Posts published in “Thailand”

In the ever-bustling Thai capital of Bangkok, a haze hangs over the city like an unwelcome blanket, forcing an extraordinary shutdown. This past Friday, over 350 schools drew their shutters as city officials grappled with a stubborn foe—air pollution. An air quality monitor, IQAir, ranked the city as the world’s seventh-most polluted metropolis, a dismal title that echoed across the skyscrapers and busy street markets. While air pollution is an unwelcome visitor that regularly plagues this Southeast Asian gem, it’s the worst shuttering of schools since the haze of 2020 wafted through. “The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has shut down 352 schools across 31 districts due to air quality concerns,” stated a message that circulated on the city’s official LINE group, resonating a chorus of concern. Just a day prior, more than 250 educational institutions had locked their doors owing to the thickening air, as government officials promoted remote work and…

In a gripping tale of international pursuit, two Chinese nationals found themselves in hot water when they were apprehended at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, trying to flee the consequences of a grave crime. Yau Shu-Ko Enoch and Shimeobi Chinedu Nelson, bearing accusations of committing a heinous murder in Hong Kong, discovered that escape would not be as easy as their plans dictated. The clock of destiny ticked for them on the evening of January 22, as quick-thinking Thai authorities laid a cunning trap at the airport. The incident, steeped in mystery and criminal intrigue, transpired around 5:30 am that fateful Wednesday. News of the crime set off alarm bells that soon reached the ears of Thailand’s Immigration Bureau. And as the saying goes, “In the world of law enforcement, one good alert deserves a swift crackdown.” That’s precisely what happened as Thailand’s vigilant officers sprang into action upon receiving an Interpol…

The quiet town of Nakhon Pathom recently found itself thrust into the spotlight after a thrilling raid orchestrated by the National Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED). This came hot on the heels of a significant wildlife operation in Nonthaburi, where two adorable yet pricey red pandas, valued in the millions of baht, were discovered. Police Colonel Arun Wachirasrisukanya, the dependable deputy commander, revealed yesterday that they had secured a court warrant to pull back the curtain on a suspicious property nestled in the Thap Luang subdistrict of the Mueang district. This unfolding drama began when the cuddly red pandas were found loitering comfortably on another of Suphawat Weerawongwiwat’s properties in Nonthaburi. Paralleling the excitement of a detective novel, this led investigators to the Nakhon Pathom location, where, lo and behold, the team stumbled upon a veritable treasure trove of nearly 100 rare cockatoos and macaws, much to the…

As Thailand finds itself on the brink of a chilly weather phenomenon, the air is buzzing with a blend of anticipation and preparation for what promises to be a uniquely crisp end to January. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), entrusted with the critical role of weather intervention, has raised its initial flags about a substantial cold snap set to envelop the northern expanse of this land of smiles. The prophecy extends a shivering reach from January 26 to 28, as a stern air mass nudges in from China, delivering a distinctive cold shoulder to upper Thailand and its regional reaches. In the northeastern cradle of this enchanting nation, the whispers of a temperature dip weave tales of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius lower reads, while the northern, central, eastern, and Bangkok areas brace for a shiver-induced slide of 2 to 4 degrees. While the chill is sure to make its…

Ah, Bangkok, the ‘City of Angels.’ Known for its vibrant culture, stunning temples, delicious street food, and unfortunately, a befuddling mix of fragrant incense and stinging pollution. Our beloved metropolis has recently made headlines, but not for the reasons we’d hope. On a recent clear-sky morning—if one can call it that—Bangkok’s iconic skyline was dramatically veiled in a thick, almost theatrical layer of smog. Picture this: a panoramic view from the heights of the majestic Golden Mount rendered almost hauntingly mysterious as buildings play a game of “hide and seek” with the eye. That’s right, the hazy cloak has earned Bangkok a rather dubious distinction. As of this Friday, January 24th, 2025, Bangkok is strutting its air quality stuff as the fourth worst city in the world. This inglorious rank comes courtesy of the latest report from the keen-eyed folks at Swiss-based IQAir. Just this Friday morning, as caffeine seekers…

In a surprising tale highlighting the perils of digital connections, Thanathat Sisarikorn, a 32-year-old Thai man with a disability, recently found himself bereft of his cherished motorcycle, courtesy of an acquaintance forged through Facebook. This theft unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Monday in the Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province, not far from the bustling metropolis of Bangkok. The event prompted Thanathat to share his story on social media, hoping for the sympathy and support of netizens and perhaps to bring a swift return of his much-needed mode of transport. Thanathat’s journey into this unexpected misadventure began at the dawn of January when he crossed digital paths with a woman named Jee. Their online chatter seemed innocuous and perhaps even promising. However, with a twist more befitting of a television drama, Jee soon distanced herself from Thanathat, diverting her affections to another man, leaving our protagonist in the proverbial dust.…

In an operation that unfolded like a high-stakes crime drama, officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau stormed a luxury condominium in Bangkok’s cosy Thon Buri neighbourhood on a sunny Tuesday, January 21. Their mission? To capture a slippery Thai couple reportedly at the centre of a burgeoning narcotic epidemic, under the unsuspecting guise of “Pod K.” Pod K, at first glance, appears as innocuous as your average e-cigarette, but don’t let looks deceive you. This crafty contraption conceals e-liquids laced with ketamine, a cocktail that has quickly seduced Thai teenagers with its illegal allure and easy availability. It’s not surprising that in a place where ordinary e-cigarettes have paved the way, something as insidious as Pod K would find fertile ground. Authorities, with their gaze fixed on reining in the chaos, launched an undercover sting aimed squarely at halting its spread. The story truly took flight after clouded complaints cascaded…

In a whirlwind of excitement, innovation, and legal intrigue, the Jagat coin app saga rolls on like an electrifying blockbuster unfolding across Southeast Asia. With a storyline as engaging as any thriller, what started as a seemingly innocent treasure-hunting game app has ballooned into a tale filled with legal battles, privacy concerns, and even international front-page stories. Picture this: the pulsating heart of Thailand’s tech scene gets jolted with the novel allure of Jagat Coin. Designed by enthusiastic minds, Barry Beagen and Loy Xing Zhe, this app operates with a fascinating parallel to cultural phenomena like Pokémon Go. It invites users on a quest to discover hidden virtual treasures scattered across urban landscapes and rural idylls, exchangeable for real-world currency—a concept as lucrative to eager players as it is contentious to legal authorities. Amidst the frenzy, Thailand’s cyber sleuths—the robust Cyber Crime Division—have turned their magnifying glasses toward this digital…

Amidst the vibrant bustle of Patong’s nightlife, an unexpected event unfolded on the evening of January 21, 2025. A 20-year-old British man found himself in the clutches of the law, as Patong Police intensified their efforts against drug-related offenses in Phuket’s renowned tourist hotspots. An arrest that would become the talk of the town took place near the iconic Yona Pier on Thawewong Road, fondly known as the Beach Road, at approximately 10:45 PM. The young man, whose identity remains shrouded in mystery, was apprehended with cocaine—a substance classified as a Category 2 narcotic in Thailand. The lack of a proper authorization for possessing such an illicit drug only cemented the serious nature of his predicament. Despite the gravity of the situation, the police remained tight-lipped, offering no details about the arrest’s specific circumstances, leaving the community curious and whispering with intrigue. In recent months, Patong Police have redoubled their…

In a shocking and heart-wrenching incident from the serene yet bustling province of Samut Prakan, located near the vibrant metropolis of Bangkok, a young life was tragically lost. A Burmese man stands accused of a heinous crime: the cold-blooded murder of a nine-year-old Thai boy named Tharam. This senseless act unfurled with unimaginable cruelty after brave Tharam resisted the man’s attempts to assault him. Amidst the usually quiet community of the Phra Samut Chedi district, the boy’s family was plunged into despair when he failed to return home one fateful afternoon on January 22. Tharam’s innocent declaration of going to a nearby convenience store would be the beginning of a gut-wrenching nightmare for his family. A social media campaign was soon launched by his desperate relatives, as they cast out pleas for his safe return across the digital sphere. The family’s suspicions quickly turned towards a familiar face: a Burmese…