“` As the vibrant coastal city of Pattaya prepares for its annual Songkran holiday festivities, anticipation is tainted with apprehension. A perfect storm of visitors, vehicles, and festivities is expected to hit the sandy shores, conjuring visions of extraordinary traffic swells that would make even the most daring of drivers tremble at the wheel. Last year’s attempts by authorities to untangle the knots of congestion on Beach Road left some locals reminiscing in bemusement. In an effort akin to unraveling a yarn ball with only one’s fingers, a local chuckled, “They pulled a stunt on Beach Road last year. Only lasted a few days. When I came back, not only was traffic worse, but street vendors had mushroomed!” Indeed, these spontaneous street vendors, coupled with the torrents of water thrown during the infamous water fights, turned the streets into grids made of not-so-invisible traffic lines. And with no master plan…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
After years of being grounded on the tarmac, Hua Hin is powering up for international take-off like a rocket launching into the sky. Nestled in a picturesque coastal landscape, this sun-kissed resort town might as well start dusting off its sunglasses and rolling out its international welcome mat. Why all the fuss, you ask? Well, a long-postponed runway upgrade is about to usher in jet-setters from around the globe, bringing a fresh gust of tourism to Hua Hin’s smooth, sandy shores. Picture postcards of this idyllic beachside city may soon come with a stamp from afar, as Thai officials move to give the sleepy Hua Hin Airport a much-needed facelift. A cool 300 million baht is being invested in the renovation, designed to give the existing runway a stretch and a makeover. This transformation will enable larger aircraft to dip their wings over Hua Hin, marking a significant leap in…
In a scene reminiscent of a chaotic movie skirmish, two road sweepers in Bangkok’s buzzing Samphan Thawong district found themselves at the center of an unexpected whirlwind of violence. What started as a mundane duty of clearing the streets spiraled into an alleyway altercation, leaving a husband and wife nursing injuries after a clash with an irate vendor over trash disposal. The tumultuous episode unfolded on a sunny Saturday, April 5, drawing the attention of passersby and soon flooding social media after a now-viral video was posted on the Facebook page, Red Skull XXX. The clip, tagged with an eye-catching caption, showcases the vendor’s repeated attempts to hammer home his point using not words, but a dustpan—against the heads of the road sweepers. This dusty drama reached its peak when the vendor, defensive as a hedgehog, swung his makeshift weapon, belting the female sweeper long enough to wind the video’s…
In a twist that sounds straight out of a crime thriller, a former security guard has been nabbed by the authorities on charges of robbing a woman to fund his gambling habits and the impending Songkran festivities. This unfolding drama features Police Major General Komsit Rangsai of the Metropolitan Police Bureau 9 at the helm, with Deputy Police Colonel Teerachai Detkad and Police Colonel Wichayanon Ektasaeng from Tha Kham Police Station bringing the curtain down on this gripping story. The apprehended protagonist, Thanarat Limpradit, was taken into custody right outside his abode in the leisurely district of Ban Khlong San, Phra Samut Chedi, nestled in Samut Prakan province. The scene of the crime was none other than the busy streets of Bang Khun Thian-Chai Thale Road, where the victim, 27-year-old Sirada, was blissfully riding her motorcycle. In a flash, the tranquility was shattered as a mysterious man on a grey-black…
As dawn broke on a Monday unlike any other, the Wipawadee Pet Clinic’s Facebook page was abuzz with activity. A wave of cat enthusiasts from all corners of the digital realm descended upon the page, united in their mission to offer a new home to a certain small feline survivor. This curious kitten, discovered amidst the ruins of the once towering State Audit Office building, had captured hearts even before her tale had truly begun. In a stroke of fate late Sunday evening, a courageous sniffer dog named Naree, sniffed the presence of life amid the remnants of the earthquake-stricken 30-story structure. There she found a little cat, approximately two months old, steadfastly enduring within the debris for a grueling 10 days! Rushing her to safety, Naree and the diligent rescue team ensured that the kitten, frail yet fierce, was given immediate attention at the Wipawadee Pet Clinic. Dr. Wipawadee…
In the heart of Thailand, an unsung story of courage and dedication has reached its poignant conclusion. The K9 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Thailand team, renowned for their valorous efforts in times of dire crises, has officially wrapped up the search for the missing souls trapped in the wreckage of the State Audit Office building collapse. For 11 grueling days, these heroes, both canine and human, toiled amidst the ruins of what was once a steadfast structure, hoping to uncover life amidst the debris. The Director of the National Rescue Dog Organisation, Suthikiat Sophonik, delivered the bittersweet news that, by the regulation clock of USAR guidelines, their mission must cease after seven to ten days. “The decision to halt operations had to be made with the safety of our K9s and officers in mind,” he explained, echoing the grim realization that even heroes must know the limits of safety…
The Finance Ministry is gearing up to roll out some serious changes in its playbook as it plans to blacklist contractors who dare to defy government procurement laws. In what seems like a pivotal move, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat emphasized that blacklisting isn’t just where the buck stops. There’s also a potential downgrade in store for those whose misdemeanors aren’t quite blacklist-worthy but are unacceptable nonetheless. To tighten their grip on this initiative, discussions are set to unfold with the Interior Ministry. The goal? To ensure that the blacklisting procedures for contractors with government projects are as strict and foolproof as possible. Whispers from inside the Finance Ministry, which made their way to the Bangkok Post, hinted that these hard-hitting regulations are set to be tabled before the Cabinet for deliberation tomorrow, April 8. Initially, the focus will be on construction projects under the Department of Highways and the…
Yesterday, an unsettling incident unfolded amidst the otherwise peaceful scenery of Chachoengsao province—a tragic story marked by both mechanical misfortune and mishap. The quietude of this provincial landscape was shattered when locals discovered the lifeless body of 25-year-old Thiwat Seenet, the victim of a motorcycle accident that sent shockwaves through the Ban Pho district. A grave silence permeated the air as officers from Ban Pho Police Station and emergency services descended upon the scene just after 11 AM. Locals had already alerted them to the grim discovery near a fish pond close to the Yui intersection. Here, the waters, now serving as an unwelcome witness to tragedy, cloaked the evidence—a submerged motorcycle and Thiwat’s unfortunate demise. As investigators meticulously reconstructed the mishap, the details painted a heartbreaking narrative. Thiwat had lost control of his motorcycle on a curve, careening into a cement post with such force that both he and…
The Excise Department in Thailand is embarking on a vigorous campaign to enforce a zero-tolerance policy against excise tax evasion, particularly homing in on infractions involving excise laws. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul has thrown his weight behind efforts to thwart the smuggling of goods that bypass tax payments, a typical scenario unfolding across borders and through burgeoning online channels. The department’s unwavering resolve to prosecute and levy actions against those indulging in the illicit trade of smuggled goods is palpable, mirrored in the burgeoning number of seizures occurring countrywide. A new chapter unfolds as a memorandum of understanding is inked with Global Jet Express (Thailand) Co. and KEX Express (Thailand). The essence of this partnership lies in its blueprint to foster collaboration in scrutinizing, seizing, and confiscating contraband goods. This coalition is poised to act decisively against the sneaky maneuvers of smuggling via delivery services, aimed at dodging excise…
The tranquil buzz of Chatuchak district in Bangkok was shattered on March 28 when the towering State Audit Office dramatically succumbed to the earth’s rumble. Amidst the chaos, a dedicated team of sniffer dogs and their human counterparts sprang into action, noses twitching and senses on high alert. They combed through the wreckage with a purpose as fierce as a summer storm, searching tirelessly for signs of life amidst the rubble. The valiant canine corps, led by the resolute Suthikiart Sophanik, director of K9 USAR Thailand, had been the champions of ground zero for a grueling 11 days, outstripping the typical seven to ten-day shift these furry heroes usually endure. Theirs was a silent, heartfelt resolve, every wag of their tail a testament to their unwavering commitment. And yet, as the sun set on their final day, the time had come for the dogs to take their well-deserved rest. The…