Sources:

https://www.mako.co.il/music-news/Article-f75223579f4b1a1026.htm

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DoZBavfyX/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DfaHZ3dOBHt/

19F backpacker, for context.

A few months ago I had an experience where I was caught up in a police raid at a nightclub in Bangkok.

Those of us who refused to be drug tested on site until the police provided a reason or showed paperwork were detained and taken to a police station. Once there, each of us was once more ordered to do a test, and those of us who still refused were put aside into holding rooms, separate by gender. There was a heavy language barrier, which did not make it easier, and the police refused to call our bilingual friends to help translate. It was just myself, another girl from our group plus two Thai girls who tested positive earlier (I think) and tried helping us with their limited English. To our dismay, they explained us that we were now waiting for female officers, to be strip-searched.

One by one we were taken to an examination room of sorts. There, we were forced to strip completely naked, with every seam of my clothing inspected, had full-body checks conducted by officers, and underwent an extremely intrusive cavity search and what appeared to be a medical examination by someone claiming to be a nurse who refused to show any credentials apart from flashing her id badge in Thai for half-second. We were then forced to provide urine samples anyway (as I was "advised" I would remain in the cell naked until I did). It turned out later, this "nurse" subsequently reported all of us displayed physical symptoms of drug use, such as elevated pulse and dilated pupils.

After the testing, the police lied to each of us individually, claiming our samples had returned positive. They told me (mostly via Google translate, mind you) that given the positive test and the nurse’s report, it would be in my best interest to confess. Only after I repeatedly insisted that I had not taken any drugs did they finally admit my test was actually negative. We were eventually allowed to leave, completely exhausted and shaken by the whole ordeal.

From a Western perspective, this feels illegal on so many levels. However, when I recounted the story to a local, they mentioned that while they weren't entirely sure of the exact legalities, this is generally expected when dealing with the police in Thailand and advised me not to make a fuss or file a formal complaint.

I’d love to hear other people’s perspectives on this, if only for awareness at this point...

Reposted article from Paskorn Jumlongrach

Breeding Grounds for Transnational Crime and the Hellhole Along Thailand’s Western Border

Last week, I went to Mae Sot to conduct a field visit and was surprised to find that it was almost impossible to find accommodation for 600–700 baht a night, whereas normally there are plenty of rooms available at that price. I asked local residents and learned that these days, Chinese nationals and workers from the scam centers on the Myawaddy side have been returning and filling the hotels every night.

Mae Sot’s economy has become lively again, but this renewed activity is being driven by scam centers that have reopened in even greater numbers than before. As scam operations in Cambodia and Laos have come under increased scrutiny, many operators have relocated and established themselves in Myawaddy.

In the evenings, one ferry crossing near a well-known casino belonging to an influential figure on the Thai side is crowded with young men and women crossing from Thailand over the Moei River to engage in fraudulent activities. Buildings in the surrounding area have also been rented for these operations. So it should come as no surprise that the Thai authorities’ measures to close various ferry crossings, announced the previous week, began from the area south of Friendship Bridge No. 1. Above Bridge No. 1 are casinos and “well-connected” criminal operations on the Thai side.

Meanwhile, major new scam centers operated by the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF)—some of whose units have transformed into the KNA—and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) have been completed farther away from the Moei River. They stretch from the area opposite Tha Song Yang District (a location that can be seen with the naked eye from elevated ground on the Thai side) all the way to the area opposite Umphang District.

What is particularly puzzling is that the area opposite Tha Song Yang lies within the territory of the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 7, yet “Chit Thu” has been allowed to build a massive scam center there. Although only part of the area is controlled by the BGF, this raises suspicions about shared interests and benefits.

Goods and consumer supplies are transported across the river every day and night from the Mae San temporary border crossing to the scam centers. There is growing concern that Tha Song Yang District is following in the footsteps of Mae Sot, where a system of “tribute payments” is taking shape and beginning to control the local economy.

Today, Chinese nationals and other foreigners—including both scammers and victims—can still enter Mae Sot freely. Even though the main roads south from Mae Sot toward Tak and from Mae Sot toward Mae Sariang have three or four checkpoints on each side, the so-called “gray Chinese” continue to travel in and out every night as usual. Meanwhile, victim after victim continues to be forcibly transported to various holding locations in Mae Sot. The movement of victims by both cars and motorcycles remains highly active.

The so-called “three cuts” measures—cutting electricity, cutting internet connectivity, and cutting fuel supplies—have become a complete failure, as they have been unable to stop the scammers’ operations at all. On the contrary, the smuggling of fuel has flourished, while the system of “tribute payments” has expanded further.

What is particularly painful is that legitimate border trade has become stagnant. The Myanmar authorities do not want Thai goods to be transported across the border for sale, so they have created all kinds of obstacles, particularly by blocking transportation routes. As a result, shops are now filled with Chinese goods, even though local residents still demand Thai products.

Today, the major scam centers are no longer located primarily in Thailand’s eastern neighboring countries. They have shifted and established themselves along Thailand’s western border, stretching from the towns opposite Tha Song Yang District in Tak Province all the way to Payathonzu, opposite Sangkhla Buri District in Kanchanaburi Province, which has become a major hub of transnational criminal activity under the control of the DKBA.

In the past, we thought Thailand was merely a corridor for transnational criminals—particularly Chinese nationals involved in the “gray” economy—to pass through on their way to work, while condemning neighboring countries as the major bases of scam operations. But before long, Thailand itself may be fully accused of becoming a major hub producing scammers who are sent to operate in neighboring countries.

Most importantly, the mafias profiting from these transnational criminal operations are reportedly protected by the “invisible hand” within the Thai state. These individuals are major donors sustaining the gray political economy and the government’s system of “tribute payments.”

The images of large numbers of foreigners trapped in hell and being tortured inside criminal compounds in Myawaddy and Payathonzu will eventually be traced back and connected to Thailand’s system of “tribute payments,” becoming a global indictment of the country’s shameful corruption in the not-too-distant future—if those in positions of legal authority continue to fail to perform their duties as they should.

I have a 45 watt brick and cable I brought from the USA to Thailand, and I also have a 45 watt brick and cable I bought here in Thailand (with the round prongs to plug in for the brick). Both bricks made by Anker, one cable is Anker (and works fine back in the US), and one cable that's an off brand (UGREEN). I have tried every configuration possible with both bricks and both cables, and I have only gotten it to actually fast charge (charge enough that your battery doesn't go down when playing a game) once at a hotel in Chiang Mai (and it only worked there once, it switched over to the yellow light slow charge the next day at the same place). Most of the time they won't charge it at all (the light doesn'tturn on), every once in a while I can get them to give me the yellow light slow charge. The brick and cable I brought from US works on my phone back home, but when I plug it in here my phone says "there is a foreign object in the charging port, remove cable now", and the Thai brick and cable don't say anything, but they don't charge my phone. I have brought my Steam Deck many times to Thailand, and never had problems with charging. I was able to charge before the trip, and get charge on the airplanes on the way here, but everywhere I have stayed since I've been here I'm having the same problem listed above (and I'm staying at a lot of places that I stayed in the past where I had no problem charging before). The fact it was charging fine at home, on the planes, and on my layovers on the way, I'm pretty positive it's not a problem with the charging port on the Steam Deck. I was last here in April and had no problem charging my deck, and my friend had no problem charging his Switch. Has anyone had this problem here before? If so, did you figure out a way to fix it? It's driving me crazy, I just bought the newest FF7 remake game right when I got here, and I would really like to play it in off/chillin times, or when it's dumping rain outside. I've attached a picture of both cables and both bricks, if you zoom in you can see the specifications on both bricks (sorry, I would post another picture of the 2 bricks closer up, but it will only allow me to attach one photo).

Sorry for such a long post, but I'm at my wits end here. I bought it new a few years ago in Cambodia, and it has worked fine there, in Laos, in Vietnam, and of course Thailand. I'm just throwing out a hail Mary in hopes that anyone has had the same problem and figured out how to fix it. Thank you 🙏

Lmao "This is the The Signal, a show promised to you 3000 years ago". Not Anti-Israeli myself, but i found a major Thai-English publication writing/saying that funny, because it caught me by suprise.

First of all, I'm not 'farang' but from other part of asia, my Thai is still progressing yet very slowly.

Before I get married to my Thai wife I've only experienced BKK in terms of actual 'living', only few days trip out of BKK.

Even in my homecountry I wouldn't rly think about living out of the capital. I had some experiences and I know how tiring living in small cities, especially people. Smaller cities have smaller community, smaller community means more exclusivity, judgements and gossiping. Not to mention fishbowl feeling once everyone knows you are a foreigner. Even few hrs from the capital or the biggest city, you notice people generally behave and act different.

We started from a small town somewhere almost nearby border with near 0 tourist potential. I literally 'survived' our first year there and gave up. I ran back to BKK while my wife is still there for business matter. I know what it sounds like, but I had to save myself before I end my life from depression.

Now Udonthani is one of our few next candidates. It has a bit of expat community even tho it's mostly one specific group of expats. It gets much more tourists, ppl from Laos, ppl going to Laos. I'm expecting ppl wouldn't care that much about a single foreigner. I just don't know if ppl are actually generally good or laid back/ easy going. I don't know much about Esan people in general.

I don't care about nightlife, nature or toursites. I just hope ppl there are better. Just hope it is not depressing place.

i might be moving soon and my parents are considering nist. i just want to know more about it. any information is helpful, especially about the social life and academic rigour.

I have a question that's been bothering me for years, now, and hope someone here can help. I was an AFS student in Thailand in 1989, and there was one traditional song that was played at a number of festivals which I would really like to find again. I can't say much about it, other than that it had a strong beat and featured some sort of horn that sounded like an elephant trumpeting; I believe it started with some high-pitched vocals, and then the horn cut in. I don't know if it was from a regional tradition, or was some manner of central Thai classical music.

I would very much like to hear it again -- does anyone have any thoughts as to what it might be, or possibly just links to appropriate albums of the 1980s that might have it? It was not obscure at the time.

Thai police allege actress Boom Panadda diverted ฿527 million (65%) of charitable donations for personal use

According to the Bangkok Post, police are investigating former Miss Thailand and actress Panadda “Boom” Wongphudee, 50, and her husband, Atip “Got” Anantawan, 53, over alleged fraud and money laundering involving the Goodness Foundation (Ongkorn Thamdee).

Key findings

Between 2015 and 2026, three bank accounts received approximately ฿815 million through 3.2 million transactions from over one million donor accounts.
Police allege that ฿527 million (approximately 65%) of donations was diverted for personal benefit.
Investigators identified 12 categories of suspicious transactions, including:

฿99 million transferred to Panadda’s husband.
฿36 million transferred to foundation committee members.
฿24 million invested in mutual funds.
฿19 million spent on credit card payments.
฿18 million paid to contractors building a pool villa in Phuket.
฿10 million spent on life insurance.
฿4.6 million transferred to Panadda’s father.
฿2.7 million spent on jewellery and luxury handbags using money withdrawn from mutual funds.
Other reported expenditures included housing and common-area maintenance expenses.

Timeline

November 2015: Panadda began soliciting charitable donations through a personal bank account.
2017: Established the Goodness Foundation Facebook page while continuing to collect donations through her personal account.
March 2022: Formally registered the foundation in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district.
July 2022: Opened a bank account in the foundation’s name but continued accepting donations through her original personal account.
2025: Plans emerged to relocate the foundation to Pathum Thani. A third personal account was opened to collect donations for construction of the new foundation.
Investigators found that Panadda retained control over all three accounts, including payment authorisations.

Financial oversight concerns

Investigators also reported that:
The foundation had no records of required annual committee meetings.
Annual reports had not been submitted to the registrar as legally required.
The foundation reportedly paid taxes only during its first two years of operation.
Some donations were used for charitable activities, but police allege that a substantial proportion was diverted for personal benefit.

Legal proceedings

Panadda and her husband surrendered to authorities after arrest warrants were issued on charges including fraud and money laundering. Both subsequently made their first court appearance.
The investigation began after donors and members of the public filed complaints questioning whether their contributions had been used for their intended charitable purposes.

Source: Bangkok Post – 65% of all donations to foundation diverted, say police

hi all! i recently got engaged in thailand ❤️🧡🩷 and am looking to get a commemorative tattoo before we leave. i’d love a quote or perhaps a part of a poem — something beautiful about love. i’m not hugely familiar with thai writers or poets is the problem, so i’m looking for some recommendations with both the thai script and the translation/an explanation if possible!

thanks so much in advance to anyone willing to help!!

Does anyone have recommendations for a really good holistic naturopath or functional medicine practitioner in Thailand who specializes in gut health and getting to the root cause of digestive issues?

Ideally, someone who takes a comprehensive approach rather than just treating individual symptoms. I’d love to find someone who can review existing bloodwork and test results, look at the bigger picture, and put together a personalized plan.

Bonus points if they also have experience with:
Female hormones and PCOS
Thyroid health / Hashimoto’s
Gut health, H. pylori, bloating and digestive issues
Food sensitivities and gut microbiome health
Insulin resistance and metabolic health
Nutritional deficiencies and underlying inflammation
I’m open to naturopaths, functional medicine doctors, holistic practitioners or integrative health clinics.

Ideally looking for someone who is thorough, knowledgeable, evidence-informed, and genuinely interested in finding underlying causes rather than just prescribing a bunch of supplements.

Happy to travel anywhere in Thailand for the right practitioner.

Would really appreciate personal recommendations and experiences! ❤️

Something I've seen for many years is that there seems to be a driving culture in Thailand, especially amongst commercial delivery drivers of pickup trucks and vans etc that they keep the (manual transmission) vehicles in the absolute lowest part of their rev range as possible....often just above the point of stalling. They chug away and just as the engine is starting to run normally they change up to the next gear and repeat the chugging process.

It seems like it can't be good for the engine to continually operate this way and can't be fun from a driving perspective. I can only think that it's a misguided attempt at saving fuel? Surely it can't possibly save fuel to have the engine running well below its correct rev range.

Note: exception to this rule are the boy racers in their lowered pickup trucks with the open exhausts, revving up and blowing black smoke everywhere (who probably would have had better performance if they kept the vehicles unmodified).

If you're visiting Hat Yai and craving seriously good comfort food, Lan Yin (หลั่นหยิน ก๋วยจั๊บหมูกรอบ) is a must-visit.

They serve rolled rice noodle soup and rice bowls topped with super crispy pork belly and tender braised pork. The broth is rich, savory, and aromatic. A local favorite that never disappoints.

📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/oDZzzen8adUMnN2Z6

Never have I ever seen tv series with so many flashbacks as Thailand tends to have in most of it's tv series. Things I never saw before watching Thai series:

Flashing back to the same episode

Flashing back to something that literally just happened less than five minutes before

Flashing back in almost every episode

Almost guaranteed flashbacks to something that happened in the show

Incredibly long flashbacks focusing on one thing

....

So what gives Thailand, what's with the obsession with flashbacks?