In the quiet and serene locale of Don Sak District, Surat Thani Province, an unprecedented scandal has rippled through the pious walls of a famed temple, shaking the very foundation of Thailand’s Buddhist faith. Finding itself at the epicenter of this shocking tale is a once-revered abbot who now stands disgraced, caught up in an indecent controversy involving self-clicked snapshots and illicit messages sent to a laywoman. This scandal has engulfed the tranquil temple in an unforgiving storm of outrage and disbelief. The explosive revelations burst forth today, on January 31, leaving the adherents of the faith exasperated and dismayed. The debacle unraveled when the notorious “Red Skull” account on X, formerly known as Twitter, let the cat out of the bag. The world watched aghast as damning evidence unfolded, showing the abbot brazenly photographing his unmentionables and sending them to an unsuspecting laywoman, wrapped with an audacious proposal for…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Imagine the adrenaline rush of a roller coaster ride, your heart pounding against your chest, palms clammy with anticipation. Now picture experiencing that thrill thousands of feet in the air, with the added stakes of life and livelihood hanging in the balance. Such was the scene on a fateful Thai airline flight that veered into a realm of near disaster, leaving its passengers colored with tales of a harrowing journey and a newfound appreciation for the calm under pressure. It was an ordinary day above the azure embrace of the Thai skies, or so it seemed, as the aircraft carved its path towards the scenic splendor of Phuket. But destiny had a different course in mind when, like an unexpected plot twist, one of the plane’s faithful engines decided to bow out of service. With the malfunction came an urgency that rippled through the fuselage, transforming the metal bird’s routine…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, a significant financial symphony played out as Bangchak Sriracha Public Company Limited (BSRC) announced the triumphant conclusion of its THB 8 billion debenture issuance. The curtain rose on a scene of overwhelming investor interest, so much so that the offering was oversubscribed—a resounding vote of confidence in BSRC’s solid financial grounding and visionary strategy. These debentures were tagged with an A+ rating and a stable outlook by the esteemed TRIS Rating, amplifying the spotlight on BSRC’s robust business stance and promising future growth. Mr. Anuwat Rungruangrattanagul, Director, Acting Chief Executive Officer, and Senior Executive Vice President of Refinery & Operations at BSRC, could hardly contain his gratitude. “We are immensely grateful to our investors for their support and confidence in BSRC’s vision, strategies, and performance,” he beamed, reflecting a stage-worthy performance from a company that’s part of the esteemed Bangchak Group. “The success of…
In the glittering nightlife hub of Pattaya, Thailand, a ride recently took an unexpected turn from routine to a chaotic melee. It was a seemingly ordinary shift for 29-year-old Suradet Khawlamai, a diligent driver for the popular ride-hailing service, Bolt, until he found himself at the receiving end of a violent confrontation with a raucous group of tourists. The clock had just struck 3 AM on a balmy Wednesday morning, January 29, when Suradet was tasked with shuttling five passengers from the lively Marina Pattaya South area. The group—a blend of two foreign men, a Thai man, and two Thai women—was in a particularly high-spirited mood, with the foreign men showing clear signs of inebriation. As Suradet maneuvered through the bustling streets of South Pattaya’s Soi Buakhao, he chose to maintain a tranquil silence, allowing the passengers to converse among themselves. Little did he know that this decision would spark…
In a courtroom drama befitting a suspense thriller, the tale of a young Thai rider unfolds—a cautionary narrative that uncovers the very real consequences of defying traffic laws. Jesada Pholyeam, a spirited young motorcyclist, found himself at the epicenter of justice after embarking on an adrenaline-fueled adventure through the bustling streets of Bangkok. The scales of justice tipped swiftly as the verdict was delivered: a one-month prison sentence draped in mercy with a two-year suspension, paired with a pocket-lightening 3,000 baht fine. However, perhaps most jarring for Jesada was the abrupt farewell to his beloved motorcycle, which now resides in the custody of the Thai police. The adrenaline-soaked saga began on December 14, promptly at 4:59pm. Jesada, exuding bravado astride a striking white and red Honda Click I, complete with the distinctive Sbk-957 Bangkok registration, sought an impromptu thrill by hurtling through a red light. The audacious maneuver saw him…
As the clock strikes 6pm today, a nationwide alcohol ban descends upon Thailand, casting a dry spell over tourists in Phuket for a full 24 hours. This sobering move is strictly in line with Thai election law, as the country girds itself for the Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) elections, set to unfold tomorrow, February 1. It’s a no-nonsense approach with steep repercussions for anyone daring to defy it; violators can face fines reaching up to 10,000 baht, six months behind bars, or both. With the seriousness of the law underscored by officials, the citizens are urged to comply as the air is filled with anticipation and campaigning fervor. The dynamic showdown for the presidency of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO) has reached a crescendo, as three contenders battle it out. Yet, it’s the fierce rivalry between two frontrunners that’s capturing all attention. Lersak Leenanitikul of the People’s Party squares…
In an unusual twist of karaoke drama, the melodic notes of a night out at a bar in Thailand’s Nakhon Si Thammarat were abruptly drowned out by a gunshot, sending shockwaves through the merrymaking crowd. A peculiar tinge of jealousy transformed a seemingly typical evening into a chaotic episode at a local karaoke establishment, making the night unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. It was a regular Wednesday night, or so it seemed, with the clock approaching the bewitching hour of 11 PM. Laughter and music intermingled with the clinking of glasses until an unexpected yet tumultuous note struck—a Thai man attempted a sensational but shocking act, aiming a gunshot at another patron’s groin. The reason? An all-too-familiar tale of envy driven by an enchanting karaoke bar girl. The victim, Bancha, a man of 40 years, barely escaped a future robbed of certain joys, as fate intervened at the last…
In the heart of Kanchanaburi, a scene straight out of a suspense thriller unfolded this past Friday morning. The peace of the Thong Pha Phum district was shattered like the silence at the crack of dawn as local officials, soldiers, and border patrol police sprang into action. Their target? A conspicuous 22-wheel trailer truck hauling more than just commercial goods. It was the kind of intervention that makes headlines — and for wholly justified reasons. By the time the morning sun had settled into the sky, authorities had unraveled a clandestine operation — 169 illegal migrants from Myanmar were discovered packed tightly into the truck’s bed and cabin like sardines in a can on an arduous journey. Imagine, if you will, 102 men and 67 women, young and old, sharing a space meant for cargo, all in hopes of finding something better beyond the borders they were crossing. This was…
Amid the colorful political tapestry of Chiang Mai, a vibrant scene unfolded as former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra took center stage. With fervent anticipation, supporters surrounded him during a local election campaign for the Pheu Thai Party, an event that turned the Muang district into a bustling epicenter of political enthusiasm. It was Thursday, yet the fever of the coming elections was palpable, echoing the clamor for change across the province. Thaksin, the astute founder of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, made a heartfelt plea, urging his admirers to transform their admiration into tangible support at the polling stations. The stakes were high: a decisive vote for the provincial administration organization (PAO) and council members looming just around the corner, set for Saturday. This election held the promise of reinvigoration for his party as he backed Pichai Lertpongadisorn, the incumbent PAO president, in this electoral showdown. The charismatic Thaksin, now…
Thailand is on a mission to woo Chinese tourists, enhancing its allure by ramping up the number of charter flights from secondary cities in China. This strategic move comes amid the rollout of a significant domestic travel boost through subsidies expected to kick off in June. According to Chuwit Sirivejkul, the regional marketing director for East Asia at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailand’s charm played host to an average of 22,000 to 24,000 Chinese visitors every day in January. Things heated up to nearly 30,000 tourists on January 28, ringing in the Chinese New Year with a bang. Nevertheless, not all was smooth sailing. Concerns over human trafficking fears resulted in over 10,000 cancellations, largely stemming from organized tour groups hailing from China’s second-tier cities. Fortunately, solo adventurers remain unfazed and continue to arrive steadily. To rekindle the love affair with tour groups, the TAT is collaborating closely…