Posts published in “Thailand”

Amid the postcard-perfect beaches and bustling tourist hubs of Thailand, a clandestine drama unfolded this week, turning the heat up on the sunlit charm of the region. The usually serene island of Phuket became the stage for an undercover operation as the Tourist Police launched a bold sweep against illicit tour guide activities. This captivating operation saw the arrest of two Russian nationals and left two tour companies facing hefty fines. The sting, executed on April 23, was no casual affair; it was led by none other than the formidable Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekkachai Siri, with a colorful cast of officers from diverse police units and the Southern Region 2 Tourist Business and Guide Registration Office as his entourage. Their plot? To unravel the secret thread of foreigners infiltrating Thailand’s tourism industry without legal sanction, all under the watchful gaze of the Tourist Business and Guide Act. In a scene…

In the heart of Ban Hin Ngon, Phetchabun province, the charming Wat Rat Pradit Wararam stands as a beacon of peace and fortune. Amidst whispers of blessings and celestial favors, locals and visitors alike converge at this serene sanctuary, drawn by the mysterious allure of Luang Pho Thanjai, the revered Buddha statue that has captured both hearts and imaginations. The Luang Pho Thanjai is not your ordinary Buddha statue. With its unique and delicate Burmese-style features, it boasts an artistic finesse that is hard to ignore. As visitors enter the temple, they are mesmerized by the statue’s vibrant blue eyelids, long black eyelashes, prettily pink lips, and shimmering golden robe. Crafted with painstaking attention to detail, the statue has a width of about 2.5 meters, and sits regally within an ornate vihara, exuding a feminine grace that is both calming and captivating. Stepping into the temple grounds is like wandering…

In the latest episode of an ongoing saga, the collapse of Thailand’s State Audit Office (SAO) building has taken a dramatic twist, unveiling yet another failure linked to Xin Ke Yuan Steel, a Chinese manufacturer already under scrutiny. On April 23, 2025, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan confirmed the troubling news. This fresh revelation follows extensive testing by the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand (ISIT), casting a long shadow over the use of substandard materials in crucial infrastructure projects. The scandal dances around the infamous SD40T 20-millimeter steel bar, which was put to the test after being salvaged from the rubble of the collapsed building on April 11. Unfortunately, it miserably failed the mass-per-meter standard test, echoing earlier dismal results. This particular steel product was cast with induction furnace (IF) technology—a method that has carried a rather unsavory reputation for its fluctuating quality, akin to a game of chance. The…

In a scene that could have been straight out of a reality show fraught with danger and drama, a Thai motorcyclist managed to turn an ordinary morning commute into a veritable cliffhanger. Trekking through the busy streets of Bangkok, this daredevil duo didn’t anticipate their jaunt would escalate to an adrenaline-pumping near miss. An unsuspecting railway crossing became the stage for this twist in the tale on April 22, right before the eyes of a jaw-dropped onlooker ready with a smartphone. Peet Love, a Facebook user, encountered the catastrophe in real time and promptly documented it on social media. His video showcased the nail-biting moments when the bikers’ bold disregard for the descending railway barrier nearly had devastating consequences. In stark contrast to another cautious biker who waited safely on the side, our lead man-of-action chose a perilous path. Leaning boldly forward to avoid a head-on encounter with the barrier—successfully,…

In the cozy yet bustling neighborhood of Soi Bang Sri Mueang 1/19, an unusual tale of intrigue and bewilderment has unfolded, becoming the talk of the town. Picture this: undergarments swinging gently in the night breeze, innocently hung out to dry. Yet, lurking in the shadowy stillness was a thief with a penchant not for valuables or electronics, but for the humble garments hanging on a clothesline. The cap-clad intruder has been caught on camera, twice now, sneaking into the quiet homestead at the ungodly hour of 1:50 am. The thief courteously left underpants behind, focusing only on the bras, a peculiar collection, indeed. The nefarious act was recorded and subsequently displayed across social media, courtesy of a local Facebook page eager to broadcast unusual news happenings. Enter stage left, our protagonist, a 50-year-old housekeeper named Jaroon, who shared her frustrations and misfortunes with a keen journalist visiting her home…

In what can be described as an astonishing twist on a weekday flight from Bangkok, Indian Customs officials at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport recently unearthed an eye-popping 20 crores worth of high-grade hydroponic weed. This discovery didn’t just unfold over a single case — it spanned across three nerve-racking encounters, each more elaborate than the last. The meticulous masterminds of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) stood ready, fueled by precise intelligence that led them first to an unsuspecting couple who appeared just like any other tourists off a tropical getaway. Enter Mohammed Bilakhiya, age 40, and his equally unassuming wife, Afreen. They sauntered off their Bangkok flight, perhaps dreaming of sambhar or samosas, when the Customs officers pounced. Their luggage, which one might’ve fancied contained holiday trinkets, was loaded instead with an eyebrow-raising 11.8 kilograms of a verdant substance — later identified as the highly-coveted hydroponic marijuana. This…

Thailand, known for its vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes, has just redefined luxury travel with a maritime masterpiece that’s turning heads across the globe. Buckle up, or rather, anchor down as we dive into the fresh waves of Thailand’s cruising adventure! The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has embarked on a spectacular journey by partnering with StarDream Cruises, welcoming for the first time ever, the splendid Star Voyager to Thai shores. This isn’t just a cruise; it’s a floating sanctuary of elegance, promising to elevate Thailand’s cruise tourism to unprecedented heights. Picture this: the Star Voyager, a majestic vessel with a capacity to host nearly 1,940 guests, set sail from Laem Chabang Port on April 22. The ship promises a luxurious itinerary, charting a scenic course from Laem Chabang to the idyllic Koh Samui, and then onward to the vibrant cityscape of Singapore, before finally looping back to its starting…

Thailand’s labor landscape is moving in an exciting new direction, with Jobsdb by SEEK, the nation’s premier job platform, at its helm. In a bold move forward, they’re redefining the way the Silver Age workforce—individuals aged 55 and above—integrates into a world now heavily influenced by AI technology. As the clock ticked past April 23 of this year, this group comprised a staggering over 13 million people, which is about 20% of the entire Thai workforce. As projections stand, Thailand will mature into a “super-aged” society by the dawn of 2030, expecting over a quarter of its populace to be above the age of 65. Many within this vibrant Silver Age demographic are itching for a comeback into the workforce. Their reasons span across seeking financial stability to simply wanting to keep their minds active or passing down the wisdom of years gone by. However, in today’s rapidly evolving job…

In a plot that reads more like a suspenseful whodunnit than real life, the saga surrounding the 2023 Chulalongkorn University exam paper leak continues to unfold. At the heart of this dramatic tale is Kanittha Lertbanjerdwong, whose alleged involvement in the scandal has gripped Thailand’s public consciousness. A seemingly innocuous phone, seized during an ambitious clampdown on an online gambling network, sparked this investigation, unraveling a sequence of events with more twists and turns than a detective novel. Tasked with navigating these murky waters, Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) has been as diligent as they are determined. Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Dipho, the stoic commissioner of the TCSD, was quick to underscore the impartial nature of their probing endeavors. He reassures that this search for truth remains unswayed by status or title, even as it treads perilously close to a former high-ranking officer within the realms of law enforcement.…

On the bustling Thursday streets of Surat Thani, Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri stood before a sea of eager reporters and local officials. She was there for more than just a photo op; she was there to discuss progress on the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC), a project set to reshape the very bones of Southern Thailand’s infrastructure. With the promise of better connectivity between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, the SEC is pegged as a monumental effort to bolster the region’s economic and transport links—and spirits were high as the minister laid out this grand vision. The gathering was a veritable who’s who of regional visionaries from Surat Thani, Ranong, Chumphon, and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces—each understanding the weight of this ambitious dream. “The South is a powerhouse waiting to surge,” Minister Manaporn emphasized. “If we align its tourism and economic potential with strategic infrastructure, the possibilities…