Greetings from the vibrant and dynamic realm of Thailand’s property market—a place where the winds of change are bringing forth a remarkable revolution! Foreign investors are now seeking long-term leases for cherished houses, diverging from their previous focus solely on condominiums. Imagine the hustle and bustle of tourist hot spots like Phuket, Chon Buri, and Surat Thani, where this trend is setting the real estate scene ablaze ever since Thailand flung its doors open again in 2021. Let us hear from Dr. Wichai Wiratkaphan, an esteemed scholar in urban development and housing, who will paint a picture of this transformative landscape. Did you know that the leasehold market for villas—especially in Phuket—has undergone a staggering surge? From 2022 through 2023, a phenomenal 90% of the long-term lease agreements for single-family homes were snatched up by eager foreign buyers. It’s like a property buying carnival out there! The figures speak for…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a startling turn of events on March 7, a traffic accident sent shockwaves through the Ubon Ratchathani province as a collision unfolded between a bus and a pickup truck on the well-traversed Warin Chamrap-Det Udom road, just a stone’s throw away from the esteemed Ubon Ratchathani University. This heart-stopping incident left 11 individuals nursing injuries, with two victims in particularly dire condition. Swift action by rescue workers saw nearly 20 emergency vehicles dispatched to whisk the injured away to local hospitals. Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanyathida Pariyotai from the Warin Chamrap Police Station was quickly informed of the unfortunate occurrence. Upon reaching the chaotic scene, responders discovered the disheartening sight of an orange six-wheel bus with 24-year-old Natnicha Rasivong ensnared in the driver’s seat. Her right leg was gravely fractured, but the quick-witted emergency crew, armed with hydraulic rescue tools, managed to adeptly liberate her from the wreck. Not too…
The latest buzz out of Thailand is turning more heads than a tuk-tuk with a brand-new horn! The much-debated Entertainment Complex Bill, a cornerstone of the government’s policy agenda, is revving up to steal the Cabinet’s spotlight next week. Spearheaded by PM’s Office Minister Chousak Sirinil, this bill has been polished and primed like a freshly detailed car, thanks to the collaborative efforts with the Interior and Finance Ministries. Its legislative path has been paved with priority as smooth as a Bangkok expressway after midnight. Here’s where it gets juicy: The bill comes with a cash stipulation that’s as eyebrow-raising as a neon-soaked karaoke bar. Thai citizens yearning to try lady luck inside the casino-entertainment complexes must flaunt bank accounts bulging with at least 50 million baht, kept snug for six months prior to entry. This substantial sum is no chump change and was a twist re-added to the bill…
In a dramatic turn of events, the high-profile figure affectionately known as “Big Joke” is facing a potentially career-ending dismissal from the police force without the cushion of pension benefits. This looming decision comes on the heels of a committee’s resounding recommendation, poised to land on the desk of the Police Commissioner General for final approval. The gravity of the situation enveloped the halls of the Royal Thai Police Headquarters at precisely 2 PM yesterday, March 7, as the echoes of crucial deliberations filled the room. The man at the helm of these proceedings, Police General Kraisorn Suwanrat, the seasoned deputy commissioner general, presided over the assemblage of top-tier law enforcement officials. Together, this cadre of deputy commissioner generals congregated to weigh in on the serious disciplinary allegations confronting a former comrade in arms, one Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakpan. Notably absent from the meeting was Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut, the…
In a case that has seen a whirlwind of controversy and public interest, former policeman Pol Col Thitisan Utthanaphon, or as he was infamously known, “Joe Ferrari,” has been discovered deceased under suspicious circumstances at Bangkok’s Khlong Prem Central Prison. This former Nakhon Sawan Muang police station superintendent hit headlines back in 2021 after a dramatic fall from grace, embroiled in a chilling crime of torture that had left an ugly scar on the justice system. On an eerie Friday night, prison officials somberly reported discovering Thitisan hanged in his cell at precisely 8:50 pm. The Department of Corrections confirmed the grim news, earmarking yet another quivering chapter in an already sensational case. Thitisan was enduring a lifelong prison conviction, proceeding from a harrowing crime that shocked and engaged the nation — the suffocating of a drug suspect with a plastic bag at the very station he once commandeered authority.…
The chilling saga of Thitisak Uthanaphon, once a towering figure in Thailand’s law enforcement, has taken a morbid twist that has left the nation in suspense. Better known as “Director Joe” or the infamous “Joe Ferrari,” Thitisak’s lifeless body was discovered in his prison cell at the Klong Prem Central Prison, prompting a volley of unanswered questions and blood-curdling speculations. It was the stroke of 11 on a night like any other, March 7th to be precise, when the news broke. The 43-year-old, who was serving a life sentence for his gruesome involvement in the torture and killing of a drug suspect, was reported to have taken his own life. But was it truly a voluntary departure from this world? As soon as the news reached Thitisak’s wife, her queries were anything but muted. “Was it really suicide? Or was there foul play involved?” These words echoed through the corridors…
In the throes of March, the vibrant and tropical land of Thailand braces itself for nature’s roaring symphony, as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) sends out a resounding alert. A formidable summer storm looms on the horizon, ready to drench its 39 provinces under a velvety, storm-laden blanket—its rattle and hum reaching even the bustling streets of Bangkok, where an unusual gift of hail is anticipated. The weather forecast paints a dramatic portrait for the next 24 hours: emboldened thunderstorms, gusty winds, and sprinklings of ice from the heavens are set to visit northern, western, northeastern, central, eastern, and upper southern Thailand. Residents are on high alert, encouraged to bring umbrellas and common sense, avoiding tall trees and anything remotely wobbly. Farmers hunker down, gearing up to defend their lush produce and flocks from the storm’s capricious appetite. As if that isn’t enough, the TMD predicts this meteorological madness will…
In the quiet, sleepy district of Pa Mok, Ang Thong, the tranquility of the early morning hours was shattered on March 6 by a tragedy that left the entire community reeling. As the moonlit hours ticked past 3:00 a.m., a scene of unimaginable horror unfolded, captured by a security camera that bore silent witness to the devastating events of that night. At the center of this tragic tale was Rawiwan, a 48-year-old woman who had hoped for a fresh start. Instead, her request for separation from her husband spiraled into an unthinkable nightmare. Her husband, 43-year-old Suay Cheypuang, overwhelmed by a storm of jealousy and rage, resorted to irrevocable violence. With a 25-centimeter fruit knife in hand, he fatally stabbed her in the neck, an act recorded on camera but forever imprinted on the minds of their family and community. It was Suay’s stepdaughter who first sensed the brewing danger.…
In the midst of the densely packed jungles of Phitsanulok, where the melodies of birds intertwine with the rustling leaves, a man made a grave error that would etch his name into the annals of environmental infamy. Known simply as the forest fire arsonist, his unchecked actions set off a chain of devastation that would bring both suffering and significant change to the cherished wilderness of Khao Noi-Khao Pradu Wildlife Sanctuary. This unfolding drama began on an ordinary day in May of the previous year. The suspect, oblivious to the value of the lush forest around him, was spotted hacking away at trees near the serene Ban Rai Suksomboon 10 village in Wat Bot district. What seemed like just another act of wanton deforestation quickly spiraled into chaos when his careless flames roared to life, consuming everything in their fiery path. Over 2,166 rai, equivalent to 346 hectares, of protected…
In the vibrant tapestry of Thailand’s healthcare landscape, any mention of community clinics is bound to stir up a colorful mosaic of emotions, from admiration to concern. Recently, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) shed light on the financial intricacies of community clinics, revealing that certain establishments can rake in up to 7 million baht annually. But delve a little deeper, and you’ll find that the story of these funds is anything but straightforward, as it hinges largely on the number of patients gracing their halls and the variety of services they extend. On a recent bright morning, specifically March 6, the Association of Warm Community Clinics took the stage to unveil budget allocations per capita from the NHSO. Among their revelations was the nitty-gritty of cost management; a staggering 45 baht is spent per colon cancer screening, yet the reimbursement only tops out at 60 baht. With the NHSO…