Author: Ashley Wings
The recent devastating floods and landslide in Karon have brought to light the strength and unity of the local community as residents step up to help those affected by the disaster. The heavy rains that began on Thursday evening, August 22, and continued into Friday morning, led to flash floods and a severe landslide in Soi Patak 2, Karon. Tragically, the disaster claimed the lives of 13 people, with Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat confirming the end of the search and rescue efforts. In addition to the loss of life, 19 people were injured, and 209 households suffered heavy damage. The…
For decades, real estate agents have battled a tarnished reputation, often labeled as “snake oil salesmen”—slick operators more interested in commissions than client welfare. But as the real estate landscape evolves, a new era of transparency and accountability is beginning to take hold, challenging these outdated stereotypes. The Evolution of the Real Estate Market The days of relying solely on charm and persuasion to close a deal are fading fast. Today, the real estate industry is being reshaped by fixed-rate commission brokers, market price comparison sites, and platforms that facilitate direct transactions between sellers and buyers. In this transformed environment,…
On August 24, the Governor of Phuket, Sophon Suwannarat, confirmed the tragic death toll from the landslide that struck Karon on Thursday evening, August 23. A total of 13 people have lost their lives in the disaster, which was triggered by heavy rains that led to flash floods and subsequent landslides in Soi Patak 2. Among the victims were a Russian couple, two Thai women from Surat Thani and Sakon Nakhon, and nine Myanmar nationals. The landslide followed an intense downpour, with over 200 millimeters of rainfall recorded in the area on Thursday night alone, causing significant damage and loss…
Thailand recently took a significant step in its ongoing efforts to combat intellectual property rights violations by destroying a massive amount of counterfeit and pirated goods. The destruction ceremony, held at the Air Defence Command headquarters in Don Mueang, Bangkok, was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The event underscored the Thai government’s commitment to upholding intellectual property rights and protecting both consumers and businesses from the dangers of counterfeit products. Government’s Commitment to Intellectual Property Protection Phumtham, along with key officials including Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisangpang, Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Wuttikrai Leeviraphan, and Acting…
A French national in Pattaya has reported a distressing incident in which he was robbed by a transgender individual who allegedly slashed his bag and stole his mobile phone before fleeing the scene. The victim, Pascat Gaston Pair Francais, a 71-year-old Frenchman, filed a complaint with Pattaya police at 2 a.m. Francais recounted that the robbery occurred while he was riding a songthaew, a shared public transport vehicle, from Soi Buakhao to Soi 6. During the journey, someone had discreetly slashed his bag and stolen his Samsung Galaxy A34 mobile phone. Francais described that a transgender individual was also a…
Chalong Police are currently investigating a serious complaint involving the alleged rape of a 19-year-old staff member at a day spa in Chalong by a well-known mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who was training in Phuket. The incident, which reportedly took place on August 18, has led to a police investigation as authorities gather evidence to pursue legal action. Details of the Incident The complaint, received by Pol Lt Attha Liang, Deputy Inspector at Chalong Police Station, outlines a troubling sequence of events. According to the victim, who is a resident of Chalong, the incident occurred at the spa where…
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has announced ambitious plans to introduce light rail systems in four key provinces: Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Phitsanulok. The total budget for these projects is set at 77 billion baht, aiming to enhance public transportation and reduce traffic congestion in these rapidly growing regions. Project Details and Budget Allocation MRTA Deputy Governor Wittaya Phanmongkol provided an overview of the estimated costs for each province: Phuket: 35 billion baht Chiang Mai: 30 billion baht Nakhon Ratchasima: 7 billion baht Phitsanulok: 5 billion baht These budgets reflect the scale and complexity of…
In the early hours of August 23, 2024, Phuket, Thailand, was struck by a catastrophic flash flood and landslide near Kata Temple in the Mueang district, resulting in one fatality and injuries to four individuals. Thai authorities are currently investigating reports of missing persons, although their identities have not been disclosed. Flash Flood and Landslide Details According to Prachachat news agency, intense rainfall beginning around 1 a.m. led to widespread flash flooding and landslides across Phuket. The most severe damage occurred in the vicinity of Kitti Sangkaram Temple, also known as Kata Temple. The landslide in this area resulted in…
Thailand has confirmed its first case of a potentially more dangerous strain of mpox, marking the first appearance of the Clade 1b variant in Asia. This development follows the recent detection of the strain outside Africa, with a reported case in Sweden just a week prior. Details of the Case The infected individual is a 66-year-old European man who arrived in Bangkok from an undisclosed African country on August 14. By the following day, he began showing symptoms and sought medical care. The diagnosis confirmed he had contracted the Clade 1b strain of mpox, a variant currently causing significant issues…
A photograph of a naked foreign man flaunting his private parts inside a cannabis shop in Phuket’s Patong neighborhood has sparked outrage on Thai social media. The incident, which occurred on August 20, is currently under investigation, with the motives behind the man’s nudity still unclear. Incident Overview The Phuket Times shared the controversial image on August 21, showing the unidentified man standing naked inside the cannabis shop. With his arms extended toward a large window, the man appeared to be unashamedly displaying himself. The shop, painted in blue and adorned with cannabis plants outside, was otherwise empty, with no…