Picture this: an entire entertainment complex rising majestically in Thailand, a beacon of fun and luxury inviting guests from far and wide. Yet, like a lively party with an exclusive guest list, entry comes with a rather hefty stipulation. If you’re Thai and dreaming about dazzling lights and high-stakes games, you might need more than just your enthusiasm to get past the velvet rope. According to a whisper from the corridors of government, before any Thai national can experience the splendor of this futuristic casino complex, they must first assure their financial weight in gold—or baht, to be precise. How much gold, you ask? At least 50 million baht neatly tucked away in a fixed deposit account for a grand total of six months. This regulation, nestled within Section 65 of the newly-minted Entertainment Complex Bill, presents a rather formidable entry barrier. Just imagine the silent drums these propositions have…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Welcome to the latest thrill-packed edition of Southeast Asia’s news updates! Blending intrigue and gravity, Alex and Jay navigate us through the bustling lanes of Thailand and beyond, delivering a palette of updates steeped in drama and discovery. Buckle up, because the ride through this enchanting region promises a whirlwind of stories that captivate the senses and send quivers of excitement running through our curiosity-stricken veins. Pattaya has once again piqued our interest with a tale right out of a crime thriller. Daniel, a 22-year-old adventurer from Denmark, has had a rather unfortunate brush with the darker side of the city. On the memorable day of February 28, along the lively Chalerm Phrakiet Road, Daniel found himself embroiled in a frightening stabbing incident. Despite siphoning his own blood in what should have been a scene from a movie, this intrepid soul refused medical attention. Ignoring his gaping arm and head…
Imagine being engulfed in the sky, flying thousands of feet above the earth, and suddenly finding yourself in the middle of an utterly inconceivable situation. A trip from Melbourne to Doha, with Qatar Airways, recently turned into a nightmarish ordeal for an Australian couple who found themselves seated next to a tragic, life-ending drama they could have never anticipated. The unfortunate incident began when a fellow passenger, bound for the Qatari capital, suddenly passed away mid-flight. What followed was a surreal and haunting experience for the couple, sealed in the confines of an aluminum tube piercing through the clouds. According to reports, the airline’s cabin crew, committed to their duty, acted swiftly, prioritizing the dignity and respect owed to the deceased while also caring for those deeply affected by such an unsettling event. As fingers pointed at the airline, Qatar Airways responded gracefully, extending their sincere condolences to the bereaved…
In the sunny, vacation paradise of Phuket, one would imagine that all’s sunny days and warm hospitality. However, last week proved otherwise, as local restaurant owners found themselves dealing with a rather unsavory side of tourism: the infamous “dine and dash” escapade. Two separate eateries fell victim to this deceitful tactic, each targeted by sneaky foreigners intent on savoring Thai delicacies without any intention of settling their bills. Our first tale unfolds at a cozy restaurant owned by the spirited Narissara O OOp, located in the bustling Sai Yuan area of Rawai. On February 28, Narissara took to social media with a fervent post. Beneath the shining sun of Phuket, two daring culprits—a woman sporting long jeans, a chic bikini top, and a black jacket, alongside her partner clad in a long-sleeved T-shirt and black trousers—devoured a meal worth 1,823 baht before making their hasty exit while Narissara’s staff bustled…
In a lively twist of events on the sun-drenched island of Phuket, an unsuspecting French tourist’s smartphone momentarily found itself in the mischievous grasp of a monkey, turning an ordinary day into a tale for the ages. Capturing the hilarity on her TikTok, @justinefortemps shared an uproarious encounter set against the backdrop of the infamous Khao Toh Sae—better known to travelers far and wide as Monkey Hill. The video, aptly tagged “Monkey Hill Attack,” opens with the curious primate nabbing the bright blue phone from the stunned tourist, who can only watch as her gadget becomes a spotlight stealer. The audacious monkey, seemingly a juvenile, takes to examining the device with its nimble right paw, all the while shooting cautious glances at its owner—a bemused French visitor clad in eye-catching pink attire. In a dramatic turn, our furry videographer makes its escape, scampering up a tree, the phone in tow.…
The infamous Walking Street in Pattaya once again set the stage for a scene worthy of Hollywood’s grittiest thriller, as a late-night scuffle left a 62-year-old British tourist knocked out cold by a local bar security guard. The action unfolded at around 11:30 PM on March 2, with the incident swiftly becoming the talk of the town and lighting up social media channels as spectators buzzed with recountings of the night’s events. The dramatic showdown began with tempers igniting under the kaleidoscopic glow of neon lights. According to eyewitness accounts, the security guard initially attempted to de-escalate the situation, avoiding the tourist as he trailed behind, seemingly seeking trouble. As tensions reached a boiling point, CCTV captured the tourist lunging forward – a move swiftly countered by the guard’s decisive right hook. The punch sent the tourist crashing down unceremoniously, his head hitting the pavement with a crack that echoed…
There’s a fresh breeze wafting through Bangkok, and it’s not just from the city’s famous street food stalls. Thai Smile Bus is on a mission to make your daily commute as smooth as a ride in a tuk-tuk on a Sunday morning. Their latest venture? Unleashing a high-tech hurricane through the introduction of QR code payments via PromptPay across all their routes. No more fumbling for coins or queuing for change, folks. The brilliance doesn’t stop there! From March 1st, they’ve rolled out support for Digital E-Wallets, including the ultra-convenient True Money Wallet. This exciting announcement was made by the illustrious Kulpornphat Wongmacharapinya, the CEO of Thai Smile Bus Company Limited. The decision comes hot on the heels of their successful trials with electric buses on route 4-13 (75), which earned rave reviews from the trend-setting Bangkokians and, we reckon, a few envious nods from their neighbors too. By offering…
In the early hours of March 3, a harrowing scene unfolded under the cloak of the dark sky in Mueang district, Phatthalung province, where what started as an ordinary drive spiraled into a violent tableau. A 16-year-old, referred to as A, found himself caught in an inexplicable act of aggression when an ominous pickup truck drew alongside his sedan and shattered the night with bullets. What should have been an uneventful journey turned grievous as one of those bullets pierced his cheek. The hour was 2:20am when local police, ignited by urgency, descended upon the crime scene accompanied by top investigators. There, an MG sedan stood scarred by a ruthless fusillade—bullets riddled the driver’s side window with seven uncompromising punctures, while nine more traced a chaotic pattern on the rear door. Its left front tire lay deflated, surrendering to the puncture’s swift brutality. Police meticulously scoured the area, the road…
In the vibrant corridors of Thailand’s bustling economy, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stands as a beacon of hope and confidence. She enthusiastically waved the flag of progress, rejoicing in the influx of foreign investments that have flooded Thailand’s shores to the tune of over 1.13 trillion baht last year—a record-breaking figure unmatched in the past decade. During her monthly Empowering Thais TV segment, broadcast by the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, the charismatic 38-year-old leader shared her vision for the nation’s economic trajectory. Her optimism sparkled like a fireworks display illuminating a festival night sky, even as she acknowledged last year’s 2.5% growth spur, a record she intends to topple. “We will work tirelessly, aiming to elevate our investment prospects further. But to see this through, I must remain steadfast in my role until my term’s end,” she declared with an intensity that could power Bangkok itself. For the prime…
In a brazen heist that seems like a storyline snatched straight from a gripping thriller, an intrepid robber clad in courier attire made away with a glittering loot of gold necklaces worth an eye-popping 4.7 million baht. This jaw-dropping escapade unfolded at the bustling Orasa 5 gold shop nestled within a buzzing mall in Mae Sot district, Tak, on a seemingly uneventful Sunday evening. As twilight settled in around 7:12 PM, patrons and passersby went about their business, blissfully unaware of the upcoming drama. Suddenly, the tranquility shattered as an audacious figure, seemingly in his 30s, emerged with a swift determination. Standing at an unassuming height of around 170 centimeters, the man was enveloped in a green-and-white delivery rider’s jacket, a full-face helmet obscuring his identity, and hands cloaked in sinister black gloves. With the cool assurance of a seasoned performer, the robber upped the tension by brandishing a pistol—an…