Posts published in “Thailand”

Thailand’s thrilling quest to embrace the world of legalized casinos has hit an unexpected turbulence, as the government’s audacious ride towards legalizing casinos has suddenly derailed. In an unexpected announcement, the colorful saga came to an abrupt halt when the government declared it would retract the controversial Entertainment Complex Bill amidst an ocean of public dissent and the latest wave of political commotion. On July 7, Chief Government Whip Visuth Chainaroon conveyed that a motion to withdraw the bill from the current parliamentary session will be proposed on July 9, the very day it was initially intended for debate. “It’s not as if we’re retreating out of fear,” Visuth emphasized with a flare of defiance. “It’s about engaging with the people first and dispelling any lingering concerns.” Previously, the government had hinted at postponing the bill’s enactment to give ample time to soothe public fears. The buzz around town included…

In the tranquil stretch of Samut Songkhram’s Bang Kon Tee district, a harrowing incident unfolded just as dusk began to settle on July 7, 2025. A tragic collision claimed the lives of two individuals, whose paths fatefully crossed in the most unfortunate of circumstances. Our narrative delivers not just the grim details, but the underlying poignancy of the event, as we delve into the human stories behind the headlines. The night was already commencing its symphony of nocturnal sounds, perhaps masking the subtle warnings as 19-year-old Damrongchai, a humble porridge vendor, mounted his trusty black PCX motorcycle—its license plate as identifiable as a familiar street sign, 2กฌ 1458 from Ratchaburi. As the wheels turned, weaving through the fabric of the city streets, little did he know that this ride home would be his last. Damrongchai had been making a living selling steaming bowls of porridge near a convenience store at…

What began as a tranquil family dinner turned into a nightmare for one man from Surat Thani. The peaceful evening came to a crashing halt when the local train station became the stage for an assault that should never have occurred. Our protagonist, known only by his first name, Yutthaphon, was left battered and bruised, a victim of an unexpected act of violence. The events unfolded on June 15 as Yutthaphon, a 57-year-old family man, was dropped off at Surat Thani’s Phunphin Station by his 16-year-old son. Fresh from a convivial evening with family, complete with good food and a couple of drinks, Yutthaphon was primed for a journey home to Nakhon Si Thammarat. With hours to spare before his 1 a.m. departure, he opted to lie down for a brief respite on the station’s platform. Little did he know that this innocuous decision would lead to a harrowing experience.…

Ah, Phuket—the sun-soaked paradise where azure waves caress golden sands, and where, as it turns out, you can also enjoy a refreshing cocktail or two on major Buddhist holidays. In a delightful twist to the usual tale of holiday sobriety, Phuket’s top cop has given the green light for bars and entertainment venues to serve alcohol on Asarnha Bucha Day, and indeed, on all significant Buddhist holidays, bringing smiles to many a tourist and local resident. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a drill. It’s official: the concoctions are flowing! The bubbling confusion previously embroiled the island like an accidental splash of soda into a cocktail shaker. A bar located in the charming but decidedly un-touristy area of Koh Kaew faced an unexpected request to close its doors on July 10, out of respect for the Asarnha Bucha Day’s sanctity. The dilemma prompted The Phuket News to reach out for…

On an unfortunate day in Mueang district, Suphan Buri province, a somber tale unfolded, casting a shadow of tragedy that left an indelible mark on the community. A 36-year-old man named Anucha, allegedly under the influence of methamphetamine, embarked on a terrifying spree, ultimately leading to the untimely demise of his bedridden neighbor, the 63-year-old Suthep. Despite the valiant efforts of rescue workers on July 7, Suthep’s life could not be saved, marking a grim end to a horrifying episode. The events unraveled when Police Colonel Wanchai Khaoram and Lieutenant Chattri Plaisa, both esteemed officers from the Suphan Buri Provincial Police Station, were alerted to a disturbance. The call brought them to a residence nestled in Moo 4, Suan Tang subdistrict, where a heart-wrenching scene awaited. They encountered Anucha amidst the chaos, as frantic rescue workers desperately sought to revive Suthep, who lay helpless and bedridden. Hope flickered as Suthep…

Tensions ran high recently in Bangkok when a local social media influencer found herself embroiled in quite the discord with a group of spirited transwomen. The scene, reminiscent of a raucous movie plot, unraveled at one of Bangkok’s bustling nightspots, with the origins of the scuffle tracing back to a South Korean bar host who, intriguingly, sat at the heart of this tale. This colorful drama first came to light thanks to Mona, one of the transwomen involved. Her social media story painted a vivid picture, accusing the influencer, Duangporn “Yingaon” Chaiyarungyos, of wielding transphobic sentiments during their confrontation. Mona alleged that Yingaon’s comments were less than kind, describing how she and her friend faced a barrage of derogatory remarks with the word “kathoey” echoing through the heated exchange — a term all-too-familiar in Thai culture when referring to ladyboys. As the narrative unfolded like a soap opera’s juiciest episode,…

In the ever-bustling streets of Thailand, where spicy street food aromas dance through the air and tuk-tuks zip by, an unexpected battle is brewing in the world of agriculture. Thailand’s pig farmers, with their mud-splattered boots and sharpened determination, have found themselves on the front lines of an intense and very porky protest. Their foe? A looming avalanche of inexpensive American pork threatening to crash into their markets, potentially flattening generations of tradition and local livelihood like a stack of overhyped flapjacks. Just yesterday, on the 7th of July, the passionate pig protectors from the National Swine Raisers Association (NSRA) unleashed a statement so fiery it could grill a whole hog. They implored the Thai government to slam the gate shut on American pork imports, fearing that a flood of bargain bacon would drown their cherished industry in economic chaos. With intense urgency, they painted a dire portrait: over 100,000…

The tranquil landscapes of Thailand have been caught off guard by an alarming threefold rise in rabies-related fatalities this year, sending ripples of concern throughout the nation. This unsettling trend has primarily pointed fingers at our beloved four-legged friends—dogs—responsible for a staggering 90% of the cases, while the remainder are linked to those cunningly mysterious felines, the cats. On a seemingly ordinary day of July 7th, 2025, Dr. Phanumart Yanawetaskul, a venerated figure and Director General of the Department of Disease Control, broke the silence with news of seven rabies fatalities spread across the charming provinces of Chon Buri, Sisaket, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Ratchasima, Tak, and Rayong. This surge starkly contrasts the relatively tranquil scenario of the previous year. Diving deeper into the numbers unearthed by the Department of Livestock Development, the revelation that 164 animals have tested positive for rabies this year is as striking as a thunderbolt in a…

In the bustling streets of Phuket, where the sun blazes and life never stops, an ordinary day turned into a near face-off with disaster. On Sunday, July 6th, Naruemon Thorthip sat at her roadside beverage stall, a common scene but soon to be interrupted by an unexpected thrill ride. Her usual routine was shattered when a black SUV veered from its path and charged straight towards her little oasis of drinks and solace. Naruemon, unaware of the vehicular invasion about to unfold, was captured by CCTV sitting calmly, her eyes momentarily glazing over her surroundings. Suddenly, her trance was broken by a sinister roar—the SUV was on a collision course. With the instincts of a cat, Naruemon jumped from her spot, her heart racing, narrowly escaping the vehicle as it crashed into her stall like a rock through glass. Sharing this moment of horror on Facebook, she captioned the footage…