In an investigation that rocked the hallowed corridors of Thailand’s Buddhist community, a lone investigator embarked on a mission that would uncover shocking secrets within one of the nation’s most revered temples. On a quiet May morning, officers from various anti-corruption agencies descended on Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom province, not for religious solace, but in pursuit of evidence linked to a sprawling web of online gambling. The man behind this operation, working tirelessly undercover for nearly eight months, was Pol Capt Nitithorn Prachankanchana. His journey, marked by determination and intrigue, has been nothing short of fascinating. Born in the serene backcountry of Khon Kaen, Pol Capt Nitithorn’s story is both humble and inspiring. As the eldest of four, he grew up amidst the verdant expanses of rice fields, where every baht counted. Life took a sudden turn when his father passed away, thrusting young Nitithorn into the role…
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In a dramatic twist reminiscent of a political thriller, the Bhumjaithai Party leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, has ratcheted up the pressure on Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI). With the clock ticking towards the critical date of June 15, Anutin is urging swift action against Nathaporn Toprayoon, a man cast in the shadow of controversy as part of the infamous Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative scandal. Why is June 15 so pivotal, you ask? This date marks the expiration of the statute of limitations on the alleged misdeeds, which include scandalous claims of financial wizardry gone awry. The scandal, colored in shades of money-laundering intrigue involving a real-life game of Monopoly with land sales at its core, is swirling around like a cinematic drama. At the heart, a figure linked to the past and laced with legal entanglements—Supachai Srisupa-aksorn, once the golden child leading the cooperative, now a name etched in controversy.…
In the midst of swirling allegations and courtroom drama, Upakit Pachariyangkun, a former senator, is shaping up to be quite the phoenix, rising defiantly from the ashes of a legal battle that once threatened his reputation. On a brisk day in March of 2023, under the glaring lights and the scrutiny of countless eyes, Upakit confidently defended himself against the dark clouds of accusations involving drug trafficking and money laundering. In a saga that reads like a courtroom thriller, Upakit has now set his sights on legal retribution of his own: he plans to sue Rangsiman Rome, a People’s Party MP, for defamation. This comes after a resounding acquittal by the Criminal Court, which cleared him of all charges related to money laundering and associating with a transnational criminal enterprise. The allegations, thrust into the limelight by Rangsiman during a heated general debate in the 2023 House of Representatives, painted…
In a political landscape abuzz with anticipation, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took center stage this past Wednesday, gracing the House of Representatives with her presence to unveil her government’s ambitious budget bill for the fiscal year 2026, set to commence this October. Amidst the hum of excitement, the 3.78-trillion-baht proposal sparked a lively four-day debate, culminating in a scheduled vote this coming Saturday. While the administration remains hopeful about the bill’s passage, the opposition People’s Party did not hesitate to express their reservations, ready to push back against a plan they believe falls short of addressing the pressing economic challenges of the day. Undeterred by criticism, Prime Minister Paetongtarn introduced the spending plan with a confident assertion that it was thoughtfully crafted based on a positive economic forecast. She painted a hopeful picture of economic expansion, foreseeing growth between 2.3% and 3.3% fueled by a surge in domestic spending and…
In an unsettling turn of events at the Kohsathon subdistrict headquarters in Narathiwat’s Tak Bai district, an anti-drug sports event became the backdrop for a shocking act of violence. The serene surroundings of a sports day designed to champion healthy living and combat the scourge of narcotics were shattered on Wednesday afternoon when a group of gunmen executed a brazen attack that left locals reeling. The commotion unfolded at precisely 2:20pm at the heart of the subdistrict, where a lively sports day had been in full swing. This initiative, aimed at rallying the community in the fight against drug abuse, drew an unexpected and alarming twist. A calculated invasion by at least six gunmen disrupted the festivities, causing panic and chaos among the attendees. Amid the chaos, courage shone through amid the horror. Among those injured were two gallant defence volunteers. Mussalim Dosa, aged 37, sustained a wound to his…
Imagine for a moment, the sun just peeking over the horizon, painting the sky with a swirling array of oranges and pinks as the quiet before the storm looms above the serene landscape of Chong Bok. Perched at the cusp of where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos elegantly converge, this picturesque mountain pass became the unlikely backdrop for a tense and dramatic tableau in the early hours of Wednesday morning. It wasn’t the allure of the sunrise that piqued interest, rather, it was the thunderous echo of gunfire marking yet another page in the storied saga of a border dispute long simmering between Thailand and Cambodia. On this particular day, the unfortunate theater of conflict was set in the northeastern expanse of Ubon Ratchathani, where the air was briefly punctuated by the staccato of rifles. The Cambodian Ministry of Defense, from the relative calm of Phnom Penh, solemnly confirmed the casualty…
In the bustling city of Bangkok, amidst the honking horns and vibrant tuk-tuks, a curious case of technological trickery unfolded. Officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division were seen presenting an innocent-looking data cable, believed to be the key player in a sinister plot that turned unsuspecting ATMs in Nonthaburi into surprising money-spouting companions. The ordinary act of withdrawing cash suddenly became a jackpot experience for a lucky few. At the heart of this high-tech heist story is Ivan Valchev, a 50-year-old Bulgarian gentleman who found himself in hot water, allegedly mingling with a crafty foreign gang. The plot was simple yet ingenious: swapping out a data cable inside the ATM to unleash a wave of free cash into eager hands. Valchev’s arrest took place in a rented house in the tranquil tambon Bang Phlap of Pak Kret district, leaving locals wide-eyed with disbelief. Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepor, helming…
In a tale that feels more like a scene from a crime drama than reality, a British man found himself caught in a cannabis calamity while attempting to hop from Bangkok to Newcastle. The 31-year-old was intercepted at Vienna International Airport on May 27, with a suitcase that didn’t exactly have the holiday essentials one might expect. Nope, there were no flip-flops or sunscreen here—just 11.3 kilograms of cannabis nestled in 13 vacuum-sealed packages, all expertly hidden beneath what one can imagine were carefully layered garments. This little escapade was valued around a hefty £95,000 or approximately 4.2 million baht. The man’s journey, which began in the vibrant streets of Bangkok and aimed to end in the more subdued lanes of Newcastle via a stopover in Frankfurt, was unexpectedly clipped in the Austrian capital. Customs officers didn’t just shrug this attempt off as a curious wardrobe choice. Instead, they promptly…
In the peaceful early hours of this morning, the tranquility of a quiet condo in Pattaya was shattered by a heart-wrenching tragedy, as a 53-year-old woman was found dead in what is believed to be a suicide. Awash with disbelief, the police received the alarming call around 2:46 AM from a somber residence in Nong Prue, nestled in the Chon Buri province’s embrace. As the dawn yawned awake, Lieutenant Chaineret Phengkaen, a dedicated deputy investigator from the Dongtan sub-branch of Pattaya City Police Station, arrived at the scene accompanied by patrol officers and a diligent rescue team. Their gaze fell upon the body of Chalom (whose last name remains respectfully withheld), confirming the fears that weighed heavily in the air. The unfortunate woman had chosen a nylon rope, defining a tragic end that hung from a curtain rod close to a glass portal, leaving her in a kneeling position against…
(Photo: Aleksandar Pasaric) In the labyrinthine streets of Lat Phrao, a motorbike-hail driver found himself in the grip of a peculiar and unnerving late-night saga. As the city’s night dwellers entertained various nocturnal escapades, one rider’s seemingly ordinary shift twisted into a tale of suspense and trepidation. It was the wee hours of May 25, the kind of morning where the world is bathed in a sleepy silence and the shadows play tricks on the mind. Our intrepid rider, who later shared his spine-tingling experience on the TikTok account @hakim5202349, received a call to pick up a passenger. Little did he know, the ride would deliver anything but routine. The initial meetup point was unremarkable enough, yet as the passenger climbed aboard, the atmosphere shifted. What began as a straightforward fare swiftly spiraled into a goosebumps-inducing odyssey. With a peculiar insistence, the passenger directed the driver down side streets, across…