Pattaya’s vibrant and bustling dining scene, once a culinary paradise for both locals and jet-setters, now finds itself grappling with a turbulent gastronomic storm. The year 2025 appears to be overshadowing even the tumultuous Covid-19 era, as escalating costs sweep across the industry, leaving even the staunchest restaurateurs arguing it’s the toughest time they’ve ever faced. Soaring gas prices, sky-high raw material costs, labor shortages, and a noticeable dip in customer spending are creating what some colorful insiders are calling a “hamburger crisis” — and this isn’t the kind of sizzle anyone ordered. Sorrathep Steve, the eloquent President of the Restaurant Business Club and a seasoned advisor to the Hostel Association of Thailand, has rung the alarm bell. Like a culinary superhero in distress, he’s urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her economic cohorts to jump to the rescue before this beloved sector goes belly-up. “Restaurants are being squeezed from…
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In the bustling heart of Bangkok, a ripple of dissent echoed across Suvarnabhumi Airport as the sun cast its first rays on Wednesday morning. Amidst the chorus of everyday city life, a passionate protest materialized, led by taxi drivers who were intent on steering the public’s attention to their grievances against the ubiquitous Grab ride-hailing service. These drivers, numbering about 50 and fueled by a sense of injustice, converged outside the Thai parliament with one mission—to demand the closure of the Grab service lounge at Bangkok’s key aviation portal, Suvarnabhumi Airport. Their ultimatum was clear: shut down the lounge or face the prospect of strategic blockades at the airport’s crucial junctures. The protest was orchestrated under the vigilant leadership of Waraphol Kaemkhunthod, the head of the Thai Public Taxi Association. Setting their stage at entry gate 5, right across from the Ministry of Education on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, they implored…
Imagine the vibrant, bustling streets of Bangkok, where the aroma of street food fills the air, and vendors passionately cater to throngs of tourists, hungry for a taste of Thailand’s rich culinary diversity. Amidst this energetic backdrop, a peculiar scene unfolded on a typical Wednesday: eight foreigners were whisked away by law enforcement amid the spirited chaos of Khaosan Road. This lively mecca of tourism, famed for its eclectic mix of backpackers, street performers, and bargaining vendors, became the focal point of a targeted operation spearheaded by officers from Immigration Division 1 in collaboration with Chanasongkram police station. Their mission? To tighten the reins on illegal employment and enforce immigration laws, particularly in tourist hotspots renowned for their vibrant and sometimes elusive nature. Among the individuals apprehended was a Turkish national, introduced publicly under the pseudonym “Mr. Muhammed.” His claim to fame was a delightful Turkish ice cream stand, noted…
In a rather peculiar twist of events, a 25-year-old woman found herself in hot water after local authorities discovered her side hustle—selling fashionable, yet unlicensed, dental braces. This enterprising young lady, known only as ‘A’, was allegedly targeting students with her chic orthodontic designs, but without the necessary dental credentials to back her up. Her arrest followed a serious clampdown on crime initiated by Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueka-am, the esteemed Tourist Police Commissioner, spanning from May 15 to May 22. In a meticulously planned operation, Police Major General Ekkaphop Intawiwat and Colonel Yutthasit Boonklam directed their team, including Police Lieutenant Colonel Sutthirak Ratpharakon and Police Lieutenant Attapol Charoenphon, to follow the digital bread crumbs that led them right to her doorstep. In a room nestled in the quiet Hua Ro subdistrict of Mueang district in Phitsanulok province, ‘A’ was discovered amidst her collection of unauthorized dental gear, presumably prepping…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, on this bright day of May 21, 2025, the air is buzzing with the excitement of innovation and the hum of electric dreams. It’s the dawn of a new era in transportation, spearheaded by none other than Sleek EV Co., Ltd., a trailblazer in urban mobility. At the helm of this electric revolution is Kantinan Tunveenukoon, the visionary CEO who is orchestrating a symphony of change across Southeast Asia, transforming the way we move with a new breed of electric motorcycles. Sleek EV isn’t just crafting electric bikes; it’s building a bold future where mobility isn’t barred by earth’s limitations. By weaving together proprietary in-house technology with a vast, interconnected ecosystem, and bolstered by strategic alliances in energy, finance, and automotive sectors, Sleek EV is turbocharging Thailand into a hub of sustainable transportation. “We’re not just building electric motorcycles; we’re shaping the future of…
Deep in the verdant heart of Surat Thani, a new leafy wonder has recently been unveiled, enthralling botanists and nature enthusiasts alike. Meet the “Tharathum” tree, an intriguing newcomer to the world of flora, joyfully discovered by an intrepid team of Thai researchers spearheaded by the diligent Dr. Chatthida Wiya of the Botanical Garden Organization. This stunning arboreal find is no ordinary tale; it weaves the collective wisdom of scholars from Chiang Mai and Kasetsart universities, along with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and the Department of Agricultural Extension. Their laborious quest culminated in a groundbreaking article published in the esteemed “Plant Systematics and Evolution” journal, Vol 311, Issue 3, on the brisk spring day of May 1, 2025. The enchanting Tharathum, deriving its Thai name from “thara” meaning water and “thum” indicating tree, belongs to the Annonaceae family’s esteemed ranks, proudly waving the flag of…
Ah, Thailand! A blissful paradise of serene beaches, exotic cuisine, and… unscrupulous scams? That’s right, travelers. As enticing as the Land of Smiles may be, there’s a shadow lurking behind its vibrant allure. A fresh report from the Mastercard Economics Institute has cast Bangkok into the unfortunate spotlight as one of the top global epicenters for tourist fraud. Hang onto your hats—and your wallets—because visiting Bangkok just became a little more thrilling than you’d perhaps anticipated. According to an eye-opening analysis highlighted by CNBC, a staggering 28% surge in travel-related scams is darkening the sunny vacations of many globetrotters, and when it comes to Bangkok, there’s a particularly troubling trend—nearly half of these fraudulent occurrences revolve around dubious taxi and car rental operations. Picture this: you’ve landed in the bustling capital, the prospect of tantalizing street food and vibrant temples ahead. But first, naturally, you hop into a taxi, oblivious…
In an inspiring blend of international partnership and environmental ambition, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has teamed up with the illustrious Embassy of Sweden and the dynamic Swedish private sector to launch a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing clean energy. Aptly titled “Pioneer the Possible Thailand 2025”, this event serves as a beacon towards sustainable energy, shimmering with limitless potential. On the memorable date of May 20, 2025, a congregation of visionary minds gathered at the iconic EGAT 50th Anniversary Building nestled in EGAT Headquarters, Nonthaburi. This confluence was led by the esteemed Mr. Thepparat Theppitak, Governor of EGAT, alongside the distinguished H.E. Mrs. Anna Hammargren, the Swedish Ambassador to Thailand. Together, they orchestrated a symphony of ideas with EGAT executives and delegates from leading Swedish enterprises, all with an eye on a greener horizon. Embodying the spirit of collaboration, H.E. Mrs. Anna Hammargren eloquently noted that this…
In the serene dawn of northern Phuket, an anticipated routine shifted into a scene of chaos as two young men found themselves in the midst of a jarring early morning collision. Imagine the unsettling calm of Thepkrasattri Road, a crucial vein connecting Phuket to the mainland, suddenly disrupted by the harsh cacophony of metal meeting metal. This unexpected drama unfolded at the Old Airport Intersection in Village 1, Mai Khao, nestled within the Thalang district, just as the clock struck 5am. The sleepy town awoke to the thunderous crash when a delivery truck driver, on the brink of exhaustion, nodded off and plummeted his vehicle into another truck idling at the red light. The spectacularly unfortunate rendezvous involved a six-wheeler from Mermaid Logistics—its license plate echoing tales of travel from distant Khon Kaen. In its cab lay the 23-year-old Wittawat Khaotong from Surat Thani, ensnared in a chilling embrace of…
On the serene island of Koh Samui, known for its sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife, a tragic and sinister mystery has emerged. In an unsettling turn of events, police are combing the island for clues after the shocking discovery of one of their own—a beloved Thai nurse—horribly murdered in her place of residence. Aunchuree Wongmueang, a 36-year-old who worked diligently in a hospital’s documentation department, was adored by her colleagues and led a quiet life in the welfare accommodation provided by her employer. But today, May 21, the calm of the island was shattered. Her coworkers, unable to reach her, decided to visit her quarters at Green Park Village in the Koh Samui district. With anxiety waning on their faces, they entered her room using a spare key. What they found was a sight too grim to bear: Aunchuree, motionless and lifeless on her bed. Dressed only in black underwear,…