On August 2, 2023, Thai police arrested a 28yearold Chinese man, Luo Zhipeng, in connection with a massive cache of smuggled, pirated goods found in a warehouse in Muang district, tambon Phraekasa, Samut Prakan province. The discovery included approximately 100,000 counterfeit items ranging from gas stoves and skateboards to hair clippers, camera bags, and table fans.
Chulalongkorn Business School Affirms Its Position as Thailand’s Premier Business School with Prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation ## Achieving the Triple Crown Accreditation
Police recently arrested Dueanpen Jitwimolprasert, a 33yearold woman suspected of being the mastermind behind the infamous Busarakham romance scam gang. She was apprehended at a house in tambon Tha Chumpol of Photharam district, Ratchaburi province. The Busarakham gang reportedly used photos of an attractive, wellendowed woman under the alias “Busarakham” on a dating app to lure men into their scheme.
A joint effort by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has been initiated to clean up rubbish along rail tracks near Phaya Thai. The response comes after a Japanese netizen posted pictures of a Kiha183 train, donated by Japan for tourism purposes, passing by what appeared to be a dump site in the area.
Maya Bay, a beautiful location in Krabi made famous by the Hollywood film “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, will be closed to the public and tourists for two months during the monsoon season. This closure, lasting from August until September 30th, is aimed at the natural rehabilitation of the area while also prioritizing tourist safety, as strong waves make it difficult for boats to dock at Loh Sama Bay near Koh Phi Phi Le.
Koh Tao, a scenic island in the Gulf of Thailand northwest of Koh Samui, recently celebrated a new milestone. On July 28, the island saw a recordbreaking number of tourist arrivals, with 3,106 visitors arriving by boat. This surge in arrivals marked the beginning of a sixday government holiday that lasted until August 2.
The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta) is pushing for Chiang Rai and Suphan Buri to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2023. With the final results expected to be released in October, the two cities have been nominated based on their unique identities and creative potential.
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) are intensifying their efforts against five major biker gangs operating in Thailand, following the arrest of the leader and members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club in Pattaya on July 21. Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn confirmed that the Outlaws MC, Hells Angels, Bandidos Motorcycle Club, Mongols Motorcycle Club, and Vagos Motorcycle Club are all being investigated. These gangs, predominantly run by Australian nationals, are involved in various criminal activities such as drug trafficking, assault, extortion, theft, loansharking, fraud, money laundering, attempted murder, and murder.
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have teamed up to promote “astronomical tourism” by designating 18 stargazing locations as dark sky reserves in 2023. These locations, free from artificial light, provide a perfect setting for stargazers and photographers alike.
A small hotel owner in Surat Thani’s Koh Samui district received a rude awakening when she was sent an electricity bill for more than 11 million baht last month. The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has since apologized for the miscalculation, which went viral on social media.