On a misty Bangkok morning, as the city began to stir and the first glimpse of an orange sun peeked over the horizon, an unexpected drama unfolded that would leave a bus stop crowd more charged than their sluggish cups of roadside coffee. A 27-year-old man, Thanakorn Meesapsiri, whom the locals had come to know as “Ice” — though perhaps not for his cool or composed demeanor — was nabbed by vigilant residents in the Bang Mod subdistrict, accused of extorting money with the least subtlety imaginable. This rather bizarre saga played out near the bustling entrance of Soi Pracha Uthit 34, a locale known more for its hodgepodge of fruit vendors and the clattering clangs of early-morning traffic than high-stakes drama. Thanakorn, who had been treating the local bus stop as if it were his personal ATM machine, delivered his performance almost daily, with a punctuality rivaling that of…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
In a twist that could have sprung straight from the pages of a crime thriller, the cybercrime police have made a significant arrest that peels back the layers of a complex web spun by a Poipet-based scam gang. The arrest of Anuwat, a 23-year-old Thai national, has sent ripples through the world of cybercrime, casting yet another spotlight on the notorious call center scams emanating from Cambodia. It all began on a seemingly ordinary day when Anuwat was approached with an offer that promised a lucrative position as the administrator of a gambling website headquartered in Poipet. In 2023, he packed his bags with anticipation, envisioning a role bathed in the glitz and glow of digital casino operations. However, upon his arrival, reality slapped him with the cold, harsh truths of the underground. Instead of dealing cards and odds, he found himself embroiled in a sinister scheme orchestrated by a…
In the ever-evolving world of technological scams, the cunningness of fraudsters never fails to astonish. Just yesterday, February 5, a harrowing tale unfolded involving the wife of a former adviser to the minister of commerce in Chai Nat province, who narrowly escaped a sophisticated scam that could have cost her a staggering 14 million baht. The tale began when the unsuspecting 56-year-old Bee, a diligent civil servant in the finance department, received a chilling phone call. The voice on the other end claimed to be that of Police Lieutenant Thanawit Wongmoon from Ubon Ratchathani City, using an unnervingly realistic AI-generated voice. The so-called officer coolly spun a web of deceit, informing Bee about her alleged involvement in a bank account linked to money laundering. Chillingly convincing, the fake officer explained that Bee needed to cooperate by staying at a local resort under the guise of aiding the investigation and proving…
In a scene that could rival any epic action-packed thriller, involving a dedicated team of law enforcers, a jaw-dropping 600,000 speed pills were nabbed by the police in a daring raid. This riveting episode unfolded in the picturesque district of Thung Song, located in Nakhon Si Thammarat, and it’s making waves in the tranquil landscapes of Thailand. The sweltering heat couldn’t deter the tenacity of the combined team of sharp-eyed local officials, vigilant border patrol police, and the ever-alert officers from the Thung Song police station. In a finely coordinated operation, this watchful crew apprehended two men – each with a tale worth telling. The alleged mastermind, 28-year-old Weerachai Latae, hails from Thepha district in Songkhla. His partner in this hair-raising venture, 21-year-old Sai Aik Lam, crossed borders from Myanmar for a rendezvous with destiny. On that fateful Thursday, the otherwise peaceful suburb, Tambon Nong Hong, turned into a focal…
Intrigue and tension bubbled over in the idyllic island of Phuket when a video of a foreigner performing foot massages went viral, capturing not just feet, but also the fervent scrutiny of both local authorities and netizens. The video, shared by the Phuket Times on February 5, painted an ambiguous picture, one that left viewers guessing about the true nature of this mysterious masseur’s employment status. This roadside spa, humble and unassuming, served as the backdrop for the unfolding drama. The foreign man, seen diligently cleaning and massaging the soles of his customers, himself a foreign national, sparked questions and fervor: Was he an employee or possibly the owner of this little oasis of relaxation? If he was just an employee without the proper permits, he could be treading on legally sensitive turf. Threatening his tranquility was Section 7 of Thailand’s Foreigners’ Working Management Act, which strictly reserves the profession…
In a gripping turn of events, the serene historical town of Ayutthaya became the focal point of a modern-day human smuggling saga. On February 5, amidst the scenic backdrop of the ancient ruins, Police Colonel Eknirut Wansiripak and his team from Highway Police Division 1 busted an operation that clandestinely ferried Myanmar migrants into Thailand, seeking greener pastures. The operation involved 31 hopeful migrants who each shelled out between 8,000 and 10,000 baht in the hopes of finding work in bustling urban centers. The journey wasn’t just a hop across the border; it was a treacherous trek through natural paths, with Bangkok and its surrounding areas shining like a beacon of opportunity at the end of their arduous expedition. Alerted by reports and armed with determination, the police force was mandated to put an end to this illicit venture. Their vigilance paid off as they patrolled the busy Asian Highway,…
In a world where globetrotting has become as common as sipping a cup of coffee, there’s a shadowy underbelly lurking in the travel industry that might just catch out the unprepared: visa scams. VFS Global, a renowned leader in visa outsourcing and technology services, recently raised alarm bells in Bangkok to alert the unaware travelers about the increasing shenanigans of these scamsters. The organization’s event wasn’t just a casual meetup but a serious parley involving dignitaries from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Norway, and Switzerland, all united in a common cause – fighting the surge of visa fraud. With visa applications soaring to unprecedented heights, these nefarious characters have pounced on the opportunity, masquerading as genuine visa agents. They spin elaborate tales of influence over visa approvals, dangle out phony appointments, and even concoct priority booking scams to swindle the unsuspecting traveler. The result? Many eager globetrotters find themselves…
In an exciting development announced on February 3, UOB Thailand has teamed up with the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) to set the stage for a tidal wave of investments into Thailand’s economic heartland. This burgeoning partnership is not just about signing documents; it’s a romp through opportunities, strategic alliances, and a shimmer in the eyes of those seeking to dive into Thailand’s economic jewel—the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The collaboration was formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding that essentially braids their fates together, underscoring Thailand’s standing as a prime destination for global investors. It’s like crafting a finely-tuned symphony of finance and infrastructure, all with an eye on boosting Thailand’s long-term economic harmonies through UOB’s rich tapestry of networks across the ASEAN region. So, what’s cooking in this pot of opportunity? UOB and the EECO are pooling their expertise to concoct tailor-made financial concoctions and advisory potions for international…
In a dramatic revelation that reads like a plot twist from a gripping crime thriller, the Thai cybercrime police have recently orchestrated a substantial raid against an illegal online gambling network operating in the bustling heart of Bangkok. At the center of this convoluted web of deceit was the Taiwanese ringleader, ensconced in his digital kingdom, alongside more than 20 of his loyal admins who believed their clandestine activities could evade the authorities’ watchful eyes. This audacious network cunningly donned the facade of an innocuous NFT trading platform to conceal its true indulgence—offering a cornucopia of gambling options ranging from digital slots to live casinos, not to mention the adrenaline-pumped sports betting and poker games. The cipher for success? A whopping 500 million baht flowing annually through their electronic coffers. As this digital empire crumbled under the raid, it became apparent that this takedown was just a part of a…
In a drama worthy of a political thriller, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is poised on the brink of a decision that could reshape the Thai political landscape. In the coming two months, they’ll lay down the gavel on a case involving 44 erstwhile MPs from the now-dismantled Move Forward Party. These ex-lawmakers threw their weight behind a contentious proposal to amend the lese-majeste law, which has stirred the pot across the nation’s political scene. The Move Forward Party, known for its bold reform agendas, found itself dissolved by the Constitutional Court, a move triggered by its fervent push to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code—a law that guards the reverence owed to the monarchy. Currently, 39 of the embroiled individuals have taken refuge in the People’s Party, a political haven born in the aftermath of August’s dissolution. The crux of the NACC’s investigation centers on whether these lawmakers…