In a shocking twist for holidays gone awry, a 21-year-old man from Britain found his sunny escape to Thailand take a less-than-glamorous turn as it ended in an unexpected entanglement with law enforcement. Matthew Crehan, whose home is nestled in the quaint lanes of Dentons Green in St Helens, was apprehended at Manchester Airport, not with a quaint souvenir in his hand but rather in handcuffs. Back on home soil on February 8th, Crehan’s welcome party was none other than Merseyside Police, ready to bring him in for multiple drug supply offenses. He faces serious charges that include dealings in class A, B, and C substances—specifically pointing fingers at cocaine, cannabis resin, ketamine, and nitrous oxide. Moreover, he didn’t just get nabbed for allegedly distributing; possession of cocaine and MDMA added another fold to his legal woes. Crehan’s legal drama is heavily entwined with the vigorous efforts of Operation Toxic,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine you’ve just had one of those slow-moving days, inching through Pattaya’s well-known traffic jams, when suddenly, chaos breaks loose on Khao Phra Tamnak Road. Our story begins when Surasak, a 35-year-old Thai food delivery rider, became an unsuspecting victim of a hit-and-run incident that could have ended much worse if not for the slow pace of the traffic. On the afternoon of February 10, Surasak was in the middle lane, navigating through the gridlock, when a foreign motorcyclist, with a passenger in tow, zoomed in on the right. In a moment of reckless riding, they collided with Surasak’s motorcycle, sending him skidding onto the road before an oncoming pickup truck. Thankfully, due to the slow-moving vehicles, Surasak escaped further harm. The scene was chaotic, yet amidst the commotion, a friendly taxi driver emerged, ready to assist our shaken delivery rider. But before anyone could question or provide aid, the…
In a strategic move to curtail the persisting issue of human trafficking, Thailand has launched a dedicated international coordination centre aimed at rescuing individuals trapped within the borders of Myanmar. This initiative, unveiled by Police Inspector-General Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, was announced during his address in the Tak province on February 10. This centre will collaborate with international law enforcement agencies to identify and liberate victims of trafficking and fraudulent activities, irrespective of their nationality. The establishment of this centre is a direct response to consultations with Liu Zhongyi, China’s Vice Minister for Public Security. Liu’s visit to Thailand underscored the grave issue of Chinese nationals being duped and trafficked into Myanmar, often via Thailand, to be exploited in scam call centers. Recently, Thai authorities have received a deluge of over a hundred reports from families in the Philippines and Bangladesh, whose loved ones have reportedly been coerced into these…
In a curious twist of fate, a car crash in the early hours of February 10 in Ratchaburi province, Thailand, turned into a spine-tingling mystery when tunes from a bygone era unexpectedly filled the air. The car involved in the accident inexplicably started playing an old country music song, despite the vehicle’s battery being on the fritz and the keys turned firmly off. This bizarre occurrence, immortalized in a TikTok video, left the online community in a state of bewildered fascination. The tale unfurled when Chakkrit Hadee, the proprietor of a slide car garage and car cemetery, recounted the odd events to Khaosod Online. The crash reportedly took place between 3am and 4am as the car veered off course near the Chet Samian intersection in the Photharam district. Upon arrival, Chakkrit’s team was faced with a scene of chaos, the car appearing to have gone through the wringer, leading them…
Picture this: a quiet courtroom in the bustling heart of Bangkok, where fate unfurls like a finely orchestrated drama. The scene is set, the players due their parts, and at the center, the enigmatic figure of Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant. Known to many as a prominent Chinese businessman, Tuhao was one of the 19 individuals breathing a collective sigh of relief after the gavel crashed down, signifying their acquittal on charges that could rival the script of a crime thriller. The courtroom was filled to capacity, the air pregnant with anticipation as the Bangkok South Criminal Court delivered its verdict. The charges that once loomed over Tuhao and his comrades were grave—organized transnational crime, money-laundering, and drug offenses seemed to promise a swift descent for this flamboyant figure of controversy. Even his wife, a former police officer and niece of a high-ranking official, stood silently by his side as the courtroom…
When it comes to drama and intrigue, the picturesque border town of Mae Sot in Thailand is making waves. This town, known for its vibrant culture and close-knit community, is now a hotspot for controversy and speculation as two high-profile Thai police officers, Pol Maj Gen Ekkarat Intasueb and Pol Maj Gen Samrit Aimkamol, find themselves uprooted and reassigned to Bangkok. But why all the fuss over these seasoned officers? Well, it seems they’ve caught the investigative eye of Thailand’s national police chief, Kittharath Punpetch, amid allegations possibly tying them to gambling and human trafficking activities swirling on the Myanmar border. Imagine this: Pol Maj Gen Ekkarat, a charismatic 53-year-old figure who has seen the bustling streets of Mae Sot as the former police chief, now vacates his position as acting head of a regional branch of the Inspector General Office. This man, whose reputation precedes him in Tak, is…
Picture this: the stunning island of Koh Samui, nestled in the shimmering cerulean waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Bathed in sunshine, it’s a tropical paradise that draws people from the world over. In 2024 alone, this idyllic haven, home to a cozy 50,000 permanent residents, ushered in a staggering 2.7 million visitors eager to soak up the sun, sand, and sea. However, beneath the postcard-perfect surface, a modern challenge looms. Frequent power outages, reminiscent of those pesky mosquitoes that sometimes interrupt a sunset-drenched beach evening, have been stirring up the island’s otherwise tranquil life. But fear not, the cavalry, albeit in the diesel-fueled form, is on the way! The resilient authorities of Koh Samui are charging ahead, tackling these power disruptions head-on. At the heart of this power play is a fleet of diesel-powered generators, a temporary lifeline designed to light up the island until a more sustainable solution…
Once a calming oasis of emerald waters and sun-kissed sands, Kamala Beach in Phuket is wrestling with yet another crisis as gaudy black wastewater invades its pristine shores. This unwelcome guest appeared unceremoniously, causing dread among both blissfully unaware tourists and the beach-loving locals, all of whom find solace in its lapping waves. This latest environmental mishap has, once again, thrust a spotlight on the persistent pollution beleaguering this idyllic island, tainting its reputation as a paradise retreat. The gravity of the situation necessitated the attention of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), whose Director-General, Preeyaporn Suwannaket, spared no time in demanding an immediate investigation. After whispers of the smelly situation reached the ears of Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Chalermchai Sri-on, on February 7, it was clear the beach’s charm had been marred. Promptly, the boots of officials from the Phuket Environmental and Pollution Control Region 15 Office (PEO…
In a story that fuses the allure of intrigue with the gritty specifics of regional politics, a scandal of purported clandestine gateways swirls around Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. The core of this tale revolves around an unassuming yet infamous door embroiled in accusations of circumventing essential airport procedures. Veteran political figure, Watchara Phetthong, once a stalwart of the Democrat Party, has leveled serious charges against high-ranking officials, including a transport minister. The heart of the allegations? A mysterious door, shrouded in secrecy, hidden away within a hangar owned by a private enterprise, supposedly connects the benign public road to the airport’s restricted zones. Watchara’s revelations burst forth like a mystery novel, sparking imaginations and raising eyebrows alike. The plot twists thick with the contours of corruption. According to Watchara, whispers among local denizens and airport workers revealed that, for over 24 hours, the shadowy door provided unchecked access,…
Under a sky alive with tension, the snap and boom of artillery echo around an undisclosed location near Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian servicemen from the 24th Mechanized Brigade, iron-jawed and resolute, fire a 120mm mortar towards distant Russian positions, their eyes fixed on the horizon where the earth meets opportunity and uncertainty. Meanwhile, far from the front lines in the heart of Moscow, the Kremlin’s corridors are buzzing with audacious claims. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s mouthpiece, declared Tuesday that a “significant part” of Ukraine harbors a desire to be under Russia’s wing. His remarks followed closely after a peculiar musing by none other than the US President, Donald Trump, who, in his signature speculative style, tossed out the notion that Ukraine “may be Russian someday.” It’s a whimsical thought akin to wondering if cats might suddenly start barking. On the air with Fox News, Trump meandered through…