News

Weed out the thieves: Phuket cannabis shops on high alert after 100k baht heist

Published

4 months ago

October 22, 2024

Cannabis shop owners in Phuket issued a warning regarding two foreign thieves who stole over 100,000 baht worth of cannabis from several shops across the province.

The victims urged the Phuket Times to warn other cannabis shops in the province to be cautious of two young foreigners posing as customers and taking the opportunity to steal products.

The page included pictures of the two thieves, clearly showing their identities. Two CCTV videos of the thefts, which took place in different shops, were attached in the comments section.

In the first video, the two foreign thieves entered a cannabis shop without removing their motorcycle helmets. They pretended to discuss the products and played with the store’s cat before one of them grabbed two jars of cannabis and quickly walked out.

In another video, one of the thieves was seen entering the shop alone, carrying a motorcycle helmet in his hand. The vendor, with his back turned at the counter, unknowingly allowed the thief to grab a jar of cannabis, put it into his helmet, and walk out.

A Thai woman shared in the comments section that she also lost cannabis to the two thieves. They ordered half a gramme of cannabis and attempted to pay by credit card but the payment failed as the card was locked.

The thieves claimed they would return with cash but, while the owner was distracted, they seized the opportunity to take the product and leave. The woman added that the pair only stole high-quality products.

Another Thai man shared that he nearly became a victim of the light-fingered foreigners. However, he placed only a small piece of product in the jar, which may not be worth stealing, so his shop did not lose anything.

There were several reports of cannabis thefts in Phuket and other tourist areas. In a similar case, two foreign men were caught stealing 1,500 baht worth of cannabis from a shop in Pattaya in February. Another shop in Pattaya lost products to British and South Korean men in March last year.

In May last year, two foreign men were caught stealing cannabis from a pharmacy in Phuket. They were released without any punishment.

News

Pattaya’s Skies to Dazzle with Colorful Kites: Annual Festival Returns

Published

27 minutes ago

February 12, 2025

Wadi

The Pattaya International Kite on the Beach Festival 2025 is set to take place from February 26 to March 2, 2025, at Pattaya Beach in front of Central Pattaya shopping center. This free event promises a spectacular display of giant kites, vibrant colors, and exciting activities for visitors of all ages.

Festival Highlights

Giant Kites and International Participation

The festival will feature over 150 international kites crafted by professional kite makers from countries including Australia, Switzerland, France, Cambodia, Germany, and Thailand. A special highlight this year includes adorable giant kites of Snoopy and the Peanuts characters, measuring over 12 meters in size.

Unique Attractions

LED Night Shows and Cultural Performances

Visitors can expect a blend of traditional and cutting-edge kite designs, along with cultural performances throughout the festival. A nighttime extravaganza featuring LED-equipped kites flying over Pattaya’s night sky will be one of the main attractions.

Activities and Shopping

Workshops and Marketplace

The event offers more than just kite-flying. Attendees can enjoy photo opportunities with Snoopy and the kites throughout the shopping mall, browse a Kite Food Market with over 50 delicious street food stalls, and participate in a special Snoopy Kite Painting Workshop.

Economic Impact

Boosting Tourism and Local Economy

This annual event is expected to attract thousands of Thai and foreign tourists to Pattaya, stimulating the local economy and reinforcing Pattaya’s image as a world-class tourism destination. The festival not only adds vibrant energy to tourism but also offers attendees a chance to explore different cultures through kite displays.

Organizers and Collaborations

Joint Effort for a Spectacular Event

The Pattaya International Kite Festival is organized through a collaboration of local authorities and tourism organizations, including the Pattaya City Municipality, the Tourism Authority of Thailand Pattaya Office, and the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association.

News

Thai Consumer Woes: Noise, Power, and Scams Lead 2024 Complaints

Published

1 hour ago

February 12, 2025

Wadi

The year 2024 saw Thai consumers grappling with a variety of issues, with noise pollution, power-related problems, and scams topping the list of complaints. This article examines the main consumer concerns and the steps being taken to address them.

Noise Pollution: A Growing Urban Nuisance

Residential Areas Bear the Brunt

Noise pollution emerged as a significant concern for Thai residents in 2024, particularly in urban areas. Complaints ranged from construction noise to loud entertainment venues operating late into the night, affecting the quality of life for many city dwellers.

Power Problems: Reliability and Costs in Question

Outages and Billing Issues Spark Frustration

Power-related issues formed another major category of consumer complaints. Frequent outages in some areas and unexpected spikes in electricity bills led to widespread dissatisfaction among Thai consumers.

Scams on the Rise: Consumers Fall Victim

Digital Fraud Takes Center Stage

The increasing prevalence of scams, especially in the digital realm, was a significant cause for concern in 2024. Consumers reported falling victim to various fraudulent schemes, from online shopping scams to sophisticated phishing attempts.

Consumer Protection Measures

Government and NGOs Step Up

In response to these issues, both governmental bodies and consumer protection organizations have taken action. The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) has been at the forefront of addressing these complaints.

Class Action Lawsuit: A Landmark Case

Samsung Faces Legal Challenge

A notable development in consumer protection was the class action lawsuit filed against Samsung by the Thailand Consumers Council. The case, involving screen defects in various Galaxy models, represents a significant step in holding large corporations accountable.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Consumer Rights

Calls for Enhanced Legislation

As these issues persist, there are growing calls for stronger consumer protection laws in Thailand. Advocates are pushing for the implementation of a “Lemon Law” to provide better safeguards for consumers against defective products.

By addressing these key concerns and strengthening consumer protection measures, Thailand aims to create a more equitable marketplace for its citizens in the coming years.

News

Refugee Health Services: A Comprehensive Approach to Camp-Based Healthcare Management

Published

2 hours ago

February 12, 2025

Wadi

Recent statements from a senior health official highlight the ongoing capacity of refugee camps to manage their own healthcare systems, despite challenges. This perspective underscores the importance of empowering refugee communities in their health management.

Refugee Camp Healthcare Management

Empowering Self-Sufficiency

Refugee camps have demonstrated resilience in maintaining their healthcare services, according to recent reports. The ability to manage healthcare internally reflects the growing self-sufficiency of these communities.

Public Health Interventions

Multi-Sectoral Approach

Effective healthcare in refugee camps relies on a multi-sectoral approach. This includes coordinating efforts in food security, shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) to create comprehensive public health interventions.

Community Engagement

Participatory Health Strategies

A key factor in successful camp-based healthcare is community engagement. Refugee community health workers play a crucial role in diagnosing common illnesses, making referrals, and sharing health information in culturally relevant ways.

Challenges and Solutions

Overcoming Access Barriers

While refugee camps face challenges in healthcare access, innovative solutions are being implemented. These include cash-based interventions to cover medical costs and efforts to include refugees in national health systems.

Future Directions

Sustainable Healthcare Models

The focus is shifting towards developing sustainable healthcare models within refugee camps. This involves strengthening local health infrastructure, training health workers, and integrating services with national health systems where possible.

By emphasizing self-management and community involvement, refugee camps are demonstrating their capacity to address healthcare needs effectively, paving the way for more resilient and autonomous health systems in challenging environments.