In a bustling boardroom echoing with the hum of strategic discussions, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took the helm on a Wednesday meeting, urging action with the gusto and appeal of a motivational speaker rallying a winning team. The flickering images on Thai Khu Fah Facebook captured her as she commanded attention, emphasizing the urgent need to accelerate the disbursement of the nation’s investment budget, which, surprisingly, was inching forward like a cautious tortoise in its race with inefficiency. Having waved goodbye to the old fiscal year on the cheerful notes of October 1st, the disbursement figures pegging at a mere 18% since then seemed a slow waltz that failed the tempo. The impeccably suited officials, including the revered permanent secretaries, leaned in as Ms. Paetongtarn — with the eloquence of a practiced orator — expressed her concerns. The snail-paced spending was not just a numbers game; it held the ominous…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the vibrant tapestry of northeastern Thailand, where the lush greens of rice paddies stretch as far as the eye can see, a saga of corporate intrigue and local resistance unfolds. At the heart of Dan Khun Thot, a district nestled in Nakhon Ratchasima, the echoes of potash mining have stirred the voices of dissent. Imagine a land where 9,005 rai—equivalent to approximately 14.4 square kilometers—once promised tranquility, now buzzing with controversy over digging for potash, a key ingredient for plant fertilizers. The drama unfolds against the backdrop of Bangchak Plc’s investment crescendo. A name that resonates on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, Bangchak stands as the stalwart majority owner of Thai Kali Co, a mining entity sitting comfortably on a 25-year concession. But, alas, the tranquility is but a distant dream for the locals who call this land home. Last month, Bangchak intensified its roots in Thai Kali, buying…
In a swirling storm of allegations and international intrigue, Thailand finds itself on the defensive over the alleged mistreatment of She Zhijiang, a high-profile gambling tycoon currently in detention. Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong firmly dismissed these accusations, asserting that She is afforded the same treatment as any other inmate, complete with regular legal consultations and stringent security measures in place to avert any form of abuse. Such is the drama that unfolds when power, politics, and the law converge, with this scenario unfolding like a complex chess game on the global stage. She Zhijiang, a dual citizen of China and Cambodia, was nabbed by authorities in Bangkok back in 2022, courtesy of an international arrest warrant and an Interpol red notice issued by Beijing. The backdrop to this legal saga is She’s alleged involvement in orchestrating extensive illegal online gambling operations across Southeast Asia. According to Chinese authorities, the evidence…
In a tale that’s as dramatic as it is true, one Bangkok pedestrian decided that enough was enough, and the remarkable incident has caught the attention of people from all walks of life. It was a regular day at the bustling zebra crossing on Ratchadamri Road near Chulalongkorn University—notorious for its frenetic pace and pushy traffic. Yet, this time, the usual chaos turned into a viral spectacle. Enter our hero for today, a dedicated TikToker donning a punchy pink shirt and shorts, known to his followers as @p_is_myname on the popular video-sharing platform. In a moment that could easily have been a scene from an action movie, the TikToker found himself caught amidst a group of more than ten pedestrians, patiently waiting for vehicles to heed the glaring red light. In an unexpected twist, a daredevil motorcyclist, later identified as 26-year-old Jadesada, boldly charged through the crowd, paying no mind…
In the heart of an ordinary day in Cherng Talay, a scene unfolded that was anything but mundane. A brash pickup truck driver, seemingly in a hurry to outsmart traffic chaos, danced with danger in an attempt to cut off an 18-wheeler—a gargantuan beast of a vehicle, no less—hauling a towering crane. The escapade, captured in gritty detail by the CCTV cameras of the vigilant Cherng Talay Police, tells a tale that veers precariously close to catastrophe. The drama played out on a Monday, January 27th, etched into local lore more for its improbability than its devastation. The footage reveals a nail-biting attempt by the pickup truck to squeeze past the lumbering giant. Alas, gravity and momentum are unforgiving mistresses, and the pickup met the cold, hard embrace of the truck’s might. Though the collision happened at low speed, the pickup was swept effortlessly down the road, caught in a…
The bustling city of Bangkok finds itself in the throes of an air quality predicament that has sparked a call to action from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). As an uninvited guest, PM2.5, the tiny villain with a diameter no larger than 2.5 micrometers, threatens to crash the city’s party with a seven-day residency starting this Thursday. This microscopic miscreant is notorious for sneaking into lungs and bloodstream, leaving behind a trail of respiratory and cardiovascular mischief. BMA’s charismatic spokesman, Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, painted a vivid image of what’s to come at Wednesday’s press conference. He noted that Mother Nature herself seemed to hand the keys to PM2.5 by offering low air ventilation and frequent temperature inversions. “Imagine pollution as a bothersome party crasher refusing to leave,” he quipped, adding, “These meteorological conditions will reduce its exit points, escalating the potential for fine dust dominance in our beloved Bangkok.” The air…
In a bustling corner of Bangkok’s Rama 9 neighborhood, a seemingly ordinary beauty salon found itself at the heart of an unexpected police operation. Dubbed “Happy Chinese New Year 68,” this special operation wasn’t aimed at celebrating the festive season with fireworks and red envelopes but at uncovering illegal activities that painted the town in a different shade altogether. As the tourist police swept into Yinhaijinchuan Barber & Salon, what they uncovered was more than just hairdressing escapades. Arrested during the raid were two Chinese nationals and four Burmese individuals who were found working illegally—a discovery that scratched beneath the surface of Bangkok’s booming beauty industry. This collaborative expedition by law enforcement aimed not only to uphold the merits of labor laws but also to ensure that the city’s vibrant cultural milieu wasn’t diluted by those skirting established regulations. Presenting a roster of individuals involved in this dubious affair, the…
In the heart of Phuket’s bustling construction scene, where steel and stone meet the genteel sway of palm trees, a morning incited with promise turned horrifically bloody on January 29, 2025. What could have unfolded as a typical workday, manifested instead as a sinister tableau of rage and death. As dawn dusted over Soi Phu Yai Din, Village 4 in Srisoonthorn, an ominous promise hung heavy in the air like the mist from the nearby sea. The tranquil lull of the early hours was violently shattered just before 8:30 AM. The day’s tranquility spiraled into tragedy as police swarmed the construction site, where 28-year-old Ka Aye met his grisly demise. His body lay draped over the cold, unyielding surface of a steel-cutting machine, a harrowing scene that spoke of fury and finality. The slash across his neck—a dreadful testament to the day’s feud—left him no chances. Clasping a red lighter,…
In a dramatic revelation that has sent ripples across Thailand, local authorities make headway in their investigation of a savage gang attack captured on camera in Pattaya. This disturbing event, which dates back to September 13 of last year, showcases a harrowing narrative: a Chinese man savagely beaten into unconsciousness by a relentless gang. The CCTV footage unveiled this heart-wrenching assault to the world, quickly igniting public fury and pushing the Chon Buri Police into high gear. Heading the operation with unwavering resolve, Chon Buri Police Commander Police Major General Thawatakiat Jindakwansanong called a top-level crisis meeting to spark progress in this high-stakes case. The outcome? Arrest warrants for 10 out of a suspected 14 attackers—comprising both local and Chinese nationals—have been issued, signaling a significant step forward. Despite a slew of arrests, four alleged perpetrators remain elusive, pushing authorities to rally for international cooperation to complete the dragnet. Backing…
It’s not every day you hear about the authorities shutting down a school on a tropical island, but that’s exactly what happened on the picturesque shores of Koh Phangan, where a Burmese-language school became the epicenter of a rather unusual investigation. Four individuals from Myanmar found themselves in a tricky situation after running what can only be described as an educational speakeasy in Koh Phangan International Church. Picture this: 190 lively children, ranging in age from tiny tots of three to slightly taller twelve-year-olds, chattering away in Burmese while flipping through a modest collection of 31 English and Burmese textbooks. Now, you might be thinking, what’s the harm in a bustling hub of learning? Well, Pol Maj Charoenchai Boonkliang and his eagle-eyed team of officials weren’t quite amused on this particular Tuesday. In what unfolded more like a scene from a detective novel set in a paradise, the officers swooped…