In a twist straight out of a crime novel, the unsuspecting tranquil environment of Bang Pakong district in Chachoengsao province shook up last Saturday with the arrest of a 25-year-old man. Meet Manaswin Thongkham, a.k.a. James Bang Bon, who found himself in hot water over alleged burglary and unauthorized entry into a policeman’s apartment in Bangkok. According to a police statement made on Sunday, Mr. Thongkham had been secretly sneaking into a law enforcement officer’s residence in the bustling Bang Kae district of Bangkok, leading to his arrest under an outstanding warrant issued by the Thon Buri Criminal Court on July 25. The accusations against him were both peculiar and intriguing – burglary and the unauthorized use of someone else’s key card. The tale took an exciting turn when a police inspector, the unwitting victim of this caper, began noticing peculiarities. Items began disappearing from his apartment, setting off alarms…
Posts published in “Thailand”
A thrilling turn of events unfolded at the picturesque Rajjaprabha Dam in the southern province of Surat Thani, Thailand, as a white tourist van took an unexpected dive into the crystal-clear waters of the reservoir on a serene Sunday morning. Caught on a dramatic screenshot, the van’s perilous plunge immediately became the talk of the town. The incident, which took place around 10am, jolted the tranquil atmosphere at a busy pier nestled in the scenic tambon Khao Phang of Ban Takhun district. Here, tourism personnel were enthusiastically welcoming visitors looking forward to exploring the tranquil beauty of the reservoir by boat. Out of nowhere, a seemingly possessed white Toyota van accelerated towards the edge of the high concrete pier. In an instant, it hurtled off the pier, nosediving into the azure reservoir waters below. The van’s front end hit the bottom near the bank with a resounding crash, while its…
In a bizarre turn of events, a 48-year-old transgender woman, known as Uthai Nanthakhan or Amy, found herself in handcuffs yet again on a fateful Saturday night. This apprehension is the latest incident in a string of deceitful escapades dating back a decade, targeting primarily unsuspecting Japanese men and racking up a staggering total of 26 million baht. According to reliable police sources, the latest arrest of Amy unfurled after a 36-year-old Japanese individual lodged a complaint at Thong Lor police station. The victim recounted a tale that began in January when he first crossed paths with Uthai. Posing as a visitor from Hong Kong, she seamlessly weaved her way into his trust. With every meeting, she skillfully executed her con, persuading him to part with his money. The modus operandi, as revealed by the police, was almost like clockwork. Uthai would typically spin a heartfelt sob story to her…
A dramatic turn of events unfolded in the bustling heart of Bangkok on Saturday as the local police swooped in on a rather unconventional beauty service operator. Jetiya Nakeesang, a 39-year-old entrepreneur with a flair for the clandestine, found herself in handcuffs for running illegal cosmetic filler injection services out of a hotel room, painting a stark tale of ambition gone awry. According to Pol Maj Gen Withaya Sriprasertparp, the head of consumer protection police, it was the end of the road for Jetiya’s illicit operation. On that fateful Saturday in the lively Sukhumvit area, authorities apprehended her with five syringes brimming with filler substances. The arrest followed a tip-off about a woman masquerading as a doctor, offering illicit vitamin, filler, and Botox injections—no doubt, an offer too tempting for many beauty aficionados to refuse. Jetiya’s services found their clientele through Facebook, where she would set up appointments in the…
As the political scene in Thailand heats up, all eyes are on the Constitutional Court’s upcoming ruling regarding the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP). The decision could potentially dissolve the MFP, igniting a firestorm in the country’s political landscape. The drama began when the court, on January 31, delivered a controversial verdict. According to the ruling, the MFP’s movement to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code—often referred to as the lese majeste law—was seen as an attack on the constitutional monarchy. The court commanded the MFP to halt any attempts to revise Section 112 and forbade any non-legislative procedures to alter the section. This decision laid the groundwork for the Election Commission (EC) to request the party’s dissolution, alleging violations of Section 92 of the organic law on political parties. This particular section permits the court to dissolve any party that poses a risk to the constitutional monarchy. The…
When Chaithawat Tulathon, the vibrant leader of the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), flanked by his resilient predecessor Pita Limjaroenrat, held a press conference at parliament on January 31, the air was thick with anticipation and concern. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) Several political analysts have gravely predicted that the MFP faces imminent dissolution when the Constitutional Court delivers its ruling on Wednesday. The tension stems from a damaging decision by the court earlier this year, where it was declared that the MFP’s efforts to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, reflected an intention to destabilize the constitutional monarchy. This previous ruling not only barred the MFP from attempting to amend Section 112 through non-legislative means but provided the Election Commission (EC) with grounds to seek the party’s dissolution for allegedly violating Section 92 of the organic law on political parties. This law empowers the…
Prosecutors have deferred bringing billionaire property mogul Anant Asavabhokhin to court due to his critical health condition following a kidney transplant, a well-placed source disclosed. The 73-year-old founder and erstwhile chairman of Land & Houses Plc, Anant Asavabhokhin, has reportedly slipped into a coma due to severe complications after undergoing a kidney transplant, the source, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed. This development has cast a dark shadow over his indictment for money laundering related to the notorious Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC) embezzlement scandal. Initially, the case against Mr. Anant stagnated for years until he was formally charged on February 16 this year. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) had first recommended his prosecution in 2019, but the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) dismissed the investigation report, along with subsequent DSI petitions for reconsideration. Throughout this period, Mr. Anant was obligated to report to prosecutors every three months pending…
In the bustling Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok, it’s not just the aroma of street food and the vibrant sounds of city life that attract attention. This past Thursday, vendors were seen intently using their smartphones to sign up for the much-anticipated digital wallet programme through the Thang Rath app. This image particularly stood out, captured so poignantly by the adept photographer Apichart Jinakul. Amidst the excitement, there have been swirling rumours about the security of the Thang Rath application. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) has stepped forward with a staunch assurance: Your personal data, registered through this government-developed app, is impervious to cyber threats. Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong was quick to dispel any concerns, firmly stating that the app meets the gold standards set by the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), ensuring user data is fully safeguarded against leaks. In response to the whispers of potential vulnerabilities,…
The recent surge in HIV infections among individuals aged 15-24 across many countries in the Asia Pacific region has become alarmingly widespread. Eamonn Murphy, the UNAIDS regional director for Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, referred to this trend as a “phenomenon.” Particularly concerning is Thailand, where nearly half (47%) of all new HIV infections last year were in this youthful age group. However, Thailand isn’t alone in this worrying trend. According to Murphy, several other countries in the region, including the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Cambodia, are also witnessing a second wave of HIV infections among their youth. “If we look at the Philippines, the vast majority of new infections there are in this age group, especially among men having sex with men and transgender individuals,” Murphy stated, noting a staggering 500% increase in HIV infections in the Philippines since 2010. In a total regional context, an estimated…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday at the bustling immigration checkpoint in Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat, setting the stage for an engaging cross-border dialogue aimed at boosting trade and tourism. Their meeting wasn’t just any ordinary diplomatic exchange; it was a monumental step towards fortifying the bonds between these neighboring nations. One of the key topics on their agenda was the long-anticipated bilateral plan to construct a new bridge over the picturesque Golok River. This river gracefully meanders its way between Narathiwat province in Thailand and Kelantan state in Malaysia, standing as both a natural divider and a symbol of shared prosperity. The new bridge aims to connect Sungai Kolok with Rantau Panjang, seamlessly linking the two regions. The history of this bridge project is an intriguing story in itself. First greenlit in December 2009 by the Thai government, the proposal seemed to…