In the early hours of February 27th, the air was thick with tension as detention vans with windows obscured made their discreet departure from the immigration center on Soi Suan Phlu, Bangkok. Shrouded in the darkness of pre-dawn, these vehicles carried with them the fates of 40 Uyghur men bound for China—all as captured candidly in a photograph on Kannavee Suebsang’s Facebook account. This covert operation ignited international controversy and thrust US-Thai relations into the spotlight. Fast forward to a cloudy Friday in March, when the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stood at the helm of a decisive move against those orchestrating the return of the Uyghurs. In a sweeping gesture of accountability, the United States declared visa restrictions on the current and former Thai officials implicated in the deportation saga. The visa clampdown is part of a strategic US stance against China’s exertion of influence over nations in…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The bustling city of Bangkok is on the brink of a transformation. Imagine this: 62 roads and pavements across the capital’s sprawling districts getting a facelift this year, all thanks to an ambitious initiative from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Dubbed “Nice roads in 50 districts,” the grand project promises a commuter-friendly, impeccably clean, and organized environment, as BMA’s enthusiastic spokesperson, Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, shared with us recently. So, what’s the scoop on this mammoth makeover plan? Well, for starters, Mr. Aekvarunyoo explained the triple whammy of improvements awaiting these urban pathways. The first overhaul focuses on the physical condition: resurfacing roads to dodge the dreaded deluge that heavy rains bring—a nightmare for commuters and city planners alike. But wait, there’s more! The sidewalks, too, are set for an upgrade. They’ll adhere to universal design standards, embracing walkers of all abilities and ages in a warm, welcoming hug. Imagine beautifully lit…
Imagine a complex web of politics entwined with a simmering pot of allegations that have piqued the interest of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Thailand. At the heart of this unfolding story are Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong and the Department of Special Investigation’s (DSI) Director-General, Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam. The spotlight is on them following claims of authority abuse linked to a controversial Senate election case. Recently, NACC Secretary-General Sarote Phuengramphan revealed the commission’s latest move: they’ve dipped a toe into these murky waters by reviewing a complaint from a contingent of senators. These senators have put forward strong accusations that the duo overstepped their bounds during what can only be described as an electoral melodrama from last year. The sensation began when 81 senators, an impressive quorum by any standards, boldly petitioned the NACC. Their request? A thorough inquiry into perceived misconduct by the justice minister…
The corridors of European power buzzed with anticipation as the European Parliament convened on March 13, 2025, and delivered a stern verdict on Thailand’s recent action that sent ripples across the globe. It wasn’t just any ordinary session, but a gathering that would underscore the collective dismay of European lawmakers over Thailand’s handling of Uyghur refugees and its infamous lese-majeste law. The parliamentarians, 482 in favor marked the matter with significant clarity – a resounding objection to human rights concessions and lack of reform in the Southeast Asian nation. The urgency of the resolution came to life after Thailand’s controversial decision on February 27 to deport at least 40 Uyghur refugees back to the place they had fled — China. The shadows of arbitrary detentions, possible torture, and severe human rights abuses loomed large over these individuals. For many, it was a grim end to over a decade languished in…
In a tale of intrigue and chase, a 32-year-old man named Channarong found himself at the center of a police pursuit that stretched from the serene landscapes of Phayao province to the bustling high-rise horizon of Bangkok. Having dodged arrest for over three months, his escapade came to a halt when vigilant officers from the Children and Women Protection Centre (CWPC), in conjunction with the Maeka Police Station, apprehended him at a hotel near Suvarnabhumi International Airport, located in the vast expanse of Bang Sao Thong district, Samut Prakan province. The plot thickens as Channarong is accused of not one, but two incidents involving young women in a single day—a gripping saga that could rival any crime thriller. His first alleged victim, a university student, fell prey to his charm on campus. With promises of a quick ride within the university grounds, Channarong reportedly turned the trip into a nightmare,…
Picture this: amidst the lush greens and hidden marvels of Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, a rare creature decided to grace the world with its presence. No, it’s not your average suspect; it’s a Siamese crocodile—a creature so elusive that it seems like it jumped straight out of the pages of a mythical tale. On March 5, the team led by Daengrawee Promrak caught this elusive reptile basking in the sun’s golden rays, at a serene locale called Pak Kasao, Klong Chomphu, in the enchanting region of Phitsanulok. The sighting is like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s the first time since 2013 that anyone has laid eyes on this particular resident of the swampy enclaves. Yet, it’s been more than whispers among the locals who claimed to spot the reptile lurking here and there. Kudos to the diligence of the wildlife trap cameras and the steadfast monitoring efforts…
In a bold and visionary attempt to tackle dengue fever, Thailand is embarking on a sweeping clinical trial of an innovative vaccine specifically aimed at protecting children. Nestled in the picturesque province of Nakhon Phanom, this trial is set to roll out on April 4, enveloping the lives of 35,000 bright-eyed youngsters, aged between seven and ten, irrespective of their past encounters with dengue. This ambitious undertaking has received a green light from the National Communicable Disease Committee and holds the potential to not only assess the vaccine’s prowess but also to usher it into Thailand’s esteemed universal healthcare scheme. Dr. Panumas Yanawetsakul, the astute Director General of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), enlightened us by stating, “The testing should conclude in about three years, post which we could witness the vaccine integrating into our country’s universal healthcare fabric.” The vaccine in question has its roots in Japan’s pharmaceutical…
In a world where valor often feels overshadowed by greed, one humble garbage collector’s remarkable act of honesty has woven a tale that warms the heart. Boonkong “Namfon” Manmueangpak, a 28-year-old hero, emerged from the bustling streets of Udon Thani in Thailand’s Isaan province, where fate threw a hefty sum of 100,000 baht in his path. The ordinary unfolded into an extraordinary story when Namfon, pedaling on his trusty bicycle, encountered the cash lying like a treasure trove beneath an electricity pole. With quiet determination, Namfon carried this unexpected find to the Klang Yai Police Station, hoping to restore it to its rightful owner. His sincerity spun into motion an unexpected series of events that could not be foreseen. As the officers orchestrated a reenactment at the location, a whirlwind named Piyanut Srithong, a 41-year-old woman, swept onto the scene, the distress of losing such a staggering amount etched unmistakably…
In the vibrant heart of Bangkok, where the bustling roads are as much a part of life as the intricate canals, chaos unfolded near Soi 25 and the entrance to the Dao Khanong Expressway on the famous Rama II Road. It was just another bustling day in the Bang Mod subdistrict of Chom Thong district until a disaster turned normalcy into a dramatic scene straight out of an action film. The drama began when officials from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, alongside the dedicated Poh Teck Tung Foundation, swarmed the site in response to a tipping disaster. Upon their arrival, the police were greeted by a scene that rivaled any blockbuster catastrophe. The massive concrete beam structure, a skeletal part of the burgeoning new bridge for the Rama III – Dao Khanong Expressway project, had dramatically succumbed to gravity. It crashed down onto the existing expressway bridge,…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, where development and progress rush rapidly like the Chao Phraya River, tragedy struck on a fateful Saturday morning. As the city was still peacefully nestled in the embrace of dawn, an unforeseen and heartbreaking incident unfolded near Rama 2 Road in Chom Thong district. A concrete beam, still in the skeletal phase of an expressway bridge under construction, yielded to gravity’s pull, causing chaos and devastation. The calamity transpired in the early hours at around 1.48am, as the night clung to its somber calmness. The alert was sent to the diligent Bang Mod police and rescue services after the beam, situated a mere 200 meters from the expressway’s welcoming stretch, came crashing down upon an existing network of roadways. This calamitous event transformed the site into a scene of immediate distress, with lives abruptly altered and lost. The area hustle-bustle stopped as rescue teams…