Posts published in “Thailand”

In the intricate labyrinth of Thai politics, the saga of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra continues to turn heads, and with it, a swirl of allegations, inquiries, and investigative twists. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is currently embroiled in a particularly knotty investigation, scrutinizing claims that government officials potentially facilitated Thaksin’s prolonged spa-like stay at the Police General Hospital (PGH), a scenario that remarkably skipped over the legal rolls of the prison yard. The NACC Secretary General, Saroj Phungramphan, revealed the sluggish march of progress yesterday, attributing the snail’s pace to the challenges posed by unavailable information caches. A dogged team from the NACC, he shared, is painstakingly piecing together evidence through a cocktail of witness testimonies and document excavations from various quarters. The treasure hunt continues, with onsite visits by investigators, unlocking some secrets and others remaining buried, shielded under legal veils. “Legal protocols dictate our dance,” Saroj explained,…

In a riveting parade of news from Thailand, journalists Alex and Jay deliver a buffet of current affairs that range from startling to spellbinding. From a delayed visa policy to dramatics on the streets of bustling Phuket, there’s no shortage of action in this corner of the globe. As the calendar struck the 22nd of March, a German named Moritz Harald Hick, 24 years old, turned the quiet streets of Rawai into his own stunt show. Exiting a side street with the enthusiasm of an action hero, his BMW rocketed into a divider, soared through the air, and performed a dance with a parked Isuzu DMAX, which ended in devastation as it was slammed into shopfront poles. His companion, Anton Augsten, secured a different kind of ride—straight to Chalong Hospital. Meanwhile, in the serene surroundings of Korat, the tragic discovery of Matthias, 41, sends shivers down the spine. Allegedly intertwined…

Ah, the vibrant city of Pattaya—where sunny beaches, bustling nightlife, and tasty street food paint the scene. However, not everything glittered golden on the eve of March 23. In an unfortunate twist, an audacious motorbike thief turned into the unwitting star of a viral drama, yanking the brakes on a student’s birthday merriment. The thief’s Hollywood-worthy heist was caught red-handed on CCTV within the lively Soi Buakhao, showcasing an almost cinematic sequence of events. Zoom in on the stroke of 8 p.m.—enter the camera’s unwavering gaze. Hours silently tick away until the clock strikes 4:15 a.m., when a cocky figure clad in a veil of shadows ambles into view. Quick as a flash, he spirits away a sleek black Honda PCX, license plate glaringly absent—4 7973 Chon Buri, forever captured in pixel history. Amid the chaos, enter our protagonist: Thanaphon, the bike’s proud owner, who had been serenely slumbering, unaware…

In the bustling world of Thai news, where stories of shocking inheritance disputes and daring heists often steal the spotlight, a more subdued yet equally impactful issue has quietly stirred a pot of controversy. The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) has taken center stage in a compelling drama over the nation’s new health insurance regulation that demands policyholders to cough up a co-payment covering an eye-watering 50% of their medical expenses. This controversial rule, set in motion on March 20, has sparked debates across dining tables and digital forums alike, challenging the fundamentals of healthcare in a post-pandemic world. Imagine receiving a hospital bill and realizing you might be responsible for half of it—that’s the grim reality now looming for many Thai citizens under this new policy. But why this drastic change, you ask? The backstory is akin to a classic plotline: rising healthcare costs and a suspicious surge in tame,…

The Meteorological Department of Thailand has announced that March 24 is set to be a day with quite the unpredictable weather pattern. With an ominous prediction of heavy rain set to drench nine provinces, about 20% of the areas will be grabbing their umbrellas and galoshes. Meanwhile, in northern Thailand, folks will be reaching for their fans and ice-cold drinks as the mercury threatens to soar upto a scorching 40 degrees Celsius! The culprit behind this sizzling heat wave is a low-pressure system sitting smugly right over the northern region, while a waning high-pressure system weakly tries to defend upper Thailand. It’s this sizzling dance of heat and pressure that’s cranking up the thermometer. Down south, the skies might appear deceptive as the moderate easterly winds sashay over the Gulf of Thailand, the Andaman Sea, and the southern regions, likely orchestrating a symphony of thunderstorms in specific spots. Now, in…

In the dynamic landscape of Thai politics, not many figures command attention like the former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. Even at the age of 75, Thaksin continues to stir the pot with his bold suggestions, this time targeting Thailand’s growing debt conundrum. His proposition? A radical intervention where the government buys up non-performing loans from financial institutions, liberating individual debtors from the shackles of the National Credit Bureau’s blacklist. While it sounds like a financial fairytale to some, others remain skeptical of his controversial proposal. Thailand’s debt figures are staggering, to say the least. The country faces an imposing household debt of 16.3 trillion baht, accounting for a jaw-dropping 89% of its GDP. Add to that personal non-performing loans—amassing 1.2 trillion baht and comprising 8.78% of total loans—and you have a financial quagmire. A Finance Ministry insider elaborates that unlike other nations equipped with specialized ‘bad banks’ to shoulder toxic…

In a tragic twist of fate, Bang Mod in Bangkok was the unlikely backdrop for a real-life family drama that took a dark and disastrous turn. The quiet hum of life in the Chom Thong district was shattered yesterday, March 23, when an intense dispute over property rights within a family spiraled wildly out of control. As the clock ticked past 1:04 pm, a peaceful townhouse became the stage for a violent act that would leave one person dead, another critically injured, and a family in ruins. Meet Sonchai, a name now etched in infamy. The 69-year-old ex-police officer, once a guardian of law and order at the prestigious Samrae Police Station, now finds himself on the wrong side of justice. His weapon of choice—a .38 caliber revolver, loaded and lethal—was poised as he reportedly unleashed violence upon his own family in a fit of rage. Sirinat, his 75-year-old sister-in-law,…

In the serene yet tumultuous province of Pattani, a senior official’s routine journey to the Don Sai tambon administration organization was shockingly disrupted on a recent Monday morning. As the warm, golden sunlight began painting quaint cityscapes, the tranquility was violently shattered by an explosion that sent Temduang Wongsa’s vehicle somersaulting into chaos. The Mazda she bravely navigated lay overturned like a misplaced toy on the roadside, a cruel reminder of the unpredictable dangers woven into the fabric of her daily life. Temduang Wongsa, an esteemed 53-year-old serving her community in the Mai Kaen district, became the latest victim in a persistent wave of insidious attacks perpetrated by southern separatist insurgents. As she ventured to her workplace, an explosive device, cunningly concealed in the unassuming roadside, was triggered. It is believed the insurgents, who have history as volatile as the region’s volatile weather, targeted Ms. Wongsa with a disconcerting precision.…

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a name now echoing through the halls of power and pubic opinion alike, took center stage on Monday during a heated no-confidence debate. The air was thick with anticipation as criticisms rained down, focusing on her perceived inadequacies, alleged tax dodging, and the shadowy influence of her venerable father, Thaksin Shinawatra. The latter, an enigma all his own, stirs controversy without facing the fiery spotlight since he’s technically outside the system’s grasp. A showdown of epic proportions unfolded as leaders clashed swords of rhetoric in the House. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the opposition’s ringleader and the voice for the People’s Party, didn’t pull punches. He painted a grim picture of Ms. Paetongtarn’s era, pointing fingers at her supposedly lax attitude towards national dilemmas. Problems like ultrafine dust, wallet-burning electricity prices, and the pesky invasion of blackchin tilapia were highlighted as stains on her record of governance. According to…

In the vibrant tapestry that is Thailand, where culture and tradition intertwine beautifully, a looming fog once threatened to taint the esteemed art of nuad Thai—or Thai massage. This ancient practice, much revered for its therapeutic prowess, found its name sullied by subpar parlors and dodgy dealings that shamelessly masqueraded under its noble guise. But fear not, for the Thai government is on the offensive, setting forth a spirited initiative to cleanse this esteemed craft of its tarnished reputation, like a modern-day reboot of a classic movie, renewing its authenticity and allure. The Ministry of Public Health, akin to a guardian knight of traditional values, has stepped into the fray, brandishing its regulatory power to ensure that only the best, certified practitioners can officially brandish the term nuad Thai. This bold move comes with a clarion call from Kosit Suvinijjit, the advisor to the Minister, who underlined the sanctity of…