In the surreal stillness of early Sunday morning, a shocking scene unfolded at a three-story building in the DK Rama 2 housing estate, Bang Bon district, Bangkok. Police had swarmed the area after reports arrived of a mentally unstable man wielding several guns and holding his family hostage. As the news spread, tension rippled through the neighborhood. By 9:45 PM on Saturday, the Royal Thai Police were on the scene, led by Pol Lt Col Kittichon Janyarom, a respected 59-year-old deputy chief of the Tha Kham police station. Pol Lt Col Kittichon’s mission was clear: to negotiate, to de-escalate, and to bring the family to safety. In an unfortunate twist of fate, this brave officer was met with tragic violence. During his attempt to reason with the gunman, he was shot three times—once in the chest and twice in the hand. Despite their swift arrival at Mali Hospital, doctors were…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
As the dim evening light began to fade, an unusual tension enveloped the DK Rama 2 housing estate in Bangkok’s Bang Bon district. It was a crisp Saturday night when police forces were alerted to a dire situation—a mentally distressed man was wielding a firearm, holding his own family hostage inside a three-storey building. By 9.45 PM, the area swarmed with police officers and emergency personnel. Chaotic scenes unfolded as the gravity of the standoff became evident. Leading the negotiation effort was Pol Lt Col Kittichon Janyarom, aged 59, a respected deputy chief from the Tha Kham police station. Unwavering in his commitment to ensure a peaceful resolution, Lt Col Kittichon cautiously approached the house, while officers and onlookers alike held their breath. In a shocking turn of events, loud, sharp noises shattered the night’s silence. The distressed gunman had fired, hitting Lt Col Kittichon three times—once in the chest…
In an urgent bid to stem the tide of the blackchin tilapia population explosion, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has issued a strict seven-day deadline to the Fisheries Department. According to Prayoon Inskul, the permanent secretary for the ministry, a comprehensive plan has been formulated to tackle the unprecedented outbreak across 16 affected provinces. Tasked with taming this aquatic invasion, a dedicated committee has been assigned to bring the situation under control by the end of September next year. A key goal is to boost the market price of blackchin tilapia from a meager eight baht per kilogramme to a more lucrative 15 baht per kilogramme. Mr. Prayoon noted that the committee will meticulously investigate the ramifications of this fish species on local ecosystems and pinpoint the origins of its sudden proliferation. The Fisheries Department has been given a tight deadline of seven days to produce a detailed report, which…
A total of 72,000 rai of state land, previously used by the military, is ready to be handed over for distribution to poor landless farmers to mark the occasion of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced. Speaking in his weekly broadcast on Saturday, Mr. Srettha said many farmers across the country are struggling because of a shortage of farmland. The government enlisted the cooperation of the military, including the air force, army, and navy, to allocate unused lands to landless farmers at a low rental rate. This noble initiative aims to ease the plight of farmers and give them the opportunity to cultivate and sustain themselves. The farmland distribution project will kick off in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom as part of the celebratory events for the King’s birthday, which falls on July 28, he said. The government and the armed forces are excited…
Amidst the lush, emerald expanses of rice fields in Phak Hai district, nestled in the northwestern part of Ayutthaya province, central Thailand, a significant discussion unfolds. The serene landscape, captured beautifully by Karnjana Karnjanatawe, serves as a picturesque backdrop to a pressing issue of national importance. In the heart of Thailand’s agricultural sector, the National Rice Policy and Management Committee faces a pivotal decision. There’s a ring of disputes and criticisms echoing around the 30-billion-baht fertilizer subsidy program, crafted for the benefit of 4.68 million tireless rice farmers. Originally envisioned as a measure to ease the financial load on farmers, the scheme now finds itself mired in contention, primarily due to its co-payment stipulation. The mechanics of the subsidy seemed straightforward at first glance: farmers would receive a maximum of 500 baht per rai, capped at 10,000 baht per farmer. However, the crux of the problem lies in the prerequisite…
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Surin on July 14 to preside over a mass ordination ceremony at Wat Suwan Wichit in Prasat district, where 334 novice monks were ordained to celebrate the sixth cycle birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King. While the event had deep religious significance, it also stirred a significant political buzz as Thaksin’s presence drew attention to this northeastern province. Surin’s political landscape has undergone noteworthy shifts since the last general elections. In 2019, the Pheu Thai Party, under the shadow of Thaksin, dominated the province, capturing five out of seven seats. However, the party’s influence waned in the recent elections, with Bhumjaithai making impressive gains, securing five out of eight seats and reducing Pheu Thai to three. Since being released on parole six months ago, Thaksin has been on a political tour across various provinces, including his hometown Chiang Mai, where the party…
Chalerm Ubumrung and his son, Wan Ubumrung, were spotted rallying with the Pheu Thai Party in Bangkok last April. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) In a surprising twist of political allegiance, former Pheu Thai Party MP Wan Ubumrung announced on Saturday his decision to join the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). This move comes shortly after his resignation from the coalition’s main party. Wan’s departure followed criticism within Pheu Thai for his perceived camaraderie with a political rival, who happens to be an old family friend, during a recent local election vote count. The 77-year-old patriarch, Chalerm, has also expressed his desire to switch sides. However, as he is still a list-MP for Pheu Thai, he requires the party’s initiative to formally impeach him to facilitate his move. Chalerm’s transition isn’t straightforward, hinging on Pheu Thai’s formal decision to reassign his roles. Wan has announced plans to officially join Palang Pracharath on Tuesday,…
In the picturesque province of Chiang Mai, an unexpected scandal has rocked the local community. Pol Lt Col Bandit Khonkan, the esteemed chief inspector at the Hang Dong police station, found himself at the center of a call center scam operation. His arrest on Friday night came as he was being ordained at a temple in Ngao district, neighboring Lampang province. Disrobed and taken into custody, his fate now hangs in the balance. Pol Maj Gen Weerachon Boontawee, the deputy chief of Provincial Police Region 5, addressed the media, detailing the intricacies of this high-profile arrest. The Chiang Mai Provincial Court issued a warrant for Pol Lt Col Bandit’s arrest on charges of procuring equipment, establishing a station, and using public airwaves without proper authorization to run a telecommunications business. Despite his insistence that he was not the ringleader but merely a member with Chinese associates, the evidence suggests otherwise.…
Runoff, ignited by torrential rain, gushes beneath a bridge on the route to the much-loved Pa La-U waterfall, a scenic gem approximately 60 kilometers west of Hua Hin town. (Photo: Chaiwat Satyaem) Prachuap Khiri Khan: The magnificent Pa La-U waterfall in Hua Hin has been temporarily closed to tourists. This decision was made after relentless rains led to hazardous runoff, making access to this picturesque spot at Kaeng Krachan National Park treacherous. According to Somchet Chantana, director of the Phetchaburi branch office of Protected Areas Regional Office 3, the continuous downpour has amassed substantial water at the site, resulting in runoff tinged with murky sediment. The trails leading to the popular waterfall have become perilously slippery, significantly raising the risks associated with recreational and leisure activities. Mongkol Chaipakdee, head of the national park, emphasized the dangers facing visitors due to the slick and unstable paths. Mr. Somchet detailed an update…
A distressing scene unfolded in Prasat district of Surin province last Friday when a pickup truck driven by an intoxicated teacher veered off the road, leaving 17 students injured. The initial chaos was vividly captured in online photos that quickly went viral, inciting outrage across social media. The incident came to light through a poignant photograph shared by an individual who claimed to be a student involved in the accident. Displaying the grievously damaged pickup truck overturned by the roadside, the image was accompanied by a deeply frustrating caption. It revealed that the teacher, heavily under the influence, had taken on the ill-fated responsibility of driving the students home following a Buddhist lent procession at a local temple. However, what followed next was a tragic turn of events. The teacher lost control on a bend, causing the truck to somersault and land with a thud. In a video recorded shortly…