The serene ambiance of Wat Rak Khing in Thailand’s Nakhon Pathom province was shattered when its revered abbot, Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, was escorted down a pathway of disgrace under the accusing eyes of the Thai media. At the heart of this sensational unmasking was the troubling revelation that the 70-year-old spiritual leader, known affectionately among followers as “Chao Khun Yaem,” was embroiled in a scandal involving the alleged embezzlement of a staggering 300 million baht. This money, which belonged to the temple, had reportedly been funneled into the underworld of online gambling, leaving the local community in shock. In an unprecedented move, Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat was ceremoniously disrobed at precisely 8:42 PM on a fateful Thursday evening, his spiritual vestments replaced by a stark white cloth. He stepped down in front of a sacred Buddhist statue—a solemn acknowledgment of the severity of his alleged transgressions. The peculiar quiet inside Wat…
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In a drama that intertwines faith, fortune, and the shadowy world of online gambling, Thailand finds itself gripped by a scandal as law enforcement agencies unravel a complex web reaching from hallowed temple halls to the bustling streets of Pattaya. This gripping tale of betrayal and bad bets surfaced when a young woman was apprehended inside a posh condo, unwittingly drawing the lens of scrutiny toward the powerful yet precarious lives of those in spiritual authority. The time was 4:30 PM, the date marked just yesterday, May 15th, when officers from the Central Investigation Bureau’s Anti-Corruption Division converged upon a high-rise on Pattaya’s Second Road. Aranyawan Wangthaphan, a vibrant 28-year-old broker, found herself ensnared in this saga. She allegedly served as the financial conduit, channeling temple funds from a revered monk into the murky depths of online baccarat. This arrest paints a vivid picture of how far the wealthy could…
In the bustling town of Phitsanulok, an alarming incident has left locals in shock and disbelief. At the center of this drama is a conscript, Krittakorn Sakwatchara, who made headlines for the wrong reasons. Armed with accusations and alleged misdeeds, he confronted his ex-girlfriend, the 19-year-old Sasipim, in a situation that quickly escalated. The normally serene surroundings of a local noodle factory turned into a scene straight out of an action movie last Wednesday, May 14, when Sasipim was shockingly attacked while diligently packing noodles. It was a day like any other until the monotony was shattered when Krittakorn, aged 21 and dressed in an air of desperation, was caught on CCTV breaching the factory’s defenses like a scene-stealer from a blockbuster. He climbed over the wall with the stealth of a cat burglar but the fury of a jilted lover, heading directly for Sasipim. Nakarin, a colleague turned unintentional…
In an illuminating policy briefing on May 15, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira took center stage, urging state-owned financial institutions to rally a robust defense for Thailand’s export businesses and supply chain networks. Pichai, in his astute assessment, warned of the formidable challenge posed by the United States’ reciprocal tariffs, foreseeing a two-year uphill battle for local businesses immersed in the art of exports. With the determination of a seasoned chess player contemplating his next move, Pichai implored the financial institutions to accelerate the rollout of support measures for exporters particularly grappling with the labyrinthine US market. His call was not limited to these frontiers alone, as he pressed for effective aid to shield Thai enterprises against the tidal wave of competition from Chinese imports. But Pichai’s vision transcended borders, dipping into the domestic realms of housing and tourism. He beckoned the state banks to extend their supporting hands to the…
In a profoundly distressing incident that has shattered the tranquility of Lampang, a northern province in Thailand, an unimaginable act of violence unfolded, one that has reverberated through the hearts of all who have heard of it. The shocking event took place on the evening of May 14, when a 73-year-old woman was brutally assaulted by her own son — a 49-year-old man with a troubled history of imprisonment and crime. This harrowing ordeal occurred when the elderly woman was returning home from a relative’s visit. Her son, the alleged perpetrator, arrived on his motorcycle, ostensibly to give her a ride back. But instead of the familiar path, he lured her through a desolate route under the pretense of a shortcut. A sense of foreboding set in as he abruptly claimed their vehicle had run out of petrol, persuading her to wait in an isolated locale along the Lampang-Thoen Road…
Bangkok, May 15, 2025 – A cinematic celebration like no other has arrived in the bustling streets of Bangkok. The 31st European Union Film Festival (EUFF) has officially kicked off at House Samyan Cinema, courtesy of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Thailand, and it’s a gathering not to be missed. With the partnership of 19 EU Member States (EUMS) Embassies and Cultural Institutions as well as the Embassy of Ukraine, this year’s festival embraces the theme ‘Where Stories Meet, Cultures Unite,’ promising a cinematic journey that transcends borders and unravels the splendid tapestry woven by diverse European narratives. From May 15 to 25, 2025, prepare your popcorn and ready yourself for a cinematic itinerary like never before! Twenty-three films, handpicked by the intellects at the EU Delegation to Thailand and embassies from countries including Austria, Spain, and Finland, are getting ready to grace the screens. Whether you…
In the world of high-stakes construction, the tension was palpable on a hot Friday, as Premchai Karnasuta, the accomplished yet embattled president of Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), made an entrance that could almost be taken from a courtroom drama. Released from a previous stint at Thong Pha Phum jail on October 17, 2023, Karnasuta found himself, once again, at the eye of a legal storm—this time resulting from the catastrophic collapse of a skyscraper that reached for the Bangkok skies. Participants in this unfolding real-life theater included approximately 10 individuals entangled in the whirlwind of criminal charges, each with a chapter to tell about the tragic demise of the State Auditing Office skyscraper in the heart of bustling Bangkok. This particular tale in their narrative was marked by the unfortunate loss of 92 souls—a tragedy written into the history of March 28, the result of an unexpected seismic event all…
Amidst the serene landscapes of Thailand, there lurks an invisible force—a force that can shake the ground and rattle the nerves of those who dwell in the vibrant metropolis of Bangkok. This force is none other than the tremors of distant earthquakes, casting a shadow over a city famed for its spirited culture and bustling lifestyle. But fear not, dear reader, for while the risk may keep some on their toes, it’s not exactly a daily dance with disaster. At the esteemed Bangkok Post Knowledge Forum, audaciously titled “After the Quake,” the spotlight was keenly fixed on Professor Pennung Warnitchai from the Asian Institute of Technology. The professor ventured forth with revelations about Bangkok’s precarious position on the seismic stage, underscoring how the city’s unique geographical makeup plays a crucial role. Imagine Bangkok as a bowl, surrounded by invisible dancers—tremors—with the propensity to amplify their every subtle move. The result?…
Deep in the heart of Kanchanaburi province, a gripping mystery has unraveled, captivating the attention of locals and leaving a family in distress. At the center of it all is Waraphong “Taetae” Khunsrijaturong, a 33-year-old DJ and party entertainer whose sudden disappearance has whipped up a storm of speculation and worry. The tale took a serious turn when Premyuda, Waraphong’s girlfriend, filed a missing person report with Mueang Kanchanaburi Police Station on May 4. In the early hours of that day, Waraphong had left their home, apparently headed for work at a nightclub, but by daylight, he had yet to return. With communication mysteriously severed, Premyuda’s distress heightened as she reached out to Waraphong’s friends to piece together his last known whereabouts. Her inquiries uncovered a startling revelation; Waraphong had been maintaining a secret relationship with another woman for over a year. At approximately 2 pm, Premyuda gathered that Waraphong…
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) in Thailand is stepping up its game to tackle a peculiar hiccup that’s been causing them some angst. Foreign students have been seen enrolling in short courses, not out of sheer thirst for knowledge, but as a sly method to work illegally in this vibrant country. With a watchful eye and a no-nonsense attitude, Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi unveiled measures designed to swiftly put an end to this mischief. From now on, educational institutions dabbling in short courses will have to roll up their sleeves and prepare to dot their i’s and cross their t’s. Value, quality, and integrity are the magic words as these institutions will be obligated to submit their course offerings under a magnifying glass before they get the green light. The emphasis is on holding up the standards that have been set in alliance with the Immigration…