In the heart of southern Thailand, a scene straight out of a thriller unfolded as police in Chana district of Songkhla orchestrated a dramatic bust on a seemingly ordinary evening. It was Saturday when law enforcement officers, blending local smarts with a web of informant whispers, intercepted a Honda sedan and a Mitsubishi Pajero rumbling along a nondescript road in tambon Taling Chan. The thrill of the chase had been ignited by a tip-off suggesting that this unassuming vehicle duo was in fact playing a starring role in an illicit smuggling script. Their mission: to stealthily ferry ten illegal migrants from Myanmar across the Thai border into Malaysia, a promise of work lurking on the horizon. Enter Pol Col Chanokruadee Pongsiri, the maestro orchestrating this interception for the Highway Police Division 7. As the dust from the stopping vehicles settled, the backstage opened. The drivers? A couple of local lads…
Posts published in “Thailand”
On a crisp Sunday morning, the serene beauty of Wang Chan district in Rayong province, Thailand, found itself shrouded in a veil of thick smog. This pervasive haze was but one manifestation of a much larger environmental concern gripping the nation. Across the expansive sprawl of Thailand, a staggering 58 out of 77 provinces registered alarmingly high levels of toxic ultrafine dust, flagging an urgent call to action amid the haze of the Central Plain. At the heart of the matter was the notorious particulate matter—PM2.5. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) made public their stern findings at 10 a.m., when they reported that PM2.5 levels had escalated to the hazardous red zone in 20 provinces. Among the afflicted areas, Sing Buri province bore the brunt of the pollution with a peak of 109.7 micrograms per cubic meter of air, marking the highest PM2.5 level within the past…
In the heart of Rayong, Thailand’s picturesque province, nature’s fury has taken center stage as a relentless wildfire blazes across Khao Chom Hae. This fiery ordeal, persisting for over five days, has sparked rising concerns of dust pollution covering not only Rayong but its neighboring areas as well. The wildfire, a merciless force of nature, has painted a path of destruction over an expanse exceeding 20,000 rai (approximately 7,900 acres). Its fiery grip extends across the districts of Nikhom Phatthana, Ban Chang, and Mueang, leaving roughly 30% of the lush forest reduced to cinders. Firefighting efforts face nearly insurmountable challenges; treacherous terrains hinder the brave hearts battling this blaze. Local teams must metamorphosize into mountaineers, scaling steep slopes to carve out firebreaks for control. The on-ground struggle is exemplified by Kittipong Bamrungphong, a dedicated 57-year-old volunteer driver, recounting the arduous journey where even with the assistance of off-road vehicles, firefighters…
In a notable move for both health and economic sectors, the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for kratom plant products, ushering in a new era of opportunity for Thailand. The green light, specifically for mitragynine, an active component found in kratom leaves, allows its usage up to 3 milligrams (mg) per day, though strict label warnings are mandatory. Dr. Witit Srisa-atchachakul, the Deputy Secretary-General of the FDA, broke the news, highlighting collaboration with a specialized subcommittee of experts who have collectively endorsed this increased allowable amount of mitragynine extract in herbal health products. Originally, the ceiling was a mere 1 mg per day. This significant hike to 3 mg comes after thorough research spearheaded by Mahidol University, which demonstrated the safe usage of kratom, while Naresuan University conducted extensive chronic toxicity studies on animals. Kratom products are celebrated for their antioxidant qualities. However, Dr. Witit emphasized…
Brace yourselves, folks! Thailand is set for a blast of wintry weather, bringing with it chills, thrills, and some rather dramatic meteorological antics. According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), the frosty wave is forecasted to start tomorrow, leaving locals searching for their warmest scarves and jackets. In the north and northeastern regions, expect cold to very cold weather accompanied by thick fog. Residents might even spot a touch of frost gracing the mountaintops, giving Mother Nature a sparkling new wardrobe. While the mornings might greet you with a dense fog hug, don’t be fooled; temperatures will skyrocket to highs of 36 degrees Celsius later in the day. But, hold onto those steering wheels tightly, dear drivers—the foggy roads call for extra caution! Bangkok, the bustling heart of Thailand, won’t escape the chill either. As the city awakes, a cool breeze and morning fog will wrap around the cityscape, nudging…
On a serene day at the tropical paradise of Koh Samui, an unexpected health crisis unfolded at Theeparatpittaya School, leaving a flurry of urgent medical activity in its wake. The tranquil backdrop of palm trees and rolling waves was suddenly juxtaposed against sirens and the hurried footsteps of paramedics, as sixty-two eager scouts found themselves in the throes of a severe food poisoning episode. It was January 24, a day meant for adventure and camaraderie, that turned into a real-life emergency exercise. The students were part of a scout camp, buzzing with youthful energy and enthusiasm, organized over the three days from January 22 to 24. However, this adventure took a gut-wrenching turn after the seemingly harmless act of consuming boxed meals prepared for the campers. Not long into their twilight fun, students began doubling over with abdominal pain, quickly followed by waves of nausea and fatigue. At Theeparatpittaya School,…
In an undercover operation that sounds like the plot of a detective novel, authorities recently stumbled upon a warehouse stockpiling over one million sachets of dietary supplement coffee and vitamin C of Chinese origin, both sporting counterfeit Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval numbers. These dubious goods were seemingly en route to online marketplaces, unsuspecting buyers none the wiser about the potential perils hidden within each sachet. This daring raid was orchestrated under the stewardship of Police Colonel Thasnapoom Jarupraty and his intrepid squad, in partnership with Deputy Director Sasavee Narakorn from the Food Bureau. Their mission took them to a rather unassuming storage facility nestled in the industrial belly of Bang Bo district, Samut Prakan province. Acting on intelligence whispers about illicit imports, the team’s sleuthing led to the warehouse in the Bang Bo subdistrict, where a treasure trove of mystery was about to unfold. Picture the scene as…
In an unexpected turn of events, a popular motorcycle parts dealer, renowned for his expertise in Harley-Davidson, was discovered lifeless in his vehicle, a bronze-gold Volvo V70XO, at the bustling Phra Khanong transport office. The incident unfolded on January 24, leaving locals in shock as the 51-year-old entrepreneur, known affectionately as Tom, was found seated in the driver’s seat with no apparent signs of external injuries. The morning began like any other as Tom made his way to the transport office, presumably to finalize the transfer of vehicle ownership. However, as fate would have it, his day took a tragic turn. Pre-existing medical conditions are suspected to have played a role in his untimely demise. The location where his car was parked was notably close to the entrance of the driving test field, a spot that would soon become the center of police activity. Police Colonel Pansarn Boonjam, a seasoned…
In a bold move to tackle illegal gambling practices in Ubon Ratchathani, authorities successfully dismantled an online football gambling hub located a mere 500 meters away from a local school—much to the relief of concerned parents and educators in the area. This illicit operation was reportedly raking in a monthly turnover of a whopping 1 million baht, primarily by enticing the youth of the community into its gambling web. The thrilling raid unfolded on January 24 and was spearheaded by top-notch officers, including Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phiwphann and Police Major General Wiwat Kamchamnarn. Acting swiftly on a well-placed tip-off, the sleuths of Subdivision 2 from the Technology Crime Suppression Division 3 (TCSD 3) arrived at the scene with a court-issued search warrant in hand. Their destination—a nondescript two-storey commercial building tucked away on Thamwithi 4 Alley in the bustling heart of Ubon Ratchathani. With its tinted glass façade, the…
In the vibrant yet sometimes shadowy depths of Pattani province, Thailand, a rather eyebrow-raising drama unfolded on January 24, 2025. A young woman, a mere 22 years of age, found herself embroiled in a scandalous online job scam—a tale that could rival any dramatic crime novel. Meet Maythika Noisuwan, the protagonist of this complex narrative, whose online misadventures led her straight into the clutches of the law, thanks to the diligent operations of the local police. Police Major General Witthaya Sribunsroek, with the steely resolve you’d expect from a provincial police chief, orchestrated the arrest with the help of his determined deputies, Police Colonel Phongpanot Chuakaew and Police Captain Kiattisak Boonthong. The rendezvous point? The bustling parking lot in front of Pattani Railway Station—a setting right out of a detective thriller. It was here that Maythika’s role in the online scam unraveled, all under the gaze of an arrest warrant…