The Royal Thai Police is embarking on a groundbreaking mission to thwart foreign nationals from getting sucked into the vortex of notorious call centre scams operating from Myanmar. Leading this ambitious venture is Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, whose sights are set on Mae Sot, a vital gateway for many seeking quick profits beyond the border in Myawaddy, Myanmar. The top cop’s blueprint involves setting up a cutting-edge international coordination centre that will work hand in glove with embassies across the globe to nip scam recruitment in the bud. The initiative’s launch was marked by a high-profile meeting chaired by Pol. Gen. Thatchai, where representatives from 16 nations and agencies like the UN Office on Drugs and Crime converged to brainstorm strategies. Countries stretching from Sri Lanka to the United States, and as diverse as Tanzania to China, were in attendance. Stealing the spotlight was UNODC’s very own Masood Karimipour, whose…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In an audacious act that could have been drawn straight from a heist movie, the vibrant cannabis shop known as Budbox Pattaya, prominently located in front of the JA Plus Hotel on Soi Chalermprakiat 3, transformed into the scene of a thrilling daytime drama. On the morning of February 2, a foreign bandit with nerves of steel shattered the serene air of the closed establishment by smashing through its glass doors. This brazen burglar seized goods worth approximately 10,000 baht. While the break-in occurred at around 11 a.m., it wasn’t until the following day that 35-year-old shop proprietor Atipon Na Ruek leveraged the power of modern technology. He submitted CCTV footage, crystal clear and revealing, to the authorities. And here’s the twist—the thief was no stranger but a frequent visitor of this cannabis sanctuary! His familiarity with every nook and cranny of Budbox was instrumental in his swift execution of…
The Thai Cabinet’s recent decision to greenlight a monumental budget of 3.14 billion baht heralds the dawn of a groundbreaking healthcare facility in Phuket, under the banner of Prince of Songkla University (PSU). This grand venture, aptly named Songklanagarind Hospital Phuket, is poised to reshape the healthcare landscape in the Andaman region from 2026 through 2029. With meticulous funding slated across four fiscal years—749.50 million baht in 2026, 1,031.89 million baht in 2027, 938.92 million baht in 2028, and 420 million baht in 2029—the initiative is all set to sow the seeds of hope and healing. At the heart of this development lies an earnest ambition to tackle the pressing public health challenges confronting Phuket and its surrounding areas. Brimming with an influx of high-value tourists and fueled by the rising demand for world-class medical tourism services, the province grapples with a familiar foe: a scarcity of proficient medical personnel…
In a dramatic turn of events, a 37-year-old fugitive named Apichat, infamous for evading justice for nearly two decades, has finally been apprehended. His arrest has sparked interest nationwide, as it marks the end of an 18-year pursuit that began with a heinous crime involving a minor. The crime, which shook the Chachoengsao province back in 2006, seemed to have gone cold until Police Colonel Witthaya Sriprasertphap, head of the Crime Suppression Division, reignited the investigation with determination. Apichat was wanted in connection with the coercion of a then 17-year-old girl, referred to as Bee, who he deceptively persuaded to join him on a visit to the popular Bang Saen Beach located in the Chon Buri province. What started as an innocent trip turned into a nightmare for Bee, as she later found herself alone with Apichat after a drinking session at his residence in Mueang district. This marked the…
In a small province nestled along Thailand’s eastern coast, a drama that could rival any blockbuster is unfolding. The otherwise serene Wang Chan district in Rayong has unexpectedly become the epicenter of a perplexing and chaotic crime story that reads like a modern-day whodunit. The nature of the crime and the personalities involved make this tale as complex as it is tantalizing. The intrigue began when Somsak, the diligent secretary of the Pai Yub subdistrict, found his household unwittingly turned into a crime scene. In the blink of an eye, serenity dissolved into chaos as a thief invaded Somsak’s home. This is no ordinary tale of burglary; it’s a story rippling with unexpected turns and mysterious motives. The intruder, in a brazen theft, absconded with a firearm but quickly found himself on the run from one of Somsak’s own subordinates. What followed was a near-cinematic exchange where shots were fired…
As the first rays of sunlight peeked through the horizon on a typical Monday morning in Thailand, residents of Bangkok were greeted not by the usual vibrant sky but by a dense blanket of smog that turned the skyline into a hazy silhouette. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, or Gistda, had already raised the alarm: out of the 77 provinces across the nation, 57 were cloaked in unhealthy levels of ultrafine dust particles, posing a potential threat to the health of millions. The severity of the situation was underscored by reports that 13 provinces were suffering from alarming red-level concentrations of PM2.5, a type of particulate matter notorious for being less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter. According to the collected data as of 8 AM on that fateful morning, Nong Bua Lam Phu was topping the charts with a staggering 99.1 microgrammes per cubic metre—nearly three times over…
In a dramatic twist straight out of a spy novel, the usually tranquil setting of Mae Ramat district in the border province of Tak erupted into action as local security authorities executed a substantial crackdown on call-center scammers. This picturesque area, renowned for its lush landscapes and cultural richness, became the strategic stage for a high-profile operation that sounds almost too thrilling to believe. A coalition of unsung heroes, including soldiers from the vigilant Ratchamanu Task Force, border patrol officers, and local administrative officials, united forces to patrol the nooks and crannies of the Thai-Myanmar border. These diligent guardians of justice established checkpoints throughout tambon Mae Ramat, transforming a scenic route into a battleground against crime. It was there, on an otherwise ordinary Saturday, that the grand plot unfolded. Imagine the surprise when, during a routine check, a humble Toyota pickup truck was flagged for inspection. But this was no…
In a bold move towards invigorating the agricultural and health sectors, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin declared a fervent commitment to promoting kratom-based products, envisioning a brighter financial horizon for farmers while upholding the highest safety standards. Amidst the lush botanicals of Thailand, kratom has emerged as a groundbreaking herbal marvel, and its potential is starting to pay dividends since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially amplified the allowable daily consumption of mitragynine—from a bare one milligram to a more generous three milligrams. For those who might not be familiar, mitragynine is the dazzling indole-based alkaloid superstar found primarily in kratom plants. Its enthusiasts sing praises of its ability to invigorate the nervous system, whisk away pain with the swiftness of a sprinter, and inject a hearty dose of vigor that could rival a double espresso. More than just a stimulant, its entourage of benefits includes formidable anti-inflammatory powers…
Picture this: the sun is shining down on a vibrant, lush landscape as Fredrik Silfwerbrand of LoCoFoRest, takes center stage. To his side, standing with equal measure of conviction, is Phrae’s deputy governor, Chaiyasit Chaisumritpol, alongside a group of determined forest officials. What brings them, and a myriad of other environmentally dedicated partners, together in the charming province of Phrae, Thailand? Why, it’s none other than a transformative, Swedish-initiated forest restoration project that’s taking root right here! In this picturesque region known for its natural beauty, a greater cause is unfolding—a Sweden-fueled endeavor to elevate Phrae’s wood industry while championing sustainability in logging and urban development. The recent gathering of international forestry agencies in Phrae wasn’t your average conservation meeting; no, it was the birthplace of LoCoFoRest (Locally Controlled Forest Restoration)—an innovative Swedish Forest Agency initiative crafted to empower forest restoration efforts. Born from the success of the “Change Project:…
In a move infused with drama and intrigue, the National Security Council has drawn the curtain for a pivotal meeting today, bringing together key stakeholders to tackle a pressing issue involving cross-border electricity supplies to Myanmar. These are not just any ordinary electricity connections, mind you. These power lines are believed to be lighting up areas saddled with nefarious activities, including elusive call center scams, according to Chatchai Bangchuad, the secretary-general of the NSC. As one of those meetings where intensity brews beneath a layer of bureaucracy, the atmosphere promises fireworks as well as resolutions. The agenda? To pick through the intelligence gathered like a detective peering through a magnifying glass. The aim? To identify the precise locales across the border that deserve a blackout. Attendees gearing up for this meeting include the country’s heavyweights: the armed forces, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the ever-crucial…