As the vibrant colors and joyous festivities of the Chinese New Year loom on the horizon, Thailand gears up to welcome a wave of tourists to its shores. Picture this: the bustling Suvarnabhumi airport terminal, a kaleidoscope of people, each eager to join the celebrations. The previous year saw this sight during Chinese New Year, beautifully captured by photographer Somchai Poomlard, and as the clock ticks closer to January 29, 2025, a new chapter of this festive saga is about to unfold. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit is at the helm, readying the Airports of Thailand (AoT) for an avalanche of tourists during this lively holiday season. His projections place the number of foreign arrivals at a staggering 4 million over a bustling 10-day stretch from January 24 to February 2. Of particular note is the influx from China, with an anticipated 770,000 travelers. That’s a delightful 22.6% more than last…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the picturesque province of Chanthaburi, what should have been a tranquil day turned tragically somber for a local family. A story reminiscent of a mystery novel unfolded when a missing 42-year-old man, known only by his first name, Ruengsak, was found lifeless in an abandoned house. What lay behind this discovery was a trail of emotional and financial turbulence that perhaps shadowed his every step. The late evening on January 15th was anything but ordinary for Police Colonel Jirannon Thongsroi. A call that sent chills down anyone’s spine reached the Thamai District Police Station, reporting a ghastly finding in the deserted corridors of a house in the Takad Ngao subdistrict. Responding promptly, the police were joined by the deft hands of forensic doctors from Phra Pok Klao Hospital and a team of dedicated volunteers from Sawang Katanyu Chanthaburi. Together, they unearthed the story hidden within the abandoned walls. Upon…
As the wheels of a well-coordinated rescue operation spin into motion, Chinese actor Wang Xing is seen riding in a patrol car, flanked by Thai police officers in a journey that marks his safe return from the shadowy confines of Myanmar back to the welcoming familiarity of Thailand’s Tak province. The precarious drama surrounding Wang Xing’s disappearance has cast a spotlight on the alarming rise of scam operations that entrap unsuspecting Chinese nationals with lures of lucrative employment and lavish lifestyle benefits. These promises, decked out with high-paying jobs, deluxe accommodations, and covered travel expenses, have insidiously pulled individuals across borders into what are, in reality, dens of telecom fraud and human trafficking. Such operations ominously thrive in strategic locations, including notorious hubs like Myawaddy on the Myanmar side, tantalizingly close to Thailand’s Mae Sot in Tak province. The crescendo of these deceptions has prompted an urgent and uncompromising response…
In the bustling realm of border security and intelligence operations, a thrilling episode unfolded today in Sa Kaeo province with a narrative that could easily fit into the script of a breathless drama. Enter scene: Ji Hongli, a 36-year-old from Henan Province, China, found himself at the heart of this high-stakes saga, apprehended by the vigilant Thai police in what appeared to be a dramatic escape plot. It all began when Ji was discovered in the dusty terrains of Ban Dong Ngu, Pa Rai subdistrict, as the key player in a sting operation orchestrated by Police Colonel Naphatphong Supaporn, Superintendent of the Immigration Bureau. He was the man of the hour, or rather the man being reckoned with, alongside Pol. Col. Anothai Chindamani and Col. Methee Khamtem of the 12th Border Patrol Police Division. Ji’s claim? A desperate escape from a shadowy world of trafficking in Cambodia. According to Ji’s…
Monday morning in Bangkok was a scene that seemed like it was taken straight from a winter postcard—albeit with a Bangkok twist, of course. School kids were bundled up in jackets as they braved the brisk temperatures, their faces half-hidden by masks, not just to block the chill but also the bothersome bedfellow of Bangkok’s dystopian air pollution. It’s certainly not your typical tropical day! The experts at the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) are keeping busy, announcing that while most of Thailand tightens its grip on scarves and sweaters, the southern regions are on high alert for another type of weather whimsy—namely, the downpour from the heavens scheduled for a dramatic entrance through Saturday. Apparently, a rebellious mass of cold air is draped over upper Thailand and the South China Sea, stubbornly enforcing its icy will onto the thermometer readings as far and wide as possible. Inhabitants of the northern…
Hold onto your popcorn, because Thailand’s film industry just hit a home run in 2024! While Hollywood might have been the headline act in previous years, this time it’s the land of smiles taking a bow. With an explosive 54% market share, Thai films have claimed their space in the spotlight, eclipsing the 38% held by their Hollywood counterparts. Who would’ve thought that in this box-office battle, Hollywood’s starry array would fall short before Thailand’s homegrown magic? In an industry that blossomed beyond expectations, a total of 326 films hit the silver screen, raking in an impressive 4,485 million baht in total. The Thai industry itself was responsible for 2,438 million baht from 54 releases. And it’s not just a bunch of films muddling through; eight outstanding Thai cinematic masterpieces broke through the 100 million baht ceiling, each leaving an indelible mark on audiences and critics alike. Thailand’s cinematic triumphs…
In a gripping twist that reads like a crime thriller, authorities have detained Yu Hamaji, a 34-year-old who is suspected of formerly being tied to the notorious yakuza. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in unraveling a call center gang that had been wreaking havoc from the sunny beaches of Thailand. On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday, the Immigration Bureau revealed details reminiscent of a blockbuster plot twist that would have audiences on the edge of their seats. Picture this: Yu Hamaji, identified as a prime suspect and thought to be the deputy chief of this Japanese syndicate, was nabbed at Don Mueang Airport on Sunday. Apparently, he was attempting to flee Thailand, seeking sanctuary back in Japan. But alas, the winds of luck had turned against him. The arrest comes hot on the heels of police raids that took place in the vibrant Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri, an…
On a bright Wednesday morning in Bangkok, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra found herself flanked by joyous same-sex couples, smiling for the camera on the lush lawn of Government House. This charming photo op preceded a much more serious mission: a trip to Thailand’s southernmost provinces, a region currently battling unrest with a recent surge of violence. As the calendar flipped to Thursday, Ms. Paetongtarn was en route to the border provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala. Her visit was a significant one—the first to these troubled southern areas in her capacity as Prime Minister. Notably, the decision comes amid sky-high tensions following the latest attacks. Lt. Gen. Phaisarn Sangnu, head of the 4th Army, was not taking any chances. He assured the public that a robust security net was intertwined through collaboration with local police and officials. Patrolling eyes would focus keenly on potential insurgent activity. Lt. Gen. Phaisarn, speaking…
In what can only be described as a bizarre and troubling sequence of events, CCTV footage outside a swanky hotel in Pattaya, Thailand has captured a pair of teenage miscreants on motorcycles, showcasing their audacity by slapping unwary foreign pedestrians on the head before making their swift getaway. The video, which quickly gained traction online and was shared on the Facebook page “อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part 6” (lovingly translated as “tell me if you want to be famous, return part 6”), has caused quite a stir. The incident, documented on January 15, paints a troubling picture of youthful antics gone rogue, with the accompanying caption voicing a frustration shared by many: “Ruining the image of Thai tourism. Parents always defend their children, claiming they are good boys, but they go around slapping foreign tourists on the head. This happens almost every day. These teenage suspects target foreigners.” Words that echo a…
If you’ve ever marveled at the sprawling greens of Alpine Golf Club in Pathum Thani, it’s not just the well-kept fairways that might catch your attention. This verdant 900-rai expanse isn’t just a golfer’s paradise; it’s the focal point of a land dispute that would make even the most sedate golf enthusiasts raise an eyebrow. On a rather eventful Wednesday, the Department of Lands (DoL) clarified the swirling rumors regarding the club’s land title deeds. These title deeds, tied to the land housing both the golf club and a chic residential area, were reported to have been in peril of nullification. But contrary to media buzz, no legal hammer had fallen yet. Should the ownership be legally undone, the land would revert to monastic ownership, raising visions of compensation for all parties involved, including those nestled comfortably in the housing complex. Well, at least something to putt over while sipping…