Posts published in “Thailand”

In a vibrant celebration of love and progress, the scenic island of Phuket became the epicenter of a groundbreaking event yesterday, January 23, that marked a monumental advance in the pursuit of marriage equality in Thailand. This memorable day was part of the ambitious nationwide initiative, DOPA-Day One: Beating the Gong to Win All Love, and unfolded at the bustling Bay Arena, nestled within the lively precincts of the Jungceylon shopping mall in Patong. Dignitaries, sparkling smiles, and a sense of triumph filled the arena, as 24 radiant couples stepped into the spotlight to register their unions. Among these lovebirds were seven dashing male pairs and 14 stunning female counterparts, all draped in joy and echoed by affection. The Kathu District Registration Office orchestrated this pioneering event, ushering in a new era of equality not only in Phuket but also across the entire nation. The venue, meticulously adorned to perfection,…

Picture this: the bustling streets of Bangkok, normally teeming with the incessant buzz of cars and motorbikes, are about to get a little less chaotic, thanks to a generous initiative from the Thai government. Yes, dear readers, pack away those car keys and grab your BTS and MRT cards, because starting from January 25, the city is offering free rides on the BTS, MRT, and BMTA buses for a whole week! This daring move is all part of the government’s grand plan to tackle the notorious smog clinging to the capital like a bad habit. This innovative initiative was announced by none other than Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit. At the forefront of this clean air crusade, he proclaimed, “From January 25 to 31, people can ride the electric trains and buses for free as part of our efforts to combat the city’s smog.” Spearheaded by…

In the heart of Kanchanaburi province, renowned for its rugged forests and untamed wilderness, an extraordinary tale of survival unfolded that would leave even the most seasoned adventurers wide-eyed with wonder. It’s a story that seems torn from the pages of a gripping action novel—featuring not only the sheer exertion of man versus nature but a spirit unyielding and resilient in the face of daunting odds. Meet Jao, a 30-year-old Thai cassava farmer with a daring propensity for risk. On January 16, Jao casually informed his family of his routine trek to inspect his plantation. Nestled beyond the dense forestry that encircled their village in Ban Matang Soo, located in Sai Yok district, his patch of earth was both a livelihood and a labor of love. Only this trip was destined to take an unexpected, life-altering turn. Little did his family know, Jao’s venture into the wilderness would spark an…

In a captivating twist of international intrigue, two men on the radar of law enforcement for their alleged involvement in a murder case in Hong Kong found themselves in the unexpected limelight at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The dramatic arrest of Enoch Yau Shu-Ko and Shimeobi Chinedu Nelson marked a compelling chapter in a transnational chase that culminated in a face-off at Thailand’s bustling gateway on a seemingly ordinary Wednesday. It all began when Interpol’s vigilant networks alerted the Immigration Bureau of Thailand about the impending arrival of these individuals, whose names were, by then, reverberating through international police channels. Enter Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimphadee, the astute commander of Immigration Bureau 2, who made sure that the landing strip at Suvarnabhumi did not offer the solace Enoch and Shimeobi hoped to find. As the clock hands inched towards 6:40 PM, the air at the airport was thick with anticipation. The two…

In the bustling cityscape of Bangkok, where soaring skyscrapers meet age-old lanes, an intriguing chapter unfolded worthy of any crime thriller. Imagine this: a seemingly routine day at the Phra Khanong district office was turned upside down by an unexpected turn of events involving a civil engineer, an alleged bribe, and the bold detective work of an anti-corruption squad. This isn’t a plot ripped from a Hollywood script, but a real-life drama starring Panya, a 31-year-old engineer who found himself at the wrong end of the law. It all began with whispers and shadows, when a disgruntled builder found himself cornered by a substantial ‘fee’ demand. The requested 420,000 baht upfront was supposedly the magic elixir for a smooth-sailing construction permit for a community mall. This project was set to brighten the Phra Khanong landscape and enrich its community life. However, the demand for the infamous ‘tea money’ started raising…

In a heart-wrenching turn of events that tugged at the city’s collective heartstrings, government agencies swiftly stepped up to lend a lifeline of compensation to the family of a delivery rider who met a tragic fate amid a road rage debacle in the hustling heart of Bangkok last week. The Social Development and Human Security Minister, Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, shared his deep condolences for the bereaved family of 49-year-old Ritthisak Prakuptanont, whose promising life was abruptly ended in a terrifying encounter on Tuesday. The details weave a bleak tapestry: the alleged perpetrator, Seree Srettheenamwong, a 31-year-old driver, found himself in the throes of fury, purportedly resulting in a reckless maneuver on the bustling Sukhumvit Road in the city’s vibrant Watthana district—a moment that sputtered with rage and resulted in tragedy. With his car, he reportedly collided with Ritthisak’s motorcycle in a dramatic, irreversible instant. Emergency response teams arrived with sirens…

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…