The culinary scene in Thailand has hit a rough patch, leaving restaurateurs twisting in the wind as they navigate a precipitous decline in consumer spending. According to the charismatic Thanivarn Kulmongkol, the astute President of the Thai Restaurant Association, the country’s restaurant industry has been rocked by a jaw-dropping 40% cut in purchasing power just in the first quarter of 2025. It seems that a sluggish economy and stagnating incomes have driven consumers to cinch up their wallets and opt for saving instead of splurging, especially with the tantalizing glimmer of Songkran, Thailand’s water-soaked, riotously fun festival, looming on the horizon. The financial downturn isn’t playing favorites, casting its gloomy shadow over all kinds of food joints—from the lone culinary pioneers braving the bustling streets to the food stands that pepper lively shopping centers. Dining spots that once confidently priced their mouth-watering dishes at 80 baht are now fighting over…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, like a commander rallying troops for a crucial mission, has declared a resolute call to arms for enhanced safety measures, targeting construction sites that have, unfortunately, become synonymous with tragic mishaps. The epicenter of this safety storm is the construction project along the bustling Rama II Road, notorious for its repeated tally of misfortune, leaving behind a heartrending wake of injuries and losses. In an earnest quest to turn the tide, Phiphat has marked a red-letter day for March 28, where he plans an urgent parle with the Italian-Thai Development (ITD) – a rendezvous poised to lay the groundwork for a safer tomorrow. Rallying the expertise of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) and the insightful minds at the Institute for the Promotion of Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Working Conditions (POSHEC), the Labour Minister is scripting a saga of transformation, urging inspections across…
In a tragic incident that has gripped the community of Chachoengsao province with deep sorrow, a 29-year-old man named Ongart was found lifeless in his vehicle under bewildering circumstances. His untimely demise, discovered yesterday evening on March 26, has left his family and local authorities searching for answers to a puzzling occurrence that seems to stem from personal distress. The deputy inspector, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jaresak Suwannasont, was promptly alerted to the incident, leading a combined effort from the police, forensic team, Bang Nam Priao Hospital doctors, and the Chachoengsao rescue unit to piece together the mysterious puzzle. Upon arriving at the scene, they found Ongart’s bronze-grey Isuzu pickup truck stationed in a garage in Moo 15, Bang Nam Priao subdistrict. The vehicle stood eerily still, engine off, and all four doors firmly locked. Inside, Ongart was discovered in the front passenger seat, accompanied by a small red fan—a peculiar…
In the tranquil streets of Chalong, just when most folks tuck into their slumber, an unexpected twinkle of chaos broke the silence. A lively troupe of eleven teenagers decided they would transform the neighborhood into their unsanctioned hangout, sending local residents into quite the tizzy. By the time the clock struck half past midnight, this adolescent congregation had made enough of a clamor to bring the long arm of the law swooping in. Under the watchful eye of Police Colonel Rungrit Rattanaphakdi, Superintendent of Chalong Police Station, the officers received a tip-off about the teenage ruckus near Soi Chao Fa 43. Intrigued and perhaps a little incredulous at the audacity of youth, Police Lieutenant Colonel Siriphong Suriyan led a patrol to investigate. Upon their arrival, they were greeted not by hardened criminals, but by a cluster of youths and their flashy motorcycles basking under the streetlights. Thorough searches revealed nothing…
In a chilling tale that could pass for a plot straight out of a crime thriller, the serene town of Pathum Thani found itself plunged into the murky world of mystery, deceit, and murder. Imagine the shock when local police nabbed a Thai transwoman and her partner, unraveling a sordid tale of familial betrayal, manipulation, and grim determination to hide a heinous crime. It paints a picture of a tragic drama where the boundaries of love and family ties blur amidst dark motives. Meet the ill-fated Jakkarin Charoenpha, a 28-year-old Thai man whose life was tragically cut short in a case that began on an ordinary day last December. Jakkarin had set off from his rented room in Nakhon Ratchasima, the sprawling heart of Isaan province, on what seemed like a straightforward business rendezvous. His aim was to sell aluminum alloy wheels for just 500 baht; a simple transaction that…
The highly anticipated QS World University Rankings by Subject, published on March 12th, 2025, by the esteemed global research organization Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), brings exciting news for Thailand’s Krirk University. This year, Krirk University has achieved an impressive position within the global 51–100 range for Art and Design. Outshining its peers, it claimed the top spot in Thailand and proudly secured the 5th position amongst institutions in China. This achievement sees Krirk University surpassing prestigious Chinese powerhouses such as Tsinghua University, Tongji University, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and Peking University. Exploring the realm of Art and Design, Krirk University has carved a niche for itself as a beacon of creativity and innovation. In the QS World University Rankings 2023 for Art and Design, the university ranked 35th worldwide, clinching 7th place in Asia and holding the esteemed title of number one in Thailand. In a series of significant…
In a captivating twist of events, the Thai government’s recent campaign to curb unlawful condo rentals is stirring waves of discussion. The spotlight is on Pattaya, a city known for its vibrant nightlife and teeming tourism industry, with foreign investors, specifically from China, facing serious scrutiny. Accusations are flying left, right, and center, as these investors are believed to have transformed their condo units into mini hotels—a bold move that dances dangerously close to the edge of legality under the Hotel Act of 2004. The resulting storm of local indignation forced the Ministry of the Interior (MoI) to roll up its sleeves and dive into the nitty-gritty of these operations. It’s not just a matter of rule-breaking; it’s a tale of social harmony, local enterprise, and administrative rigor trying to hold its own in the face of international influence. The MoI’s directive is crystal clear: the Department of Provincial Administration…
In the bustling district of Bang Phli in Samut Prakan province, chaos ensued on a Wednesday that turned out to be anything but ordinary. As the sun set, the tranquil streets came alive with a buzz, as police swarmed an unsuspecting accounting firm, hidden in plain sight amidst the daily hustle and bustle. Their mission? To dismantle an intricate web woven by the firm, who had been illegally registering companies using Thai nominees for foreign business entities. Though the firm itself remains nameless in reports, the arrest figures speak volumes—51 Thai nationals and 21 Chinese nationals were taken into custody. The raid, led by Pol Maj Gen Thatphum Charuprat, commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECSD), was prompted by an elaborate tip-off regarding the firm’s questionable dealings. Within its walls lay the trace of 15 companies illegally established, defying the boundaries set by Thailand’s Foreign Business Act. Amidst the…
In a heart-wrenching and chilling incident that has left a community grappling with shock, a Thai police officer has turned himself in after tragically ending the life of his girlfriend in front of her family. This devastating event unfolded in the serene surroundings of Nakhon Pathom, a province known more for its lush landscapes than for headline-grabbing tragedies. Yesterday, March 26, was supposed to be a day of celebration. It was Kanita’s birthday—a day that promised warmth and joy. Instead, it was marked by a devastating occurrence that shook everyone present to their cores. Arnon, a 38-year-old Police Senior Sergeant Major from Thung Song Hong Police Station, changed everything in an instant. Surrendering at the Mueang Nakhon Pathom Police Station, he handed over the weapon—a gun he had used in a fit of anger and desperation. The harrowing incident took place in the early hours, around 3 AM. There, within…
In a stunning turn of events, the Supreme Court has delivered a decisive blow to Mukdawan Luengsinil, a Bhumjaithai Party member representing Nakhon Si Thammarat. The verdict is in: she is barred from contesting or even casting her vote in any elections for the next decade, all because of a slip on the slippery slope of election laws. That’s right, she got caught with her hand in the vote-buying cookie jar during the 2023 General Election in the esteemed Constituency 8. The court’s judgement came hot on the heels of a petition from the Election Commission (EC), which unearthed evidence as damning as a cow on a city street. The details are vivid: payments of 500 baht, amounting to a total of 25,000 baht, were allegedly handed to voters like candies at a parade. Since July 5, Mukdawan has been serving a time-out from her parliamentary duties after the EC’s…