As the mid-winter chill sets in with February enveloping us, the economic thermometer shows that Thailand’s inflation is experiencing a heatwave of its own. The consumer price index has notched up by a hefty 1.32% compared to January last year, marking the tenth month in a row of climbing figures. This surge, largely propelled by rising fuel, food, and beverage costs, has pushed inflation beyond the 1% threshold for the second consecutive month, revealed Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, the chief of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO). Riding the wave of last year’s low fuel prices, fuel costs have seen a notable spike, burning deeper holes in consumers’ pockets. The grocery aisles haven’t been much kinder. Here, essentials like fresh fruits, cooking staples, and even non-alcoholic beverages have seen an uptick, challenging household budgets and leaving consumers reminiscing about more wallet-friendly days. The tremors of inflation are not limited to the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a flurry of activity reminiscent of a thrilling detective inspection, Phuket’s own Vice Governor, the formidable Ronnarong Thipsiri, orchestrated a meticulous investigation of several bustling commercial fishing boats yesterday, February 6. This mission was not merely routine, but a significant step towards combating the shadows of human trafficking and ensuring that labor laws are not just words on paper but lived realities. The vibrant scene unfolded at the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Institute Pier at the charming Cape Panwa. With an ensemble cast of officials from more than 14 dedicated agencies, the spotlight was clearly fixed on two crucial issues—halting the sinister undercurrents of human trafficking and eradicating child labor within the fishing industry. It was a tale worthy of the grandest stage, woven with three noble objectives: to banish human trafficking and child labor from the industry, to safeguard the hardworking hands on…
In the heart of Thailand’s Buriram province, a land dispute with all the makings of a political thriller continues to unfold. At the epicenter is a sprawling 5,000 rai tract of land, hotly contested by two major government bodies: the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Department of Lands (DoL). The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is gradually peeling back the layers of this complex case, though when a final resolution will emerge is anyone’s guess. Leading the charge for the NACC is Mongkol Srisawang, the director charged with overseeing investigations involving environmental and natural resource controversies. Currently, the commission is sifting through a mountain of evidence, including ownership certificates, historical documents, and testimonies from various witnesses. This mind-boggling dossier, however, is peppered with a few unsettling irregularities. The hunt is on to determine whether these discrepancies in documentation are mere clerical hiccups or the result of deliberate malfeasance by…
In the serene northern province of Mae Hong Son, where the tranquil landscapes of Pai usually echo with the soft hums of nature, a storm—unseen and unexpected—rumbled through its core. The picturesque town of Pai suddenly became the center of commotion, not due to one of its famous vibrant festivals, but because of an incident involving four Israeli men whose disruptive antics could easily be mistaken for scenes from a chaotic comedy film. The drama unfolded mostly within the silent corridors of Pai Hospital. The calmness of the medical facility was shattered when the rowdy group decided to throw respect and common decency out the window. The mayhem was so intense that it soon found its way to the digital realm, courtesy of a courageous doctor who took to the Facebook page “AggressiveDoctor” to spill the tumultuous tea. Imagine a typical serene day at the hospital, where the most exciting…
Social media has been buzzing thanks to a viral video on Instagram showcasing what can only be described as a massive beach party hosted by Indian tourists on the famous Pattaya Beach. Labeled with the cheeky caption “Indian Tourists in Pattaya,” the clip is a spectacle—imagine around 100 vacationers sprawled out on mats, sipping on beers, surrounded by the remains of their festivities. The imagery has sparked a cascade of commentary, with many taking to the internet to express concern over the scene, pondering why plush accommodations were swapped for sandy shores and whether these shenanigans could potentially alter Pattaya’s international reputation. As the clip gained traction, Pattaya’s own Mayor, Poramet Ngampichet, decided to weigh in on the situation. He highlighted the significant surge of Indian tourists flocking to Pattaya, particularly noticeable during peak season. According to the mayor, the recent expansion of Pattaya Beach has transformed it into an…
Picture this: a balmy evening in the bustling Thai city of Pattaya, where neon lights dance along crowded streets, luring tourists into the heart of its legendary nightlife. Enter a middle-aged British tourist, looking for a good time with a friend, little knowing that the night’s festivities would spiral into a scene more suited to a dramatic action movie than a vacation tale. The duo decided to treat a bevy of young ladies to drinks at a popular local bar, tucked away in this city known for its lively party scene. However, what began as a cheerful evening unfolded into chaos when the tourist allegedly balked at settling the tab. Unknown to him, the bill carried a hefty 50% markup on the women’s beverages, a detail that didn’t sit well with our protagonist—or, more importantly, the women and staff that surrounded him. As tensions flared higher than the tropical temperatures…
In a dramatic turn of events on the morning of February 7, 2025, the normally serene streets of Nong Chik district in Pattani were shattered by a sudden explosion, marking a turbulent start to the day. This was no ordinary morning commute for four brave policemen who found themselves at the center of a terrifying situation that unfolded on the Don Yang-Hat Yai route. The officers were making their rounds, riding in pairs on two motorcycles, as part of their daily patrol. As they approached a familiar landmark— a police booth nestling near the calm yet bustling Bang Chak petrol station— the peaceful morning was abruptly disrupted by the vicious roar of an unexpected explosion. The blast, which ripped through the air with a deafening crash, left both citizens and officers stunned, their usual morning shattered like glass under a hammer. Leading the charge of the operation, Pol Col Phattanachai…
Picture a vibrant classroom in the heart of Bangkok, bustling with energy, colorful Korean syllables splashed across whiteboards, and eager students hanging on every word. This was the scene when immigration officers executed unexpected raids on two branches of a language school last Thursday. While the students were absorbed in the nuances of Hangeul, Pol Maj Gen Prasart Khemaprasit, commander of the Immigration Bureau, led a task force that uncovered an unexpected twist in this tale of cultural exchange. In a story that unfolded like a dramatic Korean soap opera, eight South Korean citizens found themselves at the center of an unexpected crackdown. Their crime? Teaching the intricacies of their native language without the proper paperwork. The lively language lessons came to a sudden halt as six men and two women were detained. These educators had entered the Land of Smiles legally, with some armed with convenient 90-day free visas,…
In the vibrant city of Bangkok, an intriguing tale of crime and deception unfolded as two Chinese nationals found themselves caught in the web of law enforcement. The story, which sounds like a plot from a blockbuster movie, centered around a sophisticated call center scam that duped unsuspecting victims with the cruel twist of deceit—a strategy aptly named the “add insult to injury” scam. This scam saw its perpetrators tricking their targets into believing their financial assets had been illicitly siphoned away, only to convince them they could recover their losses by disclosing personal financial details. The protagonists of this crime saga were Yi Wanyou, aged 29, and Li Weijia, aged 30. The duo was apprehended at a residence within the Chatuchak district, thanks to a swift operation by police officers armed with court-sanctioned warrants. Credit for their capture goes to Thailand’s national police chief, Kittharath Punpetch, who, on a…
In the tranquil province of Buriram, nestled in the heart of Isaan, an unexpected drama unfolded, leaving the community in a state of shock. Yesterday afternoon, February 6th, the normally quiet Ban Bordin community in Prakhonchai district became the epicenter of a tragic, yet bizarre incident involving a family torn apart by addiction and its unintended consequences. Picture this: a 75-year-old man, Lek, embroiled in an unfortunate predicament as he mistakenly stabs his beloved son-in-law, a 60-year-old gentleman from New Zealand, during an uncontrollable outburst aimed at his drug-addicted nephew, Thawat. It all started when officers from Prakhonchai Police Station received a distress call, urging them to rush to a scene that would render any family reunion a nightmarish memory. Upon their arrival, they found the unfortunate foreigner, clinging to life with a severe stab wound in his stomach. Immediate action was taken, and the injured man was rushed to…