In a scene that could easily rival a gripping thriller, five Chinese nationals found themselves in the back seat of a pickup truck, under the hot sun of Bang Pa-in district, Ayutthaya. Their adventure, however, took an unexpected turn when local law enforcement swooped in, apprehending them for the clandestine voyage they undertook from Myanmar into Thailand. It was like any other day on Highway 32, traffic humming with life, until something seemed amiss. Pol Maj Gen Kongkrit Lertsitthikul and his team, ever vigilant and with senses finely attuned to the unusual, were on duty. Little did they know that this particular patrol would lead to the capture of five Chinese men who orchestrated an audacious entry into the Kingdom of Thailand. Their choice of crossing? The less-trodden paths of Tak province, evading the watchful eyes of border control. Rewind a bit to Tak’s natural border crossings. These are not…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The whirlwind of discussions around Thailand’s proposed 400 baht minimum wage adjustment appears to be a puzzle yet to be fully pieced together. On this sunny 13th of March, 2025, with the wage board’s tenure wrapping up, Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, the Labour Ministry’s permanent secretary, brings a blend of calm and urgency to a pivotal conversation. His assurances are like comforting balm, promising aims to hit the May 1st target laid down by the labour minister. Yet, for now, that magic number isn’t on today’s list of ‘things to debate’. As the curtain closes on the current wage board’s term, only twelve out of fifteen took their seats at the Labour Ministry yesterday. The absence of three significant members, including two government reps—Akkarut Sontayanon from Finance and Poonpong Nainapakorn from Commerce—and one employer representative, Natthakit Khetrakan, painted the room with missing colors and raised eyebrows. Boonsong, a man with a plan,…
In a remarkable twist of fate, an elderly British couple, who found themselves entangled in a perplexing legal ordeal in Thailand, have narrowly avoided an ominous prison sentence. Instead, they’ve been bestowed with a 9,000 baht fine (£200), providing them a glimmer of hope as they eagerly anticipate their triumphant return to the UK. Their story begins in 2020, amidst the sun-drenched allure of Thailand’s enchanting Thai Riviera, where Des and Mary Byrne had envisioned a tranquil and serene retirement. The couple, originally from Middlesbrough, envisioned a life of blissful retirement in their dream villa, a place they had invested their life savings into. Instead, their idyllic dreams unraveled into a nightmarish saga, as last December, an unexpected ruckus shattered their peace. Des, aged 77, and Mary, 69, discovered their neighbors – a British man and his Thai partner, both adept Thai boxing practitioners – ravaging their garden. Mary’s brother,…
In a sequence that unfolded like a scene straight out of a quirky action-comedy, the usually bustling Bangla Road of Phuket became the backdrop for an unexpected drama. It was the early hours of March 12, when the neon-lit streets of Patong, in Thailand’s Kathu district, were still teeming with tourists and locals soaking up the nightlife. The tale of the night? A brazen dine-and-dash event that escalated into a wild street skirmish, shaking the cobblestones of one of Thailand’s most vibrant locations. Picture this: A tourist, perhaps emboldened by the island’s notorious party vibe, decided to skip out on his meal bill. His vision of an unsolicited free dinner was abruptly halted as a group of local ladyboys, annoyed by his disrespectful behavior, confronted him head-on. It didn’t take long before the cheery street atmosphere turned turbulent. Tourists gathered like moths to a flame, watching as a heated argument…
In a quaint corner of Thailand, nestled in the scenic Ang Thong province, a fascinating tale has emerged that intertwines the somber artistry of casket-making with the hopeful flutter of lottery tickets. In the Saeng Ha district, at a funeral service shop located at house number 173, Village 7, the serendipitous allure of luck manifests itself in an unlikely place—on the lids of exquisitely decorated caskets. Over the years, locals curious about the numbers etched on these sombre pieces have been drawn in like moths to a flame. The heart of this enchanting tale beats inside the shop of Janram Yindee, a spirited 39-year-old whose craft has garnered both reverence and intrigue. Janram, with a warmth in her voice and a twinkle in her eye, shares a curious phenomenon—residents frequently strike lottery gold by using the two and three-digit numbers from the very casket lids she lovingly decorates. These numbers,…
Bangtao Beach in scenic Phuket is known for its golden sands, clear waters, and, recently, some controversy over land use. Recently, hospitality operators received a firm mandate to dismantle any establishments encroaching on the public land, marking a decisive move to preserve the beach’s natural allure and accessibility. A diligent team, spearheaded by the local branch of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), swung into action this past Tuesday. With a mission to reclaim and cleanse public beaches of any unauthorized developments, their efforts were anything but arbitrary. They arrived as part of a unique coalition, which included STRONG Anti-Corruption Network, NACC Region 8, and a handful of other influential bodies like the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), the Phuket Marine Office, the Thalang district office, and the Choeng Thale tambon administrative organisation (TAO). Indeed, a formidable force for what is becoming a much-needed intervention. The operation followed a tip-off from…
Under the gleaming chandeliers of the Panumas Room at the Royal River Hotel, Bang Phlat District, the air was alive with purpose and anticipation. The clock had just struck 11:00 AM when Dr. Wantanee Wattana, the indefatigable Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), stepped to the podium with a resonant fervor that had the crowd leaning forward in anticipation. It was the dawn of a progressive chapter—the opening of a crucial training workshop titled “Disciplinary Investigation and Consideration for BMA Officials,” now moving into its promising second batch for the fiscal year 2025. In attendance were the creme de la creme of the BMA’s civil service, including the astute Director of the Disciplinary and Ethics Enhancement Division from the Office of the Bangkok Civil Service Commission (BCSC). Dr. Wantanee cast a discerning eye over the assembly of senior officials, ready to instill a renewed sense of integrity and…
Amidst the bustling heartbeat of Bangkok down at the picturesque Royal River Hotel in Bang Phlat district, key figures gathered for an event that could reshape the city’s economic tapestry. Amongst the attendees were executives from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Strategy and Evaluation Department, and a myriad of other influential minds, all converging for a common purpose: to invigorate the economic vitality of Bangkok with renewed vigor and ambition. In a spirited nod to the colossal potential of this initiative, the Permanent Secretary for BMA addressed the distinguished assembly. With a contagious enthusiasm that seemed to electrify the very air around her, she extolled the virtues of this endeavor. “This is not merely a project,” she proclaimed. “It is a beacon of progress for policy and plan analysts who are pivotal in steering the economic engine of Bangkok.” Her words resonated deeply with the conference attendees, each of…
Last Tuesday, an exciting diplomatic and business rendezvous unfolded within the grand hallways of Bangkok City Hall—a venue that’s as rich in history as it is majestic. Led by the esteemed Ir. Dr. Hon Lo Wai-kwok of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (Engineering Sector), a delegation, including influential representatives from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Infrastructure Development and Real Estate-related Services (IRES) mission, made its way to this vibrant Thai capital on March 12, 2025. Welcomed with the warmth synonymous with Thai hospitality, Governor Chadchart took to the floor, outlining the bustling city’s ambitious policies aimed at shaping Bangkok’s future as a metropolis of immense development potential. His presentation set the scene for a spirited day of discussions and collaborations. Inside the modern chambers of Bangkok City Hall, conversation flowed smoothly like the city’s iconic Chao Phraya River. At the heart of these discussions was a shared…
In a nation where delicious cuisine tantalizes at every corner, the challenge of maintaining a healthy diet is scalable to monumental proportions. Here we are, in the land of smiles, where the Ministry of Public Health has decided to tackle this tasty dilemma head-on. Led by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, Thailand’s latest health initiative is not your average campaign. It’s a mission to enlighten the masses on the mysterious world of carbohydrates, aiming to make carb counting as commonplace as ordering pad thai. And what a success it’s been! Since its launch, this initiative has educated over 18 million enthusiastic participants about the wonders of carbohydrate counting. With the finish line of 20 million insight by March 20th, it appears that a health-savvy regiment of village health volunteers has brought more than just good advice to the table. Over four months, a remarkable headcount of 445,791 individuals scrutinized their…