Pattaya City, known for its vibrant nightlife and bustling event scene, has found itself in the spotlight once again. However, this time the buzz isn’t all about the music or sandy shores, but rather a fierce and ongoing showdown between city officials and beachfront vendors. As the Pattaya Music Festival swings into gear, bringing throngs of music aficionados to this spirited coastal city, an effort to rein in the profusion of vendors has captured public attention, sparking debates and raising eyebrows. The city’s stance is straightforward: keep the footpaths obstruction-free during the festival to ensure safety and maintain order. But what sounds simple on paper has proven to be a logistical and political quagmire. As festival-goers eagerly converge on the area, officials have been tasked with the thankless job of physically removing vendors encroaching upon the regulated zones. The rationale? These vendors are allegedly in violation of city regulations, though…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In a grim twist that captures a storyline rife with drama and intrigue, the tale of Pol Col Thitisan “Joe Ferrari” Utthanaphon took a somber turn when he was discovered lifeless in his cell at Klong Prem Central Prison. The former high-ranking officer, once embroiled in the high-profile case of a drug suspect’s death, has now become the subject of another enigmatic narrative—his own untimely demise. The Department of Corrections, breaking the news on a Saturday morning, confirmed the discovery of Thitisan in his solitary cell. Prison staff were alerted to an inmate’s death at 8:50 PM on Friday, a scene portraying despair with Thitisan’s body slumped against his cell door, bruised fingers and life entirely absent, a towel tied tightly around his neck. This eerie tableau of a life in abrupt cessation left behind unanswered questions and unyielding suspicions. This storied figure, branded as “Joe Ferrari” due to his…
In a story that resembles the plot of a high-stakes thriller, Pol Col Thitisan “Joe Ferrari” Utthanaphon, a former police superintendent once heralded in Nakhon Sawan, met a tragic end. On a late Friday night in Bangkok’s Khlong Prem Central Prison, Thitisan’s life took its final dramatic turn as he was found hanged in his cell, sending ripples of shock across the nation and beyond. The tale of Thitisan, known as “Joe Ferrari” not for his speed on the case, but for his extravagant collection of luxury cars, had been a magnet for media attention long before his death. Once carrying the weighty responsibility of justice on his shoulders, Thitisan became infamous for his dark descent into lawlessness when an appalling case of torture hit the headlines. Back in August 2021, Thitisan and five of his subordinates were embroiled in a grotesque scandal that rocked the core of law enforcement…
Floating adrift off the coast of Samut Prakan, a tragic spectacle of the ocean unfolded. A colossal Bryde’s whale, splendid in its natural grandeur, was discovered lifeless, stirring deep concerns about the dire situations facing Thailand’s endangered marine species. It was early morning when locals at Bang Pu, just a stone’s throw from bustling Bangkok, stumbled upon this massive marine carcass. The whale, a senior female stretching an impressive 8 to 9 meters and weighing about 8 tonnes, had been adrift for at least three days, cloaked in the mystery of half-mast death. The forensic minds of the Department of Fisheries delved into the scene, the somber news carried by the morning tides. They were greeted not only by the poignant calm of the sea but also by distressing realities; severe lacerations scarred across the whale’s corpulent physique and, more harrowing still, its majestic head. These wounds told silent tales…
Phuket, the island paradise known for its vibrant nightlife and stunning beaches, has been grappling with a significant issue that neither sunsets nor sandy shores can alleviate: relentless traffic congestion. Fear not, road-weary travelers and impatient locals—Governor Sophon Suwannarat has a grand scheme to revolutionize Phuket’s traffic woes. Prepare to be amazed by a traffic transformation plan so ambitious, it could be mistaken for a chapter in a science fiction novel featuring expressways, tunnels, and artificial intelligence! Now that’s a ride-along worth your attention! Imagine gliding smoothly along a brand-new expressway that connects the bustling Muang Mai with the serene Koh Kaew, snaking its way gracefully through Kathu and tunneling to the golden sands of Patong Beach. Picture the relief as your scenic drives become quicker and more efficient, sparing you from the road rage that rivaled the heat of a spicy Thai curry. This expressway dreams no longer: with…
In the sun-kissed realm of Pattaya, Thailand’s Ocean Marina Jomtien has gracefully sailed into international glory, clinching the coveted sixth spot in the esteemed list of the world’s top marinas as unveiled by the South China Morning Post. Nestled elegantly near Pattaya’s coastline, this awe-inspiring marine haven is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, flaunting an impressive array of more than 450 berths. These berths are no ordinary parking spaces; they’re grandiose enough to accommodate the most magnificent vessels, stretching up to a staggering 75 meters in length. What sets Ocean Marina Jomtien apart is not just its size but its premier location and cutting-edge facilities that have transformed it into an essential stopover for all self-respecting yachting aficionados. Offering sublime sailing conditions all year round, it serves as a gateway to Thailand’s picture-perfect isles, such as the serene Koh Larn and the mysterious Koh Khram. However, the…
Greetings from the vibrant and dynamic realm of Thailand’s property market—a place where the winds of change are bringing forth a remarkable revolution! Foreign investors are now seeking long-term leases for cherished houses, diverging from their previous focus solely on condominiums. Imagine the hustle and bustle of tourist hot spots like Phuket, Chon Buri, and Surat Thani, where this trend is setting the real estate scene ablaze ever since Thailand flung its doors open again in 2021. Let us hear from Dr. Wichai Wiratkaphan, an esteemed scholar in urban development and housing, who will paint a picture of this transformative landscape. Did you know that the leasehold market for villas—especially in Phuket—has undergone a staggering surge? From 2022 through 2023, a phenomenal 90% of the long-term lease agreements for single-family homes were snatched up by eager foreign buyers. It’s like a property buying carnival out there! The figures speak for…
In a startling turn of events on March 7, a traffic accident sent shockwaves through the Ubon Ratchathani province as a collision unfolded between a bus and a pickup truck on the well-traversed Warin Chamrap-Det Udom road, just a stone’s throw away from the esteemed Ubon Ratchathani University. This heart-stopping incident left 11 individuals nursing injuries, with two victims in particularly dire condition. Swift action by rescue workers saw nearly 20 emergency vehicles dispatched to whisk the injured away to local hospitals. Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanyathida Pariyotai from the Warin Chamrap Police Station was quickly informed of the unfortunate occurrence. Upon reaching the chaotic scene, responders discovered the disheartening sight of an orange six-wheel bus with 24-year-old Natnicha Rasivong ensnared in the driver’s seat. Her right leg was gravely fractured, but the quick-witted emergency crew, armed with hydraulic rescue tools, managed to adeptly liberate her from the wreck. Not too…
The latest buzz out of Thailand is turning more heads than a tuk-tuk with a brand-new horn! The much-debated Entertainment Complex Bill, a cornerstone of the government’s policy agenda, is revving up to steal the Cabinet’s spotlight next week. Spearheaded by PM’s Office Minister Chousak Sirinil, this bill has been polished and primed like a freshly detailed car, thanks to the collaborative efforts with the Interior and Finance Ministries. Its legislative path has been paved with priority as smooth as a Bangkok expressway after midnight. Here’s where it gets juicy: The bill comes with a cash stipulation that’s as eyebrow-raising as a neon-soaked karaoke bar. Thai citizens yearning to try lady luck inside the casino-entertainment complexes must flaunt bank accounts bulging with at least 50 million baht, kept snug for six months prior to entry. This substantial sum is no chump change and was a twist re-added to the bill…
In a dramatic turn of events, the high-profile figure affectionately known as “Big Joke” is facing a potentially career-ending dismissal from the police force without the cushion of pension benefits. This looming decision comes on the heels of a committee’s resounding recommendation, poised to land on the desk of the Police Commissioner General for final approval. The gravity of the situation enveloped the halls of the Royal Thai Police Headquarters at precisely 2 PM yesterday, March 7, as the echoes of crucial deliberations filled the room. The man at the helm of these proceedings, Police General Kraisorn Suwanrat, the seasoned deputy commissioner general, presided over the assemblage of top-tier law enforcement officials. Together, this cadre of deputy commissioner generals congregated to weigh in on the serious disciplinary allegations confronting a former comrade in arms, one Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakpan. Notably absent from the meeting was Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut, the…