In the bustling heart of Bangkok, a tragic and shocking scene unfolded on a seemingly regular Tuesday evening. The usually lively Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in the vibrant Pathum Wan district became the center of a heart-wrenching incident, capturing the attention of authorities and the public alike. Around 5:30 PM, Lumpini police were summoned to the luxurious hotel, where they discovered a deeply unsettling sight. Inside one of the rooms, they found the lifeless bodies of three men and three women. The scene was eerily calm, with no visible signs of a struggle. The victims’ luggage was poignantly placed near the front door, a silent testament to lives abruptly cut short. As part of their thorough investigation, the police immediately turned to the hotel’s extensive closed-circuit television (CCTV) network, meticulously combing through footage for any possible clues. Simultaneously, they began interviewing witnesses, hoping their accounts might shed light on the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Wissanu Krea-ngam, the prime minister’s legal adviser, hinted at a perhaps surprising possibility that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra might contribute to the government, but just not in a political capacity, once he completes his jail term next month. Yes, you heard that right! Speaking candidly on Tuesday, Wissanu responded to reporters’ inquiries about Thaksin’s potential involvement post-release, scheduled for August 22. “If the government seeks Thaksin’s assistance, he can certainly offer his expertise,” Wissanu noted. “The bottom line is, Thaksin can occupy any government position that isn’t constitutionally barred, such as a ministerial role. He’s still got plenty to offer in other capacities.” Ah, but there’s a twist! While Thaksin can’t be a trade representative, he’s free to serve as an adviser to the prime minister or take on a special representative role, albeit temporarily. Those aren’t just hypothetical limits; they are very specific roles in the intriguing game…
The Immigration Bureau (IB) is gearing up to streamline immigration control at airports, aiming to process each traveler in under 45 seconds. This initiative is a pivotal part of the government’s extended visa-free scheme, which was officially activated on Monday. On Tuesday, Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nutchanart, the IB’s deputy chief, declared the bureau’s readiness to adhere to the government’s policies. To tackle long lines during peak hours, the number of immigration officers will be notably increased, ensuring smoother processing times at airport check-in booths. “We’re committed to making sure that every incoming passenger spends no more than 45 seconds at immigration,” emphasized Pol Maj Gen Phanthana. Adding to this efficiency drive, airports are also embracing advanced biometric technology to thwart transnational criminals. Furthermore, Section 38 of the Immigration Act empowers immigration authorities to monitor foreigners residing in the country. According to Pol Maj Gen Phanthana, this section mandates that…
The Immigration Bureau, under the keen watch of Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nutchanart, has ramped up efforts to streamline immigration procedures in sync with the government’s freshly expanded visa-free scheme for foreign tourists. Determined to uphold efficiency, the bureau aims to reduce the average processing time at airport immigration control to no more than a brisk 45 seconds per traveler. In a bid to support this ambitious target, the number of immigration officers is set to increase significantly, ensuring smoother and faster passage through check-in booths, especially during peak travel hours when passenger traffic tends to surge. “Our goal is for each arriving passenger to process through immigration eagerly and efficiently, spending no more than 45 seconds at our counters,” assured Pol Maj Gen Phanthana. To further enhance security and expedite check-ins, airports are deploying cutting-edge biometric technology designed to deter transnational crime. Utilizing facial recognition and other advanced identification…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, construction workers can be seen commuting on a songthaew along Rama IV. Amidst this everyday scene, a storm is brewing over the proposed hike in the daily minimum wage to 400 baht nationwide—an idea that has the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) in Chiang Mai deeply concerned. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul) Chakrin Wangwiwat, the chairman of FTI in Chiang Mai, argues that increasing the daily minimum wage during the period from May 1 to October 1 is not only excessive but also mismatched with the current economic realities. The private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is experiencing trepidation that this wage hike could tip them towards temporary or even permanent shutdowns due to financial strain. At the moment, the minimum wage in Chiang Mai stands at 352 baht per day. “Boosting it to 400 baht would hike production costs by 10%, lead to…
In the serene landscapes of Kanchanaburi, cannabis plants thrive under the careful watch of local cultivators. Yet, looming on the horizon is a potential upheaval that threatens to shake the roots of Thailand’s burgeoning cannabis industry. As the government contemplates reclassifying cannabis as an illegal substance, the entire industry, valued at a hefty 27 billion baht, teeters on the edge of chaos, warns Wisan Potprasat, the CEO of the Cannabis Medical Industrial Estate Association of Thailand. Wisan Potprasat, who also serves as the president of the Community Enterprise Network of Western Herbal Alliances—the largest licensed cannabis cultivation network in Thailand—voiced his concerns regarding the Ministry of Public Health’s plan to revert cannabis to its former status as a narcotic. “This move negates the previous administration’s progressive policy on cannabis, rebranding it as a narcotic once more,” he remarked. “It’s a decision that will send shockwaves through various sectors, particularly affecting…
A postman can determine your future, like the one at Ban Fang post office in Khon Kaen whose failure to deliver an express letter cost the recipient his chance to be a teacher. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) KHON KAEN: A serious lapse by Thailand Post ended a man’s hope of following his dream to be a teacher, simply because a crucial letter was not delivered. Sadit Kruangjumpa said Ban Fang post office made an unacceptable mistake in failing to deliver an express letter sent to his home address. As a consequence, he missed out on his opportunity to become a teacher. Mr. Sadit resides in Bangkok but his official home address is in Ban Fang district in Khon Kaen province. He was among those who had passed the Education Ministry’s test for applicants for vacant positions as teaching assistants. He was selected for a role under the quota allocated to the…
In a dramatic turn of events in Surin’s northeastern province, a high-stakes sting operation led to the arrest of two suspects involved in the illegal wildlife trade, marked by the seizure of not just one but two tiger cubs and nearly 100 kilograms of elephant tusks. The operation, carried out by a multi-agency task force, was the culmination of meticulous planning and undercover surveillance that shed light on a disturbing marketplace thriving beneath the radar. On a busy Tuesday, the director of the National Park Office, Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, spearheaded the joint operation. Collaborating with the Phraya Sue special force, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, and local police, the team orchestrated a risky sting in Sangkha district. The daring move hinged on a covert agreement to purchase the tiger cubs for a staggering 350,000 baht. Safely ensconced in a cage, the apprehended cubs, one male and the other…
Mr. Tsuyoshi Ozaki (fourth from the left), Executive Officer and Senior Vice President, alongside the dedicated management team and enthusiastic volunteers from Thai Central Chemical Public Company Limited (TCCC)—a foremost producer and distributor of NPK compound fertilizer in Thailand under the esteemed OX-Brand—partnered with local dealers to launch the TCCC CARAVAN Project. This remarkable event took place at several key locations: Bueng Ba Community School in Pathumthani Province, Bueng Singto School and Sakaedot Prachasan School in Chachoengsao Province, and Ban Than Thong Daeng School in Saraburi Province. The heartwarming initiative aimed to equip students with crucial knowledge about plant structure and the proper ways to utilize fertilizers effectively. Additionally, the project set its sights on inspiring a sense of environmental stewardship and sparking creative thought processes amongst young minds. As part of this green venture, students engaged in hands-on activities, crafting plant pots from recycled plastic bottles to nurture ornamental…
Police were summoned to break into the locked Banoo Iranian Restaurant in South Pattaya around midday on Tuesday. What they discovered was shocking: the bodies of the two proprietors, 64-year-old Iranian Mojtaba Ghanbariazad and his 49-year-old Thai wife, Thanaporn Poonprakhon, lay lifeless in their second-floor bedroom. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong) The once-bustling eatery had been eerily quiet since last week, with no sign of the owners. Friends and patrons grew increasingly concerned when the doors remained shuttered for days. Patyah’s law enforcement stepped in to unravel the mystery and met a gruesome end. It was around noon when the police managed to gain entry to the three-story building. The couple’s friend, 27-year-old Kritporn Ajinkit, had sensed something was amiss. He informed the police about a heated argument between the couple and their 21-year-old Myanmar employee, known as Min. The quarrel occurred just last Thursday, after which Min left on the couple’s…