Picture this: an idyllic evening in Surat Thani’s Chaiya district, turned into a heart-wrenching scene on Wednesday night. A tour bus, filled with hopeful travelers, plunged into a ditch, leaving behind a trail of tragedy. With five souls taken too soon and thirty more injured, the grim reality of road safety in Thailand struck once again. As the courageous rescue workers toiled to retrieve the victims, the nation’s heart ached for the families affected. In a single day—Wednesday, to be exact—Thailand’s roads became a sobering statistic. A heart-stopping fifty lives were lost, and another 346 people were injured amidst the chaos of 339 road crashes. It was a deadly count as the New Year holidays unfolded, already marking 272 lives lost in the first six days of what has been dubbed the “10 dangerous days,” a well-intentioned campaign by the Road Safety Directing Centre of the Department of Disaster Prevention…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The government has undertaken a groundbreaking initiative by linking business registration applicants with a list of individuals flagged as high-risk for money laundering. This move, part of a larger strategy to clobber economic crime, became effective as of yesterday. Names appearing on this high-risk list will face deferred processing in their applications, necessitating the submission of valid supporting documents. Deputy government spokesman Karom Phonphonklang has shed light on a prevalent conundrum: scammers are capitalizing on legal entity registrations to hoodwink the public. By exploiting the credibility and operational leeway businesses offer, these tricksters weave a web of economic crime that the government is urgently striving to untangle. Scammers, with their savvy utilization of legal entity business registration documents, stealthily open bank accounts. This cunning method allows them to channel funds while sidestepping the meticulous financial scrutiny that banks usually enforce. Such fraudulent endeavors have inflicted severe damage on Thailand’s economic…
Imagine this: the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, alive with the festivities of the New Year Countdown. Amidst the noise and cheer, one unexpected incident managed to capture the attention of nearly everyone in town and beyond. It all revolved around a Japanese tourist, Hirano, who found himself caught in a rather fiery situation—quite literally! In the early hours after midnight on Wednesday, Hirano, a 31-year-old traveler eager to participate in the local celebration rituals, stood before the historic Tha Phae Gate with a hot-air lantern in hand. Lanterns like these, typically symbolizing good luck and new beginnings, are a traditional part of many celebrations. However, during this particular event, releasing them posed a considerable fire risk, prompting local authorities to issue orders against their use. Unaware—or perhaps just caught up in the moment—Hirano attempted to let his lantern take flight in the bustling crowd, oblivious to the chaos that…
The tranquility of Surat Thani, a picturesque province in southern Thailand, was shattered by tragedy over two consecutive days. What began as a serene journey turned into a nightmare for the travelers on Asian Highway 41, leaving a heart-wrenching trail of loss and injuries. It was a quiet Wednesday night when the first accident unfurled its grim tale. A tour bus, carrying 37 passengers, meandered through the dimly lit roads near Donrak Resort in the tranquil tambon Pawae of Chaiya district. Amidst the soothing hum of the engine, few anticipated the chaos about to ensue. In a sudden twist of fate, the bus skidded off the smooth surface of the road, plunging headlong into a roadside ditch. The impact resonated like a thunderclap, reverberating through the night air as the metal behemoth collided with trees along the way. Inside the bus, passengers were thrown into a tumult. Witnesses recalled the…
In the ever-evolving digital age of 2025, cybercrime has become a formidable force, overshadowing traditional criminal activities with its newfound hazy complexity. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), an institution formed in the heart of Thailand, has been facing this adversary with determined resolve and commitment to innovation. Under the judicious watch of Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, the bureau is unyielding in its quest to understand and disrupt the intricate web woven by online scammers. Amidst the influx of cybercrime reports in the early months of the year, Jirabhop shared insights with the Bangkok Post. He unveiled a staggering number: 279,861 appeals concerning online scams made their way to the Thai Police Online (TPO) platform from January to September, incurring damages of over 28 billion baht. In a landscape where each byte of data might carry the key to your worldly possessions, service scams reigned supreme in numbers, whereas investment…
Ah, New Year’s Day! A global symbol of fresh beginnings and infinite possibilities. Just yesterday, Thailand’s very own Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra embraced this magical moment by reaching out with heartfelt wishes to all her fellow Thais. She painted 2025 as a canvas brimming with opportunity, just waiting for the masterstrokes of hopes and dreams. In a beautifully orchestrated message, the prime minister invoked blessings from the sacred realms to sprinkle prosperity over the vibrant people of Thailand. Her words danced with optimism, proclaiming the upcoming year as a treasure trove of opportunities. She wanted to assure everyone that, as the government strives tirelessly, a brighter future inched closer to reality with each passing day—pumped full of vivid colors aiming to enhance the quality of life for every Thai. But Ms. Paetongtarn didn’t stop there. She whisked out a captivating video message that carved out the blueprint of what 2025…
Yesterday marked a significant milestone in Thailand’s journey toward comprehensive healthcare, as the concluding phase of the revolutionary “Treatment Anywhere” 30-baht universal healthcare scheme rolled out across the remaining 31 provinces. According to the National Health Security Office (NHSO), this initiative, a beacon of hope for many, now fully envelopes all 76 provinces of Thailand, promising enhanced accessibility and efficiency in medical services. Launched in a quartet of pioneering provinces – Phrae, Roi Et, Phetchaburi, and Narathiwat – on January 7, 2024, this ambitious plan was the brainchild of visionary health policy architects at the NHSO. Spearheading this transformative health movement is Dr. Athaporn Limpanylers, the deputy secretary-general of the NHSO, whose goals are clear: to make healthcare as convenient and rapid as your next-door bakery chasing a croissant. Imagine never having to trek miles to receive medical attention. That’s the dream Dr. Athaporn and his team are fervently working…
In a striking testament to the enduring allure of spiritual communion and cultural traditions, over 12 million individuals from across the vast stretches of the country joined in New Year transition prayers, as cheerfully announced by the vivacious Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol. In an atmosphere charged with anticipation and reverence, people gathered far and wide, resonating with hope and communal spirit as they bade farewell to the past year and welcomed 2025 with optimistic hearts. The harmonious hum of age-old chants echoed through 24,835 distinct establishments sprinkled throughout the nation. This grand orchestrated gesture of unity was brought to the fore through an initiative by the Religious Affairs Department, wholeheartedly encouraging all to step into the New Year enriched by these vibrant traditions. It’s not every day that technology becomes an ally in spirituality, facilitating participation for those bound by distance, making it possible for millions to engage online or…
The turn of the year is a time for celebration and fireworks, a dazzling spectacle illuminating the night sky. Yet, as vibrant colors adorn the air, the New Year countdown in bustling places like Nakhon Ratchasima and Pattaya witnessed a darker side of these pyrotechnic wonders—accidents that left four individuals injured, two of them in critical condition. In the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima, a serene evening in the districts of Wang Nam Khieo and Chalerm Prakiat was marred by unforeseen accidents. Somyos Butsadee, a 35-year-old local gentleman, found himself in the middle of a terrifying mishap at the Udomsappattana housing estate. A joyful night turned harrowing when serious injuries were inflicted on his fingers, and he was promptly whisked away to Wang Nam Khieo Hospital amid the sparkling festivities. Not far away, in Chalerm Prakiat district, another unfortunate incident befell 27-year-old Natthawat Thangphudsa. All fingers on his left hand were…
Picture this: in 2024, the ever-enchanting land of Thailand transformed into a vibrant playground as over 35 million travel enthusiasts from across the globe packed their bags and set sail for the kingdom’s delightful shores. This massive influx of wanderlusters lavished the local economy with a whopping 1.6 trillion baht—yes, trillion, not a typo—amidst a flurry of tuk-tuks and tantalizing Thai street food, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Delving deeper into these fascinating stats, it was the vivacious Chinese contingent—numbering an impressive 6.7 million—that spearheaded this travel bonanza, leading the charge like a caffeinated parade of adventurers, eager to snapchat every golden pagoda in sight. Hot on their heels and equally enthusiastic were our neighboring Malaysians, just shy of 5 million strong, followed by fervent crowds hailing from India, South Korea, and Russia. However, these jet-setters weren’t the only ones contributing to Thailand’s bustling tourism scene. Within…