In the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, lottery enthusiasts are caught up in the midst of a mixed-result season that has everyone guessing and hoping for Lady Luck’s favor. As the calendar flips through May, it coincides with culturally substantial dates such as Visakha Bucha, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, and Coronation Day. These dates sparked a frenzy of excitement, yet, ironically, lottery vendors are experiencing a bit of a curveball with sales taking a slight plunge due to the start of the school term. On May 14, the heart of Chiang Mai witnessed its usual flurry of activity. People ambled around major markets—Chiang Mai Gate, Chang Phueak Gate—and other bustling hubs like the Arcade Bus Terminal and Haiya Cemetery, seeking out those elusive lucky numbers. The price tag remains unchanged, with a single ticket going for 100 baht (around US$3). For those feeling extra adventurous, bundles of tickets are available:…
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Phuket found itself underwater today as torrential rain turned the vibrant island into a scene out of an aquatic adventure. Major roads morphed into temporary canals, sparking travel upheaval in some of the island’s most frequented tourist areas. From the crack of dawn on this rather soggy May 14th, the relentless downpours pounded the districts of Mueang and Kathu, unleashing flash floods across seaside subdistricts like Patong, Chalong, and Rawai. These areas, typically bustling with locals and visitors basking in the sun, now resembled more of a waterlogged wonderland. As nature’s deluge continued, small cars found themselves stranded, transforming even the most confident drivers into reluctant sailors. Traffic reached a near standstill in several locations as officials hurried to maintain some semblance of order. Among them, Samran Jindapol, the resilient Mayor of Chalong Municipality, was seen wading through the waterlogged streets, directing traffic with a blend of authority and aquatics.…
In the vibrant streets of Phuket’s Wichit sub-district, a dramatic episode unfolded that felt like it could have been ripped from the pages of a crime thriller. On a sun-kissed Monday, May 12, a heated altercation near a bustling grocery store led to an unexpected and violent turn of events. Samittra, a local woman, found herself in the middle of a high-tension confrontation with Tubtim, another woman who was fervently accusing her of having an illicit affair with her boyfriend. Tensions reached a boiling point as the conversation, originally intended to clarify misunderstandings, quickly descended into a chaotic affair. Amidst shouted accusations, Tubtim allegedly lashed out, wielding a knife with a swift jab that left Samittra with a stab wound on her left arm. The confrontation didn’t end there; a slap to the face followed, adding insult to injury before Tubtim made her escape. Candid and shaken, Samittra later shared…
Governor Chadchart Sittipunt took center stage to emphasize the paramount significance of the alert content during the latest simulation exercise. The grand event, held on May 13th, 2025, was a collaborative effort featuring the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) teaming up with the big guns: the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Public Relations Department, and major mobile operators like AIS, TRUE, and NT. Now, picture this – officials assembled at the prestigious Nopparat Room, nestled in City Hall’s second building right next to the iconic Giant Swing (Sao Chingcha) in the bustling Phra Nakhon district. Not to mention, all 50 district offices across the city were virtually linked, ensuring comprehensive participation. After putting the system through its paces, Governor Chadchart’s satisfaction was palpable. “Today’s test was a smooth sail,” he declared with…
In a decisive move for the ongoing recovery efforts, authorities have confirmed that support operations will not only continue but ramp up, as efforts to identify those still missing press on. This announcement echoes in the halls of the operations hub at the JJ Mall building in Chatuchak, where the sounds of bustling strategists have quieted. On Tuesday, amidst a wave of closure and continuity, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, along with senior officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and representatives from a myriad of agencies, officially signaled the end of operations for the Chatuchak District Office’s Incident Command Centre. The formality was marked by solemn gratitude and promises of unfettered ambition. Ms. Patkorn Sinsuk, the line’s burden-bearer in her role as Chatuchak District Director and Incident Commander, took a moment to reflect on the monumental support received. Her eyes gleamed with sincere appreciation for Their Majesties the King and…
In the heart of Bangkok’s bustling Chatuchak district, an imposing concrete structure now stands as a ghostly reminder of tragedy and shattered dreams. Enshrined in sorrow, the once-mighty headquarters of the State Audit Office (SAO) teeters on the edge of memory, adorned with colorful flower garlands that cling to its remnants – silent witnesses to the chaos that shook the city and the lives of those within its ominous shadow. It was here, amidst the haunting echoes of loss, that a poignant merit-making ceremony recently marked the solemn conclusion of a grueling six-week-long search and rescue operation. This monumental disaster, unexpected as a sudden tropical storm, erupted during the March 28 earthquake—Bangkok’s day of infamy. As the tremors subsided, only the SAO building, an intricate marvel of architectural ambition, had succumbed to the earth’s rumbling fury. Clinging to the wreckage of its ambitious 30-story skeleton, the city mourned the loss…
At a pivotal press conference held at the illustrious Government House on Wednesday, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira stepped into the spotlight, unraveling Thailand’s strategic overtures in its trade dialogues with the US. Picture a chess game where each move has the potential to shift the balance. Thailand aims to counterbalance trade deficits and hopefully coax Washington into reducing its stifling tariffs imposed on Thai exports. Yet, nestled within the minister’s discourse was an update that has ignited domestic curiosity— the state of the government’s heralded digital wallet initiative. Now in its third phase, this project finds itself tiptoeing on a tightrope as the economic landscape, strained by US tariffs, beckons for reevaluation. Indeed, Minister Pichai affirmed that the distribution of the 10,000-baht handout is undergoing scrutiny, as the winds of trade turbulence ripple across the global economic waters. With admirable resolve, Thailand presented a set of proposals to Washington. The…
On a sunny day in May, members of the House committee, tasked with ensuring wise use of state funds, took a trip to Trang Airport. Their goal? To inspect the burgeoning new passenger terminal that locals have been eagerly anticipating. As they marveled at the model of the airport, it became clear that these large and ambitious development projects, worth a staggering 4.4 billion baht, were finally nearing reality. But there’s much more to this story than meets the eye. At the forefront of this scrutiny is the opposition’s People’s Party, who have committed to keeping a watchful eye on the ambitious development plans. The renovations at Trang airport, long overdue, are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, with at least one segment of the revamp slated for completion by next month. Bangkok MP Rukchanok Srinork, an integral part of the monitoring committee, took the high…
In the bustling town of Samut Prakan, where the clatter of daily life often swirls around like a whirlwind, an unsettling whisper wound its way through the community, leaving an echo that would not easily fade. Amidst the rhythmic hum of machinery and distant laughter of children playing in nearby alleys, a most disturbing discovery unfolded, casting a shadow of somber silence over the area. It all transpired in the quiet enclave of Bang Phli district, tucked behind the usually unassuming rows of workers’ housing—a patchwork of lives intersecting in the heart of this industrious settlement. It was here, amidst the loosely sprouted grass and rough edges of discarded life, that an unintended scene of nature’s stark reality set the stage. An unlikely participant had taken the spotlight; the kind rarely considered part of the suburban narrative—a monitor lizard. This large, scaly creature, generally more prone to shy wanderings along…
The Thai baht finds itself in a precarious dance against the US dollar once more, as the greenback gains momentum following a temporary lull in the ongoing US-China trade skirmish. Enthusiastic currency enthusiasts and analysts suggest the baht may weaken further, potentially hitting a low of 33.80 against the dollar in the coming days. This nervous anticipation persists despite a brief uptick in global market sentiment. Roong Sanguanruang, the Senior Vice President for Global Markets Planning at Bank of Ayudhya (popularly known as Krungsri), advises that the baht continues to feel the pressure from a cocktail of factors, prominently the reverberations of the recent ceasefire in the trade storm. “We estimate the baht will hover in the range of 33.00 to 33.80 this week. The horizon remains tumultuous, and the volatility is palpably high,” she remarks with the seasoned wisdom of a market veteran. The temporary truce hammered out between…