This week, an audacious yet meticulously orchestrated scam sweeping through the streets of Thailand, right from the vibrant chaos of Bangkok to the serene provinces, came crashing down. The Royal Thai Police have untangled a sprawling web of deception, snaring ten suspects suspected of miring billions of baht in a Thai-Chinese investment debacle. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), blowing the lid off on February 18, announced the arrests, a motley crew now facing the ramifications of their devious acts. In their custody, under high scrutiny, are six Thai nationals—four women and two men—beside four Chinese men. This impressive dragnet was cast across Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram in a fevered sweep that spanned over days. The suspects include 27-year-old Atchara, 44-year-old Porntip, 31-year-old Nopawit, 21-year-old Chonlathee, 26-year-old Pantharee, and 39-year-old Supawadee, as well as Chinese nationals: 35-year-old Gao,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a spirited response to mounting criticism, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has stepped forward to counter the People’s Party’s (PP) allegations against the Social Security Office’s (SSO) spending habits. Painting a vivid picture of the oversight landscape, Phiphat aimed to dispel the notion that the management of the Social Security Fund (SSF) is a carefree expenditure bash. He underscored the fact that the Social Security Board, which steers the financial ship, is elected rather than appointed, hinting at a democratic backbone to its operations. The minister’s pointed comments were a direct response to Rakchanok Srinok, a feisty PP MP for Bangkok, who had taken to her social media platform over the weekend to voice concerns about the SSO’s financial prudence. Her accusations revolved around alleged lavish spending on overseas travel, training escapades, and glossy public relations campaigns. But hold your horses, Phiphat declared! There’s more to the story, and it’s…
In the early hours of February 18, while most of the world was sound asleep, a treacherous road mishap unfolded on Highway 24’s Chok Chai-Det Udom stretch in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Chok Chai district, painting a scene that could rival a disaster movie. Armed with the resolve of action heroes, local police and emergency responders raced to the rescue, after the unlucky intercity bus faced an unfortunate dance with fate. Picture this: a passenger-laden bus attempting a routine journey from Ubon Ratchathani to Pattaya and Rayong met with an impromptu, unplanned detour, courtesy of slippery, rain-kissed roads. A trailer, a lamppost, and one nervous driver later, the bus found itself toppled onto its side, performing a regrettable pirouette into a roadside ditch just shy of a chicken processing plant. The time was 12:30 AM, marking an unholy hour for eighteen passengers who found their trip taking an unwelcome twist. The passengers,…
In the bustling city of Pathum Thani, a rather unsettling incident transpired, transpiring like a plot straight out of a dramatic thriller. The scene was set in the quiet but industrious Hathairat area of Lam Luk Ka, where a gas shop owner, known as Aem, found herself tangled in a web of deceit spun by a man with a penchant for masquerading law enforcement. The gripping tale began in December 2023, when Aem, a spirited 39-year-old, decided to purchase a second-hand motorcycle from what she thought was a legitimate Facebook seller. She paid a modest sum of 8,000 baht for her new ride. But as fate would have it, misfortune came knocking just two days later. Her shiny two-wheeler vanished into thin air, pilfered by a newly hired employee who disappeared as swiftly as he’d surfaced. Desperate to retrieve her stolen motorcycle, Aem reported the incident to the local police.…
In the sun-kissed region of Krabi, Thailand, tranquility reigned supreme—until it was rudely disrupted by an unusual and somewhat dramatic event. The gentle air of Village 4, within the Sai Thai subdistrict, was suddenly filled with echoes of chaos on the afternoon of February 17, 2025. This picturesque village, known for its serene environment, found itself thrust into an unexpected frenzy when a foreign resident began causing quite the stir. The protagonist of this fascinating saga is a 37-year-old German expat, who we’ll call ‘Hans’ to respect his privacy. A chemical engineer by profession, Hans had reportedly been dabbling in the world of psychedelics, crafting his own version of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Known for its powerful effects, DMT is a compound famed for inducing vivid hallucinations and mind-altering adventures. Since his experimental phase began a fortnight ago, Hans’s numerous encounters with the ethereal visions became his new reality. One might imagine…
In a tale of honesty that echoes far and wide beyond the borders of Saraburi, two remarkable high school students found themselves at the center of attention – not for the usual teenage antics, but for a gesture of integrity that should inspire all of us. It all started in the bustling market atmosphere of the Phetchthong Yaowarat gold shop, nestled snugly in front of the Saraburi Bus Terminal. The shop was alive with the hum of chatter and transactions, a typical busy day, when two students, Thiraporn “Baifern” Laophusing and Phornchanok “Beam” Phimsen, stepped inside. They were on a mission: to exchange a modest amount of 5,000 baht, meticulously gathered for their classroom fund. However, the day’s usual rhythms took a surprising turn due to a mix-up worthy of a sitcom plot. In the flurry of activity, the shop staff mistakenly handed over a staggering 32,000 baht – a…
The air is buzzing with anticipation as the esteemed Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone prepares to embark on a monumental journey to Thailand on Thursday, February 20. This historic visit signifies not only a strengthening of diplomatic and economic ties between these neighboring nations but a celebration of a remarkable 75 years of friendship and cooperation. With the current atmosphere rife with possibilities, this visit has the potential to unlock new doors for trade, connectivity, and collaboration. The warm invitation from Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra marks Sonexay’s inaugural official visit since stepping into office. This trip is more than a formality; it’s a golden opportunity for the duo to explore how to elevate their partnership to new heights. From bolstering trade routes to fostering people-to-people exchanges, the agenda is peppered with topics that aim to bring the two nations closer together like never before. As if the economic discussions…
In a heart-wrenching incident that shook the lush green paradise of Lamphun in northern Thailand, three men tragically lost their lives during what was meant to be an evening of camaraderie and light-hearted banter. As twilight settled across the serene landscape, casting long shadows over the railway tracks that snake through the area, the three friends — 62-year-old Paitune, 57-year-old Taweesak, and the septuagenarian Jamrat — along with their companions, gathered near the Ban Umong community. They were unaware that their evening would take a tragic turn that would render February 17 a date forever etched in sorrow. The group had initially assembled to hunt birds, with a plan to pass the time by sipping on the locally favored spirits, perhaps toasting to friendship and life’s many simple joys. The night, however, had other plans in store. As the gentle hum of their laughter mingled with the whispering wind, the…
In a curious and captivating story echoing across borders, an unusual spectacle unfolded at the stately Ta Muen Thom temple, nestled at the heart of the picturesque Thai-Cambodian frontier. This tale of neighborly discord centers around a rather melodious mix-up that occurred when a prominent Cambodian general found his harmonious gathering interrupted by the watchful eye of Thai soldiers. The incident sparked a lively encounter at this historic site. As captured on a widely circulated online video, the meeting at the temple’s southern terrace in Surin province’s Phanom Dong Rak district turned into an unexpected diplomatic duet. At the center of the video circulating the digital realm was a venerable commander of the Cambodian soldiers, clad in an elegant white long-sleeved shirt. This gallant figure endeavored to bridge the language gap, conversing in both Thai and Khmer as he tried to break the tension with wit and intimidation. Unfortunately, it…
In a worrying surge, health officials in Chaiyaphum have raised the red flag as influenza type A cases have zoomed past the 1,000 mark. Alarmingly, over 500 of these infections are clustered within the Mueang district’s provincial male prison. Dr. Suppapong Chaimongkol, who helms preventive medicine at the Chaiyaphum Public Health Office, has voiced concerns about children and inmates being the most severely impacted groups. In a bid to stem the tide, schools have taken the drastic step of suspending physical classes, opting instead for the virtual classroom approach. While, so far, no loss of life has been reported, the alarm bells continue to ring due to the highly infectious nature of the virus, which spreads with ease through airborne particles from coughs and sneezes, finding its way across distances of up to 2 meters. Dr. Suppapong strongly advises the community to don masks, engage in frequent hand washing, and…