Picture this: a bustling vaccination hub in Saphan Sung district of Bangkok, as locals roll up their sleeves with a sense of hope, ushering in a new chapter in the ongoing saga of the pandemic. It’s April 2023, and the air is buzzing with the news of the JN.1 Covid-19 strain—that sneaky little critter that seems to be everywhere now. Our hero, the esteemed virologist Yong Poovorawan, lights up his digital bat-signal—a Facebook post, to be exact—declaring JN.1 the newest front-runner in the Covid-19 strain sweepstakes. But don’t let its widespread reach fool you. JN.1 may be the Usain Bolt of transmission, but it’s showing up to the symptom party with just a plus-one: Mild is its middle name. Think of it more like an annoying sniffle than a thundering flu. Proficients and laypeople alike hang on every word from Prof Yong, the head of the Centre of Excellence in…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Imagine setting foot in the vast, serene forests of Finland, where the simplicity of nature meets the diligence of human toil. Two Thai workers, immersed in the verdant greens, carefully navigate the thicket, plucking berries with well-practiced ease. This pastoral image, circulated by the Ministry of Labour, belies a tale of corruption that runs deep, involving former ministers and high-ranking officials—a tale where the price of opportunity was allegedly measured in millions of baht. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), a name that conjures images of sleuths and intrigue, has announced a twist in this nordic narrative. On an otherwise unassuming Thursday, the DSI declared its intent to file charges against two former ministers and a duo of high-level officials from the Ministry of Labour. At the heart of the matter? A purported demand for a staggering 36 million baht in exchange for the export of Thai workers to the…
Welcome to a tale that’s both jaw-dropping and distressing, sprouting from the otherwise serene northern province of Tak. Brace yourself for a narrative involving a deputy school director who took advantage of his title, betraying the pact of trust and decency that should exist within the hallowed halls of education. The Office of the Basic Education Commission, known to friends and foes alike as Obec, has unveiled a saga of misconduct more fitting for a scandalous crime drama than our everyday lives. On a rather unremarkable day, the 43-year-old – cloaked in anonymity to shield the sensibilities of those involved – found himself in a predicament. An inquiry, meticulous and rigorous, pointed toward the unspeakable: allegations of him stealthily plucking away at the innocence of young female learners, paired with his penchant for dispatching lewd digital missives. This deputy, once a figure of respect and now veiled in controversy, was…
Step right up, music aficionados and cultural enthusiasts! Prepare your senses for an orchestral odyssey that promises to redefine the very concept of celebration. Coming to you this vibrant Sunday at none other than the illustrious Prince Mahidol Hall of Mahidol University, a feast for the ears and soul unfolds with “Sound of Celebration: Collaboration Concert for Happy Chinese New Year 2024”. This spectacle is where the legends of Thailand’s melodies seamlessly dance with the harmony of China’s ancient tunes, all in honor of the festivities surrounding the Chinese New Year. In a grand display of international harmony, this concert is not merely a gathering but a testament to the enduring bonds between cultures, brought to life by the synergistic partnership of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and the College of Music at Mahidol University. The stage is set for an evening that will see the coming together of iconic…
Amongst the bustle and clandestine whispers of Bangkok’s vibrant neighborhoods hides a darker tale; one involving the pursuit of illicit substances and the chase to catch those who weave them through the social fabric. The latest yarn spun in this ongoing saga unraveled within the seemingly innocuous walls of an Ekkamai condominium, where the air thrummed with tension and the scent of subterfuge. This is where our story begins, with the takedown of a South Korean linchpin in this shadow network of narcotics. (Image: The alleyways of intrigue in Bangkok’s Ekkamai. Credit: Bangkok Post Files) On a day much like any other, with the sun casting its unforgiving glare upon the city’s concrete, a sting operation reached its crescendo as law enforcement descended upon the suspect, a 29-year-old male hailing from South Korea, identified simply by the moniker Lee—a name now synonymous with the masterminding of a vast drug syndicate.…
Welcome to the world of legal and political chess, where the rooks and knights navigate the corridors of power and the kings and queens make moves that resonate through the annals of history. At the center of it all in Thailand’s grand constitutional arena, we’ve witnessed a pivotal transfer of office that is as much steeped in ceremony as it is in significance—a new champion rises to preside over the trials and tribulations of law and governance! Meet Nakharin Mektrairat, the distinguished jurist who can now don the mantle of the Constitutional Court president, taking the gavel from the esteemed Worawit Kangsasitiam. The judiciary’s very own game of thrones concluded with Mr. Nakharin emerging victorious, clinching a decisive five votes from his fellow legal sages, while contenders Jiraniti Hawanont and Panya Udchachon gracefully accepted the spoils of two votes each. But who, you might ask, is the man behind the…
Imagine stepping into the bustling heart of a city that pulsates with life and energy, where the skyline is constantly reshaped by the dreams of visionaries and the needs of its inhabitants. This is the essence of Bangkok – a tapestry woven from the threads of tradition and progress, a canvas of opportunity that now faces a new, controversial splash of color. As the clamor of public concern fills the air like the sizzle of street-side wok fry-ups, the latest rendition of City Hall’s city plan unfurls before a sea of astute onlookers. The map, adorned with swathes of red signaling commercial zones, has prodded the city’s denizens to furrow their brows and ponder – has the essence of Bangkok been traded for the glint of developer gold? It’s a Thursday to remember when Bangkok’s very own governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, clad in the armor of assurance, steps onto the digital…
Welcome to the simmering drama at the country’s educational heartland, where the Vocational Education Commission (VEC) has been thrust into the glare of an academic scandal reminiscent of a gritty high-school flick. Picture this: a not-so-average day at Roi Et Technical College, where a plot thickens as accusations fly faster than paper airplanes in study hall. In an audacious display of high-stakes testing terror, a rogue teacher reportedly failed his entire class with a parade of Fs, only to morph into a monetary magician, demanding 400 baht to wave his magic marker and turn those shameful Fs into gloriously passing grades. Scandalous, right? But wait, there’s a twist — the price suddenly dropped to a bargain 200 baht! Ah, the art of the deal. Students, swept up in the madness, apparently caved to the pressure, forking over their cash. Evidence? Oh, the intrepid accusers brought receipts — literal receipts, shared…
Imagine the scene: the hallowed halls of Thailand’s parliament, where every vote is meant to shape the future of the nation. Yet, in a plot twist worthy of a political thriller, our tale takes an unexpected turn. Enter the former members of the Bhumjaithai Party—Chalong Thoetwiraphong, Phumsit Khongmi, and Natee Ratchakitprakarn—whose political careers have screeched to a resounding halt. Why? They’ve been caught up in a scandal that has forever rewritten the rules on proxy voting. Back in the not-so-long-ago of January 2020, during the second and third readings of a paramount budget bill, these erstwhile lawmakers decided that their presence was optional, but their votes… not so much. Instead, they left their electronic voting cards in the hands of others to make those pivotal decisions for them. But, as fate would have it, their strategic game of musical chairs came under the judicial spotlight. The mighty gavel of the…
Imagine this chilling scenario: nearly 300 innocent young souls, each with their own dreams and stories, vanished into thin air last year. That’s a staggering 17% spike from the year before – the highest we’ve seen in a half-decade. These details paint a haunting picture, as revealed by the Mirror Foundation, a beacon of hope in the relentless search for missing children. The mastermind behind the sketches that both warm the heart and stir the soul belongs to none other than the illustrious Pol Col Chaiwat Burana, superintendent of the Criminal Records Division. With each stroke of his pencil, he resurrects the hopes of countless families aching for their return. At the core of this crisis, we have Ekaluk Loomchomkae, the esteemed leader of the foundation’s missing persons bureau. He sheds light on the grim statistics: out of the 296 whispers of life reported missing, a heartbreaking 172 were kids…