Situated in the flourishing pastoral expanse of northern Thailand, Pai, the dreamy tourist hotspot found itself in the thick of action, as a team of 85 law enforcement officials stormed two local communities. This daring operation saw an assemblage of various personnel right from local police and civilian officials to the Border Patrol Police and the Central Investigation Bureau’s (CIB) elite Hanuman Commando Unit, combining their expertise and resources. The endeavor that put these picturesque villages at the epicenter was a serious matter of drug-trafficking and substance abuse involving local inhabitants. This multi-agency crackdown was initiated against a backdrop of shocking revelations involving the prosaic ethnic Pai villagers. It was reported that these individuals were implicated in a nefarious business scheme involving the sale of hard drugs, which included heroin, methamphetamine, and “Ice,” a commonly-known term for crystal meth. The customers of this illicit business ranged from foreign tourists seeking…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Steeped in the heart of bustling Bangkok, a mammoth four-metre tall statue stands resolute on private property, catching the attention of the city’s officials and the curiosity of its inhabitants. The statue, a resemblance of Khru Kai Kaeo—a mythical character with the cryptic allure of a winged gargoyle, complete with razor-sharp fangs and striking crimson talons—was erected by a hotel owner, quickly becoming a head-turner on the buzzing Ratchadaphisek Road. This enigmatic effigy has not only sparked intrigue among motorists and pedestrians but has also made its way into the headlines of Thai media, fuelling discussions among web-based communities. Whispers of the legend attached to the Khru Kai Kaeo – a character who was ostensibly once the tutor of an ancient Khmer empire king- have swirled around. Notably, a handful of these discussions marvel at the mythology of Khru Kai Kaeo as a ‘god of wealth.’ However, not all reviews…
The tranquility of Thailand’s picturesque hub for holidaymakers, Hua Hin in the Prachuap Khiri Khan province, was recently disturbed, as a 48-year-old American known only as “Bass” found himself entangled in a police sting operation. Concurrently, his Thai compadre, 34-year-old Kanya whose surname remains undisclosed, was apprehended at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The heart of their alleged violations was centered around orchestrating illicit dealings in prostitution. Uncovering the seeds of their grand scheme was no easy task. It began following a series of lodged complaints made by a handful of unsuspecting tourists, claiming that their evenings had taken a nefarious turn. They alleged having been drugged and dispossessed of their belongings by ladies of the night who were connected to a suspicious platform known as Absolute Angels Bangkok. The truth, as it turns out, could be hidden in plain sight. The aforementioned website brandished overt advertisements of what it termed…
In the rapidly changing landscape of Thailand’s insurance sector, the power of digital technology is being harnessed to tackle emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence, cyber threats, as well as to manage healthcare costs for Thailand’s ageing populace. Under the leadership of the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC), significant strides have been made to augment industry resilience and elevate the customer experience. Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn, OIC secretary-general, proudly stated that the insurance industry experienced an unexpected growth of 4.81% in the first quarter of 2023, emphasizing on the amplified consumer cognizance of the significance of safeguarding health and property. However, he warned that certain companies followed unsustainable strategies, particularly those offering lump-sum payouts for Covid-19 insurance, which had the lure of large-scale sales but were eventually forced to discontinue as sales surpassed their underwriting capacity. Suthiphon further elucidated on OIC’s commitment to reinforce the insurance industry by harnessing technology to…
The stunning region of Loei, located in northeastern Thailand, has recently witnessed an unprecedented case of elephant cruelty within Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary. A plea for assistance has been sent to the Royal Thai Police by the park authorities to uncover and apprehend the perpetrator of such a barbarous act. The victim, a vibrant wild bull elephant, has been confirmed to be the casualty of this horrifying incident. Initial discovery of this horrific act was made close to a serene forest creek ensconced within the Sri Song Rak sector of the Dan Sai district in the earlier hours of yesterday. Preliminary insight obtained by officials from Phu Luang has shed light on the deceased elephant which is believed to have been part of a transient trio of elephants. Over the recent two months, these elephants had been occasionally spotted near the local farmland. Park rangers have persistently tried, unfortunately to…
Throughout the initial seven months of the present year, the Kingdom of Thailand saw a surge of foreign investment reaching the sum of 58.9 billion baht. A significant proportion of this financial inflow originated from deep-pocketed investors hailing from Japan, who unhesitatingly poured an exorbitant amount of capital into accelerating the growth of their ventures within Thailand. It’s estimated that Japan stood head and shoulders above other nations with a bountiful contribution totaling 19.9 billion baht. Hot on the heels of Japan, Singapore also made its presence felt in the Thai investment landscape, pouring 12.9 billion baht into various local sectors. Chinese and American companies also made significant contributions, investing 11.7 billion and 3.04 billion baht respectively, further propelling Thailand’s foreign investment trajectory. Director-General of the Business Development Department, Thosapone Dansuputra, delineated that during this period, the Foreign Business Committee greenlighted 377 applications from various corners of the world under…
An unfortunate catastrophe unfolded in Chaibadan district of Lopburi province that witnessed a deadly turn of events from a domestic quarrel. An everyday argument between a married couple tragically escalated to a fatal confrontation yesterday. The scene was set in a humble, single-storey wooden abode, which became the unwilling witness to the untimely death of its 45-year-old resident, a man named Wasan. Wasan’s lifeless body, bearing the tell-tale signs of a violent face-off, was discovered sprawled across the middle of their home. Grisly remnants of the encounter marked his body, with gunshot wounds in his right shoulder, under his right ribs, above his right breast, and other parts of his body. A smoking .38 handgun, its barrel cooled and emptied of its deadly projectiles, lay ominously on a nearby TV stand, flanked by six grimly silent spent shells. Harboring traces of the violent dispute on her bruised and swollen face,…
Deep within the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, a daring and audacious crime unfolded in the early dawn hours. A Krung Thai Bank automatic teller machine (ATM) was burglarized outside its location in front of Prachanukroh School, known for its peacefulness and academic pursuits. Its quiet nature rudely interrupted by the surgical precision and audacity of such a crime. Estimated losses were around 400,000 baht, a significant sum, leaving the close-knit community in shock. Janjira Saelim, the formidable deputy manager of Krung Thai Bank, registered a complaint at the local law enforcement institution, Tha Sala Police Station. The crime, according to Janjira, happened before the sun’s first light, a time when inhabitants are usually safely ensconced in their homes sleeping. No sooner had the ATM been stocked with approximately 6.24 million baht than the criminals descended. The constabulary’s finest, with their meticulousness and commitment to justice, swarmed over the…
Stepping into a new era of customs enforcement, Thailand Customs Department recently inaugurated its premier sniffer dog training centre, the Thai Customs Canine Training Centre (TCCTC), settled within the scenic surroundings of the Bang Phli district in Samut Prakan. Brought to life with the prime objective of identifying concealed narcotics in imported and exported items, the centre is geared to train and home no less than five sniffer dogs. Marking the grand opening of the centre, key dignitaries graced the event. The esteemed attendee list includes the Customs Department’s director-general, Patchara Anuntasilpa; the director-general of the Customs Human Resource Development Institute from South Korea, Yoo Sunhee, along with noteworthy representatives from the related sectors. The state-of-the-art centre spans over 2 rai of land, with its prime location in tambon Nong Prue serving as the perfect setting for training these canine officers. In an effort to mimic the conditions in which…
Visitors lounging on the pristine sands of Karon Beach, Phuket’s most extensive coast, paint a relaxing picture of this popular tourist destination. However, there is an urgent pursuit for sustainability beneath the surface. Phuket, a beautiful yet rapidly changing island province, aspires to attain the distinction of a low-carbon destination to further bolster its eco-tourism appeal. Governor Narong Woonciew has asserted this drive by stating the need to focus on managing food waste, a pressing concern that is leaving detrimental effects on the environment. According to Norwich, proactive talks amongst state organisations and an eco-conscious development foundation have led to the agreement of implementing a holistic and systematic plan for food waste management. It is imperative that state agencies, the private sector and civil society sectors pool their resources and initiatives effectively to guarantee utmost sustainability. Wattanapong Suksai of the Phuket Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office has stated support…