In a dazzling recognition of its commitment to sustainable travel, Thailand has emerged victorious with six prestigious honors from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in 2025. Yesterday, on July 21, Sasikarn Watthanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, excitedly announced that the kingdom’s grassroots tourism projects are now prominently highlighted on the regional map for eco-conscious tourism. This triumph is attributed to the unwavering efforts of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) alongside its community network partners in elevating Thailand’s local experiences to a global audience. The beacon of this celebration is the Ban Na Ton Chan Homestay Community Enterprise, which achieved the distinction of being Thailand’s inaugural recipient of the PATA Grand Award. This exemplary project is celebrated for its dedication to preserving traditional culture while simultaneously offering immersive homestay experiences that prioritize sustainability. The initiative has not only opened a window to authentic village life but has also…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In an astonishing turn of events, Police Region 3 has managed to apprehend a notorious drug dealer in the bustling Hathairat neighborhood. The streets of Min Buri, Bangkok, were abuzz with the news as law enforcement officials nabbed the infamous Tiwa, also notorious by his alias, Por Hua Benz. The arrest unfolded on July 21, under the determined direction of Police Major General Siam Boonsom, alongside his team of senior officers. The drama unfolded on Hathairat Soi 25, a seemingly ordinary street that now stands as the backdrop to a remarkable piece of police work. Tiwa’s saga is one filled with perilous detours and dubious deeds. He has been involved in drug use and distribution for over a decade, a claim confirmed by his own parents, Prasong and Anongnat. Despite numerous arrests and multiple stints behind bars, ranging from one and a half to three years, his nefarious pursuits seemed…
On the picturesque yet tension-ridden Thai-Cambodian border lies the ancient and revered Ta Muen Thom Temple, a place steeped in history and awe. Yet, beneath its tranquil facade, a simmering powder keg threatens to ignite, and the commander of Thailand’s 2nd Army Region, Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, is wielding a stern ultimatum aimed at preserving the peace. “You’re welcome here, but play by the rules,” booms Boonsin, echoing a sentiment that would make any misbehaving tourist think twice before crossing a line. Trouble at this sacred site will not be entertained; disrupt the peace, and the temple doors shall slam shut for an entire week. The infallible mandate comes as a beacon amidst the swirling tension, with Boonsin resolute—his grips on diplomacy as firm as the trails long walked by history’s pilgrims. The Thai-Cambodian Zen has seen its fair share of bumps recently. Enter the trumpets of crowd control units…
In a quiet corner of Thailand’s Ban Pong district, a mystery unravelled that has left an entire community on edge, tongues wagging, and every amateur detective within earshot itching to crack the case. Picture it: a small, tight-knit community rocked by the grim discovery of a beloved member, 53-year-old Sriprai, dead under mysterious circumstances on July 17. The person who found her? None other than her caretaker, 64-year-old Nittaya, whose internet search history would make even the most seasoned mystery novel reader raise an eyebrow. Imagine Nittaya’s shock—or perhaps feigned surprise—when she discovered Sriprai lifeless at home. Undeterred, she did what any caretaker might do: she raised the alarm among Sriprai’s neighbors and family. However, it wasn’t long before this scenario took on a distinctly sinister tone. Money was the crux of the ensuing scandal; 7,500 baht that should have been nestled in Sriprai’s pocket had disappeared mysteriously. Nittaya asserts…
In an intriguing twist of events, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Chaeng Watthana Road found itself at the center of a storm brewing over hefty corruption allegations involving workers from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. Unveiling the layers of this drama, Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, head of the Anti-Corruption Network Foundation, alongside Yoswarit Chooklom, better known by his intriguing alias, Jeng Dokjik, made a formal presentation to Major Yutthana Praedam, the DSI’s Director General. Receiving this complaint with a ceremonious nod was the distinguished Arunsee Wichawut, head of the Special Case Management Division. Mongkolkit, never one to hold back, revealed a prior employer’s complaint which sparked an exclusive investigation targeting the Cambodian registries. Quite the tantalizing mystery! The plot thickened back on September 24 of last year, when a Cabinet resolution extended the stay of foreign workers in Thailand until February 13, a deadline that stretched like a well-waxed elastic band…
In a dramatic twist of fate, a serene evening drive turned into a heart-thumping tale of survival on the Don Sin Non-Laem Pradu Road in the tranquil Laem Pradu subdistrict of Ban Pho district, Chachoengsao province. As the clock ticked perilously close to 9:30 pm on July 21st, a grey Nissan sedan met an unfortunate fate, colliding with a stark concrete barrier that loomed like an unyielding sentinel. The aftermath was a scene of chaos, with two occupants clinging to life amidst the twisted metal. Amidst the ensuing panic, it was Police Captain Somsak Srinrong’s call to action that galvanized the rescue efforts. As the dedicated deputy inspector of the Baan Pho Police Station, Capt. Srinrong swiftly organized a rescue operation, working hand in hand with the diligent emergency team from Baan Pho hospital and the quick-response unit from the Chachoengsao rescue team. Upon arrival, rescuers were met with the…
The vibrant city of Bangkok is set to revolutionize its public transport system, and it’s going green! From August 1 onwards, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is turning eco-friendly transportation up a notch by launching five brand-new electric shuttle routes. This grand move comes as part of the BMA Feeder initiative, aiming to ease the daily grind of traffic congestion, purify the capital’s air, and seamlessly connect commuters to the bustling city’s rail network. According to the tireless BMA spokesperson, Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, this fresh wave of expansion marks a pivotal leap in enhancing the city’s first- and last-mile connectivity, vital for the convenience of Bangkok’s residents. The program put its first footprint forward back in December 2024 with two initial pilot routes, navigating daily between Wat Purawas and Phra Phuttha Yodfa Bridge, and the lively Thonburi Market to MRT Lak Song. Now, with five additional routes, the network will snake…
Thailand’s idyllic southern beaches, renowned for their pristine shores and turquoise waters, were shrouded in tragedy over the weekend as unforgiving weather conditions claimed the lives of two Chinese tourists in separate, heart-wrenching incidents in Phuket and Krabi. What began as a relaxing escape to paradise ended in despair for 53-year-old Wang Yang on Sunday, July 20, after a dramatic thunderstorm unleashed chaos upon Koh Hey Beach in Phuket. With shadows cast by threatening clouds, late afternoon brought calamity as a massive tree branch, heavy with rain, succumbed to gravity during the tempest. Wang, unwinding under its supposed shelter with her husband and a tour group, was met with a grim fate when the branch unexpectedly crashed down upon her. The clock struck 5:30 PM in a scene that would forever alter her husband’s world. Locals propelled into action, rushing Wang and her husband to the nearest hospital as the…
In an unexpected turn of events, a dramatic story unfolded as Welsh holidaymaker Ashton Jones found himself teetering on the brink of life in a Thai hospital. Jones, a 29-year-old from Cwmbran, launched his tai-adventures with a buddy in the vibrant city of Bangkok on May 30, planning what was supposed to be an unforgettable lads’ trip. Yet within just five days, this exciting voyage took a harrowing detour. News reached his family with heart-stopping intensity: Ashton had disappeared. As panic gripped his loved ones, a whirlwind of searching and hand-wringing ensued, culminating in his discovery at Chon Buri Hospital. There, this young wanderer had already undergone critical brain surgery to save his life. Even now, the Thai authorities are diligently piecing together the events that led to his precarious condition. The tale took a grim twist as the realization dawned—that Ashton did not have travel insurance, and the medical…
Odd adventures are no stranger to Grab motorcycle riders, but one Phuket-based rider had a particularly baffling encounter that has captured the online community’s imagination. Just yesterday, on July 21, the rider shared his peculiar story with the Phuket Times, accompanied by a video that’s already making waves. This motorized tale began with a routine ride from Rawai to Patong—only, this wasn’t your typical passenger. Upon reaching her destination, the female passenger suddenly seemed to morph into an Olympic sprinter, dashing into the annals of ride-share folklore! It all started innocuously enough. Our intrepid Grab rider picked up his fare in Rawai, zooming through the picturesque streets of Phuket towards Patong. Once they arrived, however, things took an unexpected turn. The passenger had previously claimed that her banking app was playing the old digital trick of “insufficient funds” and promised to pay the fare in old-fashioned cash instead. Assuring the…