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Posts published in “Thailand”

The iCon Group’s Legal Drama Unfolds: Warathaphon Waratyaworrakul at the Center of Fraud Allegations

Amid the bustling cityscape of Bangkok, a drama is unfolding that has captured the attention of the nation. Warathaphon Waratyaworrakul, the dynamic founder and CEO of The iCon Group, found himself at the center of a media frenzy just last month. In a scene that could be straight out of a thriller, he was escorted by police from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) straight to the Criminal Court. The photo courtesy of Nutthawat Wichieanbut presents a somber image, sparking intrigue and speculation across the city. The heat is on as The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) considers pulling the plug on The iCon Group’s operations. With allegations as serious as public fraud and pyramid schemes casting a long shadow, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Jiraporn Sindhuprai is taking no prisoners. She disclosed this week that the OCPB is diligently gathering evidence to ensure that any move to revoke the…

Maris Sangiampongsa Celebrates 50 Years of Thai-Chinese Diplomatic Relations with Iconic Logo Unveiling

In a dazzling display of diplomatic finesse, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Thailand, Maris Sangiampongsa, firmly shook hands with Han Zhiqiang, China’s ambassador to Thailand, at Bangkok’s glitzy Iconsiam shopping complex. The occasion? The unveiling of a striking logo, a harbinger of the golden jubilee marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between these two vibrant nations. Minister Sangiampongsa took a walk down memory lane, recounting how Thailand and China cemented their diplomatic relationship on a momentous day—July 1, 1975. It was on this date that both countries inscribed their intentions on paper through the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations in Beijing, promising enduring friendship and cooperation. The upcoming 50th anniversary promises a spectacular celebration worthy of their rich history. The dynamic duo—the Foreign Affairs Ministries of both countries—jointly brainstormed the celebratory logo. In a harmonious blend of symbolism, the logo features a dragon, synonymous with China, and…

Bangkok New Year’s Eve 2023: CentralWorld and Hotels Celebrate with 24/7 Alcohol Service

As the clock approaches midnight on December 31, 2023, a vibrant throng gathers in front of the glittering facade of CentralWorld shopping center in Bangkok, their breath clouding the cool evening air with anticipation. This New Year’s Eve promises more than just a countdown; it heralds an unprecedented change in the alcohol policies that will cater to the festive spirit. In a groundbreaking announcement by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, hotel guests throughout Bangkok will enjoy the privilege of ordering alcoholic beverages from in-house bars and restaurants around the clock during the New Year’s festivities. This newly minted rule, approved under the guidance of Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, flips the usual constraints on their head, allowing revelers to toast the occasion long past the usual curfews. Ordinarily, ordering drinks from an in-house restaurant is curbed at 10 p.m., with a small extension to 2 a.m. if sourced from the…

Nakhon Pathom Raid Uncovers Massive Ensure Gold Counterfeit Operation

In a plot that seems plucked from the pages of a crime novel, a trio consisting of one Chinese national and two Thai citizens found themselves in police custody, under the glaring sun of Nakhon Pathom. Their misadventure? Distributing counterfeit Ensure Gold powdered milk, a name synonymous with quality and reliability. In a Tuesday swoop, the Consumer Protection Police Division, led by the astute Pol Maj Gen Withaya Sriprasertparp, nabbed the culprits and seized an astonishing 5,375 cans of imitation milk—along with the entire operation’s paraphernalia—from two secretive locations in Nakhon Chaisi district. With investigators on high alert, they homed in on a nondescript shop flaunting a Chinese facade, yet operating in the digital shadows. This venue brazenly offered 850-gram tins of purported Ensure Gold milk powder on various online marketplaces for a jaw-dropping 690 baht, a stark contrast to the legitimate product’s price tag of over 1,000 baht. The…

Drug Smuggling Scandal: Buddha Statues in Nakhon Phanom Conceal Over 100kg of Heroin and Meth

In an extraordinary tale echoing the boldest crime thrillers, Nakhon Phanom’s serene landscape witnessed a shocking discovery that could rival the most infamous tales of smuggling. Over 100 kilograms of illicit substances, specifically heroin and crystal methamphetamine, were ingeniously concealed within three Buddha statues. These statues, seemingly innocent and spiritual, were left abandoned on a roadside in the quaint Tha Uthen district of this northeastern province. It all began on an otherwise quiet Saturday night when vigilant local residents noticed something unusual. At the entrance to Don Daeng Noi Village, three seated Buddha statues mysteriously appeared, enigmatic sentinels of the rural roadside. Sensing something amiss, the community promptly tipped off the border patrol police officers, setting the stage for a tale that blends crime and intrigue with spiritual betrayal. Responding to the alert, officers conducted an initial inspection as the moon bathed the statues in its pale glow. What they…

Tragedy at Terminal 21 Korat: Foreigner’s Fatal Fall Stuns Nakhon Ratchasima Shoppers

It was a typical bustling Monday evening at the Terminal 21 Korat shopping mall, a popular hub in Nakhon Ratchasima where shoppers, families, and tourists alike blend into a colorful tapestry of daily whirl. The aroma of freshly baked pretzels mingling with the distant notes of a street performer created an atmosphere so lively that it belied the tragic event that was about to unfold. Amidst the clamor and chatter, at precisely 5:25 PM, an incident disrupted the routine hum of commerce. A man, whose identity remained a mystery to both the bustling crowd and the responding authorities, plummeted from the fourth floor of the mall. The scene was surreal, a moment frozen in the collective consciousness of everyone present. The foreigner, estimated to be between the ages of 50 and 60, had tragically made his final descent next to the escalator—an apparatus typically symbolic of movement and continuity, but…

True Corporation’s Revolutionary Cell Broadcast Service Enhances Tourist Safety in Phuket

True Corporation Plc., a pioneer in Thailand’s telecom-tech landscape, has teamed up with heavy hitters like the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE), the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), and Phuket Province to crank up the safety dial in one of the world’s most enticing vacation spots—Phuket. On November 19, 2024, they conducted a live simulation of the much-anticipated “LIVE – Cell Broadcast Service” (CBS). This ambitious project aims to redefine safety norms and infuse a fresh wave of confidence among tourists flooding into Thailand’s sunny shores. Taking the helm as the Cell Broadcast Center (CBC), True Corporation effortlessly navigated the choppy waters of system integration testing alongside the DDPM, the stalwart Cell Broadcast Entity (CBE). This dynamic duo orchestrated an all-encompassing, real-time simulation that whipped through networks with the precision of a digital maestro. As the team fine-tunes the…

Samli the Cat Controversy: Behind-the-Scenes Drama of ‘The Empress of Ayodhaya’

In a rather peculiar twist surrounding the Thai period drama, “The Empress of Ayodhaya” (or Mae Yuhua, if you’re more familiar with the local tongue), the spotlight hasn’t just been on the acclaimed performances or the lush depictions of bygone eras. Instead, a furry protagonist—an unassuming black cat named Samli—has found itself at the center of a controversy tinged with shades of the dramatic arts meeting animal ethics. The drama’s fifth episode stirred quite a furor when audiences were left perturbed by a scene that featured Samli going through what appeared to be a death throe. The sequence showed the feline sipping a mysterious solution before it convulsed, wailed, and theatrically ‘expired.’ Curiosity led to concern, and concern fanned the flames of suspicion: what in the world happened on set? The Department of Livestock Development, led by the watchful eye of director-general Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, launched an inquiry on November 13—just…

Thai Baht’s November 2024 Decline: Impact of US Election and Global Markets

The melodious hum of economic dynamics between the US and Thailand took on a discordant note towards the end of September 2024. With a crescendo of drama worthy of an election year, the Thai Baht, which had been waltzing upward with grace, stumbled and lost 7% of its value—a spectacle that left many investors and travelers wincing. Let’s wade through this saga, unravel what led to this monetary twist, and explore what it might mean for your wallet. The first act stars none other than the maestro of controversy: Donald Trump. As whispers turned to shouts about his potential victory in the November 5 election, markets reacted with the jitteriness of a cat at a dog show. Early hints of Trump’s renewed focus on tariffs—those ominous levies threatening to hobble Thailand’s exports alongside many others—led investors sprinting towards the comforting embrace of the US dollar, a hero in the narrative…

ONESIAM SuperApp 2024: Elevate Your Shopping Experience with Panthep Nilasinthop’s Vision

Prepare to be dazzled as the ONESIAM SuperApp takes a mesmerizing leap forward in its quest to redefine smart platform transformation! This enchanting app is set to elevate the user experience to extraordinary heights, offering a treasure trove of unparalleled privileges for its cherished clientele. All this magic is conjured in collaboration with global projects that are the envy of the world, including the illustrious Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, ICONSIAM, ICS, and Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok. By uniting with esteemed partners across diversified industries—including the creme de la creme of premium and luxury brands—the realm of privileges and enticing experiences is expanding, exclusively for our treasured ONESIAM members. With every opulent purchase, ONESIAM members are set to bask in remarkable rewards, courtesy of the ONESIAM Coin Ecosystem, making their festive celebrations in 2024 all the more exhilarating. The maestro orchestrating this symphony of experiences is none other than…