In a surprising twist of events that mirrors a scene straight out of a crime drama, the idyllic beaches of Pattaya were the backdrop to a dramatic showdown involving fake police officers and a baffled Chinese tourist. It all unfolded on a rather uneventful evening when Lin, a 52-year-old Chinese national, found himself the target of a brazen scam that left him considerably lighter in the wallet. The perpetrators? Four Thai men with a knack for theatrics and an illegal taste for extortion. Lin, who had been enjoying the vibrant nightlife near an entertainment venue on Pattaya Sai Sam Road, couldn’t have imagined that his evening would take such an unexpected turn. As if on cue, the imposter quartet swooped in, accusing Lin outlandishly of being involved in a nefarious call centre scam—a claim as unfounded as it was absurd. Lin was coerced into an SUV, the vehicle itself almost…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a dramatic turn of events just off the stunning Phuket coast, a group of five foreign tourists found themselves in need of urgent rescue after their diving excursion veered perilously into a maritime mishap. What was intended as a peaceful journey across the azure waters of southern Thailand rapidly mutated into a heart-pounding saga that unraveled beneath the suffusion of an afternoon sun. The picturesque backdrop was set as the Poseidon, a tour boat of storied reputation, embarked on a fateful return from the idyllic islands nestled between Koh Yao and Koh Khieo. However, at approximately 4:50 PM, calamity came calling. With mechanical doom clouding their horizon, the Poseidon’s exhaust pipe betrayed its duty, permitting water to flood in with an alarming lack of restraint. In that fleeting moment, the tranquil sea and smiling sun seemed to hold their breath. Credit must be showered upon the keen instincts of…
In a typically bustling Southeast Asian country that never seems to catch a break from the thrill of its natural mood swings, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has today unfurled a weather alert that will keep even the most stoic backpacker on their toes. Yes, wonderful Thailand, famous for its scenic beaches and chaotic traffic, is bracing itself for a mélange of heavy downpours across 41 of its provinces. While that might sound like a perfect romantic scene from a melodrama, for those trudging through city streets, the spellbinding showers won’t just wash away the day’s dust. They might also sweep you right off your feet — literally, as flash floods and swift water flow threaten to make headway, particularly in eight unlucky provinces that fate has decided to toy with. The list, which reads like a pit stop for weather woes tourism, includes Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Loei,…
If you thought stepping into traffic while glued to your phone was a disaster waiting to happen, you’d be just about right. This week in Pattaya, a pedestrian found himself learning this lesson the hard way—now fighting for his life. The scene of this near-tragic blunder unfolded along Chon Buri’s bustling Highway 331, not far from the Sattahip-Khao Hin Son junction. The chaos erupted at precisely 5:06 pm on July 10th, as Surapong Klomking, a Nakhon Ratchasima native, blissfully wandered mid-chat across the highway. Little did he know, a six-wheeled Isuzu FRR 210, loaded to its metaphorical gills with scaffolding, was barreling toward him like a colossus unwilling to halt its march. At the driver’s helm was Apirat Rattanapha, a 41-year-old soul with a mission to Si Racha. Despite Apirat’s valiant attempts—brakes screeching, horn blaring—Surapong stepped directly into the truck’s path after narrowly tangoing with an SUV. The sight would…
In a shocking series of events that reverberated through the quiet district of Phasi Charoen, a 35-year-old man known as Kittidech was apprehended following a horrifying shooting at Wat Kuhasawan, a revered temple in Thonburi. The shooting resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals and unfolded like a surreal nightmare, reportedly instigated by a dream that haunted the shooter’s mind. Police Lieutenant Withoon Saengchompoo, Deputy Inspector at Phasi Charoen Police Station, alongside Police Colonel Ophas Harnnarong and a dedicated team of forensic officers and volunteers from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation, rushed to the temple at the break of dawn on July 10. The crime scene, located on Soi Phetkasem 28, was a grim spectacle. The body of Siriporn, a 49-year-old woman, was discovered at the entrance of a house adjacent to the temple, fatally shot in the head. Mere meters away, the lifeless body of 51-year-old Ting lay in…
In the bustling heart of Lop Buri, just after the stroke of midnight on July 10, a scene unfolded that seemed to leap straight off the pages of a crime novel. A retired military officer, aged 66, found himself at the center of a botched robbery attempt at a local convenience store. The officer, driven by financial desperation, drew a firearm and attempted to take what wasn’t his, igniting a small whirlwind of chaos in the nocturnal hours. The incident, reported to the 191 Radio Centre at exactly twelve minutes past midnight, took place at a convenience store tucked away in a petrol station on Chomphon Pibulsongkram Road, within the vibrant Mueang Lop Buri district. The masked perpetrator, after his futile robbery bid, sped away in a grey car along the shadowed lanes leading to Naresuan Road in the Khao Sam Yod subdistrict. Quick on the trail, Police Lieutenant Somnuk…
Picture this: a magnificent structure standing tall against the dawn, its intricate architectural beauty shimmering as the first rays of sunlight illuminate its spires. This isn’t a scene pulled from a fantasy novel but a living, breathing part of Thailand’s rich tapestry. We’re talking about the enchanting Phra Prang of Wat Arun Ratchawararam, a sublime masterpiece nestled in the heart of Krung Rattanakosin, lovingly referred to as “The Temple of Dawn.” In a delightful turn of events captured in a letter dated April 9, 2025, Thailand’s cherished gem, the Phra Prang of Wat Arun, has received a nod from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). With signatures of high praise from Ernesto Ottone R., Assistant Director-General for Culture at UNESCO, this architectural marvel gleefully dances onto Thailand’s Tentative List—a veritable first step in its quest for World Heritage glory. But hold onto your culturally-infused hats, because what…
In the tranquil town of Udon Thani, the quiet evening of July 9 took a tragic turn at the bustling Nong Samrong intersection. At precisely 6 p.m., the air was pierced by the dreadful sound of metal against metal, signaling an accident that would cast a somber shadow over the community. Two young women, students with bright futures from the Udon Thani Technical College, found themselves ensnared in a calamity that would claim one life and critically injure another. The heartbreaking incident involved a collision between a Ford EcoSport, bearing the license plate กษ 6187 from Udon Thani, and a black Honda PCX motorcycle, license plate 2กม 7793, which carried the young students. Among the wreckage lay 15-year-old Supatsorn Mukang, whose life was tragically cut short, and her 17-year-old companion, Sirorat, who was fighting for her life on the way to Udon Thani Hospital. Police Lieutenant Chakrapong Tomtam, a diligent…
In a thrilling maneuver reminiscent of a detective novel, the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau executed a meticulously planned operation, netting a 28-year-old man named Worapong at what seemed like an ordinary cannabis outlet in Din Daeng, Bangkok. Yet beneath the veneer of legality, the shop was a Pandora’s box of unlawful delights. On a humid July day, July 9 to be precise, the police, led by the tactically astute Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, with colleagues Police Major General Nopasilp Poonwasit and Police Major General Pallop Aemonla, stormed the premises. This wasn’t just another day on the job. Acting swiftly and decisively on a Criminal Court warrant issued just a day before, they seized a mind-boggling array of contraband. From psychedelic mushrooms weighing in at 371.32 grams to a curious collection of cannabis-laden electronic cigarettes, the shop’s illicit selection read like a menu from a festival of revelry gone rogue.…
In a tale that paints a vivid picture of desperation and survival, a group of Cambodian nationals found themselves navigating a labyrinth of challenges, all in the hopes of securing a brighter future. The ever-shifting sands of economic landscapes had left them with no choice but to cross into Thailand illegally, a land they hoped would offer refuge from the bleak employment prospects back home. The clock struck 9 PM on July 9, when the stillness of night was broken by the rustle of footsteps along the road from Baan Dong Ngu in Pa Rai subdistrict. The police watchful eyes keenly picked up on these silhouettes as nine brave souls, equipped with nothing but their determination, trudged along. They were once the skilled hands behind repairing second-hand shoes at the bustling Rong Kluea Market. As the curtain fell on previous border policies in June, many found themselves flocking back to…