In a gripping tale of international intrigue and unexpected turns, Chinese actor Wang Xing found himself at the center of a dramatic rescue operation involving multiple countries and agencies. Sporting a newly shaven head, Wang, affectionately known to fans as Xingxing, recently made headlines when he was reunited with Tak governor Chucheep Pongchai and other local officials in Thailand’s picturesque Tak province. The tumultuous events unfolded over the past few weeks, leaving both fans and authorities on high alert. (Photo: Police) It all began innocuously enough, with Wang Xing traveling to Thailand on January 3, 2025, reportedly to pursue a lucrative film role. Little did he know that he was being drawn into a sinister web spun by a fake casting agent. Underneath the guise of a seemingly legitimate opportunity, a treacherous plot unfurled, luring the actor across borders into the clutches of a fraudulent online scam operation nestled in…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In recent discourse, the esteemed Phattarapong Leelaphat, the Chiang Mai MP representing the People’s Party, has made a clarion call for more robust funding to address and prevent disastrous occurrences that threaten our precious forests. Leelaphat highlighted a stark reality where government support falls desperately short. Local state agencies, tasked with the monumental challenge of preventing forest fires, continue to twiddle their thumbs because the resources simply are not there. The fiscal conundrum is glaring. As the fiscal year 2025 rolled in like an ominous storm on October 1 of last year, the Department of Local Administration placed an ambitious request for 1.3 billion baht. This budget was meant for 1,800 Tambon Administrative Organizations (TAO) across the nation, with the noble aim of spearheading forest fire prevention initiatives. Alas, the powers that be approved a meager 122 million baht—an insufficient potion to douse the flames threatening our forests, teeming with…
In a quiet corner of Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, the unwavering routine of everyday life came to a halt with the unexpected demise of Prawet, a 53-year-old resident of Ban Kok. The details are as surprising as they are somber. It was on the morning of January 12 that Prawet’s stepson, Santi Rabiabtham, unintentionally stumbled upon the scene while taking a break for a morning cigarette. Prawet’s departure from life seemed ordinary enough—a simple step outside to relieve himself, something he often did instead of using the indoor facilities. Yet, it culminated with tragic finality in the garden where Santi eventually found him still and lifeless, clad in his usual long-sleeved shirt and trousers. Upon this unsettling discovery, swift action was taken. The local village head was alerted, a ripple of urgency spread through the community, leading to a prompt call to local authorities. Responding to the call was…
In an unexpected twist that feels plucked straight from a modern crime thriller, a well-respected photographer, 46-year-old Thanakrit, has found himself at the center of a scandal that has echoes across Thailand and beyond. Known by his evasive alter ego, Ohm, Thanakrit was recently apprehended by the Metropolitan Investigation Bureau. His alleged crime? Distributing explicit images and videos of models on a not-so-secret subscription platform known as OnlyFans, amassing a small fortune of over 2 million baht in the process. This quirky case unravels like an intricately woven plot. Thanakrit has danced with the law before, facing previous allegations tied to obscenity. His unceremonious arrest this time around was spurred by a complaint from one of the models he worked with—claiming she was pressured into posing and subsequently discovered her likeness displayed online without her consent. On the brisk morning of January 11, a flurry of senior law enforcement officers,…
In an ambitious push toward fortifying economic ties, the Commerce Ministry is making a clarion call to Indian businesses to bring their entrepreneurial spirit to the vibrant shores of Thailand. This invitation comes as part of a stratagem to amplify trade exchanges between these two culturally and economically rich nations. This initiative was presented by Vice Minister Varavongsa Ramangkura, who stood in for Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan, during a recent dialogue with Keshab Mahanta, the dynamic Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, IT, and Science and Technology from Assam, India. The meeting, which unfolded amid the buzzing backdrop of Bangkok, aimed at aligning investment synergies and entrepreneurial interests between the countries. Minister Keshab Mahanta, spearheading a robust delegation, ventured to Thailand to wave the banner of the “Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit,” slated to ignite from February 25-26 in Assam. This summit is not just a gathering but…
In a world where dreams of international opportunity often glimmer with the allure of success, the path to working abroad can sometimes become tangled in deceit, as illustrated by a recent alarming incident reported by the Department of Employment (DoE). A vivid reminder that not all that glitters is gold, this cautionary tale features an unfortunate group of hopeful job seekers from Nakhon Ratchasima who found themselves ensnared in a web of deception. Imagine, if you will, the anticipation of 50 individuals, eyes set on South Korea, with visions of promising careers as restaurant workers or welders within bustling shipyards. However, a clandestine plot lurked beneath their ambitions. Enter stage left: three cunning con artists masquerading as employment agents, skillfully pulling the wool over the eyes of innocent job seekers. These charlatans spun tales of handsome salaries ranging from 60,000 to 120,000 baht per month, only to lure the victims…
Amid the tropical beauty and bustling cityscapes of Thailand, a burgeoning concern has taken root—a rising tide of depression among its youth. In a study spearheaded by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), a concerning picture unfolds, revealing that many young people are navigating the murky waters of mental health without the life vest of adequate support. With critical statistics highlighting the challenge, the pursuit of mental wellness becomes an urgent quest. According to the study, a startling 2,200 out of every 100,000 Thai youths aged 15 and above grapple with depression as of last year. Amidst this wave, Natthaya Bunphakdee, who helms ThaiHealth’s Office of Child, Youth, and Family Health Promotion, paints a stark picture of the available lifeline. She notes, “There are only 295 psychologists in Thailand who specialize in treating depression, and a staggering one-third of them are based in the metropolis of Bangkok.” The report dives…
In the lush and verdant landscapes of Thailand, where misty mountains stand guard over emerald forests teeming with life, an unexpected villain lurks: fire. The whispers of impending danger echo in the halls of government, where voices like Phattarapong Leelaphat, the dedicated Chiang Mai MP from the People’s Party, rise to call for greater vigilance and funding. As the earth warms and climates shift, the siren call for increased financial support to shield these invaluable forest regions becomes undeniable. With the recent fiscal allocations causing quite a stir, it’s crystal clear that our local heroes—the state agencies—faced an uphill battle in combating the blazing infernos threatening their reserved forests. The figures speak volumes. As the fiscal year 2025 began its course on October 1st of the previous year, the Department of Local Administration diligently projected a need of 1.3 billion baht to arm the 1,800 tambon administrative organizations (TAO) for…
The vibrant land of Thailand is taking a remarkable step into the future, with the National Health Security Office (NHSO) as a charioteer of change. What is at stake, you ask? Well, the NHSO has set its sights on extending its gold card healthcare scheme to over 480,000 ethnic individuals who are on the brink of being granted Thai citizenship. This isn’t just a simple policy shift—it’s a powerful testament to Thailand’s commitment to health equity. Imagine the delight on the faces of people finally being acknowledged not only as inhabitants but as bona fide citizens truly enveloped in the nation’s embrace! Yuphadee Sirisinsuk, the deputy secretary-general of NHSO, recently made an announcement teeming with hope. It is the NHSO’s earnest ambition to ensure that every Thai, whether they currently hold Thai ID cards or are earnestly waiting in the wings for citizenship verifications, will have equal access to healthcare…
Fasten your seatbelts, because Bangkok is on the brink of a transformative journey toward cleaner air and smarter living. The city’s dynamic governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, is all set to roll out a sweeping new work-from-home policy today, alongside an ambitious expansion of schools involved in the clean air shelter initiative. These decisive steps are targeted at shielding the bustling metropolis from the persistent menace of PM2.5 fine dust pollution, and it seems the winds of change are literally in the air. Just yesterday, Governor Chadchart delivered some uplifting news, reporting a noticeable improvement in Bangkok’s air quality. Thanks to serendipitously favorable weather conditions with strong winds and high ventilation rates, PM2.5 levels graciously dipped to an encouraging 24.9 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³). But don’t break out the celebration kazoos just yet, because he cautioned that the dust beast is anticipated to rear its head once more by mid-week. With…