Forensic police are seen inspecting a motorcycle belonging to Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert from Bangkok’s Thong Lor police station. Nearby, a Ferrari driven by Vorayuth Yoovidhya, the youngest son of Red Bull executive Chalerm Yoovidhya, lies still. This solemn scene follows a harrowing hit-and-run accident that took place on September 4, 2012. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard) The Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) in Bangkok announced plans to arraign eight suspects, including a former national police chief, on Thursday in connection with the notorious hit-and-run case involving the Red Bull heir. According to Wacharin Phanurat, deputy spokesman for the OAG, public prosecutors summoned the suspects to the office on Thursday to proceed with their arraignment at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. The OAG’s decision followed a request by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which suspected that the case had been mishandled. Among the indicted are former…
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Forensic police closely inspect a motorcycle and a sleek, black Ferrari, each telling a different story from that fateful night on September 4, 2012. The motorcycle belonged to Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert of Bangkok’s Thong Lor police station, and the Ferrari was driven by none other than Vorayuth Yoovidhya, the youngest son of Red Bull executive Chalerm Yoovidhya. Following a tragic hit-and-run accident, this peculiar scene became a permanent fixture in the annals of notorious criminal cases. Fast forward to today, August 26, 2024, and public prosecutors in Bangkok are gearing up to arraign eight suspects, including a former national police chief, in connection with this infamous hit-and-run case. According to Wacharin Phanurat, deputy spokesman for the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG), the wheels of justice are finally set in motion. On Thursday, these individuals will be summoned to the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases.…
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was seen leaving the Criminal Court on August 19th, after attending a hearing related to a lese majeste case. Now, as the calendar flips to Tuesday, Thaksin has his sights set on Chiang Rai for a crucial visit. (Photo: Reuters) Thaksin Shinawatra plans to assess the flooding situation in Chiang Rai, making this his first journey into the countryside since his daughter, Paetongtarn, was approved as the new Prime Minister. Thaksin confirmed his northern trip on Monday after stopping by the Pheu Thai Party headquarters, where he reportedly had lunch with Prime Minister Paetongtarn. When asked about the upcoming trip, Thaksin reassured, “I will be visiting villagers.” The itinerary for his one-day visit is packed and purposeful. According to Matichon Online, Thaksin’s schedule includes a stop in Theung district, where he aims to distribute relief bags and engage with local community leaders. Chiang Rai, a…
Amid the bustling streets of Bangkok, a rather grim discovery was made last Saturday as officials from the Department of Medical Services zeroed in on a makeshift moonshine liquor stall. The surprise inspection revealed a disturbing uptick in methanol poisoning cases tied to illicit liquor sales, sending shockwaves through the city. Dr. Pairoj Surattanawanich, the diligent deputy director-general of the Department of Medical Services, painted a harrowing picture on Monday morning. The tragic death toll had climbed to two, with 25 additional victims clinging to life in various hospitals. Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, located in Bangkok’s Khannayao district, bore the brunt of this calamity with 16 patients under critical care. Distressingly, two required respirators, while a total of 17 were undergoing dialysis treatments. The nightmare of moonshine methanol poisoning reared its ugly head on Thursday, claiming its first life on Saturday. Officials swiftly swung into action, shuttering 18 illicit liquor stalls…
Thaksin Shinawatra, tirelessly supporting his family, held the hand of his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra just moments before she received the royal endorsement to become Thailand’s new prime minister. This touching moment took place at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in the bustling city of Bangkok on August 18. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb) In the midst of what should be a celebratory moment, the head of Pheu Thai Party MPs, Wisuth Chainarun, found himself addressing a curious controversy. A critic’s request for the dissolution of the Pheu Thai Party, alleging undue influence by the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been making waves. Wisuth Chainarun, with unwavering confidence, made it clear that these allegations are both misinformed and erroneous. In his statement on Monday, Mr. Wisuth revealed he was aware that someone approached the Election Commission to request Pheu Thai’s dissolution via the Constitutional Court. The complaint suggests that Thaksin, while not…
In a scene brimming with political gravitas, Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai escorted Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to the City Pillar Shrine in Bangkok on August 22. The event was not merely ceremonial; it marked a pivotal moment ahead of the anticipated unveiling of a new cabinet line-up. Phumtham, radiating a sense of urgency, declared that the new cabinet would be meticulously drawn up by week’s end. “The government,” he emphasized, “will hit the ground running right after its policy statement is presented to parliament next month.” This sense of urgency follows Phumtham’s sudden elevation to acting prime minister after Srettha Thavisin’s removal by the Constitutional Court. The Pheu Thai Party, determined to stabilize and invigorate the government, is striving to have the new cabinet configuration promptly readied. All eyes will be on the royal endorsement from His Majesty the King following its completion. This royal seal of approval…
Amid the tranquil surroundings of Pak Chong district in Nakhon Ratchasima, a high-stakes rescue mission unfurled on an otherwise mundane Monday. With a backhoe’s relentless effort echoing through the dawn, the task to clear soil and rocks from the caved-in high-speed railway tunnel continued tirelessly. The objective? To save three stranded men whose fate had been hanging by a thread since the catastrophic collapse. The disaster struck on Saturday night, four kilometers into the planned eight-kilometer tunnel, located in tambon Chan Thuek. As the earth swallowed the passageway, a Chinese construction supervisor, a Chinese backhoe operator, and a Myanmar truck driver found themselves entombed within. Monday at 4am came a glimmer of hope: a scanner picked up faint traces of body heat and heartbeats, resounding like a heartbeat of optimism in the heavy air. This tunnel is a crucial segment of the ambitious Sino-Thai high-speed railway set to link Bangkok…
Singapore is eagerly exploring fresh avenues to deepen its educational collaboration with Thailand, according to its ambassador. Speaking at the inaugural Singapore Education Fair in Bangkok, Singapore’s ambassador to Thailand, Catherine Wong, highlighted the multiple layers of cooperation between the two nations. She pointed to initiatives like the twin schools programme, the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Partnership (Step) Camp, and various dynamic cultural exchange programmes as stellar examples. Ambassador Wong noted that nearly 70 schools in Singapore are partnered with Thai educational institutions. Additionally, numerous Singaporean institutes of higher learning (IHLs) regularly engage in staff and student exchanges with Thai schools. These initiatives include not only internships but also robust joint research projects. “Every year, around 200 interns from Singapore embark on a six-month training stint in Thailand. The country offers a secure and nurturing environment for our students to gain hands-on experience and professional skills,” Ambassador Wong elaborated. Her passion for…
The dramatic financial events in Thailand’s history have left an indelible mark on the nation’s outlook and governance of forex trading. The term “forex” has come to evoke caution and skepticism among the Thai people. Adding to the complexities, the Bank of Thailand refrains from issuing licenses for foreign currency trading, which significantly curtails access for Thai citizens. This article delves into these restrictions and provides a comprehensive understanding of the forex market. What is Forex? Forex, or foreign exchange, involves the trading of currencies. This isn’t just confined to travelers exchanging money or businesses trading internationally; it expands into speculative trading where individuals aim to profit from currency value fluctuations. Given that currency values hinge on market dynamics of demand and supply, forex trading has burgeoned into a vital and expansive global market. The forex market is exceptionally dynamic, highly liquid, and swift to react to economic shifts. A…
The Cyber Crime Investigation Division 5 (CCID5) announced yesterday the arrest of four individuals involved in orchestrating a complex investment scam that swindled unsuspecting investors out of over 70 million baht. Pol Maj Gen Phumphat Pattarasriwongchai, the commander of CCID5, revealed the breakthrough came after a complaint exposed a scam promising high returns on foreign stock investments. The tip-off came from a victim who claimed to have been conned into investing 3.7 million baht. Since the initial complaint, the plot thickened when at least 26 more individuals reported being duped. The scam was cunningly orchestrated via Line chat, where the victims were lured by the prospect of lucrative investment opportunities. The mastermind orchestrated the scam by having victims transfer their money into various bank accounts under a slew of company names. Investigators became wary when they noticed these companies were not conducting any commercial activities that aligned with their supposed…