Nattapong Westwood
- Transport News
Divine traffic jam: Giant Thai deity, Kru Kai Kaew, hits roadblock in Bangkok
A giant sculpture of the renowned Thai deity Kru Kai Kaew or the Great Master Teacher, caused considerable traffic when it failed clear a bridge it was passing under in Ratchadaphisek, Bangkok. A humanoid with bird-like features, wings on its back and golden talons, the unusual sight sparked curiosity about the identity of the deity among bystanders. Too tall to…
- Thailand News
Dog’s ‘pawsitive’ intuition: Abandoned newborn found in black bag thanks to heroic pet
A newborn girl, hastily packed into a black bag and dumped near a wall, was saved just in time, thanks to a family pet, a dog named Pong, whose unusual growling led the family to the infant. This bizarre event took place today opposite the Nong Khai Police Station. In the Hin Ngom sub-district of Muaeng Nong Khai district, Nong…
- Economy News
Rice price hikes worry restaurant owners, some pass costs to diners
Rice prices have begun to climb, causing restaurateurs concern about the cost of producing made-to-order meals. Despite this, some restaurants have opted not to increase prices, sympathising with their customers. They are instead appealing to the government to control the cost. The Ministry of Commerce directed related agencies to balance rice prices after a lull in rainfall from El Niño…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Stormy weather warnings for 35 provinces, potential flash floods, landslides predicted
The Meteorological Department has issued warnings for 35 provinces, including the capital city Bangkok, predicting heavy showers which may lead to flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas. It is feared that a weakening storm front moving from Myanmar and northern Laos towards Vietnam could intensify rainfall and stormy weather throughout Thailand. Today’s forecast predicts downpours in the north, northeast…
- Thailand News
Thai man’s tragic end at shooting range in Rayong
A Thai man took his own life in a shocking scene at a shooting range in Rayong province, Thailand. The suicidal man rented a 9mm gun, immediately aimed the pistol at his head and pulled the trigger after receiving safety instructions from one of the range instructors. He later died in hospital after the event. Police are promptly investigating the…
- Thailand News
Road collision: Two motorcyclists dead in suspected hit and run involving luxury car in Bangkok
A high-speed road collision on a Bangkok road in the early hours of this morning left two motorcyclists dead. The police are looking into the role of a luxury car seen speeding from the scene. At around 1am, Wat Phraya Krai Police Station officers rushed to the scene on Soi Charoen Krung 84 in Bang Kho Laem District. They were…
- World News
Former hotel manager’s chilling advice: Don’t forget your toothbrush
A former hotel manager sent a chilling warning to travellers, suggesting they should never leave their toothbrushes out of sight in the bathroom during their hotel stay. The cautionary hotel hygiene advice has elicited mixed reactions amongst social media users. Many admitted that this possibility isn’t something they had considered. An overseas website reported that Mellie, a former hotel manager…
- Thailand News
Child neglect: Third-grader left locked in classroom after falling ill
A Thai father shared a distressing child neglect situation from yesterday involving his sick son who studies in third grade in a school located in Pakham District, Buriram Province. The boy fell ill at school and after consuming medication, dozed off on his classroom desk. The puzzling incident happened around 4pm on the previous day when his father, 30 year…
- Thailand News
Ex-wife of Thai taxi motorcyclist murderer provides insight into shocking family massacre
The ex-wife of the taxi motorcyclist murderer, who shot and brutally killed five members of his former partner’s family before taking his own life in Bangkok, has spoken out about the shocking incident. Known only as Chompoo, the ex-wife of the taxi motorcyclist murderer, Somchai Kaewkomol, provided some context to the incident and clarified some initial speculations, while the police…
- Thailand News
Grilling for love: Thai teen’s sizzle to support bedridden mother melts hearts in northeastern Thailand
A heart-warming tale emerged in the district of Bua Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima province, of a 16 year old high school Thai girl selling grilled chicken to take care of her bedridden mother. The resourceful and caring teenager hopes to become a nurse in the future, a dream fuelled by her commitment to helping others. News broke this morning of a…
- Thailand News
Four Thai provinces on high alert for landslides and flash floods due to heavy rain
The Department of Mineral Resources has issued a warning for potential landslides and flash floods in four Thailand provinces from today, August 7 and August 9, 2023. The announcement came following heavy rainfall exceeding 100 millimetres within 24 hours, which has significantly saturated the soil on hillsides, making them susceptible to landslides. Volunteers from the disaster prevention network of the…
- Thailand News
Faulty transformer rattles Thai woman with massive electricity bill
A Thai woman was blown away by an astronomical increase in her electricity bill, with charges skyrocketing from an average of 60 baht per month to an outrageous 11,357.47 baht. This occurred due to what inspection personnel from the local electricity authority would later uncover as a faulty transformer in her fruit garden. Umaphon Tedduang revealed her dilemma via a…
- Thailand News
Poolside panic: Daring rescue mission frees Chinese girl trapped in Pattaya’s suction pipe
An intense rescue mission unfolded at a Pattaya resort today when a six year old girl from China got her arm stuck in a swimming pool’s suction pipe. For over three hours, personnel from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation Pattaya City Station worked tirelessly to free her arm. The incident took place at a holiday resort in Huai Yai, in Pattaya’s…
- World News
Pawsitively heroic: Viral tale of dog’s ‘wheely’ impressive attempt to thwart bicycle thief
An endearing story of a dog earnestly attempting to stop a thief from stealing an electric bicycle from a property in San Diego, California in the US, has gone viral. Upon the unsuspected break-in, the good-natured golden retriever quickly engaged the intruder in friendly play, an unconventional deterrent, eventually luring the robber towards the pudgy pooch before trying to chase…
- Road deaths
Pathum Thani man dies tragically in overnight motorcycle crash
A severe motorcycle crash in the early hours of today took the life of a 46 year old man in Pathum Thani, shocking his wife when she saw his lifeless body by the road. The fatal collision involved the man’s motorbike and a roadside electric pole near a bone factory along the outbound section of Phaholyothin Road. At 1.30am today,…
- World News
In-depth probe into Pakistan train crash as death toll climbs to 30
Investigations are intensifying into the causes behind the disastrous derailment of a passenger train near Sahiwal station in Nawabshah City, in Pakistan’s Sindh province, yesterday. The accident tragically claimed at least 30 lives and left more than 100 people suffering from various injuries. The train involved in the incident was identified as the Hazara Express. Initial investigations led by Sad…
- Northern Thailand News
Korat Candle Procession 66 event upstaged by scene-stealing cat
The grand candle parade attraction, “Korat Candle Procession 66,” recently left onlookers delighted by an unexpected scene stealer. A cat, inadvertently defying the event queue, nabbed the spotlight, prompting a wave of amused social media attention. The celebration “Korat Candle Procession 66” recently took place at the Suranaree Monument, located in Nakhon Ratchasima’s city centre, and concluded on August 1.…
- South Thailand News
Student abandons newborn after giving birth in petrol station during field trip
A seventh grade student from Narathiwat gave birth in a petrol station toilet during a school outing in the southern province of Pattalung and abandoned her newborn baby girl. Officials were alerted to the case at around 9.30am today. Investigation of CCTV footage from the station led to the student being identified and located. The incident took place at a…
- World News
Indian couple sells baby for iPhone 14
In late July, Indian media reported a shocking incident involving an eight-month-old baby who was sold by his parents to fund the purchase of an iPhone 14. The focal point of the case became the couple’s obsession with the high-end smartphone, resulting in the appalling decision to sell their infant son to meet the purchase price. Jadef and Stee, husband…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Thai villagers abandon motorcycles, travel on foot through flash floods
In a daring trek, local teachers and villagers were forced to abandon their motorcycles and traverse overflowing forest streams to return home from a funeral on foot. The incident took place due to flash floods in the central province of Kanchanaburi last night. Villagers last night embarked on an 11-kilometre trip from Koh Saderng Village to their relative’s funeral at…
- Road deaths
Street racer kills woman in hit-and-run accident in Chon Buri
A grisly accident late yesterday evening between a souped-up street racer pick-up truck and a motorbike claimed the life of a woman. The offending vehicle, suspected of being illegally modified for racing, fled the scene, prompting a further investigation by local police. The unfortunate incident transpired around 11pm yesterday near the entrance of the Thung Klom Tan-Man area in the…
- South Thailand News
Juicy bust: Thai police squeeze illicit kratom factory
A substantial operation by the Royal Thai Police (RTP) yesterday, culminated in the seizure of an illicit factory manufacturing kratom leaf juice. The raid led to the confiscation of around 3000 bottles of cough syrup, three guns, and the arrest of one suspect. The RTP stormed into the clandestine factory situated along Khlong Toei-Khlong Ple Road nearby the Kho Hong…
- World News
Almaty fire rescue: Thai woman throws child from fifth floor of burning flat (video)
A heart-stopping moment was captured in the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan when a woman decided to throw her child out of a window from the fifth floor of a residential building engulfed in flames. Bystanders, ready with mattresses, managed to catch the child and later the woman as well, when they both escaped from the relentless fire. Local media reported…
- Thailand News
Chaiyaphum double murder: On the run security guard finally apprehended after fatal shooting
An investigation into the fatal shooting of two people in Chaiyaphum province is currently underway. A 54 year old security guard is believed to have acted out of spite, using a .38 calibre handgun in the grizzly event that unfolded on July 30. The victims are identified as 72 year old Wicha, his brother-in-law, and 31 year old Phongthorn, a…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Heavy rain probable across Thailand due to southwesterly monsoon influence
The latest weather update indicates a 60% chance of heavy rain in the northern, northeastern, and eastern regions, and Bangkok today. The southwesterly monsoon blowing across the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand is the cause, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecast for the next 24 hours. The monsoon, accompanied by a low-pressure area near the coast…
- Thailand News
Vegetable truck found smuggling 52 illegal immigrants in western Thailand
In a shocking discovery, a vegetable transport truck was found to be smuggling 52 illegal immigrants in the Mae Sot district of western Thailand. This startling revelation happened during a joint police and special border task force operation on the Mae Sot-Tak Road, at the Huai Hin Fon inspection point, in the Mae Sot district today. While on duty, officials…
- World News
Financial dispute: Online gaming leads to tragic real-life confrontation in South Korea
In South Korea, a chilling online feud case unfolded where authorities discovered a deceased man and another critically wounded inside a vehicle parked on a busy highway near the city of Azu South Jeolla province. The seemingly gruesome situation, according to the ongoing investigation, is believed to have stemmed from a deadly game designed to resolve a persisting financial dispute. Authorities…
- Crime News
Tobacco smuggling: Thai task force apprehends smuggler in 2 million baht contraband case
In a determined pursuit, Thailand’s anti-smuggling task force apprehended a significant fugitive from the south involved in a tobacco smuggling case. The arrest came after they confiscated 19 crates of smuggled cigarettes worth approximately 2 million baht. Police Major General Montri Thetkhan yesterday led the operation along with the team, intercepting a 43 years old suspect named Tiwa, implicated in…
- World News
Nigerian men endure 5,600 kilometres, 14 day ocean voyage hidden on cargo ship rudder
In a daunting escape operation, four men from Nigeria travelled almost 6,000 kilometres, hidden above the rudder of a cargo ship. The men sought to start over in their home country, demonstrating unimaginable endurance in their 14-day voyage over the wide open ocean. The men were discovered and rescued in Brazil after having travelled more than 5,600 kilometres onboard a…
- World News
Costa Rica’s deadly score: Footballer falls victim to crocodile attack at Rio Cañas River
In an unnerving incident, a vacationing family in Costa Rica witnessed a lethal crocodile attack. The tragic event unfolded as a 29 year old man was dragged underwater by a large crocodile while he was swimming in the Rio Cañas River. He was a footballer for the local Deportivo Rio Cañas team, who succumbed to his injuries from the attack.…