In the scenic, sun-drenched island of Phuket, known for its breathtaking beaches and bustling nightlife, a storm is brewing—not in the azure skies, but on its roads. The island’s traditional taxi and public transport sectors, exasperated by a deluge of illegal taxis, have sent an SOS to the authorities. They demand immediate action against the unlicensed vehicles swarming the transport network and ripping apart the fabric of the local economy. On June 30, these disgruntled operators marched into the Phuket Damrongtham Center—Purһailing their dissatisfaction with an official complaint. The center’s Director, Monchai Sae Lao, played host to a tempest of grievances. Accompanying him were officials from the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO), lending an ear to the echoing protests against the rogue taxis. According to the complaint, ride-hailing apps are turning a blind eye, enabling these unlawful vehicles to operate unchecked. It’s a double whammy—law-abiding drivers are being undermined while…
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Nestled within the lush scenery of Suphan Buri province, the serene grounds of Wat Nong Wal Priang became the focal point of joy, spirituality, and—believe it or not—some fervent number-crunching as they hosted an exceptionally auspicious ordination ceremony on June 29, 2025. Local and distant residents alike gathered with eager anticipation for this timeless tradition that continues to bridge communities in beautiful harmony. With an air of reverence that enveloped the temple, 17 aspiring monks embraced the path of monkhood under the wise tutelage of Phra Kru Baidika Suraphon Mahapanyo. As the presiding preceptor, his guidance was essential in fostering the spiritual awakening of these young men. Supporting him were Phra Mahamongkol Thirajano, an inspiring instructor, and Phra Kachakorn Jakkawaro, a mentor whose wisdom adds dimensions to their journey. It was indeed a spectacle, as if the moon itself paused to observe the unfolding moments on the fourth day of…
The air in Bangkok was thick with suspense as night fell over the Lat Phrao area, where whispers of a daring heist drifted through the winding streets. Underneath the blazing neon lights of a towering shopping mall, a seemingly innocuous parking lot became the stage for a cinematic caper that would have made Hollywood screenwriters envious. On the evening of June 30, two out of seven suspects were nabbed by the police, accused of pulling off a 3.4 million baht cash robbery that left the victims, a trio of unsuspecting partners, reeling. Our unfortunate protagonists, Piyalab, aged 35, Rattaphum, a youthful 20, and the 29-year-old Satjapoj, were merely looking to delve into the world of cryptocurrency. Their quest led them to arrange an exchange of 3.4 million baht for 100,000 USDT. The venue for this transaction? Not a high-security vault or a James Bond-esque secret location, but a quaint coffee…
In a surprising twist of events, the tranquil corridors of Bangkok’s revered Wat Tri Thotsathep Worawihan have recently been abuzz with palpable scandal. The centerpiece of this upheaval is none other than the esteemed abbot, Phra Thep Wachirapamok, affectionately known as Chaokhun Arj, whose departure from the monkhood has stirred whirlwinds of intrigue and speculation. The story, which burst into the public eye in late June, is as dramatic as it is scandalous. It centers around a clandestine romance that reads like a script from a forbidden drama. Allegedly, Chaokhun Arj’s departure from the monastery was propelled by an entanglement with Miss K, a 35-year-old whose relationship with him veered far from the pious. Their meetings, shrouded in secrecy and splashed across the backdrops of Bangkok’s bustling hotels, tell a tale of defiance against the religious vows held sacred by the clergy. This scandal bears a striking resemblance to the…
In the vibrant, bustling heart of Bangkok, a young Welshman named Ashton Jones faced the darkest of nights. Harrowing tales are often born from the enigmatic realms of Thailand’s nightlife, but none could have foreseen the brutal attack that would leave Ashton teetering on the brink of life and death. As he clung to the fragile strands of his existence, his first words upon awakening from a coma were heartbreakingly simple: “I just want to go home.” Ashton’s journey began amidst the bustling streets of Bangkok, accompanied by friends eager to experience the allure of Thailand. But what started as a night of revelry turned into a nightmare. Found unconscious, a staggering 55 miles away from his last known whereabouts, Ashton was a mystery wrapped in a tragedy. The young father of two from Cwmbran, Wales, had been viciously assaulted by unknown assailants, resulting in catastrophic injuries that demanded immediate…
In a riveting tale of cat-and-mouse that resembled a Hollywood heist film, the Revenue Department and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) have unravelled what appears to be one of the most elaborate VAT fraud networks ever seen in Thailand. Last week, synchronized police raids unfolded across 14 different locations in the scenic provinces of Tak, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok. On the radar was Samran Naowarat, a wily 63-year-old mastermind, and his nine associates, all allegedly orchestrators of the grand scheme. The operation came to fruition under the watchful eye of Police Major General Thatphum Jaruprat of the Economic Crime Division (ECD), who announced that a tip-off from the Revenue Department regarding Samran’s shadowy dealings at S&M Brotherhood General Trading Co Ltd had set the wheels of justice in motion. With the deftness of an illusionist, Samran had artfully registered no less than 20 VAT-registered businesses under the guises of family,…
Yesterday unfolded a dramatic sequence of events in Loei province that could have been lifted straight from a high-octane thriller, albeit with a grim real-world consequence. In the latest turn of events involving a major police pursuit along the tumultuous currents of the Loei River, the story comes with its share of nail-biting tension and tragic undertones. It all began with a seemingly routine investigation into a burglary that had taken place at a local scrap shop in the quaint community of Baan Kang Pla. The dusty, sun-drenched settlement in Chaiyaphuek subdistrict, part of the larger tapestry of Mueang Loei district, soon became the focal point of a high-stakes chase when a suspect made a daring escape plan that involved braving the river’s swirling waters. Identified as Wasan, the suspect showed the prowess of a man on the run as he took an unplanned dive into the depths of the…
In a chilling turn of events on the bustling streets of Bangkok, a shocking hit-and-run incident has unraveled, turning the normally serene morning into a scene of tragedy and outrage. As dawn broke on June 29, a red Mini Cooper became an instrument of devastation when it violently collided with a motorcycle near the entrance of Soi Phetkasem 19, leaving behind heartbreak and a community in shock. The serene morning ambiance was shattered, as the nimble Cooper descended a bridge with alarming speed, striking the motorcycle and sending its riders, 27-year-old taxi driver Dulyawat Nilkoet and his passenger, a 30-year-old woman known simply as Jittima, hurtling onto the unforgiving asphalt. The impact was catastrophic; Dulyawat suffered grievous head injuries, while Jittima succumbed to her injuries shortly after being rushed to the hospital. This somber tableau wasn’t enough to deter the Cooper’s driver, who, instead of extending a helping hand, chose…
As the sun set on June 30, the Thai Ministry of Public Health took another calculated step in the nation’s evolving relationship with cannabis. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) unveiled the P.T.33 form, a standardized prescription form that’s shaking up Thailand’s medical landscape. It’s a big move designed to ensure that the green leaf’s reputation isn’t clouded in misuse or fogged with confusion. “Order out of chaos!” That’s essentially the mantra of Dr. Somruk Chungsaman, the Director-General of DTAM, who spearheaded this initiative to tame the green beast with bureaucracy. The legendary P.T.33 is like a superhero cape for doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and even traditional healers. But more than a fashion statement, it’s a vital tool for those permitted to dispense cannabis for fifteen well-documented conditions. Each form carries the weight of rigorous bureaucracy, demanding patient specifics down to personal identifiers and even the intricacies of…
A ferocious storm swept through Bangkok last weekend, leaving chaos in its wake and sending one mammoth banyan tree crashing down in a rather spectacular and unexpected manner. This natural titan, with roots deep in history and trunk as sturdy as determination itself, wasn’t content with a mere topple—it had to make its grand exit by flattening a series of bank ATMs in front of the Din Daeng 2 Housing Authority office. A moment of wild nature flexing its muscles, you might say. Yet amidst this whirlwind of destruction, one woman’s unyielding spirit stood taller than the storm. As shattered machinery and precarious positions claimed the spotlight, she calmly continued her cash withdrawal inside one of the violently leaning booths. Her zen-like focus mid-chaos was immortalized in a photograph that quickly gained traction online. It seems nothing, not even Mother Nature swinging a heavy right hook, could prevent this woman…