In a tale that could rival the most thrilling of crime novels, a 43-year-old man has finally been captured after a daring 11-year run, eluding the grasp of justice until he unwittingly led authorities right to his bedside in a Songkhla hospital. The scene of his long-overdue arrest was none other than the tranquil Kho Hong subdistrict in the bustling Hat Yai district, marking the end of a manhunt that began with a warrant from Thung Song Provincial Court issued way back on December 17, 2014. This engrossing drama unfolded over a decade prior, on January 6, 2005, amidst the serene backdrop of Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Surasak, with dreams of a simpler life guiding his tractor along the roadside in Ban Lam Nao subdistrict, found his peace shattered by Decha, a fuel truck driver. With a vehicle larger than life and a horn to match, Decha blasted through the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a significant stride towards bolstering trade with China, Bangkok Bank has unveiled a swift new way to transfer Chinese yuan, turning the gears smoothly for businesses eager to tap into the bustling Sino-Thai trade lane. Pipat Assawamongkol, the astute assistant manager at Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, proclaimed that this latest service now accommodates faster yuan transfers. This innovation is courtesy of an all-important endorsement from China’s central bank, permitting the use of the CIPS—or the snappily named Cross-border Interbank Payment System. With this system, Bangkok Bank can conduct unhindered, direct transfers to fellow CIPS member banks. This not only scrubs away the cumbersome need for intermediary banks but also trims the fat off the expenses typically dragging down importers and exporters. The ripple effect is a boon for cash management efficiency, while swinging open doors to wider global trade opportunities. Thus, the bank cements its standing as a…
Imagine a future where the gentle roar of the Mekong River is punctuated by the hum of a massive construction project—a dam, standing as both a marvel and a potential menace. Recently, the undercurrents of a diplomatic dance between Thailand and Laos have surfaced in the form of the Sanakham Dam proposal. Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, who doubles as a deputy prime minister and the stalwart chairman of the National Mekong Committee, has sounded the alarm on this ambitious venture. In a recent unfolding that could rival the plot of an environmental thriller, concerns over this dam’s potential shadow loom large, casting doubts especially on its location—just a mere two kilometers from the Thai frontier. The Thai government, armed with a dossier of concerns, has made a formal overture to their Laotian counterparts, urging them to rethink their geographical strategy before the first shovel breaks ground.…
The political landscape in Thailand has recently been stirred by a captivating drama involving the People’s Party (PP) and some eyebrow-raising allegations. At the heart of this storm is the PP’s call to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, seeking a thorough investigation into some rather intriguing international study programs. These programs, primarily involving Chinese nationals, have come under suspicion for allegedly facilitating student visas—supposedly a cover for illegal work activities across the nation. Leading the charge is Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the ever-vigilant deputy leader of the PP. He’s not one to mince his words, and he’s pointing fingers at a practice he describes in no uncertain terms as the “zero-dollar” business model. For those unacquainted, this model is essentially a ruse, designed to produce no tangible income for Thailand or its local business partners. It’s a tactic that’s been linked with foreign operators—most notably, Chinese—who’ve now expanded…
Marking this year’s Labour Day with a fervent call to action, a coalition of labour groups has rolled out an impressive roster of demands aimed at amplifying the voices and rights of workers everywhere. At the heart of these pleas, there’s a resounding insistence on the establishment of a risk insurance fund, a move seen as pivotal in safeguarding employees from unfair dismissals and ensuring they receive their rightful severance packages. This initiative, championed by Panus Thailuan, the esteemed president of the National Congress of Thai Labour, seeks to offer a lifeline to workers caught in the treacherous waters of abrupt business closures. Panus underscores the gravity of this demand with the haunting reminder of Yarnapund Public Co Ltd, a notorious case where employees were left high and dry, owed a staggering 400 million baht in severance pay. The proposed fund, Panus suggests, could be brought to fruition by tweaking…
Amidst the rubble and rumors swirling from the March 28 collapse of the State Audit Office’s (SAO) brand new headquarters in Thailand, Auditor-General Monthien Charoenpol finds himself in an unusual hot seat. Fresh off a four-hour grilling session with the House committee on corruption and misconduct prevention and suppression, Monthien is not just defending his choice of high-ticket furnishings meant for the now-crumpled edifice—he’s also untangling the misunderstandings enveloping these luxury items. Let’s set the record straight, shall we? Visionaries were employed to craft the architectural dreams and designs needed for the SAO’s new home. Their blueprints included detailed specifications for the dazzling equipment and furnishings intended to elevate each floor. But hold your horses—while the vision sparkled on paper, the dream was tragically cut short by an unexpected earthquake rumbling far away in Myanmar, causing the building’s premature demise. Until then, these furnishings were yet to make their physical…
In what is quickly becoming a political hot potato, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has called out the Prachin Buri Provincial Administration for what he describes as an “inappropriate” appointment of a Chinese adviser. The move has sparked a flurry of online debates, prompting Mr. Anutin, who doubles as the Interior Minister, to issue a public apology—a gesture aimed at assuaging the swirling suspicion that foreign interests might be quietly weaving their way into local governance. To set the stage: Mr. Anutin received word about the controversial appointment of Zhu Juncheng, a Chinese national, as an adviser to Prachin Buri’s provincial governor, Weerapun Dee-on. The appointment, dated April 21, was thrust into the spotlight when CSI LA’s Facebook page shared it, igniting speculation on the propriety of allowing a foreign national so close to the proverbial wheelhouse. As this intrigue percolated online, Mr. Anutin sought to quash any insinuations of…
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is shaking up the way Thailand tackles immigration! In a move that could transform the country’s approach to cross-border travel, Anutin has proposed the creation of a dedicated department, laser-focused on handling immigration maters with flair and efficiency. On a mission to streamline the increasing cross-border movement, Anutin stepped up with a ground-breaking proposal to the chairman of the Immigration Commission. His big idea? Forming a subcommittee tasked with diving deep into the feasibility of setting up a brand new immigration affairs department. This bold idea aims to manage both Thai nomads and worldly adventurers more adeptly as they crisscross the nation’s boundaries. Anutin isn’t just tossing ideas around for fun; he has a grand vision. The Interior Ministry, under his leadership, holds the reins of national security, public welfare, and the legal labyrinth that affects all who dwell within the borders,…
The sun was blazing overhead as the no-nonsense atmosphere at the Royal Thai Police headquarters brimmed with tension and determination. Police Lieutenant General Itthipol Ittisarnronnachai stood confidently among his peers, delivering a riveting report on a dramatic sting operation that ruffled feathers all the way from Bangkok to the clandestine corridors of transnational crime networks. In a scene seemingly drawn right out of an action thriller, the Royal Thai Police, spearheaded by Lt. Gen. Ittipol and officers from the Immigration Bureau, disclosed the arrest of several cunning ringleaders who had been orchestrating a vast smuggling operation. Their mission? To clandestinely ferry Chinese and foreign nationals through Thailand to secretive destinations beyond its borders. But this was just the beginning of an even more gripping tale of human smuggling and lawful perseverance. Going full throttle into this shadowy underworld, the police were armed with strategic insights gathered from past arrests. By…
In a heartfelt twist of desperation, love’s turbulent tide has led a 48-year-old man to an unconventional plea for solace behind bars. On this day, April 30, Mueang Udon Thani Police Station witnessed the emotional descent of Sura, a man torn by heartache and addiction. Grief-stricken and lost, he walked through their doors with a single, solemn request: lock him away from the torment of a love gone wrong. Sura’s tale is one of heart-wrenching despair, a narrative colored by his struggle with drug addiction, sparked by a personal descent into emotional oblivion. The details of his heartbreak are as raw as they are poignant. His wife, the woman whose love once anchored him, had left him for another. A romantic downfall compounded by a deeply personal anguish—his struggle with erectile dysfunction had become fodder for mockery. Originally from Chaiyaphum province, Sura’s life had been a series of uphill battles,…