Local residents were seen making the most of the fitness equipment at Wachirabenjathat Park, known affectionately as Suan Rod Fai, in Chatuchak district on June 6. The scene, captured vividly by Pornprom Satrabhaya, depicts the serene environment of the park in stark contrast to the brewing storm behind its serene facade. Rumblings of corruption have stirred within the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), prompting a deeper dive into the recent procurement of exercise equipment for public parks across the city. In a press conference following the BMA’s board meeting on Monday, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, along with BMA deputy permanent secretary Nathapong Disayabutra, laid out plans for a broadened investigation, hinting at a possible malfeasance scandal. Mr. Nathapong divulged that initial probes have unearthed several suspicious activities that point towards possible corruption in the city’s exercise equipment procurement processes. These revelations cast a shadow of doubt over some projects which, it…
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Police stood guard as passionate cannabis advocates gathered to voice their dissent against the government’s controversial plan to relist the beloved plant as a narcotic. On that crisp Monday morning, the energy was palpable as the throng of protesters vowed to continue their demonstrations until a satisfactory law regulating the plant was passed. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin appeared unruffled by the gathering of these fervent advocacy groups outside Government House. They were led by the dynamic Prasitthichai Nunual, a key representative of the People’s Network for Cannabis Legislation in Thailand. As the sun rose on Sunday, around 300 militants for the green cause assembled, ready to oppose the blacklisting and prepared for an extended rally. Addressing the media on Monday, Mr. Somsak acknowledged the protesters were merely exercising their constitutional right to be heard by the nation’s senior government figures. However, he pointed out that the prime minister had…
Picture this: A market brimming with enthusiasm and an atmosphere teeming with excited whispers, all centered around the charming Labubu dolls. But behind this lively façade, something far more sinister was brewing. In an unexpected twist that could rival a thrilling plotline, an online seller found herself ensnared in a web of accusations and potential fraud charges involving these highly coveted collectibles. It all began when over 100 eager customers who had paid in advance for their adorable Labubu dolls reported the owner of the Facebook page “Chompoo Utaisincharoen” to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). The reason? A shocking 12 million baht gone missing. One of the affected customers, who preferred to remain anonymous, unveiled the backstory. The seller had presented herself as an importer of Labubu dolls on Facebook, attracting the attention of buyers keen to resell the ever-popular toy figures. The plan seemed foolproof: transfer money, wait for…
TAK – On a crisp Monday morning along the bustling Highway 12 (Sukhothai-Tak), highway police officers found themselves embroiled in an unexpected escapade. Three Chinese nationals and a Thai man found their journey come to an abrupt halt when officers flagged down their silver Toyota Altis for a routine check in tambon Nam Ruem, Muang district. Commanding the operation, Highway Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Kongkrit Lertsitthikul revealed the identities of those involved. The Thai driver was 53-year-old Narong Sunanta, while the Chinese passengers were identified as Hai Yang, 25, Zhen Yong Liang, 31, and Lin Zhen, 31. As the officers scrutinized the vehicle, they uncovered a stash of about 2,000 pristine SIM cards and five mobile phones, sparking suspicions that this eclectic group might be deeply embedded in a call scam racket. The absence of ID documents heightened the officers’ curiosity, leading to their immediate detention for further probings,…
An online seller of the highly-sought after Labubu dolls risks facing fraud charges after failing to deliver the dolls which over 100 customers had paid for in advance. The buyers reported the owner of the Facebook page “Chompoo Utaisincharoen” to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Monday, claiming losses of up to 12 million baht. One of the customers, who declined to be named, said the seller claimed to be an importer of Labubu dolls on Facebook, targeting customers who were looking to buy the popular toy figures to be resold. The victims were then instructed to transfer the money to complete the transaction, the customer said, noting everyone complied with the order as they had never had any issues purchasing items off Facebook before. About a month ago, the seller said there will be delays in the delivery of the dolls, citing supply issues caused by legal wrangling over…
As the sun began its daily ascent over Bangkok, a throng of students made their way into Wat Ratchanatda School, their faces adorned with masks and their movements cautious. Last month, Covid-19 control measures were still the order of the day. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) The recent numbers paint a concerning picture. Covid-19 cases soared by at least 900 compared to the previous week, with a somber note of one fatality recorded each day. The Public Relations Department’s Covid-19 Information Centre shared this grim revelation. From June 2-8, a staggering 2,762 people were hospitalized for Covid-19 treatment, translating to an average of 395 individuals per day. This was a sharp increase of 48.3% from the preceding week, May 26-June 1, when 1,863 hospitalizations were documented, averaging 266 cases daily. Each of these weeks bore the heart-wrenching report of at least one life lost to the virus daily. Since the beginning of…
High-profile prison escapee Chaowalit Thongduang, famously known as “Paeng Nanod,” is now back on Thai soil and under rigorous quarantine at Bang Kwang Central Prison after being apprehended in Bali just two weeks ago. According to the Department of Corrections, Chaowalit is enduring a mandatory ten-day Covid-19 quarantine and is set to be moved to solitary confinement once this period concludes. The prison superintendent, Mr. Yuthana Nakruangsri, shared on Monday that Chaowalit will be shifted to the solitary block situated in the prison’s second wing—an area designated for the most hazardous and influential criminals. Within this confinement, Chaowalit will be confined to his cell 24/7, equipped with only a ventilation fan and a toilet, entirely cut off from participating in any group activities. Additionally, Chaowalit will attend court hearings not in person but via a video link, another precaution to prevent any potential breakout plots. Mr. Yuthana emphasized that while…
Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd., in partnership with the Collaborative Project on Children and Youth Development under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, has hit yet another successful landmark with its ‘Digital Bus’ initiative. This endeavor rolled into action in the Cognis Thai Border Patrol Police School in Sakon Nakhon province on June 10, 2024, as part of its continuous mission to bridge the digital skills gap in Thailand. Aiming high, the program targets to train 2,000 personnel across six provinces within the year. The Digital Bus project represents a strategic collaboration between Huawei Thailand and the Cognis Thai Border Patrol Police School in Sakon Nakhon, which serves students from nine remote villages, totaling 262 young learners from kindergarten to grade 6. Through this partnership, the Digital Bus curriculum has been tailored to focus on economic philosophy, leveraging technology to bolster social development knowledge, and promoting…
A tourist gazes wistfully out to the vast expanse of the Andaman Sea at Nai Harn Beach in Phuket on a breezy Monday afternoon. (Photo: Achadtaya Chuenniran) PHUKET: Despite their concerted efforts, rescuers battling rough seas are still in search of an American tourist who was tragically swept away while enjoying a Sunday swim with his family at the sun-kissed Nai Harn Beach. In a moment that took a dark turn, the man, whose identity remains undisclosed, was wading through the balmy waters alongside his Thai wife and their spirited 3-year-old son. The ocean, however, was not in a playful mood. A sudden surge in the current heaved them towards the deep, leading to a frantic struggle for survival. Heroic lifeguards sprang into action and managed to pull the distressed mother and child to the shore, but their efforts fell short of reaching the father, who vanished amid the tumultuous…
In a dramatic turn of events that unfolded in Prachuap Khiri Khan, a young man was apprehended following the grisly discovery of his 21-year-old lover’s lifeless body. The tragic tale began on a dating app where 22-year-old Anuwat Pimmat met his ill-fated lover, Benjarat Choeijan. Their relationship, which initially blossomed during the festive Songkran in April, was abruptly crushed by deceit and fury. Police nabbed Anuwat at a local eatery in tambon Thongchai of Bang Saphan district around 10 PM on Sunday, after obtaining an arrest warrant from the Phetchaburi Criminal Court. The charges? Murder and the concealment of a body. The discovery of Benjarat’s body sent shockwaves through the community. Her body was found amidst the dense weeds beside the Phetkasem Highway in tambon Nong Prong of Khao Yoi district on a gloomy Friday. The identification of the 22-year-old from Phuket province was heartbreaking. She was dressed casually in…