Oh, Pattaya! The sun-drenched haven on Thailand’s eastern coast is once again humming with the lively chatter of excited tourists, and if you tune in closely, you’re likely to hear a symphony of Russian and European accents. Yes, Pattaya has seen a remarkable surge in tourism this High Season, attracting globetrotters especially from Russia and across Europe. Led by Thanes Supharahasrangsi, the ever-enthusiastic president of the Chon Buri Tourism Association, Pattaya is clearly having a moment. On a recent report dated January 29, Mr. Supharahasrangsi shed light on the vibrant influx of foreign visitors roaming the sandy shores and bustling streets. It’s a sight for sore eyes, especially since many of these tourists are leaning towards extended stays, uplifting the local economy with more than just a splash of color and laughter. A survey by the tourism association revealed that accommodations that roll out the red carpet to Russian and…
Posts published in “Thailand”
When it comes to the tempestuous theater of Thai politics, nothing creates a fervor quite like Thaksin Shinawatra stepping into the limelight. A former premier with a penchant for stirring the pot, his mere involvement on the campaign trail is enough to turn seemingly ordinary events into spectacle. It’s much like adding jalapeños to your som tam – expect some heat! Currently, the Pheu Thai Party, venerated in Bangkok’s political circles as the orchestrators of a “super deal,” is navigating its precarious marriage with its formidable conservative coalition partners, Bhumjaithai and United Thai Nation (UTN) parties. Although the opposition is raring to unsheath its sharpest sword – a no-confidence motion – political prophets suggest that the coalition government, steered by the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration, won’t be sunk as easily as the Titanic. Thaksin, revered as the Pheu Thai puppet master, reportedly shook hands on a glittering deal in 2023 setting…
In what seems like a story ripped straight from a mystery novel, a British father has vanished into the bustling streets of Bangkok, Thailand, leaving family and friends back in Epping, Essex, in a state of heartbreak and confusion. James Sangwine, a 33-year-old British national, embarked on a journey to Bangkok on January 18 with hopes of catching up with a friend. However, since venturing out for a night of fun on January 20, he has inexplicably disappeared without a trace. For his partner, 38-year-old Katie Maybin, James’ absence loomed especially large as he missed his son’s seventh birthday, an event he would never ordinarily overlook. The family’s world was turned upside down when James failed to make his customary call—a habit he’d never broken before. Katie’s voice trembles as she clings to hope, saying, “He always calls, especially for our boy’s birthday, but this time, nothing.” What we do…
In the bustling heart of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, the rhythm of life continues as the weekend dawns—albeit shrouded in a mist not of mystique, but of concern. On Saturday morning, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Air Quality Information Centre flashed alarming updates across its screens: the city’s air quality had decided to dance well above the safety standard, leaving its residents to ponder the true cost of their morning breaths. Friday set the stage with a PM2.5 reading that averaged an eye-watering 60.2 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). For those unfamiliar with the numeric nuances, this figure might seem benign until one realizes that it’s appreciably beyond Thailand’s safety threshold of 37.5 µg/m3, calculated over a three-hour stretch especially from 5 AM to 7 AM. Just the day before, at the same early hour, the reading was slightly more reassuring at 48.7 µg/m3, heralding a further climb in air impurity. At…
The enchanting land of Thailand is serving up a mixed bag of weather today, February 1, courtesy of the ever-vigilant Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). So, fasten your scarves and pull out your windbreakers, as seemingly contradictory weather narratives unfold. Prepare for shivers and sunburns as the day progresses. In the mystical north and northeast, cold to chilly conditions prevail. Expect a frosty reception at mountain tops. Picture this: an exquisite blanket of frost making the peaks look like they’ve just emerged from a tourist postcard dream. However, this romantic vision comes with a practical caution—fire hazards abound due to the dry spell. Let’s keep those embers in check! Conversely, down south, things are getting a little splashy as monsoon winds stir up lively waves of high seas. Be you Jack Sparrow or just Jack on a cruiser, take heed! The subdued northeastern monsoon means peace-loving waves will mostly capitulate at…
The world of Thai politics is no more the one-man show it once was. Anutin Charnvirakul, the animated chief of the Bhumjaithai Party, recently threw a spirited jab at Thaksin Shinawatra’s rally cry for voters to put their eggs in the Pheu Thai Party’s basket during the upcoming elections. This ex-Prime Minister, who’s been living overseas for a hefty 17 years, seems to think he can step back in and lead voters down a single-party path to power. Anutin, though, the interior minister and deputy premier cozy in the halls of the Pheu Thai-led government, might beg to differ. In a scene right out of a dramatic political soap opera, Anutin pointed out on a fine Friday that old Thaksin might just be a tad disconnected with the local political pulse, tossing around notions of governance not quite attuned to the current chorus of a multi-party government. “Gone are the…
In a dynamic and bold new maneuver to clear Thailand’s skies of smog, the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) has its eyes set on curbing PM2.5 pollution from cross-border agricultural escapades. Their daring strategy? Implementing strict regulations on corn imports that demand undeniable proof the corn kernels hail from non-burning cultivation zones. On the agenda for the Maize Policy and Management Committee is a proposal that’s got corn importers on their toes, requiring them to provide impeccable documentation—think an exporter certificate from a legitimate authority—verifying their corn’s eco-friendly origins. Imagine detailed maps and traceable systems, because subpar compliance simply won’t cut the corn. Import restrictions loom overhead for anyone daring to defy these rules, DFT Director General Arada Fuangtong cautioned. The move follows a crucial meeting on cross-border PM2.5 pollution, where Arada emphasized the need to exclude corn from fields notorious for burning, significant culprits in the region’s smog narrative.…
As the vibrant city of Chiang Mai braces itself for the Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) elections on February 1, the atmosphere is electrified by the impassioned words of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Making a triumphant return to his hometown, the 75-year-old charismatic political heavyweight delivered a spirited rally speech that reverberated with urgency and enthusiasm. Thaksin, ever the showman, implored his fervent followers to transform their dedication into decisive votes for Pichai Lertpongadisorn, the Pheu Thai candidate and sitting PAO president. The stakes have never been higher. The septuagenarian ex-premier, with his fiery rhetoric, challenged his supporters to gift him with precisely 700,000 votes. “Let’s make it decisive without hesitation,” he proclaimed, underlining the significance of the upcoming contest as a watershed moment for the Pheu Thai Party. For Thaksin, this election symbolizes a not-so-quiet quest for retribution and the reclamation of political power lost to the rival People’s…
In Thailand, the relentless pursuit of elusive lottery numbers is a national pastime, with the upcoming draw on February 1st causing a frenzy among avid players. An eclectic mix of sources fuels this quest: be it predictions from celebrities, whispered advice on social media, or the mystical allure of well-known advisors. Yet amidst this sea of speculation, the mythical charm of the Chinese calendar numbers prevails, casting its spell on hopeful lottery enthusiasts. This time around, a TikTok sensation, intriguingly identified by the username @nid8857, has emerged as the fortune-teller du jour. This enigmatic user has confidently posted not one, but four potential winning number sets from the revered Chinese calendar, sparking a whirl of interpretations among those daring enough to try their luck. As reported by Sanook, these numbers have become the focus of feverish speculation as players dream of riches in a game of chance where fate is…
In the southern province of Phetchaburi, a scene straight out of a suspense drama unfolded when a Russian man met with an unfortunate accident, driving straight into a stoic tree by the roadside. His grey sedan, now part of an unplanned tree unification, was seen lying askew beneath the stoic protector of shade, a place no car desires to settle down. The front bumper was a sorry sight, quite like someone who had a bad day at the demolition derby. This unexpected twist in the Russian’s journey was captured by Channel 8, a local news station that missed no beat in documenting the theatrical rescue mission led by local heroes – the police, residents, and fire brigade. Onlookers watched with bated breath as the star of the show, a 38-year-old unnamed Russian man, lay amidst the wreckage with a packet of mysterious white powder just casually lurking in his pocket,…