A scene straight out of a slapstick comedy unfolded yesterday at Thailand’s renowned Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Amid the lush greenery and the symphony of animal sounds, a high-octane mock drill stole the spotlight, featuring none other than the country’s dearly adored pygmy hippo, Moo Deng. Yesterday, July 21st, spectators found themselves amidst a captivating whirlwind as the zoo launched into a spirited “hippo hunt,” as part of an elaborate animal escape drill at precisely 1:35 PM. The zookeeper-in-chief, Narongwit Chodchoi, emphasized the significance of these drills, stating, “We aim to bolster our readiness for any eventual escape, ensuring that our staff and visitors feel secure, even in the most outlandish of situations.” As if having marched out of a children’s storybook, the drill saw a staff member adorning a whimsical hippo mascot outfit, simulating Moo Deng’s great escape to orchestrated chaos. The operation, akin to a perfectly choreographed dance,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In an uncanny twist befitting a spy thriller, a landmine blast near the delicate Thai-Cambodian border has unleashed a tempest of diplomatic discontent. The fiery allegations on both sides have rekindled an age-old saga of territorial disputes. In the eye of this tumult lies the serene Nam Yuen district of Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province, where a sudden explosion fractured the tranquility, catapulting the region into the international spotlight. A trio of Thai soldiers unexpectedly encountered the menace of a hidden, Russian-made PMN-2 landmine last week. The consequences were devastating—one soldier tragically lost his foot, and the others suffer critical injuries. As if the drama needed an intermission, two more sinister devices were discovered lurking nearby, turning the heat up on an already boiling pot of suspicion and political posturing. The scene inevitably escalates into a war of words, with Thailand flagrantly accusing Cambodia of sowing fresh mines in defiance of…
In a tale that could rival the most thrilling seafaring adventures, a Thai boat captain narrowly escaped a date with destiny when his delivery boat capsized during a furious thunderstorm. Picture this: the rolling waves near Koh Mai Phai and Koh Phi Phi casting their merciless splash against the humble vessel captained by a 40-year-old man, known simply as Meat. Said to be a stalwart resident of Nuea Khlong district in Krabi, Meat was on a routine supply run from the mainland to a hotel on Koh Phi Phi when the tempestuous elements had other plans. The first warning came on the cloudy afternoon of Sunday, July 20, as Krabi Provincial Port Security Control Centre received distressing news. A hotel on the captivating island of Koh Phi Phi had lost all contact with the captain of a delivery craft ominously named the Phi Phi Cabana Tour. Cruelly, Mother Nature decided…
Thailand’s food scene, once a bustling hub of culinary experimentation and vibrant dining experiences, is simmering in distress — and not just in the kitchen. The pressure cooker of escalating expenses, a dwindling stream of diners, and lukewarm tourism has thrust the Thai restaurant industry into a precarious state. With more than half of the daily revenue vanishing into thin air, restaurateurs are feeling the squeeze. Yod Chinsupakul, CEO of Line Man Wongnai, underscores, “Restaurant owners are facing intense pressure.” The once lively chatter in dining rooms is being replaced by an eerie silence. The numbers paint a grim picture, with same-store sales taking a nosedive by 14% between 2024 and 2025, compared to a relatively small 3% dip the previous year. Even though food delivery is stepping up to the plate, with forecasts to jump from 25% of total sales in 2023 to 29% by 2025, it still doesn’t…
In the wee hours of dawn, a dramatic traffic incident unfolded on U Thong Road near the bustling Health Intersection in Horattanachai subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district. The backdrop of this unfortunate event was the early morning twilight of July 22nd, where the roads lay cloaked in shadows as a young soul named Phutthiphon—an energetic 19-year-old navigating life’s highways on two wheels—met with a dire fate. The youthful motorcyclist endured bone-rattling injuries, mandating the attention of sympathetic medics, who diligently mended a broken jaw and a leg that was, alas, bent out of its natural order. Stepping into this unexpected crescendo of chaos was none other than Katthathep Iamsiri, a seasoned 54-year-old comedian acclaimed for provoking hearty laughter under his moniker, Thongthong Mokjok. But the humor seemed stripped from him in the wake of this collision, replaced by a stunned demeanor as the reality of the accident settled in.…
In a tragic incident that unfolded in Pathum Thani, Thailand, two construction workers lost their lives following an electric shock at a dam site. Their shocking demise has cast a pall over the community, and questions about site safety and work conditions are being raised. The deadly episode occurred yesterday evening. It was exactly 6:30 PM on July 21st when Police Lieutenant Wassukanya Achipan of Pak Khlong Rangsit Police Station received a disturbing report. Two workers had suffered severe injuries due to an electric shock near a dam in front of Wat Talat Tai, Moo 3, Bang Kha Yang subdistrict, in Mueang district. With urgency gripping their every move, police investigators, volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation, and medical teams from Pathum Thani Hospital and Krung Siam St Carlos Hospital rushed to the scene. Upon their arrival, the workers were found lying side by side, unconscious at the construction…
In what seems to be pulling the curtains back on a theatrical reunion, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to join ruling coalition MPs for a much-anticipated dining event today. This gathering has inevitably rekindled the fires of speculation concerning Thaksin’s lingering influence in the labyrinthine corridors of Thai politics. Chief Government Whip Wisut Chainaroon confirmed the engagement, describing it as an extraordinary yet crucial move to bolster unity before Parliament’s imminent reconvening. “This is nothing out of the ordinary,” Wisut, from the Pheu Thai Party, assured with a seasoned politician’s tranquility. “In the two years since this government took the reins, coalition MPs have only sat down together for dinner once. Now, with the recent departures of some parties, there’s an urging need to realign our path over a meal.” However, the gathering has indeed prompted a few raised eyebrows, akin to a script in a dramatic political…
In the aftermath of a relentless tropical storm, the picturesque island of Phuket has found itself grappling with the aftermath of nature’s unpredictable fury. As the storm made its presence known, it left a trail of destruction, claiming a life and injuring another. Speaking to a tense and anxious community, Governor Sophon Suwannarat urged all residents, visitors, and boat operators to remain vigilant and alert, as the threats inched menacingly closer. Such unsettling scenes played out across Phuket’s trifecta of districts—Mueang, Thalang, and Kathu—where the storm wreaked havoc in 17 subdistricts, 32 villages, and nine bustling urban spots. The tragic incidents unfolded vividly on the serene shores of Koh Hey as a gargantuan tree surrendered to the gale, descending upon beach chairs, transforming a day at the beach into a moment of peril. Sponsored The once-ferocious storm has now been downgraded to a tropical depression, yet its footprint remains imprinted…
Pattaya’s notorious streets turned into a scene of horror once again when a young woman found herself in a precarious dance with destiny on the back of her motorbike. The serene early hours of July 21 were shattered by a shocking accident that rendered Chanaphon Huadsi clinging to life. At the stroke of 3:30 am, the 24-year-old’s white Honda Zoomer-X met a motionless adversary in the form of a stationary Toyota Commuter van, poised quietly at a red light on Sukhumvit Road, close to Soi Siam Country Club. The collision was catastrophic, leaving the van’s rear windscreen shattered and Chanaphon’s motorbike wedged grotesquely into its frame. Inside the van, Ram Si Khao, a 56-year-old driver, was jolted from his thoughts by the deafening bang. “I looked back and saw the motorbike jammed into the back of the van,” he recounted to the Pattaya police, who were promptly summoned to the…
In the simmering cauldron that is Thai politics, the latest to toss in a spicy ingredient is none other than former beauty queen and current entrepreneur, Netdao Watchainanwong, affectionately known to her followers as Madame Cher. Swapping a sash for something a bit more substantial, Madame Cher is making bold moves, accusatorially pointing her finger at a ruling party Member of Parliament. The allegation? A shady financial transfer, which she claims was a roaring 120,000 baht, enough to make any auditor raise an eyebrow. Now, let’s set the scene. This isn’t just any MP we’re talking about. The individual caught in Madame Cher’s crosshairs is Sutham Jaritngam, a representative of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), and for a juicy plot twist, there’s a document trail—or so claims Netdao. Her evidence? A bundle of transaction records and chat history snippets she presented to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), all ready to…