In the bustling district of Chatuchak, Bangkok, amidst the constant wail and hum of excavators tearing through debris, a story unfolds that could rival even the most gripping drama. The recent collapse of the towering State Audit Office (SAO) building—once a gleaming beacon of modern architecture—has sparked not just an architectural debacle but a full-fledged mystery. As the rubble is cleared, questions abound regarding the decisions that led to this unforeseen disaster. The SAO, in a bid to shed light on the cataclysmic mishap, issued a detailed statement that unpacks the decision-making process behind one pivotal aspect—the thickness of the elevator shaft walls. Originally designed to withstand the trials of time and nature, the thickness of these walls was reduced to conform to interior architectural standards. The design and construction of this 30-story titan were entrusted to ITD-CREC, a formidable joint venture between the renowned Italian-Thai Development Plc and the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a tale that could easily be mistaken for the plot of a gripping international thriller, a Pakistani national named Zeshan has found himself in hot water in the bustling city of Bangkok. The 41-year-old stands accused of brazenly living under the guise of a deceased Thai citizen for over ten years—a feat that not only allowed him to seamlessly blend into Thai society, but also unlocked a treasure trove of benefits and services strictly reserved for locals. The house of cards began to tumble when the Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant, sparking a swift police operation in Bangkok’s Thung Khru district. The raid culminated with Zeshan’s apprehension, leaving locals and authorities alike scratching their heads over the incredible audacity of this decade-long deception. According to Pol Maj Gen Witthaya Sriprasertphab, the esteemed commander of the Crime Suppression Division, Zeshan is now up against a barrage of serious charges.…
In the bustling city of Bangkok, nestled within the glamorous confines of a luxury condominium in the Silom district, an unsettling drama unfolded. Jane, a vigilant resident, found herself embroiled in an ordeal that seemed pulled from the pages of a thriller novel, albeit one she would have preferred unwritten. What began as a typical day took a harrowing turn in the communal bathroom on the 27th floor. Emerging from a refreshing swim, Jane stepped into the shower only to sense an unsettling presence. The slight flicker of movement beneath the door was enough to jolt her instincts into overdrive. Peering cautiously, she was stunned to find a teenage boy clandestinely capturing her on his mobile phone. In that heart-stopping moment, time seemed to stretch as thin as the gap under the door through which he filmed. Quick on her feet, Jane sprang into action. Fueled by a mix of…
In the enchanting province of Trang, nestled in the heart of Thailand, resides a woman whose hair tells tales far beyond the ordinary. At the ripe age of 52, Nutcha, a resident of the Wangwon subdistrict in Kantang district, boasts an unparalleled mane that hasn’t welcomed the touch of scissors for over ten years. Stretching impressively to 1.17 metres, her hair, affectionately dubbed “Pom Pee Chor” or “ghost hair” by locals, has a mystical reputation for resisting all attempts at cutting, leaving those who dared feeling mysteriously unwell. An exploratory journey to Nutcha’s humble abode revealed her hair as an impenetrable fortress from root to tip. Over a decade ago, its transformation began, as strands coiled together, eventually creating an unyielding mass. Even audacious spiritual healers, renowned for their powers, faltered as one fell ill after attempting a snip, convincing many of the hair’s supernatural defense mechanism. Nutcha, however, isn’t…
Amid the postcard-perfect beaches and bustling tourist hubs of Thailand, a clandestine drama unfolded this week, turning the heat up on the sunlit charm of the region. The usually serene island of Phuket became the stage for an undercover operation as the Tourist Police launched a bold sweep against illicit tour guide activities. This captivating operation saw the arrest of two Russian nationals and left two tour companies facing hefty fines. The sting, executed on April 23, was no casual affair; it was led by none other than the formidable Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekkachai Siri, with a colorful cast of officers from diverse police units and the Southern Region 2 Tourist Business and Guide Registration Office as his entourage. Their plot? To unravel the secret thread of foreigners infiltrating Thailand’s tourism industry without legal sanction, all under the watchful gaze of the Tourist Business and Guide Act. In a scene…
In the heart of Ban Hin Ngon, Phetchabun province, the charming Wat Rat Pradit Wararam stands as a beacon of peace and fortune. Amidst whispers of blessings and celestial favors, locals and visitors alike converge at this serene sanctuary, drawn by the mysterious allure of Luang Pho Thanjai, the revered Buddha statue that has captured both hearts and imaginations. The Luang Pho Thanjai is not your ordinary Buddha statue. With its unique and delicate Burmese-style features, it boasts an artistic finesse that is hard to ignore. As visitors enter the temple, they are mesmerized by the statue’s vibrant blue eyelids, long black eyelashes, prettily pink lips, and shimmering golden robe. Crafted with painstaking attention to detail, the statue has a width of about 2.5 meters, and sits regally within an ornate vihara, exuding a feminine grace that is both calming and captivating. Stepping into the temple grounds is like wandering…
In the latest episode of an ongoing saga, the collapse of Thailand’s State Audit Office (SAO) building has taken a dramatic twist, unveiling yet another failure linked to Xin Ke Yuan Steel, a Chinese manufacturer already under scrutiny. On April 23, 2025, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan confirmed the troubling news. This fresh revelation follows extensive testing by the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand (ISIT), casting a long shadow over the use of substandard materials in crucial infrastructure projects. The scandal dances around the infamous SD40T 20-millimeter steel bar, which was put to the test after being salvaged from the rubble of the collapsed building on April 11. Unfortunately, it miserably failed the mass-per-meter standard test, echoing earlier dismal results. This particular steel product was cast with induction furnace (IF) technology—a method that has carried a rather unsavory reputation for its fluctuating quality, akin to a game of chance. The…
In a scene that could have been straight out of a reality show fraught with danger and drama, a Thai motorcyclist managed to turn an ordinary morning commute into a veritable cliffhanger. Trekking through the busy streets of Bangkok, this daredevil duo didn’t anticipate their jaunt would escalate to an adrenaline-pumping near miss. An unsuspecting railway crossing became the stage for this twist in the tale on April 22, right before the eyes of a jaw-dropped onlooker ready with a smartphone. Peet Love, a Facebook user, encountered the catastrophe in real time and promptly documented it on social media. His video showcased the nail-biting moments when the bikers’ bold disregard for the descending railway barrier nearly had devastating consequences. In stark contrast to another cautious biker who waited safely on the side, our lead man-of-action chose a perilous path. Leaning boldly forward to avoid a head-on encounter with the barrier—successfully,…
In the cozy yet bustling neighborhood of Soi Bang Sri Mueang 1/19, an unusual tale of intrigue and bewilderment has unfolded, becoming the talk of the town. Picture this: undergarments swinging gently in the night breeze, innocently hung out to dry. Yet, lurking in the shadowy stillness was a thief with a penchant not for valuables or electronics, but for the humble garments hanging on a clothesline. The cap-clad intruder has been caught on camera, twice now, sneaking into the quiet homestead at the ungodly hour of 1:50 am. The thief courteously left underpants behind, focusing only on the bras, a peculiar collection, indeed. The nefarious act was recorded and subsequently displayed across social media, courtesy of a local Facebook page eager to broadcast unusual news happenings. Enter stage left, our protagonist, a 50-year-old housekeeper named Jaroon, who shared her frustrations and misfortunes with a keen journalist visiting her home…
In what can be described as an astonishing twist on a weekday flight from Bangkok, Indian Customs officials at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport recently unearthed an eye-popping 20 crores worth of high-grade hydroponic weed. This discovery didn’t just unfold over a single case — it spanned across three nerve-racking encounters, each more elaborate than the last. The meticulous masterminds of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) stood ready, fueled by precise intelligence that led them first to an unsuspecting couple who appeared just like any other tourists off a tropical getaway. Enter Mohammed Bilakhiya, age 40, and his equally unassuming wife, Afreen. They sauntered off their Bangkok flight, perhaps dreaming of sambhar or samosas, when the Customs officers pounced. Their luggage, which one might’ve fancied contained holiday trinkets, was loaded instead with an eyebrow-raising 11.8 kilograms of a verdant substance — later identified as the highly-coveted hydroponic marijuana. This…