Imagine the allure of a luxury hotel in Bangkok, with its opulent rooms, gourmet dining, and world-class service. Now, picture someone living the high life at these establishments without forking over a single baht. That’s precisely what transpired recently when a cunning Filipino university student managed to pull off this bold escapade, leaving several five-star hotels lighter in their wallets by hundreds of thousands of baht. The intriguing saga began when officers from Immigration Division 1 started receiving an outpour of complaints from hotel staff across Bangkok. The reports all followed a similar script: a Filipino national, charming and persuasive, had been managing to enjoy plush accommodations and sumptuous meals without settling the bill. As audacious as it sounds, Leonardo Hernandez, a 26-year-old university student from the Rangsit area, was behind this brazen operation. It’s a tale that almost reads like a Hollywood heist script. Hernandez cleverly booked his stays…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In an unexpected turn of events reminiscent of a high-stakes thriller, a peculiar drama unfolded on the sunny beaches of Phuket, Thailand—a tale involving a motorcycle, a misplaced key, a rogue Israeli adventurer, and some crafty detective work. This modern-day caper commenced on April 21 at the tranquil car park of Bangkok Hospital Siriroj, nestled along the bustling Chaloem Phrakiat Road in the Wichit sub-district. On that fateful day, a Thai gentleman found himself amidst a quandary. His cherished white Honda Click motorcycle had vanished into thin air, or so it seemed. In a moment of forgetfulness, he had left the keys dangling innocently from the ignition—a gesture that would soon give birth to a dramatic police escapade. Yet, our story’s protagonist didn’t scuttle directly to the law enforcement offices. It wasn’t until April 24 that he wended his way to the Wichit Police Station to report the heist, the…
The tragic collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district has once again captured headlines as the death toll has now surged to 68. The latest discovery of five more bodies brings a shadow over the metropolis, as reported by Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office. These unsettling discoveries unfolded between 10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, and 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 1. The tireless search for survivors presses on amidst heaps of rubble, with rescue teams working relentlessly through Zones B and C, driven by the grim mission to reach potential survivors still trapped in the ruins. Although the operation is meticulous, it’s not without its hurdles. With heavy machinery grinding continuously, efforts are at times derailed by technical snags or the urgent need for replacement parts. Reports confirm 68 fatalities solemnly, while anxiety mounts with 26 individuals still unaccounted…
Each year on May 1st, a stream of impassioned voices echoes through the bustling streets of Thailand, as labour groups gather to commemorate International Workers’ Day. This annual march – a vibrant tapestry of solidarity and advocacy – unfurls from the emblematic Democracy Monument to the formidable Government House, demanding action on pressing workers’ issues. On this poignant occasion, participants paused their march to honour the victims of a tragic disaster with a moment of silence, an act of respect as solemn as it was heartfelt. The disaster in question was the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, a calamity that cast a long shadow over the city. On the morning of that fateful Friday, rescuers sifted through the debris with resolve, retrieving 13 more bodies and bringing the somber death toll to 74, alongside nine injuries. Amidst the rubble, the fate of approximately…
In the heartland of Chaiyaphum, where the hustle and bustle seems a world apart, a scandal of high intrigue unfolded in a quaint roadside eatery. On what seemed like an ordinary night, Nong Bua Daeng Hospital’s director, Phuttha Samadchai, found himself embroiled in an event that would alter the course of his prestigious career. It was a scene that resembled a screenplay more than reality, with cameras rolling and drama unfolding. Dr. Phuttha’s journey down the road of recklessness began on a dim Wednesday evening. Behind the wheel of a Public Health Ministry vehicle, he veered off into the realms of the improbable when the car collided with the serenity of a roadside food stall. The clatter of clinking glasses was replaced by the sound of screeching tires as two unsuspecting TV cameramen, enjoying the evening breeze at their favorite eatery, were thrust into the spotlight. The gravity of the…
“Armageddon”—a term resonating with urgency and apocalyptic dread—is how seasoned human rights advocate Phil Robertson describes the abrupt cessation of numerous U.S. aid programs globally. In a move that sent shockwaves through humanitarian corridors, U.S. President Donald Trump enacted a 90-day foreign aid pause in January, followed by axing 90% of contracts, impacting nations worldwide, including Thailand. In the Deeper Dive podcast, Robertson, with palpable concern, reveals the devastating ripples caused by these cuts. “The most notable impact was along the Thai-Myanmar border, particularly affecting refugee camps,” Robertson explains. “Organizations like the International Rescue Committee were forced to shutter their operations, leaving refugees, especially the elderly, without pivotal medical care they desperately needed.” Tragically, on the opposite side of Myanmar in Bangladesh, U.S. aid halt significantly affected the Rohingya refugee camps. These camps, home to Rohingyas fleeing ethnic cleansing since 2017, suffered the loss of crucial programs once funded by…
Pattaya City has taken public convenience up a notch, unveiling a luxurious addition to their urban landscape—high-end mobile toilets with all the trimmings of modern comfort, including air conditioning! This amenity is a boon for both residents and tourists, and the best part? It’s absolutely free! The first of these sophisticated loo units has made its debut right outside Walking Street, adjacent to the South Pattaya Pumping Station. Elegantly accommodating both men and women, this facility boasts two restrooms per gender and operates daily from 8 AM to midnight. To ensure top-notch sanitation, a team of dedicated staff is on site, keeping everything spotless and fresh. “Pattaya is a world-class destination, and this is part of our effort to provide a world-class experience in every aspect,” stated Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, as he proudly inspected the mobile toilet unit alongside Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai, Mayoral Secretary Phumphiphat Kamolnath, members of the…
Amidst an April bustling with activity, on the 18th, a man exhibited the cutting-edge capabilities of a disaster alert message right from the convenience of his mobile phone. This showcased a significant leap forward as preparations were set for an inaugural, albeit limited, test on Friday. Illustrating a remarkable synergy of technological innovation and disaster preparedness, this first-of-its-kind nationwide test will commence precisely at 1 PM across five strategic locations in the country. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation leads this ambitious initiative, orchestrating the cell broadcast disaster alert system test within a two-kilometer radius around provincial halls in Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Suphan Buri, and Songkhla. Additionally, the Government Complex in bustling Bangkok is also on the list. Even if your mobile device is in silent mode, residents in these areas will abruptly witness a text message alongside a sound alert, ensuring no one misses the critical warning.…
Picture this: it’s April 18th, and you’re anxiously holding your mobile phone, eagerly awaiting what’s set to be a groundbreaking moment in Thai history. A man nearby demonstrates a disaster alert message on his phone, and you catch a glimpse of the excitement and slight nervousness in his eyes, not unlike your own. Indeed, this quaint Friday afternoon will be anything but ordinary, as the nation braces itself for the first-ever nationwide test of the cell broadcast disaster alert system. Set to unfold at the stroke of 1 PM, this audacious test will ripple across five distinct locales, each a gem in Thailand’s illustrious crown: Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Suphan Buri, Songkhla, and, of course, the bustling Government Complex in Bangkok. Within a two-kilometer radius of these strategic positions, mobile phones will buzz to life, delivering text messages and sound alerts that pierce through even the steely silence of devices…
In a dramatic and tragic turn of events, an Australian man met his untimely demise at a Phuket hotel on a fateful May 1 evening, with the haunting shadow of intoxication looming large. Sean Christopher Collins, a 59-year-old visitor from Down Under, found himself in a lethal dance with gravity, witnessed by none other than his distraught wife. The picturesque locale of Phuket, often celebrated for its sun-kissed beaches and paradise-inspired views, turned into a backdrop of heartbreak as Collins’ life came to a sudden halt. Lights flickered and shadows played along the corridors of a hotel on Rat Uthit 200 Years Road, nestled within the Kathu district. The atmosphere was serene until an emergency call pierced the night. Officers from Patong’s Police Station, alongside the Kusontham Foundation’s rescuers, charged towards the unfolding tragedy that had everyone holding their breath. A gathering of curious onlookers, hushed whispers, and a sense…