It seems that being an esteemed academic expert doesn’t always shield you from the vicissitudes of life, especially when you’re American academic Paul Chambers, living and working in Thailand. Paul found himself in the middle of a legal and bureaucratic tempest that threatened his career and residency in the tropical paradise he had called home since 1993. Paul Chambers, known for his insights and expertise on civil-military relations and democracy in Asia, faced a whirlwind of uncertainty when his employment at Naresuan University was suddenly terminated. But here’s the catch – all this occurred after prosecutors decided not to charge him with the grave offense of lese-majeste. Yes, you heard it right; he wasn’t going to face the fiery wrath of legal consequences that would have come from such a charge. Yet, his academic oasis seemed to be drying up. Things took a turn for the worse when his visa…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The buzz of chatter fills the air as news breaks about a significant crackdown, one that has sent ripples through the shadowy world of illicit trade. The Economic Crime Suppression Division, in a formidable alliance with the Excise Department, has successfully dismantled a formidable international syndicate responsible for the smuggling of illegal cigarettes, a move that has both enforcement agencies and the public breathing a collective sigh of relief. The Unveiling of the Illicit Network On a recent afternoon, the sun casting its golden hue over the bustling streets, officers made their move. Two Cambodian nationals, Chiva Chuoy and Nak Khoeun, both aged 35, found themselves in the spotlight. Charged with trafficking a staggering 50,000 packs of illicit cigarettes, they now face potential fines reaching up to an eye-watering 42 million baht, the equivalent of USD 1.28 million. This operation was led with military precision by the diligent Police Major…
What began as a typical night out at a beloved hotpot joint in Central Pattaya quickly turned into a scene from an action movie, leaving a trail of broken glass and a flurry of emotions. What was supposed to be a cozy dinner among the simmering aroma and lively chatter of a popular hotpot restaurant erupted into chaos, culminating in an unforgettable brawl that sent shockwaves through the heart of the city. The evening had all the makings of a great night until a verbal spat spiraled out of control, leading to pandemonium and three patrons finding themselves in the hospital. This all unfolded when a fiery argument between a transgender woman, a woman, and her brother escalated from heated words to physical confrontation, turning a sizzling dinner into a scene of mayhem and alarm. Responding swiftly to reports of a violent altercation at the bustling eatery, officers from Patrol…
In the quiet of the night, the Chon Buri province motorway bore witness to an unfortunate commotion that would render the tranquil surroundings a scene of heart-stopping tension. It was on May 6, 2025, when the unmistakeable screech of tires and the deafening crunch of metal against metal pierced the calm, as a pickup truck and trailer collided, transforming a routine drive into a nightmarish ordeal. The incident unfolded at precisely 10:30 PM under the dim glow of the streetlights at kilometre marker 80-400 in the Nong Khang Khok subdistrict, nestled within the Mueang district. Here, a white Isuzu D-Max pickup truck, boasting the registration number 5 กอ 6988 from Bangkok, fiercely rear-ended a white Hino trailer truck, recognizable by its Chachoengsao plates reading 72-0176. The pickup’s front lay crumpled and unforgivingly mangled, trapping three souls within its embrace. Enter the quiet heroes of the Tri Khunatham Foundation, the rescue…
In the bustling city of Bangkok, amid its myriad of sounds and colors, a tragedy has unfolded that’s gripped the hearts and attention of everyone. Rescue teams from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) are in a relentless pursuit to find the remaining 12 missing persons after the dramatic collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in the vibrant Chatuchak district. The scene is like something out of an action-packed movie—with K9 rescue dogs leading the way through the chaos. These heroic hounds have picked up promising scents in Zone B, an area just beside the towering ruins, their noses guiding the brave efforts of the human rescuers. Suriyachai Rawiwan, the Director of the BMA’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, offered a sliver of hope in a gloomy setting, providing a beacon of optimism: “Our teams are working tirelessly, meticulously removing debris to reach those signal spots,” he reported earlier…
In the land of smiles, Thailand, motoring just got a bit less cheerful as drivers brace themselves for a jump in fuel prices. In a peculiar twist, while the world witnesses a dip in global oil prices, the Thai government officially introduced a hike in excise taxes on petrol and diesel. As if scripted for a plot twist, the surprising decision was revealed through a fresh ministerial regulation published in the Royal Gazette, effective from today, May 7. The Ministry of Finance has blasted the news cannon, updating the tax rates according to the Excise Tax Act of 2017. With this, the government has ushered in the 42nd regulation of the year, aiming a direct hit at the wallets of consumers already tight-belted from the ever-mounting cost of living. The revised law sweeps out prior excise tax rates on fuels, reforming Sections (1) through the once-mighty (5) with fresh taxation…
In a story that has touched hearts worldwide, a young law student has emerged as an unexpected hero at Had Kudeua beach in Mueang Ubon Ratchathani district. The beach turned into a scene of high drama yesterday, May 6, around 1:30 PM, when Ubon Ratchathani’s emergency response center received a desperate call about a five-year-old girl struggling for her life in the treacherous waters. The rescue team from Sappasitthiprasong Hospital and volunteers from the Chikung Foundation raced against the clock to reach the drowning site. Upon arriving, they found an inspiring sight—19-year-old Phannipa “Pin” Teutid, a spirited second-year law student at Ubon Ratchathani University, skillfully administering first aid to a little girl, who, moments earlier, had been mere breaths away from disaster. Phannipa’s quick wits and resuscitation skills, finely honed through military training, became a lifeline for the child who was caught in a nightmare beneath the sunny skies. As…
Imagine a sleepy afternoon in the bustling heart of the Udon Thani province, where the harmonious chaos of a tight-knit community is occasionally interrupted by the mischief and curiosity of furry, four-legged residents. It was in this vibrant nook of Isaan, where the tranquility was marred by an unthinkable act against one of its beloved inhabitants—a cat named Si Muang. A playful creature, with fur as dark as the midnight sky, Si Muang found herself at the wrong end of a fateful encounter. The tale unfolded on May 6, when the otherwise serene lanes of Sam Phrao were disturbed by troubling news. Yupin, a 20-year-old fur mom, found herself at the center of a heart-wrenching drama, as she cradled Si Muang, her favorite among her five feline companions. The poor creature was struggling to draw breaths, a distressing wound on her neck—a cruel consequence of an alleged attack by a…
Picture this: a serene Pattaya evening disrupted by a high-octane chase, complete with flashing lights and screeching tires. The scene unfolded in Soi Nern Plub Wan, a bustling strip under the golden hues of a setting sun, quickly transforming a routine patrol into an animated episode of “Cops and Robbers.” On Monday, May 5, the team from Nong Prue Police Station had their hands full as they attempted to rein in a roaring spectacle—a modified motorbike blatantly parading its law-breaking identity with an ear-splitting exhaust and a conspicuously absent license plate. The dynamic duo, Sergeant Thanakorn Chanakijpitakkul and Senior Sgt. Buranin Phonimitsakul, were in hot pursuit, their adrenaline undoubtedly amplifying every curve and swerve through the streets. Just when it seemed like a scene from a blockbuster movie, reality crashed down—in quite a literal sense. Their vehicle fatefully collided head-on with an oncoming civilian motorcycle. The crash’s aftermath was grave,…
In a dramatic turn of events that reads like a slick action flick, the dedicated troops from the Ratchamanu Task Force have written a new chapter in border security with their latest daring operation. May 6, 2025, will be remembered as the day when their keen vigilance thwarted a sneaky vehicle smuggling attempt amid the lush backdrop of Thailand’s Tak province. Imagine this: soldiers from the 433rd Company, proud defenders and protectors as part of the Ratchamanu Task Force, are on their routine patrol under the golden glow of the Thai sun. They’re in Baan Muen Rue Chai, Phop Phra district, eyes sharp as eagles, watching the natural routes that stretch through Tak province—a vital province serving as a crossroads of activities and cultures. Then, suspense! A seemingly nondescript gold Toyota Hilux Vigo rolls into view, its journey towards the Moei River suspicious enough to raise an eyebrow or two.…