On a day that buzzed with the excitement of new beginnings and cultural camaraderie, Suvarnabhumi airport was a scene straight out of a vibrant festival. Amid the hustle and bustle, a Chinese tourist, armed with a smartphone and a wide grin, captured a moment that was more than just a selfie; it was a snapshot of history in the making. Standing side-by-side with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, they commemorated the launch of a groundbreaking visa-free entry scheme on September 25, 2023, marking a significant chapter in the thickening friendship between China and Thailand. The air was electric with anticipation and the spirit of mutual admiration, as captured in the photograph by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul. It’s an era dawning on the horizons of the Thai-Chinese Cultural Relationship Council (TCCRC) and buoyed further by the optimism of the Chinese ambassador to Thailand. There’s a palpable sense of excitement about the mutual visa exemption…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the tranquility of a bustling Bangkok suburb, a place of education and hopes, Matthayom Naknawaupatham school, nestled in the Suan Luang district, found itself at the heart of a profound tragedy. On the 29th of January, a scene not meant for the innocent corridors of learning unfolded—a 14-year-old student resorted to a violence spawned not out of malice but desperation, fatally stabbing a peer alleged to have bullied him. It’s a chilling narrative that rings an alarm on the corridors we consider sanctuaries for our young minds—schools are not immune to the dark tendrils of bullying and violence. The attack, cloaked in the shadows of adolescent turmoil, isn’t an isolated echo. It’s a stark reminder that the gentle streams of youth can turn turbulent. Only weeks prior to the devastating turn of events, the young assailant found himself at the receiving end of relentless harassment, marking a breaking point…
In the vibrant heart of Thailand, a debate simmers that could reshape the afternoons of locals and visitors alike. Picture this: The sun hangs high in the sky, the air buzzes with the sounds of bustling streets and laughter, and the government is stirring the pot with a proposal that could transform the tourism landscape even further. At the helm of this change is none other than Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew. Minister Cholnan isn’t just any figure; he’s a man on a mission, seeking to revitalize Thailand’s allure by tackling an issue as potent as the country’s famed spicy cuisine—the afternoon alcohol ban. The rule, forbidding the sale of spirits between the hours of 2pm and 5pm, has long been like a sleeping guard dog, hardly noticed until you accidentally step too close. But now, with the help of the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (Tabba), there’s a movement…
On a crisp, lively Friday in Brussels, the heart of Belgium, an event unfolded that seemed to echo the beating drums of geopolitical shifts and economic tides – the 3rd EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (IPMF). Imagine a room, not merely filled, but vibrant with the intellectual fervour and diplomatic gusto of individuals whose decisions sculpt the very world we inhabit. This wasn’t just any gathering; it was a pivotal juncture aimed at navigating the uncharted waters of our global future. The minister, a figure of stature and insight, took the stage, not just to speak, but to illuminate the strategic masterpiece that is the Indo-Pacific region. This isn’t just any region; it’s the spinning wheel at the heart of the global economy and new world order. He wasn’t merely outlining facts; he was painting the picture of a world teetering on the edge of monumental shifts, with the Indo-Pacific as…
In the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, a city that never sleeps and where stories unfold at every corner, a British man finds himself entangled in a narrative he wishes he could escape. Meet James Alexander Oldfield, 35, a name now associated with a tale of caution and controversy. Oldfield’s story began unraveling in the serene Sathon district, but its roots trace back to the picturesque town of Hua Hin, known for its pristine beaches and a darker underside that came into the spotlight last August. It was a regular Saturday in Bangkok’s Thung Mahamek area when the tranquility of Yen Akat Road was pierced by the actions of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD). The officers, on a mission to cleanse the shadows of the city, apprehended Oldfield, a Briton whose past activities had finally caught up with him. This arrest wasn’t a random act but the result of diligent…
On a seemingly ordinary Friday in Krabi, fishermen made an extraordinary catch that has set social media abuzz. Hauling in an ensemble of giant squid, these sea giants, each tipping the scales at an impressive 5 kilograms, quickly became the talk of the town, or more accurately, the talk of Facebook, thanks to Nuch Juraluck. Nuch, a local seafood stall owner in the Muang district of Krabi, couldn’t help but share photos of these formidable creatures, igniting a wave of curiosity and bemusement among netizens. The striking visuals of the squid sparked a flurry of comments, with folks pondering everything from the species of these marine marvels to how their flesh might fare on the palate. Despite their imposing size, some wondered if their meat would be a gastronomic delight or a culinary challenge, given its less-than-tempting appearance. Despite being the bearer of these intriguing images, Nuch admitted to being…
In the verdant embrace of a rubber plantation nestled in the heart of Narathiwat’s Rueso district, beneath the sprawling boughs that have whispered the history of the land for generations, a tale of redemption met a somber end one Saturday morning. It was here, among the trees that bled both sap and secrets, that the lifeless body of Wae Ali Copter Waeji was discovered, sending ripples of shock and sorrow through the southern border province. Waeji, 67, was no ordinary man. His name was etched into the annals of Thailand’s tumultuous southern conflict, remembered as a former insurgent who once led a daring raid on the Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra military camp’s armoury in the dim hours of January 4, 2004. That audacious venture, carried out in the shadowy tranquility of Cho Airong district, would become the flame igniting a new phase in the insurgency—a struggle that had, like the perennial rubber…
In a remarkable turn of events that feels ripped straight from a high-octane crime thriller, the quiet district of Bang Phli in Samut Prakan became the epicenter of a takedown that would see the end of a six-year reign of an illicit firearms dealer, operating under the guise of a village chief on Facebook. The page, known cryptically as “Loong Kamnan Loong Kamnan”, had eluded law enforcement’s grasp by weaving through the digital shadows since 2018. The cyber sleuths from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, known for their keen eye for detail and relentless pursuit of digital lawbreakers, embarked on a mission that was part cyber-detective work and part old-school police raid. Their painstaking investigation led them to uncover a complex web of illegal weapons trade masquerading behind the unassuming front of a Facebook page. This wasn’t just any page; this was a portal to an underworld marketplace, dealing in…
As the sun gently began its ascent over the horizon, illuminating the grandeur of Bangkok’s Victory Monument, it was not just another day in the bustling city. This was a day steeped in solemnity, recognition, and deep gratitude—a day dedicated to heroes clad not in capes, but in courage and resilience. It was Thai Veterans Day, an occasion that unites hearts and voices in honouring the indomitable spirit of those who’ve written history not with ink, but with their valour and sacrifice. In the heart of this poignant gathering stood Sutin, a man who, in a historic shift from tradition, assumed the mantle of defence minister without the dual responsibility of primeminister. With the air charged with reverence and anticipation, Sutin addressed the crowd, his words echoing far beyond the confines of the monument. “Today,” Sutin began, “we stand on the shoulders of giants. It is on their sacrifices that…
In what reads almost like the plot of a quirky, yet disheartening movie, former badminton sensation Supakit “Golf Flintstone” Jandara found himself caught in the net of law enforcement, but not for smashing birdies across the court. In a twist that left fans and netizens both bewildered and entertained, this once top-three national player swung his racquet in a direction that no one saw coming – right into the realm of online scams and petty theft. Imagine this: a top athlete, with the wind of youth and success at his back, suddenly veering off course. That’s exactly what happened with Supakit Jandara, 27, a name that once echoed in badminton halls, now whispered in less admirable circles. His latest match, however, was played out in the less glamorous courts of the internet and the real world, on a playground far from the badminton courts where he once shined. Caught in…