As the rainy season embraces Thailand, Mother Nature has prepared a deluge, hinting at stormy antics for 42 provinces with her masterstroke of chaotic weather. And no, this is not nature throwing a hissy fit—this is a full-blown spectacle worthy of a Shakespearean drama with a meteorological twist! The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has been on its toes, issuing warnings with the grace of an orchestra conductor. So, let’s dive into the atmospheric overture and see what’s brewing in the stormy skies. With 70% of orchestrated downpours ready to soak the souls of many provinces, the potential for flash floods and landslides in Thailand’s hilly and low-lying landscapes is as juicy a plot as any thriller. It seems the provinces of Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Chanthaburi, Trat, and Ranong have reserved front-row seats for the weather’s grandest show. The blame—and some might say, the beauty—of this atmospheric ballet is a…
Posts published in “Thailand”
A sun-soaked morning on Koh Samui took an unexpected turn when local authority officers, mingling seamlessly with customs officials, descended upon the island’s international airport. Their target: a Brazilian duo carrying some excess baggage of a less-than-customary sort. Arrested were two visitors—35-year-old Diego dos Santos Silva and 25-year-old Fernanda Gabriele Lorenco de Andrade—who had barely set foot on the Thai paradise before their every move became part of an unfolding crime drama. The stage was set with two unassuming black suitcases, designed for adventures but instead filled with 6.63 kilograms of illicit white powder packaged with audacity. Packed amid their clothing and personal sundries, it was the sharp eyes of the customs officials who, upon the purring rhythm of the scanner, detected that hidden cache—3.62 kilograms nestled in one suitcase, while 3.31 lay cloaked within the other. The suspects, with wide eyes and perhaps racing hearts, claimed this was their…
In the serene early hours of Nonthaburi, tranquility was shattered by the jarring sound of metal colliding with metal. It was just past the witching hour, around 1:20 a.m., when a black Toyota Altis, driven by a rather inebriated Korn, rammed into a parked police patrol vehicle. The scene unfolded dramatically outside a convenience store that stood vigil opposite Soi Wat Lat Pla Duk, on the well-trodden Kanchanaphisek Road, within the Bang Rak Phatthana subdistrict, cradled in the heart of the Bang Bua Thong district. Our protagonist of poor choices, the 36-year-old Korn, found himself with a blood alcohol level tilting the scale at 181 milligrammes percent—a veritable celebration, far surpassing the legal limits. Unfortunately, this was one party that turned south, quite literally smashing into a parked police pickup truck. The police vehicle, a silent sentinel with its lights flashing, had been temporarily stationed as officer Krisanath and his…
In a remarkable crackdown on human trafficking, a covert operation unfolded in the bustling streets of Udon Thani, a city known for its energetic nightlife but lately making headlines for less savory reasons. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division recently arrested a 46-year-old woman, Sirijanya, at the heart of it all, and this tale is one that echoes a mix of heartbreak and heroism. Sirijanya, who ran a seemingly innocent karaoke bar, was allegedly running an illicit operation from within its neon-lit walls. Her karaoke venue was a facade, masking a dark underbelly of exploitation and deception. It came to light that this sinister venture lured three vulnerable 16-year-old girls into its nets, charging the girls a heinous “commission” fee of 300 baht for their entrapment. Acting on reliable intelligence, Police Major General Songklot Gerkkritaya promptly dispatched his team, led by Police Colonel Sarawut Chantawong and Police Lieutenant Colonel Saksit Nilmith,…
Amid the lush landscapes and tranquil temples of Thailand, a thorny diplomatic issue has emerged right along its border with Cambodia. The serene Chok Bok border area in the province of Ubon Ratchathani has recently been thrown into turmoil following a startling discovery that has implications both on the ground and at the high tables of international diplomacy. General Pana Klaewplodthuk, Thailand’s man in charge of the military, confirmed yesterday, July 19, a troubling revelation: the planting of over a hundred fresh landmines within Thai territory. This clandestine act by the Cambodians was brought to light after a mine explosion on July 16 that left three Thai soldiers injured during what was supposed to be a routine patrol. The foul play, attributed to Cambodian forces, has prompted Thailand to prepare a double-barrel response, reporting the breach to their Army Operations Centre while also urging the Foreign Affairs Ministry to take…
Amid the tranquil, sunlit morning of Buriram, a disturbing scene unfolded that resembled an action-packed movie scene. Thick black smoke billowed from a fire consuming a rubber manufacturing factory, the likes of which hadn’t been seen in years. While the calm early hours of July 20 usually promise a fresh start, today they were clouded with the aftermath of chaos. The North East Rubber Public Company Limited factory, nestled in the otherwise serene Mueang subdistrict of Prakhon Chai district, became the epicenter of a blazing catastrophe. This inferno, relentless and untamed, had been raging since the unsettling time of 1:30 AM. As people throughout the region were deep in slumber, over 20 fire trucks roared through the streets, their sirens echoing in the darkness as brave firefighters battled to prevent the flames from leaping onto neighboring oil storage facilities and other structures. As dawn painted the sky in hues of…
In the delightful, albeit unexpected surroundings of Chumphon province, Thailand, a splendid saga unfolded involving the grand and majestic resident of the wild, an elephant famously known by the name of Duang Hu Dang. This not-so-small adventure occurred on the serene morning of July 19. Amidst the sprawling greens in Phato district, this colossal creature had found itself in an unintended dip in a water reservoir, sparking quite an uproar among the local community. Weighing in at a staggering 5,000 kilograms and boasting distinctive ear markings that could rival the artful strokes of a renaissance painter, our protagonist was in a bit of a splashy pickle! The scene of the “accident,” if one might call it that, was an agricultural reservoir nestled beautifully amidst a local garden. This garden, owned by one Sunthorn, would unexpectedly host a drama for the ages. Perched about 200 meters above sea level, the reservoir…
In the tranquil district of Mueang Chaem, nestled within the scenic province of Chiang Mai, a harrowing tragedy unfolded on July 19, casting a shadow over the normally serene community. A 43-year-old man named Phak made a devastating choice that ended the life of his 36-year-old third wife, Thiplada, before turning the gun on himself. This unfathomable incident left his other two wives grappling with shock and disbelief as they attempted, in vain, to save the couple. The heartbreaking scene was first reported to the Mueang Chaem Police Station at the rather late hour of 10:15 pm. Police Lieutenant Colonel Samruang Monthanom described the grim call about a shooting at a local nursery in Kong Khaek subdistrict. Responding swiftly, Police Colonel Sathit Chaiyantiyawan and his rescue team arrived at the poignant scene to uncover the lifeless bodies of Phak and Thiplada, with a 9mm firearm resting near them. The motive,…
In the dimly lit embrace of a quiet alleyway in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, the life of Montree, a 53-year-old bail agent, flickered out on what should have been a day of celebration: his birthday, July 19. At approximately 9:45 PM, Police Lieutenant Sanya Jaichan from the Nong Prue Police Station arrived at the scene to confirm the unimaginable—Montree was found deceased under the canopy of a tree that seemed to whisper secrets of a heavy heart. Montree’s final attire—a vibrant orange T-shirt paired with jeans and a black crossbody bag—became a poignant silent statement in the night. These sartorial choices, echoing his vibrancy yet concealing untold burdens, painted a picture of normalcy beneath which a storm quietly brewed. No signs of assault or struggle lingered at the scene, leaving an air of mystery shrouded around his passing. Among the local police officers, Montree was more than…
In a dramatic crackdown on shady business dealings, three companies in Thailand found themselves in hot water, following a high-profile raid that had all the marks of a thrilling detective novel. The operations, overseen by Thitiphat Chotidechachainan, leader of a Ministry of Industry task force, culminated in the seizure of electrical goods worth a whopping 7 million baht. The suspense kicked off when persistent whispers surfaced, hinting at warehouses overflowing with substandard products, all lacking the necessary stamps of approval from the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI). Our first stop on this trail of intrigue was a seemingly mundane warehouse nestled in CTT Salaya Park, Nakhon Pathom. Here, TT-One Technology Co Ltd, a company that wasn’t shy about its online presence, ran its operation. It sold its wares across a staggering 21 virtual storefronts. However, when officials from TISI and the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) showed up, it…