In a solemn procession befitting his respected status, the coffin of Israeli Rabbi Zvi Kogan was borne aloft through the streets of Kfar Habad, Israel. As mourners gathered to pay their final respects on a somber Monday, a shadow of worry loomed over both Israel and the wider world following the concerning murder in the United Arab Emirates. Grief mingled with anxiety, as this act of violence has sent ripples of fear across continents. At the heart of this international disturbance is a grave warning issued by Israel: the danger of terrorism against its citizens in Southeast Asia has heightened. The Israeli National Security Council announced on Saturday that intelligence points to those involved in the heinous crimes against Rabbi Kogan plotting further havoc, this time casting a threatening gaze towards Southeast Asia, with an unsettling emphasis on Thailand. The narrative unfolded tragically in Dubai, where Rabbi Kogan’s body was…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In the ever-evolving world of land reform and political intrigue, few stories capture the attention quite like the clash over Sor Por Kor agricultural land. At the heart of this drama lies Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Narumon Pinyosinwat, taking a bold stance against any unauthorized encroachment, notably involving a romantic partner linked to a former high-ranking official. This saga, which seems tailor-made for a soap opera, is unfolding with all eyes in Thailand watching closely. Minister Narumon has been thrust into the limelight, responding to buzzing allegations in the Thai media about land misuse by the “sweetheart” of a former deputy prime minister. This scandal is no small potatoes. It’s a serious issue concerning the misuse of Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) holdings, which were originally earmarked for hardworking farmers rather than lavish resort developers. The whispers and wonderment have centered around land in Saraburi, where the fingers are pointing…
In the winding streets of Nonthaburi, an unexpected tale unfolded, resembling more a scene from a comedic drama than a simple story of financial mishaps. Enter Prawet Jarubon, a man whose claim to fame includes being the son of Bang Kwang prison’s last executioner. This notoriety paled in comparison to the quirky fiasco surrounding a BMW 320i—pawned, crashed, and embroiled in a web of financial woe. The saga began innocently enough. Prawet, acting in good faith, facilitated a loan for a friend, offering the friend’s BMW as collateral. Chang Pol Service garage, run by a local who moonlights in semi-legitimate finance deals, orchestrated the transaction. A modest sum of 40,000 baht changed hands in August, with everyone expecting a smooth resolution. However, as September rolled in, chaos ensued. The car, resting quietly under its new temporary ownership, was purloined for a joyride by a rogue employee—dubbed “B.” Now, if you’re…
Hidden amidst the lush, verdant tapestry of the Lao landscape, the serene waters of the Mekong River tell tales both ancient and tumultuous. However, a new chapter is on the horizon—one fueled by controversy and power, quite literally. Enter the Pak Beng hydropower dam project, a colossal venture on the brink of altering the river’s course, much like the fate of the communities it cradles along its banks. The gravity of a 100-billion-baht investment isn’t just felt in the Lao currency; it ripples across borders, stirring waves of skepticism, especially on the Thai side. Envisioned as a pivotal piece of Laos’ aspirations to become the “Battery of Southeast Asia,” the dam promises to churn out 912 megawatts of electrifying potential. Yet, the sweet hum of progress echoes ominously for many, who deem it a discordant melody of environmental neglect and socioeconomic upheaval. As the mekong snakes through the Oudomxai province,…
Photo: Achadthaya ChuenniranPhuket, the scintillating jewel of Thailand, is on the verge of becoming an eco-friendly wonderland with its latest initiative aimed at curtailing food waste. Imagine reducing daily waste by a whopping 15 tonnes! That’s precisely what Phuket plans to achieve with its revolutionary food waste management project, all paving the way to its transformation into a low-carbon utopia. Janthima Duangsai, the brilliant mind steering the ship at the Environmental and Pollution Control Office within the Pollution Control Department, passionately shared that Phuket grapples with a staggering 1,000 tonnes of waste daily. It’s a Herculean task fueled by an influx of tourists—nearly nine million from January to September this year alone! The island’s mesmerizing allure has led to burgeoning business ventures, making effective waste management more crucial than ever. Ms. Janthima revealed that a titanic slice of this waste—50% to be precise—is food waste. Its damp disposition hinders the…
Imagine the charming serenity of Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim district. Amidst the lush greenery and tranquil landscapes, it seems like the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. But hidden behind the doors of a luxurious home, the façade of tranquility shatters as police uncover the unsettling reality: two gambling websites with a staggering monthly turnover of 100 million baht. This high-tech hideout is merely a snapshot of a larger and rather grim picture unfolding across Thailand. According to experts, the clandestine world of online gambling has ensnared more than four million young Thais, threatening to spiral into a worrisome addiction. At the heart of the concern is Dr. Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, the insightful director of the ThaiHealth Promotion Foundation. During the 2024 Centre for Gambling Studies (CGS) conference in Bangkok’s lively Samyan area, he painted a vivid picture of the escalating issue. “The allure of online gambling…
On a gloomy Friday morning, the hustle and bustle of the city motorway construction came to a grinding halt as a horrific crane collapse on Rama II Road—a key artery of Samut Sakhon—cast shadows of tragedy over an otherwise routine day. In the early hours, as the clock ticked over to a nippy 4:13 am, disaster struck like a bolt from the blue; a launching gantry crane gave way, unleashing a cascade of precast concrete segments that rained chaos upon the workers below. In the chilling aftermath at the Ekkachai-Ban Phaeo Intercity Motorway 82 (M82) construction site, local officials and horrified onlookers gathered, staring at the ruins that bore witness to a harrowing event. With 39 workers busy in their delightful dances of development, none anticipated the morning’s macabre twist. Tragically, the calamity claimed the lives of six individuals—four brave souls from Myanmar and two Thais, a solemn reminder of…
As the sun peeked shyly through the clouds, Hat Yai presented a hopeful, albeit waterlogged, image of recovery. With floodwaters finally receding in some of the city’s vital economic areas, there was a glimmer of optimism on Saturday morning. Yet, the battle with nature was far from over, as many regions remained submerged, clinging to the memories of a less turbulent time. In Songkhla, the heart of southern Thailand’s woes, the death toll from this unprecedented deluge climbed to a sobering nine. It was a natural disaster that hadn’t been seen in decades, its reach extending across eight provinces. Nearly 554,000 households found themselves grappling with the floodwaters’ relentless encroachment, while approximately 13,000 individuals sought refuge in the makeshift sanctuary of 200 temporary shelters dispersed throughout the affected areas. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation tirelessly reported these staggering numbers, illustrating the vast scale of displacement and upheaval. The…
In an unsettling twist of fate on the high seas, a dramatic maritime encounter unfolded off the tranquil shores of Ranong, setting the stage for an international incident as intense as it was tragic. Just as dawn was breaking over these storied waters, a flotilla of Thai navy vessels cruised into port, fresh from a daring rescue mission that was as alarming as it was necessary. This wasn’t just another day at sea—it was a day marred by shock, courage, and ultimately, hope. This tale begins amidst the churning waves of Myanmar waters, where more than 30 intrepid Thai fishermen found themselves caught in a deadly exchange. According to a beleaguered but determined Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul, overseeing operations in the 3rd Naval Area, it was a routine day suddenly disturbed. The crack of gunfire shattered the morning tranquility as three Myanmar patrol boats opened fire, their volleys claiming one…
As the sun shimmered lazily on the crystal-clear waters of Phangnga, an idyllic Thai paradise, most visitors basked in the tranquility that comes with such sublime beauty. But this sunny setting quickly took a turn for the unexpected when a curious confrontation between human and marine life added a touch of mystery to this picturesque locale. The serene sands of Takua Pa district in Southern Thailand, usually a haven for sun-seekers, were buzzed with chatter after news emerged of an unusual aquatic encounter. A German tourist, identified as 57-year-old Elke Maier, found her beach day disrupted in a manner few would anticipate – by an enigmatic marine assailant. On an otherwise ordinary Friday morning at 11 a.m., Ms. Maier was wading through the inviting waves, possibly dreaming of Germany’s meandering rivers or simply enjoying the salty embrace of the Andaman Sea. Suddenly, her reverie was shattered by a sharp sting…