In recent days, the bustling island paradise of Phuket has found itself at the center of a heated discussion, sparked by a controversial YouTube video. The video, uploaded on the Ride with Gabi channel, loudly labels a Myanmar migrant community in the province as a “slum,” stirring up a maelstrom of debate across digital mediums. The video attempts to unveil what it calls a “Myanmar slum in Phuket,” capturing the everyday lives of workers hailing from Myanmar in what is depicted as a crowded and economically challenged neighborhood. These residents are said to pay around 3,600 baht monthly for rent, which generously covers utilities—a reasonable deal considering the economic landscape. Within this vibrant community, a beacon of hope stands tall in the form of a school. Guided by a spirited Myanmar national, this educational institution offers its young learners free education, meals, and even the luxury of air-conditioned classrooms—a cool…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Life in the heart of Buriram took a dramatic turn on March 15 when a seemingly peaceful evening spiraled into chaos. At the center of this whirlwind sits Nittaya, a 37-year-old woman whose simple pleasure of playing online slots with her husband turned into a scene right out of an action thriller. Picture this: the moonlight gently outlining the small house where Nittaya and her husband resided. Their humble abode, nestled on her Uncle Niam’s property, served as the stage for the evening’s drama. The couple, earning their keep as casual laborers, found joy in the little things—like topping up 20 baht on their favorite game of online slots. But destiny had other plans that night. As they laughed and played outside, the gentle hum of the game suddenly went silent. The unexpected blackout prompted Uncle Niam, who had been harboring dissatisfaction due to recent incidents of petty theft, to…
Nestled within the bustling heart of Thailand, Bangkok sets a vibrant tapestry woven with the threads of tradition and modernity. But amidst its urban hustle, Bangkok’s green aspirations continue to flourish, all thanks to visionary leaders like Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. In a bold and eco-conscious move, Chadchart has unveiled an ambitious initiative to breathe life into the city’s eastern suburbs by planting a staggering 1.06 million trees by April next year. This oxygen-infusing mission spans across nine districts, with Nong Chok district taking the lead as it proudly becomes home to 400,000 of these verdant titans. Not wanting to be left in the shade, Klong Sam Wa and Lat Krabang will each boast 300,000 new leafy residents, while other districts graciously welcome a more modest 10,000 trees each. With the slight hint of competition in the air, the project’s timetable appears as carefully orchestrated as a symphony. Most districts are…
In an emotional turn of events that touched many hearts, a Thai woman named Anjanee found herself at the center of a heartwarming tale of community support and personal resilience. Her story, which began with despair, has transformed into a beacon of hope, highlighting the incredible power of human kindness and solidarity. Anjanee, a 50-year-old resident of the Mueang Chachoengsao district, was grappling with severe financial hardships, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of her burdens. Her husband, beset by a debilitating cerebral artery condition, had resorted to eating dog food out of sheer desperation. The couple’s plight came to light after a reported suicide attempt led Police Lieutenant Pornsak Saneha and rescue workers to the scene at a pier along the Bang Pakong River. When they arrived, they found Anjanee distraught and contemplating an irreversible decision. Upon learning of Anjanee’s distressing circumstances, her creditors, who once seemed insurmountable, began to…
In a story that sounds ripped from the pages of a comedic horror film script, a young thief’s ill-conceived gold heist fell apart in the most spectacularly absurd fashion. Attempting to disguise himself as a ghost worthy of a spooky flick, Etsara, an aspiring burglar, found himself ensnared not by his spectral illusion, but by his own ineptitude inside a shopping mall in Chiang Mai. This 21-year-old’s laughable attempt to loot a gold shop not only failed miserably but also led to his quick capture by none other than the less-than-amused police force. Once upon a time—or precisely, one eerie evening—CCTV cameras captured Etsara, draped in a dramatic black cloak with a horror film ghost mask peering out, as he emerged from a restroom on the second floor of the bustling shopping center. Clutching a trusty, albeit clichéd, crowbar, he slinked cautiously toward the glittering haven of his dreams: the…
The current week has been an eyebrow-raiser in Thailand’s entertainment and law enforcement circles. In a surprising twist, Patcharapon “Zax” Panpum, the famed frontman of the iconic Thai rock band i-Zax, has found himself in hot water after a string of drug-related arrests. This latest saga unfolded after law enforcement intensified their grip on a notorious celebrity-frequented drug ring. The drama began to unravel last week when police nabbed two suspected drug couriers in Bangkok, opening a Pandora’s box that linked back to a broader, more complex drug operation. The operation had multinational ties, with roots stretching as far as Nanjing, China. It was there that Chinese authorities initially apprehended the couriers and, subsequently, issued an arrest warrant on July 22 of the previous year for a 43-year-old Thai woman. She was accused of engineering this illicit cross-border drug smuggle. This arrest spurred a snowball effect that revealed even deeper…
Amid the bustling backdrop of Southeast Asia’s burgeoning digital marketplace, a remarkable announcement was made at the 7th Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship Ministerial Meeting. In a step that signals a progressive leap for Thailand’s digital commerce, the nation’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) solidified its commitment to e-commerce expansion by inking a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Shopee Thailand. This marks their second such collaboration and promises exciting prospects! With an ambitious aim of driving annual sales beyond a whopping 20 million baht, this partnership couldn’t come at a better time for Thai Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) eager to tap into the broader Southeast Asian market. The luminous corridor of online opportunity shines brightly, promising SMEs significant exposure and growth via a partnership that is more than just transactional—it’s transformative. The latest MOU proudly builds upon the accomplishments of their initial agreement, which wrapped up gloriously in…
In a tale that seems almost too outlandish to be true, the picturesque district of Muang in Nakhon Ratchasima is caught in the throes of a most unusual drama. Picture this: a mild-mannered dentist, poised to help patients with a smile, suddenly under siege by a rogue in flip-flops. This rogue, identified as a 41-year-old German named Heffner, has become a rather unwelcome celebrity among the dental community and leaving police with more questions than answers. On a seemingly ordinary Tuesday, the town squares were buzzing with conversations about the sudden issuing of an arrest warrant for Heffner, who stands accused of turning dental clinics into his personal battlegrounds. Over a period of three and a half months, Heffner, according to reports, unleashed a tirade of assaults on several hapless dentists while managing to damage their valuable equipment in the process. Imagine the horror of dealing with airborne fluoride and…
In an exciting collaboration set to reshape the landscape of waste management in Thailand, CP AXTRA Public Company Limited, famously known for their Makro and Lotus’s outlets, has teamed up with the PTT Group. This partnership, featuring PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC) and PTT Public Company Limited under the ambitious Petrochemical and Refining Integrated Synergy Management (PRISM) strategy, has unveiled the noteworthy “AXTRA Green Together” initiative. Their mission? To establish a new benchmark for environmental preservation by championing plastic waste reduction and inspiring community involvement in sustainable practices. As part of this groundbreaking campaign, Makro and Lotus’s stores sprinkled throughout the bustling Bangkok metropolitan area have become hosts to PET bottle collection points. This initiative dovetails seamlessly with GC’s YOUturn recycling and upcycling platform. Picture this: collected plastic bottles metamorphosing into sleek, sporty jerseys that will be gifted to students across the Land of Smiles. Beyond just a…

Operation Smoke Out: Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s Bold Move Against Massive Vape Smuggling in Nonthaburi
In an unexpected twist, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with an aura of determination and poise, addressed reporters as she navigated through the packed warehouse. The space, crammed from floor to ceiling with confiscated e-cigarettes and an array of related gear, was located snugly on Soi Charoensuk Withaya, hiding in plain sight behind the busy Bang Bua Thong police station in Nonthaburi. It was a Tuesday, and not just any Tuesday—this was the day “Operation Smoke Out” bared its teeth. The echoes of a well-coordinated police raid resonated throughout Nonthaburi province, a sweep that netted a whopping 260,000 smuggled vape pipes, all brandishing an unmistakably Chinese origin. Their collective worth? A staggering 130 million baht. The operation, reminiscent of a high-tension thriller, saw officers swoop down on five warehouses and an equal number of homes, their mission clear and concise: eradicate this vaporous menace. Pol Maj Gen Samran Nuanma, radiating authority,…