Posts published in “Thailand”

Ah, another election day has come and gone in the vibrant land of Thailand, where the choice of local leadership was on the ticker-tape in 47 bustling provinces. Picture this: the hallowed hallways of democracy were once again lined with residents, queuing up with quiet determination—perhaps with a hint of secret trepidation—to have their say in the provincial administrative organisation elections. Set in the heartwarming backdrop of Chaiyaphum province, a bold narrative unfolded, capturing the relentless pursuit of civic responsibility. Flash forward to a scandalous number, nearly a staggering two million ballots were cast into the sea of invalidity or daringly declared as “no votes.” On a crisp Monday, when the day of political reckoning loomed, the Office of the Election Commission laid bare the statistics; the math wasn’t the only thrilling part. Indeed, these figures hinted at a story that only the heartbeat of a diverse electorate could narrate.…

In a surprising twist in Thai politics, the People’s Party (PP) has notched a landmark victory, marking a new chapter in the political landscape of Lamphun. The spotlight shines on Weeradej Pupisit, the 39-year-old dynamic candidate who clinched the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) presidential seat by defeating Anusorn Wongwan, a seasoned veteran with four tenures under the ruling Pheu Thai Party. With elections held on February 1, this victory is a testament to the rising influence of the PP in a region where it presented 17 candidates across 47 provinces, yet only claimed triumph here in the north. Born and raised in Lamphun, Weeradej’s journey from academia to politics is quite compelling. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the esteemed Chiang Mai University, his career in the political realm sprouted during the heydays of the Future Forward Party (FFP), the precursor to what eventually emerged as the People’s…

Many dream of Thailand’s sun-drenched beaches and vibrant cities, but for Andrew Hopkins, a British holidaymaker, this idyllic vision quickly turned into a turbulent ordeal, far removed from paradise. His journey began with the simple allure of a quiet retreat, yet spiraled into an unimaginable series of events—an unsettling reminder that the Land of Smiles can swiftly become a land of lessons. And it all unfolded under the neon lights of Pattaya—a bustling city known for its nightlife and tropical allure. Andrew, a 55-year-old Englishman, started his adventure with an innocuous evening stroll from his Airbnb. Little did he know, this quiet walk would lead him into chaos. On that fateful night, his unintentional misstep caused him to bump into a neighbor’s entrance sign—a trifling event, one might think. However, for Andrew, it was the ignition of a series of unfortunate events. “At 21st 8lbs (137 kilos), it’s no surprise…

In a twist of events that seemed ripped from the pages of a thriller novel, a Thai man, beset with emotional turmoil, unleashed havoc on a hospital in Ubon Ratchathani Province, located in the northeastern Isaan region of Thailand. The incident involved a fire ignited on January 31, and the sinister tale has since sent ripples of shock through the community and beyond. Our protagonist, or rather, the central figure of the chaos, is a 40-year-old man named Pibun Rachathammasakun. His tumultuous journey began six years prior when he became entangled in an elaborate real estate scam, resulting in a loss of 3 million baht—a staggering sum that would haunt him in the years to come. Fast forward to a fateful Friday afternoon, Pibun channeled his inner pyro, setting the flame that would eventually consume the third floor of Det Udom Royal Crown Prince Hospital. The blaze would leave a…

The ever-changing weather in Thailand continues to be quite the conversation starter. Today, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) puts us in the midst of an icy embrace with their latest forecast. A gusty and chilly weather warning has been declared, all thanks to a fresh wave of cold air swooping down from China. Picture this: biting winds sweeping across the landscape, as a cold front first reaches northern Vietnam, then gracefully spreads its influence over upper northeastern Thailand on this fateful February 3rd. The forewarning is real, folks. As the cold air sweeps in, expect the northeastern regions to be nudged first with a temperature tumble and some mighty breezy conditions. Not far behind, the northern areas will join the trend the very next day, as the temperature chart takes a thrilling nosedive! The north and the northeast are expected to get a genuine taste of cool to cold weather…

The serene landscapes of Huai Rangka turned chaotic as a fierce forest fire broke out in Phetchabun province, laying waste to approximately 180 rai of lush green wilderness on February 2. The crackling blaze, blistering and unforgiving, is suspected to have been ignited by individuals hunting or gathering within the forest’s confines — a perilous endeavor with embers as the unintended consequence. In tandem with nature’s fury, human negligence or malice seemed to be at play, as plenty of sugarcane fields along the roadsides erupted into flames on the same day. The culprits behind these incendiary incidents were apprehended by the vigilant police force, reflecting the swift justice served on those dabbling in fireplay. Ronnarat Sirimakorn, the astute head of Thad Mok National Park, revealed that a vigilant monitor had detected hotspot alerts emanating from the depths of Huai Rangka forest, nestled in the Mueang Phetchabun district. Without losing a…

In yet another whirlwind day of chaos in the ever-eventful city of Pattaya, an attempt to broker peace between two feuding groups took a rollicking twist that left vehicles worse for the wear and bullets flying in the air. Let’s dive into the pandemonium that unfolded on February 2, 2025, as our drama commenced at the stroke of 9 am. The spotlight falls on 24-year-old Aniwat, who carries the intriguing moniker “Nick” in the murky realms of Pattaya’s streets. Police swooped in on Aniwat at his home, and it wasn’t for his morning cup of coffee; it was for his alleged involvement in a tense standoff-turned-fiery seen at brawl. The charge? Reports suggest that Aniwat famously let loose a firearm during the heated tête-à-tête, an act that left surrounding vehicles lamenting their unsuspecting involvement in the feud. But wait! There’s a plot twist. According to Aniwat, the so-called weapon of…

In what could easily be the plot of a Spaghetti Western, the seemingly quiet streets of Pattaya, Thailand transformed into a fierce battlefield last night. Two families, entrenched in a bitter feud, clashed in an explosively dangerous gunfight, leaving several wounded. The tumultuous incident painted the tranquil railway roadside near Soi Siam Country Club with chaos, situated on the inbound path towards Sattahip in the Bang Lamung district. Just past the stroke of 10.06pm on February 2, a blaring alarm pulled Lieutenant Colonel Jirasak Aepfaeng out of his nightly routine at Nongprue Police Station. Accompanied by the steadfast Police Colonel Tawi Kutthaeng, a team of detectives, rescue warriors from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan, and a swarm of local reporters, they raced to the epicenter of chaos. The scene? Utter pandemonium with a touch of the surreal—a cinematic vista of distressing proportions. As emergency services arrived, they were met by the aftermath…

The Royal Thai Police is embarking on a groundbreaking mission to thwart foreign nationals from getting sucked into the vortex of notorious call centre scams operating from Myanmar. Leading this ambitious venture is Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, whose sights are set on Mae Sot, a vital gateway for many seeking quick profits beyond the border in Myawaddy, Myanmar. The top cop’s blueprint involves setting up a cutting-edge international coordination centre that will work hand in glove with embassies across the globe to nip scam recruitment in the bud. The initiative’s launch was marked by a high-profile meeting chaired by Pol. Gen. Thatchai, where representatives from 16 nations and agencies like the UN Office on Drugs and Crime converged to brainstorm strategies. Countries stretching from Sri Lanka to the United States, and as diverse as Tanzania to China, were in attendance. Stealing the spotlight was UNODC’s very own Masood Karimipour, whose…

In an audacious act that could have been drawn straight from a heist movie, the vibrant cannabis shop known as Budbox Pattaya, prominently located in front of the JA Plus Hotel on Soi Chalermprakiat 3, transformed into the scene of a thrilling daytime drama. On the morning of February 2, a foreign bandit with nerves of steel shattered the serene air of the closed establishment by smashing through its glass doors. This brazen burglar seized goods worth approximately 10,000 baht. While the break-in occurred at around 11 a.m., it wasn’t until the following day that 35-year-old shop proprietor Atipon Na Ruek leveraged the power of modern technology. He submitted CCTV footage, crystal clear and revealing, to the authorities. And here’s the twist—the thief was no stranger but a frequent visitor of this cannabis sanctuary! His familiarity with every nook and cranny of Budbox was instrumental in his swift execution of…