In a series of developments that have sent ripples across international academic circles, American scholar Paul Chambers finds himself entangled in a legal quagmire in Thailand. Chambers, a revered figure in the realm of political science, particularly for his insightful observations about civil-military relations and democracy in the Asian region, has found himself at the heart of a controversy surrounding allegations of royal defamation. The saga began when Thai immigration authorities took the unusual step of revoking Paul Chambers’ visa amidst serious allegations. The academic stands accused of violating Thailand’s stringent lese-majeste laws, combined with alleged breaches of the Computer Crime Act. This double-edged legal sword has often been wielded in Thailand against critics and commentators whose discourse intersects with sensitive royal topics. In a bid to restore normalcy to Chambers’ academic endeavors and personal freedom, his diligent legal team, the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), is swiftly moving…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Imagine waking up one morning, heading to work as usual, with the sun casting its warm glow across the serene streets of Phuket. This charming island, known for its tranquil beaches and vibrant markets, seemed as peaceful as ever. However, that calm was soon shattered by a heart-wrenching discovery that left locals in disbelief and concern. A newborn baby was found nestled in the back of a parked pickup truck, a bronze Isuzu D-Max to be precise, quietly occupying a lot in the unassuming Soi Bang Tao 12, nestled in the heart of Cherng Talay subdistrict, Thalang district. It was not the most extravagant of places, but it was part of a community tightly knit together, where such an event was as unsettling as it was unprecedented. The morning, which rolled into April 9, was just like any other for Police Lieutenant Colonel Khajornkiat Khamwichairat, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at…
Amidst the sleepy, sun-dappled landscapes of Phatthalung province lies a tale dark enough to shroud even the brightest noon. In the seemingly tranquil Pa Phayom district, an unthinkable act has disturbed the peace, leading to the arrest of an 83-year-old man named Somsuk. This elderly figure is not just another face among the villagers, but the biological grandfather of G, a 15-year-old girl whose life has been marred by years of suffering and silence. The man’s arrest comes in the wake of serious allegations, as he stands accused of repeatedly assaulting his granddaughter over the past year. It was the valiant efforts of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATP) that brought Somsuk’s reputedly sinister actions to halt, founded on a warrant issued by the Phatthalung Provincial Court earlier this month, on April 3rd. The report claims that G had been living under a veil of threats—a vile tapestry of fear—that…
In a bustling city like Pattaya, where traffic chaos often reigns supreme, you’d think the last thing locals would need is a new kind of sticky trouble. But that’s precisely what went down, quite literally, when loose cement from a contractor’s truck decided to make its home on the city streets. The result? A traffic jam of epic proportions, sliding pedestrians, and a lot of unhappy locals calling for heads to roll. Picture the scene: a benign-looking cement truck, perhaps feeling a bit cheeky, spilling its load all over a busy roadway in Pattaya. Not just any roadway—one teeming with the usual mix of tourists trying to navigate the wrong side of the road and local drivers deploying some rather creative interpretations of traffic laws. The cement oozed out, transforming the pavement into a skater’s paradise, minus the ice and, unfortunately, minus the skates. The ensuing chaos unleashed a flurry…
In a showdown that has captured the hearts of Phuket’s residents, a devoted group of locals, business people, and members of the Phuket State Enterprise Labor Relations Confederation have come together to oppose a bill that has stirred quite a controversy. The bill in question seeks to introduce casinos to the sun-kissed shores of Phuket. This stirred up a hornet’s nest of opinions, prompting concerned citizens to gather, dressed in unifying white shirts, at the emblematic Phuket Provincial Hall. They were there, all united, to drum into the government’s ears their firm rejection of this bill. As the tropical sun rose over the bustling streets of Phuket, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the salty sea breeze, you could feel the tension in the air. Citizens wore expressions of determination, clutching passionately-worded petitions like passports to a better future. They assembled, fueled by the resonant cries of their…
As the clock struck midnight last night in the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, chaos erupted near a favorite shopping destination, sparking a night of anxiety and traffic pandemonium that residents won’t soon forget. A ferocious blaze had suddenly taken over a large transformer at the Saen Saep substation within Din Daeng district. The timing could not have been more unfortunate, occurring on April 8, and sending plumes of smoke wafting into the city’s skyline. Thankfully, the stalwart emergency services from Huai Khwang fire station were nothing short of gallant, racing against time to douse the flames and secure the area. Their swift actions ensured the fire was quickly subdued, sparing further calamity. In the aftermath, officials set about the meticulous task of assessing the damage, a critical step in piecing together what went wrong and ensuring a future of safety. The incident left a signature mark on the electrifying Rama…
Speaking on the “Kammakorn Khao, Kui Nork Jor” (Workers’ News, Off-Screen Chat) programme, Mr. Chadchart opened up about the formidable challenges his team is facing, acknowledging Thailand’s uncharted territory in dealing with such a colossal disaster. “In the past, we’ve never encountered anything of this scale,” he admitted, taking a moment to absorb the gravity of the situation. Amidst the chaos, he resonated with concerns about the varied opinions on how best to tackle the calamity. “Different views are part of the package when dealing with complexity,” Chadchart asserted, understanding that not everyone orchestrating the efforts has an immediate grasp of the shifting dynamics on the ground. “Our ultimate priority is centered around the hope that survivors are still out there,” he said with determination. The initial thrust of the rescue efforts conformed to the standard 72-hour guideline. Mr. Chadchart underscored that miracles beyond this timeframe are indeed possible, pointing…
In an incredible tale of love, betrayal, and survival, a woman embarked on a four-day odyssey from Myanmar to Bangkok, only to uncover a secret life of her missing husband. The remarkable journey of May, a heartbroken Burmese woman, is one that captivated the locals and put Channel 8 on high alert. April 8 was the day May arrived in bustling Bangkok, her eyes set on finding her husband Ji Tan and their son Kyaw Tat amidst the debris of the collapsed Office of the Auditor General of Thailand. The building had succumbed to the harsh tremors of Myanmar’s earthquake on that ill-fated day in March, leaving many families in limbo. While May’s daughter narrowly escaped, her heart ached for the two who were trapped inside. Tales of disasters often bring to light hidden truths, and May’s journey is one of them. Leaving her elderly mother and young daughter behind,…
A breezy April Fool’s morning turned quite serious in the heart of Bangkok as Governor Chadchart Sittipunt took to the airwaves, briefing the city on a tense scene unfolding in Chatuchak. Like a movie plot we all wish was fiction, an unexpected earthquake had left a building in rubble, and the Governor was central to orchestrating the narrative of rescue and survival. Picture this: At the crack of dawn, amidst a cacophony of sirens and the orchestrated chaos of rescue operations, Chadchart stands at the Incident Command Centre. Here, plans roll out as smoothly as a well-rehearsed Hollywood script. Despite being foiled by the whims of Mother Nature, a finishing touch of camaraderie with an international dream team of rescuers is propelling efforts forward with laser precision. Their task? To sift through the detritus of yesterday, bit by bit, prioritizing the safety of lives above all else. The Governor paints…
In the quiet town of Chachoengsao, a widow named Nid faced a calamity she never saw coming. Her life, already clouded by the loss of her husband in November 2024, was thrown into further disarray when she fell victim to a cunning scam orchestrated by a call centre gang. Nid, a devoted rice farmer and fish breeder, had stored away her late husband’s life insurance money with hopes of securing a bright future for her 14-year-old twin daughters. But hopes can be as fragile as they are vital. On an unfortunate day, April 2, a seemingly innocuous phone call turned Nid’s world upside down. The woman on the other line, claiming to work for a mobile phone company, possessed bewildering amounts of Nid’s personal details, including her full name and ID number. She was accused of opening a phone line that was causing all sorts of havoc – a bewildering…