In the bustling, cross-border world of Southeast Asia, where the Moei River elegantly winds its way through the landscape, an unexpected health crisis has loomed over the people of Tak province, Thailand. The year was 2016, and what should have been an uneventful part of the year was marked by the troubling whispers of cholera from the city of Shwe Kokko in Myanmar. Fast forward to today, and the watchful eyes of the Public Health Ministry have swung into action like the heroes of a medical drama, setting up a veritable command center in Tak. This emergency operations centre (EOC) symbolizes hope and resilience amidst the looming threat of cholera that has dared to rear its head again. Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the ever-diligent permanent secretary for public health, announced the EOC’s establishment with the resolute tones of someone ready to face a tempest. Under the command of the capable Dr.…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the bustling heart of the Royal Thai Police headquarters, National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch took the podium, an air of determination about him. It was October 11, 2024, a date to be remembered as the day Operation Fallen Bridge unfolded its wings, casting a net over the scam gangs threatening the serene digital skies of Thailand. With an audience of eager ears, all eyes were glued to the announcement dissecting the crackdown against illegal SIM cards, rogue internet cables, telecom towers infiltrating privacy, and those pesky transmission antennas aiding these cyber miscreants. The stakes were high, and the message was clear—justice was calling. As the curtains lifted on this elaborate cyber drama, one couldn’t help but admire the sheer audacity and ingenuity of 2024’s top scammers, as reported by the deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police Office. The virtual rogues were having a willing dance with…
In the vibrant and often bustling scenes of Chumphon, a rather unusual and gripping story unfolded recently, captivating both locals and wildlife enthusiasts alike. This curious tale begins not with a grand adventure or a lavish event, but rather at a nondescript petrol station nestled along the busy Highway 41 in Sawi district. This very spot became the stage for a drama unlike any other, involving a Subaru, a man named Sarawut, and an assembly of exotic animals that seemed more fitting for a movie than a roadside stop. On a typical Saturday, when most would be using such stations for routine pit stops, the police took up position not to refuel, but to execute a sting operation fueled by a hot tip-off. The kind of tip that hints at shadowy dealings and clandestine movements—in this case, a furred and scaled medley of illicit exotic creatures being whisked away from…
Picture this: amidst the bustling streets of Bangkok, where the aroma of street food wafts through the air, lies the ever-vibrant Wang Lang market. Just opposite Siriraj Hospital, this market is a hive of activity, drawing in throngs of shoppers meandering past food stalls bursting with authentic Thai cuisine. Yet, beneath this vivacious facade, a different buzz echoed across Thailand in 2024, one of mixed sentiments about the year gone by. According to a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida Poll), 2024 was a whirlwind of concerns and conundrums for the Thai population. Let’s dive into the colorful kaleidoscope of opinions and feelings that defined the year. First on the list of woes were economic challenges, capturing the sentiments of 52.14% of respondents. It’s no surprise given the global economic tremors that whispered their way into Thai pockets, reducing many to pinch pennies and stretch bahts just…
In the vibrant city of Pattaya, known for its lively beach streets and lively nightlife, an incident unfolded that was as curious as it was amusing. As the sun dipped below the horizon on a bustling Saturday evening, a scenario that could easily be a scene from a slapstick comedy played out right in front of the Pattaya police station. Our protagonist, a brawny foreigner, was cruising casually through the city’s lively streets, riding a motorcycle with the wind in his hair—quite literally, since he seemed to have forgotten not just his shirt but also that crucial piece of gear: a crash helmet. This oversight did not escape the ever-vigilant eyes of the Pattaya police, who quickly flagged him down at their checkpoint. What followed was a display of defiance that bordered on the theatrically absurd. The officers, adhering to protocol, approached the muscular visitor, requesting him to produce his…
In the bustling heart of Chaiyaphum, where the morning sun casts warm light across the Chaiyaphum-Bua Yai Road, a scene of unexpected chaos unfolded, capturing the attention of everyone nearby. The date was a seemingly ordinary Saturday, but for Sanya Polkong, a 36-year-old taxi driver from Bangkok, it would prove to be a day of extraordinary mishaps. It all began at a petrol station strategically located opposite the Lat Yai police station. Sanya had been on a personal journey, visiting his mother in the northeastern province, and was now gearing up for the return drive to the sprawling metropolis of Bangkok. As he filled the tank of his taxi, a runaway train of thoughts must have raced through his mind. But rather than choosing to settle the 1,750 baht fuel bill, Sanya decided to make a dash for it, igniting a series of events that could rival a movie thriller.…
In a saga that could have been ripped from the pages of a legal thriller, motorists across the land have emerged victorious in a battle of bureaucratic red tape versus reason. According to the Department of Land Transport (DLT), you’re now eligible to snag those elusive vehicle tax stickers with nothing more than your annual tax payment receipt in hand, all thanks to a landmark ruling by the Central Administrative Court. The drama unfolded when a driver, Amnat Kaewprasong, decided he’d had enough. After being denied the holy grail of vehicle tax stickers – despite having dutifully paid his dues – Amnat took matters into his own hands. He filed a lawsuit against the DLT, its director-general, the Bangkok Land Transport office, and even threw in the Royal Thai Police for good measure. His grievance? The sticker that was rightfully his had been withheld, replaced instead with a humble stamped…
As the clock ticks down to the New Year festivities, there’s an electrifying buzz at Don Mueang airport, poised to witness a remarkable 13.3% surge in flights this festive season, according to Airports of Thailand (AoT). This vibrant holiday period is expected to see approximately 717,002 enthusiastic globetrotters bustling through its gates, marking an impressive 88.62% recovery of the pre-pandemic glory days, as highlighted by AoT president, Kerati Kijmanawat. The rise in air travel isn’t just a number; it’s a testament to the renewed wanderlust and a significant 19.96% increase compared to last year’s stats, capturing about 85.84% of the pre-pandemic flight volume. Mr. Kerati confidently predicts that the airport will be the nerve center for around 102,429 passengers daily during the celebratory week, ready to take off from Dec 27 to Jan 2. This bustling week is meticulously planned with 4,671 flights set to grace the sky, averaging around…
In a turn of events that has stirred quite a conversation among motorists, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) has announced that vehicle tax stickers are now within arm’s reach for those who come equipped with their annual tax payment receipts. This latest development arrives hot on the heels of a landmark decision by the Central Administrative Court, where justice shone brightly on a determined driver, Amnat Kaewprasong. Amnat Kaewprasong, surely not a man to turn the other cheek, took on the bureaucratic goliaths, namely the DLT, its well-heeled director-general, the Bangkok Land Transport office, and the Royal Thai Police. His grievance? A rather puzzling situation where, despite his diligent payment of the annual tax, the DLT’s registration division left him high and dry, refusing to detach a vehicle tax sticker even after he’d settled his dues. To add a twist in this tale, Mr. Amnat was handed a stamped…
It’s not every day you see an intriguing collaboration brewing between two countries loaded with naval prowess and a flair for international camaraderie. Hold tight as we dive into the riveting discussion between the Spanish chargé d’affaires and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) about whipping up some state-of-the-art frigates right in the Land of Smiles, Thailand! In a classic scene straight out of a James Bond movie, Navy Chief Admiral Jirapol Wongwit, who had only just rolled up his sleeves to take the helm, was not left alone on a Friday morning. Instead, he was joined by Vicente Cacho López de la Calzada, the Spanish chargé d’affaires, there to tip his hat and perhaps share a few sips of coffee as he congratulated Adm Jirapol on his new waves ahead. Ah, but the conversation was not just about pleasantries and handshakes! They delved deep into more enticing matters such as…