In the bustling streets of Bangkok, amidst the vibrant tapestry of life, an unusual tale has captivated the city. At the heart of it is a transgender fortune teller, dramatically denying claims of defrauding and sexually assaulting a young boy. Serm, as she is known, refutes the allegations with fervor, embroiling herself in a storm of controversy that has now gripped the public’s attention. The curious case began when a 16-year-old boy, struggling with teenage angst over his girlfriend, was drawn into the world of fortune-telling. Encouraged by a classmate, he sought Serm’s mystical counsel, venturing to her premises on bustling Rama II Road. The initial encounter, which set him back 5,000 baht, apparently left him enchanted by her supposed insights. Spellbound, he found himself returning repeatedly, driven by the allure of spiritual advice and the promise of enchanted amulets. According to the boy, what started as innocent visits quickly…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
As the sun dipped below the horizon on a vibrant February evening in 2021, the air outside the Office of Attorney-General was charged with emotion and tension. Singer Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan, more fondly recognized by his fans as Ammy the Bottom Blues, made a dramatic entrance. Arriving in a hospital bed festooned with roses gifted by his ardent supporters, he was ready to face one of the most challenging episodes of his life. At the time, Ammy was not just dealing with the daunting prospect of a lese majeste charge but was recovering from an eye operation, adding yet another layer to his already complex situation. The scene painted by this moment is unforgettable—one of defiance, vulnerability, and a touch of theatricality, immortalized in a snapshot by Arnun Chonmahatrakool. Fast forward to the Thanyaburi Provincial Court on a pivotal Tuesday, where reverberations of hope echoed through its hallowed halls. It was…
In an interesting turn of events, a transformative new law is poised to reshape the landscape of pet ownership in Bangkok. Slated to come into effect on January 10, 2024, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Ordinance on Animal Keeping and Release Control 2024 will bring significant changes to how pets are managed, especially focusing on our furry friends—dogs and cats. With an aim to curtail stray populations while boosting responsible pet ownership, this ordinance officially classifies the bustling city of Bangkok as a controlled animal zone, covering six broad categories of animals including mammals, poultry, aquatic creatures, amphibians, reptiles, and those pesky venomous or aggressive species. However, it’s the cats and dogs that really steal the spotlight in the heart of the city’s dense condominiums and lively suburban landscapes. While the ordinance’s aims are commendable, it doesn’t come without its share of apprehensions. Thong Lor resident and dedicated pet lover,…
In the vibrant city of Bangkok, Hi-Like Agency, a trailblazer in the world of digital public relations, is hitting a major milestone—its 15th-anniversary celebration. Under the visionary leadership of Ms. Nasiri Sophonnasiri, Co-founder and Deputy Managing Director, the agency is embarking on a transformative journey with an innovative concept called the “3i for 2025” strategy. This avant-garde plan is set to revolutionize PR, positioning it as an indispensable business catalyst amidst the era of artificial intelligence and big data. With a steadfast commitment to innovation and data-oriented strategies, Hi-Like Agency is transforming into a robust Digital PR titan, ensuring tangible business success through advanced technological prowess. “Celebrating 15 years is not merely about reflecting on our past achievements. It’s a bold proclamation about the future of public relations,” Ms. Nasiri passionately expresses. “In 2025, PR transcends its traditional role of communication, evolving into a strategic powerhouse driving genuine business results.”…
The luxurious Ocean Sky Pattaya dinner cruise, once a beacon of elegance gliding down Thai waters, is currently navigating some turbulent seas. Once brimming with Chinese tourists eager to indulge in its culinary delights and scenic charm, the cruise is now forging a new path amid dwindling visitors and mass layoffs. In a valiant attempt to stay afloat, the cruise has bid farewell to 30% of its dedicated staff, hoping these drastic cost-cutting measures offer a life raft against these challenging tides. Buncha Kullawanich, the executive mind behind Ocean Sky, paints a stark picture of the current situation. “We’ve seen a 30% reduction in footfall since early 2025,” he explains. The decline was catalyzed by unsettling incidents: notably, a high-profile kidnapping using Thailand as a waypoint to Myanmar, and a disastrous earthquake that toppled a government edifice. These calamitous events have left a dent in the perception of Thailand’s safety,…
In a heart-wrenching incident that has left the local community in a state of shock and mourning, a 65-year-old woman tragically lost her life after falling into a septic tank in Phitsanulok province. The heartbreaking discovery was made by her granddaughter, leading to a police investigation to understand the sequence of events that led to this unfortunate accident. The grim report reached Police Colonel Chanasak Phueanghuengkaew at the Wang Thong Police Station on the evening of May 5th. He received news that the lifeless body of an elderly woman had been discovered submerged in a septic tank at a residence in the Mueang Phitsanulok district. Without delay, emergency services, including the dedicated team from the Burapha rescue unit, were dispatched to the site of the tragedy. The residence, a modest single-storey concrete home, had an aged septic system adjacent to it. Sa-ing, the victim, was heart-wrenchingly found head-first in the…
In the early dawn of Tuesday morning, an unexpected mishap unfolded beneath the sprawling sky of Samut Sakhon. A trailer truck, stoic and perhaps a bit disgruntled, sat parked beneath the shadowy incomplete expressway on Rama II Road. It had tangled with a rebellious steel cable hanging from the construction above, which leapt at it with the zeal of an overzealous acrobat. The truck was not alone in its misfortune, for a humble pickup was also caught up in this unfortunate embrace. Miraculously, as if shielded by the benevolence of the traffic gods, there were no injuries to lament. Under the veil of the morning mist, the incident became the unlikely subject of a snapshot—captured and immortalized on the spirited Sakhon News Facebook page. The digital world stood as an unwitting witness to this modern-day tale of vehicles versus infrastructure. Thankfully, the tale was devoid of human casualties, leaving only…
The British Embassy in Bangkok recently orchestrated a whirlwind three-day roadshow across the scenic vistas of southern Thailand. This tour marked a significant milestone as it commemorated the 170th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between the United Kingdom and Thailand. From April 28 to 30, the embassy’s dynamic team embarked on a journey that took them to the sun-kissed islands and lush landscapes of Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, and Surat Thani. Their mission was not only about serious diplomacy but also about infusing some vibrant community engagement along the way. At the helm of this diplomatic odyssey was the charismatic British Ambassador Mark Gooding. Accompanying him were the savvy Agriculture and Commercial Counsellors, each with a keen eye on sustainable tourism, agriculture, and environmental cooperation. The trip embraced the evocative theme, “Our Shared World: Environment, Wildlife, Marine, Nature, Climate, Agriculture, and Sustainable Tourism.” This wasn’t just about formal discussions behind…
Family businesses are the unsung heroes of a nation’s economy, quietly driving sustainable business growth and lending backbone to the market structure. A surprising number of renowned corporations that we know today as public giants started humbly as family endeavors. In Thailand, a lion’s share, precisely 80%, of small to medium-sized enterprises are family-led, while 67% of publicly traded companies on the Stock Exchange of Thailand owe their roots to family origins, accounting for half of the total market value. These enterprises play a vital role in not just job creation but in cultivating economic resilience that spans across generations. For this reason, one of the paramount obligations of family business owners is to ensure their legacy thrives beyond their tenure. Crafting a succession plan that deftly navigates generational transfer of power can safeguard this legacy, embedding continuity into the family DNA, often documented in a family charter or as…
In a dramatic turn of events, a chilling saga played out along the banks of the mighty Mekong River yesterday, May 5, as a teen became entangled in the sinister web of drug smuggling. Rear Admiral Narong Emdee, the vigilant commander of the Mekong Riverine Unit, was instrumental in orchestrating a swift crackdown on this illicit scheme, thanks to a timely tip-off about a cross-border operation that had cast its net from the nearby lands of Laos into Thailand. This clandestine operation was set to unfold near the picturesque riverbanks at Ban Bung Suai, nestled within the Mueang subdistrict of Khong Chiam district in Ubon Ratchathani province. The serene beauty of the location starkly contrasted with the tension brewing that day. The scene was set – a white pickup truck lay in wait by the riverbank, its occupants blissfully unaware of the watchful eyes of the law. The anticipation reached…