In an astonishing twist worthy of a science fiction saga, the serene life of Thai villagers was jolted by what they initially feared to be a close encounter of the third kind. The cause of their terror? What they believed were the remnants of an extraterrestrial being washed ashore. Yet, once courage had been mustered and the villagers returned to the mysterious site, they were relieved to unveil the true identity of the ‘alien’—not as an intergalactic visitor, but as a rare marine creature emerging from the hidden depths of the Gulf of Thailand. Today, on January 20, the Rare and Endangered Marine Animal Rescue Network sprang into action, showcasing the kind of rapid response that would make even the most seasoned support team beam with pride. The drama unfolded deep within the mangrove forest of the Ao Pak Phaya conservation area in Village 6, Tha Sak Subdistrict, Nakhon Si…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
The tranquil allure of Pattaya Beach, a magnet for sun-seeking tourists, was suddenly overshadowed by a cunning crime that left an Indian holidaymaker, Pravin Manik Tavada, in disbelief and dismay. In the soft glow of neon lights spilling out from the famed Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, Tavada, a 42-year-old businessman from India who manages a thriving hotel back home, was unwinding with friends. But his idyllic vacation took an unexpected turn, wrapped in the guise of a friendly hug. Three effervescent Thai ladyboys approached Tavada and his entourage with a seemingly innocuous offer—a simple embrace. Such displays of camaraderie are not uncommon in the vibrant nightlife of Pattaya. However, these affectionate overtures soon revealed a more nefarious intent. Amidst shared laughter and the ocean breeze, Tavada would later discover his cherished 40-gram gold necklace, valued at about 132,000 baht, had vanished. What Tavada initially chalked up to a sales pitch…
In a story pulled straight out of a traveler’s nightmare, a British tourist has laid bare the dreadful conditions he faced while detained in Thailand, offering a stark cautionary tale to fellow globetrotters. The 29-year-old former soldier, opting to remain unnamed, spent 15 harrowing days in captivity after the seemingly trivial mistake of overstaying his visa set off a chain of events he would come to regret deeply. “Hell” is the only word he could muster to describe the ordeal. From the suffocating confines to the deplorable sanitation, his experience painted a bleak picture of neglect and discomfort. Imagine being crammed into a suffocating room, shoulder to shoulder with 130 others, and denied ventilation — an environment so oppressive that prisoners were only granted an hour of freedom per week. The air he breathed inside the detention center was as stifling as the circumstances themselves. Sanitation was a term only…
Imagine a cozy evening in Pai district, the charming northern gem of Mae Hong Son province, where the gentle rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of crickets set the perfect soundtrack. But wait—what’s this? There’s a different kind of rumble that has paisans sitting up a bit straighter in their hammocks. Fifteen earthquakes in a row! That’s right, starting from Sunday night and stretching all the way into Monday afternoon, the Earthquake Observation Division of the Meteorological Department reported that tambon Wiang Nuea was the epicenter of quite the shaking spree. With a series of mini-quakes, ranging in magnitude from a meek 1.7 to a more respectable 3.4 on the Richter scale, Pai’s peaceful vibe was given a bit of a shakedown. Despite the ground deciding to take up a new hobby of jitterbugging, it seems that our charming Pai didn’t sustain any kind of damage—neither to public properties…
There is a whirlwind of activity brewing in the realm of land ownership and titanic compensation figures in Thailand, and it’s centered around an unlikely venue—the serene fairways of the Alpine Golf and Sports Club in Pathum Thani province. This is no casual par-3 delight; it’s an unfolding legal novela with potential economic shockwaves that could ripple far beyond the finely manicured greens. The Department of Lands (DoL) is bracing itself for the potential aftermath that could leave it paying up to a whopping 7.7 billion baht in compensation. The root of the intrigue is a recent order by the Interior Ministry that has revoked the ownership titles of the aforementioned golf haven along with the adjacent residences. Why, you ask? It seems the lush acres originally belonged to a Buddhist temple—and, you guessed it—selling them was a cardinal no-no. Pacing the sidelines with careful words, DoL’s director-general, Pornpoth Penpas,…
In an unfolding situation that has captured international attention, Thai authorities are ardently calling for the release of their citizens held hostage in the turbulent Gaza Strip. A significant development came as soon as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire was brokered on Sunday, sparking a wave of diplomatic activity aimed at ensuring the safety of Thai nationals caught in this perilous conflict. On the forefront of these efforts is Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), which issued a poignant statement on Monday, underscoring the urgency of the situation. The ministry’s statement delivered a clarion call for the unconditional release of hostages taken by Palestinian Hamas militants during their shocking incursions in Southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This appeal isn’t just a matter of national concern but touches on broader issues of regional stability, adherence to international law, and the upholding of United Nations (UN) resolutions. “Thailand implores all parties involved to…
As the bustling metropolis began its week, a rather unsettling haze blanketed the skyline, casting a shadow over Bangkok’s educational institutions. An alarming rise in PM2.5 pollutants gripped the city tightly, leading to an unforeseen decision—several schools across the capital had to temporarily shutter their doors on Monday. The sky was not falling, but the pollution levels certainly were, plummeting to depths considered hazardous to health. Nong Khaem district, in particular, found itself in the throes of these microscopic marauders. As the clock struck 12:30 pm, the district’s air quality monitors chimed an unsettling tune, recording PM2.5 levels at a staggering 77.8 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³). This figure, more than twice the “safe” threshold of 37.5µg/m³ set by the vigilant Pollution Control Department, sounded alarms across the city. In response to the insidious particulates infiltrating the air, two schools in Nong Khaem were promptly instructed to cease on-site classes.…
Over the past weekend, a significant police operation unfolded in the bustling heart of Bangkok, specifically targeting the insidious realm of illegal drug trade. Thirteen individuals found themselves apprehended in the vibrant Phra Khanong district, a hub known for its lively streets and eclectic mix of locals and tourists alike. Their crime? Selling illicit substances to tourists who meandered down the energetic thoroughfare of Sukhumvit Road. This crackdown, a part of a broader initiative to purge Bangkok’s inner-city areas of narcotic dealings, zoomed in on the lively Nana neighborhood — a district precariously nestled between Klong Toey and Watthana. According to Pol Lt Gen Santi Chaniramai, the illustrious commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB), this operation shone a bright light on the transnational nature of the drug trade in the city. Of the group rounded up, 11 hailed from various African nations, notably Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. Meanwhile,…
In the vibrant theatre of Thai politics, where alliances are forged and fractured in the blink of an eye, the ever-controversial Thaksin Shinawatra has sparked yet another fervent debate. As echoes of political dissatisfaction reverberate across the nation, Thaksin boldly questioned the very motives behind the tumultuous political landscape, pointing fingers at his long-time adversary, Gen Prawit Wongsuwon. “Why initiate a coup at all?” Thaksin queried, his voice dripping with a mix of incredulity and exasperation. This question may not be new, but in the current milieu, it resonates more profoundly than ever. Cast your minds back to 2014, when the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) unceremoniously dismantled the Pheu Thai Party-led government. At the helm of this upheaval was Gen Prawit, an influential figure who has navigated the murky waters of Thai politics with a steady, if controversial, hand. Thaksin argues that rather than succumbing to the…
The halls of Thailand’s Senate echoed with a resonant call for action as senators rallied around the cause of national security and the integrity of its visa policies. At the heart of the debate was the burgeoning concern over risks associated with the current visa-free regime extended to Chinese nationals. Spearheading this urgent appeal was Senator Pol Lt Gen Wanchai Ekpornpichit, whose poignant arguments struck a chord during the session chaired by none other than Senate Speaker Mongkol Surasajja. Originally designed as a beacon for a robust tourism economy, the visa-free policy seems to have morphed into an unintentional magnet for less savory visitors. Senator Wanchai did not mince words, illustrating how this well-intentioned policy has been manipulated by shadowy alchemists, namely nefarious Chinese crime syndicates, transforming Thailand into a clandestine hub for illegal operations. The senator emphasized the current vulnerabilities in immigration policies, urging for a meticulous overhaul, particularly…