The bustling streets of Bangkok have undergone quite the transformation, thanks to an intense six-month crackdown spearheaded by the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP). Imagine a wild treasure hunt, except instead of gold and jewels, the bounty consists of counterfeit goods: handbags claiming to be designer labels, cosmetics promising eternal youth, and gadgets pretending to be the latest in tech. Over 1.3 million such items have been meticulously seized, sending a strong message to Bangkok’s counterfeit kingdom. DIP Director General Nusara Kanjanakul has emerged as the fearless leader of this anti-counterfeit crusade. “This is a serious issue,” she declared, addressing the broader implications of the counterfeit trade. It’s not just about dubious quality or shoddy craftsmanship; it’s about keeping consumers safe from potentially harmful products. Moreover, it’s about upholding Thailand’s good name on the international stage. Joining forces with the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECSD) and key private sector defenders…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Get ready, travelers! Whether you’re a curious tourist, a local escaping the bustle, or an expatriate seeking new adventures, you better brace yourself for a bombshell waiting to hit your wallet. In a move that’s got everyone from Bangkok to Bali murmuring in disbelief, a brand-new US$250 visa fee is set to take the spotlight, all thanks to President Donald Trump’s latest policy twist. Perhaps he should have splashed out on some warning bells because folks are rattled! With major sporting events drawing teeming crowds Stateside, this fee almost seems strategically timed to transform them into goldmines. Cynical whispers are claiming the older, golden-haired leader is rinsing travelers to sprinkle some extra cash on the Treasury’s figurative pancakes. October 1, 2024, marks the beginning of a more expensive chapter for foreigners eager to explore the renowned “Land of the Free.” A hefty, non-refundable US$250 visa integrity fee, approximately 9,000 baht,…
In the heart of Bangkok, at the break of dawn on July 22, a drama was unfolding on Sukhumvit 71 Road. Just before the sun could embrace the city with its warm glow, a building’s tranquility was shattered—a fire had erupted on Yang Yuen Wong’s sixth floor, a structure nestled in Soi Pridi Banomyong 15, in the bustling district of Wattana. As luck would have it, despite the early morning chaos, everyone emerged unscathed. The alarms blared at 4:59 AM, and the valiant officers from Khlong Ton Police Station dashed to the fiery scene, accompanied by a dedicated squad of firefighters. Their mission? To tame the roaring flames that had claimed the sixth floor, an area designated as an office space, leaving the lower residential floors at mercy until help arrived. Adapting to the challenge of the fire’s lofty origins, these firefighters employed a crane, sending torrents of water to…
In a saga that’s fast becoming a hallmark of unmasking academic charades in Thailand’s political scene, a 45-year-old senator, Keskamol Pleansamai, finds herself in the eye of a storm for falsely donning the prestigious ‘Professor’ title. As the country’s Election Commission (EC) lowers the hammer of judgment, Keskamol’s political journey may well steer towards an abrupt end. Her tale of aspirations could now be overshadowed by the looming shadow of a 10-year prison sentence and a two-decade electoral ban. The physician-turned-politician was implicated for misappropriating the academic title during her Senate campaign last year. Her blend of medical expertise and supposedly lofty academic credentials seemed initially to have captivated the voters. Yet, it’s these very credentials that have now invited intense scrutiny. According to the adjudication by the EC, Keskamol’s borrowed title doesn’t just misrepresent the facts; it could dismantle her entire political facade. Enter stage left: Lawyer Pattharapong Supaksorn,…
Today, as clouds gather ominously overhead, Thailand braces itself for a weather spectacle of epic proportions. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a dire warning, forecasting that torrents of rain will lash the nation in the next 24 hours. Hold onto your umbrellas, folks, because Tropical Storm Wipha is making its dramatic debut with a bang, poised to land theatrically on northern Vietnam’s shores. In Northern Thailand, the sky’s curtain will open wide, unleashing thunderstorms that will dominate 80% of the landscape. As the winds roar and rain pours like it’s auditioning for a role in a disaster movie, areas such as Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Lampang are set to take center stage. Here, temperatures will swing between a cool 22°C and a balmy 33°C, setting the scene for a truly gripping weather saga. Meanwhile, the northeastern provinces are not ones to miss out on…
In the bustling seaside city of Pattaya, where the aroma of street food wafts through the air and the scooters zip around like bees, a tale as old as time unfolded: a cunning heist, courtesy of an audacious impersonator. This escapade, marked by its audacity and finesse, was orchestrated by a scam artist disguised as a food delivery rider. It happened in the sleepy streets at the crack of dawn, 5:06 AM to be exact, on July 21st. It was a mere 30-year-old local named Anirut Thiamtha who was managing his family’s quaint Chef Basil Curry Rice Shop, nestled on the busy Jomtien Second Road. Anirut, a beacon of resilience, offered hearty portions of curry rice at only 35 baht, serving the struggling community while unknowingly setting the stage for an elaborate ruse. The swindler, clad in the deceptive armor of a delivery rider’s uniform, strolled into the shop with…
In the quiet, pre-dawn hours of July 21, sleepy island vibes were jolted by an action-packed scene straight out of an action movie. As stars twinkled over Phuket, a covert operation unfolded with precision worthy of any box office thriller. Officers clad in bulletproof resolve stormed into a residence in Moo 4, Thepkrasattri, an idyllic neighborhood that wasn’t quite prepared for what was about to go down. The target was a man known only to officials and perhaps to mischievous whispers as “Mr A.” Clad in nothing more than his boxers, Mr A was greeted by a not-so-metaphorical rude awakening—a battalion of officers determined to pull the curtain back on his alleged secretive drug operation. As the dust settled in his modest abode, officers triumphantly revealed a cornucopia of contraband: over 3,500 methamphetamine pills, locally known as Yaba, or, fittingly enough for the excitement of the morning, “crazy medicine.” The…
In a world where acts of kindness can often seem overshadowed by less savory headlines, the heartwarming narrative of Somnuk Suksrikan, an elderly Thai CEO, shines as a beacon of altruism. Embracing his philanthropic spirit, Somnuk has left an indelible mark on Ang Thong Hospital, nestled in the central province of Ang Thong, with a donation that prompted applause from netizens far and wide. The remarkable gesture unfolded on Friday, July 18, when the official Facebook page of Ang Thong Hospital trumpeted their gratitude to Somnuk. Here was a man who had generously gifted 10 kidney dialysis machines worth a handsome 5 million baht, accompanied by a 3 million baht cash donation. A photo capturing the moment graced the internet, featuring Dr. Chokchai Wisetsittichok, the hospital’s director, graciously receiving the donation while escorting Somnuk on a tour of the hospital’s corridors. But this wasn’t Somnuk’s first walk down the philanthropic…
In a commendable move against drug offenses, the Bang Lamung Police Station in Chon Buri has successfully wrapped up an operation that saw the arrest of a suspect embroiled in two serious drug cases. This operation, which unfolded today, July 21, was orchestrated under the sharp stewardship of Police Colonel Sarawut Nuchanart. Leading the charge were notable figures such as Police Lieutenant Colonel Kornphong Sukwisit, the astute Deputy Superintendent of Investigations, Police Major Wuttipong Kasa, the vigilant Investigation Inspector, and Police Sub-Lieutenant Somman Boonkaew, the diligent Deputy Inspector of Prevention. Together, these law enforcers formed a formidable team, setting out on focused patrols with the mission to clamp down on drug activities buzzing through the locality. The drama unfolded along a nondescript railway road in the Nong Manaw area. During their patrol, the officers’ attention was captured by an individual behaving suspiciously while astride a motorcycle. Little did this individual…
In the ever-evolving landscape of global trade, staying ahead of the curve is not just preferred; it’s essential. Recently, Thailand has found itself in a predicament as it teeters on the precipice of falling behind its neighbor, Vietnam, especially in critical trade talks with the United States. Under the astute analysis of Somjai Phagaphasvivat, an eminent international trade expert, Thailand’s current economic strategy lacks the robustness of Vietnam’s vast network of free trade agreements (FTAs). This shortfall could soon force the nation to confront some formidable choices if it wishes to maintain its economic standing. Vietnam’s assertive trade strategy, marked by its comprehensive FTAs with 27 countries, leaves Thailand trailing. By eradicating tariffs on most US imports, Vietnam has become a formidable competitor, securing its position in the US-Vietnam trade dialogue. Somjai succinctly points out, “Vietnam’s increasing competitiveness is largely a function of its extensive FTA network. For Thailand to…