Welcome to the thrilling tales from the land of politics and intrigue, where cash flies over fences and accusations ricochet like a high-speed car chase through Bangkok’s bustling streets. Hold on to your hats, folks, because we’re about to dive into the scandal that has everyone talking: The curious case of Srisuwan Janya and the not-so-mysterious bag of baht! Picture the scene: It’s a sunny day, birds are chirping, and all seems right with the world… but not in the realm of political activist Srisuwan Janya, where dark clouds of accusation gather. He, alongside United Thai Nation’s finest Yoswaris “Jeng Dokjik” Chuklom and the vibrant Phimnattha Chiraphutthiphak, finds himself in a pickle that could rival the spiciest Thai salad. The word on the street is that this trio, armed with their exceptional negotiating skills, managed to haggle down a bribe from an eye-watering 3 million baht to a more wallet-friendly…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Picture this: A bustling press conference at the heart of Thailand’s Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters in October, and all eyes are keenly fixed on the man of the hour—Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang. It’s a scene that seems straight out of a high-stakes political drama, where the new civilian sheriff strides into town, exuding confidence despite the absence of military regalia that typically adorns his predecessors. Indeed, Minister Sutin has proven adept at dancing with the brass-clad lions, harmoniously aligning with the armed forces proving that his novice military status is no obstacle. In a landscape where the fabric of political alliances is as complex as a thriller novel, our civilian minister appears as a calming diplomat. The ruling Pheu Thai Party, ostensibly steered by the invisible hand of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has artfully embraced military and conservative factions, avoiding the political checkmate by rival Move Forward Party—a…
Imagine a vibrant tapestry of innovation draped over the bustling cityscape of Bangkok—this is the essence of Bangkok Design Week 2024. Dubbed as a celebration of vision and ingenuity, this seminal event is set to transform the Thai capital into a dynamic canvas under the theme of “Livable Scape: The More We Act, the Better Our City.” Embarking upon an urban adventure until February 4, design aficionados can explore no less than 15 creative hotspots dotted across the metropolis. Our esteemed Prime Minister, Srettha, in a rousing opening address, hailed the collective brilliance of minds from various sectors uniting to reimagine and revitalize our urban environments. The spectacle isn’t just about aesthetic appeal; it harbors the potential to enchant visitors from afar, seeding job opportunities and funneling revenue into Thai coffers. Srettha advocates this harmonious symphony of government support and private finesse to embolden our homegrown creativity—a decisive leap onto…
Imagine a place where the creative minds of today are crafting the legends of tomorrow – a land where budding enterprises bloom into majestic unicorns. This isn’t the stuff of fairy tales; it’s the audacious vision that Krithpaka Boonfueng, virtuoso at the helm of Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA), is bringing to life. Under her watchful guidance, the NIA is not just an institution; it’s a launchpad for entrepreneurial dreams, where the alchemy of innovation and enterprise conjures up golden opportunities for startups to scale dizzying heights of global success. Krithpaka’s masterstroke, an initiative known as the Unicorn Factory, is the latest spell in her book of business enchantments. “When the Unicorn Factory spreads its wings, it’s not just a milestone for Thailand’s brightest minds; it’s a clarion call for unicorns in the making to gallop onto the international stage,” Krithpaka muses with a spark in her eyes. Laugh in…
Imagine, if you will, an exhilarating Saturday morning in the serene terrains of Chiang Rai, a day that promised nothing short of routine—until it morphed into an action-packed sequence straight out of a blockbuster movie. Officers from Thai law enforcement agencies found themselves in a high-speed pursuit, not for glory, but to clamp down on illicit narco-trafficking that has long plagued the serene landscapes of Thailand. The chase commenced as astute border patrol police, paramilitary rangers, and narcotics suppression experts cast a suspicious eye on a lone pickup truck. This unsuspecting vehicle, with all the guile of a fox, was skirting around road checkpoints near the Mae Fa Luang and Chiang Saen districts. But luck wasn’t in the driver’s favor as the officers, well-trained in the art of pursuit, bore down upon the now-fleeing vehicle. At approximately 9am, our brave enforcers converged on a nondescript warehouse tucked away in the…
Amid the verdant embrace of Trakan Phuet Phon district, a buzz of excitement lingered in the air as none other than President Steinmeier of Germany graced the Suan Ta Rom Demonstration Farm with his presence. This slice of heaven, a 5.6-hectare marvel tucked away in Thailand’s Northeast province, isn’t just a picturesque farm; it’s a beacon of hope for a greener future. Beneath the sun-kissed Thai skies, President Steinmeier exchanged pleasantries with earnest local farmers, the very stewards of the land. As they walked among paddy fields whispering the tales of toil and triumph, the German leader found himself at the heart of the Inclusive Sustainable Rice Landscape (ISRL) project—a testament to the fruitful collaboration between Thailand and Germany. This initiative isn’t about farming as usual; it’s a bold step forward in the battle against global warming, urging farmers to embrace the rhythm of sustainable agriculture. With a warm reception…
When day broke over the tranquil district of Lam Luk Ka in Pathum Thani province, it unfurled a story more riveting than a prime-time police drama—complete with clandestine movements, large sums of cash, and the whiff of political intrigue. On Friday, local resident and notorious activist Srisuwan Janya found himself entangled in a quite unexpected plot twist when the police launched a sting operation at his place of residence. The tale took a turn when Srisuwan, a man as prolific in filing petitions as a writer is with words, along with the companion-in-cause, Yoswaris Chuklom, also recognized by the moniker Jeng Dokjik, found themselves facing allegations of attempting to shake down a high-ranking bureaucrat. A hefty bribe of 3 million baht was the centerpiece of this scandal—one so lofty it seemed lifted from a soap opera episode. Srisuwan’s co-accused in this melodrama included Phimnattha Chiraphutthiphak, with a resume boasting a…
Imagine walking into work and finding out you’ve just been gifted a bounty that’s more than your monthly salary—feels like hitting the jackpot, right? This is not a mere daydream for the dedicated team at JW Marriott Phuket. They were elated when they discovered that their December windfall of service charges hit a staggering 95,733.22 baht per person. That’s no chump change; it’s a new record for the resort, soaring past its previous benchmark of 79,980 baht. This illustrious payout wasn’t an isolated event. The breathtaking Anantara Layan Phuket claimed the runner-up spot with an impressive 71,715 baht. The luxurious Four Seasons Koh Samui in Surat Thani wasn’t far behind, showering their staff with 69,787 baht. Meanwhile, the unique Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai boasted its bounty of 65,931 baht. Amanpuri, a slice of paradise in Phuket, also made headlines with payouts of 63,973 baht plus…
Let’s paint a picture with numbers that are as vivid and lively as the destinations they represent. In 2023, the kingdom’s tourism landscape was bursting with more colors than a Thai festival. Foreign footfalls danced to the tune of an impressive 28.09 million—an 11.06 million leap frogging over the previous year’s figures. That’s a whopping 153.94% increased attendance at the grand fiesta of cultural immersion compared to the year 2022! Now, let’s waltz through the cobblestone streets of Vietnam, a fellow jewel in the ASEAN crown. What a tale their stats tell! Imagine a swell of visitors that spiked up like a dragon’s majestic spine—12.06 million jubilant globetrotters marking a staggering 344.2% rise from a humble 3.66 million the year before. The Lion City, Singapore, wasn’t shy about roaring its own triumph. With 12.37 million people flocking to its urban jungle, the city-state boasted a roaring 130% surge from 2022’s…
In the still of the night, the pulsing heart of nightlife beats on in unexpected corners—even in places deemed off-limits by the powers that be. One such rebel of the night was Tag Pub, tucked away in the Omnoi nook of Krathum Baen district, a short hop from the bustling streets of Bangkok. In an operation that could rival a blockbuster, officials and law enforcers descended upon the establishment with a sense of purpose. A symphony of boots on the ground and a crescendo of authority bursting through the doors, they raided Tag Pub in the wee hours of Saturday. The raid wasn’t the first act of this drama—this very locale had once sheltered Nos Pub, a predecessor that fell from grace back in 2018. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the tactician behind the raid, led a contingent of more than 30 officials, community guardians, and narcotics busters. The clock had…