As the world continues its relentless journey towards hyper-efficiency, the Airports of Thailand (AoT) is stepping up its game with a futuristic update to its biometric identification systems. Picture it: you’re rushing through the bustling terminals, dodging duty-free shoppers and selfie-stick wielders, when you breeze right through the checkpoint thanks to sleek, upgraded biometric systems. Yesterday, on January 8, AoT’s Director Kerati Kijmanawat announced the rollout of these systems at six of Thailand’s heavyweight international airports—Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, and Hat Yai. Although the sci-fi sensation isn’t quite complete as these technological wonders don’t fully support Thai ID cards yet, there’s an exciting twist. From January 15, if you’re 70 years or older, your ID card—not the fountain of youth, but still no expiry date—will glide smoothly through the new system. And for those blessed with fabulously long names exceeding 20 letters in…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The shimmering skyscrapers of Bangkok aren’t the only things reaching for new heights; electricity prices are as well. But fear not, citizens of Thailand, as it seems there’s light at the end of this particularly costly tunnel. If former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and current Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira have anything to say about it, you might soon enjoy a lower electricity bill—potentially as low as 3.70 baht per unit later this year. On January 8th, Pichai, doubling as Finance Minister, painted a picture of hope and relief for Thai residents. Though the estimated household electricity bill currently stands at 4.15 baht per unit, the government’s mission is to bring it down below 4 baht. No small feat, but a crucial one if residents are to catch their breath amidst rising living costs. But how, you ask? Well, Pichai is playing his cards close. Discussions are in their infancy,…
In a daring crackdown that reads like the plot of a high-octane thriller, police and electricity officials swooped down on the unsuspecting district of Phanat Nikhom in Chon Buri. Their mission? To unearth a clandestine operation that had been quietly siphoning off electricity to fuel a massive bitcoin mining empire. As the dust settled in the usually tranquil tambon Na Wang Hin, it became clear that the scale of the endeavor was almost as astonishing as the audacity behind it. According to Pol Maj Gen Montree Theskhan, the seasoned commander of the Crime Suppression Division, a daring heist of the electrical kind was in full swing within the unassuming walls of JIT Co. Registered under the guise of digital asset trading, the company was trading more than just bytes—it was stealing kilowatts. Armed with modified power meters, the ambitious miners had been pilfering electricity to keep nearly a thousand mining…
In the vibrant heart of Bangkok, a city that never seems to sleep, the tranquility of the early dawn was shattered on January 9, 2025, as fiery chaos erupted in the Klong Toey community. The blaze, which unfurled its destructive tendrils around 2:45 AM, wreaked havoc across 22 rooms, leaving 33 residents grappling with sudden dislocation. The incident called upon the swift expertise of Police Lieutenant Santi Chansathien from the Tha Ruea Police Station, who was prompt in coordinating the emergency response. The Klong Toey fire station responded with admirable alacrity, dispatching five firetrucks along with dedicated volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation to tackle the inferno. Their firefighting valiance ensured that what could have been a catastrophic night for Klong Toey at least saw no human casualty, as the flames were subdued in a brief yet intense 20-minute battle near the Klong Toey Youth Centre. The setting for this fiery…
In a dramatic turn of events, Thai authorities have apprehended the alleged gunman behind the death of a former Cambodian-French opposition Member of Parliament. The incident took place in the Phra Tabon Province of Cambodia, igniting a diplomatic whirlwind between the neighbors while keeping readers on the edge of their seats. But let’s backtrack for some context, shall we? Lim Kimya, a 73-year-old former politician and vocal critic of the Cambodian government, had arrived in Bangkok via a coach bus from Cambodia with his French wife and Cambodian uncle. Their journey was meant to be a simple visit, but fate had other plans. Just as they disembarked in the vibrant city of Bangkok, Lim’s life was brought to a tragic end by a gunman on a bustling traffic island near the famed Bowonniwet Vihara Temple. The setting sounds almost like a scene from a suspense thriller, doesn’t it? The assailant,…
In the heart of northern Thailand, an unexpected escapade unfolded for an American pensioner, leaving him with a tale worth telling. The man, a 68-year-old adventurer from the United States, found himself entangled in a real-life drama amidst the verdant expanses of the Doi Thong forest near Ya Po village. Yet, thanks to the swift and adept choreography of Mae Hong Son’s Tourist Police, local villagers, and intrepid rescue volunteers, this story has a happy ending. It all kicked off around 9 a.m. on January 8, a day that might have otherwise been uneventful for the Tourist Police in the serene Pai district of Mae Hong Son Province. The alarm was sounded: a foreign tourist, known only as Daniel, was missing. His escapade into the green wilderness of Doi Thong had turned into a disorienting predicament. But as panic and mystery loomed, a beacon of hope rallied. The Thai rescue…
In a landmark celebration set to resonate throughout Thailand and beyond, the Thai Interior Ministry is gearing up to host a grand event at the esteemed United Nations Convention Centre in Bangkok. Scheduled for next Monday, January 13, this gathering marks a pivotal prelude to the Marriage Equality Act’s impending arrival on January 23—a trailblazing step towards inclusivity and equality. Spearheaded by the ministry’s dynamic spokesperson, Traisulee Taisaranakul, and orchestrated alongside the Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA), the event promises to be a captivating mosaic of unity and progress. The extravaganza will see an illustrious assembly of 400 participants—brilliant minds and influential figures hailing from official circles, the UN, embassies worldwide, and vibrant members of the media, all converging to mark this auspicious moment. Presided over by Anutin Charnvirakul, who adeptly dons the hats of Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, the occasion will unfold with a central theme highlighting the…
Just when you thought you were fully prepared for the New Year, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has a chilly surprise in store! A cold spell, the second one this month, is set to sweep over the Land of Smiles. Brace yourselves for some brisk breezes and noticeably nippy temperatures from January 10 through January 13. It’s all thanks to a frosty high-pressure system from China that’s making its way over Thailand and into the South China Sea. This cold wave promises to drop the mercury by a cool 5 to 7 degrees Celsius in the north and northeast. Meanwhile, Bangkok and the rest of the central region aren’t escaping the chill either, with temperatures set to dip by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. So, dig out those extra blankets and maybe an extra scoop of hot soup too, as residents are advised to keep warm and be cautious of…
The sun-drenched beaches of Phuket, famed for their beauty and tranquility, have suddenly become the backdrop of a mystifying tale that has left a British family desperate for answers. On a balmy morning of January 5, the lifeless body of 28-year-old Regan Kelly from South London was discovered washed up on the sands, casting a shadow over what should have been a paradise getaway. Regan, a building surveyor hailing from the serene suburb of Selsdon, had barely begun his month-long holiday in Thailand when the dream turned into a nightmare. Captured last on CCTV at the lively Mad Monkey Hostel, an alarmingly heated exchange with an unknown man on January 3 has become the focal point of a harrowing mystery. According to the grainy footage, Regan was seen animatedly debating with what appeared to be a fellow tourist. Yet curiously, this mysterious man was not registered as a hostel guest.…
In an exhilarating operation that gripped the nation, law enforcement and health officials descended upon Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and the bustling metropolis of Bangkok in a united front against counterfeit cough syrup. With a dramatic value of over 100 million baht seized on the retail market, this was no ordinary bust. It was the result of a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the provincial public health office of Nakhon Pathom. Together, they dismantled a sprawling network responsible for the production and distribution of fake branded cough syrup, bringing its large-scale distribution to a screeching halt. The operation was a multi-faceted raid, meticulously planned and executed across four strategic locations. It all started at a clandestine factory nestled in the Kamphaeng Saen district of Nakhon Pathom, the breeding ground where this counterfeit syrup was concocted. Meanwhile, in the Thawi…