In the serene backdrop of the Rajjaprabha Dam, nestled in the lush ambiance of Surat Thani’s southern province, an unexpected tragedy unfolded—a tale that serves as both a somber reminder and a testament to human resilience. On the morning of July 20th, a group of eager adventurers embarked on what promised to be a scenic voyage across the dam’s tranquil waters, a journey they hoped would imprint cherished memories. Alas, destiny had other plans. The ill-fated longtail boat, its familiar silhouette cutting through the water, carried 18 souls: a diverse blend of five Belgian and eleven Dutch tourists, guided by the experienced and amiable Thai tour guide, Thatsawan Phonlakorn, and steered by a steadfast Thai boat driver. Despite clear skies, maritime journeys inherently dance with unpredictability, as Mother Nature is always ready to reveal her capricious temperament. At precisely 11:40 am, calamity struck. The tranquil waters turned treacherous, and the…
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In a tale that seems pulled from the pages of a crime thriller, a former police general, who once took refuge in the tranquility of monkhood, finds himself ensnared in a web of allegations that could make any soap opera proud. This ex-officer of the law, who had momentarily swapped his badge for a monk’s robe, has been accused by a private company representative of trespassing and theft—a series of events that has led him to exit monkhood with a cloud of suspicion hovering over him. The plot thickened in the bustling streets of Thailand, as reports surfaced about this high-profile figure sneaking into a company not on his usual beat. On two fateful days, February 19 and March 21, the ex-police general allegedly pulled a heist not even Hollywood could script: he’s accused of swiping a chequebook and crucial company documents. CCTV cameras caught the whole debacle, providing riveting…
In a tale so outrageous it could easily be mistaken for a soap opera script, a former Thai monk’s secret life of love, luxury, and deception has now been spectacularly exposed. Imagine a high-ranking cleric, an abbot no less, donning not just robes of pious devotion but also a rather unholy disguise—a wig and a whole lot of artifice. This eyebrow-raising revelation comes courtesy of a spurned millionaire mistress who decided she’d had just about enough of being his well-heeled secret keeper. The erstwhile provincial abbot, previously known as Phra Thammachirathirakun or Tid Srit among his followers, finds himself at the center of a scandal so sensational that it’s got the whole of Thailand buzzing. Just yesterday, on July 20, investigators verified explosive evidence handed over to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Buddhism Conservation Centre—evidence that paints a scandalous picture of the former monk’s double life. His covert…
In an unfortunate turn of events on the night of July 20, tragedy struck on the Thanyaburi-Wang Noi flyover bridge in the Rangsit subdistrict. At precisely 11:45 pm, a fateful collision claimed the lives of two young men who were thrown from their motorcycle after being hit by a sleek, black Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d. The scene was a stark contrast to what one would expect on such a serene night. Police and rescue teams from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation arrived promptly to the heart-wrenching sight: a luxury car marred with damage and two lives irredeemably lost. The motorcycle, a red and black Honda Scoopy i with no license plate, lay battered roughly ten meters from the Mercedes-Benz. Beside it was the second victim, whose identity remained a mystery. This young man, donning a grey T-shirt and black trousers, suffered severe injuries including broken limbs and a traumatic head injury. Despite the…
In a city that’s no stranger to the flamboyant and unusual, Pattaya has been cast under a somber shadow with the recent spate of mysterious deaths. The latest incident on July 19 has left locals on edge, with many whispering about an ominous pattern. The discovery of Somkiat Nutrat, a 58-year-old, lying lifeless and shirtless in a front yard on Soi Huay Ku, Bang Lamung, marks the third tragic death in less than a week. Sergeant Lieutenant Colonel Srisuphan Atthasri-anant and his team arrived on the scene, greeted by a grim tableau—not the sort of Sunday matinee you’d want tickets for. Somkiat, formerly of Nakhon Pathom, was found sprawled with his jogging bottoms curiously embracing his knees. A discarded bottle of alcohol added a sad note of predictability to the scene, while a toppled chair told its own silent story. The house belonged to Prayuth Phitphongsuan, aged 65, who recounted…
As the rainy season embraces Thailand, Mother Nature has prepared a deluge, hinting at stormy antics for 42 provinces with her masterstroke of chaotic weather. And no, this is not nature throwing a hissy fit—this is a full-blown spectacle worthy of a Shakespearean drama with a meteorological twist! The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has been on its toes, issuing warnings with the grace of an orchestra conductor. So, let’s dive into the atmospheric overture and see what’s brewing in the stormy skies. With 70% of orchestrated downpours ready to soak the souls of many provinces, the potential for flash floods and landslides in Thailand’s hilly and low-lying landscapes is as juicy a plot as any thriller. It seems the provinces of Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Chanthaburi, Trat, and Ranong have reserved front-row seats for the weather’s grandest show. The blame—and some might say, the beauty—of this atmospheric ballet is a…
A sun-soaked morning on Koh Samui took an unexpected turn when local authority officers, mingling seamlessly with customs officials, descended upon the island’s international airport. Their target: a Brazilian duo carrying some excess baggage of a less-than-customary sort. Arrested were two visitors—35-year-old Diego dos Santos Silva and 25-year-old Fernanda Gabriele Lorenco de Andrade—who had barely set foot on the Thai paradise before their every move became part of an unfolding crime drama. The stage was set with two unassuming black suitcases, designed for adventures but instead filled with 6.63 kilograms of illicit white powder packaged with audacity. Packed amid their clothing and personal sundries, it was the sharp eyes of the customs officials who, upon the purring rhythm of the scanner, detected that hidden cache—3.62 kilograms nestled in one suitcase, while 3.31 lay cloaked within the other. The suspects, with wide eyes and perhaps racing hearts, claimed this was their…
In the serene early hours of Nonthaburi, tranquility was shattered by the jarring sound of metal colliding with metal. It was just past the witching hour, around 1:20 a.m., when a black Toyota Altis, driven by a rather inebriated Korn, rammed into a parked police patrol vehicle. The scene unfolded dramatically outside a convenience store that stood vigil opposite Soi Wat Lat Pla Duk, on the well-trodden Kanchanaphisek Road, within the Bang Rak Phatthana subdistrict, cradled in the heart of the Bang Bua Thong district. Our protagonist of poor choices, the 36-year-old Korn, found himself with a blood alcohol level tilting the scale at 181 milligrammes percent—a veritable celebration, far surpassing the legal limits. Unfortunately, this was one party that turned south, quite literally smashing into a parked police pickup truck. The police vehicle, a silent sentinel with its lights flashing, had been temporarily stationed as officer Krisanath and his…
In a remarkable crackdown on human trafficking, a covert operation unfolded in the bustling streets of Udon Thani, a city known for its energetic nightlife but lately making headlines for less savory reasons. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division recently arrested a 46-year-old woman, Sirijanya, at the heart of it all, and this tale is one that echoes a mix of heartbreak and heroism. Sirijanya, who ran a seemingly innocent karaoke bar, was allegedly running an illicit operation from within its neon-lit walls. Her karaoke venue was a facade, masking a dark underbelly of exploitation and deception. It came to light that this sinister venture lured three vulnerable 16-year-old girls into its nets, charging the girls a heinous “commission” fee of 300 baht for their entrapment. Acting on reliable intelligence, Police Major General Songklot Gerkkritaya promptly dispatched his team, led by Police Colonel Sarawut Chantawong and Police Lieutenant Colonel Saksit Nilmith,…
Amid the lush landscapes and tranquil temples of Thailand, a thorny diplomatic issue has emerged right along its border with Cambodia. The serene Chok Bok border area in the province of Ubon Ratchathani has recently been thrown into turmoil following a startling discovery that has implications both on the ground and at the high tables of international diplomacy. General Pana Klaewplodthuk, Thailand’s man in charge of the military, confirmed yesterday, July 19, a troubling revelation: the planting of over a hundred fresh landmines within Thai territory. This clandestine act by the Cambodians was brought to light after a mine explosion on July 16 that left three Thai soldiers injured during what was supposed to be a routine patrol. The foul play, attributed to Cambodian forces, has prompted Thailand to prepare a double-barrel response, reporting the breach to their Army Operations Centre while also urging the Foreign Affairs Ministry to take…