In the vibrant, bustling atmosphere of a fair in Nong Bua Lam Phu, an unexpected interruption turned into a tale worth telling. On Saturday night, as the sky darkened and the anticipation reached a crescendo for the opening ceremony, an elephant added an unscheduled dash of chaos—and a memorable story for those who were there. Picture this: People were gathered at the annual Red Cross fair, their faces lit by the glow of colorful stalls filled with sweet treats and trinkets. The air was alive with the sounds of laughter, chatter, and the unmistakable pops of popcorn machines. Among the crowd was Mahout Chai with his 10-year-old elephant from Surin province, a gentle giant who usually delighted visitors by munching on sugarcane offered by eager children and elephant enthusiasts alike. As the clock ticked past 7:30 PM, the moment everyone was waiting for finally arrived. Fireworks were set off to…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In the heart of Chumphon, just a couple of days ago on January 17th, the town buzzed with tension. Imagine this: a black pickup truck hurtling down the street, a Thai woman inside desperately attempting to jump out while calling for help. The driver? A Swiss national, allegedly trying to keep her trapped against her will while their child was also seated in the car. This dramatic sequence of events unfurled in Lang Suan district, a normally serene nook now bursting with whispers of concern for her wellbeing. Witnesses captured the chaotic scene on their phones, filming the moment when the woman, identified as Lamai, sought freedom by lunging for the passenger door of the moving vehicle. It was not your typical Tuesday excursion. Observant rescue workers who happened upon this precarious escape quickly summoned the police, following the vehicle closely like a real-life action sequence. The plot thickened when…
In a dramatic turn of events on January 17, law enforcement officers in the picturesque province of Prachuap Khiri Khan uncovered a staggering stash of crystal methamphetamine. Weighing in at over 100 kilograms, the street value of this enormous cache is estimated to exceed a jaw-dropping 200 million baht, equivalent to a cool US$5.8 million. These illicit substances were sneakily stowed away in foam boxes and white fertilizer sacks, carelessly abandoned outside the local train station for a couple of days, all set for a clandestine journey to Hat Yai, a bustling city in Songkhla. Our story takes a thrilling twist when a seemingly innocent Thai man, who appeared to be a casual tourist, waltzed up to the scene, claiming he was there to collect nothing more nefarious than parcels of aromatic spicy curry paste. Oblivious to the ongoing police count of the seized drugs, the man pulled a Houdini,…
A timber warehouse in Bangkok’s Bang Po neighborhood recently fell victim to a ferocious blaze, resulting in damages that will easily hit the million-baht mark. As flames danced menacingly, the Bang Sue district scrambled to create provisional accommodations for those affected, ensuring that no one was left without a safe place to go. The incident erupted on January 18 at a timber facility nestled along Pracharat Sai 1 Soi 23, sending acrid smoke curling into the sky. It was a heart-stopping morning as more than ten valiant fire trucks were dispatched by the Bang Po Fire and Rescue teams. For over two grueling hours, they fought bravely against the inferno that seemed more beast than blaze. In the aftermath, the scale of destruction left everyone in dismay. Taking action, officials from Bang Sue district in collaboration with the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre immediately set up a registration point for…
In a shocking turn of events that unfolded yesterday, January 18, in the usually tranquil province of Ayutthaya, a 60-year-old teacher named Nak became the tragic victim of a brazen shooting. The incident took place on the bustling Highway 3011 within the Bang Pa-In district, forever altering the serene landscape of this historical region. The peaceful afternoon was shattered as Nak’s car, a Honda Accord, careened off the highway, drawing the attention of passersby and law enforcement alike. Sub-Lieutenant Aisawan Pathomsanti from the Bang Pa-In Police Station, alongside a team of investigators and forensic experts, swiftly converged at the scene around 2:30 PM. Their grim task revealed Nak’s lifeless body, marred by multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest, inside his vehicle. Forensic analysis uncovered four 9mm bullet casings inside the car, with more found scattered about fifty meters from the scene, hinting at a premeditated attack. Identification of…
In a bustling gathering on January 17th, the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) brought together a vibrant mix of minds to deliberate over a rather intriguing solution for managing the spirited population of wild elephants and curbing their adventurous journeys beyond conservation boundaries. Picture this: a lively forum buzzing with around 300 enthusiasts — community reps, sharp-witted academics, passionate elephant conservationists, and a sprinkle of Parliament members, all coming together for a cause that’s as charming as it is challenging. The room was abuzz with contrasting perspectives. Some voices sang praises for the proposed contraceptive vaccines as a promising remedy, while others cast a skeptical eye, questioning the vaccines’ prowess in keeping these majestic giants from taking curious detours into local communities. DNP Director General, Athapol Charoenshunsa, shared some fascinating figures, estimating a wild elephant populace of about 4,013 to 4,422 trotting through 91 conservation areas…
In the world of wildlife protection, few tales capture the imagination quite like that of little Zeytin, the baby gorilla whose journey from Nigeria to Thailand took a dramatic detour, thwarting the plans of smugglers at Istanbul’s bustling airport. This tiny primate, whose name fittingly means “olive” in Turkish, has become the talk of the town at her current home—a zoo in Turkey. With her health reportedly thriving, she continues to grow; having added 10 centimeters to her height and padding on an extra 2 kilograms, this five-month-old’s tale is as gripping as it is heartwarming. The saga of Zeytin’s interception unfolds like a crime thriller, yet it spotlights the harsh realities of wildlife trafficking. The story begins with a crate marked “50 rabbits,” intended for a farm in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. However, inside was not a collection of fluffy bunnies but the enchanting Zeytin herself. The intended recipient, a…
The air has turned brisk in Thailand, as the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) unveils a brisk forecast that has residents reaching for their warmest jackets and exhaling visible breaths. With a dramatic shift in the weather, Thailand finds itself preparing not only for chilly mornings but also for swirling fog and the mesmerizing beauty of frost adorning some of its highest peaks. Tongues are wagging down in Bangkok, where temperatures are expected to dip to a sweater-worthy 18 degrees Celsius. Brrr! The TMD is waving its flag of caution, warning that five provinces are likely to experience thunderstorms that could shake umbrellas and slick the streets any moment now. The chilly embrace of winter extends its icy fingers across the northern, northeastern, and central regions, where a blanket of morning fog gives the land an ethereal charm. Those in the eastern and southern upper reaches, including the bustling hub…
In an incredible twist of fate akin to a suspenseful thriller, a missing 25-year-old Chinese model named Yang Zeqi has been found and safely returned to China after nearly a month of worry and speculation. According to Thai police, the dramatic resolution of this case unfolded under the watchful eye of both Chinese and Thai authorities, spotlighting the collaborative international efforts to ensure Yang’s safe return. The initial news of Yang’s disappearance broke after he was lured to Thailand with the promise of a film role—a glamorous opportunity that turned into a terrifying ordeal. Yang’s father, a determined figure in this narrative, had been vociferously urging the involvement of the national police chief, Kittharath Punpetch, in expediting the search for his son. This relentless advocacy bore fruit with the confirmation of Yang’s safe return by the Chinese embassy, corroborated by Police General Chatchai Pitaneelaboot, inspector-general of the Royal Thai Police…
In a rather grim twist of events that reads like a bad novel, a 59-year-old monk named Wichai finds himself at the center of a scandalous storm in Buri Ram. Allegations have surfaced accusing him of sexually assaulting a participant at his meditation retreat. The charges were formally filed on January 18th at Nong Song Hong police station, with Chalida Palamat, the chair of the Be One Foundation, serving as an escort for the 38-year-old victim—a foreign woman publicly referred to as A. This unsettling event reportedly occurred on the night of January 15, within the serene confines of Saeng Tham Garden monastery, nestled in the tranquil Mueang district. The woman, drawn in by tantalizing social media clips that promised the enlightenment of attendees, embarked on her journey to the monastery on January 13. With her husband holding down the fort in Pattaya, she ventured alone for a spiritual sojourn…