Nattapong Westwood
- Thailand News
Fuelling fury: Employee’s 3-province chase ends in petrol theft bust
A fuel station employee embarked on a high-speed chase spanning over three provinces, ending 160 kilometres away after a 500 baht petrol theft by a 53 year old man, who promptly fled without paying after receiving a quick splash. The incident began in Samut Songkhram province when the man, hailing from Khon Kaen, drove his Toyota Vios into a local…
- Thailand News
Lucky in lottery: Religious ceremony in Udon Thani promises wealth
At a revered ritual site in Udon Thani, a large crowd gathered for a ceremony believed to unlock wealth and prosperity. Participants fixated on numbers they hoped would bring luck in the next lottery draw on May 16. In the serene precincts of the Naga King’s land at Ban Non-Mueang in Udon Thani, a grand ceremony took place yesterday, invoking…
- Thailand News
Chon Buri road accident leaves two critically injured
A harrowing collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck earlier today in Chon Buri resulted in two critically injured individuals, one of whom is in severe condition. The accident, captured by CCTV footage, occurred when the pickup truck driver suddenly opened the door, causing the oncoming motorcyclist, unable to stop in time, to crash into it with full force.…
- Thailand News
Ex-narcotics chief’s video tantrum on evading arrest causes uproar
A video has surfaced, causing a massive uproar as Police Lieutenant General Rewat Klinkesorn, the former head of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, was shown advising a teacher on how to have his students attack comedian Udom Taepanich, without leaving evidence that could lead to police arrest. The clip has sparked a debate about the ethics of such actions and the…
- Crime News
Thief in lion’s clothing: Dance troupe man nabbed
A 37 year old man associated with a lion dance troupe was apprehended for a string of thefts targeting drunk individuals and the homeless sleeping in public areas. A 37 year old man was arrested following a police operation in Bangkok’s Thonburi district after being under investigation for mobile phone and cash thefts, which he admitted to committing to finance…
- Thailand News
Fuelling fury: Map Ta Phut blaze sparks urgent evacuation (video)
A catastrophic blaze engulfed a fuel storage tank in the heart of the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, leading to continuous explosions and an urgent evacuation, left one person dead and four injured. The incident, which caused at least one injury, occurred at 10.30am today, May 9, when the Eastern Environmental Monitoring and Control Centre (EMCC) in the Rayong province…
- Thailand News
Online scammed and slammed: Thai man nabbed for web of deceit
A 29 year old man was arrested in Nakhon Si Thammarat for allegedly operating a fraudulent online business, causing damages worth over 2 million baht. The suspect, identified as Pongsiri, is linked to 61 cases of scams, selling products ranging from powdered milk to rubber mattresses that never arrived after payment. The Cyber Police’s duties were made easy when Pongsiri’s…
- Thailand News
Froggy forecast: Rain brings ‘eung pao’ craze, hopping sales in Phayao
The onset of rain in Phayao province sparked a flurry of activity as the local delicacy, eung pao, better known as balloon frog, became available for a limited time, leading to bustling markets and a significant boost in income for local villagers. Selling for as much as 600 baht per kilogramme, these creatures are a source of culinary delight and…
- Thailand News
Thai govt’s digital wallet project: A cash splash on the horizon
The Government of Thailand is still finalising its digital wallet project, a financial aid initiative which promises a 10,000 baht disbursement to eligible citizens. The specific criteria for eligibility include an age threshold, and a deposit cap to ensure the aid reaches those intended. Citizens who are 16 years old as of September 30 of this year, or born before…
- Road deaths
Truck’s mishap sends shockwaves at Phaya Thai intersection
A high-impact collision occurred at Phaya Thai intersection, sending shockwaves through the area as a truck crashed into a height restriction barrier on Sri Ayutthaya Road inbound from the Mor Leng intersection to the Sri Ayutthaya intersection, around the ramp to the overpass at Phaya Thai intersection. The incident, which took place at 7.18am today, May 9, caused severe damage…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Severe weather alert for 48 Thai provinces, thunderstorm risks
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a severe weather warning for today, forecasting thunderstorms across 48 provinces, affecting 60% of the area, including Bangkok. The agency cautions of potential dangers, including strong winds and flash floods. As southeast monsoon and southern winds cover north and upper central Thailand, thunderstorms, strong gusts, and heavy downpours are expected in these regions.…
- Thailand News
Asphalt truck flip on Rama VII Bridge snarls Bangkok traffic
A sudden swerve and flip of an asphalt truck on the Rama VII Bridge caused severe Bangkok traffic disruption in the early hours of this morning. The incident occurring at 4am, resulted in the complete blockage of all lanes on Charansanitwong Road, extending from Bang Phlat junction towards the Pracha Chuen Road and Wong Sawang areas. Bang Kruai police were…
- Thailand News
School van driver confesses to murder of woman in Roi Et
Investigations concluded yesterday as police made a definitive arrest of a school van driver for the murder of a 23 year old woman whose body was found handcuffed, abandoned in a scrubland by the Chi River in Roi Et province. After a meticulous search, authorities apprehended a 67 year old school van driver, named Ken, from the same village as…
- Thailand News
Thai king appoints new Deputy Supreme Patriarch
The Thai monarch has elevated a senior monk to the high ecclesiastical title of Phra Dhammarajanuwatra at Wat Moleelokayaram Raja Woravihara, appointing him as the Deputy Supreme Patriarch, or the second-highest position in the Thai monastic hierarchy. This royal command was issued today and subsequently announced in the Royal Thai Government Gazette. The monk in question, Phra Phrom Vajirunhis, previously…
- Thailand News
Phuket’s Ko Phai Ling closes to protect coral from bleaching
Thailand’s beloved Ko Phai Ling, along with its surrounding coral reefs within Sirinat National Park in Phuket, stands temporarily closed to tourists from today until the situation improves, with the closure slated to remain until further notice. Park Chief Watchara Songsi-awn, made the announcement following the discovery of widespread coral bleaching across the area. With the Andaman Sea temperatures soaring…
- Thailand News
Thai protest leader gets 3-year sentence for lese majeste violation
The Criminal Court has sentenced a key protest leader to four years in prison for lese-majeste law violation. The verdict was delivered in absentia after the defendant, 28 year old Panupong, also known as Mike Jadnok, failed to appear for the second time in today’s hearing at 10am, at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road. Panupong, charged with making defamatory statements…
- Thailand News
Police seize over 1,000 Yaba pills in Phetchaburi drug sting
A drug sting in Phetcha Buri by Thai police earlier today saw the apprehension of a 28 year old man and his unsuspecting 24 year old girlfriend. The police had been tipped off about a planned drug transaction, with delivery in an Isuzu pickup truck near the Nong Buay Agricultural Market in Tha Yang. Upon receiving the intelligence, Police Colonel…
- Thailand News
Sunken boat survivor recounts her harrowing experience
A chilling tale of a capsised tourist boat survivor off the coast of Trang speaks out against the delayed rescue efforts that led to the death of her mother in law, and her child contracting a severe lung infection. The incident unfolded near Pak Meng Bridge in the Mai Fat district on May 4 and resulted in 14 individuals fighting…
- World News
Wedding woe: Indonesian groom’s big reveal – bride or bro?
An Indonesian groom’s life turned upside down just 12 days after his wedding when he discovered his bride was a man in disguise. This revelation has sent shockwaves across social media in Indonesia, highlighting the elaborate ruse that fooled not only the groom but also his family and friends. The couple met on Instagram last year when AK, a 26…
- Crime News
Prachuap Khiri Khan bar owner arrested for trafficking minors
Police in Prachuap Khiri Khan province arrested a karaoke bar owner for allegedly trafficking minors for sexual exploitation. A 15 year old victim was discovered among the individuals being forced to provide sexual services during the school holiday period. The operation, led by the Crime Suppression Division’s deputy commander, was initiated following a tip-off from an international anti-trafficking organisation. The…
- Thailand News
Stepson stabbed stepmother over inheritance fears in Prachinburi
In a harrowing case of domestic violence, a 35 year old woman was critically injured after being stabbed by her stepson early this morning in Prachin Buri Province. He allegedly attacked his stepmother because he feared she might claim his inheritance. The assailant carried the injured woman on a motorcycle sidecar and left her outside a relative’s house before fleeing…
- Thailand News
Ex-MP takes legal action against Thai comedian Udom
Another complaint has been filed against Thai comedian Udom Taepanich. Parina Kraikupt, former Ratchaburi MP, initiated legal proceedings under Section 112 at the Po Tharam Police Station. The news of the incident was shared by the journalist Sarayuth Sutthasanachinda on his page. Parina posted following the uproar surrounding Udom, accompanied by the message: “Really can’t sleep, really want to rest,…
- Road deaths
Truck’s roof tears off in tunnel, hits motorcyclist in Chon Buri
A high-roofed, enclosed pickup truck caused a chaotic scene yesterday when the driver attempted to pass through a tunnel, resulting in its roof being torn off and crashing into a following motorcycle, injuring the rider. The incident occurred at approximately 10pm yesterday, May 7, at the Chak Samo tunnel in the Don Hua Lo sub-district, Mueang district, Chon Buri province.…
- Thailand News
Early morning motorcycle crash in Chon Buri kills young man
A tragic motorcycle crash claimed the life of a 26 year old man when he collided with a high-voltage power pole in Chon Buri province. The incident occurred early this morning, May 8, at around 3am on the road connecting Suansue-Nongleng near Suansue Fitness in Nong Kham subdistrict, Si Racha district. The victim, identified only by his first name Pakorn,…
- Thailand News
Bangkok weather: Heavy rain, strong winds and flood expected
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued another severe weather warning today, cautioning against flash floods and forest runoffs due to heavy rains, particularly in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, where there is a 70% chance of thunderstorms. The TMD forecast for the next 24 hours predicts that the upper parts of the country will be affected by the southeastern and southern…
- Crime News
Community leaders killed in Pattani shooting at local football field
A brazen shooting at a football field in the Pattani Province has resulted in the tragic loss of two community leaders. At around 6.30pm yesterday, gunmen opened fire, killing a subdistrict administrative organisation clerk and a village headman. Two bystanders, including a government official and a meatball vendor, were also injured in the incident. The attack occurred at a football…
- Thailand News
Police deputy inspector found dead with gunshot wound in Krabi
In a tragic turn of events, a 55 year old police deputy inspector was found dead with a gunshot wound inside his car outside a police flat in Krabi province. The case, initially suspected to be driven by personal stress, has shocked the local community. At 4.30pm, a distressing scene unfolded at a police residential complex in Khao Phanom, Krabi.…
- Crime News
Homeless woman with HIV brutally attacked in Bangkok
A brutal attack in the early hours of yesterday left a 43 year old homeless woman with severe injuries and a subsequent HIV infection diagnosis. The assault occurred in the Soi Inthamara 1 community in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district. Police apprehended a 39 year old suspect near the community following a report from the victim’s relative, who witnessed the suspect…
- Thailand News
Thai family hides patriarch’s death from grandmother
A family in Thailand chose to keep the death of a beloved grandfather a secret from his wife, fearing the news might worsen her health. Their touching story today reveals the depth of their concern for the grandmother, who remains unaware of her husband’s passing. As the family navigates this delicate situation, they receive widespread admiration on social media for…
- Thailand News
Bangkok squatters sentenced and fined over illegal occupation
Min Buri Criminal Court sentenced four squatters to prison for illegally occupying a property in Bangkok. The defendants were accused of trespassing, property damage, and theft at the residence. The court ordered a collective fine of 22,000 baht and a total compensation payment of 1 million baht to the victim, who has decided not to pursue further legal action. The…