Posts published in “Thailand”

Perched amid the serene yet haunting landscapes of the Nakhon Si Thammarat province lies a quaint district known as Chian Yai. It’s a delightful mosaic of verdant fields and charming stilted homes that echo the gentle cadence of rural Thailand. However, one particular house in this peaceful hamlet has recently been thrust into the harsh glare of notoriety, casting long shadows over its placid precincts. The house of tragedy, as it stands now, was on the quiet morning of a promising Wednesday, rudely interrupted by a heinous act that seems to defy logic and humanity. It was circa 10:30 AM when a distressed neighbor’s call pierced through the usual tranquility, summoning the local police and a dedicated team from the Po Tek Tung Foundation to the somber scene. The accused, an unassuming man named An Uimon, appeared a stoic figure of despair, his age having brushed past five decades. As…

Meet Chadchart Sittipunt, affectionately known as ‘Trip’—a man who has risen through the ranks to become one of Bangkok’s most recognizable figures. Born on May 24, 1966, in the bustling heart of Bangkok, Chadchart is no ordinary leader. He carries the impressive title of Governor of Bangkok, a role he assumed with vigour in 2022. Since taking office, he has gained admiration for resolving an impressive 700,000 out of 860,000 grievances submitted via the city’s digital complaint platform, Traffy Fondue. With the community at the heart of his governance, social media lovingly dubs him “the strongest man on Earth.” The Engineer’s Path: Bridging Knowledge and Innovation Chadchart’s foundation in education is akin to a masterclass in connecting the dots. In his own words, “Life is like connecting the dots. The more dots you have—more knowledge, more experience—the better you can connect them to shape your future.” And, oh, does he…

In the vibrant heart of Songkhla, a new beacon of hope is taking shape—literally. No, it’s not another culinary phenomenon or a hidden gem spa, but rather a state-of-the-art, nine-story building that promises to transform healthcare in the region. Currently underway at the Songkhla Hospital in Muang District, this project is turning heads for reasons both inspiring and nail-biting. At the helm of this ambitious undertaking is a well-known figure in the world of large-scale construction: the same Chinese company that had the daunting task of building the now-infamous 30-story State Audit Office. Yes, the very one that crumbled like a house of cards during last Friday’s earthquake. Yet, despite its riskier-than-usual prestige, this company is also behind the much-talked-about new terminal at Narathiwat Airport—a project that’s been creeping along at a leisurely pace, to put it mildly. The new hospital facility, pegged to cost a cool 426.9 million baht,…

In an unexpected twist of events, the usually fastidious State Audit Office (SAO) found itself at the epicenter of uproar last Friday. The kerfuffle followed the audit office’s under-construction building succumbing to the seismic wrath of an earthquake in Myanmar. As dust settled, questions of accountability were raised faster than one could say “audit,” and amidst this turmoil was the circular issued by the ever-composed Auditor-General, Monthien Charoenpol. Monday dawned with an envelope of tension. Monthien, steering the ship as calmly as any captain confronting a storm, reached out through the SAO’s Line group chat, delivering words wrapped in both stern advisories and gentle reassurances. His message? “Take a deep breath. Hold hands firmly and step forward together.” It sounded like a page from a self-help book but was accompanied by a sense of sincere leadership in unprecedented times. The earthquake was labeled as the worst calamity the SAO had…

In the wake of the recent earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, 2025, reverberations were felt across borders, rattling Thailand and its bustling capital, Bangkok. Amidst the chaos, the Bangchak Group swiftly rose to the occasion, acknowledging the pressing needs of those caught in the turmoil. Just two days after the seismic event, Bangchak was already knee-deep in relief efforts by March 30. The Group embarked on a mission of mercy, providing much-needed support to rescue workers, courageous volunteers, and dedicated personnel at the heart of the crisis in Chatuchak District, where a building had toppled under the quake’s unforgiving grip. Fueling both bodies and spirits, Bangchak generously supplied Inthanin beverages to the dedicated individuals toiling tirelessly at the rescue site. Their commitment extended further with the distribution of fuel cards to a host of invaluable rescue organizations. Among the beneficiaries were the Gun Jom Palang Chuay Su Foundation, the…

In a remarkable display of humanity and solidarity, Bangkok has joined forces with Airbnb.org to offer free accommodation to individuals in distress following the recent earthquake in the bustling metropolis. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) shared the news via Facebook on March 31st, unveiling this heartwarming initiative aimed at supporting those unable to return home due to the calamity’s aftermath. This benevolent partnership provides a lifeline of temporary housing at no cost to the earthquake-affected population of Bangkok. It not only extends its helping hand to those whose homes now bear severe scars from the quake but also warmly welcomes the brave rescue personnel and volunteers steadfastly working in the field. Airbnb.org has committed to offering up to 2,000 nights of free shelter in collaboration with the BMA, a pledge that has already embraced over 200 individuals seeking refuge, thus lighting a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. The process…

In a compassionate gesture that speaks volumes of his empathy, King Charles III of England extended heartfelt condolences to the Thai nation following an overwhelming 7.7-magnitude earthquake that shook Myanmar and reverberated throughout the region on March 28th, 2025. The seismic event, with its epicenter pounding Myanmar’s Mandalay region, unleashed chaos far and wide, including in bustling Bangkok, leaving over 1,600 lives lost and countless others injured amid piles of rubble and debris. From the royal desks destined for His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, a poignant message reached out like a balm to soothe the shaken souls of the Thai people. “Your Majesty, my wife, and I were so deeply saddened to learn of the recent earthquake affecting Myanmar, Thailand, and other countries in the region,” penned the British monarch. The message resonated with the echoes of compassion, acknowledging the profound sorrow and suffering of the Kingdom of…

In an operation worthy of a cop drama, undercover police in Pattaya recently played a crucial role in dismantling an improbable e-cigarette racket involving three Chinese nationals. This brazen gang sold so-called “zombie e-cigarettes” via none other than the murky depths of the Telegram app. What made these e-cigarettes particularly notorious was their main ingredient, etomidate, a compound typically reserved for medical sedatives. Reports are buzzing with the news that these unscrupulous sellers were raking in a colossal sum — over 2 million baht daily! The nefarious operation came to light when law enforcement received a tip-off about the illicit trade, which kickstarted their plan to stop the sale. Thoroughly dedicated to catching these criminals, the officers posed as everyday customers. This astute decision led them straight into the underworld dealings of these e-cigarette mavericks, as they placed an order for a significant 1,000 millilitres of vape juice laced with…

In an unexpected turn of events, the Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC) announced a significant shift in the timeline for entrance exams meant for Matthayom 1 and 4, equivalent to Years 7 and 10 respectively, due to an unforeseen earthquake. Originally slotted to take place on April 5 for the 2025 academic session, these pivotal examinations faced the unavoidable brunt of Mother Nature, bringing everything to a screeching halt. Parents, educators, and students across Thailand’s expansive educational landscape were left holding their breath for the new dates. The suspense, however, won’t last too long. Sub Lieutenant Thanu Wongchinda, the esteemed Secretary General of OBEC, assured the populace that revised dates would be gracing our calendars within this week itself, allowing all admissions to smoothly wrap up before the academic adventures begin anew in May. But as the dust settles—not just figuratively, but quite literally, given the seismic activity, the…

Thailand’s media industry finds itself amidst a tempest of controversy as top-tier digital TV broadcasters have raised the alarm about the latest decision from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). This decision, they warn, could lead to widespread TV blackouts and possibly bring the nation’s digital television industry to its knees. The root of this turmoil began with the NBTC’s proposal to auction off the 3500 MHz frequency band, a spectrum currently utilized by satellite TV providers via the C Band, earmarked for telecommunications operators to bolster international mobile services. Analysts have voiced concerns that reallocating this spectrum could sever TV access for millions of Thai households nationwide. It’s a well-known fact that approximately 70% of Thai viewers still depend on satellite TV, with a significant 60% relying on the 3500 MHz C Band frequency alone. This dependency underlines the gravity of the situation and the degree of opposition…