In the serene backdrop of Songkhla, where lush landscapes and rich culture often steal the limelight, an astonishing event unfurled that prompted all eyes to turn towards a different, shadowy corner of this Southern Thai province. Picture this: Packs upon packs of heroin and speed pills, neatly stacked and on display in Hat Yai like some sinister exhibit, with a staggering valuation pegged at over 117 million baht. This was no ordinary show-and-tell but the unveiling of what is believed to be the grandest drug seizure in Songkhla’s history. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan) In a daring operation that could be ripped straight from a highly-rated crime thriller, law enforcement officers nabbed a massive stash of 200 kilograms of heroin alongside 2.7 million speed pills on a particular Thursday that shall now be remembered for its historic consequence. Spanning an impressive breadth of collaboration, the mission saw police, soldiers, and local officials…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Under the shroud of night, a tragic incident unfolded near Bangkok’s Rama II Road, where the quiet of early Saturday morning was shattered by the calamitous collapse of a concrete beam. Perched atop an under-construction expressway, the beam fell with devastating consequences, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, close to the lively arteries of Rama III-Dao Khanong expressway. The incident unfolded at approximately 1.48am, as narrated by witnesses and officer reports. The scene was harrowing, with echoes of structural groans preceding the cataclysmic event. More than 20 workers, toiling in the shadows of the night, unexpectedly found themselves trapped amid the chaos of collapsing concrete. Their presence on the site marked the start of a frenetic rescue mission to recover the injured and the fallen. Bang Mod police, alongside rescue units from the Bangkok Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, sprung into action. Equipped with sniffer dogs and an…
In recent news from Thailand, the prevalence of e-cigarette use among the youth has seen a concerning rise, casting a shadow over what might otherwise be a sunny skyline of progress. E-cigarettes, especially those laden with a variety of alluring flavors, have become an unfortunate trend, drawing in the curious and adventurous. The Customs Department has consequently ramped up their vigilance, seizing numerous bottles of these enticing yet nefarious liquids. In a poignant case that highlights the gravity of this issue, a young woman in Chiang Mai has found herself in a hospital bed, battling severe pneumonia brought on by EVALI – a notorious acronym that stands for e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury. Her ordeal began when she started vaping as early as Grade 4, continuing until Grade 8, illustrating the dangers of prolonged exposure to such products. Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, which reported this case, has…
Rama II Road, a bustling artery often lionized as “The Road with Never-Ending Construction,” is infamous for both its lengthy development saga and the frequency of its mishaps. Spanning a considerable timeline of nearly five decades, this stretch has witnessed a tapestry of traffic incidents, primarily linked to its expansive and perpetual construction projects. Despite its notoriety, this vital thoroughfare to southern Thailand bears witness to numerous ambitious undertakings aimed at untangling its chronic traffic snarl-ups. Most recently, in the cool early hours of a Saturday morning, calamity struck once again when a hulking concrete beam structure gave way at the construction site of the Dao Khanong Expressway Bridge. This incident marked just another sad entry in the Department of Highways’ ledger, which has cataloged over 2,500 construction-related accidents since 2019. The tragic collapse near Soi 25 of Rama II Road in Bang Mod, a subdistrict nestled within Bangkok’s Chom…
In the tropical town of Chumphon, a scene straight from a movie unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Saturday morning. Picture this: a convenience store, bustling with the morning crowd, suddenly thrown into chaos as a foreign man turned the peaceful venue into his personal stage for mayhem. Enter Motasem Al Manaseer, a 26-year-old Nigerian national who turned heads—not only for his unexpected antics—but also for harboring a tale of theft under his belt. It all began at the Home Fresh store in tambon Na Thung, where the tranquility of daily shopping was replaced by bewilderment. Tourist police, led by Pol Lt Col Wachirapisak Na Songkhla, responded swiftly to calls about an unruly tourist wreaking havoc. With a sense of urgency that could only be rivaled by an action-packed thriller, officers arrived to find Al Manaseer caught in a whirlwind of confused statements. It became evident that his peculiar behavior required…
In a gripping tale echoed through the vibrant streets of Pattaya, a young life was waylaid by the screeching echoes of a nocturnal skirmish. It was the bewitching hour of somewhere past midnight on March 14, and the humid air of Soi Wat Boon Samphan was pierced by more than just the usual cacophony of nightlife—a teens’ dispute erupted over something as trivial, yet crucial, as a loud motorcycle exhaust. Jeng, a vivacious teenager at just 15 years of age, found himself at the heart of a violent altercation. His story unfolded when the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre received a frantic call—an attack had left Jeng with a grievous head wound, and bloodied yet staunch, he stood amidst anxious friends as help swiftly approached. The scene that greeted the first responders was nothing short of a tragedy in motion: Jeng, his youthful energy betrayed by the crimson on his…
In a high-profile meeting that took place on March 14, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had an engaging dialogue with Bhutan’s Ambassador to Thailand, Kinzang Dorji. The prime focus was meticulously planning the eagerly anticipated state visit of the King and Queen to Bhutan. This grand affair marks the first state visit for Their Majesties, following an invitation from His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan. The discussions were masterminded by a cohort of influential figures, including Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and the prime minister’s own secretary-general, Prommin Lertsuridej, all adding their weight to what promised to be an impactful diplomatic event. The coming visit is of particular significance as it is marked as the inaugural state expedition by Thai royals during King Rama X’s reign. Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan underlined the visit’s potential to fortify diplomatic ties and boost cultural exchanges between Thailand and Bhutan. The…
Thailand’s stunning island of Phuket is once again under the spotlight but not for its paradisiacal beaches or vibrant nightlife. No, this time, it’s all about a whirlwind of corruption allegations made by none other than former finance minister Sommai Phasee. Armed with a burning passion and a Facebook account, Sommai has courageously pulled back the curtain on a sordid extortion racket allegedly targeting unsuspecting tourists. According to Sommai, Phuket’s boys in blue are upping their arrest game by targeting foreign tourists, cornering them for misdemeanors and demanding ‘special fees’ ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 baht to sidestep a dreaded trip to the local cop shop. Talk about a pricey tourist trap! Writing passionately (some would say venting), he declared, “I can’t stand it anymore. Corruption is everywhere in Thailand—it’s a disaster that cannot be fixed.” His words resonated like a thunderclap, sparking conversations that rippled far beyond Thai borders.…
In the vibrant cityscape of Pattaya, the relentless echo of gunfire pierced the city’s routine peace, much to the detriment of its residents. Yet, a glimmer of hope emerged as Pattaya’s Deputy Mayor, Krisana Boonsawat, along with a brigade of diligent officials, tackled the pressing issue. Their mission: to bring much-needed tranquility to the tormented inhabitants of Jomtien Park Villa 2 in South Pattaya. The source of their unrest was the aptly renamed 556 Shooting Club, formerly Guns Shooting and Battle range. This establishment’s incessant cacophony had continually shattered the serene ambiance of their neighboring village. A lengthy campaign spearheaded by the beleaguered residents ensued, culminating in frequent visits and, at times, a temporary cease-fire of operations due to persistent noise complaints. Upon the arrival of the authorities, a palpable sense of gratitude washed over the residents, weary from sleepless nights disturbed by the booming noise. Following a decisive temporary…
Bangkok is reeling from a tragedy that has deeply shaken the city—an abrupt collapse of a bridge under construction on the bustling Rama II Road, which resulted in five fatalities and left 20 others injured. This devastating event has ignited debates about the city’s infrastructure safety and prompted urgent action from emergency services. The bridge collapse, which occurred in the wee hours of March 15, caught everyone off guard, with that fateful crackling noise piercing the silence at around 2 am. When the section of the bridge plummeted to the ground near Rama II Soi 25, it happened so suddenly, it left a massive pile of debris in its wake, shattering the normalcy of the Chom Thong district. Bangkok’s authorities were quick to respond, with Police Lieutenant Colonel Suwichak Noi Si of Bang Mod Police Station leading the charge. Emergency teams, including units from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Disaster Prevention…