In the tranquil southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, a storm of drama has unfurled revolving around an unusual scandal that intertwines the sanctity of monkhood with neighborhood feuds. At the center of this captivating tale is a monk named Apichart Damjam from the Cha-uat district. Accusations have been hurled by a Phuket resident named Satsawat, who claims that things are not quite as they seem between Apichart and a certain married woman on his Phuket street. Now, set your imagination to a picturesque Phuket scene where bright-orange monk robes flutter like flags against the gentle tropical breezes. It would be rather serene if it weren’t for the whispers spreading like wildfire one balmy morning when Satsawat decided to play detective. He had allegedly captured a video that he splashed across Channel 8, suggesting there’s more to those monk robes than meets the eye. According to him, these aren’t just…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Bangkok is a dazzling metropolis teetering on the brink of a public transport revolution. At the heart of this evolution stands Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who wears both the lantern of ambition and the shackles of reality. The tantalizing prospect of a city-wide flat-rate electric train fare at a mere 20 baht is poised to ease the financial burden on Bangkokians and lure more commuters onto bustling platforms. But, as with any grand plan, the fine print seldom reads as smoothly as a thriller novel. The grand announcement from government elites paints a vivid picture: By October 1, 2025, eight train lines weaving through Bangkok and its broader metropolitan hive must all harmonize to a melodious 20-baht fare. This policy promises to revamp urban mobility, akin to upgrading from dial-up to broadband, injecting velocity and ease into daily commutes. A digital usher named the Thang Rat app eagerly awaits to onboard…
In the heart of a bustling Bangkok, amongst neon-lit streets and the aroma of street food, there’s an expat from America with a story that needs to be told—a story that carries more weight than just a tale of a farang looking for a tropical paradise. This is the tale of James David Spivey, a retired Wall Street mogul who traded suits and skyscrapers for the spicy tang of Thai life, and along the way, found himself on a mission to serve a dose of reality mixed with a generous helping of wisdom to those dreaming of a Thai retirement. Picture this: a man who once danced with the beast of finance and emerged unscathed, deciding to hang up his corporate attire in favor of flip-flops and the allure of Sukhumvit. Yet, the transition from Wall Street warrior to an indulger of tropical fantasies wasn’t as seamless as sunshine on…
In the bustling industrial province of Samut Prakan, a tragedy unfolded on the eve of July 13, bringing a wave of sorrow and loss to a close-knit community of factory workers. The night was already draped in the heavy cloak of monsoon rains when a heart-wrenching accident transpired in the Bang Phli district, leaving behind a somber story that echoes the fragility of life. It was around 8:30 p.m. when the Prakarn Rescue Centre received a frantic call for help, signaling a dire situation. The scene of calamity was a bustling packaging factory in the Bang Phli Yai subdistrict, where the late-night hum of machinery was abruptly overshadowed by an urgent emergency. There, 31-year-old Ye Aung Kywal Ye Aong Juay, a diligent Myanmar national, found himself at the mercy of fate when a machine part fatally descended during maintenance work. The unfolding chaos saw Ye Aung’s colleagues springing into action,…
In the quaint, bustling neighborhood of Soi Noen Plubwan in Chon Buri’s Nong Prue subdistrict, an unexpected and pungent drama unfolded on the evening of July 13. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting its golden glow over the serene streets, an ammonia leak at a nearby ice factory had residents scrambling to cover their noses and relocate to safer environments. The odor wasn’t just any ordinary aroma wafting through the air—it was a robust and potent scent emanating from the ice factory that stood rather unassumingly in this residential area. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Radio Centre in Pattaya quickly sounded the alarm, coordinating a valiant team of rescue workers, local firefighters, and police. Their mission? To nip this ammonia assault in the bud and ensure the residents’ safety. Navigating the scene at the ice factory was not for the faint-hearted. Within a 100-meter radius, the air was…
Ah, the timeless allure of Kham Chanod! Nestled in the serene corners of Udon Thani province, this spiritual haven continues to draw the masses with its mystical aura and age-old rituals. Over the past weekend, visitors swarmed the celebrated island, eager to pay homage to the revered spirits of Grandfather Srisuttho and Grandmother Pratumma as they sought blessings and fortune for the week ahead. The long weekend culminated on July 13, and oh, what a scene it was! The throngs of tourists and devotees painted a picture of energetic reverence on Kham Chanod Island, located in Ban Non Mueang, Ban Muang subdistrict, Ban Dung district. Their mission? To partake in spiritual rituals with fervent hope for the auspicious favor from the spiritual guardians. The communal spirit was palpable as visitors also wandered to local lottery vendors, each hoping to snag the lucky number for the imminent mid-July draw. The number…
Once a revered monk, now just a cautionary tale, 54-year-old Daorung has managed to find himself on the wrong side of the law. Known for his tranquil days at Wat Don Mai Fai, Aranyaprathet’s serene village temple, Daorung recently found himself in an entirely different environment: the relentless pursuit by Police Colonel Wisit Buasongwong’s team, following a rather ill-chosen career path as a thief. His tale begins innocuously enough in Sa Kaeo province where, after a tenure in the monkhood, he swapped meditation for intoxication. Bend after bend in the bottle blurred the boundary between reality and imagination. Soon, he found himself taking wildlife advice from hallucinations urging him to wield a kitchen knife and plunder the peaceful temple’s donation box. The spoils? A cool 18,000 baht—an amount that, unfortunately, whispered loudly enough for Daorung to indulge his thirst further. In a scene that nearly sounds plucked from fiction, Daorung…
In the heart of Ranong, a tale of audacity and quick action unfolded that could almost script a blockbuster movie. It all began when Sumet, a 35-year-old from the lush province of Trang, decided to gamble on fortune by attempting a theft that was nothing short of bold. His target? None other than the prestigious Yaowarat Gold Shop nestled within the buzzing Big C shopping centre, situated in the tranquil Bang Non subdistrict of Mueang Ranong district. The clock ticked to the late hour of 7:29 PM on July 12, when echoes of a robbery in progress sent ripples of alertness through the local police headquarters. Responding with commendable speed, the officers swiftly mobilized their resources, rallying patrol units and situating roadblocks at strategic entries and exits to thwart any escape routes. The key to their alertness? A description of the suspect clad in a hooded long-sleeve shirt, face concealed…
As the rain clouds gather ominously over Thailand, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) didn’t hesitate to sound the alarm for July 14, signaling heavy rainfall that will blanket 39 of the country’s provinces like a damp cloak, affecting about 60% of the area. Residents in seven provinces, which stand in the bulls-eye of potential flash floods and runoff, including Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Nong Khai, and Bueng Kan, are urged to brace for nature’s drenching display. Today’s meteorological theatrics are orchestrated by a monsoon trough that leisurely drapes itself across northern Thailand and Laos, meandering into a low-pressure zone in northern Vietnam. Adding to the drama, a robust southwest monsoon is swirling over the Andaman Sea, trailing its breezy fingers across Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. It’s a maritime ballet of winds and rain, orchestrating the weather symphony of thunderstorms and heavy showers in…
In a plot twist worthy of a soap opera, the tranquil world of Thai Buddhism has been rocked by a juicy scandal involving none other than 11 audacious monks and a mysterious lady decked out with the nickname “Miss Golf.” Like a tale spun from scribes of yore, this scandal has set gossip ablaze across Thailand, leaving the country’s revered Buddhist image teetering on the brink of a metaphorical cliff. In a desperate attempt to restore calm, the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) is hustling to sort out this holy hiccup. Our tale begins with the SSC deciding to piecemeal a special committee tasked with mending the frayed edges of monastic regulations after an internal investigation revealed that this batch of cheeky monks, including abbots and high clergy, were tangled in a scandalous affair with Miss Golf. The spicy twist? Allegations are ripe that temple funds were used to butter the…