that comes in response to growing concerns about criminals cunningly using legitimate entities for deceitful gains. Speaking from the corridors of Government House, the dynamic Deputy Commerce Minister, Napintorn Srisanpang, shared the ministry’s ambitious plans. He addressed the alarming trend where fraudulent accounts are being registered under legitimate corporate names, effectively giving a false cloak of credibility to criminal activities. Not one to stand idly by, Mr. Napintorn announced the formation of a special task force, which notably includes Jittakorn Wongkhetkorn, the deputy director-general of the Department of Internal Trade (DIT), among its ranks. The task force’s primary mission? To collaborate closely with the Digital Economy and…
Thursday promises to be a momentous day in the vibrant province of Samut Prakan, where officials from the Narcotics Control Board are set to enact a fiery purge of epic proportions. Picture this: over 27 tonnes of illicit substances going up in smoke, marking a significant stride in the Office of Narcotics Control Board’s ongoing battle against drugs. At the helm of this herculean task is none other than Apikit Chrojprasert, the astute deputy secretary-general of the ONCB. On Tuesday, alongside a cadre of law enforcement luminaries and government officials, Mr. Apikit rolled up his sleeves to set the stage for an incendiary spectacle — the large-scale destruction of confiscated narcotics. This massive haul of drugs, amassed over just the past two months, weighs in at a staggering 27.51 tonnes. In 151 separate cases, authorities managed to seize an alphabet soup of illegal substances that read like a noir crime…
Prepare for an educational adventure as AFAIRS Exhibitions & Media from India is all set to unveil the much-anticipated Indian Boarding Schools Expo and Study in India Expo. Tailored especially for Thai families, this premier event will light up Bangkok for its fifteenth year in running. Mark your calendars for February 8-9, 2025, and head to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre for a chance to dive into a world teeming with academic possibilities. Students and parents will find themselves amidst an array of opportunities that promise globally recognized qualifications, a melting pot of cultures, and a wallet-friendly tuition plan! Meet the Experts & Explore Diverse Academic Pathways This isn’t just another educational fair—it’s a veritable wonderland for Thai parents eager to glimpse the educational horizons accessible to their children. Here, heads of schools, esteemed principals, and admissions gurus take center stage. Have a child in third grade or seeking…
In what can only be described as a dramatic turn of events in Nakhon Thai, Phitsanulok province, a police operation swooped in on a sophisticated fraud ring that had shamefully deceived 140 villagers out of a staggering 41 million baht. Not just a mere criminal operation but one entangled with an award-winning sub-district chief at its helm, the story has the makings of a blockbuster thriller. The curtain rose on this operation on a seemingly normal Tuesday morning when Pol Col Somboon Sidaeng coordinated a deft strike involving 30 to 40 officers. Their mission? To bring down suspects entwined in a sprawling case of public fraud that has left the small community of tambon Na Bua in the throes of disbelief and betrayal. With an assembly of 10 arrest warrants hot off the press from the Nakhon Thai District Court, the officers divided themselves into four strategic teams, launching surprise…
In a vibrant partnership bridging East Asia’s economic powerhouses, Japan and Thailand have joined hands in the fight against counterfeit goods. The Land of the Rising Sun, renowned worldwide for its authentic products, is extending its expertise to fortify Thailand against the tide of imitation merchandise. A unique handbook has been unveiled, designed to arm Thai officials with a robust tool in the identification of genuine Japanese products. This initiative is spearheaded by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP). The two bodies recently convened in Bangkok for a Thailand-Japan IP protection training seminar aimed at battling intellectual property violations. The seminar drew a diverse crowd, featuring representatives from Japanese government sectors, notable companies, and officials from various Thai agencies. The primary goal of this seminar was multifaceted. Attendees were equipped with crucial information about the ownership and safeguarding of intellectual property rights. Moreover,…
Picture this: Bangkok’s skyline obscured by a dense, hazy fog, casting an eerie presence over the bustling metropolis. Such scenes, like the one captured on January 25th, are becoming alarmingly frequent. This environmental crisis, often veiled in the innocuous term “haze,” is, in reality, a smoke signal from Mother Nature, demanding urgent attention. One corporation taking the lead in addressing this issue is Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, Thailand’s agricultural giant. On a seemingly ordinary Tuesday, Jomkitti Sirikul, the senior vice-president of CP Group, stood resolute in his commitment to environmental stewardship. At a meeting with Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat, he reaffirmed CP’s unwavering stance against sourcing maize from farmers who practice the ecologically devastating technique of crop burning. “CP has unequivocally stated that it will not procure maize from any regions where growers engage in burning plant residues post-harvest,” declared Sirikul, underscoring a policy crafted to alleviate the…
On January 24, Si Sa Ket found itself at the center of Thailand’s political spotlight when Thaksin Shinawatra, the nation’s former prime minister and political heavyweight, made an appearance. The event sparked speculation and analysis across the country, with debates swirling around whether Thaksin’s political prowess was waning. However, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul firmly dismissed such notions, asserting that the former premier remains a formidable force in the political arena. Anutin, who also serves as the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, emphasized Thaksin’s enduring influence. “Warriors are warriors,” Anutin declared with a hint of theatrics, suggesting that underestimating Thaksin could lead to unforeseen consequences. His statement came amidst whispers questioning Thaksin’s grip on power, particularly after the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s less-than-expected performance in the recent provincial administration organization (PAO) elections. While some analysts pointed to Pheu Thai’s struggles in certain provinces, others highlighted Bhumjaithai’s strong showing as a…