With heavy hearts, Thailand bids goodbye to a prominent figure of the Muslim community as Aziz Phitakkumpol, the 18th Chularajmontri, surrenders to the clasp of death. At 76, the sheik’s journey on this mortal plane came to an end on a quiet Sunday morning in a Bangkok hospital, drawing the curtains on an era. Aziz was more than just the spiritual guide to the Muslim population of Thailand; he was their rock, their guiding star, their lighthouse in a storm. The untimely news of Aziz’s passing was delivered by the Sheikul Islam Office, creating a ripple of shock and grief across the nation. His death at 10:32 am on that fateful Sunday, within the comforting walls of the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, seemed an irony in light of the tragedy that unfolded the day prior. Barely had the waters calmed from the violent storm of Saturday when Aziz’s younger brother,…
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In the exotic eastern province of Trat, the Ko Chang islands were agog with activity over a lush three-day weekend. As reported by the esteemed Polwaree Buchakiat, head of the magnificent Mu Ko Chang National Park, it was a fascinating spectacle of visitors in droves, particularly tour groups, landing on the Ko Chang islands. The surge in crowd volume was influenced by the notable King Chulalongkorn Day and the sweet, relief-inducing end of a particularly intense school session. Visitors explored the serene beauty of nature, with countless footprints left at the Klong Plu and Than Mayom waterfalls. The allure of the crystal-infused waters lured many to the majestic dive sites off the neighboring Mu Ko Rang islands, creating a spectacle for the eyes and soul. Polwaree Buchakiat, the park chief, was not left unimpressed by the hive of activities the islands witnessed this month. The Mu Ko Chang National Park…
It was indeed a momentous event as Thai vocational trainees, cloaked in black, disembarked from their flight from Israel at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan province. On hand to receive them was none other than Siripong Angsakulkiat, the vice-minister of education, who dutifully stood sixth in line from the left. While the arrival of the trainees was a relief, the news from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was less comforting. In a recent press briefing, it was disclosed that additional Thais sustained injuries in Israel amidst the escalating tensions with Hamas. The injury count has ominously climbed by two and now stands at 18. Quelling any rising panic, the ministry maintained that the death toll and the count of abducted Thais, which lingers at a chilling 30 and 19 respectively, have not witnessed any spikes. Drawing the nation’s attention, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin took to the podium on that same…
In a bid to stimulate the tourism sector, a novel waiver has been implemented for travellers from China and Kazakhstan. The waiver is set to remain in effect for five months, up until the end of February. Statistical data highlighted that in August, Chinese arrivals were tallied at 21,568, followed by 12,556 in September, and 7,828 as of the 15th of October. Supamitr Kijjapipat, the president of the Association, remarked that various circumstances could have contributed to the less than spectacular visitor turnout. One significant incident was the distressing mall shooting incident that occurred in the heart of Bangkok on the 3rd of October. A teenage boy of merely 14 years, instigated a shooting frenzy in an upscale shopping mall in Bangkok, consequently leading to the sad demise of three persons, one of whom was a tourist from China, and leaving another four injured. Kijjapipat also mentioned that the volatile…
The eminent Thailand Meteorological Department recently issued a statement indicating that the northern regions of the proud nation will be significantly impacted by a high-pressure system and a cold air mass journeying from the great lands of China. The system is not hopping through on a path of joy, but instead, it’s crafting a harrowing route over the luxurious South China Sea. The department asserts that this intriguing weather pattern promises to drench some areas of the upper region of Thailand in thunderstorms and torrential downpours. Meanwhile, the tropical, ever-bustling monsoon trough, which is presently sneaking its way through the artistic southern region of Thailand, combined with the stirring southwest monsoon reigning over the languid lower Gulf of Thailand and the lush lower southern area is set to make some regions heavy with rainfall, according to the esteemed department. The diligent inhabitants of these areas are hereby encouraged to exercise…
In a horrifying turn of events, a mother and her daughter fell into a coma and later succumbed to their injuries following a minibus’s calamitous crash into an electricity pole. In the same incident, two others suffered minor injuries and are currently recuperating. The local authorities are diligently scrutinizing the details leading to the unfortunate accident, which occurred around 6.40pm yesterday. The fatal accident, as reported by the concerned officers from Mae Mo Police Station of Lampang province, struck during the journey to Thung Bua Tong, on a treacherous route running between Mae Mo and Ban Dong in the Mae Mo district of Lampang, and resulted in grievous tragedies. Promptly post the incident, the local Disaster Prevention and Relief Officers were aligned to survey the accident site. As per the account tendered to KhaoSod, the scene was gut-wrenchingly horrifying. Picture a blue minibus, its registration number flashing as 10-2950 Lampang,…
In the heart of the Lam Luk Ka district, nestled amidst endless city lights, there lies an infamous nightclub which recently experienced the full strength of the Ministry of Interior’s (MOI) enforcement power. This establishment, known to push societal boundaries, was raided and disassembled for exposing underage individuals to heavy party scenes and facilitating the use of illicit substances. Last night, MOI officials stormed the club, shattering the nocturnal reverie of over 300 patrons, who, in their shock, discarded their drugs on the very dance floor they were grooving on. The aftermath of the storm left in its wake 137 individuals tested positive for narcotics. Guiding the enforcement hammer was Ansit Sampantarat, the lead architect of justice from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), under MOI’s umbrella. Alongside him was Ronnarong Thipsiri, the vigilant DOPA inspector and chief law enforcement officer. Their supporting cast included high-ranking officials, seasoned investigators, legal…
On a bright day in December 2017, as the sun blazed down, one couldn’t help but notice Gen Prawit or ‘the man with multiple luxury watches’ as he came to be known. Underneath the government house portico, Prawit Wongsuwon, then serving as the deputy prime minister, stood shoulder-to-shoulder for a photo op with his fellow cabinet colleagues, a picture that soon made headlines due to a glaring accessory: a luxury watch. Perched on his wrist, the platinum Richard Mille RM 029, a watch of unparalleled grandeur and opulence, estimated to be worth about a whopping 2.5 million baht, caught the public eye. To add to this spectacle, a glistening diamond ring sat proudly on his finger during the same high-profile event. While some found this display of opulence fascinating, others questioned, resentment marring their curiosity, the conspicuous absence of 22 such luxury wrist adornments, including this one, from his declared…
On an early Saturday morning, a remarkable scene unfolded outside the Israeli Embassy in the heart of bustling Bangkok. Amidst the rising sunshine and honking traffic, more than 300 Thai Muslims and Palestinians assembled to express their vehement protest and condemnation of the current events in the Gaza Strip. Their voices, strong and unwavering, rose above the city noise to lambaste both Israel and the United States for the continuing violence. The eclectic crowd of protestors, inclusive of Thai Muslims from the southernmost provinces along with Palestinian residents in the Land of Smiles, convened on the doorstep of the towering embassy building on Sukhumvit Soi 21 in the Watthana district of the metropolis. The anticipated protest kicked off as clock struck 9.30 am following last night’s bombardment in the Gaza Strip. Around the area, a noticeable police presence was coordinated with a legion of officers appointed to ensure the protest…
In the tranquil pre-dawn hours, the serenity of Tak Bai, a southern border territory of Narathiwat, was shattered by suspected insurgents. Assaults coordinated with haunting precision unfolded, echoing through the quiet district, forever etching this day in the annals of history. According to the police, a makeshift bomb concealed within a fire extinguisher’s shell, a common vestige of domesticity turned deadly weapon in this instance, wreaked havoc on a local gold shop’s facade in Chehe, a tambon nestled within the district. Pol Lt Col Jarukit Sridech, the acting chief of the Tak Bai station who was roused from his sleep at 1.30am by the distress call, confirmed that the explosion’s devastating effects were isolated to property alone – a fortunate outcome in an otherwise gut-wrenching episode. An as-yet-identified group of gunmen took advantage of the ensuing chaos, directing gunfire towards a nearby security checkpoint, distance barely fifty meters from the…