In a dramatic twist of fate, a man was saved by the unlikely combination of roadside plants and the goodwill of locals as his small electric car teetered on the brink of being washed into a waterway. The surge of run-off hit the center of the eastern province of Trat hard on Sunday, turning a routine drive into a hair-raising ordeal. Meet Dentist Amnuay Roek-amnuaychoke, our unsuspecting hero. At around 1:30 PM, Amnuay had just crossed a bridge over a waterway on Soi Moo Ban Krung Thai road in Ban Nong Bua, located in tambon Wang Krajae, Muang district. The water level, which had been a manageable 30 centimeters earlier, had surged to an intimidating 100 centimeters. As the floodwater rapidly rose, local residents and soldiers distributing essentials to flood victims sprang into action. They initially secured the car using a small rope. Within ten minutes, a stronger rope was…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
On 24 April 2023, Chalerm Ubumrung and his son Wan Ubumrung electrified the crowd at a Pheu Thai election campaign rally held at the iconic Rama VIII Bridge in Bangkok. This father-son duo has been a significant force in Thai politics, making headlines once again. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) Recently, former Pheu Thai Party MP for Bangkok, Wan Ubumrung, squashed rumors that his son, Archawin Ubumrung, would be following him and his grandfather, Chalerm, in deflecting to the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Wan addressed these speculations directly, stating clearly on Sunday, “Some news outlets claimed that the whole Ubumrung family will leave Pheu Thai. This is not true.” Making his point unequivocally, Wan continued, “Mr. Archawin still works as an advisor to Mr. Prasert Jantararuangtong, the Digital Economy and Society (DES) minister. I never asked him to resign from Pheu Thai like I did, and neither did his grandfather.” Amidst this…
Under the vibrant Bangkok sun on April 24, 2023, Chalerm Ubumrung and his son Wan Ubumrung stood confidently at the Pheu Thai election campaign rally held near the iconic Rama VIII Bridge. The father-son duo, central figures on the political stage, addressed the crowd with a fervor that resonated through the air, painted with the narrative of political shifts and family dynamics. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) Despite swirling rumors and speculative headlines, former Pheu Thai Party MP for Bangkok, Wan Ubumrung, made it absolutely clear on Sunday that his son, Archawin Ubumrung, has no intention of jumping ship from Pheu Thai to join Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Eager to quell any misinformation, Mr. Wan emphasized that Archawin remains a steadfast member of Pheu Thai, actively serving as an adviser to Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. Addressing the circulation of false reports, Mr. Wan stated firmly, “Some news outlets…
Run-off floods Sukhumvit Highway between Khao Saming and Muang districts of Thailand’s Trat province on Sunday morning. (Photo: Jakkrit Waewkhlaihong) TRAT: Imagine waking up to a Sunday deluge! Heavy downpours turned sections of the renowned Sukhumvit Highway into torrents of water between Khao Saming and Muang district in Thailand’s picturesque eastern province. Communities there received urgent warnings about impending floods as water needed to be released posthaste from a local reservoir, teetering on the brink. The drama unfolded early on Sunday morning, around 5am, when the skies opened up, unleashing run-offs along an eight-section, 20-kilometre stretch of Sukhumvit Highway. These areas, connecting Khao Saming and Muang districts, experienced nature’s wrath after enduring relentless rain for two days. On Saturday alone, Khao Saming district bore witness to a staggering 245 millimetres of rainwater, setting the stage for a watery spectacle on Sunday. The municipality roads of Muang Trat also weren’t spared,…
The serene charm of Koh Phangan in Surat Thani couldn’t mask the stirring events this past Saturday. Tourist police, led by the astute inspector, Pol Lt Col Winit Boonchit, struck a major blow against illegal activities on the picturesque island by apprehending Kenneth Nnwanelobi, a 47-year-old Nigerian national. This arrest, part of an intense crackdown on foreigners involved in unlawful enterprises, uncovered not just a drug operation but also a tale that could rival a spy thriller. Cloaked in the assumed hospitality of a hotel in Moo 8, tambon Koh Phangan, Mr. Nnwanelobi’s facade of normalcy crumbled dramatically when police arrived for a routine inspection. As he stood in the corridor, perhaps believing in his own cloak of invincibility, the request to view his passport initiated a series of events that culminated in an attempted dash into his room — a fruitless endeavor, as quick-thinking officers swiftly pursued and detained…
Blackchin tilapia, a predatory fish species originating from Africa, have taken Thailand’s waterways by storm. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut) Thailand’s Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has put the Fisheries Department on a deadline: seven days to pinpoint the source of this sudden surge in the blackchin tilapia population. Prayoon Inskul, the ministry’s permanent secretary, stated on Saturday that a comprehensive plan to tackle this fishy invasion has been drawn up, targeting an outbreak spanning 16 provinces. Initially, a committee will be tasked with reigning in the tilapia population by September of next year and bumping its market price to 15 baht per kilogram, up from the current rate of eight baht. Mr. Prayoon mentioned that the committee will delve into how the import of this species is impacting local ecosystems and investigate how this explosion began. The department must have its findings wrapped up and ready within the seven-day window, after which…
In a heartwarming move to commemorate His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday, a remarkable initiative involving 72,000 rai of state land, once under military use, is set to change the lives of countless farmers. This noteworthy announcement was made by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his recent weekly broadcast. He highlighted that many farmers across the nation suffer due to the severe shortage of farmland. The government has taken a pivotal step by soliciting land from the military, including the air force, army, and navy. These unused lands will be allocated to landless farmers, enabling them to rent at minimal rates. This transformative project is scheduled to kick off in the picturesque northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom as part of the grand celebrations for the King’s birthday on July 28. But that’s not all! The government, in its benevolence, has also distributed an impressive 72,000 sets of prosthetics and mobility…
Paroled ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra recently made waves with his visit to Surin—a province in the lower northeastern region. The buzz began when he arrived at Wat Suwan Wichit in Prasat district on July 14 to oversee the ordination of 334 novice monks, celebrating the sixth cycle birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King. Though the visit was primarily religious, it’s hard to ignore the political undercurrents swirling around it. Last year’s polls jolted Surin’s political landscape. Once a stronghold of the Pheu Thai Party, which bagged five out of the seven seats in the 2019 elections, the region shifted allegiance. Bhumjaithai Party surged ahead, capturing five out of eight seats as Pheu Thai’s share dwindled to three. Thaksin’s visit, thus, has stoked speculation that the former bastion is becoming a central arena for the next general election. Following his parole six months ago, Thaksin has been on a provincial tour,…
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…
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…