In a whirlwind of controversy, drama, and intrigue, the world of Thai local politics was shaken on the fateful evening of September 6, 2023. It all went down in the opulent pool villa of a man once known as Praween Chankhlai, the sub-district chief of tambon Takong, widely recognized by his alias, “Kamnan Nok.” Fast forward to January 30, 2025, and Bangkok’s bustling Criminal Court has finally slammed down the gavel, sentencing Praween to life imprisonment. In this shocking tale of power, influence, and a deadly dispute over a police promotion gone awry, truth seems stranger than fiction. Praween’s residence wasn’t your ordinary suburban dwelling. His success in local public works contracts afforded him the kind of luxury most folks only dream of—like casually owning a 25-million-baht Bentley, which, for fun fact lovers, was parked not too far from the scene of the terrifying crime. But the wheels of fate…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Bangkok’s bustling streets were momentarily shaken as a dramatic shooting unfolded, sending ripples of urgency through the city’s Metropolitan Police Department. The evening of January 29 turned grim when gunfire erupted near the bustling Maboonkrong area, at the notable intersection of Phaya Thai and Chula 12 roads. The victim, a promising student from the Uthenthawai campus, was left battling for his life while police swung into high gear to crack the case. At approximately 10:50 PM, the tranquillity of the night was shattered by the sound of five gunshots, immediately alerting on-duty officers. Rushing to the scene, they discovered Narawit, a student caught in the crossfire. He was lying on the ground with two critical wounds to his chest, a sobering sight just meters from an ordinary night out. Without wasting a second, the officers escorted him to the Police Hospital, where medical staff worked tirelessly to stabilize his condition.…
In a charming curveball on the idyllic island of Koh Pha Ngan, nestled in Thailand’s southern Surat Thani Province, a story unfolded that was quite unlike its usual tales of beach bliss and party rhythms. The Tourist Police, ramping up efforts to curb illegal employment practices, had their eyes set on an unassuming construction site, which surprisingly doubled as the stage for a dramatic showdown between law enforcement and some creatively employed foreign nationals. The Thai Tourist Police, under the vigilant leadership of Saksira Phueak-aum, embarked on a mission to weed out illegal foreign workers on this scenic paradise. On January 29th, officers conducted a raid that led to the arrest of two foreign adventurers moonlighting as construction workers. The island’s tranquility was momentarily interrupted as 61-year-old Russian Vladimir Konovalenko and 50-year-old Estonian Jaanus Lelle were caught hard at work – without the necessary permits, alas – just as the…
In the tranquil stretch of Ang Thong province, a tragedy unfolded on January 29th that brought life as usual to a jolting halt. At precisely 2:15 in the afternoon, emergency workers from Pa Mok Police Station raced to the scene of a horrific crash reported by a passerby, on the bustling Ang Thong-Ayutthaya Road. As they arrived, they were met with the grim sight of two pickups locked in a mangled embrace — a silver-bronze Ford and a pristine white Isuzu — silent witnesses to the chaos that had just erupted. Eyewitnesses relayed a harrowing sequence of events that led up to the tragic impact. It appeared that the driver of the Ford, careening out of control, crossed the road’s median with devastating speed, directly into the path of the unsuspecting Isuzu. The resulting collision left both vehicles crushed beyond recognition, their fronts absorbing the brunt of the force. The…
In a vibrant medley of events from the Land of Smiles and its neighbors, today’s news roundup is a whirlwind of drama, adventure, and good old-fashioned chaos. Let’s kickstart with a Bangkok clip that’s grabbed attention more than a free pad Thai offer. A motorcyclist, seemingly channeling his inner rogue, was sent sprawling by a good Samaritan’s swift foot. This unexpected justice delivery occurred after the biker blazed through a red light, nearly trampling innocent pedestrians. The video, much like an underground indie film, was taken down but not before resurging like a phoenix, igniting public rage. Eventually, the law caught up with Jadesada, the two-wheeling daredevil, who is now facing a litany of charges that could see him riding a prison conveyor belt instead of his bike. On the picturesque island of Phuket, drama took another form when a pickup driver, seemingly auditioning for the role of reckless driver…
In recent times, a serious crackdown has taken shape in the vibrant land of Thailand, aimed precisely at those daring enough to flirt with the idea of faking their way across borders. The fervor against fraudulent documents has taken a noteworthy turn, with Pakistani nationals finding themselves in hot water should they attempt to enter Thailand using bogus papers. The meticulous introduction of more stringent visa guidelines by the vigilant Thai Consulate in Karachi heralds a new era of uncompromising immigration control. Every applicant is now required to ensure all their documents, ranging from airline tickets to hotel bookings, are bona fide and verifiable. An outspoken consulate official left no room for doubt: “Anybody caught submitting forged documents, including travel agents, will face severe consequences, including blacklisting.” This move is intended to sharply reduce the incidence of fraudulent entries while simultaneously strengthening Thailand’s grip on its immigration policies. This strategic…
Attention all Pattaya drivers! Starting Monday, February 3, a wave of stringent new parking rules will hit the streets in a bid to untangle the snarled traffic mess and improve safety for everyone on the road. If you’re accustomed to parking your vehicle as you please, it’s time to shake off that habit—because hefty parking fines and towing fees are set to become your new reality. South Pattaya Road is under the spotlight, with a firm prohibition on parking along footpaths and in areas demarcated with red and white lines. But wait, there’s more! The city is introducing an alternating parking schedule—dictated by the odd or even date—enforced between 11am and 11pm. This dramatic shift is designed to minimize congestion, particularly in the bustling stretch between the Wat Chai Mongkhol intersection and the Communications intersection on Third Road. Defying these rules will be a costly affair: Wheel clamping could set…
In the heart of the charming Ban San Pa Nat, nestled within the serene landscapes of Dok Kham Tai district in Phayao province, an age-old tradition came to life once more as the residents gathered for the annual ritual honoring the revered spirit of Chao Pho Ong Dam. This culturally rich event, held on the 13th day of the waning moon in the fourth month, saw the community come together with fervor, offering an array of items such as vibrant flowers, gently smoking incense, and delectable food as part of the sacred rites. At the center of this bustling festivity stood the medium of Chao Pho Ong Dam, who, with the grace and mystique that has captivated the locals for generations, ignited an incense stick for the purpose of divination. As the fragrant smoke danced around, the plumes gradually revealed an unexpected surprise—703. The numbers emerged as if by magic,…
On a serene evening in Baan Tha Hak, nestled within the Mueang 3 subdistrict of Pha Wa district, Surat Thani province, a quiet humdrum took a catastrophic turn as fiery chaos erupted at a local rubber smoking plant. As the clock hands danced to the 9.30 pm mark on January 29, a formidable blaze was unleashed, consuming over 16 tonnes of precious rubber sheets. The devastation accompanied by financial aftershocks left an indelible scar, with damage estimates scaling the heights of nearly 10 million baht (that’s about US$296,320 for you currency aficionados). The unwelcome inferno was promptly reported to Police Lieutenant Sarawut Kittiruengrayap, an astute investigator stationed at the Chaiya Police Station. With the winds of urgency at their backs, the news came tumbling down the grapevine to senior officers. In no time, firefighting battalions from neighboring municipalities – Talat Chaiya, Phum Riang, and Prasong – found themselves in a…
In the vibrant panorama of Thailand’s financial landscape, the Deputy Finance Minister, Phaophum Rojanasakul, has spotlighted a beacon of support known as the “You Fight, We Help” initiative. Just a few days shy of January 28, this program has already captivated the interest of a formidable 497,552 debtors, encompassing 576,496 accounts. The scheme’s well-crafted design intends to offer a helping hand to individual debtors through two primary measures, with a slight skip over direct registration with financial institutions. Let’s dive deeper into the specifics, starting with the first measure—”Direct Payment, Asset Retention.” A tailor-made plan especially for those grappling with home, car, and small SME loans within particular limits, this initiative strives to safeguard the debtor’s essential belongings. Housing loans find their threshold at 5 million baht, car loans peak at 800,000 baht, motorcycles at 50,000 baht, and SME ventures cap off at 5 million baht. The strategy thrives on…