As a shroud of fine dust settled over Bang Sue district and much of Bangkok on January 9, 2025, the city found itself enveloped in a haze of unprecedented air pollution. Captured poignantly in a photograph by Pornprom Sarttarpai, the gravity of the situation prompted immediate action from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. In a bold move to combat the escalating dust levels that seemed to be racing across every district in the metropolitan expanse, she declared a week of free public transportation beginning this Saturday. On a mission to rejuvenate the city’s air, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who also serves as deputy prime minister, emphasized the government’s proactive approach. With concentrations of particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or less (PM2.5) on the rise, drastic steps were deemed necessary to lighten the load on the capital’s beleaguered atmosphere. From January 25 to January 31, a plan was hatched to grant the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Hold onto your hats and get ready to be dazzled as Chiang Rai’s tranquil horizons prepare to burst into a symphony of color and excitement. From February 13-17, 2025, Singha Park will host the International Balloon Fiesta, a sensational event that’s proudly marked as the largest balloon gathering in ASEAN. Whether you’re starry-eyed lovers, fun-seeking families, or thrill-craving adventurers, this annual extravaganza promises an unforgettable tapestry of vibrant hues, cultural wonders, and sheer joy that will leave everyone enchanted. This time around, the skies above will be adorned with over 30 hot air balloons hailing from 13 different countries—a truly breathtaking panorama that’s a feast for the eyes and a balm for the soul. It’s the seventh time this grand spectacle graces the firmament, renowned especially for its enchanting “Love Balloon” activity. Imagine this: 15 fortunate couples floating high above the enchanting Chiang Rai landscapes, sharing an intimate, one-of-a-kind romantic…
A devastating inferno enveloped the serene neighborhood of Naklua in Pattaya earlier this week, leaving behind a trail of charred homes and a poignant reminder of nature’s fierce unpredictability. The blaze, which broke out at approximately 6 PM on Wednesday, January 22, startled the evening air and turned tranquility into turmoil as flames mercilessly engulfed five residences, injuring one brave soul in the process. The Bang Lamung police, renowned for their prompt response, quickly leaped into action upon receiving the distress call. They deftly coordinated with the seasoned firefighters of Pattaya City and surrounding municipal fire departments, who rushed to the scene with hoses ablaze and spirits undeterred—a quintessential rescue mission akin to a thrilling episode of your favorite action-packed show. The backdrop of this fiery tale was a row of charming two-storey houses. Their ground floors stood stout with concrete, while the upper floors danced gregariously in wood. An…
In the bustling city of Pattaya, a tale unfolded that was rich with intrigue, a little drama, and a significant splash of irony. Meet Xavier, a 37-year-old Russian tourist, whose holiday took an unexpected turn on the evening of January 8. Like many a vacationer, Xavier was enjoying a leisurely evening with friends, sipping drinks outside a convenience store in the mellow glow of Soi Na Kluea 8. It seemed like a perfect night—until it wasn’t. In his relaxed state, Xavier made a classic tourist faux pas: he left his black bag unattended on the table as he and his companions wandered back to their lodging. It wasn’t just any bag—it was the veritable treasure chest of his trip, containing 120,000 baht in cash, his mobile phone, and personal documents. You could say it was the kind of oversight that makes for a tough morning after. Meanwhile, the plot thickened.…
In the vibrant yet controversial locale of Phuket, Thailand, two Chinese nationals found themselves in handcuffs after stirring up a lion-sized scandal. The accused were arrested for allegedly exploiting lion cubs to lure tourists into the infamous Glass House Café and Space. Located on the bustling Ratsada-Anusorn Road, this café has become notorious for a series of wildlife skirmishes, making headlines with last year’s melodrama featuring a cub called Nong Kiwi. It was a regular Wednesday afternoon, January 22nd, when Region 8 Police, armed with a search warrant, descended upon the café at precisely 1:30 PM. Inside, the scene was as lively as a zoo exhibit, with customers enthusiastically snapping photos with three playful lion cubs, undoubtedly the café’s mane attraction. The business ran a peculiar ‘pride and prejudice’ photo package charging 500 baht for a brief five-minute encounter with larger cubs, and a steep 1,000 baht for the smaller,…
Imagine savoring the heartbeat of Japan without taking a flight. Intrigued? Bangkok’s Thaniya Shopping Center is set to whisk you away on a cultural escapade with the eagerly awaited “THANIYA JAPAN DAYS.” From February 6th to 17th, 2025, get ready for a seamless blend of sports and culture in the vibrant hub of Silom. This year’s event unveils two prominent attractions: Thailand’s pioneering “Japanese Golf Fair” alongside the much-celebrated resurgence of the “YATAI MURA” food festival. So, grab your calendars and mark these dates for a taste of Japan like you’ve never experienced before. Japanese Golf Fair: A Golfer’s Utopia Running daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, February 6th-17th, 2025, the Japanese Golf Fair unfolds at the Ground Floor Activity Area of Thaniya. It’s heaven on Earth for every golf lover, regardless of whether you’re teeing off for the first time or have been acing birdies for years. Picture…
In a tale as captivating as it is cautionary, a Thai transgender influencer found herself at the center of a burgeoning digital scandal. With a social media presence that boasted nearly 30,000 followers, this 22-year-old influencer wielded considerable online clout, and used it in perhaps the most unconventional way—running a clandestine operation distributing explicit content. The unravelling of this secret enterprise, which reportedly reaped tens of thousands of baht monthly over a two-year span, reads like a scene from a suspense thriller. The meticulous unraveling was undertaken by the determined efforts of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), led by Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwpaen. This specialized task force, under the adept guidance of Police Colonel Sarayut Junnawat and Pol. Col. Torsak Panklinput, delved deep into the murky waters of content being shared through a shadowy, locked account on the X platform. Details of the arrest come straight from a…
In the quiet of a late January night, the streets of Phitsanulok were jolted awake by the thunderous crash of a high-speed collision. The scene was reminiscent of a cinematic car chase gone awry—a verdant Lamborghini, valued at over 20 million baht, lay crumpled against an electricity pole. Passersby and police officers gathered on Singhawat Road, just outside a local eatery known as Krua Look Sao Kung Kaew, drawn by the allure of the exotic wreckage and the unfolding mystery. It was 1:30 AM when the somber tableau was discovered. The sleek, now battered Italian sports car, adorned with a license plate that boasted a sought-after sequence of numbers, stood deserted. Inside, police unearthed a trove of personal belongings—most notably, tens of thousands of baht in cash—abandoned without explanation. The driver, a well-known businessman from the area, had seemingly vanished into thin air, sparking curiosity and speculation alike. Nearby, the…
In a significant crackdown on illicit activities, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has been flexing its regulatory muscles with a series of uncompromising actions. Between December 2024 and January, under the diligent leadership of AMLO Secretary-General Tepsu Bowonchodidara, the office has elevated its vigilance by keeping an eye on a whopping 72,031 individuals involved in electronic transactions. The result? An incredible 680,000 mule accounts have been obliterated, sending a stern message to those dabbling in money laundering adventures. Delving deep into the rabbit hole of illicit financial operations, the Transaction Committee has pinpointed and targeted assets tied to drug offenses, fraud, and the ever-alluring realm of online gambling—a cyber playground where fortunes can be whimsically won or nefariously lost. Let’s take a peek at some of the most eye-catching cases. In the sphere of drug-related offenses, 15 headline-grabbing cases were taken down, unveiling hidden assets worth a staggering 510 million…
The sun-soaked shores of Pattaya were fairly abuzz under the tropical sun yesterday as law enforcement swooped into action with a dramatic flair one would expect from an action thriller. January 23 marked a pivotal chapter in a gripping tale that seems right out of a high-stakes espionage novel. The lavish abode of the alleged Chinese gang leader known colloquially as Bobby—officially Li Jia Rui—was the target of an extensive police raid, propelling us deeper into a mysterious underlying saga. This thrilling operation is a slice of a continuing investigation into a brutal attack that unfolded last September. A Chinese businessman by the name of Chen Jing faced the threat of losing not only his lucrative pub shares but, more devastatingly, his sight, following a heinous assault. The chilly refusal to offload his shares to this elusive gang initiated a spiraling chain of events that has kept Pattaya’s local populace…