Posts published in “Thailand”

In the vibrant city of Pattaya, amidst the sun, sand, and surf, there sometimes lurk shadows that beckon the attention of local law enforcement. On such a day, the bustling streets were unequivocally reminded of the age-old struggle against substance abuse, as an unanticipated raid sprung to life in a derelict beer bar, nestled near the threshold of one of the city’s most frequented roads. On March 21, a conspicuous joint operation unfolded, spearheaded by Nattawat Sophonsewatasilp, an esteemed senior administrative officer from the Bang Lamung district. Side by side with him stood Police Lieutenant Colonel Sonthaya Khonsap from the Crime Suppression Unit of the Pattaya City Police Station. Together, they orchestrated a raid intended to address concerns brought forth by vigilant locals who suspected that the unsanctioned haven had become a nucleus for illicit drug activity. Boldly, they stepped into the shadows of the forsaken venue, stationed at the…

In a peculiar twist of events in Pattaya, a 40-year-old homeless man known only as Weerasak found himself at the sniffling end of justice after setting his sights on the Pattaya Provincial Court sign—armed with nothing but a spray can and perhaps a bit of artistic ambition. This episode of unusual vandalism unfolded as authorities, with furrowed brows, pieced together how the courthouse’s lofty sign on bustling Thapphraya Road became an unintended canvas. The errant artist’s journey didn’t stop at the court sign. Like a modern-day Picasso with a penchant for public objects, Weerasak forged his unwelcome signature on streetlight poles and shops’ exteriors in a baffling spree across South Pattaya. According to a police spokesperson, the persistent scribbler was spotted on CCTV, artfully transforming the sober court sign before vanishing into a thicket like a graffiti-streaked phantom. Police were quick on the trail, and soon they closed in on…

The vibrant city of Bangkok is undergoing a transformative phase as it embarks on an ambitious project aimed at revolutionizing its footpaths. With a mission to enhance safety, accessibility, and integrate the uniquely local flair of its diverse districts, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is trailblazing towards a whopping 1,000 kilometers of premium-quality footpaths by the year 2026. They’re already on a roll, clocking in more than 70% completion, and the excitement is palpable. Just yesterday, Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, the eloquent spokesperson for the BMA, led a convoy of eager journalists to witness firsthand the metamorphosis at Phran Nok Market and Itsaraphap MRT Station, both nestled in the heart of Bangkok’s vibrant central districts. These bustling locations are part and parcel of an expansive blueprint that seeks to revitalize 87 strategic routes, stretching a dynamic 774 kilometers, all set for a grand reveal by April 2025. “Revamped footpaths sit at the…

Tensions are high and policy changes are afoot as soldiers diligently fortify the verdant Thai terrain on the Myanmar border, with specific focus on Mae Sot district, Tak. March may have begun like any other month, but on the 9th, it saw this picturesque area transform into a bustling center of strategic operations. Behind the orchestrated scenes, the honed gazes of soldiers scrutinize every inch of the famed Thai soil to ensure it’s shielded from the undercurrent of transnational crime. (Photo: Assawin Pinitwong) In an unprecedented show of concerted governmental will, the spotlight is on heightened security measures. Our tale takes a dramatic turn as Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai dons the dual hats of both a devout guardian of the land and the strategic chair of the National Security Council. The air was thick with resolve this past Saturday as he steered the proceedings at the second crucial meeting dedicated…

As the clock ticks towards the much-anticipated censure debate, the political atmosphere in Thailand is electrified with intrigue and anticipation. All eyes have turned to Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the dynamic leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Rumors swirl that he’s enlisted the once-loyal ruling Pheu Thai Party MP, Pol Capt Chalerm Ubumrung, to aid in a blistering critique against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Prepare for a spectacle, as allegations fly, and the stakes reach a fever pitch. PPRP’s secretary-general, Paiboon Nititawan, has revealed that Gen Prawit will take center stage after opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut officially launches the censure session in the House of Representatives. This dynamic duel is said to focus squarely on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, tackling issues ranging from the enigmatic Alpine temple land to the contentious casino-entertainment complex project, and, not to mention, the enigmatic MoU 44 territorial agreement with Cambodia. The arrest and detention…

In the bustling district of Chom Thong, Bangkok, chaos reigned supreme on March 16, when workers from the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) were left awestruck by a stunningly unfortunate event. They found themselves meticulously clearing debris from a collapsed beam on the Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway, near the busy Rama II Road. This was not just another day on the job, but a pivotal moment that would have resounding effects throughout Thailand’s transport infrastructure. The ramifications of this incident were manifold. The Ministry of Transport and Exat swiftly mobilized to take legal action against the contractor responsible for the calamity. This tragic collapse, occurring on the Rama III-Dao Khanong Expressway, resulted in the heartbreaking loss of six lives and left 24 others nursing injuries. The announcement on Friday by Transport Ministry spokesman Krichanont Iyapunya and Exat governor Surachet Laophulsuk underscored the gravity of the situation—charges were pressed against both…

The United Kingdom and Thailand share a storied history that stretches back 170 years, marking a legacy of robust diplomatic ties. As both nations stand at this historical juncture, they are poised to not merely celebrate the past but to forge an invigorated future brimming with potential. This year, the UK Trade Envoy to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, Matt Western, disembarked on a purposeful journey to Thailand, where he shared insights into fortifying their trade and investment partnership. With the backdrop of the UK-Thailand Investment Conference, Mr. Western’s discourse centered around cultivating a more enriched economic relationship between the two countries. He spotlighted the tantalizing prospects set off by recent agreements, which have significantly redefined their cooperative scope, particularly the signing of the Strategic Partnership Roadmap in 2024 that has newly elevated the countries to strategic collaborators. The Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP), an agreement penned in September 2024, reflects…

As the sun peeks over the horizon in Mae Sot district, Tak, whispers of a tightening grip on security weave through the air. With boots planted firmly on Thai soil near the tumultuous border with Myanmar, soldiers stand vigilant, guarding against the creeping shadow of transnational crime. The date is March 9, but the mood is timeless – a narrative of defense and resilience as old as borders themselves. The atmosphere was charged with urgency as Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the chairperson of the National Security Council, navigated through the sea of updates and discussions at the second meeting of the committee on border security. Here, in this crucible of policy and strategy, the challenge was not merely to converse but to carve a robust bulwark against the insidious threat of cyber criminals, human traffickers, and other nefarious actors that skulk in the shadows of international boundaries. As the committee…

As political tensions rise in Thailand, all eyes are fixed on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra as she prepares to tackle a two-day censure debate set to commence on Monday. This no-confidence motion, orchestrated by the People’s Party (PP), turns the spotlight onto Ms. Paetongtarn, with accusations pointing towards her lack of leadership and alleged undue influence from her father, Thaksin Shinawatra. Opposition forces claim he continues to pull governmental strings from the shadows. It’s a situation that’s already fuelling heated debates, with the opposition striving to challenge the current Pheu Thai-led government, which came into power in September 2023, for the very first time. In the political arena, where stakes are high, there is a mounting curiosity about how adeptly Ms. Paetongtarn will counter these allegations. Her ability to showcase strong leadership amidst the political frenzy will be critical. Simultaneously, this serves as a litmus test for the PP, which,…

In what promises to be a spectacle of political theatre, all eyes are fixed on the upcoming censure debate as Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader, General Prawit Wongsuwon, preps for a potential political blitz. With rumors swirling about his alliance with Pol Capt Chalerm Ubumrung, a notable MP from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, the tension is palpable. The dynamic duo is expected to present explosive allegations against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra when the debate kicks off on Monday. PPRP’s secretary-general, Paiboon Nititawan, revealed that Gen Prawit will take the floor following the opening session led by opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut in the House of Representatives. Gen Prawit’s arrows are pointed directly at Ms. Shinawatra, and he’s aiming to expose a spectrum of contentious issues, including the contentious Alpine temple land, an ambitious casino-entertainment complex project, and the perplexing MoU 44 territorial concerns swirling around Cambodia. Among the topics expected…