The damaged Bangkok Samui 2 after the collision with a speedboat returning from Rin Beach on Koh Phangan, off Koh Samui in Surat Thani on Monday night. (Photo: Wat Plai Laem Koh Samui Rescue Unit) On a tranquil Monday night near the picturesque island of Koh Samui, two speedboats met with an unfortunate fate. A tragic collision claimed one life and left two individuals injured, casting a shadow over the serene waters. This surprising incident happened around 8:30 pm and was subsequently reported to the local police. The collision involved two speedboats traveling in opposite directions: the Chor Chokchanita 22, operated by Funnyday Co., and the Bangkok Samui 2, owned by Bangkok Samui Hospital. Pol Lt Sirachat Kamunee, an officer on duty at the Bo Phut police station, shared this bewildering news on the following day, leaving the community in disbelief. Onboard the Bangkok Samui 2 were two dedicated hospital…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In recent political developments, the Democrat Party threw a wrench into Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit’s audacious proposal: granting a 30-year extension to the Don Muang Tollway operator in return for fare reduction to 50 baht. The expressway, stretching 21 kilometers, weaves its way from Bangkok’s bustling Din Daeng area to the serene National Memorial in Pathum Thani’s Lam Luk Ka district. The proposal, a bold yet contentious maneuver, emerged as a countermeasure to the concessionaire’s impending fare hike slated for December 22. This hike, set to climb by five to 10 baht per section, would see the rate jump from 80 to 90 baht for the Din Daeng to Don Muang segment and from 35 to 40 baht for the Don Muang to National Memorial stretch. Mr. Suriya posits that extending the concession is the government’s financial panacea, mitigating the burden of compensating for slashed toll revenues. However, Charnchai Issarasenarak,…
The Royal Thai Police’s (RTP) Ordnance Division has come forward to refute allegations about distributing substandard bulletproof vests, following a viral image that showed body armor layered with plywood. Pol Maj Gen Nirandon Sirisangchai, the division’s commander, assured that the RTP has never acquired body armor or armor plates using wood as a primary material. “The purchasing and inspection processes are entirely transparent and verifiable, in strict compliance with the prevailing laws and regulations,” stated Pol Maj Gen Nirandon. He emphasized that every single vest meets the stringent standards established by the National Institute of Justice and is backed by manufacturer guarantees. Nonetheless, Pol Maj Gen Nirandon encouraged any officers who had been injured while wearing the vests or were concerned about their quality to submit them to the division for thorough inspection. This open-door policy, he believes, reassures the officers and the public about the integrity and reliability of…
The Democrat Party has sounded a clarion call of opposition to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit’s audacious proposal—offering a 30-year extension to the operator of the Don Muang Tollway in exchange for a tantalizing fare reduction to 50 baht. This 21-kilometre expanse of expressway stretches seamlessly from Bangkok’s bustling Din Daeng area to the tranquil confines of the National Memorial in Pathum Thani’s Lam Luk Ka district. Now, why all the hullabaloo, you ask? The concessionaire is champing at the bit to increase fares by a modest five to ten baht come December 22. This hike would nudge the rate from 80 to 90 baht for the Din Daeng to Don Muang section, and from 35 to 40 baht for the Don Muang to National Memorial segment. Suriya, ever the savvy operator, claims that extending the concession would alleviate the government’s financial strain, sparing it from compensating for the dip in…
Throngs of Thai citizens eagerly anticipate the unveiling of an upcoming public park, dedicated to the cherished memory of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. This verdant sanctuary, destined to become a significant new landmark in Bangkok, will span an impressive 279 rai in the Dusit district. Thousands of newly planted trees will grant the capital a much-needed “green lung,” offering locals and visitors alike a tranquil escape from urban chaos, fostering a deeper connection with nature. Strategically interspersed throughout the park, visitors will encounter poignant reminders of King Rama IX and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother. These meaningful tributes provide a rich educational experience, highlighting their monumental contributions to forest and water resource management during King Rama IX’s remarkable 70-year reign. His tireless and selfless devotion to his people remains etched in the hearts of Thais, nearly eight years after his passing on October 13, 2016.…
Famous chefs introduced a culinary delight with a twist in Bang Khunthian district, Bangkok, on a sunny July 19th. Their star ingredient? The blackchin tilapia, a fish that’s causing quite a stir far beyond the frying pan. This effort is a part of a broader initiative by the government to curb the population of this invasive species. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has thrown down the gauntlet to the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, urging it to up its game in tackling the blackchin tilapia menace. Originally calling West Africa home, these fishes have found a new abode in Thailand’s waterways, much to the government’s chagrin. On a decisive Monday, the Prime Minister spoke candidly about the need to pinpoint how these unwelcome guests managed to spread far and wide. In the wake of this directive, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow swiftly rallied to Samut Sakhon. There, he…
A buzzworthy billboard promoting multinational passport and citizenship services in Chinese popped up at the Huai Khwang intersection recently, only to be hastily removed the following morning. (Photo: Pai Charudul Facebook account) The Thai government is cracking down hard on illegal Chinese businesses after a certain company’s audacious billboard in Bangkok ignited a firestorm on social media. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin laid down the law during a visit to the Huai Khwang police station, where he was tackling issues like loansharking and drug trafficking. With the area being a hotspot for Chinese tourists and expats, Mr. Srettha also instructed authorities to ferret out any dubious Chinese enterprises operating there. The controversy caught fire after Facebook user Pai Charudul posted a snapshot of the billboard on Sunday. In bold Chinese characters, the billboard touted rapid passport and citizenship services, promising emergency solutions and boasting of 100% legal operations. It even assured…
Khon Kaen, Thailand – The air was filled with anticipation and excitement as Mr. Siriwat Pinijpanich, Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen Province, took center stage to preside over the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the new Bayer Vegetable Seeds Production Centre in Tambol Non Thon, Khon Kaen. This landmark event drew an impressive array of attendees including esteemed local government officials such as Mr. Chinnakon Kaenkong, District Chief of Amphur Muang Khon Kaen, and Mr. Weraphon Charoenpanit, Country Commercial Lead of Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar for Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. Also present were Mr. Mark Nash, Head of APAC Vegetable Seeds Production Supply, numerous Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. employees, and enthusiastic local growers, all eager to witness the dawn of a new era in agricultural innovation. The ceremony was more than just a formality; it marked the official beginning of an ambitious project with an eye set on completion in…
A picturesque view of Pattaya, located in the Chon Buri province, reveals a bustling city pulsating with life, but beneath its vibrant exterior, a tragic tale unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Monday morning. It was a day that began with the promise of adventure and respite for a Hong Kong police sergeant, only to end in unexpected tragedy. On this fateful morning, surveillance cameras captured the heart-wrenching moment the 48-year-old sergeant fell from a songthaew, an open-air truck taxi, as it made its way through South Pattaya. The footage, timestamped at 8:36 AM, showed the man losing his balance and tumbling from the back of the moving vehicle, landing heavily on the road. In the immediate aftermath, bystanders, shocked and alarmed, urgently called out to the songthaew driver to halt the vehicle. However, the driver, seemingly oblivious to the unfolding drama, continued on his route, unknowingly leaving chaos in his…
Senator Mongkol Surasajja, a former governor of Buri Ram, is heavily tipped to be chosen as the Senate Speaker when the Upper House gathers this Tuesday. This pivotal selection, along with choosing the two deputy Senate Speakers, will occur right after the swearing-in ceremony. The responsibility of presiding over the inaugural meeting has been entrusted to the most senior senator. An insider close to the matter revealed that Senator Mongkol enjoys the support of about 150 senators. These senators align with the “Blue” group, which is associated with the coalition ally Bhumjaithai Party, known for its distinctive blue color. Senator Mongkol’s political journey is closely intertwined with the influential “Ban Yai” political dynasty based in Buri Ram, a province that serves as the political heartbeat of the Bhumjaithai Party. The “Blue” group, recently convening to strategize for today’s meeting, appears poised in their unanimous decision to endorse Mongkol for the…