Rescue teams and Mueang Trat police prevented a 58-year-old Thai woman from taking her own life for the second time yesterday after she lost nearly 90,000 baht to an online romance scam. The woman, identified as Amornrat, had locked herself in a second-floor bedroom in Bang Phra sub-district. Her distraught sister-in-law called the police and emergency services, prompting a tense response that ended with a life saved. Officers and rescuers arrived to find Amornrat crying behind the closed door. A rescuer kept a calm, steady voice while talking to her through the wood, eventually persuading her to open the door. Inside, they discovered a nylon rope in her hands. When the rescuer reached to remove it, Amornrat tightened her grip and made a desperate attempt to strangle herself. Quick action from the team prevented tragedy. She broke down in tears and was comforted and steadied until she could regain some…
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Hua Hin Breathes Easy: ASEAN Honors the Seaside Town for Clean Air There’s a new feather in Hua Hin’s cap—one that smells distinctly like fresh sea breeze and well-kept boulevards. The coastal resort town has been awarded the Clean Air for Small Cities distinction at the ASEAN level, a recognition that puts Hua Hin on a selective map of communities leading the way in sustainable urban living. The accolade was formally acknowledged during the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment in Langkawi, Malaysia, where Atichat Chaisri, Deputy Mayor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, accepted a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of the town. The award was officially presented to Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul—an honor the mayor says belongs to everyone who calls Hua Hin home. “This award reflects the collective effort of our residents, and I’m deeply grateful to all those who have contributed to making Hua Hin a model…
Pattaya Police Escort Mother and Child Home After Begging Incident Near 7-Eleven On a busy stretch of Pattaya Third Road, just outside the familiar glow of a 7-Eleven near Soi Chalermprakiat 2/1, residents spotted a mother and her young child asking tourists for money. The scene — equal parts unsettling and heartbreaking — prompted quick action from Pattaya police and city enforcement officers after several locals filed complaints. The officers approached the pair with calm professionalism. After a brief, constructive conversation, the mother agreed to leave the area, and officials escorted both her and the child safely back home. No arrests were made; instead, the priority was clear: protect the child and restore comfort to the public. “The safety of the child and the comfort of the public are paramount,” a city official said. “While our enforcement actions ensure public safety, we must also recognise the importance of social support…
When the Floodwaters Recede, the Unexpected Comes Out to Play Residents of Nikhom Phatthana district in Rayong were left with more than soggy floors and damp furniture this week — they were startled by a two-metre crocodile casually sunning (or rather, road-laying) itself on a stretch of pavement as floodwaters began to fall back. Persistent rains have hammered parts of Rayong for days, sending sudden flash floods through low-lying neighborhoods. The Makham Khu sub-district, close to the local spillway, has been among the worst hit. As water levels rose, local rescuers from the Sawang Porakul Foundation (หน่วยกู้ภัยมูลนิธิสว่างพรกุศล จุดนิคมพัฒนา) moved through the community, hauling electrical appliances and furniture to upper floors and checking on vulnerable residents. They did what emergency crews do best: practical help with a steady hand and a calm voice. But after the initial panic of flooding passed, a different kind of panic set in. A motorist passing…
The Criminal Court has sentenced Chonthicha Jangrew, a People’s Party MP representing Pathum Thani, to two years and eight months in prison after finding her guilty of lese majeste and related online offences. Prosecutors said posts that appeared on a Facebook page she owned, published on 8 November 2020, insulted the monarchy, stoked social unrest and endangered national security. The ruling cited violations of Section 112 of the Criminal Code and Section 4 of the Computer Crime Act. Chonthicha has long been a polarising figure in Thai politics — an outspoken lawmaker who has used social media to critique public institutions and leaders. In court, she insisted that the Facebook posts were expressions of political opinion protected by the constitution. “The posts were intended to exercise my right to free speech and were not meant to defame the monarchy,” she said, according to reporting. Despite that defence, the court concluded…
Thailand’s tourism chiefs are sounding the alarm bell — but instead of an ominous siren, they’re handing the new tourism minister a bright stack of travel coupons and a to-do list. With the cool breezes of high season still whispering promises, industry leaders want fast, bold action to protect against the usual post-peak slump and to keep Thailand shining as Asia’s go-to holiday playground. Cash coupons: the quick, localised stimulus Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, is urging the incoming minister to roll out travel cash vouchers for international visitors — a simple, battle-tested tactic that has worked well in neighbouring markets such as Taiwan. Imagine a foreign family arriving in Bangkok, given a colourful coupon they can spend at street-food stalls, boutique guesthouses, or island souvenir shops. The money doesn’t just prop up airlines and five-star hotels; it trickles directly into local communities where a…
For anyone who had been tracking dots on Flightradar24 with the intensity of a mystery novel fan, the answer arrived in real time: former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra kept his promise. On the afternoon of September 8, 2025, his Bombardier Global 7500 touched down at Don Mueang International Airport, bringing to a close a brief overseas trip that had set political chatrooms and newsrooms alight. The drama began days earlier, on the night of September 4, when that same private jet was seen leaving the MJets terminal at Don Mueang. The sight of the sleek aircraft — and the sudden disappearance of Thailand’s most talked-about political exile-turned-returnee — sent speculation into overdrive. Would he run? Had he slipped out to avoid a court appearance set for September 9 about his hospital stay? Theories proliferated across social media and in the corners of cafés where political debate functions as sport.…
Bangkok traded traffic and tuk-tuks for teapots and typewriters on Sunday, September 7, when Baan Dusit Thani played host to the launch of a fresh, globe-spanning Chinese novel-writing competition. The event — a collaboration between Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao and SPH Media — felt less like a press conference and more like a backstage pass to the future of Chinese-language storytelling in Southeast Asia. Writers, publishers and cultural figures from across the region gathered to swap ideas, clap for new voices and, perhaps most importantly, remind everyone that great stories travel faster than planes. A literary roadshow with regional swagger Bangkok was only the first stop. After the warm Thai welcome, the competition caravan heads to Penang, Malaysia, then on to the scenic Nusa Island in Indonesia. Over 200 participants of all ages attended the Bangkok launch, signaling a vibrant appetite for Chinese-language literature across generations. The crowd included emerging writers…
Customs officers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport pulled off a bold interception on Saturday, September 6, when they arrested a Vietnamese man accused of attempting to traffic rhino horns valued at roughly 6.9 million baht. The dramatic seizure — five horn pieces weighing about 6.9 kilograms in total — underscores how vigilant screening and modern intelligence are being used to snuff out wildlife trafficking at major travel hubs. How the operation unfolded Thai Customs spokesperson Phanthong Loykunlanan said the arrest was made under a department policy driven by director Teerat Auttanawanit, who has prioritised cracking down on illegal wildlife trade. Using the advance passenger screening and verification system — a blend of passenger data and news intelligence — officials flagged the traveller as high-risk and moved to intercept him. The suspect arrived at Suvarnabhumi at 7:45 pm after an unusual routing: Luanda, Angola → Addis Ababa, Ethiopia → Bangkok, with plans…
Thailand Braces for Heavy Rain — TMD Warns 50 Provinces, Including Bangkok The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a serious weather alert for September 8: heavy rainfall is expected across 50 provinces — yes, that includes Bangkok and its surrounding areas. Forecasters say intense downpours could cover around 80% of the country in the impacted zones, with some pockets facing exceptionally heavy rain. If you live in eastern Bangkok, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi or Trat, it’s time to get your umbrella, waterproof boots and a healthy respect for puddles. What’s causing this soggy spell? The TMD points to a classic monsoon play: a trough sweeping through the lower northern, upper central and northeastern regions, combined with a moderately strong southwest monsoon blowing over the Andaman Sea, southern Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. Those two weather players together are signing up for a very wet performance. Tropical…